Wednesday May 26th, 2010

There I've done it, I bit the bullet and finally put my beloved 'Scribblenauts' and its Offial Guidebook up for sale on eBay. Despite playing it and completing it I was still somewhat reluctant to let it go, I don't know why really because I doubt I'd ever play it again (especially with the new 'Professor Layton' game coming out at the rear end of the year). I had been dead set on putting it up on eBay yesterday but I was so bummed out after the death of Paul Gray I didn't bother instead I just ate loads of Sainsbury's Cheese Puffs, amazing aren't they? (for those not in the know Paul Gray was actually the bassist for the legendary band that is SLIPKNOT, of whom I am a very big fan). Selling my worldly goods is my attempt at raising capital for what I've named 'Helen's bead fund'. My target stands at £60, enough to go on a huge splurge that in theory should keep me quiet for a while, in between watching The World Cup of course. As I write (or type rather) my current total stands at...drumroll please...£3.85, ok so it's a start, even Sir Richard Branson had to start somewhere.

I skipped happily up the High Street to purchase the newly released edition of 'Bead Magazine', well there was actually a repatriation today so it was a rather a sombre trip up town, I stood by paying my respects then flitted off home. Nibbling on a scone (I was all out of cheese puffs) I sifted through the magazine and before I knew it all these ideas leapt right at me like thet were fresh salmon. I was particulary interested in the rosary style necklace and think I'm going to very bravely attempt it or at least something that resembles it. Anyone who knows mw will be aware that I don't actually go out to replicate the design entirely, instead I merely use it as a template and add to it my own eccentric personal twist that makes it that bit more unique, the other reason I never copy from others designs is that in my case the piece will never end up looking as good as the one I'm copying. Amongst its pages were also some rather delightful seed bead pieces, now I will learn this trade at some point, as soon as finances allow. Back in the day when I was a hardcore novice I didn't entirely understand the idea of seed beads, I was obviously familiar with what they were and what they could be used for, however, I was ignorant to the concept of sizing so blissfully unaware I went out and bought loads pf them. On further examination I remember thinking 'good golly gosh, they are a trifle small' being a glasses wearer I could only just about see them let alone bead myself a masterpiece. Anyhow it later transpired that I'd only gone and bought 15/0 the smallest size going and for that reason they're pretty much useless, still you live, you learn.

Sunday May 16th, 2010

Firstly dear loyal readers I would like to apologise for my lack of entries over this past week or so but there has been a bereavement in the family, my little baby hamster alias HAMMY tragically had to be put down. She was 2 and a half and had contracted a fatal illness. I'm coming to terms with it now but it broke my little heart and I have a lump in my throat as I'm typing this but I'm feeling a little better today. HAMMY was the first hamster me & Matty got together, we do have another one called MUI MUI who is a year old and we're going to get another one soon. HAMMY will never, ever be forgotten - ever. It's comforting to know that she had the best life we could ever give her and she'll be remembered for the way she lived instead of the way she died. R-I-P little HAMMY.

Moving on, I finally grew a pair and sent the infamous silver necklace and earrings to my mother as a very, very belated Mother's Day gift. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous by her reaction, I knew she finished work at the Bradford University at 4:00pm so I waited anxiously for her text, it was like the jewellery makers equivalent of waiting for exam results. When my phone vibrated at 4:18pm I jumped out of my skin (I choose to have it on vibrate because ringtones and message beeps made me jump, for a while I considered ordering a variety of gun shot ones from Andy McNab's website but living next to RAF Lyneham it probably wouldn't be the smartest of moves so I decided against it), I tentatively reached for my phone and read 'O2 have new offers, check out our website for further details...' or something along those lines. Groaning I was about to put the phone back when it went again, this time it was my mum and it turns out she loved them them all and went as far as to say she was going to take them to London with her next week. In the note I popped in with them I asked her to be brutally honest, it might have come across as though I was inviting criticism, maybe even begging for it. In truth I didn't want her say it was good just because it was me that made it. You'll never learn your craft that way.

