Nicola @ Smitten Kitten

Playing with colour - but without the mess!

2012-01-17T12:16:00.003+01:00

I am quite scared of colour. I prefer pastels, and creams ... and rarely do I use bright colours - and when I do, I can only really handle one strong colour at a time then I spend time calming the colour down by accenting it with softer tones.

This colour matching process is unavoidable for any crafter/designer ... mixing and pairing, playing and seeing what colours work well with eachother.

With many crafts, it can get messy! Personally I spend hours scattering all my supplies out - and then dismally I have to spend hours getting everything back into it's rightful place.

On many occasions I have had all my beads scattered around on the table, in groups of combinations to see what colour combinations work, with groans of dismay from the hubster about how beads get "everywhere" (he does have a point) .... this is the start of each project, this messiness will never stop, but it is easier if I know what direction i'm going in before I start to drag every bead out of it's box.

Quite a while ago - I stumbled across a great website ... http://labs.ideeinc.com/multicolr
This website allows you to select colours, and it will search from over 10,000,000 interesting images from flickr that have a creative commons licence to show the colours that you have selected.

It helps me with the bright colour combinations so I can see if they work for me ...

It helps me dream of summer ...

I get carried away with it with my favourite colour combinations ...

It helps me with heavenly pastels ...

So I hope it helps you too ... !
If you have no time to get out your craft stuff, or beads, masterial, paper or paints ... but want to start playing with colours, it's a great place to go searching for colour inspiration.

This year I am going to use it more to help me branch out of my comfort zone, to see new combinations that I have never used before and then will challenge myself not to be scared of too many bright colours in one piece.

Have fun playing!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-07T16:35:00.000+01:00

Hey there! Happy New Year!

Well, I have been quiet recently here on the blog :) But some of you will probably know why!

On 31.12.2011 I got married! Yay!

For the past few months I have been completely distracted, I have not been making much for my smittenkitten.de shop, I have been reading a lot of my favourite forums (Craft Pimp, Crafteroo & Beadbuddies to name but a few) but I have not been contributing as much as I normally do. I have been concentrating on dresses, shoes, table decorations, hair & makeup, wedding favours, bridesmaids, venue, registrar, wedding cake, kiddies goodie bags, photographers, bridal underwear, stationary, chair covers, and on and on ... rather than crafts and/or beads! hehe! It's honestly been exhausting, but down to the final detail, everything was perfect - So I'm gonna give a shoutout to who we used for these final details.

The Venue - DeVere Mottram Hall - Click here to read my trip advisor review.

The Dress - Maggie Sottero "Alexandria" - Bought from Maria Modes - Macclesfield.

The Suits - I'm still shocked that he chose a tailcoat! - Hired from Slaters - Manchester

The Band - GrooveThing - North West

The Bridesmaids Dresses - Dessy - Bought from Maria Modes - Macclesfield.

The flower girl dress - Organza beaded dress - John Lewis

Photographers - Gallery Studios - Warrington

The wedding cake - Marks & Spencers (it was AMAZING!)

The flowers - Kate at The Mustard Seed florist - Macclesfield

The chair covers - Gemma at Cheshire Covers - Knutsford

Hair & MakeUp - Ruth at Orchid Blush - Across the North West

Wedding favours - Sweets & Chocolates from UK wedding favours / boxes and ribbons from ebay

Table decorations - Crystal lanterns from Range UK / table runners, bubbles, snowflake confetti and table diamonds from ebay / mirror plates from wilkinsons / Tealights and Glimma Holders from Ikea

Guest Book - Thumbprint guest book from - Not on the High Street

The day itself was amazing, memories keep on floating in and out of my head - and I keep on asking Joe lots of questions too about his memories, things that I may have missed! Things still coming to me, and now it was a week ago already ... it still feels like yesterday :)

There will be a million more pictures to come, I don't want to bore you with too many, so here are a few favourites from my facebook tags this last week.

Cutting the Cake

First Dance

My Mum, Sister and I

I loved the beadwork on my dress :)

My Niece Mia and I

Me, Hubby and my sister

The Crafter..oo! Mystery Package Challenge

2011-12-09T13:46:00.001+01:00

Ooooh Crafter...ooooooo! The new mag is out on the 1st January 2012.

I've had a bit of a stress getting my projects in, but they're all done now, and I can relax ...In the mag, I have one project lined up, and I have written the blog reviews again ... (which is always my favourite bit, as it means my research is to catch up on all the wonderful crafty blogs that I follow ... hehe!)

On top of the features that I have written, I prepared a "Mystery Package" Challenge for members who were up for putting their crafty skills to the test. I know a lot of hard-core crafters at Crafter..oo! so the challenge was well received.

I decided not to participate in the challenge myself, as I did not want to be biassed on the supplies that I selected. I wanted just to go to my stash, bust out some fabulous things that go wonderfully well together... put them in piles and send them off!

I don't know if you're like me, but choosing the supplies for a project is an exciting part of the process. to be honest, it's probably my favourite part of the crafting process - as you have all the fun of pondering, mix and matching, brainstorming ... and this time I did not have the pressure of thinking what I would make with the selection. Instead I could concentrate purely on the aesthetics of everything ... not the practicality of what they'd be like in a project. Pure bliss!

1 piece of beige material (approx A4 size)

Lace and Ribbons

Beads and Buttons

Clear Cabochons

Vintage Paper taken from an old book

What would you make?

I have seen now all the creations that were made from these little packages - and I just want to say that they are more creative than what I could have imagined! Inspirational pieces. If you want to see what's been made - the big reveal will be in the E-Magazine - available for download from the 1st January!

CRAFTEROO MAG!

Well, let me tell you ...

2011-10-28T16:37:00.000+02:00

... about your versions of my "Pearl Cluster Necklace" Tutorial.

Firstly, let me say thankyou! The responses from the tutorial have been very flattering and I have been really chuffed to see it appear on Pinterest (and then get pinned and re-pinned again) and also the fabulous Beading Gem blog ... and at each and every location, I have appreciated every comment, and especially your emails and pictures.

There are so many tutorials and versions of how to make such style of necklace, so whilst I was putting the tutorial together, I did not think that showing people how to make this "my way" would have as much of an impact as it has done.

so, again thank you ... and moreso I need to give massive thanks to the creative people who sent me pictures of their interpretations. I knew that it would be a design that could be adapted to use different beads in different types, colours and sizes - and to see necklaces with a different flair really have made me grin like a cheshire cat ... and so much so, I want to share a few of my favourites with you too.

Firstly ... the first one that came in to fruitition, by the very talented Aster Sadler. She must have made this within days of the tutorial first being released. Absolutely gorgeous colour combination.

Asters Facebook Page - Seedy Beady

The next one of my favourties comes from Dorisanne Higgins - Mixing Pearly creams with Gold has given the neckalce such a luxourious style, and also shows how great the design can be for a bride. I also love especially how she reduced the size of the beads at each end.

Dorisannes Facebook Page - A Little Bead Told Me

And finally on to one that shows how fabulous it is to use your bead soup!

From Ruth Duck at Pintail Jewellery ... Doncha just wanna get your hands in there and touch each different bead?!

Ruths Facebook Page - Pintail Jewellery

Here is another one from Jo, she is a member of the BeadBuddies Forum where I posted the tutorial. I was so happy to see a design using cubed beads.

So, I hope you like them. I hope to see more and more of what people do with the tutorial!

Craft Pimp Team - Official Blog!

2011-10-13T17:16:00.001+02:00

Hey everyone! :)

I know some of you know that I am a member of a great craft forum "CRAFT PIMP" which is a great place to gossip and share crafty wisdom and show off crafty items ... from sewing, to lampworking, to painting, to everything else ... the place is a great inspiration for any craftaholics like myself!

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE BLOG!

Well, now there is a blog to compliment the forum! *woop!* it also gives people the option to stay in touch with what's going on in their community though the blogpages if forums are not their thing.
If you're a sucker for crafty tutorials, subscribe to it as I don't think you'll be disappointed. All tutorials that are written by the forum members will make their way on to the blog pages! So you won't just get mine from SmittenKitten ... YOU'LL GET EVERYONES!

As you see, it's a brand new blog and it will feature more than just tutorials, it will have features and competitions too!

Go on ... follow it ... you know you want to! x

{Guest Blogger} Loki the Bobblecat

2011-10-11T19:19:00.000+02:00

Hi, for those of you who have not had the pleasure of my company - let me introduce myself:

My name is Loki, and I have been led to believe by my house-humans that I am a "Bobblecat" whatever that means... I presume that since this word describes my breed, and considering that I only know other cats (not Bobblecats) that it must refer to the gorgeous multi-colours on my furrrrrrrrrcoat, and the fact that I have cheated death ... making me quite obviously a WINNER. If there are any other Bobblecats about, they would be winners too, but I have never had the luck to meet any other bobbles like me *meh!*

This past weekend - life was pretty normal ... I was getting a lot of attention from one of my house humans, who insisted on playing ribbons with me. Oh I love ribbons! The loops, twirls are easier to catch than "chirpers", ribbons are not as soft as chirpers, but still just as fun.

I got confused with one ribbon, as it had symbols on it, numbers and lines ... and the house human was not as playful with me when I wanted to play with this one, I do not understand why! She knows the rules of ribbons... it's fairly simple ... put them near me, in front of me, loop them round my body, run them around my neck, shake them a metre from me, or run them across my fur ... I ATTACK THE RIBBON! That's the rule! You show, you tease, you shimmy and shake the ribbon ... I POUNCE!!! and I'm great at it too ... I will dominate any ribbon that crosses my path.

Anymeow ... this past weekend I had a fairly successful Saturday night out on the hunt, looking for squeakers (you know - the things that squeak when they are squidged in your paws) and after feeling chuffed with my nights entertainment; I strolled back home just after sunrise, hungry for some supper. Food was served promptly as ever and off I went to find somewhere comfy for snoozies. I was very chuffed to find an open suitcase and off I snoozed dreaming about squeakers and chirpies.

When I woke a few hours later ... given a quick yawn and a stretch, I bobbled into the lounge for some food. I walk around in a daze until I have some crunchies, so it is important to get some more food down me for the strenuous next few hours of meandering arounf the house ... but before I reached my bowl, I got scooped up my a human and after a few strokes and cuddles ...

I was suddenly wearing a new collar!

Bobble darn it! Why am I so dosey when I wake up?

Normally I'd be alert enough to defy such suffering. It was only after I was plonked down on the couch, I realised to the full extent what had happened. I had the humans looking at me, checking out my expression... with machines that flash and there was lots of "oooh so cute" and lots of loving... don't get me wrong, I love the loving ... I'm a creature born to be pampered, it was just the accessory that confused me... Had I missed something? The latest issue of catsmopolitan maybe? or was it in Cat's weekly? Oh ribbons... is this now fashionable?!

Well, for a further 5 minutes I bobbled round the house, every now and again looking down at the thing wondering if it was going to be a permanent accessory. I'm a diva in this neighbourhood, I don't know if I could face going outside meeting my friends as a cross-dressing-bobblecat, or maybe I could? remember I am the only Bobblecat in this neighbourhood... so trend setting possibilites are possible!

BUT ... Just as I was starting to think that I could set a new style in the 'hood, I was scooped up again for some pamperment and then my new accessory got taken off! Oh thankbobbles for that!!!

Will have to plan my revenge ... after I have played with some ribbons of course!

Pin It

Crafter..oo! E-magazine - Out Now!

2011-10-11T13:46:00.001+02:00

Well, first off - it's been a month since I last posted *bad girl I am*
Well time really just has flown – this past month has been full of …

♦ More wedding plans (still got lots to do)
♦ Painting the eaves on our new house (painful boring work!)
♦ Travelling a lot with work to Hungary (all good, but time consuming none-the-less!)
♦ Visitors! (Dad coming to see me!)
♦ Finalizing my projects, features for the new Craft E-mag before it got published :)

I’ve been busy that’s for sure – so I hope to get back to normal soon.

The Crafter..oo! E-magazine is a quarterly crafting magazine that is compiled by members of the “Crafter..oo!” Craft forum community. With features, tutorials, projects, hints and tips, hot and not … it’s been such a pleasure to work with fellow crafters to come up with this great magazine. For only £1.50 – there 64 pages worth of goodies for you to download to your computer and read at your leisure. I have been really lucky to have my Hollow Book project featured, and I have also written a feature on the hottest blogs and also a blog hints and tips. I feel very lucky to be part of the mag, and I’ve already signed up to run a feature/tutorial for issue 2 as well.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE MAGAZINE!

Will be back soon to talk more crafting! ♥

take care

Nicola

How to make a Pearl Cluster Necklace - FREE TUTORIAL!

2011-09-06T08:01:00.002+02:00

Good Morning!
I have 15 minutes to write this post before I actually have to start work! :) So I must be quick! x

At the weekend, I came across all the supplies I needed to remake an older creation of mine... (How cool is that? No bead purchases! The gals at "Operation: Tackle That Bead Stash" will be proud of me).

A cluster pearl necklace that I had made over a year ago, and since I found more than enough supplies to remake it, I thought whilst I am at it, I'd write a tutorial to go with it.

So - if you want to learn how I made this necklace, and if you'd like to learn how to make it too, click on the link below to fly away to it. Would love feedback, or photographs if you make it too! (I'll be well chuffed if you send me pictures!) anyhoo ... enough babble ... must start work!

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE TUTORIAL

Hope you like it! ♥

Also note that the actual neckalce is also for sale in my
*** ETSY SHOP ***
so if you don't want to make it ... you can buy it too!

