Bullet cabs

So from these cabs that I made. 

Ta dah I made these little earrings, not the best photo but I think you get the idea!

Ceramic pendants

Today I finally finished some more ceramic pendants.

I am really enjoying playing with this material, Its so cheep and I can 

go "BIG"

Big Lampwork beads

Yesterday I had ago at making some BIG BIG lampwork beads, these beads have a 6mm hole and are about 1 1/2 inches in diameter and the smaller one is about an inch.

I really enjoyed making them, however I did learn a lot making them.

Also the really big one was supposed to have had all the dots raked into the centre but sadly I did get that far as the bead release broke. 

They are still ok beads and I am quite pleased that I managed to get as for as I did.

Watch this space, more BIG holed beads to come its very addictive!!!!

Tudor House

So here it is my little Tudor House, I hope it was worth the wait!!!!

I am quietly pleased with this one.

Some more beads;-)

These are some more beads I made last night. Whilst I was at the BIG bead show I also purchased a book form Tuffnell glass and in it was a tutorial of this little dog that you can see on the centre lentil bead. so I had a go, not the best in the world but I like it. He's quite cute.

So thank you to Claudia Trimbur Pagel for a wonderful tutorial and the book is called Glass bead trip which can be purchased at Tuffnell glass, heres a link:

http://www.tuffnellglass.com/contents/en-uk/d34.html

It is full of tips and tricks, I love it;-)

These are the 12 projects for FAM 2012

These are all 12 of my projects I did for the four a month challenge over on flickr.
I can honestly say I have enjoyed every single
 minute of this challenge.

So here is a look at all 12 together.
I hope you enjoy seeing them as much as I did making them :-)

Can't believe I came 2nd in two categories.

Well you can imagine my surprise when I was called twice at the British bead awards.

I came 2nd in the Metal clay category, the first place winners piece was an absolute work of art and will be published in Bead Magazine as will mine, I also came 2nd in the polymer clay category.

 Just look at all my goodies ;-)

Then I went on to teach a beginners metal clay class which went down a storm and all of my students were complete beginners and most of them had kits already bought for them but were terrified to use them.

The feedback from the class was great and every single one of them left with the confidence to use their kits.

The big treat for me was walking around a seeing the vast amounts of beads OMG bead heaven.

But my money was spent with Tuffnell glass and look at all my new glass NAUGHTY but nice ;-)

FAM four a month challenge.

Yipppppeeee this is my set of four lampwork beads necklaces for the month of December. 

That means I have completed the challenge and managed to complete it well ahead of time.

Think its about time that I show something new.

This is my Mayan mask made from copper and metal
clay, it was inspired from a huge life size mask in the Chicago Art institute.

I have been playing around with silver and copper quite a bit this month. I really like the contrasting colours.

I etched these two pieces in ferric acid just using a marker pen, it gives a really interesting effect.












Next its my four a month for November this leaves me one more set and then I have completed  the challenge. Then I can really concentrate on other projects.

The big bead show

Wow I am so thrilled to teaching at The  BIG BEAD show on the 20 October at Sandown Racecourse, Esher, Surrey. I hope to see some of you there.

I will be teaching two short classes for  beginners, so if you fancy a go at metal clay then this would be a perfect opportunity.

Follow the link below for more details.

http://www.thebigbeadshow.co.uk/workshops.asp

Here is some of my work.

If you would like to see more of my work then take a look at my web site.

http://www.silverwithlesley.com/Silverwithlesley/Home.html

Happy crafting everyone. 

Octobers four a month

This is my four for October, I decided to share them early so that I am well ahead of the challenge and can have a little sit back and relax.

These are just a few of my experiments using ceramic and combining it with metal clay.

Two of them are attached to the ceramic and two are not.

This is a new material to me and I am having such fun adding the colour.

FAM 2012 Sept

This is my four, for the month of September, I call them 

Tool Shop Industrial 

3amp and 5amp earrings

Pencil earrings

Slot and pozi earrings

Torch light bulb earrings

Fun tool shop earrings;-)

FAM 2012 AUG

Thought I would get on with the August four and here they are.

BLING rings set of four

Me playing catch with four a month;-)

This is July's offering and now I am all up to date and RELAX!!!!

At last something I can Blog about

Finally got my four a month done this is June's contributions so I still have to get on with July's 

Two of these rings are made with Sterling silver Metal clay and two are made with sterling silver sheet and wire.....

So which is which...

Can you guess?????

Sterling silver clay

Here's a little look at what I made with Sterling silver clay, its so strong.

Sterling silver clay open ring

I really like it. You can work much thinner then normal.

I never make a ring like this in fine silver it just wouldn't survive.

Trip to the Usa

OMG we have had a fantastic time in the USA,  firstly the last PMC conference it was brilliant catching up with friends old and new and then onto Chicago. 

I will not go on to much and just let the photos tell the story.

This is just a few of the wonderful people that attended
the conference.

And a few more.

Our day trip out on Noelle and Rays beautiful boat, we had such fun.
Thanks again ;-)

Enjoying the sights.

The art museum, that was fantastic.

Copper and silver combined

All I can say is I had a fantastic time teaching at MCSJ.

It is a great venue and the hostess was very generous by allowing me to stay in her home. Thnaks Lisa and I leant a few bits and bobs myself, Archery!  now who would have thought that I would be taught how to fire a bow and arrow Robin Hood style.

I was however a bit sore the next day.

But the best thing of all was seeing what my students made with the copper and silver clay.

Sharon made this sea side pendent and a script brooch

Sandra had a chameleon theme

Humming bird by Sandra with a baldwins Patina

Sharon's first mask

Very Egyptian Sandra

Now this was the mask that Sharon kept hidden from me, its brilliant
with the porcupine quill through his lip.
Love it

Well all in all I think they did a grand job, well done ladies :-D

Last day at MCSJ

Well sadly its my last day at MCSJ all my students have been great fun, I have really enjoyed teaching them. I am really looking forward to seeing the finished pieces today. We have some very interesting work being made.