A Beaded Romance {Bead & Book Challenge}

I had to take an unintentional break from the Bead & Book Challenge when I cut my thumb. It made it difficult and more than a little sore to craft, but it made it almost impossible to bead! Thankfully, it's all healed and I'm able to work with my beloved beads once more! (And, thankfully, I was able to teach last week without too much trouble!)

I've selected The Crystal Flower Necklace from Kelly Wiese's 'A Beaded Romance' for this month's challenge - and a challenge it will be! 

This beauty has been on my 'to-make' list since the book arrived (um, in 2016) but I've never liked making beaded ropes and this one is made with Size 15s. Meh. I've worked about an inch of the rope so far and am already losing the will to continue. This central rivoli is lovely though, eh? 

I found the netted bezel a little bit loose, so removed one of the seed beads from each section of the final round. I also added a seed bead between each of the Swarovski Crystal Bicones, because nature (and I) abhor a vacuum! 

Hopefully, I'll be back with the finished necklace by the end of the month, but currently the Size 15s are mocking me! 

Beaded Opulence: Gabriella {The Bead & Book Challenge}

Choosing the first project to work on for the The Bead & Book Challenge was massively difficult. I have some lovely books to choose from (each with many, many, lovely projects contained within their covers.) Eventually, I settled on The Gabriella Necklace from Marcia DeCoster's Beaded Opulence.

I've had the book in my collection now for a while but, because of the complexity of the tutorials (which I wasn't confident enough to attempt when I first started beading) and the expense of the materials required for many of the bracelets and necklaces (it is, after all, opulent) I haven't tried any of the tutorials before now. Exactly why I wanted to start this challenge.

In between managing the house move, I'm making slow progress on the necklace focal and, although I'm so busy, I'm being encouraged along by the lovely ladies who have joined the challenge on Instagram and Facebook. It's already a fantastic, friendly little community and I know that I'll be finished by the end of the month! 

Introduction To Beadwork: Ministry of Craft, Manchester

In 2016, I started teaching at the Ministry of Craft in Manchester. It's such a fun studio, full of some covetable items made by the tutors - including some of the cutest handmade undies! Oh, and there was biscuits! 

The best aspect of teaching though, was that several of the attendees were really very nervous about their ability to actual make something - especially when they saw the size of the Miyuki Seed Beads that we were using - but all they needed was some encouragement. Everyone left with a completed earring (or two) and the skills and confidence to finish their work by themselves. And happy customers make me happy! 

There's a few spots left for the next Introduction To Beadwork Class on Saturday 8th April and this includes everything that you need - tutorial, beading needle, thread, seed beads, findings and, most importantly, some bling in the form of Swarovski pearls or crystals. 

You'll learn how to bead 'weave' - using a specialist needle and thread to stitch lots of teeny, tiny seed beads to each other to form a new shape! You'll learn about the beads used in beadwork (including the sparkly ones) and, by the end of the class, will have conquered some of the basic beadwork stitches to create your own pendant and matching earrings. (Please note there will not be time to complete all of the items during the workshop but you will go away with the skills and materials to finish at home.)

Let me know if you decide to book, so that I can increase the biscuit order! x

Bead & Book Challenge {A New Beading Challenge for 2017}

Chatting to some of my lovely tutorial testers last week, I mentioned that I was resisting the lure of new beading books until I could solemnly swear that I had made at least two items based on the techniques or tutorials in each book - and the lovely @beadyJo told me that I had inadvertently chosen my own beading challenge for 2017. Luckily she and a few others (well, fifty or so!) have been willing to join me!

If the idea of  dusting off those lovely beading books and MAKING something appeals, then follow these very simple steps - 

* Each month choose one beading book.

* Choose at least one item from that book to make during the month.

* Stay focused by telling everyone what you'll be making.

* Share your progress and, most importantly, that finished item.

* Share a little bit feedback about the book. (So that we can add it to our wishlist, of course!)

We have a Bead & Book Challenge Facebook Group or use #beadandbookchallenge when sharing online elsewhere. 

Inca Pendant

Planning really is paying off! After Transferring Designs into my lovely, 'new to me' business binder, I found complete notes for many, many tutorials that I had worked on, but hadn't released.

Writing a list of them all (there's at least fifteen of them!) has made me focus on each element of a finished tutorial - photography; written instructions; testing; tweaking; listing and marketing. 

Over the last two weeks I've released two new tutorials (one a week is an all time record) and there's was a lot of satisfaction involved as I checked each new tutorial off that master list!

This is the latest of those tutorials - The Inca Reversible Pendant. It's a lovely, fully reversible, pendant made using easily available materials including rivolis, bicones, superduos and seed beads. I can't understand why I left it languishing for so long! I'm now excited to make one with contrasting colours, so that it's more versatile!

Little Star {What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday #351}

Hello! Hello! It's time for What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday and I simply cannot believe it's almost March! What am I doing with my time? Where is it going? 

Having cleared the desk at the weekend, it's now clutter free and home to a few of binders and a little star shaped dish that I found in the homeware section of my local Poundland. It's now home to all of the embellishments that we're lying around on my desk. I wish I had bought more of them - it's adorable. Short and sweet this time! I'll be stopping by throughout the week! 