While frantically searching through my sock draw in a desperate bid to find a pair that matched I found a carrier sack in there containing numerous blocks of Fimo, that I'd obviouly purchased at some point and completely forgotten about there was blue, yellow, flourescent orange, red, green and white. Hmmm, I just decided to have a bash at making some beads at some point, if I'm feeling daring I might try the funky looking millefiori look. Regrettably I don't have any clear varnish right now or I would have done it already, saying that maybe clear nail varnish will suffice I do have that, as long as they are bright, crazy and unique I'll be happy. I gave up on finding a matching pair and grabbed a 'High School Musical' I love TRoy sock and a 'Nightmare Before Christmas' one (please, please don't ask - I don't want to go there). Right now as I type I'm watching 'Ghostbusters 2' and briefly considered making a Fimo Slimer, but there's no way I could do him justice and I certainly don't have enough white to even thinking about attempting the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man - shame.

I was browsing through the Argos earlier this after just of curiosity to see if they still sold the Soda Stream (they do by the way) and while I had the catalogue in hand I examined the jewellery section to dare I say check out the competition and see what Elizabeth Duke was up, but I was taken aback by the sudden influx of 'celebrities' flaunting 'their very own' lacklustre designs. I'm sorry Coleen but there's no way I'm contributing to your handbag fund by paying £40 for a silver chain with some gold coloured crystal attached to it. Then there's Lily Allen seeking £23 for a 'base metal smiley face pendant'. It's not the prices that bother me so much it's more the unimaginative, flat and complete lack of character these mass produced products have. Now it may sound like I'm going off on a bitter rant but it just bugs me to see some silly ass 'celeb' gurning stupidly modelling their latest money-making scam, especially when you know that they'll never adorn them again. In the jewellery making magazines I
read each month I continue to amazed by some of the tremendous, original pieces sent in by their readers. They are the visual definition of talent, a talent to be envious of and not in the same caliber as the tacky 'celeb endorsed' nonsense that are an insult to every true jewellery maker. I just read that back, it does really sound like I'm having some sort of period induced rant doesn't it? Please someone agree with me, there must be someone who does surely, I'm not the angry, bitter, twisted person I sound like - the whole situation wound me up that's all.

It may seem that my ambition to work with resin might really happen, you see I've been doing some research and found that there is actually a kit specifically designed for resin virgins like myself, it comes with everything to get started - right down to the gloves. I showed it Matty and suggested he read it, much to my surprise he did and that initial look of horror and panic that he'd expressed when I first confided that I'd like to try working with such chemicals wasn't there, instead he seemed reassured at the inclusion of the health and safety information. The whole kit costs knocking on £40, which I'll admit is a lot to me living in recession Britain and all that but when funds allow it, it'll be a case of 'look out world resin Helen is has landed' (you best take cover).

Tuesday May 4th, 2010

I sure wish I hadn't got long ball wire earrings in bulk, I've literally got hundreds of them. Yep, I can mae earrings till the cows come home, in fact five of the eight items on my Flickr photostream are ear related. Now don't get me wrong I enjoy my little silly self making them but because I don't have pierced ears (my lobes are way too small apparently)there isn't a whole lot I can do with them. It isn't as thought I can casually flaunt them on a night out secretly yearning for compliments. At present all those featured on my photostream including 'the lonely blue earring' are safely tucked away in generously sized seal-grip bags in little coloured plastic boxes going nowhere. Why couldn't I have got chains, bracelets or even brooch bars? At least then I could've got some use out of them. Still it's my own fault I'm in this predicament but I was just a sucker for a bargain.

My Bank Holiday Monday outing was a surprise trip to Swindon's very own 'Hobbycraft' and all I can say is 'holy hell'. I was there mesmorised by the rows upon rows of rather delicious looking beads, crystals, ribbons, tools and findings - even the plastic storage boxes were enough to get me excited. How could I possibly decide what to purchase? Well I guess my very limited budget would kind of limit my options. It seemed the woman beside me was facing the same dilemma as I, although judging by the way she was stripping the racks putting the goods into an already overflowing basket like she was a contestant on 'Dale Winton's Supermarket Sweep' money clearly wasn't an issue. I wouldn't be human if I said I wasn't jealous, I know it's one of the seven deadly sins but I will confess I was seething with envy. My wicked thought were interrupted at first by a rather obnoxious sneeze followed by Matty coming charging down the aisle demanding that I hurry up. I couldn't blame him really we'd been in there approaching 2 hours, in that time I must've got my daily 10,000 steps just pacing up and down the bead section. Still in a flurry of confusion I told him to pick something for me, he thrust a pack of 'fancy glass beads' in crimson into my hand and escorted me to the counter. Passing the magazines I noticed a copy of 'Creative Beading & Jewellery Design' I'd seen it advertised and knew it was only available in selected specialist bead and craft stores so I snapped it up too. As I was leaving I too a copy of 'Hobbycrafts' jewellery making leaflet because I could, it was free and I need all the help I can get - although I'm slowly becoming a dab hand with the earrings now.

