Bo Dangles

I've been playing again! Emma at Tamarisk thought that some clip on bag dangle-key ring type things might sell well at her shop, I already had some clips and I picked up a big bag of lovely chunky glass beads at the show for £3.50. I also have some tassel making plastic things which I haven't really used much before. The only thing missing was....a knitted bead. Daisie has been championing this phenomenon lately and I have really enjoyed making them, they are very quick, (I've been doing them on the bus to work). I.m pleased with the way these have turned out and just hope Emma likes them too. I think they have potential for Christmas decorations too. I also had a fiddle with anew brooch design. I used the embellisher to mount some circles of silk and organza onto a felt disc and then went mad with beads and sparkly bits! I think these could be much bigger and froofe-er!

Can you see the lovely red beads on the brooch and bag dangle? They were amongst an enormous bag of treasure given to me by my friend Ursula. She has amassed a huge amount of stuff and I was the beneficiary of a clear out. The picture shows a bag of beads (glass/coral/stone) thread (Chinese silk etc) and gold work supplies. There was so much other lovely stuff that I just can't believe it. She also gave me two squash and LOADS of apples. With friends like these who needs shopping trips?

One of the other items I picked up at the show was a Stef Francis kit. I considered this a real luxury item at £12.50 but the kit is amazing and I'm actually really impressed now I have had a good look inside. I think it will teach me three or more new techniques and I'll get something gorgeous to wear at the end. One particular technique new to me was stuffing tubular ribbon. I have never really seen the point of this type of viscose ribbon, but now I have put some wool down the middle I am in L-O-V-E- somebody stop me!