Dot's Diary

Back to sunny!! Scotland

2011-08-04T03:42:00.000-07:00

Back home and sorting out stuff from the holiday today - it's a bit of a shock with the rain today but will get on with catching up with work. Dawn loves the crochet and knitted jewellery so I'm going to get started with other pieces ready for the autumn workshops. Will keep you posted later this week.

Precious Sparkle Beads - workshops

2011-07-29T06:46:00.000-07:00

I've been busy on holiday here in Illinois - I brought beads over from Precious Sparkle Beads www.precioussparklebeads.co.uk and have been busy creating some projects for workshops in the Autumn. Dawn fancied some knitting and crochet and I think the semi-precious beads have worked really well. I'm back home in about a weeks time and then will get dates sorted out. Here are the projects - get in touch if you'd like to find out how to make them.

Fimo jewellery designer - Karyn Kozak

2011-07-25T14:42:00.001-07:00

Went back to the Geneva Art fair yesterday and spotted this amazing Fimo jewellery designer: www.karynkozakdesign.com. Her colours and the patterns she created were just amazing - I took some images of earrings on my phone but not too clear so this pic of a bracelet and necklace are from her website.

Nuno felt dress

2011-07-23T15:55:00.000-07:00

spent the day at an amazing art fair in Geneva Illinois and spotted this fabulous dress. I think it is made by the nuno felting technique but I'd have to ask my friend Ellie what she thinks.

Beaded bag

2011-07-18T13:15:00.000-07:00

Out and about today in a small town nearby - Geneva, Illinois. I spotted this gorgeous beaded bag in a small antique shop. just loved the simplicity of the pattern. I think I'll have to take my proper camera with me as the phone image isn't quite clear enough.

Hat party

2011-07-17T10:08:00.000-07:00

they do things differently in the US so yesterday I'm making a hat for a hat party that my sister-in-law is hosting. I decided to make a paper hat from newspaper but Jackie gave me a charity hat and said I could do what I wanted! Paper flowers made from strips of newspaper, fringed and rolled then twisted strips wrapped in wire and shaped around a pencil. Finished off with some pipecleaners. This is actually me before the party starts - heaven forbid I have a drink of two!

Great jewellery designer

2011-07-16T15:15:00.000-07:00

Visited a French market in Wheaton, Illinois and found a local jewellery designer called Seize the Bead. Her jewellery designs were just fabulous and I'd love to have got a bit closer but have to be satisfied with this pic of her stall. Choice of beads, colour mixes and way she put the quite simple but stylish jewellery together was fabulous. I especially liked how she used a square filigree stamping and bent three corners in to enclose a Swarovski Rivoli Chaton.

crochet with semi precious beads

2011-07-15T16:13:00.000-07:00

I'm on holiday near Chicago but brought some fab beads with me to try out some crocheting and knitting. Today I was using purple drop beads and tiny round orange beads from Precious Sparkle Beads www.precioussparklebeads.co.uk. I used a fine lilac wire - 30 swg and a 3.5mm crochet hook. I'm thinking 5 strands the same and then plaiting together.

Bead Technique videos

2011-07-11T12:30:00.000-07:00

I bought myself a video camera last week and am really looking forward to getting technique videos on my website. David and Charles my publisher has morphed into F&W media and so we're all trying to become more media savvy. I'm also hoping that some of the videos will go on the E-bead website too. www.e-beads.co.uk .
I'll start working my way through the basic techniques in the Bead Jewellery Bible but if there is anything anyone would like demonstrated just contact me through the blog or my website: www.dorothywood.co.uk.

I'm off to the States and the end of this week and so will try to keep updating the blog and hoping to find all sorts of goodies in the US to share.

working for magazines

2011-07-05T12:56:00.000-07:00

I've been really busy the last week and a half doing papercrafting projects for Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine and Quick Cards magazine. I find it hard doing the blog then because I feel it should all be top secret until the magazines come out but then days go by and I haven't written anything!