Thursday April 29th, 2010

I've just completed my shopping list, this is the fourth time I've done it now and what started off at £15 has now worked its way up to almost £45 including P&P of course. The reason? Well I was sheltering from the rain in the local library where I was leafing through some of the various pamphlets and brochures on local places of interest, it was while I was looking at an image of Stonehenge that I had another one of those eureka moments. I wanted to put together some form of multi-strand bracelet with maybe three strands (four if I'm feeling ambitious. The theme I've chosen is
Luck of the Irish and it's going to consist of a variety of green beads, whether they be seed, round, cubes, fire polished, bugles, plastic, glass or pearl (I would have put Swarovski Crystal but I'm on a budget), they just have to br green in order to qualify. Now not only on these three strands will there be a mish-mash of green beadage but also several silver 'good luck' charms (hence the theme), including horseshoes, leprechauns, four-leaf clover, coins even a pot of gold (alright, a glass vial with gold glitter inside). Now all of these will be thread on beading wire (coloured green of course). When the rain finally stops I scurry down to 'Pink & Dizzy' an awesome bead shop I'm lucky enough to have just up the road and spent all my loose change, and yes some of those purchases were green. It's quite cool really because for those who neither know or care my favourite colour is green and I've been thinking of ways in which I could use it.

I know I can confide in you dearest blog, do you know what I was thinking earlier, you'll never believe it but I was thinking about what designs I'd have on my business cards and then, oh yes it gets worse I went on concluding that when I sold something I'd package it in a kids party bag as opposed to the traditional transparent bags. Then it was reality check, I was like woah, woah, woah, slow down, slow down, slow down, my brain was having a Usain Bolt moment leaving me still at the starting line. I'm embarrased to admit I even had thoughts like that, I'm blushing at the very thought of it. Shame on me.

At least now I've got that damn Wham song out of my head.

Wednesday April 28th, 2010

Right they're both done now, I've just been adding the finishing touches to my latest creation; a simple pair of Autumn style earrings (check out
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thegreenwinegum/?saved=1 if you want to see them - there's nothing like a bit of shameless self-publicity). Now these were not the the outcome of a cartwheel turning eureka moment as with my previous ideas. I was simply browsing through my loyal Tupperware, mulling over what beads I already had and just whacked something together. I've come to terms with the fact that the 'Message in a Bottle' project has been put on hold due to the fact that I have barely any of the necessary beads or charms I'd need and nor can I afford to (victim of the recession you see beaders). Making those earrings was also the first ever time I've used crimp beads - ever, please bear that in mind if you do take the time to look at them

Today, however, I did eventually get round to paying of my library fine of £2.21 so I rented out 8 books of the art of beading and jewellery making woo-hoo. Matty (my boyfriend as I live with him and he graciously contributes towards this new found habit I best give him a name) will be most displeased, he often complains that my Tupperware and tools take up enough space as it is. My thumb is all better now but I've noticed gradually that the sun is once again bleaching my ginger locks turning them kind of a weird strawberry blonde, some may think that's odd but trust me it happens everytime we get sun for more than three consecutive days, it goes back to being unbleached as the Autumn comes in.

I confided in Matty earlier that I was interested in working with epoxy resin, now instead of shaking me warmly by the hand and congratulating me on my willingness to experiment the poor man looked horrified, stating he wouldn't trust me working with chemicals for my own personal safety. I was slightly perplexed at such a reaction because even though I caused a test-tube to violently explode and singed my hair on a bunsen burner I still left school with a grade 'B' in chemistry. But then again how many people can boast to actually almost breaking an arm by falling up the stairs in a completely 100% sober state - exactly, I think I'll wait a while, it's a shame I'm such a dope I had several spiffing ideas using resin as well.

On a safer, more chemical-free note I really want to give bead-weaving a try or working with seed beads in general. In the books and magazines I open them only to see these magnificently woven pieces gazing back at me saying 'you will never be able to make me, never, not in even in your dreams ginger so forget it'. I can't help but feel slightly intimidated, is it hard? (sorry I've got no idea who I'm asking there). If it isn't I could maybe teach myself it, I have masses of seed beads, just no needles or proper beading thread - shame.

