Better Later Than Never Is exactly What I Say!

Well hello!

Please accept my most sincere apologies for not keeping up with this blog thingamajig! Well I am really sorry - no honestly I am!

What with my little cleaning venture and the arrangements for my forthcoming wedding I have not had time for anything remotely involved with me or my jewellery!

I suppose the credit crunch epidemic that's sweeping this country like the bloody plague has alot to do with me keeping dead busy with my cleaning job - we all need money don't we?? I have not been spending money like I normally do and I've noticed that my customers have not been spending money on my precious little trinkets either. The shows this summer have been down in the takings - well my shows are in my beloved Yorkshire and you know what they say about us folks being tight and all that ha ha!

Alas not to worry eh! I will carry on regardless and see what the rest of the year brings.

I will try to fill you in on my wedding arrangements as it is only 6 months now till the big day and I am sooo excited its untrue!

Right here are some pics of my new jewellery and also one or two of the Mr Fabulous Marvin.

This one features Beverley Hicklin beads in fab turquoise and brown ( a favourite combination of mine) It is quite a substantial necklace with loads of lampwork, sterling silver, Karen hill tribe silver and my beloved swarovski crystal!

And last but certainly not least ..... Mr Marvin Marverari Wainwright!!

See you later xxxxx

OUCH the weather!

Assyrian.

Beautiful beads from Caroline Hannon mixed with Karen Hill Tribe Squares and rings, freshwater pearls and Sterling Silver chain.

Hey, what a week we have had with the weather being SO hot!! I am not complaining mind, just a little observation you understand!

I have been really busy as usual what with my cleaning business and making new jewellery pieces for my next show on 17Th May in Otley, West Yorkshire. Its a small agricultural show that I have been doing for a couple of years and has a really good turn out -so if your in the area why not come and visit - it is a great day out for all the family! Plug over now (LOL) I can let you know what else I have been up to.

I have decided to cancel my face book account - not because I have not enjoyed saying hello to my mates but rather because of all the annoying emails etc that you get when anyone has left a picture or message and also because I am spending far too much time nosing on other peoples lives and need to get on with my own!!

Its absolutely doing my head in so I have taken my bat and ball home and cancelled it all!

I don't know what it is about the sun that makes us want to get out and do some digging but that's exactly what I have been up to over the last couple of days or so, I have planted loads of new plants in my garden - second time in two years actually seen as though Marvin and Betty (the destroyer) ate all the last ones.

We now have a gate though to keep the dogs off the lawn and plants so at last I might have a bit of tranquillity.

Here is a pic of the dogs enjoying the sun (please note Betty's new knickers as she is on season - brill idea I think)!

I don't think we have ever laughed as much as when we first put these on her - ace arn't they??

Marv is flaked out!

I have also made some new jewellery goodies which will be going on my website for sale. On this necklace I am really chuffed with as the beads are tiny so have hummed and arrrrred over what to do with them.

Added to the beads are Karen Hill Tribe flower print beads and sterling silver beads and chain. I am going to call this one Angel Falls as the beads remind me of water.

Anyway nowt much else to tell but I promise I will get back to posting later in the week with some more pics.

Tarrah for now xxx

Loads To Tell!!

Hey, sorry for the lack of posts lately - I have been very busy and not just in a "cant be pestered" mood - HONEST!!

First I would like to share with you my new website which was created and set up by Ian Tubb who is the husband of my very lovely cyber space mate Jo of Gemheaven. I am thrilled to bits and pieces with the changes and it does look better - I was getting sick of all that pink ( I know thats unbelievable of me) and now its a very contemperory black and grey. Because of this change I have also decided to have a go at changing my photos and the backgrounds. Anyone who takes pics of jewellery and glass beads will know just how difficult it is to capture the beauty of the design and the brilliant beads so with that in mind I thought I would try a few different props on a slate background - which will go with my new look website!

Here is a picture of a handcrafted pendant with turquoise, silver and crystal strung on a sterling silver chain. I have used a candle as the prop and think this works quite well - what do you think?

