Look what you did...!

It's been less than a week since I posted my first tutorial and yet everyday I've seen a new variation or adaptation that one of you has made - and I love them all! I'm absolutely gobsmacked at the response and delighted that so many of you either have or want to give it a go. I'm certainly itching to have another go and mix it up a bit and it's only an arms length 'to do' list that is stopping me as I know once I do I will be lost - this thing is addictive! 

If you haven't tried it yet, just take a look at these lovely creations - they'll whet your appetite...

1 & 2      Marla Gibson -Spice Box Designs
3             Sherri Stokey - Knot Just Macrame
4             Therese Frank -Theres's Treasures
5, 6 & 7  Meridy Michelbrink - Two Trees Studio
8             Lisa Martin - Whistling Raven

And on the subject of bracelets, I received these in the post yesterday from my friend Cilla in Canada. We've never met but Cilla won my first blog giveaway last year and since then we've become 'cyber friend's' as Cilla puts it. We decided to swap friendship bracelets and these are what Cilla made for me - aren't they pretty? I especially love the flower design and will be having a go at that myself soon.

Thanks Cyber Cilla - I love my gift!

You can see what I sent Cilla here.

Happy beading all and keep those photos coming.

Lesley

And the Winner of the Bracelet Stack is....

Not so fast - there are a couple of things I want to say...

First up, I'd like to thank everyone who took part in the giveaway and left such lovely comments both here and on the tutorial. I've been blogging for over a year now but when I try something new I still wonder whether anyone will be interested in what I have to say or what I'm doing. Your positive response to my first tutorial will definitely give me the confidence to share more with you in the future.

I'd also like to say a big thank you to all those who went straight off and put the tutorial to the test. I've seen at least three interpretations already, all very different and all lovely and that makes me feel kinda warm inside.

Anyway, before this descends into a Gwyneth Paltrow moment...I happy to announce that the winner of the bracelet stack is...

Julie from 'Waaay Outwest'

Congratulation Julie, let me have your address and I'll get your prize in the post for you.

Enjoy the rest of your Sundays everyone.

Lesley

Bead Soup Is On It's Way....

Well, I finally bit the bullet to make my final decision and yesterday my parcel of Bead Soup ingredients began their long journey to Jenny Cameron in Indiana. As Jenny and I are in the first reveal I'm hoping they get there quickly so she has plenty of time to play and find some inspiration.

All I can do now is sit and wait and chew my nails until they arrive safely and hope that Jenny likes them - this is the worst time for me as doubts creep in and I worry that I've got my selection totally wrong. But there's nothing I can do about it now so I'll just have to keep everything crossed for a week or so.

So do you want to see what I've sent Jenny...yes?...of course you do but you know the rules - no pictures until partners have their parcels. Oh alright then, maybe just one very heavily disguised little pic and it is heavily disguised - even I don't recognise what I've sent!

Now you'll just have to wait until Jenny gets her soup mix to find out what this really is. Oh and Jenny if you're looking at this, that bit on the left really isn't the "baby poop green/brown" it looks!

Have a great weekend all!

Lesley

Free Bracelet Tutorial and Giveaway....

 Anyone remember this...

This is one of the pieces I created for the Bead Soup Blog Party back in September of 2011 and since then a lot of people have asked me about the technique I used for the beaded section.

I've always been happy to share it with anyone who asked but when it came up again very recently I thought perhaps it was time I put together a little tutorial, although 'tutorial' does sound rather grand considering it's such a simple technique! 

For the purposes of the tutorial I've worked up some bracelets which are very versatile and I think look pretty cool. You can go with a simple single colour version like this...

Or toning shades of your favourite colour...

Or you can mix it up a bit and have fun with contrasting colours...

And you can create different effects simply with the way you place your colours...

Not only are these little bracelets good enough to wear on their own they're also perfect components for stacker sets. You can mix and match several of these together or you can mix one with other styles as I've done here...

Pretty effective don't you think? The techniques is also easily adaptable for necklaces.

I've set up a separate page for the tutorial and there is a link at the bottom of this post but before you dive in there's a little something extra I want to share. Since this is the first tutorial I've ever written and I like to celebrate firsts, I'm giving the bracelet stack away to one lucky blog reader. 

To be in with a chance to win just share this tutorial post on any or all of your preferred social networks  be that Facebook, Twitter, Google +, your own blog...wherever you like. You can also get extra entries by signing up to follow my blog or my Facebook page. (Please note: I am having issues with my Facebook business page at the moment so if you cannot access it through the link above please go to my personal page and click the link under my profile picture). Once you've done that come back here and leave a separate comment for each of the ways you've shared - if you only leave one comment you'll only be counted once. 

The giveaway will close at 8pm BST on Sunday 1st July and I will pick a winner using Random.org

So here's the link to the tutorial - I hope you give it a go and have fun with it and good luck with the giveaway.

Lesley

Back in the Soup Kitchen...

I missed the cut on Lori Anderson's last Bead Soup Blog Party so I was delighted when she made the decision not to limit numbers this time around but instead, to host three consecutive parties. All credit and huge thanks to Lori too for yet again taking on this colossal task and working it to the best fit for all. It takes a huge amount of effort with not a little heartache so three cheers for Lori.

So last night the e mail arrived from Lori telling me who I'd been paired with and boy was I happy to discover my partner was Jennifer Cameron. I knew straight away who Jennifer was - uber talented lampwork artist, designer of gorgeous (and just my personal style) jewellery and founding member of new team blog, Art Jewellery Elements. 

Lampwork beads where what got me into jewellery seriously and Jennifer creates fabulous organic, sometimes other worldly beads that open up all sorts of design possibilities. Just look at these beauties...

Jen Cameron Designs

 Jen's talents don't stop at glass though - she appears to be a bit of a dab hand with chain maille and metal work too...

Jen Cameron Designs

This necklace is so me! There's some pretty cool wire work in this gorgeous serpent bracelet too...

Jen Cameron Designs

Of course, it's also a little intimidating to be partnered with such a prodigious talent and I know I will spend hours pouring over beads trying to select the perfect ingredients for Jen - but that's half the fun. We've already exchanged introductory e mails and I'm looking forward to finding out more about what makes Jen tick to help me with my selections.

Jen and I will be participating in the first reveal on July 28th so make sure it's on your calendar and I've no doubt there will be some little teasers to whet your appetite before then so stay tuned.

Have a great weekend all.

Lesley

Sublime Design...

So many people have been sending me pictures of the lovely things they've been creating with my bronze components that I've decided it's about time for another little video compilation. Don't forget to send me your photos if you'd like to feature in one of these videos or the Designer Gallery on this blog.

Enjoy!

Lesley

Natural Beauty...

Sometimes nature just makes my job so easy....

Bronze sundial shell pendants

Bronze sundial shell pendants

'Nuff said!

Lesley