EASTER SALE 50% off in Etsy

Yes, I have lost my mind!!  So you had better make the most of it while it lasts - yes, my tutorials too (even though I said I would never put them on sale).  From March 27/13 to April 2/13 I am having a 50% off sale in my Etsy shop - however you MUST use the coupon code Easter2013 to receive your discount.  I can't refund the 50% if you don't put the code in, because I have to pay the Etsy fees on the full amount.
I know there haven't been a lot of new items available lately in the shop, but I hope to change that in the next few weeks.
Have a happy day!

Bright Beads

These were fun to make with all their happy bright colours.  I always have trouble naming them, because the Pandora Police will get me if I name them Pandora beads.  So, I guess the next best thing would be "Large Holed Beads for European Style Charm Bracelets" - kind of long winded though - lol.  Or perhaps "Beads For Those Bracelets".  Whatever!

Well, I'm off to the studio to get some more of my orders done - hope you all have a great day!

Fibre Show & Bead Show Review

Bright and early yesterday I, and 3 friends piled in the car and boarded the 7:45 am ferry to Vancouver to see the Fibres West fibre show, and the Fraser Valley Bead show.  The fibre show was held in Cloverdale, and the bead show in Coquitlam.  I drove and the other 3 were my navigators - thankfully one of them had brought a great GPS system.  I don't mind the driving, but I am useless at navigation!

The Fibres West show was fantastic, and I spent enough to keep a small country afloat!  I think the other three also spent their fair share too.

Merino roving, BFL spun yarn, merino and other fibres batts.

Merino roving and silk "hankies" and silk sliver.

Merino roving and silk.

BFL pre-felts.

I just love all the fantastic colours, and I was thrilled with the selection available at the show.  That is definitely one show that I will go to again.

I was however, a little disappointed in the bead show.  The number of vendors was dramatically down, and only about 3 lampworkers were showing their work.  There was't a lot of quality silver findings - or for that matter cheap base metal findings.  Hopefully the show in the fall will be a bit better in terms of vendors.
I still managed to spend a bit though!

Clockwise from the top.  Bead "changers" by Melanie Rowe; sterling silver wire from Capilano;
fish, bell flower and flower charms and findings from a seller that I can't remember the name;
 a beautiful sea star bead by Stephanie Dielman (I love her work); and some antiqued brass
 chain from Bedrock Supplies.

So all in all, we had a great day!  Today I am just going to take it easy and put away all my goodies from the shows.

Have a great weekend everyone.

New Beads & Some Felt Pieces

The March meeting for our little Island Fireflies group is today, and the challenge given out at the last meeting was "owls".  These little guys are my contribution.  Yes, they are for sale, so if you are interested in any of them let me know - they are $15.00 each plus postage of $2.50. (They are focal size.)

Owl group for challenge.

I also wanted to show you what I made in my felting class.  I took the ferry over to Saltspring Island a couple of weeks ago (one of the local gulf islands here off the west coast of British Columbia), and had a one day felting class with Laurie Steffler.  We had a loads of fun and learned a lot.  Unfortunately, we didn't manage to finish felting our pieces so had to bring them home to finish.  For some reason mine hasn't felted properly, and I think I will probably have to re-wet it and do some more rolling.  I love the colours and the style so don't want to give up just yet.

Lime green "Leaves & Rivers" nuno felted scarf.

I also purchased a kit from Laurie while I was there, and tried something different with it when I got home.  I was quite disappointed, because the crinkle chiffon silk base was initially a beautiful bright turquoise, and once I put water on it, the colour all ran out - and it just doesn't have the same punch with a white background. (pout)

Nuno felted plaid scarf.

In my last post, I showed you a pile of roving, silk and pre-felt.  Well here is the result.  It was an experiment, and I am really pleased with the colour combination and how it turned out.  I don't know what I am going to do with it at this point, but will figure something out.  It is too short for a regular scarf - but maybe a short button up neck warmer or book cover, we'll just have to see.

Purple and teal nuno felted piece.

Have a great weekend!

Goodbye my Friend.

It was a very tough day yesterday, and will be for a while yet.

Alley, Feb 26, 2000 - March 11, 2013

Floral and Ocean beads

I was amazed to see that I had last blogged on Feb 25th - how did we get to March 10th so quickly?

Anyway here are some beads for you to look at.  They are for a customer who takes my beads to her friends and relatives each year when she goes for a visit - works for me!  Thanks Marianne.

I have to wire wrap them into pendants, and let her have her pick.  The rest will be going into stock for the May long weekend show I participate in each year.

Floral implosion beads

Ocean Gems beads

I thought you might also like to see the beginning of the next felting project I am going to tackle - actually it is more of an experiment.

Counter clockwise from the top:  aubergine coloured pre-felt, 2nd hand silk scarf
in purple, blue and teal, merino and silk purple tones sliver, and dark teal
coloured merino teal.  I also added some other bits and pieces that  went with the
 colour theme.   You will have to wait a bit for the end result.  Sorry to be putting all my
comments under the picture, but Blogger won't let me out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hope you all had a great weekend.