I have really enjoyed taking the new photos and have absolutley loads and loads to put on my website too - here are a few more using different props

This one I have named "Marbles" as it looks like the marbles you could buy or indeed win when I was a young un! It has been photographed against a candle in a blowl with bronze pebble chips - I love this one - the fantastic bead is by Beverley Hicklin.

And finally ....

This one is a favourite of mine ( cant understand why) LOL!!! set agains a black background on a white textured candle - I really like this effect and will probably use this one quite alot.

I am going to be updating my website over the next couple of days so hopefully it will look better with the new pics.

On a more personal level, my fantastic 18 year old son Ben has decided that he is going to join the Royal Signals in the British Army ( these are the men who provide the communication for the rest of the army).

To say we were shocked is an understatement and to say I am worried is not the half of it - however, I can say though that we are immensly proud of his decision and if this is what my lovely boy wants to do then we will back him all the way! He has passed his first parts for the entrance and now has to wait till the end of the month for some more tests, then will be his fitness test and full medical so all being well he will be joining in August! I will keep you all posted on his progress over the next couple of months.

I have also been really busy with my cleaning business " Mrs Sparkles" and it has been really hectic with the phone calls and bookings etc - infact it does look like I am going to start employing to keep up with the demand so wish me luck please!!

Right off to finish some more photos and take the dogs out - No rest for the wicked is there??

love Bev x

The Invitation

Well its only 10 months now until the big day of mine and Doms and I thought I would let you have a peek at my first try at our wedding invitations. I decided to make my own as its so expensive to buy them! I have been quoted loads and loads and thought oh to hell with it I will make my own!

I have bought the card blanks from a wholesalers near where I live and it cost me £7 for 100!!!! I know I nearly keeled over when I saw they were this cheap - I previously had seen them on ebay for £10 for 50 so I have made a right little saving even if I say so myself!

I bought the silver hearts from crystal rose designs and wire wrapped the Swarovski crystal onto the heart and stuck it down onto the card. I am not sure about the wire to the side of the card so any suggestions would be much appreciated! All together the card has cost me about £1 to make and I only have another 60 hearts to wrap LOL!!! and of course the inserts to do which my sister Victoria has kindly offered to help me with!

Anyway here it is - drum roll please.............

What do you think??

I have also booked to go try wedding dresses on which I am soooo excited about - I can hardly tell you! I have seen a dress I love but its handmade and costs £1650.00!!! so will have to wait and see about that one! Anyone who knows me will know that I am a very comfortable size14 and am trying to lose some weight at the moment so I have been egged on by my friends to go have a colonic to help me rid some weight and obviously help me feel better and less sluggish so I have made my appointment for Wednesday 2nd April and promise to fill you in with the details ( well maybe not all the details ha ha )!!

In between all this excitement and working I have also been busy making jewellery - both for wholesale and for my website and shows one of which is coming up this Easter in York!

Here is one of my latest I have named it "Rainbow"

This unique piece features beads from the wonderful Caroline Hannon, Sterling Silver tubes and Karen Hill Tribe beads. The lamp work beads are beautiful and vibrant - I love it!!!

Right better get on with all the preparations for my show - or should I go sit on the sofa and have a cuddle with my Dom?? Ha ha I know which sounds more inviting don't you??

TTFN xxxxx

Some Mothers!!

Fantasty Retro

Hope you all had a fantastic Mothers day yesterday! I dont know why I expect a day of rest and pampering when I never ever get that - must be wishful thinking.

I visited my mum who other than being a total mentalist has a massive case of OCD and was cleaning as usual ( I wonder where I get it from)!!! I made her a lovely necklace and earrings set and bought her a bunch of flowers from my local Tesco ~ BTW can someone please explain to me why the cost of flowers rises about 50% on Mothers day? ~ Do they grow the flowers in magic fairy dust? Are the flowers brought to earth from another faraway galaxy? Or are our shop owners just down right greedy bastards? ~ Me thinks its the last answer for some unknown bizarre reason!

My lovely sons bought me the new Adel CD and a fluffy teddy with a mum heart on it ( sooo cute) We had a lovely dinner which I made although Jamie loaded the dishwasher and then I settled down to some good olde fashioned Ironing!! Fandabbydozy I thought - I wouldnt change a thing and I am sooooo lucky to be a mum!!

