New beads = Yippeeeeee!

I've been sucked in by the beadweaving bug...!

Yep folks, I'm talking about peyote here (the bead technique, not the drug. Just clarifying!). I've been trying to get the hang of peyote, on and off, for a couple of years, but each time I try, I give up in disgust.

And you know what the trick is?

1. A proper, flexible, beading needle (bliss!)
2. Delica beads! They're so uniform, the work just fits together like a jigsaw puzzle - awesome!

Anyway, my new Delica beads have been arriving over the past couple of days. Here's my new collection:

And here's my old collection (now just relegated to filler beads - NOT TO BE USED FOR PEYOTE WORK!):


I had a shuffle about in my studio, and even created a proper space for them! I just need to buy more of the little plastic tubes to store them in, so I can see them more easily at a glance. Here's their new home:


And here's what I've peyoted so far (to be added to the website this weekend-ish):

Ahhhhh...bliss!

~A

New blog template and 1950's style

I was fiddling about with my blog template today - do you like? I felt like a change :)

While I was looking for black and white pics of 1950's housewives for the new header, I came across these gorgeous pics of Audrey Hepburn. They reminded me of why I love her - who else can make black capri pants and a black top look as great as this? It also reminds me that it's not WHAT you wear, it's HOW you wear it. Style is about soooooo much more than just "fashion"...

Happy Stylish Monday!

:)

My Little Tipple

Let me just begin by saying: I am not a big drinker. Honestly - anyone who knows me well will confirm that. But, that said, if I was to have a drink, it'd probably be wine (either red or a sweet white wine - bubbles are good too!).

But that's more a summertime thing for me. In winter, I prefer a glass of whisky liqueur or of port (preferably tawny port). It's the warm glow that it leaves on it's way down that I really savour - perfect for wintertime drinking :)

Last night, up at my folks place with my cousin Gayl, visiting from Australia, we sat down to a wee sampling of sorts. We ended up with a few drinks in front of us: Black Sambuca (which I also like), brandy, Benedictine (euch!), whisky (Grants - not a favourite of mine) and Glayva.

Now, Glayva is one of my favourites, has been for a few years now. It wasn't always the case though - I remember trying it once about 10 years ago and I hated it. Now though, my tastes must have mellowed, becuase it truly is at the top of my list.

The other whisky liqueur I love is Wallace. We bought a small bottle from somewhere on the Royal Mile (may even have been from the gift shop at Edinburgh Castle?) in 1998 when my folks were visiting from New Zealand. Unfortunately, we can't seem to find it for sale here in NZ. Boo hiss! And to get a 70cl bottle in from the UK will cost NZ$120 - I DON'T THINK SO! Not that desperate for it...

But that would be my first choice, definately. Glayva is a very close second though. And I really enjoyed drinking it last night (both neat, and on the rocks - the flavour is lovely and smooth on it's own, but I do like it with ice as well).

So, if you happen upon either of these two and haven't tried them before: DO! And let me know what you think of them :)

~A

Peyote Bezeling....tick!

Woot woot! FINALLY (and I don't say this lightly - I dread to think of the hours I've spent this week trying to master this!) - I have figured out how to do the peyote bezeling thing! Really! I'm that excited!

Here's the first peyote bezeling necklace I've made (using a vintage glass faceted cabachon, pink freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals and seed beads...and a shedload of concentration, irritation, patience and hard work!!). What do you think? Of course, I *had* to make matching earrings when I was done with the necklace (goes without saying). Never mind that it took me until 2pm...ish...

And yes, now I've been bitten with the peyote bug...have a few other ideas in mind and am now gathering supplies like a madwoman...again...

~A

Year of Jewellery for June - "Square" - tick it off!

Woot woot! Finished my Year of Jewellery piece (theme this month: Square) last night - what a relief! I'm really happy with it! I used Swarovski crystals and freshwater pearls, along with gorgeous faceted Cubic Zirconia teardrops in "autumnal" tones. The pendant frame was hand-hammered and then coiled with non-tarnish antique bronze artistic wire and the chain's brass. I'll be listing it on the website later this week.

Now I'm playing around with peyote bezels...not all that successful, but I'm not giving up till I've got it sussed...and the way it's going lately, it could be awhile...

~A

Another Week, Another Completed Order

This weekend just flew by. I'm actually quite scared that it's already halfway through June and it feels like yesterday I was doing the end-of-month stuff for May - where are the weeks going? I hate that.

