Happy New Year!

More beading, more blogging, more learning...and, of course, more fun!

And perhaps some competitions, some selling, and some tutorials.

That about sums up my new years bead-o-lutions. What are your aspirations for the new year?

I wish all of my readers and blogging friends a prosperous, creative and wonderful 2010. Thank you for your comments and encouragement in 2009, your support has made my heart swell and my smile broaden :) I hope that 2010 is everything that you hope and more!

A nice way to start the new year is with an accolade:

I was fortunate to win the 'Angels & Demons' challenge on the Beading Forum with my Angelus necklace. I love my pretty new badge!

My mind is swirling with new ideas. My first necklace of the new year will be posted shortly...stay tuned :)

Angelus

Tis the season...for making beaded gifts!

This necklace is winging it's way to its new owner as we speak, just in time for Christmas. I have named her 'Angelus' which is Latin for 'angel'...the central motif looked angel-like to me:

It was frustratingly difficult to take a decent photo of this piece. The twisted hematite bugle beads are so sparkly in real life, as are the crystal AB rondelles. Anyway, you get the idea:


Detail of the central 'angel-like' motif:

I wanted the double-sided toggle clasp to reflect the rest of the necklace design. And this is what I came up with. What do you think, does it work?:


The whole design came together so quickly, starting with the central motif, as if by magic. Don't you love it when pieces work that way! :)