Is spring on its way??

Argonite

The mornings are getting a bit brighter don't you think?? Yesterday was a bit blustery but today feels lovely and fresh ~ even the dogs are behaving a bit better than usual!!

As you all know Ive been really in the zone for making new jewellery and yesterday was no exception. The necklace above was made using handcrafted lamp work by Dawn White - the beads remind me of coral reef.

I have a show coming up soon at Easter in York so am going to be real busy too - I have also been revamping my stall - and its taken some doing. I am going for a sophisticated black and cream look and promise to take photos when I have it set up at the show.

Haeddre

Here is another one from yesterday. The beads remind me of Scottish Heather so I have given it the old Scottish name for heather. Mixed with Karen Hill Tribe Silver and Swarovski Crystals and set on a twisted double thread of seed beads I think this one is one of my favourites so far this year!!

TTFN

xx

As Promised........

Here are some more pieces that I have made and am very excited about - first one is Coco Loco, the lampwork beads are by Dawn White and are just lovely - I have managed a set of earrings, necklace and a bracelet - what do you think??

I have also been hard at it on my new pendant range - and will get some pics together over the next couple of days although I swear to god I am no David Bailey and my camera is like an odessy to me!!

Right off to update my website

cheerio for now!

Love Bev x

The Mojo has been found!

Hurray I say!!

My missing mojo seems to have returned home to me! I was so worried that I would not find it again and did actually fear my business would die a severe and traumatic death!! But yay I am happy to report that I have found my likkle ikkle mojo again!

I have been beavering away quite happily since yesterday in between doing Doms accounts and my other evening job. I think it may have come back due to a conversation regarding sts necklace bails with my very good mate Jo of Gemheaven, I truly believe that the little convo we had spurred me on to make some new things.

This one is called Kebekol which means "to go sailing together" quite apt really considering the fantastic aqua colours of the glass and crystal blended with the turquoise!

I will be back again tomorrow hopefully with some more pics so

ttfn

xxx

Jobs Jobs and more Jobs

Isnt it always the same?? you get back from your relaxing no stress two weeks a year holidays to one of the most stressful times in your life!! I mean I got back last Sunday, started a new evening job on Monday, trained all week till 9 at night as well as doing a mammoth mountain of washing, drying and Ironing, cleaning, updating the website and trying to make some new jewellery. I feel absolutley jiggered if I am to be brutally honest! To top all this off is my pending wedding to my beloved Dom - I know its 11 months away but god dammit there are things to organise!!

I have been trying to make some nice little things though as the show season starts again at the easter weekend in March and I will be with Made In Yorkshire again on St Samsons Square in York. This is a really busy weekend and for those who can travel to Yorkshire I would really recommend that they try to visit York as it is really something else!

The neckalce above is going to be called Floribunda and the beads are from the fantastic Beverley Hicklin, I have teamed them with Sterling Silver, Swarovski Crystal and black agate!

The necklace below is called Coal as the beads are so black yet have sparkly little bits in just like a piece of coal. These beads are also handmade and from Bev Hicklins studio, I have added Sterling Silver and Crystals again along with karen Hill Tribe jump rings.

I am going to try to get some more stuff ready as well over the next few weeks - well thats if I have not passed out with blooming exhaustion!!

TTFN!!

Im Back!

I know its been a while and I apologise but I have been on my jollies to Cuba. We have had an absolutley fantastic holiday and to be honest I am depressed at having to come back down to earth!

Cuba is a very interesting place, in the hotel it was very geared towards the tourists and very "caribean", however as most people know, Cuba is a communist country so on the outside of the tourist district its a very different story. We went to Havana on a day trip which was great apart from all the propaganda about and all the beggars. It is steeped in history and we enjoyed a few Mojito's!! At night we went to the famous Tropicana show which was visited by the very famous or should I say infamous Al Capone!


Anyway now that we have had our holiday and the washing and ironing are done I have had chance to finally make some new bits and pieces a bit different to my usual stuff. I hope you like!!!

