Tribal Dance – take 2

Remember my post not long ago about a soutache piece, Tribal Dance, where after I had finished it and taken photos the beads peeled?  Well, I was so upset about it (and still am) and I wanted to make another piece using the same colours… and this is what came out:

Tribal Dance – OOAK Soutache necklace

Although it didn’t come out anything like the first one… I love this one just as much if not even more!!! Really happy with how it turned out and how it looks on!!!

I’m really loving this soutache technique!!! Still learning… and trying out different things with it…. but am definitely loving it!!!

And now… back to the beading table!!! have a wonderful weekend!!!

Enchanted Forest

In keeping with my non-procrastinating attempts…. I locked myself in my room… I made three new soutache pieces… but not only did I make them… but I also pulled myself away from making any more so I could take pictures, post them and blog about them!!! I’m determined not to procrastinate!!!! 

These pieces were inspired by childhood memories of being in a forest and pretending that it was a magical forest…

Enchanted Forest – OOAK Soutache and Bead Crochet Necklace

Enchanted Forest - Soutache Earrings

Enchanted Forest – OOAK Soutache Pendant

I’m so please with how these pieces turned out… can’t wait to get back to the beading table (or in my case the beading bed :-D )… I want to make some more earrings… I really love the look of soutache earrings and NEED to make a few pairs for myself :-)

Procrastinating….

I don’t think there is anyone who is more guilty of procrastination than I am!!! I’m not into new year’s resolutions, but if I was… trying to stop procrastinating would definitely be on the top of my list!!! While writing this post I’m forced to look at myself and try to understand why it is that I do this? I’m not lazy… I enjoy what I do (of course I’m not talking about putting off cleaning the flat… which is the only time I forgive myself for procrastinating!)… so why do I find myself constantly putting off stuff? am I easily distracted? do I have so many ideas floating about in my head that I constantly jump from one to another?… am I too overwhelmed? I think that maybe all apply!!! So this year I will attempt not to procrastinate as much as I usually do… and in an effort to do that I’m now posting pieces that I made in the last few months and just didn’t get around to photograph, list, post, etc. …

Ocean Flower – OOAK Necklace

Ocean Flower – OOAK Cuff

 

Arctic Lagoon – OOAK Earrings

Arctic Lagoon – OOAK Bead Embroidered Leather Cuff

Crowning Glory – OOAK Silver Leather Cuff

All the pieces above were made quite a while ago…. but somehow I didn’t manage to post until recently… and now for some more recently made pieces… all soutache!!! Did I mention that I'm really enjoying this new technique?!?! ;-D

Burgundy, Wine, Lilac, Pink & Silver Soutache Pendant OOAK

Emerald Dream – OOAK Soutache Necklace

And now… I’m finally all caught up!!!! :-D

To celebrate the new year I’m offering a 13% discount on anything in my shop (including sale items and tutorials).  To receive the discount enter coupon code HAPPY2013 (valid till 13th January 2013) at checkout in my etsy shop!

Wishing you all a healthy, successful, prosperous and happy new year!!!! ;-)

Soutache Fever

I’ve been infected!!! Yes, I also have caught the soutache embroidery bug!!!

After years of not knowing what to do with the soutache braid that laid unused in one of my many boxes containing bits and pieces that I may, or may not use one day… I finally broke down and bought a soutache tutorial! :-)

First of all, let me start by saying that I probably would never have even thought of trying this technique had it not been for my dear friend Miriam Shimon who not only inspired me with her stunning soutache work but also encouraged me and shared some of her secrets with me.  If you are not familiar with her work, please visit her shop, you will not be disappointed!!!  

Here is one of my favourite souache pieces that Miriam designed:

So armed with inspiration and all her support and encouragement I bought a beautifully explained tutorial by Jodi Horgan, who also makes superb soutache work:

and as I’m unable to follow instructions (in terms of design, not technique) this is what I made from the tutorial… my first soutache pendant:

It’s not perfect…. but I love it and it’s the perfect winter pendant for me and I’ve been wearing it non-stop! :-)

As I said… I caught the bug… so I started making more pieces… these are my first (well made) earrings:



Can’t wait to make some more pieces!!!! so stay tuned!

Peacocks… my version :-)

It’s 4.23 am… and I’ve been up for over an hour!!!  I wouldn’t mind, as I usually wake up around 4 am every day…. check my e-mails, facebook, etc…. and I’m usually out the door by 6.15 am for my run with the dogs… but tonight I’m teaching and have no idea how I’ll be able to stay awake and sound coherent! :-) I hope I can mange a nap at some point during the day… so I thought… I’m up… I have a blog to post… so here I am! :-)

In the last post I mentioned I had loads more pieces to show you and here are some!

These pieces were inspired by the colours of peacock feathers (or at least the way I see them in my head) :-) The peacock colours are represented in my choice of the Swarovski crystals I used.

Peacock OOAK Necklace

 Peacock OOAK Asymmetrical Cuff

Peacock OOAK Earrings

Yesterday, as I waited for my son to finish his swimming training (2 hours), I had the bright idea to take all my almost finished pieces with me, and instead of going for a run or reading a book (which is what I usually do when I’m there), I managed to finish 4 pieces!!!! Hopefully today, weather permitting, I’ll be taking photos and hopefully should be posting them around the weekend… so stay tuned! :-)

Till then… have a great one!