Visit Stamping Ground for more information on What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday.

The Stashbuster Series: Putting On The Glitz

I am well known for stretching out my stash and love nothing more than creating a little something from (almost) nothing. I know that I am not the only beader with a stash full of little 'leftovers' from more substantial projects - small selections of seed beads, rounds or crystals that are languishing in our stashes because there's not quite enough of them to make another project!

In an attempt to make the most of my materials and an effort to create some space in my little craft area, I've been working on some beadwork designs that will use up my own stash of lovely, little leftovers - and I've started turning them into tutorials in the hope that they will encourage other beaders to use up the beads left out on their mats, or to rummage through their stash for those teeny, tiny bags of beads that need using!

In the first of the series, Putting On The Glitz Earrings, I've combined some simple materials (which can be easily substituted) to create a little bit of understated sparkle.

Transferring Designs {What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday #350}

So, before I start 'showing off' what's on my workdesk this week, I wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone that visited for What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday #348 and apologise, profusely, for not returning the favour! I went to work that morning 'full of the joys of spring' and by mid-afternoon was 'full of cold' instead. I've spent the last couple of weeks in bed, with a temperature - and boxes and boxes of tissues! I swear that I'll make it up to you all somehow! :)

Now, onwards. Thanks to the 'treasure' that is scheduling, I shared the details of my lovely 'new to me' binder with everyone over the weekend and, now that I'm feeling a little better, I have actually been able to start using it. Oh, the simple pleasure of using something once it's been made!

I'm intending to use it to house all of the paperwork associated with running my own little etsy store - including receipts, tax returns, etc - and I'm slowly, slowly transferring over some of the stacks of loose paperwork that have been cluttering up the craft room. 

Last night, I sat down to start transferring in some of my sketches, 'how to' notes and completed tutorials - a lot more fun than transferring in receipts - and came across at least three or four designs that I had completely forgotten about! Along with the sketches/notes for some that I keep meaning to attempt, like that necklace design in the photograph above. I'm not sure if it's easy to see, but it will eventually include a beaded bow! 

Visit Stamping Ground for more information on What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday.

Superduo & Rivoli Flower Pendant {Tried & Tested}

I’m still working on a more consistent blogging schedule (it seemed ridiculously difficult in 2015, when there was so much *new stuff* to deal with in my personal life!) So, over the next few weeks, I’m re-introducing a few old favourites including Tried & Tested. 

The idea behind Tried & Tested is really very simple – I’ll find an idea or a cute tutorial that I want to try; I’ll test it out; then I’ll let you know the results of my efforts. I’ll try to be honest, sometimes it will work, sometimes it won’t. 

Susan Sassoon’s ‘Rivoli and Superduo Flower Pendant’ looked like a lovely, little project that I could complete in the evening or over the course of weekend. However, I must admit to a little surprise at its complexity. It caught me out and I’m thrilled. It was really, really interesting to see the mind of another tutorial writer at work. Each new round had me wondering how the next bead placement would affect the overall structure and shape, which meant that I was more ‘involved’ than usual. It was wonderful to switch off, concentrate on the instructions and enjoy the journey!

Susan includes well written instructions, diagrams and clear photographs in the tutorial (so there’s something for every kind of beader to follow) and, while the tutorial is a little more involved than I had first imagined, I think a confident beginner could take this on to stretch themselves a little. 

The end result is super sparkly from the front and the back has some beautiful netting that *could* make it reversible. This will depend on whether the foiled side of a standard rivoli is appealing to you, or if you can find a suitable double-sided alternative. I’m intending to try with an alternative soon! The ‘bail’ included in the tutorial (something that I don’t see with many necklace tutorials) is also an interesting make and, I believe, it would look fantastic as components in bracelet or necklace. I love a tutorial with options – so much more worthy of that initial investment!

I’ve bookmarked Susan’s store – SoSassySusanSassoon – and will definitely be heading there for inspiration when I need a nice weekend project.

Beading Blocks {What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday #348}

This week I've been working on the development of some new beading tutorials and beadwork kits - creating some new designs; working on colour combinations for the kits and, trying, with some mixed success to write the etsy listings. Listing is my least favourite part of the tutorial writing process!

Once I'm busy with the beads, time and the possibilities seem almost endless. The architectural nature of dimensional beadwork is what appeals to me most. I love watching structures and shapes develop with the addition of each new bead.

It reminds me a little of my childhood favourite, Lego, when I would sit for hours working out how to create new shapes and structures with the same basic building blocks. Some things never change, eh?

Does anyone else have a childhood favourite that has morphed into something else? Or even something that has become a lifelong obsession? I would love to know about it!

Visit Stamping Ground for more information on What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday.

The 52 Week Challenge: Pendants

At the start of 2012, I felt as though I had been neglecting my beading and wirework a little and, with a challenge in mind - creating a pair of earrings each week throughout 2012 - I headed on over to Facebook to encourage some of my jewellery making friends into joining me in the challenge. During the course of the earring challenge, I learnt a lot (and not just about beading.) I tried new beading stitches, improved my wire-work and worked on my photography.