This one is a variation on my "slinki" range, handmade with silver rings and beads instead of the black rubber.

This one is my new pendant range handmade from Venetian glass tiles. I have added swarovski crystals and added as Sterling Silver necklace!

AND finally ........ a handmade bangle - no fastener needed!!

Back again soon with more goodies!!

Feliz año nuevo

to you all!! As we are off to the sunnier climate of Cuba on the 19Th of this month, I thought I would get into the spirit of things by saying happy new year in Spanish!


I have had a right time of it lately trying to make some new jewellery, on the flip side of things it seems that I have lost what a lot of my friends term as Mojo! I cannot be bothered or have the slightest inkling to make anything really, don't know why but i think it might have something to do with just being really tired after the Christmas rush. I have however got some goodies left over from my sales at Christmas and one of which is pictured below - it has some lovely metallic beads from Helen Brodt-Savage. I call this one Metallica!

I am hoping to make some new jewellery before my holidays and get it on my website but until then I do hope to at least keep this blog updated!

I have been gathering some fantastic beads as well from camps such as Beverley Hicklin and Dawn White so hopefully this will give me the boost that I need to get me going again. I have also been buying a mystery object for a great pendant idea I have so more on this as and when!

Anyway must fly so

Cheerio for now

love Bev xxxx

Foil Glass and a Blooming Bad Cold!

I have been making some foil glass bead necklaces for a couple of months after a few ladies at a party asked me if I made any "cheaper" necklaces!! Cheaper I thought - NEVER!! But after having a blooming good think about it, I decided that I could rise to the challenge and craft some value for money necklaces without compromising the look of them. I have not looked back since!! These necklaces absolutley fly out of the window at shows and parties alike. I charge £20 for each necklace which I dont think is bad considering you are getting a handcrafted piece of jewellery.

I have decided today that I would just have to list them on my website also so that I can give my clients the chance of buying one of these little stunners, I mean, they make lovely christmas pressies don't they?? So why the hell not!!

After being exausted with the brilliant Crafts for Christmas in Harrogate last week I have caught a right blooming cold and a half, coupled with a bit of a chest infection, if you didnt know me better you would swear I was on 40 Capstan Full Strength a day! Anyway I have decided to get to the quacks tomorrow for some chest saving antibiotics or any such linctus he wishes to give me.
I have a party tomorrow night, then on Friday I have a gift evening at my local Catholic Church social club ( they are fundraising to send some ill folks to lourdes) and on Saturday and Sunday I am at Wentworth Castle Gardens in Barnsley for their christmas gift fair!
So Speak next week if I have the energy!!

Love Bev xxxxx

The festival of witches and gobbildygook!

Well it is here again - the nightmare evening for some - loads and loads of fun for others - "All Hallows Eve" otherwise known as Halloween a brilliant celebration of pagans and witches when Celts believed that on the night before the new year ie, 1st November , the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred.

On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain (later called all hallows eve) , when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth! Druids as well as Christians have celebrated this festival for hundreds of years so I was stunned today to hear my local radio station have a phone in about wether to stop halloween or not as it is a American thing!! "It is blooming well not" I said allowed to the radio - I would have phoned in myself but was fuming with the dumb people of my beloved Yorkshire for thinking it is not something we as Englsih people need or want! I bloody well love halloween and my kids love it too even though they are 14 and 17!!

Maybe its when some people get silly with trick or treating that it puts people off! I dont know but hey if the kids love it and they are supervised then I dont see a problem do you??

Now i've had my rant I can now tell you I have not got any new pics to post sadly as I am waiting for my new docking station coming for my camera! I have been really busy making jewellery as it is the massive Crafts for Christmas at Harrogate next weekend and I am dead nervous that I wont have enough stuff for sale! I am sure that I will manage - I always do some how, but I still worry.

I have been to the docs this afternoon for my dreaded smear test - god dont you just hate those things its so undignified being prodded and poked - still better safe than sorry i suppose. I had my blood pressure done also and it was sky high ( not surprising really considering why I was there)!! So have to go back in a fortnight for it doing again.

