I love the combination of red & white.  In fact, during my late teens, I was fed up because all my friends were having their bedrooms decorated in various shades of purple so for my 17th birthday I was able to redecorate my purple bedroom and I chose red and white!

Using the lovely bead caps available in the amazing Bijoux by Me bumper pack of bead caps, I was able to make small bead/flower charms and baroque-like dangles.  A touch of red highlights the ivory glass pearls and AB crystal faceted beads.  All findings and beads available at www.bijouxbyme.co.uk

These make great gifts and it isn’t too early to start making those Christmas gifts that are so much more personal when made by the giver!

Charm bracelets feature in our South Kensington workshops on September 16, October 7, November 11 and December 2.  Materials may differ but this is an excellent opportunity to learn how with lots of hints and tips.  

By now you know how much I love pearls – and freshwater pearls are at the top of my favourites!  Here I have made a charm bracelet with subtle shades of rose and grey, mixed with cream to show off these gorgeous pearls!

The dangling loops design (chain maille) is so versatile – here I have decorated it with shells which remind me of last year’s beach holiday!

I love this ‘Dangling Loops’ chain maille which uses two sizes of jump rings and the particular sample includes tiger eye and mother of pearl beads.  It is one of the projects for my Beginners Creative Jewellery, held in Hemel Hempstead on Tuesday evenings or Thursday evenings in St Albans.  For information about up coming workshops, message me!

I’ve been experimenting with colour and loved the vintage look created by mixing rose and grey.  They work perfectly with this pearl cha cha bracelet.

Using the delicate chain kit from Bijoux by Me and adding glass beads in differing shades of green I had great fun making this multi-strand necklace. The differing chain designs add interest and the smattering of green glass beads highlight the waterfall effect.

This is another variation of the embellished right angle weave bracelet that I posted last week.  Am working on making 3 or 4 samples of each new technique – showing a variety of interpretations using different beads, colours and findings.

This bracelet is made using glass pearls and 6/0 seed beads – both from Bijoux by Me.

My workshops/classes this Autumn start in September and are as follows:

Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire-Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire - Tuesday evenings starting 25 September – contact West Herts College, Dacorum Campus

St Albans, Hertfordshire - Thursday evenings (Sep 20, Oct 4 & 25, Nov 8 & 22, Dec 13) – £60 + materials for all 6 evenings or £15 + materials per evening. (to book email Margaret Millsop at magsmillsop@yahoo.com)

South Kensington Sundays as below: (to book contact 0203 417-6565)

Sep 16   1-Shamballa Bracelet or 2-Memory Wire & Charm Bracelet

Sep 30   1-Shamballa Bracelet or 2-Necklace & Earrings

Oct 7     1-Shamballa Bracelet or 2-Memory Wire & Charm Bracelet

Oct 21   1-Shamballa Bracelet or 2-Necklace & Earrings

Nov 11  1C Workshop – 4 bracelets/4 techniques

Nov 25  1-Tennis Bracelet or 2-Cha Cha Bracelet

Dec 2     1C Workshop – 4 bracelets/4 techniques

Dec 16   1-Tennis Bracelet or 2-Cha Cha Bracelet

I’m still busy preparing for the Creative Jewellery workshops that start at St Albans in September.  In addition to the memory wire cuff, we will also be doing some weaving.

This bracelet was made using 11/0 seed beads and 6mm glass pearls in a spiral weave on Beadalon Wildfire fused thread.  It is really very easy and goes quite quickly once you get into it!

Seed beads and pearls from Bijoux by Me.

Cuff bracelets continue to be a strong trend on the high street.  Knowing how much my students enjoy working with memory wire, I challenged myself to design something for my experienced class starting in September.  Here is one of the designs I came up with.

It is so so easy to pop on and wear.  It takes a little longer to make than the traditional coiled memory wire bracelets, but it is fun to make and I think I have ironed out all the little challenges!

Beads and crystals from Bijoux by Me.

Here is the ring I made last night with my students.  I am always amazed at how different everyone’s designs are, even when they have the same choice of beads!

Pearls from the ‘pure’ assortment of different sized pearls in shades of white, cream and taupe from Bijoux by Me.