Launch of the Ultimate Necklace Maker

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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!