Winter Wonderland Snowflakes

Beautiful glass 'confetti' beads really make these snowflake icicles

It was back to the snowflake ornaments yesterday - this time in Winter Wonderland variations.  Glass confetti beads are among my very favourites, and as I had the perfect shade of tiny seed beads to accompany them we were off and running. 

Crochet Christmas Stocking

Sir Stands-a-Lot models the new stocking

 Finished object Fridays - what an inspiration!  I must say that wanting to have the occasional blog post for Work-in-Progress Wednesdays or Finished-Object Fridays really does help spur you along.
On Wednesday I was looking for some crochet coaster patterns when I came across a little Christmas booklet for Loops & Threads Impeccable worsted.

Seussical Icicle Dangle Ornaments

Seussical Red and Lime Green Christmas Ornaments

 Look at these fabulous beads!  Don't you just think they were made for Christmas decorations?  True, I think that of almost everything, but these beads especially.  Large red and white polka dots with lime green and bright white stripes - more holly, jolly festive they could not be!  These icicle style snowflake dangle ornaments are accented with white glass pearls and crystal, light gold and opaque white in a mixture of 6/0, 8/0 and 10/0 seed beads.

Crocheted Bead Garland

Gold Beads with Red Cotton Thread with Gold Flecks

I am beginning to feel a bit beaded out. It will be temporary, I can assure you, but after many weeks of beaded ornament hangers, snowflake ornaments, diamond dangles, button whimsies and the like, my brain is in bead overload.  Now you might be thinking ... "hey, those look a lot like beads"  and it's true they do, but the difference is that I didn't string them.   No beading required!  This is a project for the crochet category. So, for a beading break, my work in progress is to finish up some of my garland to crochet.

Purple Hearts

Deep Purple and Silver Filigree Hearts

I've had these beautiful silver filigree hearts before and made some lovely earrings - matching them with deep red crystal beads.  Lovely, that is, if you are at least one quarter giraffe.  They were a little too much.  So, they have been sitting in one of the myriad "almost finished" boxes awaiting  inspiration.

Oh Won't You Be ... my Teddy Bear?

New packaging for individual ornaments

While I was on a roll with the mercury glass reminiscent Christmas ball beads I thought I should work up some ornaments as well as the ornament hangers.   Before I found the multi-colour assortment, I found these beads in Christmas Green and Christmas Red and wanted to pair them with these lovely large Teddy Bear pendant charms.

Luxurious Red Velvety Beads

Luxurious Red Velvety Beads in Beaded Ornament Hangers

These are some more of my recent fabulous new bead finds.  Rich red velvety beads - in a huge 22mm.  They seem very luxurious to me, so I have paired them in these beaded ornament hooks with deep opaque colours and rich metallic gold seed beads. 

Vintage Mercury Glass Look Beaded Ornament Hangers

Super Shiny 20mm Acrylic Beads in beaded ornament hangers

Remember those beautiful mercury glass Christmas ornaments of days gone by? The super shiny ones that reflected everything around them in a magical way but would shatter to smithereens if you ever dropped them?  Well these gorgeous 20mm acrylic beads are just like them - without the shatter worries.

Rudolph's Nose Bling Beaded Ornament Hooks

Rudolph's Nose Shiny Red Rhinestone Bling Beaded Ornament Hooks

Hello again craft blogosphere! Well, I'm back after a lovely visit with my Auntie Carole from England. The production ban is lifted and it is time to find high gear in the Christmas crafting focus.   The shelves are stacked with shiny beads of an enormous variety and myriad other crafting supplies and it is time to get B-U-S-Y!!!

Production Ban

Lovely assortment of beads that came in the post!

I have put myself under a strict production ban.  One of my Aunt's from England is visiting me next week and I am determined to get the craft room all sorted and in order.  I am hoping, at some point, that we will be doing some crafting together but at the very least I need to tidy out some of the boxes and craft supplies that are currently living all over the spare bedroom.  There's photography to catch up on, packaging to catch up on, then to find a place for it all ...so much to do...  So it's no production for a few days, and yes it is torture.

Snowflakes in Amber and Gold

Snowflake Ornaments with Lovely Gold Tone Beads and Embellishments

It's snowing again!  Back to the Christmas ornaments, and to the snowflakes in particular.    And, as I am trying not to string the words 'yellow' and 'snow' together, these are snowflakes in amber and gold!  Much more posh, don't you think?

BOO! Ghost Earrings

Halloween Ghost Earrings in Silver, Orange and Black

BOO! I've got some ghost earrings for you.  I thought I had better press on with my Halloween plans and have made up some more earring styles.  These Tibetan Silver ghost charms are just too cute, I thought I'd go in-for-a-penny-in-for-a-pound and embrace the Halloween black and orange.
 

Starry Starry Night ...

Acrylic Blue Faceted Stars on Beaded Hangers

Well hello and happy September!  It seems you turn the calendar and the nights are suddenly cold. Speaking of nights, I've made up some more Christmas ornaments.  For a little variety, they are neither snowflakes nor diamond dangles - but a variation - with these acrylic star pendant charms.