Quilled Earrings ... The start of an obsession maybe?

2011-09-03T13:58:00.002+02:00

Recently, I've had quilling in my head. I have seen some really cool quilling art that has been truly inspirational. I know that if I pick up a quilling set and just get going, it's going to be a long way until I get as good as any of the things that I have pinned on my pinterest board. But, you know, you gotta start somewhere.

Even though I had bought a set with the idea of making a card for a colleague who is retiring, not suprisingly I got distracted with jewellery. (this is typical... once I concentrate on one craft, I get a craving to create with something different) But this time, they overlapped and I had inspiration to merge the two.

I have some stud earrings, that have a 12mm base diameter, I see them used for setting cabochons, buttons etc, but never before for quilling :) So, away I went with some simple circles and created these.

I got some nice postive comments, I even have an order for a pair from a colleague - and these were only experiments.

I wanted to try and do a more detailed pattern, I think practising on such a small palette will help me get better. My Quilling stick itself is far too big to make tiny quills, so I made my own using a needle. It's more fiddly to use, but it gives me a tighter scroll and i get more details with the smaller coils.

So, all set with me new needle quilling tool ... I have made some english daisies.

Again really, just an experiment... i still want to get better at quilling smaller patterns, but practice makes perfect. I think I'll be trying more of these in the near future.

Hope you like them! Would love to hear what you think :)
So, - enjoy your weekend, if you're stateside, enjoy your long weekend.

take care
Nicola
x

Pearls ... Pearls ... Pearls ...

2011-08-28T14:08:00.001+02:00

This week I had received some lovely Mother of Pearl leaf drops from "The Bead Shed" so they'd sat at the top of my bead stahs waiting for me to do something with them. I had bought them with the idea of making them into earrings, pearly cluster earrings - and today my muse decided that today was the day to make them!

I gathered all that I needed to make them ...

Mother of Pearl leaf drops, lots of freshwater pearls and sterling silver components ...

perfect for a bride - or that little black dress.

I'll get them added into my Etsy shop later, it's been a while since I put anything in there :)

Hope you're having a great weekend

Lots of Love
Nic
x

(PS: I have been trying to comment on a lot of blogs over the past few days, but i'm failing miserably! - just wanna say that i'm not ignoring you, and I am loving every post - just getting sick of blogger and their comment bugs :( )

Stuttgarter Saturday Fleamarket (photo heavy)

2011-08-24T12:15:00.000+02:00

You know, it was weeks ago when I went to the flea market – and I was going to blog about it ... and then, well, umm ... life got in the way and I didn’t do it ...*yeah I know I’m terrible!*

Joe was away on this particular Saturday driving to Aachen with a friend to buy a car, which means that he was on the road for about 8 hours so I got a Saturday to myself. (Which is rare)

This usually means a few things for me, get up late, read magazine on the sunny balcony whilst having my morning coffee, leisurely get ready and pop into the city for a mooch around.

Nearly every Saturday – Stuttgart has a fleamarket on karlsplatz which is right in the city centre. I am inspired always by peoples fleamarket thrifty finds that they blog about so I thought again I’I’d go and see what would inspire me.

Well, truth is – it’s a dream. It’s not just full of old stuff that has no use to no-one, it has old stuff that is treasure to new eyes that befall on them. (heh! … I really should be honest here, there is *also* shit and shite that no-one would want … but I just ignored that!)

I took lots of pictures – and truth is, I didn’t take enough. There is such a wide variety.

From furniture wanting a good home …

To chandeliers waiting to be lit …

Chandelier crystals ready for a repair or another crafty project …

Tons of vintage jewellery (to be honest this is one thing you will not get a bargain on, all vintage jewellery has an expensive price tag on this market)

To old photographs dating back to the early 20th century …

Bake ware …

Party dishes …

Beautifully random …

Glasses …

Trinkets …

I was inspired by so much (I wanted old books, chandelier pieces, photographs, that wonderful microscope, antique coins and dainty plates … )

I wanted so much that I walked away with nothing! So overwhelmed. Well, it gives me a reason to go back!

Ooooh yay! again... look what I won :)

2011-08-22T07:49:00.001+02:00

I completely forgot to blog about this - here is the second thing I won on a blog giveaway recently.

It's a beaded cuff, made from the teeniest of seed beads, in a cow-print design :) perfect for wearing at work. (it matches my mug and my squishable-stress-cow)

It is from Ruthie at Pintail Designs! Thankyou Ruth for soing such a fabulous generous giveaway!
Only recently she started putting her work for sale on Folksy! Hope she has lots of luck and sales, and I for one can recommend her beautiful craftmanship so go and have a peek! :)

Here's a sneak preview of what she has for sale ...

Loe the colours in this bracelet

Pacman bracelet! hehe!

Yay! I won!

2011-08-02T20:07:00.001+02:00

I was so lucky recently, to win not one, but TWO blog giveaways!
I love reading blogs, and I am a sucker for entering a giveaway.
I follow such great blogs of people who's work I admire, and spend a lot of my time online catching up with what people have been writing.

The first prize arrived today! Yay! Here it is in all it's glory!

Some of you may recognise it as the work of Louise Goodchild of COBWEBS CACHE. :) I have been following her work on FLICKR for over a year now, always commenting on my favourite pieces, astounded at the beautiful designs that she has for sale in her ETSY SHOP.

It's not just the actual craftwork of her pieces that stand out as being perfect, but her imagination just surprises me, she makes some amazing portraits of things I would have not dreamt of to do myself.

Here are a few pieces that she has currently for sale in her etsy shop or form her flickr photostream ... *love love love!*

how amazing is this one :)

Beautiful eh? Aren't I a lucky gal! x

How to make a Button Bracelet! - FREE TUTORIAL!

2011-07-31T18:03:00.000+02:00

This week, I came across a great pin on PINTREST that showed a gorgeous, simple, chic button bracelet, and I thought... "hey! I want to make one!" I have also been trying to think of an idea of a tutorial to submit to the Craft Pimp Tutorial Challenge too, so I decided to take pictures of how I made my version of this button bracelet so I can share here on my blog, and elsewhere on the web in my favourite places.

I searched out buttons from my stash, and ribbons too in colour coordinating colours and was happy to make a start on it. It's not usually the type of jewellery I make, so I was lucky to have everything for it without having to go to the craft store (which is a good thing, otherwise I would have bought lots from the craft store that I do not need! *lol* )

What you need ...

Materials

One bunch - Emroidery Silk
40cms - Ribbon
26-32 approx - 4 hole buttons (the amount of buttons of course depends on the desired bracelet length and the size of the buttons)

Tools

Scissors
Big Eye Needle

I built up sections, 2 buttons with an individual tied connection with the embroidery silk. I tried doing many weaves through many buttons, but I ended up either in a tangled mess, or the structure of it was too weak. So, through trial and error, individual blocks of 2 gave it a strong structure (remember also to tie the string tight)

I built up these buttons up to the desired length of the bracelet. Connecting each button to the next with embroidery silk.

You can try building, and weaving sections of 4 at a time if you wish - as you think best for time saving, but remember saving time may not be the best for the structure, Ensure that each section is tied and secure, and that the buttons are firmly in place, and you are on to a winner ;)

Simple eh? Well - almost there ... Now it's time for the ribbon. Which is used as a nice design feature as well as your "clasp" As it is also used to fastne the bracelet when worn.

Weave through the buttons, like above - and there you have it!

A cute, simple button bracelet.

Squeal!

2011-07-29T08:35:00.001+02:00

Right, I know a lot of you signed up to my blog to see the things that I am making, the creative stuff - and I can only apologise about the past few posts about having something about the house! (I know that you didn't sign up to get info on a house build ... )

BUT ... please ... I need to share my excitement!

from this ...

Land (25.06.2011)

to this ...

hole (01.07.2011)

foundation (15.07.2011)

to this ...

Cellar WIP (26.07.2011)

to this ...

cellar WIP 2 (27.07.2011)

and today ... to this ...

Cellar Ceiling (29.07.2011)

Crazy progress this week ... Now on Monday the bricks will be delivered for our ground floor!

Recent happenings ...

2011-07-26T16:27:00.000+02:00

Hey everyone!
Hope you are all well!

Not much creative going on at this end, the past few weeks have been controlled by car sales, car hunting and getting the bus to and from work (boo!) which honestly crushed my creative motivation. I have to say though, that this is partly because since I was getting the bus, I had plenty of time to read ... and of course then I have had my nose stuck in books even in the evenings rather than beading!

So today - I have no updates on what I have made (there have been a few button earrings, so I'll show you them later in the week) but just an update to show you my new car and recent pictures of the house build.

I wanted to have a 2 seater, cabrio car. I think it is because I'm starting to feel all grown up (getting a house, getting married) that i have had a mini mid-life and wanted an impractical car! So here's my tigra. We hunted for a few weeks to get the right car at the right price, and when we saw this one, it was a no-brainer. She's a pukka little motor and has been well looked after. I'm loving the sunny weather now!

and maybe you are following our house blog, but if you are not - I am happy to give a quick update to say that we now have the start of our cellar wall.

We are having a few problems regarding our prject manager and the electricity connections, so if you want the full gory moody details, you are welcome to pop over to the blog to read about the triumphs and the troubles.

But, that being said, regardless of the minor itty-bitty niggles and troubles, finally there is progress on the house, and progress is a fine fine thing.

Creative Spotlight - Lucinda @ Minerva Jewellery

2011-07-20T09:10:00.000+02:00

Today, I'd like to write about Lucinda of Minerva Jewellery.

Lucinda has a passion for making classic, contemporary and alternative styled jewellery designs in silver and gold together with gemstones and glass.

Her work really is admirable and enviable because the skills and designs she has are stunning.
She is a wonderful silversmith, and it is always a pleasure to follow her FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM to see what she has to offer.

I really adore her patterned rings (they come in many designs) since I have read "The Hobbit" recently ... this one has to be my favourite with the dragon scales.

She offers also jewellery in Chainmaille, and this bracelet in particular can be found in her Etsy shop ... beautiful eh? :)

and my goodness how cute are these earrings... must get them added to my pinterest

So happy to know her, and to see her creations, she is always full of inspiration.
She is part of the "Craft Pimp Forum" with me and some other wonderful crafters. Remember, if you are a crafter of some form ... photography, jewellery, papercraft, what every your craft ... come in and chat :)

Angels and Sunshine - Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace

2011-07-17T20:00:00.000+02:00

Hey Folks!
Hope you are all doing well. Thought it best that I should come on here and give you an update of what is going on here in Germany with me.

Let's start first with my latest pendant necklace.
Recently, I have seen other jewellery artists be really inspired by my necklaces, and in turn, these necklaces have inspired me to make another! It's great how things work out like that.

So - colour scheme was the first hurdle. I have previously done one with soft pinks and pearls, one that emulated blue skies and pearly clouds ... so this one I had come across some rich yellow beads in many hues of sunshine - from bright yellow, to golden ambers and thought that wuld be the next suitable colour scheme.

It's also been put in straight away to my Etsy Shop - and I hope that someone will covet it!
I still have an angel wing in my stash ready to be made up into a pendant like this ... if you have any ideas for colour schemes, let me know :)

Now onto life ... if you are following our House-blog (which is about the build of our house, now underway) you will already know that the foundation has now been laid. Joe and I went to look at it on Friday... again our excitement levels rise a little bit more ... with every brick and stone we'll get more excited and impatient.

I sold my little car 2 weeks ago ... miss it like crazy already, not just the convenience that a car brings, but of course the fun of driving. I am now on the lookout for a new one. I decided that I would like a 2 seater car, just for fun - maybe I am having a premature mid-life, because I am craving to have a car that is less practical, and more ... umm, silly and impractical! *lol* (preferably a cabrio). Nothing has sparked my interest so far, but I am not in a rish, the journey to work by public transport isn't too inconvenient.

I am also excited to report that I have won not one, but TWO blog giveaways today. How lucky am I? Will write up a full blogpost about that when I have pictures to share. Meanwhile, you can check out PINTAIL JEWELLERY, and COBWEBS CACHE

Love to you all, will post again soon - I hope that my creative beading mojo will make something more this week! x

British Summer Gardens

2011-07-04T11:31:00.001+02:00

A friend said to me not that long ago - that no matter how hard he tried, he could not grow an English lawn in Germany. The climate in south Germany of course not the same as the climate in England means that the feel of grass under your barefeet is completely different ... no matter how much you water it.
The grass is more sunbaked, and therefore not as soft.

When I was in England the other week - being barefoot in my sisters garden of course made me think again about how the wet UK weather enriches an English Garden, making it a lush green Eden ...

When Joe and I move into our new house later this year, it may be too late in the year to lay the lawn and do the landscaping - so I might have to wait another 9months or so before I can really enjoy having our own garden.

But that hasn;t stopped me dreaming ... I have already started collating images on my "Pintrest" account for inspiration ... but also today I created an ETSY TREASURY - British Summer Gardens using some products from the members of the Etsy CraftPimp Team that remind me of back home

Click here to see it in Etsy

Hope you like it! ♥

Creative Spotlight - Jill @ Kiln Fired Art

2011-06-28T11:19:00.001+02:00

It's only when you really start to explore the wonderful versatitiy of using a kiln, you come across some wonderful, fresh, inspiring ideas and art from some of the finest designers in the UK.

Jill, has a versatile approach to working with the kiln, with such a wide portfolio of what actually can be done!

