... new work ~ new stockitst

... the break away from the studio over the past few weeks has given me a bit of time to reflect on things. I have enjoyed a self induced exile and have only just returned to the torch this week.  Custom orders like this one have kept me a bit busy over the past weeks.



... these enamels are making their way to the Blue Mountains in NSW!



A little while ago I took an impromptu trip up to the Sunshine coast to take a basic silversmith course at a little gallery in Edulo called the Rosebed Street Gallery. Well, one

thing lead to the other and I am a please to share that a small selection of my work will be available via this gallery.

The silversmith workshop run by Cathy McCarthy was excellent by the way! It gave me the confidence to revisit techniques and skills learnt a long, long time ago. New work in the pipeline will see collaborative pieces sharing the glass and silver love!

Some new recent work from me includes these simple styled earrings. They are made from some of my favourite glass and have been designed to highlight the glass. They feature simple ear wires that I've made from 20g sterling silver wires that have been formed around the shape of the bead to make them hang correctly.

I am working on a limited run of this style of earring for the time being, so they have been specially priced for followers of Creative Arty Facts. You can see these and a few more here.

New buttons and ring kits have also been added to the estore this week. If you live somewhere where its cold then you will enjoy these bright, colourful hand shaped buttons that are perfect for fibre artists and knitters.

I hope you've enjoyed the weekend! I'm off to make a start on the long overdue June newsletter. Talk soon - Liz x

... batteries on recharge!

.... so much has happened since my last post that I'm having to think hard about the order of events! To be totally honest, the last few weeks have been a total blur - with deadlines, schedules and fundraising all taking up a serious amount of my time.

 The highlight of the past few weeks has been our "Open Studio" event which we hosted last weekend. It was a way of giving back to the community and raising much needed funds to assist in sponsoring Christian to take part in the MS Cycle de France event. If you were unable to attend but would still like to support Christian, follow the link above. You will be able to donate on line!

... smiles all 'round!

The weather was perfect and garden (and studio) were looking good. It was lovely to catch up with so many family, friends and followers who I've not seen for a long, long time.

... a rare photo of my clean studio

 Again, I would like to personally thank my supports and sponsors who donated gifts for our raffles and fundraising:

1. CiM Glass
2. The Collective Store
3. Fibonnacci Hair
4. TLC Books -
5. Affordable Inspirations
6. Creative Arty Facts
7. Mad Monnie
8. Owl and Puss Designs
9. Sue Harrison - Ceramicist, Bribie Island Community Art Centre

... birthday promo

We are celebrating! Please enjoy a store-wide discount today in our estore

 (till midnight tonight) All items including beads, bead strand, classes and finished pieces are automatically discounted by 17%

♥ Liz ♥

.... it's been a while

.... since I last had some uninterrupted time to myself! So, today was the day were I discovered lots of purchased items - most all of them unopened and hiding under all the junk that covers my work bench! A raining Autumn Sunday was the perfect studio setting to get my teeth into some things I've been itching to do!

This lovely textured copper and brass sheeting had been ear-marked for "bead caps" so after finally  finding all my bits and pieces I punch and domed till my new patterned bead caps were born! The beads caps were made specifically to add interest and texture to my enameled range of earrings.

My estore is having a mini make over so you can find these lovely enamel pieces on the front page or under the tab mixed metals.

Did you get around to visiting all the blogs taking part if Lori's bead soup? I must admit, its taking me little longer than I expected but a few every day will get responding to each one! You can check out the fabulous eye candy on the Pintrest page especially designed for the participants only.

I'm off to finishing listing more goodies in the estore - pop in when you can to check out the new items... 

Talk soon - Liz

... today's the day

... we show off our bead soup creations! If you were part of the 7th International (1st reveal) Bead Soup then it our turn to show and share!  

If you remember, my partner was the ever so talented Ms Tracy from Tracy Stillman Designs. Tracy sent me this amazing collection of components - what I love about these the most was the colour combination of turquoise and copper.

... I don't own a single piece of jewellery in turquoise so this was the perfect opportunity to create something for myself using colours and materials that I love!

The first piece of jewellery I made was using the large turquoise ceramic beads. These would have to be my favourites. I love the colour and and shape and knew straight away what I wanted to do with them! 

I made the copper headpins and ear wires and teamed them up with some small corrugated beads to finish the look!

I loved the large, round copper beads and wanted to use them as feature beads so I made another pair of earrings but incorporated the small lustre coated beads into the ear wires ....

... and last but not least was my necklace! I'm happy with the way it turned out - The gorgeous heart shaped focal bead take centre place in this necklace, followed closely by the hand beaten copper toggle.

The little turquoise chips were the only things I didn't use and this is because I have them earmarked for anther project - so watch this space to find out!

I now have some autumn inspired jewellery that will see me thru the coming Autumn months. Thanks again Tracy for providing me with some amazing components to play with!

Enjoy the blog hop and check out all the amazing pieces created by those taking part in the first stage of this amazing exchange! 

... are we there yet?

..... I've been spending a lot of time in the studio over the past weeks with lots of projects on the boil (as always!) The Brisbane Stitches and Craft Show is coming to town this week so most of my energy has been focused on making sure I have enough stock for this event.

... botanicals and florals - always popular!

These shows are a highlight of our calendar year and a wonderful way to connect with our family, friends and faithful followers. If you are planning to attend the show - pop in and say hello! You will find us at stand E08!

... new enamel jewellery

We will have a selection of our new enameled pieces on show as well and limited selection of  tools, equipment and copper blanks and beads.

... assorted leaf headpins

... and last but not least, a collection of our latest copper findings and hand made components will be on display - including our popular leaf headpins and bell-flowers.  

We are looking forward to seeing our regulars customers - see you later this week! Liz x

... always busy

 .... but rarely on task!  You know, when you work from home your constantly being temped and distracted from the tasks at hand! Last week I finished up a mammoth glass testing session which ran over a few days cos I left it till the last minute. 

As a result, I fell in love with the beads I made and so this week I've decided to make more using the same designs and techniques but using some of my favourite colours and glass.

... Hawaiian Purple - Lauscha

Of course, all this play now puts me a little further behind on some custom gallery work that I really should be working on. I see it as creative note taking - wordsmiths have to write it down, glass artists visualise it and then need to follow thru with some torch time :) 

Well, that's my theory and I'm sticking to it!

... silver rounds with DH starburst murrini

... Boho comes to visit!

The Collective Store  in Wynnum (later this week) will see a total restock of the my entire cabinet with new stock - so pop in if you can and have a look! 

I have been setting aside some time every week to work on new mixed metal projects ... these are a combination of enameling and wirework (and hand made silver hooks that are difficult to see)
I love seeing the result of combining two artforms within the one piece ... a little bit of Bohemia is created! I'm waiting for the postie to arrive this morning with some new metalsmith tools and goodies for next weeks scheduled playtime - I promise to show you what I'm working on next!

Anyway, better get back the newsletter - Ive been distracted again!