Fab tiara course with the Spellbound Bead Company, Lichfield.

Although it was a couple of weeks ago, I had to tell people about a fantastic course I went on, run by The Spellbound Bead Company in Lichfield, http://www.spellboundbead.co.uk/

I had only been on one jewellery making course before, which turned out to be very odd as it was taught by my husband's aunt, although I didn't know before the day....digressing from the subject, sorry. So I had no idea what to expect when I signed up for a course to learn about making Tiaras.

There are many words that I could choose to describe it. I'll settle on...fabulous. This was more comprehensive than I could have imagined, and the most excellent value for money, at £45 including all materials, with enough bits left over to take away to start another couple of projects!

Julie the tutor was obviously very knowledgable and skilled in the subject, and made everyone feel very at ease. There were 10's of samples on display to show techniques and inspire.

Some pictures from the day.

We covered everything from how to work with a client to select the correct type of tiara to suit their face shape, hair and dress. We learnt how to make proper bands (no cheap off the shelf/dig into your bands here!) How to make support frames, sub frames, and contemporary frames. As well as looking at different wire work techniques for decoration as well as how to finish off a tiara properly and professionally.

Trying out a wire infill technique on a frame also built on the day.

Spellbound have a great reputation when it come to courses. Unlike other courses I have enquired about, Spellbound encourage their students to think commercially about selling their work. They also offer free advice and help in the shop after the course with any half finished projects. What fantastic service.


The worst part of the day is a visit to their shop at the end of the course. Too much choice, serious card bashing...aaaaahhh!!! (only joking of course, but my God what a selection of stuff) Spellbound generously offered a discount voucher of wires and tools and other bits purchased on the day to soften the blow a bit.

Some pictures to give you an idea of what a treasure trove the shop is.

Check out their website for details of more fab courses coming soon,as well as a great selection of products to buy online; including lots of jewellery making kits.

Since the course, and since my tools finally arrived, I have designed and made a couple tiaras.





I hope to start selling some at my online shop soon, but in the mean time check out my range of jewellery for sale. www.prettypeyote/folksy.com.

For a sneaky peak of my tiaras before they appear at my shop or to contact me about commission work check out www.profile.to/prettyprofile.

Hope everyone likes their presents.

It has been one of those boring days already. So much that needed to be done and all BORING!!!!. (Just having 5 minutes break now before Noah wakes up from his nap and I have to get the hoover out)

Washing, putting washing away, clean the bathroom, clean the kitchen, plant some seeds, set up some water in the new fish tank, sweeping, dusting, dull, dull,dull. (And to top it all one of the kids in the street has his car radio blasting while he's tinkering on the drive).

I can't wait till this evening.....got some really interesting beading work at the mo. I have been having a run on commission pieces with the run up to Mother's Day. Just finished a midnight blue version of the Twirly Whirly Charm Bracelet, and a cute little charmed memory wire bracelet. As well as a pressie for my own MUM.

But I am also working on my most expensive commission piece so far, a 40th birthday present for a friends mum. Its the first time I've actually sketched out (very roughly) ideas based on their requests etc, and sourced to a design rather than just working organically with what I've got to hand. I hope this is the first of many to come. I'll post a pic of the finished item when I can. (I am still waiting for a couple of bits)

Got to think of a reason to get out of the house tomorrow to save me from housework..........Oh,

I know, there will be a glorious trip to the supermarket with a 17month old in tow to get the stuff for the dinner party for 6 I am cooking on Sat night. Damn it, better get the cook books out and decide what to make.

My life......thrilling?

Lots to learn about this blogging lark

Well, I have always thought of myself as fairly good with computers, but this blogging lark is confusing. Jargon and terms I don't understand....I have already managed to start typing this blog in Hindi because I had enabled the wrong option!!!!

I never thought I would have a blog, but the online community at www.folksy.com have persuaded me I should give it a go.

You see I have recently started making and selling jewellery, under the name Pretty Peyote. A hobby to stop my brain turning to mush now that I am a stay at home mum, after previously having a challenging job. But I only got as far really of setting up my online shop, www.prettypeyote.folksy.com, without really thinking of promotion.

A facebook page followed (become friends with Pretty Peyote), which has helped generate a few sales and some traffic to the Folksy site, but I really needed to do my bit to get more people to see everyone's great work at the site (as well as my own).

Don't worry I won't constantly bombard you with adverts for my new stock, although I might sometimes! MOTHERS DAY...hint, hint. But I'd like to let you know what I am up to craft wise, tell you what is inspiring me this week, and generally let you into a bit of the madness of my hectic life.

Hopefully as time goes on I might get a bit more technical with the old blog as I understand what I'm doing, but in the meantime bear with me, and keep blogging on.

By the way, my real identity is Dawn. Nice to meet you.

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