Before I go, to the shop that was playing

'FREEDOM' by WHAM I just want you to know that I hate you.

Sunday April 25th, 2010

Hmmm, I guess it could work, in fact I'm pretty sure it will. I'm referring to the outcome of my infamous eureka moment, since that Friday evening this latest piece of wizardry has been re-drawn three times (although to be honest it doesn't matter how many times it's done my seahorse still looks more like a Brontosaurus) and now I've just finished expertly colouring it in with my finest Crayola colouring pencils. Incredibly the inspiration behind it came from VH1 and The Police classic 'Message in a Bottle'. I guess you're kinda curious as to what it is, am I right? Well it's simply a silver charm bracelet (as my entries progress you will no doubt learm of my obsession with them) that will feature numerous nautical charms, fish, boats, shells, seahorse/dinosaur, palm trees etc, then a number of golden and blue coloured charms to represent the beach (but I'm sure you figured that out), then finally the focal piece will be a glass vial containing a tiny rolled up piece paper stained with tea (for that aged and vintage look) and well that's it. The drawing in my sketchbook is pretty laughable but the cool thing about being a bad drawer is that you can almost guarantee that the finished product will always look better than the one on paper.

Today I had been initially planning to do some serious work on my wire wrapping but this had to be suspended due the reason being that I'd bitten my thumbnail down way too far and it hurts like hell, even writing is a struggle. Amazing isn't it how thumbs are taken for granted, they may seem small and insignificant but when they're down and immobile you really miss them. Get well soon thumb I need you. I was working my way through the Sunday supplements, (I swear it's crazy how many you get, you want a simple Sunday newspaper but each one seems to come with a trees worth of extras) in one particular magazine I spotted a rather delicious looking pink necklace, seeing it's accompanying price tag I recoiled in horror. 'I could make that easily' I scoffed out loud, alright so I couldn't but that still didn't justify it's ludicrous price tag.

I think I'm going display some of my creations up on the beaders forum, scared as I am it's the only way my works will ever really get seen. Believe it or not fellow beaders I don't actually wear jewellery at all so I can't shamelessly promote myself by flaunting my creations, so it looks like pix are what it's going to be - I will be nervous though.

Friday April 23rd, 2010

Oh diary I am so consumed with discontent, for here I sit in my bed chamber quite literally surrounded by Tupperwear boxes overflowing with beads, sandwich bags filled with various findings, pairs of pliers randomly scattered about the bed linen alongside stacks of craft magazines. Yet all that lies before me is a sketchbook, it's crisp white, virginal pages remain untouched. My creative mind is a blank canvas. I'm sure there must be a word or term for this; jewellery makers block perhaps? That doesn't quite sound right does it? Not snappy enough, just consulted a magazine it is actually referred to as 'beaders block' you see I'm catching on, learning the lingo.

Last night, however, I did actually create 2 pieces, well pairs of earrings under the themes of 'Strawberry Fields' and 'Winter's Tale' for the former I just used a variety of red and green beads, for the latter I opted for a number of wintery related colours white, silver, grey, clear, lilac and even a very light pink. Now I am not one to boast but I was pretty pleased with the my efforts, so much so that I abruptly sought the balls to put them up on the gallery of he 'Bead Buddies' forum for all to see. So with the pictues taken I set about the task in hand then my eyes fell upon the works of my fellow beaders, astounded and amazed by the gems they had created I logged off immediately, painfully concluding that I still have a long, long way to go.

And now here I sit in solitude, patiently waiting for an idea to leap out right at me like a fresh salmon. My silver foil lined heart beads are staring at me, taunting me with their fiendish glint. Averting my gaze I look round the room Mui Mui the hamster is ferociously attacking a floret of broccoli, next to the laptop lies 'World of Warcraft' (I swear on my round nose pliers that's NOT mine), an emptied bag of pick 'n' mix, the case for 'Professor Layton & Pandora's Box' (which IS mine). Gingerly I picked it up and started flicking through the inserts and that was when it happened, I felt like jumping on the bed shouting 'eureka', it was the equivalent of Bradford City scoring a goal (not an own goal), it was clearly a euphoric moment. I took a swig of Lucozade and tore open a bag of Haribo I'd been saving for such an occasion and once the initial merriement was over I picked up my sharpened pencil and began to draw...