Fuchsia

The fuchsia flower is the symbol of West Cork and it has inspired me to make these earrings. The first two pairs were grabbed as soon as I finished them so I will have to make more quick!

 

 

Birthday Beads

I bought some more lampwork beads with my birthday money and have been busy using them. The necklace with the label is for my friend Barbara's birthday and the other two are for me. I love the pebble bead. On this necklace I used a new type of clasp. It is one of the tierra cast ones and was £3.50. I think it adds to the necklace and I will buy more as they are a lovely quality clasp.  

 

 

Happy Birthday

Katie was 21 so I made her an aquamarine necklace. I love these stones and I always use them in a very simple design as they are so beautiful by themselves.

 

 

Kenmare Lace Festival

I did an Irish Crochet Lace workshop at this festival and learned some new skills. It was very fiddly using a 1.5mm hook but I had been getting some practice in with a 2mm hook beforehand. Since then I have made some crochet earrings and I am going to order some of the Lizbeth size 20 thread in the pinks and purples and make a necklace like the one here. This is done on a 1mm hook so I need to keep working on my tension.

 

 

Wild Atlantic Way

I am getting ready for another trip to Derrynane. I need to be by the sea again. I fell in love with these lampwork beads and used aquamarines with them. I am pleased with the result but wonder how it would look with pearls. I might change it for the summer.

 

 

China Pearls

I am getting to the end of the pearls that Barbara gave me from her trip to China. I made this necklace for Mary Morrissey using pearls, amethyst spacers and three lampwork beads.  I have just enough of everything to make a second necklace.

 

 

Poppy likes her Poncho

I wanted to move on from making throws and make a garment so I made a poncho. I found a pattern on the internet but the first blue version was far too big. I think this would fit a 7-8 year old. I reduced the number of stitches round the neck to 72 (need multiples of 8) and the pink one for Poppy is the result. Here she is wearing it to keep her warm after her bath. Her Mum loved it too so I am happy.

 

 

Gift of Time

Jill Johnson wrote a piece for me for my BIG birthday. It was about sitting on the beach at Barley Cove and thinking back and also about being in the present. I wanted to preserve this special gift so I have started a weaving using some of the words that describe this moment. This is my first time incorporating words in a woven piece. I am in no rush to finish it as I am enjoying the process.

 

 

Irish Crochet Lace

I have booked a workshop at the Kenmare Lace Festival. I want to learn how Irish Crochet Lace is made. I know you need to use a very fine hook so I have been using a 2mm hook to see if I can get my tension right. One flower down and about 69 to go!

 

 

 

Bead Session

It was a very wet day so I thought I would have a beading session and use up some of my stash. I had some gorgeous lampwork beads called "Ocean Floor" and used them with turquoise. I then used some purple agate and finally some more odd beads of cracked purple agate beads with some leftover chunks of fleurite. My favourite colours but I will have to pass them on.