At the beginning of 2016, I once again felt as though I had been neglecting my jewellery making in favour of paper-crafting (and, um, Netflix) and decided to instigate a new challenge. This time around, I'm focusing on creating a new pendant each week, though some of the other jewellery makers joining me have decided on earrings, bracelets, necklaces and more! (You can see our work in the 52 Week Challenge Album.)

January might be nearly over (what?) but there's still time for anyone who's interested in joining us to stat taking part - and there's no need to 'catch up'. Leave me a comment if you're interested and I'll send you some details! 

Little Shop Restock

It's been a little while since I last restocked Obstinate Pursuit so, over the last few weekends, I've been busy beading - creating customer favourites in new colour combinations and restocking old classics (including these Seafoam Earrings.)

I'm also working on some new beading tutorials and I'll be looking for some new testers! So, if that's of interest, please leave me a comment and let me know!

The OTTBS September Challenge: Whatever The Weather

I fell asleep in August (with the windows wide open to let in a little breeze) and woke up in September (with the blinds banging in the wind that carried the thunderstorms and pouring rain.) I absolutely adore the changeability of autumn. It makes me feel as though anything is possible.

So, it seems fated that this month's challenge over at Operation Tackle That Bead Stash is 'Whatever The Weather'. And, if anything is possible, I might even find the time to join in this month!?

This month the prize is sponsored by the lovely Celia, who is offering one lucky winner £15 to spend in her store, Jencel.

Please head on over to Operation Tackle That Bead Stash for more information about the challenge and how to enter.

The OTTBS August Challenge: Spike Beads

So, it's the first day of a new month (um ... how quickly is time flying by?) and that means that it's time for a new challenge over at Operation Tackle That Bead Stash. The challenge this month is to include beads in Purple, Green, Blue and Black (with an optional twist of adding spike beads.)

Image by Cath in Dorset

Valentina from Beads & More By Yashma is sponsoring the challenge this month, so a wonderful prize package is guaranteed!

Read more about the challenge - including how to enter - over on the Operation Tackle That Bead Stash Blog.

The OTTBS July Challenge: On The Beach

The weather here is truly miserable - it's hard to believe that it's July - but at least it's time for a new challenge over at Operation Tackle That Bead Stash and, hopefully, the theme 'On The Beach' will lift my spirit a little!

Davida from The Old Bicycle Shop is sponsoring the challenge this month, so I'm sure that whoever wins will be in for a treat later in the month. Davida's little store is a treasure trove of loveliness!

You can read more about the challenge - including how to enter - over on the Operation Tackle That Bead Stash Blog.

The OTTBS June Challenge: Earth Tones

We're celebrating all things natural with this month's 'Earth Tones' challenge at Operation Tackle That Bead Stash and, the optional twist of adding something that's 'not a bead', should mean that we have some really interesting entries this month!

The Rocks, Magic Light in Forest, Moss on Path

This challenge this month is sponsored by Rachel who is offering £15 to spend at RB Beads.Check out Operation Tackle That Bead Stash for more information.

The OTTBS May Challenge: Inspired By Fabric

This month's challenge at Operation Tackle That Bead Stash is 'Inspired By Fabric' - which means that we should see some beautiful entries full of colour, pattern and texture.

All beaders, bead makers and jewellery designers are welcome to enter the challenge, so check out Operation Tackle That Bead Stash for more information about entering the challenge - and details of this month's sponsored prize from Celia at Jencel!

The OTTBS April Challenge: Bollywood

The latest challenge colours at Operation Tackle That Bead Stash is a beautiful combination of Pink, Orange, Purple, Blue and Metallic Gold. And, with the extra optional 'twist' of adding a fringe, could it be any more Bollywood?

Photos by (clockwise from left) A Guy Taking Pictures, Darwin Bell. Moyan Brenn, Deborah Cardinal & Rachael Towne.

This month's challenge is sponsored by Valentina from Beads & More By Yashma who is offering a £25 voucher for her beautiful store. Swoon.

Read more about the challenge - including how to enter - over on the Operation Tackle That Bead Stash Blog.

The OTTBS March Challenge: Grimm's Fairy Tales

This month's challenge at Operation Tackle That Bead Stash is to create something inspired by one of Grimm's Fairy Tales. With a collection of over 200 stories collected by 'The Brothers Grimm' the challenge will be deciding on a story.

Davida from The Old Bicycle Shop is sponsoring this month's challenge with a £15 voucher to spend in her lovely, little online store. How can you beat that?

Visit Operation Tackle That Bead Stash Blog to read more about the challenge and how to enter.

The OTTBS February Challenge: Red, Blue & Gold

Well, the February Challenge has been revealed over Operation Tackle That Bead Stash and, for me at least, it would be a real challenge. Red, Blue & Gold. With an extra twist that means including some free-form beading!

You can read more about the challenge - and find some additional links to free-form tips and techniques over on the Operation Tackle That Bead Stash Blog.