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Hello Blogworld

I have been totally under the weather recently, not only with snow and ice but literally laid out flat with flu for nearly 2 weeks. Phew! Flu really takes its toll on your sanity as I headed into a more depressed state wondering if I was ever going to feel normal again!

Well, the good news is... I am better and feeling much more normal (well, as normal as I'm ever going to get anyway!). As you can expect, everything took a back seat whilst I fought the bugs, but I am now ready to embrace my online world again and might even find time to write my next tutorial that has been spinning around in my fuzzy head but got no further.

The other annoying thing that has been going on is intermittent telephone and internet problems in our house which is REALLY frustrating. It has shown me how reliant I have become of machines and all their technological do-whats and thing-a-ma-jigs. So, I am hoping that not only will I remain fit and healthy for Christmas, but also that all our connection problems will be solved.

Until the next time, stay safe and healthy my online friends and readers.
Kristin :)

Etsy treasury - Simply Ballet

My Tourmaline Tutu Earrings have been featured in this classically beautiful Etsy treasury created by RindowDesigns that she has named Simply Ballet. Please click on the picture for a better view of the lovely items she selected.

Come and meet me in Beads and Beyond!

I am so excited to announce I am in December's issue of Beads and Beyond as their featured artist in their 'Meet and Greet' section.

I felt very honoured to be invited to do this interview and was delighted to be given the opportunity to share my work with a wider audience. December's issue is out to buy now.

Princess Zara Pendant

Following similar design principles to my Cinderella Pendant, I made this necklace for my friend, Zara's birthday. In keeping with the fairytale theme, the necklace found its name easily...

PRINCESS ZARA

Amethyst Spiral Loop Teardrop Frame Sterling Silver Necklace

Cinderella Pendant

Not all my jewellery has a name or even a story behind it but this pendant certainly has...

CINDERELLA

Pink Amethyst Spiral Loop Teardrop Frame Sterling Silver Pendant

... Initially, this started out as a much more simple frame for a smaller bead of a different gemstone. It was actually going to be one of a pair of earrings. Then I wondered what it would look like with more spirals and loops around the frame... I liked it, but then decided it was too much for an earring and better suited to a pendant. Then at the last minute, I swapped the bead to this plump pink amethyst briolette... it was a perfect fit... as if I had made it for that bead all along... It was just like Cinderella trying on the glass slipper!

Rose Pink Teardrops

You may remember that back in the summer I made some vibrant blue Kyanite Teardrop Earrings. Here is an alternative version in pink but this time with a beautiful faceted coin bead fixed within the middle of the teardrop. This version was not as easy to make as I thought it would be as I had to find a way to stop the coin bead from spinning round. I'm please to say I succeeded!

ROSE PINK TEARDROPS

Rose Quartz & Rhodolite Garnet SS Teardrop Earrings

Colour Combo Pendant

Last year I made a very colourful pendant I named 'Colour Me Happy' made from multi-gemstone rondelles woven around a handmade circular pendant. Here is an alternative version I have just made with a smaller colour palette of one of my favourite colour combinations: purple and pink.

COLOUR COMBO

Amethyst, Pink Amethyst, Rubellite Garnet & Rose Quartz

Woven Sterling Silver Circle Pendant

Garnet Swirl Loop Earrings

I really enjoyed making this design (see my Blue Topaz and Crystal Quartz versions created back in September) and I decided to make another pair, this time with the deepest crimson red garnet briolette beads I have seen in a long time. They are truly luscious and ideal to co-ordinate with your autumn/winter wardrobe.

CRIMSON SWIRL DROPS

Garnet Sterling Silver Hammered Swirl Loop Earrings