Gift Of A Blue Heart

I really love making gifts, and Christmas is a great time for this, if not very busy!!

Part of the challenge is to make something that will suit the intended from length, style and colour.

One of the gifts I made this year was this necklace

It started out with the blue heart, cobalt blue isn't normally a colour I go for, but I really like it in this heart. I wanted a longer length necklace so I used some hand-dyed silks from Diane (aren't they just gorgeous!) and to give it some weight and because I thought it looked un-finished, I added a long purple Swarovski crystal.

Just hope she likes it!

Trudi x

Long Hollow Necklace

Long Hollow Necklace, originally uploaded by Glittering Prize - Trudi.

Well it's Christmas, so I decided to make myself a neckace, and why not!

I've wanted a long chain necklace for a while and these beads are perfect for this time of year. They've been teamed with black crimpable chain and a few Swarovski crystals that just pick up the light!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Inkspired Challenge

One of the challenges in one of my forum groups last month was to design a piece that was based on a tattoo theme! Good challenge!!

So I came up with the hearts and flowers theme, ideally I would have included a dagger but these are quite tricky to come by, so I used a haging crystal drop instead as the piece looked unfinished without it.

The colours aren't normally ones I'd use together, I was taking myself out of my comfort zone, but looking at it now I'm really pleased with it.

Check-Mate

I had a new customer buy this focal from me a short while ago - Rita, but she does make up jewellery so she called upon her friend Katherine to do the honours.

Katherine makes superb jewellery and she soon got to work on this, but she had a fixed idea in mind for this. The focal has a copper heart inside it, so she knew that to match this Red Magma Swarovski's were called for. These have many many facets so the light really catches the cuts and sparkles like mad!

A super collaboration don't you agree!

Today I'm wearing ....

Reactions Swap Bead (1), originally uploaded by Glittering Prize - Trudi.

This necklace - the focal was by Louise of Just Desires - she lives local to me and she hosted a studio open day at the weekend!

When we have get togethers, there is the traditional bead swap! For this I received 2 hollows from Colette, and I loved Louise's beads to so arranged an additional swap!!

I've added Swarovski Crystals, and the silk was by Diane of Sowzere - in all a perfect combination!

Jean's A Star Baby!!

Like me, Jean also loves the stars - there's just something about them! She bought this one from me and has made the most perfect necklace. I don't think that the bead needs much more adding to it, and Jean has it spot on teamed with sterling silver and Swarovski crystal - WOW!

Clio Heart ........ for sale!

Clio Heart, originally uploaded by Glittering Prize - Trudi.

You know sometimes less really is "more"!

This lampwork heart was made on a topaz base and decorated with "clio", a reactive glass that reflects some beautiful shades of purples, pinks and blues. I wanted to keep this one simple and so I've matched it with a hand dyed silk from Diane (superb match) and just a couple of Swarovski crystals.

This isn't finished yet - I've added the silk so that you can get an idea but it is for sale and I will finish the length to requirement!

Trudi x

Creations

Well, I'm always busy making beads and jewellery for other people, so I decided to make something just for me!!

Using the theme Chinese Water Garden (see previous posts) I made the shell (I can't capture it on here but the shell does contain silver glass that sparkles and reflects the light!). And then I found a swarovski starfish in my stash, and I came across the Jet Swarovski fish while "just looking" on Jilly's beads - I just had to have it. I put it together and strung it simply on black rattail - very soft! So there you have it, it may not be summer, but I love wearing it!

I've also been busy in the studio making some focals:

What do you think?

These ones I made, inspired by autumn - and the Acer Tree in my garden

(aren't the colours in the tree just gorgeous!)

These proved to be popular as they were bought by the same lady at Harrogate! It's a new technique that I was working on, and I'm quite pleased with the results!

Once again, thanks for reading my rambles!

Trudi x

Ebay Charity Auction for the Dogs Trust

This morning I listed this bracelet on Ebay:

This was listed to raise money for the Dogs Trust, and is on memory of my Mum. The lampwork (purple) beads were made by me, and I originally sold them on Ebay, and they were bought by the lovely Melanie from K&M Beadshop - who made up the bracelet. Then very generously, Melanie sent this back to me and asked mem to put it up for auction again! What a lovely gesture!

It's a gorgeous bracelet, made from the finest lampwork beads, and sparkly Swarovski crystal - so please go and take a look - here's the link http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=280363495381

Thanks

Trudi xx