Since christmas I have been working on some new beads for making a new jewellery range.  Over the holiday I wrote notes and drew some ideas, I was thinking more greys and pastels for the base then brighter colours embroidered on the top. Also thinking 2 ranges Floral and Folky/Tribal influenced by English Folk style and Mexican Folk Art.

A few hours of experimenting in the workshop and things started to come together ......

But no pastel colours to be seen. Sometimes you just have to go with it.  I love the colours of these bright and cheerful especially when its so grey outside, and they will go well with Spring and Summer outfits, which will be quite colourful this year.

I have found a new way of adding in bits of the gorgeous vintage fabrics, which make the beads unique.

After a year of experimenting with different materials and techniques I aim to bring out a collection that can be repeated, so that I can make quantities and not all one offs.  This will then be easier for me to supply shops and Galleries as well as the online shops.

I am still working on the pastels/greys on paper and will be doing similar designs to the ones above but a slightly more "grown up" version.

The next quest is to turn them into necklaces. I did have a bit of a play yesterday, but was not completely happy with the results. Arthur looked at some I brought home and came up with a brilliant suggestion (not bad for 5 1/2 yr old boy).  So hopefully I will have a couple finished by tommorow.

Today I am off to Frome in search of the perfect Beads to go with them.