Stretchy bracelets, nail polish and vegetables (what a weird title...)

I've had these flower charms lying about in my jewellery box for ages, so i thought i would try and make a bracelet, using the charms, some grey and turquiose pearls, and some clear sparkly crystals. Here is the finished product:

 The charms had two spaces on the back so that you could make a 'doubled up' bracelet with two strands of wire or elastic, rather than one. I decided to use elastic as i don't use it very often and i thought it would work really well with this bracelet. The bracelet is finished by tying the elastic using a reef knot. (you can watch videos on how to tie a reef knot online. It's a very easy knot to use). I actually used three reef knots to make it extra secure. A good tip when tying a knot in elastic is to dab a bit of clear nail varnish onto the knot, as this dries and stops the knot from unravelling, yet doesn't show up.

Now onto vegetables. Mine have FINALLY started to grow! I didn't think i would have any considering most of the glass got blown out of the greenhouse when it was stormy, but i persevered. I went to a garden centre and bought a mini greenhouse, which was basically four  metal shelves with a zip up plastic cover over the top. Then i planted LOADS of vegetables including tomatoes, carrots, onions, potatoes, garlic, leeks, sunflowers and strawberries (i know the last two aren't vegetables, but i'm still growing them so i thought i'd mention them). The sunflowers haven't actually started growing yet, and they might not, considering i got them from bird food and decided to try and grow them as an experiment (this coming from the scientist part of me). I'm not even sure if i'll get vegetables in the end as they are all in pots, and i don't know if you're meant to grow them all like that, but never mind.

Anyway, i've just noticed the bulb in my tortoise's enclosure has just popped which is VERY annoying, so i'd better go fix it. (His name is Alfie, if you were curious, from a Roald Dahl book). Anyhoo, toodle pip!

Ssshhhh...

I decided to make some charm bracelets to give as gifts, but i'd best not say who they're for in case they read this before i give them out and ruin the surprise, so sshhh!

For any beginner jewellery maker, charm bracelets are a great thing to make as they really help you to practice wrapping beads. All you need is a length of chain, some head pins, round nose and flat nose pliers, wire cutters, fasteners and some nice beads. then all you do is put a bead on a head pin, and wrap the bead onto the chain. Since you're doing the same thing over and over again with each bead, it really helps you to become more confident when wrapping beads, and you get a great bracelet at the end of it!

I also wanted to show you a necklace i made.

I recently saw a necklace similar to this in a shop and it gave me a great idea to make this and use up all the leftover pearls i had (and it makes room for new beads!). Although, if you are going to make this, be careful with how many different colours of pearls you use as too many colours can ruin the overall effect. I'm also planning to make earrings to match in each different colour, to suit whatever mood i'm in! 

Hope this gives you some new ideas!

Penny's Quilt

I absolutely love watching 'The Big Bang Theory', although it does make me feel like a bit of a geek if i understand one of the science jokes. Anyway, one of my favourite props on the show is the quilt that Penny has in her room.

I would really like one for my room but, as you can probably guess, it is completely sold out. So, instead of waiting until they start selling more (not sure if they will), i've decided to try and make my own version. I spent ages looking online for the perfect fabric and finally found some that i really liked.

I probably should have ironed it before i took the photo. Never mind. I'm still on the lookout for other fabric to match, maybe a bright blue one or something, but i'll keep you posted. Anyway, i'm hoping once i find more fabric, and have a bit more time, i'll make my own version or, if i ask nicely, my sister might make it for me, since she would probably do a better job, in exchange for me making her some jewellery. You never know. It could work.

New beads!!

I recently found a new bead shop near my house and bought some fantastic leafy beads and charms.

And i liked them so much that i started making lots and lots of jewellery! First i made a necklace in sort of autumn-ish colours.

Then i made some earrings to match.

Then my mum spotted very nice pink fuchsia style earrings in a magazine, and i decided to try and make a similar pair. 

I think these turned out pretty well and are my favourite earrings just now. I even made them in different colours so they would match loads of different outfits.

Then these earrings gave me an idea for another necklace.

I started this with spring colours in mind but i ended up just using any colour i fancied. This photo makes it look a bit darker than it actually is, but never mind. I've also been working on a charm bracelet to give as a birthday present to a friend.

I may even make another one and keep it for myself!

Anyhoo, i've spent the last couple of days making these and doing not much else, so i'd best get on with some boring things like tidying up, revising for exams, etc. What fun!