From slumping memorabilia as keeps sakes ...

champagne bottle keepsake

to porcellain jewellery ...

to art work onto porcellain dinner sets ...

to handmade dyed anodised aluminium ...

Even alone with these pieces, I don't think that I have covered the whole spectrum of art from Jill ...

Which is why it has been a apleasure to feature her products today on my blog!

Jill can be found at lots of places on the web ...
KILN FIRED ART - Her official website
FLAT BOTTLES - Keepsakes and recycling
ETSY SHOP - for a great show of all of her work currently for sale

Housey Housey HOUSE!

2011-06-27T11:49:00.000+02:00

Just a quick post to let you know that Joe and I have another blog that is about the building of our house (currently it is still just a piece of land) but the exciting part should start in the next few weeks :)

Joe has been doing most of the writing up until now - tbh i think i'll get more involved when it comes to the interior and the garden, and the moment it is jsut all about politics of building a house and engineering stuff ... but we do have a start date (week 28 which is next week *squeal*) so if you are interested - you can find our blog at http://joedawber.wordpress.com/

Love
Nic

Creative Spotlight - Nan of Polynana Beads

2011-06-26T17:35:00.000+02:00

Nan, of Polynana Beads is an amazing Polymer clay artist.
I have never kept it a secret that I find people who create such wonderful things with Polymer clay absolutely amazing. It has been one creative medium that I have not got any patience with.

Amazing Pendants ...

Glorious Buttons ...

Stunning beads ...

There are many places you can find Nan and her beads on the internet ...

Her BLOG
Her ETSY SHOP (great beadies at great prices!)
Her FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM
and of course her OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Enjoy perousing through! x

Crafter...oo! Button Swap - What I sent! :)

2011-06-24T17:25:00.000+02:00

You may have read a few posts ago about what I received in the Crafter..oo! button swap!
Well, i am happy to blog that my recipient Talia of Liquorice Love, Folded Frippery, and The Tea Mistress, received her buttony package earlier this week! *yay!*

So, first off - once I knew my swap partner, I started stalking her! *lol* (not the crazy way ... honest!) just her blogs, her twitter and her website to see what she liked to see if i could get some little hints of what she may like to receive.

I sent her a few questions through twitter ... "Owls or Kitties" to which she answered "Kitties" so I made a little felt covered pad with a handmade cat on the front.

Since we had to include buttons in our creations ... I used some really teeny-weeny buttons for the eyes, plus also the cat is paying with a button, as well as daydreaming about them! *lol* so stupid really ... haha!

and for good measure, I put in a little handmade glass bead from Mad Cat Glass,

and to accompany the pad, i made a button pen! (which is basically buttons, sewed onto ribbon, and then the ribbon is wrapped and glued round a pen). Cute, simple, quick and easy project ideal to jazz up any boring biro.

and so to the buttons ... hiding in this little box ...

Open to see ...

Lotsa little bags of buttons, some new and some vintage ...

After also figuring out that Talia had a great etsy shop where she makes origami flowers out of paper and material - i decided also to send her some little origami squares that I had had in my stash for a while, but never got round to using. For sure they have gone to a better home!

and finally - Talia could not have a blog called Liquorice Love without having a love for liquorice! So through twitter I asked if she preferred "Sweet or Salty" liquorice ... and she prefers the salty kind! Luckily, the garage around the corner from my house sells them! *woop!*

A final pic of the package ...

Thanks again to KITTY BALLISTIC and to CRAFTER..OO! for arranging a great swap! x

Win Win Win!

2011-06-18T20:50:00.000+02:00

I have put my "Wildflower Butterfly" necklace up as a prize in a CraftPimp competition.

To enter, you will need to write up a tutorial on making something "crafty!"
Polymer Clay ... sewing ... felting ... jewellery ... papercraft ...

Do you have a tutorial that you have written yourself and that you are happy to share?

See THIS LINK! for all details on how to enter! x

Crafter...oo! Button Swap - What I have received! :)

2011-06-18T09:37:00.000+02:00

I love swaps.
I love the challenge to create something in a theme for the swap.
I love that little project with an end goal and a recipient in mind.
I love the swap jitters that you get when I post my swap package off to my swap partner "is it good enough? Will she like it?"
I love the excitement when you realise there is a little surprise package waiting for you at the post office.
I love ripping the package open and "oohing and ahhhing" at all the cute little contents!

I have LOVED this swap!

Parcel should include some buttons, a little treat (could be edible - check the details from your partner to see what they like), and something lovely made with buttons or on a buttony theme.

We were partnered up with someone, which i really liked. I could research her likes, dislikes, stalk her on her blog and twitter feed :) and of course she could do the same for me.

So, I will post another time what I made for the swap (as soon as I know that she has received it!)

But ... look what I got!

Lots and lots of buttons :)
Great bright coloured buttons and one mahoooooosive one! *lolz*
edible buttons! (oh yes, these ROCK!)
Some "Thai sweet chilli" crisps - because she saw on my twitter feed how rare they are in Germany
and my most favourite things of all ... these cute hairgrips ... in polkadots! (i love polkadots!)

Mega cute hairgrips, made with material flowers (sme form of very clever origami technique!)

Love them!

Oh ... and if you love them too ... check out Talia's ETSY SHOP!

Thanks to Kitty Ballistic and all the fabulous members at Crafter...oo! Craft forum for such good times! xx

Creative Spotlight - Vickie @ Beads4Breakfast

2011-06-16T09:15:00.000+02:00

Who can eat beads for breakfast? Hehe ... well we certainly can eat Vickies! *lolz*

I have been watching Vickie and her beads progress ever since she first starting making them back in 2009. She and I actually starting experimenting with glass at the same time, but she took off, where as I never had the room to actually continue it (all will change that’s for sure)

So, really watching her beadies grow, watching her techniques get better and better – she has made some very beautiful beads and is now a popular name in the UK lampworking world. She is a great inspiration to me.

Here are a few of my favourites that she has for sale at the moment ... Mmmmh! Beadies!

Such great colours and style

Could quite easily stare into these for hours!

Also great at structural beads too!

So - Maybe you could eat "beads4breakfast" too?

If so - you can find Vickie's website here ... Click here to go to beads4breakfast!

She has a great blog and also an Etsy shop :) everything you need is on her webby!

Enjoy!

I need another holiday (!!!)

2011-06-15T21:35:00.002+02:00

Well what a time in the UK I have had! :)

Joe and I have had a holiday (dont know whether I should actually call it a holiday, because we have been so busy, it's been really exhausting!)

We drove back to the UK, and used the ferry …

Getting on the DFDS ferry

It’s always such a long day … about 15 hours door-to-door ...

My picture of the "White Cliffs of Dover"

We always end up so tired by the time we are home – here is a picture of my first night, snuggled up on a recliner with a piece of vienetta! Nom!

We had so much to do … we had so many people to see

Here are some of the highlights … (in no particular order!)

Joe and I going to Warrington Registry office to apply for our notice of marriage.

(I also showed Joe the Golden Gates and the town hall - below)

I had ordered a bag from "Charmed by Marie" it had arrived at my parents! Oooh! I love it! x

Breakfast with Joe, my mum and sisters at Slatterys looked at the amazing wedding cakes with Joe … then had “Eggs Benedict” in the restaurant above the shop … (absolutely amazing! I highly recommend you go if you are in the area – but don’t forget that reservation)

My Mum, sisters and I continued on to a wedding dress shop in Macclesfield www.MariaModes.com

I found THE dress! (won’t put a picture up yet for a fear that a certain someone will see it! *lol*)

I also found the bridesmaids dresses there too, so I have content bridesmaids as well … good good!

Joe and I went to the cinema to see “Hangover 2”

So funny!

Joe and I also finally went to see our wedding venue – Mottram Hall.

We had a walk round the grounds, a chat with our wonderful wedding coordinator and our food tasting session! Mmmh!

(we took pictures of the food, but wont share here, I’d like to leave that as a surprise for our guests)

We’re really happy with the choice of venue. This was the first time ever that we had seen it, so it is nice that it is as nice as we had hoped it would be!

We shopped for wedding rings … but there was too much choice to make a decision straight away …

We prepared and posted our wedding invitations … (sorry they are all out in the post on the way to the attendees and i left my spares in the UK! boo! will catch up with photos on this one another time)

Had a night out on the town with one of my sisters … (shame that I have no pictures from this one!)

I spent time with my Niece and nephews …

I had a full day at the Trafford Centre shopping with my best friend ...

I went to Ladies Day at Chester Races with all of my girlfriends …

(I'm on the right)

Ate lots of great food … Pies, M&S, Chinese, Fish & Chips, and Indian …

(I feel fat but I am utterly happy!)

Knackered, got home in the early hours Tuesday morning … I need another holiday!

As featured on ...

2011-06-03T11:37:00.000+02:00

Lori at Pretty Things Blog has opened up a DIY section on her wonderful blog!
And I'm lucky to have my ribbon rosette brooch up on there to share with her wonderful blog followers.

Yay! I highly recommend following all her blogs, they are a pleasure to follow! x

Thanks Lori! x

Creative Spotlight - Lisa @ Oodles of Obliciousness!

2011-05-29T18:52:00.000+02:00

Hey folks!
I have another "creative spotlight" for you today! Yay!
It's great chilling out at the weekend, and catching up on blogs and forums ... it's amazing how many fabulous peeps I read about.

Lisa is amazing with seed beads, she has been beading for a lot less time than I have - and she must have the pateince of a saint, because all the projects i see her working on with seedbeads require patience (that I know I have not got) and such an amazing creative eye.

My most favourite project of Lisa's is one that has been very recent ... called Siamese Dreams.
Beautiful eh?

I love following Lisa's BLOG, there's always a good read. She shows great pictures of projects in WIP as well as a sprinkling of life too!

Farnsworth Munsell Test

2011-05-26T10:20:00.000+02:00

Have you ever had you eyes tested for colour?

I think most of us would have had experience with the "Ishihara / colour blind" tests ...

It's still quite amazing to think that 8% of all men have some level of colour blindness, whereas the percentage within women stands at 0.4%

Well, where I work - colour matching and discriminating within the slightest shades of colour is an important factor of the leather that we create. Our product must pass colour tolerances, as the colour of the leather must match and/or compliment the other components in the car.

Have you ever thought about that when getting into a car? that each component has had not just its physical properties and appearance approved - but the colour too ... and each one is designed/approved with the others in mind.

So, in this industry - the colour tests we take are more detailed and designed to make us see where our weaknesses and strengths are.

Recently, I took the "Farnsworth-Munsell" test. Not that I colour match as part of my job, but different eyes perceiving colour differently helps when we are submitting leather for colour approval. opinions are important at this point of the process.

Before the test, I really had no confidence in how my eyes saw colour. I was reluctant to give opinions because it is so subjective, so I took the test out of curiosity and to know where my weaknesses are so I could participate more in this subject in the future.

The test consists of 4 colour boards, each with little colour discs. the discs at the end of the rows are there as your start/end point ... and the other discs come out, get mixed up as mch as scrabble tiles - and then it is your job to put them back in the right place. The test is taken in Daylight, and you are against the clock.

Well, I have to admit - I was pleasantly suprised. I got only one wrong! Yes! just one ... on the "purple/blue" board. and I have been classes as having "superior colour discrimination" I am chuffed, I never had thought my eyes could have distinguised so well.

Here are my results ...

Talenthouse Competition - Shameless plug for votes and support!

2011-05-25T20:12:00.000+02:00

Hey everyone!

Just a quick post to let you know that I have entered a jewellery competition through www.talenthouse.com. I have submitted my cluster pendants and put them forward for the vote! *chews anxiously on fingernails*

Click here to see my submission!

The voting does not start for another 43 days ... yes .... that seems like ages away ... but you can register your support now by clicking the "Support Nicola" button - and then you will get a quick reminder when voting opens so you can go back and register your vote for me (if you choose to do so of course ... did i say this was a shameless plug?! ah oh yes ... of course ... !)

Your support would be amazing, thanks so much!

How to make a ribbon rosette brooch! - FREE TUTORIAL!

2011-05-22T14:35:00.000+02:00

Today, I have for you just a very quick tutorial :)

How to make a ribbon rosette brooch!

What you need:

Tools

Glue Gun

Scissors

Needle & Thread

Supplies

Pleated Ribbon (You can also make your own - click here to learn how)

Brooch back

Piece of leather (or stiff piece of felt, laceys stiff stuff - must be nice and firm)

Button or cabochon for centre piece

Instructions:

First, cut your base material into a circle to use as the base of your brooch.
(remember, you don't need to use leather for this - felt and.or laceys stiff stuff would work great)

Sew on the brooch back, whilst you are heating up your gluegun

working from the outside in, run a rim of heated glue
and stick your ribbon around the edges. continue to glue and spiral
the ribbon towards the inside of the circle. Once you are close to the middle,
cut the ribbon.

if you are using a button with a shank for the middle focal. snip the shank
with pliers so then it will sit well in the middle

Glue the button on!

Simple eh? really really really simple!

remember if you do not want to make the pleated ribbon yourself, you can buy the ribbon already pleated from the internet! (like i did ... !)

Experiment with sizes, different ribbons, different buttons ...

use them as brooches, as keyrings, handbag charms ...

ENJOY!

Creative Spotlight - Helen at Blue Fairy Designs

2011-05-21T21:20:00.000+02:00

Ooooh what have I got for you today? ... Another Creative Spotlight! *yay!*
I have really been enjoying writing about my crafty friends and aquaintances - I adore their work so much and I rate them so highly!

