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!