Refining the Design

I'm still working on my new felt ball necklace designs.

The colours are dictated by the details in the felt balls. This one was originally finished with a string of seed beads, but I decided I preferred to use fibre--hand twisted rayon embroidery thread teamed with handspun wool. I'm a litttle unsure about how the hot pink beads will behave in the rough and tumble of real life. They are metallic paint over glass. So this one will remain a prototype. I feel that I've found the balance I want between beads and fibre, though, so it was worth the effort.

And I've tracked down an initial source of white felt balls. They are on their way across the country to me now. I hope they will be in my dyepots by early next week. That will give me more control of my colour options and help me to put in the personal twist that's so important in what I make. 

Something Different

I went to a candle-making workshop on the weekend. It's not my usual thing, but a pleasant change. Funnily enough, colour mixing was right there--using either colour blocks--a bit like way crayons--for pastel shades or liquid dyes for clearer colours. The other element was fragrance, which isn't part of my usual repertoire.

The candles we made in the class were simple tea-lights and votives, but yesterday I went to my nearest Op shop looking for interesting glassware. I found this.

I think it's supposed to be a champagne glass, lovely and tall with an etched design and a hollow stem. Probably not the best for drinking out of, but a happy challenge as a candle-holder. Actually it was my friend L talking about something like this that prompted my excursion into candle-making. I'm thinking of adding some beads to the mix, so it should be interesting. 

Desperately Seeking Cool

It's just about time to turn our thoughts to Autumn here in Melbourne, but instead we've been hit by another heat wave. The forecast today is for 38 degrees--that's higher than body temperature, which is my definition of much too hot for comfort.
It was hot already yesterday, so I spent a couple of hours in my studio. Even there it was too warm to work with wool. Beads don't mind how sweaty my fingers are, so I made this:

It's a little brooch made from glass beads, wired together. I like the way the layers bring out the colour of the glass.

Today I think I'll make the most of the studio. I do need to head out to do some basic shopping, though, so I won't escape the heat altogether. 

Bead Candy

I dropped in at the bead shop yesterday afternoon. I was on my way to pick up the makings of a new kitchen cabinet. I needed silver crimps. I actually kept my note to self after my recent beading effort in the new studio. As I parked the car I was carefully rehearsing to myself, "silver crimps, silver crimps, silver crimps . . . " It's so easy to lose my head when I get into the shop amongst all the lovely sparkly things! When I walked in the door I was surprised to find I was the only customer. I'd expected the usual pre-Christmas rush, but luckily I landed in a lull. Since I had the full attention of the manager, my wish list came out--that's a mental wish list, so it has a tendency to be rather elastic. The main thing was different shaped (plastic) crystal drops to make beaded angels. The supply is variable, and I usually forget to stock up until it's Christmas time. Looking at those led to exploring other drop-shaped beads. I should have some crafting time next week, so I bought a few bits to play with. The photo records the fact that I did eventually make my way to the furniture shop. That made up in it's busyness for the quietness of the bead shop, but I did manage to get through my list of things. The makings of the kitchen cabinet are on the floor as I type--waiting for assembly. And yes, I did also remember to buy my silver crimps.

Mission Accomplished

The ditch is dug! I have all sorts of interesting new muscles and bruises, but that's ok. I'm counting on this being a once in a lifetime experience. If I ever start talking about digging another ditch in this clay-rocky soil, will some-one who loves me please give me a shot of something strong and take me away to a secure, quiet place until I come to my senses. Having said that, I'm feeling quite proud of myself and it was kind of fun to be spectacularly dirty from honest work. Enough of the ditch!

My other mission yesterday was much prettier. I had a $10 voucher to spend at the local craft superstore. They had a clearance on beads. I managed to spend all my voucher money and nothing more. I'm thinking of framing the docket that lists the items, with a total of $ 0.00. Here's what I came home with:

My plan is to make some demonstration pieces for a potential future beading class. I've deliberately chosen colours that I don't normally wear, since I can always raid my personal collection to supplement.

Floral Frivolity

Remember my spontaneous sparkle shopping? I got to use some of it yesterday. My friend D has a rather stressful, but uninspiring job in a national call centre. The powers that be try to liven things up with a bit of office fun. So to add to her stress, she has the challenge of coming up with a racewear outfit for Melbourne Cup Day at work. I'm planning to spend the day in the garden, so I whipped up this pretty rosette for her: . . . sequinned tulle, gathered into a circle and doubled over on itself; some matching plastic beads and a big pearl button. It's in the mail as I type. I'm hoping it will cheer up her day.

Another Little Twist

I've been working at adding a few brighter touches to my wardrobe. Last week it was a pair of wristwarmers and matching hat in blue and red. I had a little bit of that yarn left over, not really enough for another project, but I wanted to make something of it. Here's what I did:
I added some black yarn and made a twisted cord. Then I wrapped the two ends together to make a tassel and dressed it up with some beads. I haven't worn it yet. It was made in a burst of creativity before I left for Bendigo on Saturday. I'm a bit ambivalent about it: does it look too much like curtain tie back? I guess I won't really know how it works for me until I put it on and wear it around for a bit. Anyway it was fun and used up the last of that batch of yarn. Now today I'd like to do some dyeing as well as find a bit more space amongst the chaos. And I'd better get some paperwork sorted.

Party Challenge

Here's a response to my friend D's party invitation / challenge on her blog Make Mine Silk. This fabric arrived in the mail last month. My task was to make something. Yesterday I made this button: I've been wanting to try out these DIY buttons for a while. Covering the metal cap with fabric and sealing off the back was easy. I added the beads for a bit of extra brightness and texture. I'm quite happy with the result. It was quick and fun. I went on to make another button with some different fabric and beads. This could get to be a habit! Unfortunately the base buttons themselves cost enough that I'll have to think about it before I go completely crazy making buttons with all my pretty fabrics. I've got two more from the set I bought to try out. Then I'll have to see whether I can source them somewhere else, or save them for special. Meanwhile, D, please note: I made something! There still seems to be an awful lot of that cute fabric left on my table, though, so I'll have to see about making something else maybe.

By the way, I happen to know that there's still an incredible amount of that fabric at D's place, so get onto her blog if you'd like to play. Or let me know if you live locally, and I'll happily pass some on to you. I think I signed up for 2 bits and got about 6, so I'm more than happy to share and save on postage. It's a short pile cotton velvet with the all over floral print.

Personalise

We had a warm day yesterday--hot even. All of a sudden the summer clothes I've been thinking about are not so ridiculous. I always have trouble when the season changes. It's as if my imagination refuses to believe what my memory knows--the day will come when I don't need to turn the heater on first thing in the morning. The day will come when an extra layer of warmth is unwelcome. Yesterday was that day. Today it's cool and cloudy again, but yesterday was enough of a reminder. I need to get a summer wardrobe in order.

I have been shopping for clothes. As usual the number of items that suit my body shape, budget and colour preferences are limited. So when I found an affordable black t-shirt which made me smile, I bought two. One can stay plain. the other will get the bead treatment. The necklace is one I made a year or three ago. It's just the wrong length for me. I've never worn it. Now I'm planning to just stitch the beads along the edge of the neck band of this black t-shirt. Then I'll have one plain and one pretty one.