The weekend itself was fun - especially Saturday! Actually, starting Friday (backtrack with me a little, won't ya?). Friday night after work we went out with Rozelle and Ron to celebrate their engagement (so romantic - he bought the ring for her and CHOSE IT HIMSELF!! How many guys do you know who do that?!).

Saturday afternoon Verna came round on her way back from Gisborne to Auckland (hell of a trip, that one), so we got a chance for abit of one-on-one catching up, swapped some books and agreed it's been far too long since we last visited her up there. So, come Labour Weekend (October), we are SO there! Can't wait :)

Later on Saturday afternoon, we headed off to Ron and Rozelle's "official" engagement party, at their house. A great afternoon was had, we were all nice and chilled, and the rain even stayed off for long enough so the kids could play outside. Bonus!

Saturday night is best forgotten. We headed home to watch the rugby (All Blacks vs France). Not a good idea. I think I'm jinxing my teams. First the Chiefs in the Super14 Final, then the AB's in the first International Test of the season...what the hell?!? Come ON guys, I mean, really! Time to pull finger and win a game or two, 'K?

Sunday was good too. Managed to finish two custom orders. The first one is earrings to match a top:

Then it was a faceted garnet, Swarovski pearl and Vermeil/Goldfill rosary bracelet:

And I finally finished the embroidered cuff bracelet I've been working on all week. Woot woot! I've called it "Treasures of Atlantis":

I also updated the website (finally!) with alot of my new pieces. Including my new beaded bead earrings and bracelet! Really loving the beaded beads right now. So much fun to make!

Today I've been working on my Year of Jewellery-themed piece. The theme is "square" and I had abit of an epiphany this afternoon, so it's almost done. Just heading off to finish it now. Yay!

Inspiration works like that for me. It truly does come out of nowhere. Strange. But I'm happy with strange :)

~A

Karnivool - "Sound Awake"

My cousin Gayl arrived from Australia for Mum's birthday celebrations bearing gifts - for me, no less!

My cousin, Steve (her son) is the drummer for Perth band Karnivool, and she bought me their new CD, "Sound Awake". Awesome! Been listening to it for the past couple of days and it's really growing on me. I leant their first CD, "Themata", to a family member last year sometime and I never got it back. Can't remember who I leant it to...if it was you, send it back to me! Please! Families eh?!

Here's the first single off "Sound Awake" - "Set Fire To The Hive":



You can follow Karnivool on Twitter or check out their Myspace page. More music video's are on YouTube.

I'm off to watch Supernatural (even if it is Season 2 here - it'll help with my withdrawals while I'm waiting for Season 5 to air, at least).

Raining here...still.

~A

Happy 60th Mum!

My Mum turns 60 today - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Off to breakfast at a local cafe shortly, then having a family thing tonight - I gotta work today, which is sucky cos Mum's my boss :) But, she'll be off celebrating and being thoroughly spoilt for the day, so Noeline and I are holding the fort.

Luv ya, Mum :)

Weekend Lowdown

OK, so here's the lowdown on this weekend:

• minor family drama (no injuries or deaths, thank goodness)
• MSN'd Vic and Lisa (had big time fun, nabbed some new emoticons that ROCK - thanks Lisa!!)
• watched some channel 63 (80's and 90's music, mostly - relived my "glory days")
• became extremely (extremely!) frustrated because my webcam is now not working, for some inexplicable reason???? Tried uninstalling and then re-installing it but still not working. Gave up before I was tempted to launch the laptop out of the nearest window. Hence: webcam still not working.
• caught "Juno" on Sky (finally!) - and it was really good
• came to the realisation that 2 x Panadol + about 200ml of "V" = brilliant headache remedy (seriously - I have sworn off Paramax for my migraine's as of today)
• finished ALL my custom orders and now feeling very smug :)
• started and finished a bracelet, which I'm really happy with and will be listing on the website this week
• got on top of all the housework (yay!) including all the laundry (super-yay!)
• had a GREAT belated birthday dinner at Mum and Dad's for Willie's birthday - with roast, apple crumble AND birthday cake (yumbo!) - thanks for a great evening, guys!

I'm now impatiently awaiting the arrival of one of my favourite cousins, who's over from Australia for my Mum's 60th birthday on Wednesday. I can't wait!

Now I'm off to make another work of wearable art and possibly watch another movie. Have you noticed how great it is to curl up in front of a good movie in the wintertime?

Bliss.

~A

Happy Birthday Dude!

