Guys bracelets

Have been asked by my son to make him a new bracelet. Boys and skulls ! Showing this to a friend she also asked if I could make a 'girly' one. So 'Skulls and Hearts' appeared.

Made with black cotton cord and heavy Tibetan Silver skulls and hearts. Simple but effective.
Making these have taken me away from a challenge I am taking part in. So I'm thinking of the next blog......

New makes

I have been in the Den today my excuse being that hubby was revamping the kitchen ...... A new design was made.
Using 3 stands of cord and semi precious stones I made these......................

 Rhondonite :- soothes the nervous system. This gemstone vibrates with love. Just holding this gemstone promotes relaxation and brings a sense of well-being. 


Leopardskin jasper :- All jaspers are strong securing, stability stones. It is a powerful protection against things that are not good for you and it eases emotional stresses, making it a wonderful gemstone to have in your home.


 The third bracelet being made of dyed shell and bone.

I am pleased with these , when wearing one it feels and looks like 3 bracelets! The response from my Beadbuddies on Facebook they seem to be liked.................. time will tell ! x

First Market

August Bank Holiday saw myself, hubby and son catching the train to London. Clutched in my hand a small pink bag containing my bracelets, business cards , and banner........
Yes ! Camden Market here I come !
Saturday morning sun shining off we all went to Camden. Didn't take long before we  knew we had a stall. The fun began !

My daughter by my side we started to set the table out. Took us awhile to get the bracelets set out  and banner up  but was rather pleased with the result.
I hadn't realise how large Camden market was till I had a quick walk round. So many stalls and so many selling jewellery. Had been away from the stall 15/20 minutes ..... when I got back there was my daughter waving a £10 note !!!! ........ First sale of the day , I was so excited.
I am a member of a group of girls called Beadbuddies on Facebook and too my delight two of the girls came to visit my stall, each buying a bracelet !
7 hours later .... sore feel and aching back  it was time to put the stall away. I was so tired but had made 10 sales and had met some amazing people. (next time remember to take a chair ! )

Hopefully I will be able to do this again .................
but most important to me is to say a huge Thank You for the support of my family and friends.

The Journey

The journey into making bracelets has taken nearly 3 years.
The problem was I didn't know what to do with them..... One day in my local supermarket I was chatting to the checkout girl who told me of a new shop that had just opened up in the village... " You should take your bracelets in there I'm sure she would sell them " ........
Took a few days to pluck up the courage to go into the shop ... who would want my bracelets?

To my surprise Kara said yes she would love to sell them.
                                                         So Totally Tilly was born !

I started making very simple necklaces which were pretty but certainly 'not me'. I had seen my daughter making bracelets and necklaces using knotted cord. This was more me (being an ageing hippie! ) she showed me how and off I went !
The first bracelets I made  were not very good as I hadn't got the tension right. But I carried on  changing the designs as I went.

I used 3 or 4 strands of cord and a mix of glass beads.  The hardest part was the finishing with the toggle clasp. The cord is very waxy so out came the soldiering iron ! Great ..... it was hot enough to melt the wax and seal the ends.
Every bracelet from then on was different ......... and the joy to be playing with  shiny beads again made me smile !

The Start..........................

Wow !..... the start  of a new adventure.
   
    A little about how I started making bracelets......
Many  years ago I can remember (only just) being a small girl with a little box of shiny beads. So many beads all tucked up together  to be taken out looked at ... played with and then put back till the next day. On some days I would take this precious box with me to a friends house  were we would  show each other our treasures and maybe swap a few.

Years later married with children my eldest daughter started making jewellery and the joy of seeing all those lovely beads again made me want to pick up my pliers and get to work.