So - another treat for you (and for me because I'm the one writing!)
Today I'm introducing you to Helen at Blue Fairy Designs!

Another outstanding glass artist, from making glass wall art ...

to beautiful glass beads ...

amazingly beautiful fused glass jewellery ...

and looka t this glass plate ... stunning design ...

with amazing details ...

so mezmerising!

If you want to become a fan of Helens ... you can find her on the webby at many locations :)

FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM
ETSY SHOP!
OFFICIAL WEBSITE!

Operation Kindle #2 - How to make a hollow book! - FREE TUTORIAL!

2011-05-21T19:17:00.000+02:00

I love my kindle (yeah you probably have already gathered this!) I have read so many books recently that it has become a comfort blanket for me. I nearly always have it with me - and when I can steal a moment for myself and my kindle, well then i'll take it.

I can be in the best of company - and I imagine I am becoming quite rude and unsociable, but OK, I don't mind being in the pub with my fella and his buds, but if the talk becomes too technical (about beer/football... etcetera) then whilst they're supping booze, i'll be more than happy to curl up in the corner, order a cuppa tea and start reading!!!

I think i am going to have to start separating myself from it ... leave it at home and go cold turkey on it so when I am out in company, I can concentrate on friends, regardless of how technical the subject may become. (!)

So, my previous kindle case project CLICK HERE TO SEE, is still going strong and indeed it is still getting compliments and doing it's job very well indeedy - but, you know ... I had the urge to create a hollow book for it too :)

Hollow books are to keep your valued treasures in, and my kindle may be replaceable, but it is still a treasure. Also, it is kinda ironic ... a book ... to protect it's big bad nemesis.

Last weekend, I went to the Stuttgart fleamarket. They have one every Saturday in the city centre - so i went mooching for old books that would be a comfortable fit. Concentrating on thickness, width and length - I sized up my kindle so it would fit well within it. (I opened the book at it's first page and made sure that it sat well on it and still had a healthy border of book all around it).

It must have been a good day ... because I found 3 books!

WHAT YOU NEED TO GET STARTED ...

Book (Hardcover) size suited to what you need/want
Paintbrush
Modpodge / PVA clear drying water based glue
Scalpel

When the book is closed ... start gluing the eges of the book - like so ... all the way round.

put pressure on it whilst it is drying. Using some form of weight, I used the door stop :)

Once dry ... Open book and mark out with a pencil the outline you would like ... do not go too close to the edge if you can help it.

and then ... get your scalpel at the ready ... start cutting, around the edges.

Keep on going until you have a hollow hole, as deep as you need it to be - in the right size. remember if you are making something to be a snug fit (like me and my kindle) - to keep that handy so you can check that you are cutting the right size and shape!

After a while - you will really see it start to take form.
Once you are happy with the size and shape. Glue the inside paper rims that you have cut and leave to dry. This will strengthen the pages more so.

So - really, then you are finished! Simple eh?
A hollow book, snug fit for your kindle (would be perfect for iphone, ipad too!)
or just a hollow book to hide some other treasure you may want to keep in an unsuspecting place.

Creative Spotlight - Jolene at Kitzbitz Art Glass :)

2011-05-19T18:58:00.001+02:00

Today, I am doing a creative spotlight on Jolend at Kitzbitz Art Glass. Not only is she the chief boss woman of the amazing Craft Pimp - Craft Forum - she is also very talented on the crafty and glassy side of life!

Her glass beads are beyond beautiful ...

She is a pillar of the lampworking community, she runs tests and experients for "CiM" glass which are priceless guides and advice for other glass artists.

She also provides fabulous handmade glass supplies for lampwork artists too ... Check out her "FRIT N CHIPS" etsy shop for arraysof beautiful glass supplies in a rainbow of colours.

and she doesn't stop there ... her polymer clay creations are also to be admired, and my goodness she must have so much patience! *lol* For her polyclay and glass beads - check out her other Etsy shop kitzbitz.

Not surprisingly, she has a massive following on Blogger and Facebook, I recommend highly that you do too! I wish i could show you everything that she makes and creates, as she picks up inspiration from everywhere, and creates to prove it! To really get the jist of what she creates, and how amazing the range of creations are - her FLICKR album is a delight to see!

Thanks to Jo for being an amazing inspiration - it was so hard to select some of my favourite pieces to show (truth is there were so much more!)

Nic
x

Creative Spotlight - HazelB (Handweaver Extraordinaire!)

2011-05-18T17:12:00.001+02:00

You know - sometimes I find it hard to believe how amazing some people are when it comes to crafts - sometimes I come across people who don't just craft ... they master an element of craft that I have never even pondered. Such as Hazel... Which is why I am so happy to run a Creative spotlight on her today.

Hazel, uses looms to create really exquisite scarfs, shawls and other weaved goods ... Click here to see an insight to her weaving sheds and how she works :)

Beautiful scarves ...

and beautiful silk scarves ...

really, honestly - simply - I am in awe!

Handwoven silk wrap using handpainted silk yarn and a co ordinating silk thread.

The inspiration for this wrap came from a visit to Lake Vyrnwy last winter. It was bitterly cold and the lake had partially frozen. The ice was reflecting an unusual blue colour.

Approx 22" wide x 73" long

Really amazing eh?

Maybe there is a green scarf that matches my shade of envy ... hehehe!

I am completely besotted with all of her creations.

Before I go ... let me tell you where you can find her and her lovely work ... so you can become addicted too!

HAZEL B HANDWEAVER - OFFICIAL WEBSITE
HAZEL B HANDWEAVER - BLOG

HAZEL B HANDWEAVER - ETSY SHOP

HAZEL B HANDWEAVER - FLICKR

Planes, Trains and Automobiles ...

2011-05-15T22:24:00.001+02:00

Hey Everyone!
Well it's been a few weeks since I last posted ... that is because sometimes I get really distracted and I do fall of the grid and go M.I.A every now and again.
There is always a reason. This time - it was work.
I have been travelling rather heavily and frequently recently to Hungary - the company I work for has a factory there and I have a particular project that means I need to be there a lot at the moment. The project is nearing an end though - I have made great progress and I am hoping to be back into my usual swing by the end of May.

There's so much I haven't yet had the time to do ... I have not yet make my "stash challenge" piece, there are a few more "creative spotlight" blog posts I want to catch up on and tell you about some more wonderful artists ... these will come, I promise. I also have a few more craft projects in mind that I need to get on with too - so i'll blog about these too!
I have missed you all, I will get as much back on form asap with all my favourite forums and blogs ...

but before I go - here are a few pictures that represent a travelling day for me ... they happen very frequently! I chose a "travelling-home" day ... they are always the happiest!

Get Up, go for breakfast ... Kindle and a cuppa!

Check out and say goodbye to the hotel

Get to work, soak up some sunshine rays before going indoors

work ... work ...

Leave work ... get into the hot wheels hire car

Get on the road ... bye bye Szolnok!

Get to Budapest Airport ... chill out and find my way to the business lounge

free refreshments in the business lounge :)

Get to Gate, read kindle whilst waiting to board

Get on plane, chill out, daydream out of the window

Stuttgart :)

Get the train home

It's probably going to be a few more weeks before my routine really gets back to normal, but I will be trying to get back into the habit of popping into blogs and forums more so in the evenings than i have been doing recently!

Love to all
Nic
x

Conjuring Inspiration

2011-04-28T19:21:00.000+02:00

Sooz from “The Bead Shed” asked the forum members of “Bead Buddies” to show some of our beady-supplies from our stash that we have had for a while and not been inspired to do anything with as yet. There are many things that I have had for aaaages that fit into this category. From the reaction of the other forum members too, I am not the only one that hoards beads and supplies. Hehe!

A week or so later, once lots of people had shared 2 or 3 photos from their stash, a “Stash Challenge” was opened, and all people who showed pictures were automatically signed up to participate, and for a great generous prize!

The Rules:

• Take at least one of your pieces that you showed off in the "Show me your Stash" thread
• Make something extraordinary out of it, not just a design you have done many times before, but something completely different for you, something you will be ultra proud of.
• You can add anything you like to the piece and use whatever materials you need to, but it must include your stash.
• You have until the end of May to complete
• Winner will be judged by poll on the forum
• Prize £20 voucher for “The Bead Shed”

This is where I struggle now.

Not only do we have to use materials that we have never been able to use before, (the pieces I have shown have given me a creative mental block on how to use them since I bought them) But, we must also make something extraordinary and a completely new style if possible.

One thing for sure is that she does know how to challenge us. But I do see the logic in it. Afterall, if we haven’t been able to create something with the components in our typical style, then surely they belong in a creation that comes from a completely different angle.

Now, how do I conjure inspiration? [insert witches cackle here]

First, I chose one of my stash pictures. These are a set of 7, and are about 2 cms wide and they were a souvenir from Detroit. They have a lovely carving in them, and I was attracted to them because I thought that they were different and I knew when I bought them that they are not my typical style of bead.

Then, I had to brainstorm. I had to think of things that are not typically me/my style – keywords so I could start building up a picture.

Those in RED are the keywords that I believe goes against my style, or they are very hard for me to emulate.

Those in ORANGE are the keywords that I have a tendancy towards, but I do not use them a lot or I do not use them enough and would like to incorporate more of these features.

Those in GREEN are typically me, and were added at the end as a “filler/glue” to see if I could marry all the components together. Ideally anyway I don’t want to make a piece that completely loses my DNA ;)

My idea is, that using the beads that I have chosen, to make a piece that incorporates as many of these keywords as possible. I do think that making sure that I use all of them is going to be near impossible, but I will be trying!

Here is a mood board, that I created using an image search with the keywords.

The one thing I could not capture was Goth/Emo etc … so imagine the mood board with less pastels and pink and more black and bold – now, I think I am on the right track to get started on this!

Tune back soon to my blog to see what comes out of all of this!

Creative Spotlight - SilverGems Designs

2011-04-25T09:19:00.000+02:00

Hey everyone, another creative spotlight from me this week, but this time for a wonderful Lampwork artist and jewellery designer called Gemma!

Gemma is well known for her scrumptious big hole beads ... gorgeous ones such as these spotty delights ...

and these, which I am completely in love with ... look at how gorgeous the colours are, and how precise the dots and bumps are.

If you are fascinated by the lampwork arts, Gemma's FLICKR ALBUM shows lots of pictures of testing frits, creating bubbles for shards, and other great creative journeys such as making "twisties" like these ...

and then how they look on the bead :)

Gemma doesn't just stick to the glassy side of life though, she also loves to create jewellery, and her chainmaille creations always impress me

So, let me tell you where YOU can find Gemma :)

I recommend liking her FACEBOOK PAGE
I recommend following her WORDPRESS BLOG
I recommend keeping an eye out on her ETSY STORE
and of course following her on FLICKR

Hope you have enjoyed the Easter Weekend :)

Seahorse on the coral - Sterling Silver pendant

2011-04-24T11:43:00.001+02:00

Seahorse on the coral - Sterling Silver pendant, a photo by Nicola @ Smitten Kitten on Flickr.

Just a quick post - to show you the next Seahorse pendant cluster!

the turquoise and red coral really do give the effect that i had wanted, and mixed with the soft pearl and shell colours it has turned out not so far away from what i had been imagining.

I was lucky to have all beads in my bead stash, so there was no need for buying anything especially for it (which is always a bonus!)

Mmmmh! summer! So glad it is finally arriving, summer days and long weekends do really make me wanna make jewellery! (and go on holiday! *lol* :)

Seahorse & Shells - Summer Necklace

2011-04-22T21:05:00.001+02:00

Seahorse & Shells - Sterling SIlver Cluster Pendant, a photo by Nicola @ Smitten Kitten on Flickr.

Well finally I have managed to chill out, and have the time to make something :)
Inspired by a beautiful seahorse pendant that i have, plus gorgeous seashells, a seaside dreamy cluster pendant was too irresistable to make.

I struggled at the beginning, when placing the beads together, found that it was all too neutral and i thought that it needed a splash of colour, so i mixed in 2 shades of swarovski crystals too (Pacific opal and Indicolite) and I am pleased with the result.

So, with coral, shells, freshwater pearls, crystals and silver ... I am already designing the next one in my head that will have red coral, pearls, shells and turquoise beads. I hope that it will come together in real life like I see it in my minds eye.

WIth the Easter Weekend ahead of me, I hope i'll have to time to try and put that one together too.

Enjoy the long weekend :)

Via Flickr:
Sterling Silver Seahorse pendant accompanied with a rich cluster of pearls, crystals and silver beads.

Comes with a 20" Sterling Silver chain, ready to wear for all occasions.

Creative Spotlight - Ruthie's Rambling :)

2011-04-17T13:59:00.001+02:00

Hey everyone!

Well, it's been a fair few weeks since I last blogged, this is down to the amount of travelling that i have been doing with work (4 out of 5 weeks away from home ... boo!) so there's not really been much information about what i have been making - because i have not had the time to make anything!

Even at the weekends, I have just been happy to be at home and relax. I have been out in Stuttgart trying on wedding dresses, drinking beer in sunny beer gardens, and hooked to reading books on my kindle (Since the end of January, I am now on my 8th book!) and with the weather being so sunny, Joe and I have been out and about - so really not much chance to do anything creative at home.

I have even been neglecting reading lots of the blogs that I follow, and also have been visiting my favorite forums less than normal.
But, I have been able to do more of surfing the web than anything else, so Craft Pimp gave me a fabulous idea to blog about other great members that you can find on the WWW and of course on the CP forum.

