Yuletide Greetings

I have now finished my Craft Fairs for the year and finally thawed out after what must have been the coldest December fairs in the last 5 years. I clocked a -12 degrees at the end of November and stood outside in it from 8am - 9pm on the first day and a meagre 8 hours the second day. Last weekend I was not only out in sub zero temperatures but also a heavy snow shower. Am I mad I hear you ask? Most probably, I really need to ask myself why I am trying to torture myself :) I am looking forward to some months of bead making in the warmth of my cosy shedio (honestly it is warm in the winter, and it feels almost tropical after the temperatures I have been used to lately. I will however wait until all the festivities are over before I start to untidy the house again with all the paraphernalia that comes with bead making.
Meanwhile I would like to wish all my followers a

Very Merry Christmas

and a

Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

Beads Beads Beads

Hello
I have been quiet for a while but have decided today that its time for more beads to be listed on my website ready for you lovely designers to turn them into gorgeous jewellery just in time for the festive season.
My website is full and there are many discounts too so if you fancy a peek here is the link

http://mapleglass.co.uk/Beads.htm

Enjoy a peaceful Sunday evening.
Pam
x

And the Winner is........................

Ta da la laaaaaaaaaaa............

























Congratulations mindfulbeader.
Please email me your address and I will pop your beads in the post.

Thank you for all those that entered and I will have another giveaway in time for Christmas so keep posted.
Pam

Giveaway

As promised I have a small set of beads to give away. What do you need to do to stand a chance of winning them?

Well to enter the draw you need to leave a comment on this blog post or email me at maplepurslow@btopenworld.com remember to add your name or initials and the word GIVEAWAY. If you follow me or subscribe to my blog you won't miss out on future prize draws either.

Closing date for this giveaway is Sunday 26th Sept.

Good Luck

Pam

Lots of New Jewellery

I've been beavering away making my own beads into jewellery for the winter season. I hope those of you that find time to visit my website enjoy browsing.

Update

There are a few exciting events I wish to share with you which are :
I will be selling my beads at the Stourbridge Bead fair on Sat 28th & Sun 29th of August in the bonded warehouse by the canal.

On the 11th of September I will be at the Made In Shropshire 5th anniversary craft and food fair in the square, Shrewsbury. As a founder member and one of the few that have been there in all weathers from the beginning this marks a special place for me and as a result I am raising money for the cancer research uk charity. I will be pledging a percentage of my takings not only from sales from the day but all sales during September. I will have a collection box on my stall and in other locations in the county to increase donations to such a needy and worthwhile charity.
The sad news is I am currently without a kiln and it need special attention from the kiln doctor, so when he has been I will celebration by posting some free beads, so keep your eyes peeled.
Hope to some of you at Stourbridge at the end of the month.
Best wishes
Pam

Hot hot hot!

Working for pleasure in a shed with a torch and a kiln running at 500 degrees Celsius, hmmmmm let me re-phrase that. Admiring the beautiful sunshine from the coolest room in the house wishing I had made even more beads while it was cooler :)

Now don't get me wrong, I love the sunshine, but all this heat and pollen is taking me back to my school days, everyone wanting lessons outside while I would crave to stay cool inside and hide from the pollen, and the pollen is particularly bad at the moment. To top it all I have volunteered to stand in a field for two days in an attempt to sell my jewellery (at a local agricultural show), I had plans to make some sculptural animal and only got as far a a cows head, a sheep and a few chickens, had it been cooler I may have ventured into the animal world more enthusiastically, but its a start.

Some pictures for you to see of some recent work and some newly listed beads on my website.

For those who worship this weather, enjoy. For those of you who tolerate it keep cool and keep taking the tablets!

Tidy Up

Well its proof that spring is here, I have tidied the attick-major job, my sister move house next door but one 3 years ago and because she had an extension almost as soon as she moved I took in all her "I don't know what to do with this" stuff. All boxes back with their rightful owner and all out stuff sorted, chucked out, recycles and taken to the charity shops too. And my point is.....

I've extended the tidy up to listing my orphan beads for sale on my website tonight at 8pm in an attempt to make more space for new beads - and there are plenty of them on the way :)

Here are a few examples of the bargins collections of orphan beads on offer.

New Spring Beads

A few sets of button shaped beads I have been working on this spring. Cheerful, bright and simple.

At last Time for making Beads

Well its been a strange start to the year, I think this is only the third session I have had making beads this year and I feel so deprived. The day job has taken over somewhat but at least that pays the bills so I should be grateful. I have some new beads to put on my website tomorrow evening , but here is a quick preview. Off to have a jolly good tidy up of the studio and maybe treat you to some pictures of my work space.
Now off look after poorly teenager, she has had such a bad cold which has gone on and on and really knocked her about. Tea and toast in bed I think.

A feel of Spring in the air

With the nights now noticeably drawing out and seeing some daylight going to work and coming home there is a feeling of spring in the air. I know we are in a cold snap but it still feels hopeful and fresh somehow, so with this in mind these are what I made

Its strange how moods can effect your creativity but I am thankful it has :)

Freezing Weather Takes It's Toll

Well it is with great sadness that a very successful 2 months of trading in our very own shop has come to an abrupt and premature end.
Unfortunately the adjoining shop to ours, which was empty, had a burst water pipe and it wasn't until the water flooded our shop that anyone was aware of the damage. Luckily most of the stock was saved although some has some minor water damage. The outcome is the shop is not safe for us to work in and we are actively looking for a new lease.
:(

Happy New Year

Having just about recovered from Christmas and the lack of routine I am starting to plan ahead for the year. My beading is starting to get back on track although quite slowly due to the weather (I make my beads down the garden in a shed which isn't that appealing when its covered in snow). I have several projects underway which I will share with you when their progress is sufficient. Mean while I have just put some new beads on my website but here is a set to wet your appetite