Today is my hubby's birthday (yay!). But he's in Taupo until tomorrow night for work stuff (boo!). We phoned him this morning and sang happy birthday to him down the phone (yay!). It was minus 4 deg.C in Taupo at the time (boo!).

So, the partay is delayed until tomorrow night instead (boo!). But there'll be cake (yay!). Nope - not baking it myself, am saving myself a shedload of aggro and buying it instead (whoop whoop!).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DUDE :D

I was sooooo the queen of multi-tasking last night. I finally watched "Twilight" - which was very much "meh....". Wasn't all it was cracked up to be, in my opinion. I was expecting more "Supernatural". I guess, when it really comes down to it, the Brothers Winchester have spoilt me for everyone/thing else. Ah well.

Back to the multi-tasking. Last night, I was simultaneously:

- watching "Twilight"

- chatting to Vic on MSN

- making a bracelet

- eating donuts by the truckload. You know - those little ones with the multi-coloured icing that you get from the supermarket? Yum!

Good or what?! OK, well, when I started chatting to Vic, I did pause "Twilight", so maybe that doesn't count. But still. Pretty impressive I'd say!

Also found out something verrrrry interesting about myself. Apparently, I have a very low tolerance to sugar. As in, the more donuts I ate, the funnier I got (well, so I thought anyway). I had put it down to the fact that it was after midnight (as in "Dude, I'm so funneeeeeee after midnight!"). But then Vic pointed out that it was probably the sugar rush. (I was like "Duh! Yeah, the sugar!").

Oh boy.

Anyway, here's a pic of the bracelet I made last night while simultaneously chatting/watching/eating:

Will get around to uploading it onto the website within the next couple of days, hopefully. Am nearly up to date with my custom orders - spent a few hours tonight updating the website with pics and a couple of other new items. I really should do that more often so it's not so time-consuming. I'm working on it.

OK. Well, then. Off to finish my coffee and stoke up the log fire in preparation for another cold night tonight. I'm not sure, but it sounds like it's raining. Yay! I love going to bed to the sound of rain on the roof :D

~A

Today's Word: "New"

Yep, that's right folks - "new" is today's theme.

As in:

"New" bead swap - the Beadhive Diva's are throwing themselves into another swap. This time, Leeanne's organising it and the theme is "Raindrops". We have to send a focal bead (clear or crystal-like in colour), 2 medium sized beads and 3 larger beads that match but aren't necessarily the same as the focal bead. We can add whatever we like to finish our design, and make whatever we want, but we can't omit any of the beads we are sent. Whew! Can you say "challenge"...?

Also "new" is this month's YOJ (Year of Jewellery) theme, which I drew out on 1st June. It's "square" this month and....eek! No ideas instantly popped into my head (apart from the obvious - but I try to avoid doing the obvious), so will have to troll through my design ideas file and see what jumps out at me...watch this space!

Apart from that, we are into a "new" month (well hello June!) and 1st June also signifies the start of our Southern Hemisphere Winter (oh, joy). Woot, woot...ah, forget it. I hate winter. How I survived 5 of them in Scotland I'll never know.

So, I'm off to pack up my gear and get to bed. Been busy trying to catch up with custom orders this afternoon, then promptly fell asleep on the couch after dinner and woke up just after 10pm.

What a party animal eh?!

Oh - nearly forgot - didn't manage to watch "Twilight" DVD today (see aforementioned post-dinnertime nap...). Am aiming for tomorrow. Also have to help Georgia with her speech this week, for school, and it's Willie's birthday on Thursday as well.

Great. I sucked at them when I was at school, now I gotta go through it all again with Georgia? I feel I'm being punished.

'Nuff whingeing. Bedtime.

~A

Winter Wonderland

Wow - woke up this morning to the news that Gisborne (barely an hour and 40 minutes drive away) had snow - SNOW! Amazing! We had cousins visiting on their way through from Auckland to Gisborne today and because the road through the Waioeka Gorge to Gisborne was closed, they stayed for abit longer, to kill time, which was a bonus :)

Anyway, Vic sent over these great photos this evening of the snow in Gisborne - thought you might be interested...

Oh, and in case it isn't obvious by the tone of this post - we very rarely get snow this close in the wintertime. So it's a novelty (especially to this degree!).

Soooooo...what did we get up to this Queens Birthday holiday, you ask? Well, we went to Tauranga for abit of retail therapy with my folks. Fun fun fun! Also picked up the "Twilight" DVD (Whitcoulls have 25% off DVD's at the mo - joy!), so looking forward to settling down to watch that tomorrow night.

I'm a simple lass, really :)

~A