Ruthie - you can find her blog HERE
She is a queen with the seedbeads ... I am going to show you a few of my favourite pieces from her. Her pieces are always very well received and admired across all beading/craft forums. They understandably make people go "ooooooh!" and "ahhhhh" and "how on earth did she make that?!" *lol*

Ruth has a very wide range of styles from this wonderfully cute bookmark with the Cheshire Cat (i absoloutely LOVE THIS! I love my kindle, but creations like this makes me miss real books!)

and there's this amazing urchin bag charm ...

and then there's this scarab pendant she made. Simply outstanding beadwork.

So, as you can see - she definitely deserves this week creative spotlight :)

I don't know how people have the patience to create such wonderful pieces of art.

So, I'd recommend following her BLOG and/or her FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM to keep up to date with what she has been making, as her projects are very rarely "small projects" and if you are lucky - you will always get a sneak peak of a creation whilst she is working on it ... just look at this spiky critter that's being created in her studio at the moment ...

I sOoOoOo can't wait to see how he turns out :D

First Impressions ... Packaging

2011-03-19T20:26:00.001+01:00

You don't need me to tell you that first impressions count ... and that they count a lot. Especially when you are selling handmade things and you want to appeal to a wide audience. There are many elements where a little goes a long way.

With the jewellery that I made, I scrutinise every piece whilst it's in WIP and re-analyse it just before it's destined for it's new home. Once something is sold, then it gets another thorough inspection again.
I have been known to remake pieces at this point, because if i think that it's not good enough - then I am not scared of pulling it apart and dedicating time to remaking it before it's posted.

One thing though i need to give better time to is packaging.
It really hits home when i buy/receive other things that are handmade. The love and adoration that comes with the little packages really makes me go wow! Sometimes I get sweets, chocolate, and have been known also to get a shower of glitter. (yes thanks Tan!) and each of these little touches really make me smile, it makes me want to go back for more, and I always, always, always enjoy that little pack of gummy-bears that I get sent from a certain lampworker... thanks!

I believe that I am still lacking those finishing touches. I had contemplated gummy-bears and chocolate but they're guaranteed not to last ... I WILL eat them all, and my customers will not get any ... *I have such a sweet tooth!* So until I get more self control, this will have to wait!

So - keeping to basics, I need to improve the presentation of the packaging I use for my jewellery
I want my customers to open the package and go "Ooooh pretty!"

So, over the next few months, there's going to be an array of packaging bags and boxes and tissue paper, ribbons and god only knows what else ... and I will play with lots ... I imagine with practice, that each package will become more pleasant to the eye. (well, that's what i am hoping anyway!)

First little packaging project was for a friend off of a craft forum (check out her blog BIG BLUE BED) who like me is getting married this year. On the forum there has been talking about dresses, flowers, jewellery and of course budgeting and I wanted to make her something for her wedding day. Once I showed her a sweet, sparkly and simple swarovski crystal bracelet ... she loved it, so I made one especially for her.

Next, came the packaging... Knowing the backstory of who it's going to and what it's going to be for of course makes it a million times easier. Wedding ... there I had a colour theme! WHITE of course ...

So, i found some white crepe paper, white ribbons and a white oragnze bag - which luckily was all in my stash

and with double sidey sticky tape ... I packaged up the bracelet like so ... (I like the fact that you can't see the tape :) )

Then came paying with the ribbon ... ummm, well here for sure i need to improve, i need to find some nice/very elegant ways to make bows and swirls and stuff ... I have seen some tutorials for chinese knots, so i think that I might teach myself one or two of those - as they will be a lot better than this spaghetti mess.

I wish i had taken some beads with me to work that day - as i also think some white/pearly beads from my beadsoup collection would have also given it a cute touch.

So - finally into the organza bag, with a little "thankyou" note and a smitten kitten contact card.

So - what do you think?

Pointers anyone?

I am wanting to improve on the ribbons, with either chinese knots and/or paper roses, or even master a nice but simple and fail safe ribbon bow (easier said than done) Would love to know what you think. Constructive critism very welcome!

Lotsoluvvies

Nicola

Angels & Blue Skies

2011-03-12T17:46:00.002+01:00

You may remember my mumblings about my next cluster pendant, well finally without any further delay - here it comes :)

I had a very specific design in my imagineation before I started this. The first one came out so well, i had high expectations of myself and was adamant that this needed to hit the mark as well. So much so, it's taken me ages to complete. I have tons of blue beads, but they are such a variaiton of blues, and I had initially started matching aqua colours, and even though it was a gorgeous combo with the pearls, it reminded me of tropical seas rather than the "blue skies" that i was aiming for. But, i got there in the end ... :)

Not much else to report this end, don't want to bog you down with all the work stuff ... wanna keep this log as pretty as possible!

Lotsoluvvies
Nic
x

More Sterling Silver Necklaces ...

2011-03-05T20:09:00.001+01:00

Hey Everyone,

Well, firstly I need to say a big THANKYOU for all your wonderful comments on my recent blog posts, I appreciate them I really do - It's nice to know that I am not wittering away to myself because if I was, then I am sure the men in white coats would be along soon ...

It's nice for me to be in Stuttgart (at home) this week - after 2 weeks of travel, it's nice to see and socialise with the cat, it's nice to wake up in my own bed, to shower in my own shower ... and get out my beads to play with.

I was actually hoping to be at home again this coming week, to work in quiet in the Stuttgart office on the project that was related to my trip to America... but... *sigh* ... the boss has put another big project on my desk and now I am off to Szolnok (Hungary) on Monday morning ... and i've got the really early flight *boo!* 5.50am, which means that i need to be at the airport for 5am ... outta the door by 4.30am ... alarm clock at 4am ... seriously that is just not funny but ... it's necessary because I need to be there!

Anyhoo ... This morning, I finished these two necklaces. Again in the same style as you have seen recently, and now you will see where i used those American beads! Wow, the colours are really lovely - when faced with naming the piece, it took me a while to think of it ...

"Wildflower Butterfly"
Because the colours are so subtle, vintage and cute - that when pondering on different thoughts that came across my mind when i was daydreaming about it, then "Wildflower" struck the right chord. I hope that you agree :)

and I made another one with a sterling silver dragonfly pendant as well ...

The cluster of beads in this one really is such a varied selection - completely mixed beads - tried to get all in one cluster to give it an element of intrigue and something to explore. We have, swarovskis, lampwork, wooden, ceramic, czech pressed, shell, semi precious gemstones and freshwater pearls ... maybe more as well ...
The colours are golden, warm, and honey-like ... Mmmh!

Both necklaces are for sale, so I hope they'll sell quickly as I have lots of ideas for the next in the collection ... including seahorses! x

So, thanks for taking the time to read, i hope that if you have the time and something to say, that you will leave a comment!

Lots of love
Nicola

Chicago, the windy city - and beads ... hehe!

2011-03-02T17:38:00.002+01:00

So, I went to America as well last week. of course for work so spent most of my time near Detroit, working hard, playing hard and eating far too much!

I am scared to get back on the scales, as I am sure I would have put on at least 1 or 2 kilos. *ouch!*

This was now my 4th time to America, each time I have visited just for work - I am now familiar enough with the area, I hire a car, and I am confident and most of the time I don't need a Sat-Nav (GPS). I don't really explore too much into Detroit itself, as there it is very easy to find yourself in the wrong area. So, I normally stick to somewhere North of Detroit near work, and go shopping... naturally!

Last time I was there, I was introduced to a craft shop - oooh yeah BEADS! ... and the selection is good, but not too specialist. You won't find anything Sterling Silver and/or Delica seed beads - but you'll always find something that appeals. Since I have so many beads (yeah OK, you said it ... I have too many beads) I usually look for something that is hard to find back home... and what really attracts me to beads, is if I have never seen that style before. Once upon a time I used to buy buy buy anything and everything - but now, I am more fussy - and will only spend cash on plastic/glass beads if they are crucial to a project or if they are unusual and rare. The exception to this rule is, sterling silver, semi precious gemstones, handmade lampwork, freshwater pearls and Swarovski's ... as I can never have too many of those as they seem to be the foundation of my bead collection and the things that I make nowadays.

So - here is what I bought - just 3 strands of beads ...
The first strand being Mother of Pearl, they are all randomly sized - and for $4 ... not a bad buy ...

The second strand are the "rare" ones, but I have seen this style before, and knowing my luck they are probably really common in all other countries excluding Germany, because i believe them to be Czech made, and Czech beads are very popular ... and I actually remember getting some blue and red ones for a present when I was about 16, but since then I haven't really seen them at all - and the colours of this strand also really appealed, so once I picked them up to inspect the lovely soft colours, I couldn't bring myself to put them back down again.

And the last ... probably a bit boring really, and I picked them up because they were complimenting the ones that I really wanted. They will probably be used in the same project and they will help vary the texture and optic if I cluster them all together.

Right - OK, enough about beads...

I was lucky enough to have my fiancé also arranging for himself to visit his companies American office on the same week as I.

He works for a completely different company - and his American offices are a mere 300 miles away from where mine are. Very close in the grand scheme of the whole of America. So, with him also organising a meeting the same week as my already planned trip - we got a weekend in Chicago together. Very very very lucky, and will more than likely never happen again!

Other than doing my fiancés head in singing a song about Chicago all weekend ... (If you have seen Doris Day in "Calamity Jane" - then you may know the song too) we did a lot of walking, exploring and EATING ... We have eaten so much. We did a bit of shopping, but we did not find anything that we wanted to buy, and we even went to the Cinema.

I did have to do one main tourist-y thing and go up the Sears Tower (now known as the Willis Tower). It is the 3rd Highest building in the world, was the highest up until 2004. Here is the view from the top of the tower looking over Lake Michigan

They have these glass boxes right at the top of the building also known as the skydeck - where they protrude out of the building so you stand on the glass and then ... look down ... if you dare ... 412 metres high! Yeah!

Here's the view "Up" hopefully you can see the boxes ... this picture is zoomed in

Here's the view "down" from the boxes ... if you look carefully you can see the cars ...

And here's proof that I went in!

It made my stomach go all wobbly! I am still so chuffed that we went there and did that. I would do it again in a flash! If you ever go to Chicago ... then you have no reason not to go to Willis Tower!

Hope you enjoyed the read ...
take care
Nicola

Smitten Kitten goes KITTY BALLISTIC! Handmade Heartswap Goodies!

2011-03-02T17:17:00.001+01:00

Right, well then - you are probably wondering what the fudge means "Smitten Kitten goes Kitty Ballistic" ...
Well, I should explain, as you may know from earlier blog posts, I had participated in "Noodle Bubbles Handmade Heart Swap" and sent off a bunch of handmade heart themed thingies ... well, I received my swap package too! from Helen at KITTY BALLISTIC CREATIONS because of the travelling schedule I have not managed to take pictures of the goodies and blog about it until now! *tsk tsk!* terrible I know, and sorry to Helen who got worried that it had not arrived because of my tardiness!

So, better late than never ... here is the super cute package ...

full of hearts! I feel like the queen of hearts!

So ... here's a clsoe up of the handmade card ... i wish i had thought to do a handmade card in my package, as it was really such a cute touch, and i lurrrve that pink paper!

Some heart pins, for my sewing work - and I think that they'll get some use, as i am sewing more and more these days

a heart plushie decoration (with the cutest little heart buttons) But i have no clue where to hang it yet. Let me know if you have any ideas.

and finally - my most favourite of all - these little cute heart earrings, origami puffed hearts ... OMLG ... I wanna know how to do those as they are fabulous! Look ... LOOK how cute!!!

so, i feel very lucky to have a wonderful swap partner, who i also know from The crafter ... oo! Craft Forum and of course ... here is her blog again ... KITTY BALLISTIC CREATIONS ... be smart, become a follower as she makes great things and has a blog that is a pleasure to read.

oooh, and again, another thanks to ... Noodle Bubble Blog for organising a fabulous and successful swap.

I hope that my partner has received hers, as I am yet to hear back form her and it is now March! *fingers crossed* otherwise i'll be making another package for her!

Thanks for reading!

Lots of love

Nicola

Oooh! Look what I got!

2011-03-01T23:31:00.003+01:00

OMLG (Oh My Lady Gaga)… I have soOoOoOo much to catch up on.

As mentioned in my last blog post, I have been travelling with work and have been very very busy. I spent one week in Hungary, and on that week we also had some work colleagues travel there from America for a big project. Then the day after I got home to Germany I flew to America to work near Detroit for the week, then lucky me on the way home I flew via Chicago (the windy city) and spent the weekend there.

Finally Got home yesterday – my mind is still buzzing with jetlag, but I am coping quite well, and am aching to get back into my comfortable “creature of habit” routine… I have 2 weeks’ worth of blogs to read and catch up on! That’s gonna keep me entertained for days!
I think it’s best that I break up my post into two or three, as there is just far too much to cram into one!

First thing is first, (I'll try to keep things in time-order) whilst I was in Hungary – I got a very very big compliment from Anna at Silver Paw jewellery: http://silverpawjewellery.blogspot.com/

She awarded me a stylish blog award. *woop!* Ooooh get me! I am extremely flattered, thank you very much! Not only did I win the award, but she listed 14 other fabulous blogs which I am now following. I personally love blogs, and love people recommending good ones – so when I am also on that list and being recommended to other people – it has made me blush!

I now also have the honour of awarding 15 of my favourite blogs with this award, so if you are here because I have chosen you … here is what happens next
Step 1 - Make a post linking back to the person who gave you the award!
Step 2 - Share 7 random things about yourself
Step 3 – Award 15 recently discovered bloggers with this award
Step 4 – Contact these bloggers and tell them they’ve won the award

So, to my word here are 7 Random things about me … Hope you don’t fall asleep!