OOh also before I forget I baked my very first traditional fruit cake today - my house smells georgous I can tell you. I am going to leave it a couple of days and keep feeding it Brandy then Im going to ice it!! If I do make a good job then I am going to bake my own wedding cake! Pics to follow - obviously if its a complete and utter feck up then I wont bother you with the photos LOL!!!

Photo below is my beautiful and absolutely mad as a hatter neice and god daughter Isabel! I am going to see her at my mums tonight for our halloween tea and am really looking forward to it!

speak later love Bev xx

Calm Before The Storm?

I have felt really calm and peaceful today, I cleaned everything in my house to within an inch of its life yesterday including my living room carpet and today I have had nothing much to do!

Now every other mentalist cleaning extraordinare will know that you ALWAYS have cleaning to do and believe me I did look everywhere but lo and behold I decided to concentrate on my jewellery instead! Yep Siree I have had a slouching day!!

I am a little worried though cos normally there is a calm before a storm isnt there?? I am in York this weekend at the October Show with Made in Yorkshire on St Samsons Square so maybe that will be the storm, who knows!!!

Here is a sample of my new stuff made today - the beads are from Caroline Hannons studio and are fantastique dont you think??

Im gonna call this set "A Bed Of Roses".

Clambroth

Hey, don't ya just love these beads? They remind me of vintage marbles like "Clambroth" a set of marbles with swirls on them! I have added loads of hill tribe silver on this one and am really quite pleased with the outcome!

My mum was the "Chickenly champion marble player" when she was a kid and I used to love listening to her telling me the tales of when all the other kids used to come around and try win her tin of marbles from her!!

I have also made a bracelet and earrings with these beads from Beaujangles and Baubles, and this is quite unusual for me I must say as I don't really do sets if you know what I mean!

I am decorating this weekend and on Sunday off to a wedding fair near where I live - hoping that this will give me some inspiration!

Speak soon and have a good un!

Love Bev xxxx

What am I like!!

Well Well Well what am I like!! I apologise profusely for not updating my blogginton for ages and ages and I have loads of crappy little excuses but the truth of the matter is that I don't seem to have the time to shit shave or shampoo lately if you pardon the very graphic pun!

I have been doing some very successful shows and quite a few parties which has meant that I have absolutely no stock what so ever so have been beavering away to get some stock made in time for what we jewellery makers describe as not so much the busy season of Christmas but more the " I cant believe I am walking around in a coma like trance whilst trying to keep up with the mentalist Christmas shoppers" kind of season. Anyways I have now just about caught up with about a week to go before York's October show where I will be exhibiting my wears with Made In Yorkshire on St Samson's Square, so if you are in the area then please do come along and say Hi!! The necklace above is made from some fab retro beads handmade by Mindy of Moogin beads - I am so in love with her beads at the moment I am in fact about to own most of her stock ha ha!


On a more personal note, myself and Dom have decided to get hitched here in sunny England and have set the date of 31st January 2009! I know it does seem a long way off but honestly its just over a year away and you know how time flies don't you? We have booked our wedding at the fabulous Woodlands Hotel which isn't too far from where we live. I have fallen in love with the place so there you go we have it booked - SUITED!!!
I want to also mention my very good matey from school - Deborah Parky whose daughter Kylie is in labour as we speak and want to wish them all my love and hope all goes OK - god I feel really old as I can remember Kylie being born 20 years ago!! I will of course let you lot know how she goes on - although I already know she is having a little girl!

I also want to let you know that Marvin and Betty are fine and dandy if not a little crackers (in the nicest possible sense of course) here is a pic taken yesterday as they had pinched my Christmas wrapping stuff and had it wound all around them - mind you its not as bad as eating Dom's cheque book while I was doing his accounts earlier! He will go mad BTW!

Right I must get off and update my website with new jewellery so please feel free to mosey on over for a gander - speak real soon!

Love Bev xx

Flower Show and Retro Necklace

Had a brilliant weekend at the Harrogate Flower Show!! I sold loads of jewellery especially my cheaper range of foil glass - oh my do the women love those or what! Anyway, I have loads of new stuff to make and loads of planning to do now for the latter half of the season and as most of you will know its our busiest time of year! I swear I wont have time to S**t shave or shampoo!

