Oooooh new toy!

'Lo peeps - got myself a new toy at the weekend, a Fuji S5800, digital SLR camera - need manual aperture and shutter settings and custom white balance to get the shots I want for my new lines so decided to spend a bit of my last bursary payment on it... then went to West Mids Safari Park on Sunday to try it out heheh :)

Got some WICKED pictures with it, will post when I've uploaded...Amur leopards, white tigers, white lions, just fab.

So, thoroughly recommend it, SO easy to use once you know what the terms mean!!!

Laters x

beadsbeadsbeadsandmorebeads...

Yes I've been a bad blogger, ages since last update - but it IS school hols, I haven't been making much and...well, no more excuses :)

After the Open Studios I've been having a ponder about what's next really, and come to the conclusion that while smithing is all well and good, and I do want to carry on producing silver pieces, it was my beaded stuff that sold best - therefore (NEWSFLASH) I AM RE-EMBRACING MY INNER BEADER.

Yes, I know. Dramatic stuff.


I've got so much bead stock from 'the old days' including wondrous lampwork by Laura Sparling and Izzy Anderson as well as TONS of semi-precious stones and pearls, it's sitting there waiting for inspiration.

Also, and can't believe I've only just found it, but there's a wonderful range of stuff from Hilary Milne, at beadsite.co.uk - fabulous ceramic beads coated in bronze, copper, fine silver and 24k gold - they look amazing and I can't wait to get cracking with them (will post some pics when their server's working again!)...will be able to get some done tomorrow so watch the site for more.

So I can keep the two strands of my jewellery separate, I'm lauching the beaded pieces under a new name/brand/company, so keep an eye out or join the mailing list at code to be updated when things are set up - I promise a huge range of all things spangly and shiny, suited to everyone's pockets and tastes HURRAH!!