Where does TIME go???

I just don't know where time keeps disappearing to I really don't.

Anyway just in case anyone pops by to see what I've been up to heres one of my latest beaded creations. I was shown a bracelet similar to it which a friend had brought back from her holidays and I thought it was so pretty I decided to make something similar.

Its made from swarovski crystal beads and size 11 seed beads.

I've added this and also finally added several other bracelets and necklaces to my website http://beadyjan.fotopic.net/ please have a peek if you have time.

Theres still just time for me to send out those last minute Christmas purchases so don't forget to drop me an email Beadyjan@yahoo.co.uk with any last minute gift requests.

Beady eyed

I finally got my eyes tested last week after putting it off longer than I should have - to find that I really do need new specs especially for close up work. I've got my new varifocals on order and am getting really impatient to have my new specs as beading has been becoming a real problem visually for me and as one who lives to bead thats making me a not very happy bunny!

I've decided to make a special offer to any of you bloggers who buy any jewellery items from my website for Christmas - I am offering 10% discount plus FREE uk postage and packing until the end of November.

So if you're looking for unique, reasonably priced gifts or stocking fillers please take a look and email me with your requirements and mention the name of my blog to claim your 10% off.

Pictured here you can see just one of my pretty beadwork handbag charms, which can also be used as mobile phone dangles, scissor keepers or zip pulls! I can make these in a wide variety of colours.

I'll post goods to any uk address free of charge and will accept Paypal or Postal orders.


I hope you like the music video I added to my blog - I was quite proud of myself when I managed that - being a confirmed technophobe !!

Finally - It's a rubbish picture I'm afraid but heres my entry for this weeks daring cardmakers challenge - ribbon for the man in your life.

Busy weekend

Hi everyone and thanks to those who left comments on my last post, I love it when people say Hi and let me know they've passed by, so please don't be shy leave me a comment even if its only hello!


I've had a rather hectic few days and weekend. Last Wednesady evening I had a stall at a craft fayre at a local school, it was really busy and I sold quite a few cards as well as lots of beaded jewellery and sold out of "altered notebooks" I think I'd priced them a bit low but they were a great "calling bird" bringing people over to my stall many of whom bought other items too.

I had a hectic weekend, visiting friends, managed to persuade my other half to take me up to Hobbycraft at Gateshead to have a crafty spend Woo hoo.

I also treated myself to a Clippykit brag bag which I've decorated with atc's I've received in swaps.

Theres some more fab ideas for decorating them in the gallery on their website, aren't they a great idea?

http://www.clipkitclub.co.uk/

I like it so much I'm going to get another and fill it with small scrapbook layouts, collage images etc.

Then today I FINALLY got round to making a card for the daring cardmakers weekly challenge ... and discovered I'm NOT that daring after all !

I have to be honest I find it very difficult to break out of my comfort zone and tend to find a style or theme I like and stick to it - which is, I guess, what these dares are all about.

Anyway I hope it's ok - you can see it here as for some reason I just cannot get a second photo to upload - maybe someone can tell me why?

A whole new months appeared!

I knew I wouldn't be very good at keeping up to date with my blog! I just seem to have so much else on the go at the moment.

First things first I have been busy updating my website with some of my latest jewellery creations which are ready for Christmas you can see them here

http://beadyjan.fotopic.net/c1126627.html

and heres a pic of just one of my necklaces to whet your appetite.

Hang on ..... don't dash off just yet I have some rather exciting news to share.

I recently entered the stamper of the year contest in Simply Stamping magazine. Now although I wasn't the lucky winner of one of the fabulous prizes I have had a letter from the editor saying they liked my work and would like to feature some of it in a special article with the best of the entrants who entered but didn't win!

Thats good enough for me, I've never had any of my work featured in a proper magazine before!

It will be in Issue number 8 which I believe is out early in January 2007 so do keep an eye out (even its only a tiny picture)

Finally sorry to Kathy and friends for still not having a go at the daring cardmakers challenge - the stuff everyones producing is just brilliant http://daringcardmakers.blogspot.com/

and I do keep having a look at what you've all been up to even if I haven't contributed much yet.

Mid week mutterings

It's Thursday already - where did the rest of this week go?

I'm trying to find the time to make a card on the theme of friendship for the challenge at Daring cardmakers blog, but unless I pull my finger out I'll miss the first challenge.

I'm getting my stock ready for a craft stall I'm having early in November, just a small event at a school nearby but its something to look forward to and plan towards. As well as making sure I have a good selection of beaded jewellery and gift items made up to fill my stall I'm also concentrating on trying to make my display more eyecatching on a shoestring!!

I got a nice crisp new cotton sheet in a dark terracotta to cover the table with and have filled some pretty picture frames with hessian fabric to hang earrings and brooches on. I bought a small wooden chest which I want to have stuff spilling out of and a couple of baskets to have small items in so I'm pretty happy with how its going to look.

I need a nice table top mirror on a stand which I can also drape a few necklaces from and which tilts at an angle so people can angle it and try on the jewellery. I'm sure I saw some small but pretty ones in Au Naturale a few months ago but they haven't got any now - typical. I've looked everywhere and come up with a big nothing.

Is anyone else dreading the onset of winter? I'm hating the dark nights already and although it's still been very mild day and night todays raining and very windy. My arthritis flares up something rotten when its damp so I've got my grumpy head on today.

Its Sunday afternoon, very windy here in the North East but at least its stayed dry today which meant I could follow my favourite weekend pastime of having a mooch around my local car boot sale.

I go to the afternoon one as I'm not really a morning person but I like my bargains, (being an impoverished crafter)

I found a rotating spice rack with 20 glass bottles with lids which will be great for my craft room table top, it was only £2.00. I can put all my prima flowers, ribbons and stuff in it and have them all handy to view.

I also bought a pack of 50 Kleeneze blank cards and envelopes, they had never been opened and were only £1.50, very bright colours but they'll come in handy.

When I have more time I must try and work out how I can add links on this blog to my friends blogs - I really have no idea what I'm doing - can you tell??

If anyone ever reads my blog please bear with me - I'm completely new to blogging and only want to have a go so I can join in with some friends on an exciting new card makers blog.

I'm Jan from the North East of England and my hobbies are what have kept me sane for the past few years since I have been unable to work full time, in my usual job in retail management due to increasing health problems with arthritis in my spine, knees and wrists.

I am mad about beads and collect them from any and every source, when I can bear to actually use any I make jewellery including bracelets and brooches and especially enjoy a style called freeform peyote - heres just one of the bracelets I've made.

I also use beads on many of the cards I make too as my other hobby is papercraft. I have been making handmade cards for about 4 years now and have also dabbled with scrapbooking too.

I'm a member of a monthly scrapaholics crop which I love attending as I get so much input from other members it can last me a month to use up all the inspiration!