A love of beads

I've had quite a productive week and am pleased to say have managed to finish a handful of projects I began last autumn. Some should have been completed for Christmas but there are always one or two that fall by the wayside each year aren't there. On Wednesday I reached a stage where I needed some tiny black beads so I went to the little drawer where I keep my black beads and of course they weren't there. I looked in the other drawers but had no luck.

I don't think think I've mentioned my beads before. I keep them in a small chest of drawers with different shades of bead in each drawer. This is supposed to make them quick and easy to find but this system relies on the user returning the beads to the correct drawer and when the user is me...well enough said! Above you can see a few beads from my 'pink drawer' and perhaps spot one or two strays that have found their way in. This week I decided it was time I organised my beads and hopefully find the tiny black ones whilst doing it.

I thought I'd show you some of my favourites. I love these glass elephant beads. Each one is a tiny work of art made from molten glass.

These cute little pigs always remind me of 'Babe'.

Look at these hens. I love their colours and the expressions on their faces. I made the tiny egg beads to go with them and can just imagine the bossy mother hen clucking "which one of you silly hens laid your eggs here?" The little one (back left) looks to be the guilty party wouldn't you say .

I think these glass pandas are just perfect.

It always amazes me how many different bead shapes can be made from molten glass. Its not something I would like to work with.

A couple of years ago I made a few pieces of jewellery for family and friends.

I enjoyed using these rainbow shades and prefer working in this free style rather than with beads that have to be graded for size and colour before you begin.

This was the watch/charm bracelet that was made to accompany the necklace.

And another made in shades of aqua and green

Something different and bit of an experiment...an acorn. The acorn cup is made from seed beads and the acorn is a quartz crystal. I hung it on a silver chain to make a short pendant.

Finally, I named this a 'beachcomber's charm bracelet'. All the the little charms represent a tiny item that might be picked up on the shoreline. A real shell and a couple made from glass and silver. A mother-of-pearl bird, a glass fish, turtle, starfish and coral. An old coin, a sailor's button and some real amber from the shores of the Baltic.

My drawers of beads are now tidy and I'm happy to say I eventually found the tiny black beads that I was searching for...they turned up in the drawer where I keep my seam binding and tape!!!!

Before Christmas I was tagged by my blogging pal Sabine and was asked to write 7 random things about myself. I decided to wait until after the 'festive chaos'. Now where to start?

1). I'm a multi-tasker and thinker and always have a number of projects on the go and a number of ideas spinning round in my head at any one time with the result I can sometimes feel I am tying myself in knots.
2). I wish I liked housework. I keep our home tidy and fairly clean but I'm afraid there are number of dusty spots (I blame open fires). Someone once told me the best way to do the dusting is to 'blow on it'. Sounds good to me!
3). I'm always drawn to look at soft toys (teddy bears etc) in shops. They make me smile and you could easily find me having a conversation with one or more of them! It breaks my heart to see 'once loved' soft toys in thrift shop windows. Their little faces always look so sad that I invariably make a point of looking away.
4). When I was a child my dad used to repair TVs in his spare time which involved disconnecting our family TV in order to use the aerial (days of black and white). I have watched many programmes with the telly in a state of total disrepair on it's side or upside-down. My sister and I used to complain bitterly.
5). I have to agree with Sabine in my total dislike of spiders. Ugh! I can't kill them so I keep a glass and piece of card in the bathroom and cloakroom in order to catch them. When I release them outside I'm sure they come wandering straight back in as soon as my back is turned.
6). I don't think twice about killing wasps as I've had a number of nasty stings from them in the past. They nest in our roof given half the chance and if I can slaughter a few queen wasps early in the season all the better.
7). As a baby the first word I uttered was 'dada', the second was 'mama' and apparently the third word was 'why'. I've always been an inquisitive person and 'why' is a word I still use a lot.

I pass the tag onto:

Suzanne

Natalie Jo

Martha

Jan

Cathy

Paula

Clarice

Some rules that come with the tag:

1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog - some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blog.
4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Comments

[clarice]

Great list of facts. hey my mom says dust adds patina !!! Well I have done this before. I will have to think if I can come up with 7 new things about me. I am just sooo boring ;-) xoxox Clarice

[Paula]

Dear Eli,
Oh, your posts are always so delightful! What a wonderful collection of beads you have, so beautiful and unique. I love the sweet animal beads and the jewelry you have made is simply gorgeous!!! You are one talented lady!!!! I am glad you found the black beads you were searching for!

I enjoyed reading the random facts about you! I have the same love of soft toys, especially teddy bears!

You are so kind to tag me, and if time allows I will participate. I appreciate your understanding if I cannot. Thank you so much for your very kind words about my blog! I feel the very same about yours sweet friend!!!

Eli, thank you so much for mentioning the plane crash on the Hudson River. Indeed, it was a miracle! I thank the Lord that every person on that plane survived! As you said, it is so nice to have good news for a change with a happy ending! I couldn't agree more!

I hope you have a very lovely weekend! Thank you for being such a kind friend! I wish that we were not separated by such a vast distance, but I am so thankful we can "visit" each other through our blogs.

Love, Paula

[Rhondi]

Hi Eli
I love all your wonderful animal beads and the jewelry you ade is awesome. Good for you for getting some unfinished projects done.
Hope you have a great weekend.
Hugs, Rhondi

[Maggie]

I absolutely adore the Beachcombers Charm Bracelet you made! You are so creative and so very productive, too!

I am so happy that you posted the information about tagging and the list of rules, as well as the seven things about you.
I was tagged last week but didn't know how to respond or participate. I even went so far as to write to the person who tagged me and ask for her phone number so I could call her to find out! Only time has kept me from making the International call to her. So I really appreciate your information shared here.

We have a lot in common: I recall the days of B&W TV, and fuzzy pictures, though I wasn't forced to watch sideways!

I cannot express my disdain for spiders fluently enough . . . and I have never seen such huge monsters in my life before emigrating to the UK!!! I am frightened to death of them, and I swear, they wait until my husband is asleep before they show themselves to me. It is their way of self-preservation as I cannot go near them and he will!

But although I am creative and inspired and have the best intentions, I do wish I was more like you in actually completing my projects and in updating my blog.

I guess I will just have to look to you for inspiration and hope I can be more like you in the future.
xxx
Maggie

[Redwood House]

Hi Eli, this post is fab I just love the beads and colours all the pieces are lovely with the acorn being my favorite I have never seen that done before, how very effective. The beads are beautiful I like the way you have used all the aqua together and the animal glass beads are fab my youngest would love the elephants, she brought tiny little wooden ones home from a trip to India which we have on our mantle and I think of her every time I dust!! them.
You certainly have some lovely goodies in your drawers!
Jan

[Miss VanDroo]

Wow...I especially LOVE the charm bracelet!
I'll be posting my 7 Random Things tomorrow...

Martha
☺

[natalie jo]

Greetings Eli,
I am in awe of your amazing beads! What a beautiful collection you have and the projects you create with them even more so. I am especially fond of the beachcomber's charm braclet, it is delightful. It must jingle beautifully when ou wear it!

I've had to use the greatest restraint to keep from heading out to the craft shop in town and starting my own bead collection. I don't believe my tiny house can hold the makings of one more hobby at the moment!

Am having fun coming up with my seven facts...thanks so much for tagging me! Hope to get them posted on my site this week.

Most Fondly,
natalie jo

[Rhondi]

Thanks for the tip. I'll take a look at them.