I'll need to find a way to incorporate what I'm doing every day into the blog.

Meanwhile I've also been cataloguing and photographing my mother's commemorative ware. She's got a huge collection and it's time to get it sold. I think this is the oldest piece a beautiful plate from Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee.

Coffee and knitting

2011-06-28T08:11:00.000-07:00

Met up with some friends for coffee, knitting and a chat - it's a bit of a luxury taking time out of the working week but there's always something to learn as we all bring some knitting. I'm knitting myself a cardigan and it's looking like I might actually finish this one and wear it!

Hostess was Ellie and she's still buzzing after a very successful East Neuk festival. Her new venue The Wash House is up and running with lots to see and fab things to buy. Check out her blog too - she's much better at it than me! http://washhousestudio.blogspot.com/

Christmas quilling

2011-06-28T06:54:00.000-07:00

It may be scorchio outside but I'm in and creating quilled snowflakes for Quick Cards magazine for their first Christmas issue. I found that the quilling tool didn't make tight enough centres so I've trimmed the top off a sewing needle, stuck it into a cork and now getting much better results.

Beader's Bible on Kindle

2011-06-20T02:15:00.000-07:00

The Beader's Bible is now available on Amazon Kindle - how cool is that?

It is so full of information about all sorts of beading techniques - not just jewellery. So if you've stacks of beads and don't know quite what to do with them this could be the book for you.

Perfect for proms

2011-06-16T09:55:00.000-07:00

I was busy on my way back from London using some of the fab stones and settings from www.e-beads.co.uk. I used fine wire (0.315mm) to sew some navette stones and settings together with bicones to create a flower shape. this got tied to the pretty silver comb by wrapping wire around and over between the stones and then other stones and settings fastened in the same way. makes a really zingy hair setting for a party or prom but if you did it all clear or clear AB crystal it would look stunning for a bride.

meeting the E-beads team

2011-06-14T08:24:00.000-07:00

This is me with Annabel the owner of E-beads.

Just back from London Jewellery Week. It was a great day demonstrating for E-beads and using the fabulous Swarovski Crystals and settings available on their website: www.e-beads.co.uk.

London Jewellery Week

2011-06-08T03:24:00.000-07:00

I'm just getting ready to go down to London Jewellery Week. I'm demonstrating for E-Beads at Hatton Garden on Sunday. It's on from 11-5 and hope to see you there. I'm booksigning Crystal Jewellery Creations and showcasing my next book out in July.

http://www.londonjewelleryweek.co.uk/events/show/hatton_garden_festival

Instant knitted cushions

2011-06-07T12:56:00.000-07:00

doing my accounts today but thought you might like to see my weekend project:
I couldn't find cushions that were the right colour and fabric for my newly decorated bedroom but found a knitted throw - absolute bargain at under £8 from Dunelm Mill - then cut it up and sewed to make two cushion covers. I used the ribbed border as a feature flap so no need for buttons, zips or any tricky closures.

Penny Black cards

2011-06-03T03:34:00.000-07:00

I'm busy today making some designs for Penny Black Inc. Shaida had asked me to become a designer for them and it's taken a while to clear my slate but now have a few designs made up ready for my introduction. I'm trying out a bit of gold leaf to highlight cards today. I got so inspired I even made a card for my sister-in-law for her birthday.

It's a quick technique - just draw lines and details with a quickie glue pen where you want the gold leaf to go then allow to dry till tacky (it'll change from blue to clear) Lay on the gold leaf and after a few minutes. dab with a stiff brush and sweep away the excess.

Innocent smoothie campaign

2011-06-02T09:14:00.001-07:00

Knit Today magazine are supporting the Innocent Smoothie campaign and asked designers to come up with a new design to be featured in the magazine soon. Today I knitted a cute beret and hubby decided to call it Berry Beret for obvious reasons. the pattern will be in Knit Today magazine soon so look out for it!