1. I took the Myers-Briggs Personality Test this morning, and I am waiting for the results…. I am hoping that it won’t discover that I am a bit of a weirdo – but they say that it’s not designed to do that, it’ll probably just discover that I am a bit ditzy *ahem!* I mean, creative … or that I have feelings and/or I think too much … or it’ll find some other flaw in my personality … will keep you posted on that.

2. I used to smoke 10-15 cigarettes a day and I used to enjoy smoking each and every one of them. I quit because I wanted to prove to my boyfriend (now fiancé) that I could quit. It also freaked me out that I had smoked for 10 years at that point. It was a bad 3 weeks … but looking back, that was all it was … 3 WEEKS … from 15 a day, to none and without nicorette gum … 3 WEEKS … and even though it was a nightmare, it was such a short period of time in the scheme of things. I never had imagined that it was going to be that easy. I also discovered that the key to quitting smoking, is being scared of failing to quit.
3. I went on 62 planes in 2009, 48 planes in 2010 – and my current total for 2011 to date is 14. Because of this I am a Gold member of OneWorld Frequent Flyer Club.
4. All cars that I have owned, have had a name and a personality to match. I ♥ Cars. My current car (Stevie the Fiesta ST) is extra special because he has leather seats – and that leather was made by the company I work for, and I was part of the development team who developed that leather.
5. I had a dream last night that I got fired from my job, I am hoping that it is not a premonition. I don’t think it is as I also dreamt last night that aliens were planning to attack (but attack nominated postcodes only… )
6. I had a lifesaving operation at the age of 5 weeks, and I have the huge scar to prove it.
7. I wish I took more care of my appearance, and I plan to do something about that

And here is my list … the list of blogs, that give me insight, inspiration, muse, laughter and joy … It was hard to choose, as there are more than 15 blogs that I really enjoy reading In no particular order …

1. http://therabbitmuse.blogspot.com/ – jewellery, inspiration, pottery and facedown Tuesdays ☺
2. http://theseedybeader.blogspot.com/ – sead beads, projects, inspiration and fun
3. http://sparklesmith.blogspot.com/ - jewellery, sparkles, inspiration and laughter
4. http://skinnerstudio.blogspot.com/ – resin, jewellery, tutorials, and smiles!
5. http://re-crafts.blogspot.com/ – recycle it baby, laughter, fun and a creative soul who’ll upcycle, recycle anything!
6. http://tacklethatbeadstash.blogspot.com/ – oooh wonderful inspirational colour challenges for jewellery – a fun group interactive blog
7. http://oblibby.wordpress.com/ - a creative journey of one very creative and patient lady. Great WIP stories and pictures
8. http://noodlebubble.blogspot.com/ – challenges, crafts, open swaps, inspiration and muse
9. http://lesbijouxdeclaire.blogspot.com/ – a very creative gal called Claire, who will dazzle you with beautiful creations!
10. http://djinrummy.blogspot.com/ - what a read, fun life and laughter, creations reaching from plushies to upcycling to beady adventures
11. http://littletreatslou.blogspot.com/ – Laura, another master of the seed beads – a very creative insight to creations, a perfect muse
12. http://delicatesparkles.blogspot.com/ – oooh more sparkles and beaded jewellery creations! Inspirational and full of joy
13. http://bigbluebed.blogspot.com/ - beautiful buttons, crafts and the good life. Highly recommended if you are a crafter and love buttons!
14. http://spiderpixie.blogspot.com/ – lampwork beads, jewellery components, jewellery inspiration, fun and life all in one place
15. http://www.beadistinctive.com/ – beady goodness … all in one place ☺ Mmmmh!

If you love reading blogs, then I recommend the above to you if they sound like your thing.
So,there's still more for me to say, but i'll have to get you up to date another day. I don't want to bombard you with too much info all in one shot!

Take care!
Nicola
x

Heavenly thoughts ...

2011-02-13T14:59:00.002+01:00

Well, it was only yesterday that I showed you all my new spring cluster pendants, and I have had such happy lovely responses from many people online (Flickr, Crafteroo!, Bead Buddies, etc) that i couldn't get them out of my head.

Yesterday I also told you about my sterling silver angel wing charms that would be perfect for the same project. It was writing my blog that i thought of the idea to use a soft muted colour tone cluster with the angel wing ... well, I just couldn't stop daydreaming about it... so, here it is ...

But, this one is available for sale, I will probably put it up in my Dawanda shop in the next few weeks, or with any luck i may get an enquiry or two about it ... I haven't yet worked out a price for it - I must figure that out before i advertise it on my FACEBOOK page.

I still have 3 more pendants to play with - but with 2 weeks of heavy travelling with work (this coming week Hungary, next week America) that they are going to have to wait until i get back.... or maybe i can make time for making another one today! I had thought of another angel wing pendant, but with blues and creams ... very much like blue skies and clouds ... hmmm ... must go and see if I have suitable beads! What do you think?

Anyway girls, i'll probably be offline for a week or two due to the work travelling schedule. Take care, and i'll see you soon!
x

Too early for spring?

2011-02-12T15:06:00.003+01:00

Some people would say that it is, and it probably is ... Stuttgart is probably destined for more snow, even though the past 2 weekends have had a fresh spring breeze and a comfortable temperature of about 15oC
With these past two weekends giving me a spring feeling ... It's shown in this weeks creations, and I am starting to get a little excited about the change of weather.

I have participated in a swap on a German bead forum - My swap-partner expressed a preference for pendants that hang on long necklaces. searching through my bead stash I found that i had some 22" chains (not that long, but the longest that I had) would be a good start ... and on further searching on what i should do for a pendant, i decided on clusters of beads ... oooh i love clusters of beads ... i love things that are tactile and intriguing to look at.

So, i started collecting complimenting colours of beads - any shape, style, all in complimenting colours ... wanting a clean, bright mix that were a nice combination. Then, away i went putting them all together with sterling silver wire and chain.

One thing i love about this, is that not all beads need to be the same, indeed when they are all different - it's a great reason to look though all of those "left-over" beads that end up in your bead soup ... treasure hunting for that last pearl and making good use of it is satisfying, especially when you can't afford or don't have the opportunity to buy any more beads. The sterling silver butterfly pendant was the last touch ... definitely ready for the spring, I sure hope that it will be loved.

With the spring feeling - I also continued to make one for my sister (it's her birthday this week)

details of the bead mix - handmade lampwork beads, semi-precious stones, thai silver, freshwater pearls, glass beads, swarovski elements, murano glass ... anything and every bead could find a place in a pendant like this!

I also have more pendants and chains to make some more ... so i'll show them of course when they are finished. I think I also have angelwings too ... so i am thinking a pearl and crystal cluster in a muted colour tone would be a lovely idea

Hope you like them!
x

Sheesh! What a week! Part Three ...

2011-01-30T13:26:00.002+01:00

Finally ... (you must be getting sick of me today!)
Just a quick final post to show you some sterling silver earrings that i have made this week.

Inspired by the popular "Angry Birds" game ... cute little birdie earrings, with sterling silver components ... for a bit of cute, fun jewellery to make many people smile!

They will be in my DaWanda shop next week for sale, won't put them up today as I am away all week with work.
Hope you like!
x

Sheesh! What a week! Part Two ...

2011-01-30T13:12:00.002+01:00

I thought best to break up my posts today - as there has been a lot going on :)

Next to report is my creations for the Noodle Bubble - HANDMADE HEART SWAP my goodness, i could not forget about this! Things need to be in the right place by Valentines, and to date I had just daydreamed about what I was going to make for this swap... and not done anything about it. *rolls eyes*

So ... now, I had my gluegun in hand, YES!
This was the number one reason why i had wanted a glue gun, as I wanted to make something that wasn't necessarily "Beady" and had found THIS KANZASHI FLOWER TUTORIAL and was completely distracted by it. I just HAD to try it ... and then thought of a way to incorporate it into something "hearty" hmmm ... little leather heart centre piece ...

Still have not decided what to make it into ... i think i will use it as a focal bead on a necklace.

I also made a brooch for the swap ... this is a monster at about 10cms diameter.

Also - some earrings ... you can't stop me making jewellery as well, i want this little swap package to be a delight to receive!

These have handmade beaded beads (yeah i made them myself!) haemitite hearts and sterling silver components! and another pair ... that are just plain and simple for everyday/any occasion.

oooh ... i almost forgot ... I had a play with my gluegun and made these little hairpins, I am unsure if they will go into the package, as they are not too well secured onto the grips ... hmmm, may have to remake, or replace these ...

so, this little project is now almost complete ...
Will post again soon to let you know what i have done with the little white flower :)

Sheesh! What a week! Part One ...

2011-01-30T12:46:00.002+01:00

Hey everyone, well - what a week this has been. I hardly know where to start.

On Monday ... my engagement ring arrived!
Joe proposed at the stroke of midnight at New Year on the marktplatz in Brugge, most romantic for Joe (very surprising as he isn't romantic!) Straight after i said "yes" then came the "you have £££ to spend on a ring" so for weeks later we shopped online, in shops ... searched for inspiration, and the more i looked, the more i realised i wanted something "timeless" and "classic" ... afterall ... with loads funky designs out at the moment ... certain ones will look so dated in the next 20 years, so I opted for a simple solitaire diamond ring, platinum with a 6-claw setting. Will look as good in 50 years as what it does today.

It was also my birthday earlier this week, I turned 29, and here I am in the last year of my twenties. Which is going to be a very exciting year! Our house should be built this year ... my wedding is coming up on New Years Eve too, and Joe and I have said that even though we are going to enjoy it, it will be a relief when it is all over as then we can relax!

So, on Tuesday (my birthday) both Joe and I had the day off work - I REFUSE to work on my birthday, it's a right - if you are going to choose any day in the year to do what you want to do ... then what day would that be? Your BIRTHDAY obviously :)

We got up and out at a reasonable time in order not to waste the day, and headed into Stuttgart for Breakfast. Where we were both naughty and we had a slice of fabulous german cheesecake, and we mooched around the city ... checked out the sparkles in the swarovski shop and headed home soon after. We've lived in Stuttgart now for almost 5 years, and really there isn't thrilling on the high street once you have seen it more than 10 times!

Once we were home, I opened cards and presents ... I got a kindle, Iron Man 1&2, Sherlock Holmes on Blu-ray (can't you tell I have a thing for Robert Downey Jr ... ) lotsa cash and a pair of irregular choice shoes! They are so funky!

... so as it was fast approaching lunchtime ... I asked to go to the local micro brewery for lunch plus it was next door to a DIY store, and I had been coveting a new glue gun for the past month or so once I had a project in mind.

So, Gulash for lunch, Mmmmh! I lurrrve Gulash ... and a new glue gun for the grand total of 5 euro! Bargain!

... Back home, played with my new kindle, ordered a new book and read that for a while (i am going to be a bookworm for a while i can imagine) it's very handy having one, considering we live in a foreign country, English books are limited, plus the standard delivery from Amazon.co.uk can be tedious ... so it is perfect for an expat ... especially an expat who travels a lot with work on planes and stuff :)

Then ... out to the Cinema - "The Green Hornet" yeah it was OK, harmless entertainment, funny in places but not as good as any marvel comics ... I do prefer the real Marvel comics movies *dazes off into a daydream about Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man* ahem ... you almost lost me there!

On route home, went to O'Reillys (our regular haunt) Irish Pub in Stuttgart-West for a quick beverage ... and then to Goi, my favourite Thai restuarant, where i had a Red Thai curry ... Mmmmh! Oooh i could just eat one of those again now!
and after that .. .well, i was overfed and absolutely knackered!

We wondered back home and fell asleep on the couch ...
Perfect birthday ... busy, and a very happy day!

January Moods ... Necklace ...

2011-01-28T19:51:00.001+01:00

First thing is first ... you may have already seen this before ... as I have been "pimping" photographs of this baby since mid-week. Pimping it out at all of my usual haunts ... Bead Buddies, Crafteroo and of course my Flickr account ... and now i am here at my blog... days later!

Surely the blog should have the exclusive, non?
Hmmm ... will definitely keep that in mind from now on.

Recently I have rekindled my obsession with blogs.

My blog, strangers blogs, friends blogs, foreigners blogs, picture blogs, wordy blogs, people who can waffle on for hours, people who like to post competitions, gossip, tutorials ... Really there's not much that I don't like to read, especially when blogs following people who are interesting in beading, or other crafts - papercraft, sewing, lampworking ... and the list goes on!

So, this creation is dedicated to 2 blogs that I am a follower of ...

Operation, tackle that bead stash!
who posted a "January Mood Board" with a purple/gold colour theme.
Oooh yeah purple and gold, a colour theme that really made me want to create something ... and ...

djinn rummy
Lesley posted a version of this necklace in a red valentine colour theme (absolutely lush!) and pointed readers in the right direction of where to go find the free tutorial.

Put the 2 together, and I got this necklace.
It is now in the safe hands of it's new owner :)
If i was to do it again, i would change the colour of the thread, i used a gold (having no purple thread in my stash ... shame on me, afterall purple IS my favourite colour) and you can see it through the swaros, ho-hum ... lesson learnt. :)
Hope you like it! ♥ :) ♥

and of course ... a link for the tutorial for you ...
The Garden Necklace

A few little things from some beading forums ...

