BARCELONA BEADS

We recently had a short holiday in Barcelona.  It was not a success.  Barcelona is a theives’ paradise and I fell foul of one of them.  You can read all about it here if you’re interested.

Anyway, before we got to the stage where I was no longer in possession of my bag and wallet, we went to a market that was on the sea front and I treated myself to some jewellery.  Because I make so much jewellery I rarely feel the need to buy anything but I thought this set, using jasper and lava stone rondelles, was lovely.  It was not expensive and…….I was on holiday so I bought it.

The next day, when I no longer had my wallet, we stumbled upon a bead shop.  The beads were not expensive and as I was penniless, my husband treated me to them.  I probably bought fewer strands than if I had been in control of my own money but it was really nice of him to treat me!

I have worn the necklace set a lot already as it’s perfect for autumn in those colours.  As for the strands, I don’t usually go for blue beads but there was obviously something subconscious going on and reflecting my mood.  Possibly.

AN EXHIBITION

I called in at the tourist office in Le Grand-Pressigny earlier in the year and one way or another the conversation got round to the subject of home made jewellery.  To cut a long story short, I was asked if I would like to have a small exhibition in the tourist office in the next village as part of season showcasing the work of local craft persons.

Thinking that nothing would come of it, I was surprised to get the phone call confirming my place.  I went to look at the premises and was somewhat dismayed to find that the glass cases were huge – I’d need a lot of jewellery to fill them.

This is one of the necklaces I made in order to fill the space in the cases.  Dyed crackle quartz crystal with silver.

ANOTHER BIRTHDAY NECKLACE–BLUE GOLDSTONE

 

It was my friend Lesley’s birthday last weekend.  I was in the process of making necklaces for a little local exhibition (more of that later) and she admired this one so I finished it for her as a birthday present. 

The beads were blue goldstone, that lovely dark navy stone with a gold twinkle, teamed with small purple Swarovski crystals on purple beading wire.  It looked lovely worn with a black dress for summer.

Very pretty, light in weight and easy to wear.

A BIRTHDAY NECKLACE

 

This is the necklace I made for my friend Gail’s special birthday last summer.  I forgot to take pictures of it at the time but she recently turned up wearing it so I swooped.

Some of the beads are recycled beads from charity shop necklaces.  The others are from a variety of sources, bead shops, hobby shops, craft fairs.  Some I have had in my stash for so long that I now have no idea where they came from.  I was pleased with the result and very glad that she likes to wear it.

EIFFEL TOWER EARRINGS

It’s months since I made any jewellery.  All my beads are now stored in one room and there’s really no reason to hold back.  Except that there are still so many jobs to be done around the place that playing with my beads seems like I’m shirking.  Rather like when I was working – I had to pinch time from doing chores to make time for beading.  This isn’t how it was meant to be…..

I found another shop in France that sells beads yesterday.  It’s a bit like a Hobbycraft and the beads were expensive.  But I spotted these Eiffel Tower charms and couldn’t resist. 

Just like in the old days, I couldn’t wait to make something with them.  I see my beading mojo lurking just around the corner........