I'll need to get an bottle of Innocent Smoothie for a better picture.

Edinburgh Bead Fair

2010-10-04T03:34:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy week since the Edinburgh Bead Fair - really super time and I met lots of lovely people. Bulk stocks of my new book unfortunately didn't arrive in time but I did run a raffle and gave away one copy.

Susan Dewar won the book but still waiting for her to get in touch - so if you know Susan do let me know.

Perth Bead Fair

2010-08-23T01:23:00.000-07:00

Just back and had a fab day at the Bead Fair - I really enjoyed meeting all the bead enthusiasts and spotted a gorgeous necklace worn by one lady that I'm going to try out. I'm sorry the new book wasn't available for sale but lots of leaflets got given out as reminders.

Chinese Beader's Bible

2010-08-04T02:21:00.000-07:00

The Beader's Bible has just been published in Chinese - how cool is that? I'm trying to find out but assuming it is Mandarin - do you recognise the language? If you live in the UK and would like a copy I have two here so do get in touch!

New Workshops

2010-04-19T03:05:00.001-07:00

My workshops are finally up and running. They begin in May and will run until July, then we'll have the Autumn schedule. The list will be on my website later this week. The venue is in Largoward, a small village between Largo and St Andrews in Fife. Let me know if there's something you'd like to learn.

I'm starting with basic projects but have a tiara workshop in June and the knitted wire corsage from the Beader's Bible in July.

Workshops

2009-09-21T07:10:00.001-07:00

I've got a bead necklace workshop running at Di Gilpin's shop in St Andrews or if finished at her new craft and yarn room venue in Largoward - book online at digilpin.com. I've had to move it back a week as it clashed with the Bead Fair and now is running on Saturday 11 October. We're hoping it will be the start of regular bead workshops - if you want to get in touch and let me know what you'd like to learn...

New book advances

2009-09-21T07:06:00.000-07:00

well it's been a busy few weeks as I've been working hard on the advances for my new book. I finally got the projects sent off this weekend and my editor describes one of the necklaces as gobsmacking - must be doing something right!! Unfortunately it is still under wraps so I'll let you know more about the project soon. Meanwhile I've just ordered more books to sell and sign at the Edinburgh Bead Fair - do come and say hello.

New workshops

2009-09-11T03:38:00.000-07:00

I'm quite excited about the workshops that I'm going to be doing this autumn in a new venue in Fife. They are advertised through Di Gilpin's Website (www.digilpin.com) and at her shops in Perth and St Andrews. I've got a bead necklace workshop at the beginning of October just to get started and then when we find what people want - I can organise more. The workshops should be in the new yarn and craft room venue in Largoward which is a village about 7 miles from St Andrews on the road to Largo.

Other workshops are bead knitting on the 25th October and crochet flowers on the 8th November.

Edinburgh Bead Fair

2009-09-03T13:42:00.000-07:00

I'm really excited about the new bead fair taking place at the Corn Exchange in Edinburgh on the 4th October. I've been allocated a table in the atrium and will be demonstrating techniques from my books throughout the day. I'll have my two most recent books with me and will be selling and signing copies. Ideal Christmas presents for beady people. I'm at the opposite side of the atrium to Daft for Crafts who are going to be answering queries and helping people with their beading questions. Should be fun so do come and say hello!

Edinburgh workshop on Saturday

2009-09-01T09:40:00.000-07:00

I'm going over to Haddington to the Bead Shop to do a workshop on Saturday morning. I'm going to be teaching brick stitch rondelles, as I call them, to make a bib style necklace or a ring or just some shoe embellishments. The rondelles are made using Swarovski crystals and look absolutely gorgeous! Check out the necklace in issue 6 of Make Jewellery magazine.