Thanks to my friends too who have been emailing me asking about my little Betty and how she is doing with her season! Actually, it has not been so bad and definitely not as bad as my vet told me it was going to be. Marvin is a real big softy so if he has got a bit amorous with her I only have to say and he doesn't take it any further if you know what I mean!

Ben has just started his college course in Bradford and he is thrilled to bits with it - he is studying Music Tech. He is sooo interested in music and I am so proud that he has learnt himself how to play the guitar and even though I say it myself - he is really really good! Jamie is now back at school and yes I must say I am thrilled with that - so I may get some jobs done now!
Right I am off to scuttle off to make some jewellery it is not worth going anywhere today as in Yorkshire it is absolutely peeing it down!

Speak soon
Love Bev xxxx

Its the Season!

This is my Betty Boubalay when we first got her in March. She was 8 weeks old then and as you my fellow bloggers will know - she is a right little minx! The reason I have posted this pic is because this morning my betty's first season started! I am mortified to say the least - yeh yeh I know she is only a dog but errrr dur - SHE is MY baby girl! I will have three weeks of hell in front of me now as Marvin tries any which way to get to the poor little princess.

The dogs were supposed to be going to doggies day care next Friday while I am Harrogate Flower show but unfortunately I don't think they will take her while she is "poorly". I am going to ring them on Monday just to see but in the mean time life goes on I suppose, its just that I am gonna be absolutely knackered trying to keep Marverari away from her - he has been sniffing around her today although I don't know if he knows what is going on!

I have made some new jewellery as well and uploaded it onto my website and here is a sneak preview of what is to come, it has been made with Caroline Hannons fab beads, swarovski crystal and amethyst rounds as well as the usual mix of Sterling!

Have a good weekend!

Love bev x

Four O Clock Start!

Talk about shattered! I have been up since 4'o'clock this morning thanks to my Betty the little minx! I just have not sat down until now of course but by god I've got loads done, I will probably collapse in a blooming heap this afternoon!

I have made a lovely necklace though and am really quite pleased with it even if I do say so myself!

I have used a fab handmade lamp work bead from the very talented Dora Schubert and added Sterling Silver , Swarovski Crystal and handmade glass rondelles. I am going to call it " The Swinging Trapeze" What do you think??

I am gonna pop it on my website this afternoon but I really am pleased with the way it has turned out!

Right better get off before I drop off to sleep

Have a good un!

Love Bev x

Nightmare six weeks, new jewellery and September events!

I have finally managed to make some new jewellery for my website! Phew it seems to have taken me forever but then I blame the six weeks holiday don't you?? It just throws me completely out of sinc and I just turn into this walking disaster thing.

I just cannot for the life in me get anything done lately and seem to be walking around in a bloody day dream! I thought that I would grow out of this behaviour but WTF I am still bimbling along like some blonde dimwit from the planet DUMB!! First there is the cleaning and the dogs then there is Doms accounts and day to day running of his business ( why doesnt he just shove a brush up my arse and let me sweep up at the same time for gods sake)! Then there is my two teenage boys - and dont let me get started on them will you cos I could go on for days and days and any other mum of teenage boys will get my drift if you know what I mean!

Apart from all the daily chores etc etc I have actually managed to get some jewellery made which for me is a blooming miracle lately. I have uploaded some new stuff on my site and hopefully can make some more over the next couple of days.

I have quite a busy September - its my Jamie's 14th Birthday on the 10th and My Doms 33rd Birthday on 23rd not to mention my friends Vicky (15th) and Sharon (21st) so I have alot of pressies to make and buy dont I??

I also will be exhibiting my jewellery and hopefully selling loads at Harrogate Flower Show 14th-16th and Nidderdale Show on the 24th, if anyone can make it to these events please do come and say hello, you wont be able to get a word in but hey who cares!!

Right better get back to the grindstone as my mum says "there is no rest for the wicked"!!

TTFN Bev xxxxx