2011-01-17T09:49:00.002+01:00

Maybe you are a beader like me, and maybe you love competitions?

The Bead Buddies UK forum have a quarterly challenge, with a chance of winning a voucher from The Bead Shed ...

Rules are:
- Your piece must be unique and a 'one off' to you and challenge you to something out of your comfort zone.
- You must enter a piece into the relevant category, for your experience (Beginners - 0-18 months experience / Intermediate - 18 months -3 years experience / Advanced - 3 years or over)
- pieces submitted should come with a short description detailing what inspired you to make your piece and how it challenged you.

and a competition is always open, so if you feel up to it ... get your bum over there!

I entered in the last quarter, I created a piece that was inspired by a fellow beader Lynn Davy I wanted really to capture her style, but of course not to copy (a fine line that i am not sure i didn't cross *eek!*) but i see her inspire lots of beaders, so i jumped on that bandwagon and dedicated this piece to her ... and if you know me, you will know that beadweaving to this degree really is out of my comfort zone, as i am far too impatient. But, it was a success ... and I won in the intermediate category! *yay!* I can also let you know, that she saw my entry and she loved it too :)

and also check out BeadersOnline ...

The BeadersOnline January/February comp, where you can win the Miyuki beading kit, as below.

It comes complete with necessary beads and instructions for you to make the bracelet! It is very sweet. ♥ The competition is open until the end of March ... so there's still time to enter. There has already been some fabulous entries, so check out the forum to be nosey!

So, that's it from me this time ...
take care

2011 ... wow that came round quickly!

2011-01-14T21:22:00.002+01:00

Hey Everyone!
Well, I honestly can't believe that August was my last post ... yeah i am shit for keeping up with this thing, i know i am ... need to stay dedicated to this blog and do all your heads in!

So, what's gone on since last time ... a fair few things that's for sure! ...
Building a house in Germany ... if you are interested ... check out www.dawber.co.uk.
I also got engaged! *yay!* Ooooh that's exciting too! So much to talk about!

But ... onto the Smitten Kitten side of life ...

Lotsa projects that I want to do ...
- Resin jewellery (or at least some components, cabochons)
- Spring Necklace collection (already in work ... think, Gemstone clusters, sterling silver pendants, and slinky long chains)
- Spring earring collection (I dunno about you, but I love the angry birds game and my earrings are inspired by those cute tweeties!)
- Recycling crafts (newpaper bags, handmade padded envelopes, recycled paper envelopes ... )
- Cupcakes! hehe!
- Getting better at my German (have recently joined a beading forum here in Germany, so I can mingle with likeminded gals and improve the language skills at the same time. Have already agreed to go to one of their meet ups next month, so I'll take some pictures and let you know how i get on.

Keep tuned in ... i promise to show you all the crafty projects that i do this year, plus i will also be keeping my eye out for other fabulous handmade goodies by people i know

so ... until next time (soon hopefully!)
take care!

How Cool is a footstool ... ?

2010-08-24T16:29:00.002+02:00

Footstool - How Cool ...
Originally uploaded by http://www.flickr.com/people/smitten-kitten-de/

Work colleague came to me today with a photo of this beauty!

A tiny footstool (is only about 30 cms tall) that she saw at a recent design fayre, and is a bit obsessed by it! :D

She has been searching for similar faux fur so she can make one of her own. hehe!

So, with my mad ebay skills at hand, I have helped her find material very similar to what she needs, so i think that she will be able to continue now with her little project :D

I'm already looking forward to seeing the outcome :)
x

Sunny Weekend :)

2010-05-23T17:47:00.001+02:00

Hello from Sunny Stuttgart!

It’s such a lovely sunny weekend. The sun has arrived just in time for another long weekend! *yay!* I am not back in work until Tuesday! Oh how I love living in Germany – the month of May really does rock!

Yesterday, Joe and I headed down into Stuttgart, because we had nothing better to do and we didn’t want to waste any sunshine so we went round the Saturday flea market, I was hoping to find some supplies, old vintage beads or something to give me a bit of inspirado and creative juice. Amongst the rubbish that some stalls were selling, I came across a stall that sold anything to do with old watches, faces, perspex covers, straps, hands, cogs and other fittings – so how could I refuse to get something to turn into steampunk?

I have not yet ventured much into steam punk, I do not know why – because I love the style and finding vintage elements that fit in so well with it make it so alluring.

So – for a few euros I bought these …

Hundreds of watch hands! They are so thin, such thin metal pieces, which if strung together may only make up maximum a couple of inches in length. Joe found the fact that I had bought these very amusing, he’s never heard of steampunk, and I did not really want to venture in to explaining it to him. I just told him, that anything with a hole is a bead … and to me, these are unusual beads! (He started casually shaking his head at this point, bewildered at the functioning of my creative brain) but I’ll prove it to him… as soon as I can think of something to do with them!

You got any ideas for them?

PS: see this link for the end result ... http://www.flickr.com/photos/smitten-kitten-de/4687747773/

Inspired by ...

2010-05-15T10:05:00.001+02:00

"Glammed if you do, glammed if you don't"

Which is a fabulous blog that i have enjoyed reading for a while now!
Her feminine fresh style selects such wonderful clothes and style for anyone to drool over, and her blog has been the only fashion blog that I have got in to and been inspired by. Check it Out - Click Here

Earlier this week she put up a fantastic handbag ... where i cooed over the style and soft colours, and then daydreamed about a necklace to match! Well, that was it - I was then on a mission!!!

I got very frustrated when I had none of the right beads that i needed (which is surprising, because I have so many!) But it was a good ~~excuse~~ reason to go to the bead shop!

Unfortunately I could not find the exact colour of ribbon, so i opted for something close to the mark and came up with this!

I would say that it is about 95% exact to what i had initially daydreamed about when I saw the handbag, so definately a successful project! (I hate it when I dream about something, then fail to make it come to life)

So, what do you think?

Would it look good with the handbag?

It is already for sale in my DaWanda Shop ... CLICK HERE

How to make beaded beads - FREE TUTORIAL!

2010-05-11T09:10:00.002+02:00

Yesterday was really a non-eventful day.

Monday Blues ...
Grey skies …

but I have been on no planes! *woop! woop!*

It was so quiet in the Stuttgart office today – my boss is in America for the week, and all the Business managers are in the UK for sales training. It was also kind of nice it being so quiet – it means that I can just keep my head down and get on with it. I was hoping not to have to return to Hungary for another 4 weeks or so, but I was asked to travel next week to train our new designer. She has worked with us before, but so many things has happened since she left; new team, new products, new location … so I have been asked (very nicely) if I would go with her and introduce her to the R&D team. No problemo!

I was happy to put my name down for a bookmark swap today, I wonder who I will get as my partner ... hmm … I have so many lovely beads, and loadsa ideas already whirring round in my brain so I’m sure I’ll be able to make something nice!

Last evening, also – not much happening! I made sweet thai chicken wraps for Joe and I for dinner and I have stared at my beads … yes … stared at them! *oh the Monday blues also affect the mojo!*

So, rather than feeling a failure on the creative side – I applied myself to write up the beaded bead tutorial for you all. My goodness – it really is hard work isn’t it?! God knows how you all write beading instructions! I got in such a twaddle with it from the word go! I had major brain farts!

If you were all sat round the table with me, it would be so much easier to explain …

So, with my apologies – here are the instructions!
You’d probably be better just looking at the pictures!! :p *lol*
*** ***

You need per bead:
• 6mm Pearl rounds – x4
• 4mm Crystal Bicones – x8
• Seedies
In complementing colours

You can substitute the main beads for different sizes – as long as there is a maximum of 2mm in size difference between the round beads and bicones, they will sit well together.

You start building the bead by using Right Angle Weave

(double thread stringing method)

1: 30cms of string should suffice! String the first pearl bead, taking it to the centre of the thread – and making sure both ends of the line is of the same length.

2: Continue by adding 1 bicone on each end of the string,

3: Add on another pearl bead and cross both lines through.

4: Continue by adding 1 bicone on each end of the string,

5: Add on another pearl bead and cross both lines through.

6: Again adding 1 bicone on each end of the string,

7: Add on another pearl bead and cross both lines through.

8: Finally the last 2 bicones

9: Once complete – string the strings back through bead #1 and pull tight. (Ensure that the sting on the right side, enters bead #1 from the right side, and that the string on the left side enters bead #1 from the left side – otherwise you will get a tangled string.)

1: When the bead is now bunched together, you start to see the base of the bead. Now it is time to embellish it with seedies. The quantity of seed beads does depend on the size of seed beads that you want to use (I personally try to keep tm as small as possible) and it also depends on what size you have used for your main pearl beads.

String on each side seed beads so when they meet together, they meet in the middle of the big pearl beads comfortably.

2: When they meet in the middle, you use 1 bead to thread both strings through (see red bead) and you work your way out again to the next pearl bead so it forms an “X” and then the ends thread through the next main bead. Repeat another 3 times around the bead!

See, now you have it!

What I do to finish off, I then use the remaining strings to thread through the bicones once again, with half-hich knots inbetween. Then once finished, cut it short with a dab of glue!!

If you make any - would love to see them! Send me the link of your photos!
Thanks!

Beadweaving ... still such a hurdle for me

2010-05-08T18:27:00.000+02:00

Hello from Sunny Stuttgart!
Today so far has been nice and relaxing. Joe and I went into Stuttgart city centre for nothing in particular, so I felt it was a good reason to go into my local bead shop! Hee hee!

After saying yesterday, that my beaded beads are as far as my beadweaving skills go, it came to mind that I actually have not pushed myself for even trying to get better at beadweaving. ::) I am soOoOo impatient, and love to have things finished in an afternoon.

My impatience for beadweaving also comes from when I was first trying to create something – and I was trying to make things with bad quality non-uniform seedies. Of course I would get frustrated using these! So I turned my back on beadweaving quite quickly after I half-attempted it!

I made a stand at the bead shop … I bought some Nymo, and some Delicas … and a proper beadin needle (can you believe that I didn’t have one before today? That is probably another reason why I tried and failed at beadweaving previously) ::)

Where does inspiration come from?

Last night for me it crept up from “Homes and Gardens” magazine. A lovely feature called small scale geometrics with subtle colours.

Hmmm … pretty!

This one inspired me most …

Oooh … what to do .. .what to do … love the colours … love the shapes … how to be inspired without blatantly copying? I picked the parts that I loved the most, the colours and the petal-like shapes… Flowers then seemed obvious to me.

So, today I chose my delica colours based on the inspirado, and I weaved a flower design from a dusty book that has been on my bookcase for a long time.

Then sewed then together to make earrings

Don’t look too close – there are mistakes! But all in all, not too bad of an attempt at beadweaving. It definitely helps with the right thread, the right beads and a beading needle! Can’t believe I had been trying without the important, right quality materials!

Love to all
x

♥ Beaded Beads ♥

2010-05-08T08:44:00.001+02:00

♥ Beaded Beads ♥
Originally uploaded by Nicola @ Smitten Kitten

My favourite beading forum ...

is making a beaded bead necklace for charity, and those who wish to participate have been asked to make some beaded beads. So, naturally I put my name down - and created these very pink beaded beads! Hope you like them.

some of the members on beadbuddies have asked how they are made - so I am considering to make a quick tutorial. Would you also be interested?

Enjoy your weekend
Nicola
x

Artist of the Month on Bead Buddies!

2010-04-28T20:29:00.001+02:00

Hey Everyone ... Guess what? Well, the title says it all ... I have been asked to be Artist of the Month on my favourite Beading Forum BEAD BUDDIES well, what an honour! I'm actually really chuffed! If you haven't heard of this fantastic beading forum, and if you are a bead / jewellery making addict like myself ... then consider this a calling! Get your bum on there :)

For the Month of May I will be doing a daily blog about the ins and outs of life and what i have been doing ... hope to see you there too!

x

♥ Bubbles & Bows ♥ Necklace ♥

2010-04-20T22:13:00.004+02:00

♥ Bubbles & Bows ♥ Necklace ♥
Originally uploaded by http://www.flickr.com/people/smitten-kitten-de/

Today I received some hollow transparent beads from the USA :)

I was so happy once they had arrived - I was waiting for them for 3 weeks! My goodness, 3 weeks for a bead addict is a LONG time to wait for beadies! *i think i need help!*

So - at work I had opened 6 of them ... and then stroked them all afternoon like they were stressballs! They were bouncing on my desk at intervals (and i did get a few looks from my male colleagues who obviously didn't understand the excitement) ... and before the men complained or got in any comments - i had to put them away and wait until i got home. Which, tonight - I left right on time - no way was I going to wait any longer to play with these! It's been 3 weeks for goodness sake! ... *lol* by now you are probably realising how crazy i am ...

So, i got home - ripped open the rest of the packages ( i had ordered 24 of these wonders ... and as you can see - i only needed 6)

I had hammered sterling silver rings ordered and arrived weeks ago for this project (sterling silver rings are from Dragonfly Lynn - contact me for details) and the ribbon had also gone through an extensive selection process at the craft store the other weekend once i had realised that the real silk hand dyed ribbon ordered from Sowzere hadn't quite fitted for the bows. Shame ... they are such beautiful ribbons from Sowzere ... but this time, just not meant for this project.

My patience was well deserved, because since i have been dreaming about this design since the beads were on order - meant that i made the necklace first time without hitch. I knew exactly where the beads were going to be, that i was going to do bows, and what the plan was for the findings! In total ... a successful project :)

One that I am quite happy with!
Hope you like it too!

x

Seeing Spots?!