Launch of the Ultimate Necklace Maker

2009-08-31T07:47:00.000-07:00

Just recovering today after a very successful trip to the Scottish Bead Fair. I was demonstrating in a conference room complete with camera, large screen behind me and a 'madona' mike. Luckily I didn't feel inclined to burst into song! It was a bit nervy really as the audience were all staring at the screen above my head so difficult to interact but I got good feedback for both demos and sold lots of books. I also got plenty of really positive feedback from The Beader's Bible - people saying they used it all the time and recommended to everyone. Let's hope The Ultimate Necklace Maker goes the same way!

2009-08-28T02:32:00.000-07:00

I was at a bead workshop yesterday in Edinburgh - it was an advanced! workshop by american author Laura McCabe. Really enjoyed it and learnt some new techniques using my favourite bead bead stitch - herringbone. I also found out how to create a seed bead surround for cabochons which was fantastic. Laura works in a very individual style - bit too ornate for me but lets see what I come up with using the same techniques.

more crochet

2009-03-02T10:15:00.001-08:00

I got a commission to make a set of accessories for Let's Knit magazine which has been fun - you get the yarn supplied and design around that. It was a bit of a challenge as I was asked to make a clutch bag and there is only so much yarn. Anyway I managed by making it a two tone bag and experimenting with different stitches. Crochet certainly eats yarn!! Look out for my project in the next issue.

Scottish Bead Fair

2009-02-23T10:24:00.000-08:00

it's that time of year again and the Bead Fair is fast approaching. Do come along and visit the Bead Crazy stand where I'm demonstrating and book signing again. I'm demonstrating a new jewellery clay - Maxine has just bought it for the shop and I'm going to be playing with it all next week! the Bead Fair is on Sunday 8th March from 11am-5.00pm at Perth Concert Hall.

bead knitting

2009-02-20T08:28:00.000-08:00

It's been a busy week having just come back from the craft trade show at the NEC in Birmingham. I was meeting up with my publisher and having talks about my next book which is really exciting. Since getting back I've been knitting a little bag for my third bead knitting feature which will be in issue 33 of Knit Today. I'm quite excited about it as my confidence is growing - partly because I'm going to the Knit club at Di Gilpin's shop in St Andrews and also because I'm just knitting a crocheting more! At the moment I'm crocheting a very large cushion for the window seat in our kitchen and about to start some projects for Let's Knit... more to follow!!

crochet flowers

2009-02-05T06:26:00.000-08:00

I've just learnt how to make multi-layered crochet flowers - I tried learning from a book but ended up on one of these tutorials on the web - much easier!! the secret is in creating loops or bars of chain on the back of the first flower at the bottom of the petals and then working the next set of petals in to those loops - simple when you know how!

issue 61 quick cards

2009-02-03T09:51:00.000-08:00

Been busy today creating cards for Quick Cards magazine - great fun as it was a challenge - thinking up 10 ways to use decorative edge scissors. They're in the post and the good news is I've done them before the deadline - that's a major brownie point!

Knitting and Stitching shows

2008-09-26T07:24:00.000-07:00

I've been moving house and been without broadband but hope to get blogging again soon. I'm just back from the knitting and stitching show in Birmingham where I was book signing on the Sew Good Book stand and running workshops. If you are going to any of the other K&S shows this year come along and say hello - or even better have a go at one of the workshops!

Bead Fair

2008-09-02T01:22:00.000-07:00

What a fabulous day I had at the Perth Bead Fair. Maxine at Bead Crazy had a space for me to demonstrate on her stand and it worked out really well for both of us. I sold lots of books and demonstrated one of the necklaces from the book I'm working on at the moment using beads and materials from her shop. The most popular material I was using was the polyester chain - this new chunky chain is lightweight and available in a range of fabulous colours. It's £4.99 for a metre length - I recently bought Beadalon polyester chain for three times the price so it's a bit of a bargain!

fireline braided bead thread

2008-08-20T07:33:00.000-07:00

I've been making a tubular herringbone stitch necklace and decided to use Fireline braided bead thread instead of Nymo or Superlon for a change - mainly because it was smoke grey and suited the beads. I have to say the fireline is a much better thread for bead stitching as even working with a 1.5m length it hasn't tangled or knotted once. the thread is also much easier to secure as it is not as slippy as Nymo. I'm using size D for size 11 beads and bugles and am able to go through each bead several times.

