Wednesday 25th June

Just got to share.

I've been trying to find the time to make myself a bracelet for my holidays in a few weeks, and it was looking pretty grim. However I had to have the day of work today as myself and the kids have got a raging temperature, sore throat, cough yada yada yada. Anyway I managed to find myself with an hour or so and finally got around to creating something for myself, and I just love it, I've called it 'Cha Cha Cha'.

I was practically drooling over it when it was finished, not a good look.

Tuesday 24th June

Hooray, my husband has passed the final part of his Inspectors Exams, congratulations Sully, we're all really proud of you, well done.

I finally finished the white bead commission yesterday and it is beautiful, so simple.

Holiday beads coming up later this week, I'm planning on using as many colours as possible, it will be either inspirational or disastrous, hopefully not the latter!

Just to let you know in advance I'm going away on the 17th July until Saturday August 2nd and I'll have limited access to my emails. I will be putting website listings on hold for a few week, last orders will be taken on Wednesday 16th July and posted out on the 17th. Also I won't be able to take any commissions after Friday 11th July. I'll be back up and running after August 2nd and I'm sure I will have lots of inspiration from my travels in my favourite part of the world, Cornwall.........can't wait! I'll miss my torch though, maybe I'll take him on holiday too, although my Husband might suspect that I've totally lost all sense of 'normal', perhaps it's not such a good idea.

Sunday 22nd June

I'm going to offer a free etching service, if you'd prefer any of the beads I've listed etched just let me know when you order, but remember once they're etched there's no going back!

I was supposed to be visiting my cousin in Lincolnshire today but my husband couldn't get the day off work so we've had to give it a rain check, sorry guys we'll sort something out, promise.

I listed lots of new beads last night, I managed to get plenty of torch time this week (thank you Paul) and I've had a great time with it. I've been practicing making shell beads, nearly there so watch this space. I've listed the pink beads I mentioned earlier, it's such a tricky colour, I used Rubo Oro over white in the end, it realy pops giving a rasberry ripple feel, lovely.

Well it's all about the kids today, off to the park (with one of my bead books in my bag) so that they can run their legs off while the sun's out, dark clouds looming so we'll have to be quick.

Don't forget to register for FREE BEADS.

Kate x

Saturday 14th June

I've had some wonderful feedback from so many of you, a HUGE thank you for your continued support and encouragment, it has given me such a boost.

I've added Google Checkout to the site, the reason for this is that although PayPal is convenient for most people the fees for sellers like me with low turnover are frankly shocking, I don't want these fees to impact on the price of my work and google convert 10 times my spend on advertising with them into fee free transactions using their checkout facility, which is great. You can still pay by PayPal or cheque if you'd prefer but I just thought I'd explain why I've added it.

I've had a tough commission this week, the brief was 'White' what can I say, I was at a loss. I spent 4 or 5 nights convincing myself I couldn't do anything with it but finally sat down at the torch yesterday with a rod of white and a rod of clear, I was worried!!

After the first attempt my spirits lifted and suddenly I was full of ideas, I've posted a few pictures for you to have a peek. I love these beads so much I'm going to make myself a set, after all they'll go with anything, the great thing about commissions is that they push you to try something you'd either avoid or never even think of. I'll tell you about the 'Cerise' beads later, anyone who's familiar with lampworking will understand that 'Cerise' is a tricky gig too, watch this space.

Sunday 8th June

I saw my beautiful nephew Dylan for the first time yesterday and he's a gorgeous, I'm sure you'll agree.



I've spent the rest of the weekend at my parents house with the girls and the '5' dogs, who all basked in the sunshine, what a glorious day.


Taffy and Zed enjoying the sun (Father & Son)

Back on with the beads tomorrow evening, I've got a really nice coral colour that I'm dying to use, I'd like to do something slightly hippy inspired, we'll see what happens.

Saturday 7th June

I'm an Auntie again!!

My sister-in-law gave birth to their first child, a healthy little boy, Dylan Gaunt, yesterday at 10.50am, he weighed in at 6lb 11.5oz and is doing great. I'm going to see him later today and I can't wait.

Congratulations Matt & Zoe.

On the bead front I've been having a ball with some new glass I received yesterday, it's a new CiM is Messy colour called Dirty Martini, what a fantastic name, it's the palest minty/sagey green, and I had to start using it the minute it arrived. I'll be listing the beads on my site on Wednesday as promised but I've got to share and so I've posted some pictures to give you a sneak preview.

Dirty Martini - Set 1

Dirty Martini - Set 2

Thursday 5th June

A gorgeous sunny day.

Both myself and Paul (my husband) have the day off and Eivie's at home too. Paul is busy doing the washing, and is making a pie for the kids tea, it's cruising up to lunchtime and I'm deciding what to do with all the wonderful glass glittering in my kitchen window.

We've a house guest coming to stay today, Susie, an 11 year old Yorkshire terrier and the house has been buzzing with excitement all week. My sister-in-law will be giving birth to her first baby tomorrow and will probably be in hospital for a few days so Susie is staying with us for a while.

I've had quite a few commissions recently and as a result haven't posted very much for sale on my website this week. With the new baby arriving I won't get very much time this weekend either but I'm hoping to have some work ready for next Wednesday.

I met an amazing artist at the weekend, Martin Waters (http://www.martin-waters.co.uk/), he was Spurn Point Lighthouse artist in residence in 2007, and created some amazing sculptures and installations during his time there. He creates his work from things he's salvaged from the beach, I felt so inspired by his work.

Stratisform 4 - by Martin Waters

Colour Strata

Spurn Gloves - an installation at Spurn Point