2010-04-14T19:13:00.004+02:00

♥ Spotty Green Lampwork ♥ Sterling Earrings ♥
Originally uploaded by http://www.flickr.com/people/smitten-kitten-de/

Seeing Spots ... ... I am!!!!

Got these sweet and adorable lampwork beads today - I just HAD to make cute little earrings with them!
♥ Spotty Green Lampwork ♥ Sterling Earrings ♥

have also made in Purple, orange and blue :)
Check out my flickr profile for pictures!

x

The Calm before the Storm ...

2010-04-11T19:36:00.003+02:00

Hi Everyone! I hoep that you are all well.
Well, i suppose you wonder why i have entitled todays post as "The Calm before the Storm" ...
It is because this weekend has been lovely, calm and relaxing (and full of beading... and ice creams!) and starting next weekend, for 3 weekends we have visitors! I am sure it's going to feel a bit like a hotel for a while starting Friday.

This weekend I have made a sterling silver and freshwater pearl cascade necklace, it is a faux-lariat, and I have now listed it in my DaWanda shop.

I have only recently been beading with freshwater pearls, and the more I do, the more i like them! They are so classic, and pearls will forever be in style - whether it be just a pair of earrings or if they embellish other jewellery - they will forever come back round. Sure i hope you like it! :)

My "GlamPunk" DaWanda Pinboard

2010-04-06T19:21:00.003+02:00

My "Glam Punk" DaWanda Pinboard - Click here to see.

Well, I spent a part of this evening looking for Glam Punk accesories and clothes for inspirado, I had an idea in my head for some bracelets - and the closest style i could think of was "Glam Punk" Is it such a thing? We've all heard of Steam Punk ... but Glam Punk is also there, just in the background. So, as a result of the pinboard - I created 2 bracelets.

I have also now added the black bracelet onto the Pinboard too :) Just to see if it matches *lolz*

I think it does!

The Black bracelet has real Onyx beads, sterling silver and thai silver beads - and black ribbon roses. I made these little roses myself, I still need to get better at them!
The Pink one is just the same - but with Candy pink cats eye beads and more ribbon roses!

Hope you like them :)
x

Easter Creativity :)

2010-04-04T11:25:00.004+02:00

Happy Easter Folks :)
I've not blogged for over a week *tut tut!*
Well, i've been a busy gal - I finally got my car! Which makes me very happy! Last weekend we drove all the way to Duesseldorf to see him (yes, OK - the car is a 'he' and his name is Stevie ... yes, i'm a crazy person, yes, I name my cars ... ) and on Wednesday Joe collected him for me, and now I am zooming around the place having such good fun. I'm kinda obsessed with the car at the moment! I'm also a little bit chuffed because he has 'part-leather' seats, and the leather is made by the company I work for! ... If you wanna see pictures ... click on the "Smitten Kitten Gallery" at the top of my blog ... this will take you to my Flickr album, and I have some pictures of the car in there!

So this easter weekend so far for me has been very relaxing. On friday we went for a drive, and we went to see our friends Claire & Pascal ... and their recent addition Luis ... absolutely adorable, and I had to keep the broodyness to myself! *lolz* and yesterday we had a wander round Stuttgart, then when we came back I played and created with beads ... and today ... well it is 11.15 and i am still in my pj's ... I can safely say - it's gonna be another relaxing day!

So - to beadies ...
well, being all lovely and relaxed has helped me chill out and create some new earrings. I don't know what it is at the moment - but I love making them! Here are a few pictures of my favourites :)

These earrings needed no more than the beads ... the beads are so detailed with wonderful flowers, that I named them "forget-me-not" as I think not many people will forget that they have seen these! The beads are handmade by the very talented Dora Schubert!

And some more sterling silver earrings with freshwater pearls :)

I think i might make some of these for me!

I'll be back again in the week :)

Have a fantastic Easter Sunday

xxx

Craft Juice Tuesday - "Proud to be British"

2010-03-23T18:36:00.001+01:00

Today I have decided to join the "Craft Juice Tuesday" Team, and on Tuesdays will start to post inspirational products featured on www.craftjuice.com that other crafty folks have made.

I am kick starting my frist posts with products that are not just appealing to look at, but also something with a personal connection... "Proud to be British"

This ... I

My first car was an Austin Mini ...

and I soOoOoOo would have loved to have had the Union Jack on it!

I am also a big fan of the Union Jack, I actually think it is rather stylish!

I think I got more proud to be British when I moved away to Germany. *strange for some maybe?* I realised that nationality is a label, a stereotype, and it was only when i moved to Germany, I truly understood what it was to be proud to be a Brit!

If you are interested in purchasing any of these items that are featured - just scoot your way over to www.craftjuice.com and search "union jack"

I love the fact that it can be recognised in ANY colour scheme - it is truly an iconic emblem.

So, that's it for my "Craft Juice Tuesday" post!

I hope you like what I have featured!

Until Next time ... byeeee!

Springtime inspiration :)

2010-03-21T19:45:00.002+01:00

I am so happy that spring has arrived - I don't even care about the springtime showers ... +10 and upwards is so refreshing (albeit not that warm!). I have been really bored of the long winter, and I have been aching to see more sunshine, and now that it finally has ... it does feel like a weight has been lifted!

With this, has brought some inspirado! *woop!*

But before I get to what I have made this week, regarding the earrings featured (and sold) last week - I got a lovely response from the customer, which was so sweet!

I love it when a customer emails me to say how much they liked what they have bought, gives me this warm and gooey feeling inside - and honestly I think that added to my urge for making more things this week. It does also remind me that when I buy other handmade things from other arty fellows, that i should also send them a thankyou email!

I was really lucky again to have another sale this week ...

Sterling Silver with hammered sterling silver rings (from DragonflyLynne) and semi precious turquoise!

Pretty for the summer

I have decided to make some more turquoise earrings which are now also in my dawanda shop!

I have been making so many earrings recently, just massaging the mojo ... so at least I am feeling productive whilst my mojo went somewhere warm for the winter! But now the sun is BACK ... I have been making loads! Here's just a few to feast your eyes on!

If you wanna see all, check out my flickr album of my dawanda shop!

They're all featured and ready for sale!

I also made a sterling silver, swaro, and cats eye bracelet this week. (which i am tempted to keep myself!) I have used mocha brown, sterling silver spacer beads and components with scrumptious swarovski blues ... which is not a colour combo i use often, but it's turned out very well and very funky! I am thinking of making some more in the near future in other colour combos. I'll be sure to show you!

Please let me know what you think!

So - other than beading - life is also pretty good!

I have not yet found a car (so i'm still without wheels) But luckily for me, I have had the use of the company cars so I'm happy to be patient until the right one comes along. I have decided that I will be buying a Fiesta ST, and with my requirements narrowed down, it usually means that there are only 15 cars in the whole of Germany that are suitable (and some of those are too expensive or have too many miles on the clock) So ... I must be patient, the right one will come along soon.

The week ahead takes me to Szolnok, Hungary ... again! Lots of work to do - so i'll be having a productive week... and on Friday we have another appointment with a bank about a mortgage, our broker has found us a possible mortgage and now the bank want to have a meeting with us, so things are looking up there - let's hope they offer us a reasonable rate! It's gonna be a dream to build our own house!

So guys and gals, off to watch tv in bed! Have a happy week, and I'll post again soon.

Nicola

Another Day ... another dollar ...

2010-03-11T19:34:00.002+01:00

OMG ... I have just consumed the biggest chunk of garlic EVER ... how dare they try and disguise it in a potato patty, as if anyone wouldn't realise *lol* well - i'm gonna have to fish out the rest, even though i love the stuff, you gotta have limits!

Tonight I am in Szolnok, Hungary ... which is a place i visit often with work. So currently I am sat in my hotel room, eating dinner - most colleagues that were travelling aswell this week went home today - so I'm the only one left here for the rest of the week. Which gives me great opportunity to play on t'internet, watch shockingly shite tv, and eat my dinner and relax. I'm sure it sounds quite nice to you? Travelling with work - staying in hotels, eating restaurant food ... well, sometimes it is - but like anything - the novelty wears off, especially when you are constantly returning back to the same places! But ... You work hard for a reason ... another day, another dollar.

That's enough about work ... *lol* to more interesting stuff ...
I have been roped to help organise a party to go to the Stuttgarter Frühlingsfest ... I did it a few years back with a group of 72 people from all over europe ... but this year it's just a bit smaller, everyone is adding themselves onto the reservation. So tomorrow I must add on 10 peeps ... and on the 1st May - we'll all be there in a big tent getting drunk and dancing on tables. *yay!* It's always good fun!

Other news ... well, car got sold today ... Joe was a sweetie and did all administrative duties since I am away with work. He met the guy - guy tried getting 150 off - Joe stayed at the price ... I no long have a car, and am a few thousand richer! (a few more euros this time ... heheheh!)

Many fond memories of that car! Little Edward II, British Racing Green, BMW Mini, complete with England sticker and "UK" on the numberplate ... a perfect car for an English gal living abroad. We've had a fun 3 years together, he sure was a trooper! Sorry to see him go, but excited now as I am off CAR SHOPPING!!!! *WoopWoop!* Sure it is stressful, but it is so fun!

No creativity flowing today unfortunately ... creativity is crushed with work, like normal. But I am happy to report a SALE from my dawanda shop!

2 pairs of sterling earrings - scrumptious indeedy!

I sure hope that the customer will like them!

So, for another day - I will love you and leave you. Be safe and I hope to post some new creations very soon!

Nic
x

Eh? What's happened here then ... ?!

2010-03-05T13:09:00.001+01:00

Oops ... I seem to have gone and opened a blog ... !!!

I can blame a few friends for planting the idea in my head, and of course - I am an avid follower of many blogs myself ... and once being told that i was "behind the times" (yes, she who has 5 computers) I thought that I had better catch up quick smart!

My blog will be about not just things that I make to go on http://www.smittenkitten.de/ but also I think that I will include day to day happenings out of my life (not all of the boring stuff - don't you worry!) I travel with work quite alot - (but you probably won't hear too much about that - as that can be boring) and hopefully this year, it will be a year of change - as yesterday I have had someone offer to buy my car ... so you'll hear about me finding a new one ... and if all goes really well, then it looks like that this could be the year that we BUILD a house! ... yes, not just buy, but build it too!
So, stick around and stick to me if you are a curious nellie! I would really appreciate some followers so then i am not just talking to myself!
Lots of Love
Nicola
x

Nicola @ Smitten Kitten

Playing with colour - but without the mess!

Happy New Year!

The Crafter..oo! Mystery Package Challenge

Well, let me tell you ...

Craft Pimp Team - Official Blog!

{Guest Blogger} Loki the Bobblecat

Crafter..oo! E-magazine - Out Now!

How to make a Pearl Cluster Necklace - FREE TUTORIAL!

Quilled Earrings ... The start of an obsession maybe?

Pearls ... Pearls ... Pearls ...

Stuttgarter Saturday Fleamarket (photo heavy)

Ooooh yay! again... look what I won :)

Yay! I won!

How to make a Button Bracelet! - FREE TUTORIAL!

*Squeal!*

Recent happenings ...

Creative Spotlight - Lucinda @ Minerva Jewellery

Angels and Sunshine - Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace

British Summer Gardens

Creative Spotlight - Jill @ Kiln Fired Art

Housey Housey HOUSE!

Creative Spotlight - Nan of Polynana Beads

Crafter...oo! Button Swap - What I sent! :)

Win Win Win!

Crafter...oo! Button Swap - What I have received! :)

Creative Spotlight - Vickie @ Beads4Breakfast

I need another holiday (!!!)

As featured on ...

Creative Spotlight - Lisa @ Oodles of Obliciousness!

Farnsworth Munsell Test

Talenthouse Competition - Shameless plug for votes and support!

How to make a ribbon rosette brooch! - FREE TUTORIAL!

Creative Spotlight - Helen at Blue Fairy Designs

Operation Kindle #2 - How to make a hollow book! - FREE TUTORIAL!

Creative Spotlight - Jolene at Kitzbitz Art Glass :)

Creative Spotlight - HazelB (Handweaver Extraordinaire!)

Planes, Trains and Automobiles ...

Conjuring Inspiration

Creative Spotlight - SilverGems Designs

Seahorse on the coral - Sterling Silver pendant

Seahorse & Shells - Summer Necklace

Creative Spotlight - Ruthie's Rambling :)

First Impressions ... Packaging

Angels & Blue Skies

More Sterling Silver Necklaces ...

Chicago, the windy city - and beads ... hehe!

Smitten Kitten goes KITTY BALLISTIC! Handmade Heartswap Goodies!

Oooh! Look what I got!

Heavenly thoughts ...

Too early for spring?

Sheesh! What a week! Part Three ...

Sheesh! What a week! Part Two ...

Sheesh! What a week! Part One ...

January Moods ... Necklace ...

A few little things from some beading forums ...

2011 ... wow that came round quickly!

How Cool is a footstool ... ?

Sunny Weekend :)

Inspired by ...

How to make beaded beads - FREE TUTORIAL!

Beadweaving ... still such a hurdle for me

♥ Beaded Beads ♥

Artist of the Month on Bead Buddies!

♥ Bubbles & Bows ♥ Necklace ♥

Seeing Spots?!

The Calm before the Storm ...

My "GlamPunk" DaWanda Pinboard

Easter Creativity :)

Craft Juice Tuesday - "Proud to be British"

Springtime inspiration :)

Another Day ... another dollar ...

Eh? What's happened here then ... ?!

Squeal!