Booksigning

2008-08-04T10:04:00.000-07:00

I've just had flyers designed for the bead fair at the end of August. I'm demonstrating on Bead Crazy's stand and will have my new book 'the Beader's Bible' on sale. Maxine, the owner of Bead Crazy has had a look through the book and thinks it's fantastic so I hope you will too! the book isn't actually published until November but you have the opportunity to buy it in advance at the Bead Fair and it will be signed! Looking forward to seeing you there.

Scottish Bead Show

2008-07-24T12:16:00.000-07:00

I was over in Perth yesterday at Bead Crazy a fab bead shop. Maxine the owner has collected together a fantastic range of beads and I bought lots for my next book. Everytime I go there are lots of new beads which is great. I'm going to be demonstrating at the Scottish Bead show at the end of August for Bead Crazy as well as signing copies of my new book - the Beader's Bible so hope to see you there!

illusion necklaces

2008-07-21T02:17:00.000-07:00

One of the challenges of writing books is that you are always stretching yourself and researching to make things you haven't done before. So I've been learning how to make an advanced illusion necklace and it seems that there is no 'correct' method. I've looped the thread through some beads but need glue to secure. I have used gel superglue for simple necklaces where I thought crimps were too invasive but found the beads didn't stay secure for a long time. Some research on forums this time came up with a trade version of superglue which has good reviews and people who've used the glue say it lasts for years and years. It's called Hot Stuff super 't' and the bottle has a yellow label. I'm please so far and surprised that the nozzle hasn't clogged - a major problem with retail superglue.

how time flies

2008-07-18T13:46:00.000-07:00

it's incredible that 10 days have passed since I last wrote - I've been busy with a few cardmaking projects for the magazines but also managed get the step photography done for the advances of my next book. I'm using a new photographer, Ally Stuart, as I've moved up to Scotland and it's easier well less travel! I found Ally when I was asked to find a photographer nearby for the step photography in the cardmaking magazines. If you look at Quick Cards and Cardmaking and Papercraft step pics you'll see my hands! It's quite an exhausting day as I have to 'make' other designers cards as well as my own but things usually go fairly smoothly.

Anyway back to the book - we've decided to follow up the Beader's Bible with a jewellery book - the projects are mainly necklaces and I think the theme of the book is really great. I'll let you know a bit more nearer publication... Last week I spent a lot of time on the internet looking for exciting beads and found some stunning huge resin beads from Kars. I've used two on a necklace I designed yesterday and will definitely be using more at a later stage.

2008-07-08T12:36:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy week or two as I've been sorting out a new kitchen and carpets for my mum's house but luckily that has all gone smoothly and I can get back to work! I'm currently working on a new beading book for David and Charles which focuses on necklace styles so I've spent most of today searching for beads and have found some gorgeous big resin beads on the Kars website. I thought their metal beads were also beautiful and have ordered lots of different styles. I find it quite difficult choosing beads online, it's hard to judge the size and colours and I usually end up buying more than I need, or else not enough and have to reorder but the advantage is the huge variety. I've got a good idea what I'm going to do for each necklace - it's just a case of collecting suitable beads and then playing about until the design comes together.

New website

2008-06-30T12:31:00.000-07:00

My new website is up and running and I'm absolutely delighted. I've wanted a website for a long time - not just a front page but an interactive site where people can find out what work I've been doing, buy books and those who have my books can contact me if they have any queries or have problems sourcing materials for a particular project. It will also be a site where beaders and crafters can get information and a few tips as well.

New website

2008-06-28T14:27:00.000-07:00

My new website is on its way, keep watching this space for more information.