Slowly easing back into work..

Those that know me may laugh at that. Nothing slow about me I have two speeds fast and stop. I've been recouperating after suffering a prolapsed  disc in my back. Trying to catch up with work and commissions.
I'm bringing out a new range of Jewellery. Antiqued Brass Jewellery. I've been asked so many times to do antique style. Price of the chain is on par with Sterling Silver but at least I know it's not plated it's solid brass.



These are my Olivia Earrings. You may see a blue-green shimmer on the glass. That is because I've used Silvered Glass on the bead and then reduced it in a propane rich flame which gives that metalised look and in this case it leaves a look that would you see on oil and water mixed together.



This is the matching necklace to the earrings. I've also made a feature of the pretty clasp in this piece.

Unique Sepia Focal Bead wrapped in silver and double helix Triton, available in my folksy store. More of these will be listed soon.

Carousel lampwork bead set, available on my folksy store. Keep a look out for more bright colours coming in. Also the pastels :)



Organic Peacock Lampwork bead set, these are sold for a commission piece. Look out for more of my organice style beads.



Silvered Champagne Lampwork bead set, available on my folksy store. These stunning and very classy. It's really difficult to capture the beauty of the beads in a photograph. As one of my clients yesterday saw all my beads in the flesh and mentioned that. :)


Yesterday I bought a wine rack to house my huge collection of glass. Before I had all my glass stored in large glass vases and could never see my whole collection. I have discovered some yummy glass to try out. When I first started this Tuffnell Glass sent me a massive starter pack of glass and being a newbie to all this I didn't realise all the alchelmy within making beads. You can see the changes and effect before your eyes it's not only fun but fascinating too. 

You might want to take a look at this blog where N features my beads and is a exceptionally talented seed beader :)  http://www.hollybirdbeads.blogspot.com/

Have a great weekend folks :)


 

Happy New Year

Lets all hope 2011 is an excellent year.
We all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. Although not a huge fan of Christmas being Pagan! *rolls eyes*
Christmas these days has lost its true meaning. I find that irrevocably sad. The kids had been spoilt all year with clothes, toys, trips and holidays, so we cut back on the presents for Christmas as they simply don't need anything.

Work was so busy up to Christmas, not just online but on the market stall too. This year is going to be even more hectic with more Jewellery Parties, regular stalls and I'm back work at the magazine again after a well earned break.

I've started my Hydrotherapy this month to strengthen my core muscles which are very weak. I'm pre-diabetic so I have no choice but to lose weight. I was told by my consultant that those who have gestational diabetes during pregnancy are at a higher risk of developing the disease later on. Damn straight I had it four times!!!

I haven't done any work in the Studio this year, no not because I'm lazy, I've a prolapsed disc and on crutches again. I tried to get in there and do some work today but hurt myself climbing up onto the work station so perhaps another day. I've got some murrini from the USA that I'm going to play with. I have to design some sort of device to keep the chips warm. Check out some murrini work on this page
http://catalinaglass.blogspot.com/2010/12/murrini.html

I think it's time to put my feet up and read my kindle..ploughing my way through Anne Rice Literary Delights

Well Folks 2010 is coming to a close

2011 should be a better year than this. Healthwise not so great! The Fibromyalgia is the bane of my life what can I say? Start back at the magazine January from a three month holiday and break to consider other plans. The beginning of the purpose built studio is firmly on the to do list. I'm looking at property for a store in Cambridge but as prices soar it may be on the back burner.

It's been an interesting year. I reached my 40th with ease. Family, well lets just say I'm happy with my lot. My parents have been a fantastic support as my in laws love them all dearly. They have gone that extra mile to make this year very special. I'd never had thought I'd have my own business, be a writer for a magazine in a million years. Just shows with a little inspiration, determination and a dream you can do and become anything you wish.

My apprentice will be starting soon and I'm re-opening my diary for teaching again.

I want to thank every single one of you who have helped and supported me thoughtout this year. You have all been truly amazing. Customers who have become friends. Most of all my husband, my children and my parents. Without you I would not be where I am today.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL

Kaye
xxxx

Handpaint fairy silk Necklaces..

Snowed under with work, battling with Fibro too. Today catching up with glass commissions. One consolation is the Xmas shopping done.

Some of my latest work

Topaz Treasures Necklace Available on my Folksy Store

Amethysta Necklace available on my Folksy Store

Ceylon Orb Necklace available on my Folksy Store

Fairy Toadstool House Beads - All Sold

Peridot Pear Necklace - Sold

Exhausted..

The dreaded F is back :(

Thankfully my medication has been changed but hell it's going to be hard transition.

More tests at the Doctors and referals back to Rheummy. Hydrotherapy to look forward too. Crutches will be here soon thankfully. On a lighter note here are some pictures of my latest beads. I got 10 sets made for Spoilt Rotten. My lastest commission for Lesley.







Lesley's Flush Gem Set Ring

J'taime Bead Set

Ocean Gems Bead Set with 99.9 fine silver

freaking out!

my vision has been blurred for sometime, mainly on a morning. Didn't think anything of it. On waking this morning I noticed this massive lump on my stomach as I looked at it, it burst it's a boil nice..yak! I have an unquenchable thirst these days..after talking to hubby he sugested I tested my blood sugars. I still have my blood sugar testing kits from when I was pregnant with my last child. I've had Gestational Diabetes with all my pregnancies the last one pregnancy I needed insulin.

first reading 6.7mmol/L Great! on fasting. I've done the google thing..yeah yeah bad idea but it appears I may have the start of what could be pre-diabetes. Thing is, with the Fibromyalgia it's not a good combination.

Seeing the Dr at 12.20pm today :(

I'm flaring..

Day 8 of my lastest Fibro Flare up. Deep joy no wait that is Deep pain. I've trapped a nerve in my back by just sitting. The nerve pain shoots down my back into my backside and down my legs. I have a trapped nerve in my neck and that is radiating across my shoulders, down into my arms and hands and fingers. Movement is pretty much nigh on impossible. On top of that I'm day 5 into an IBS attack. Struggling to eat anything without suffering horrible pain cramps and nausea

I have flare ups roughly every 10 days. These flare ups can last from anything to 10 days up to 8weeks.

Fibromyalgia is very real even though we may look ok on the outside no one truly knows how it feels to endure this horrible syndrome unless you're a fellow sufferer.

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia:
Anxiety - stress and worry
Concentration and memory problems - known as fibro fog
Depression
Digestive disorders
Discoloration of hands and feet (Raynaud's phenomenon)
Dryness in mouth, nose, and eyes
Chronic Fatigue
Headaches - Migraines
Irritable bowel syndrome
Stiffness - not just in the mornings
Pain - Nerve Pain, Muscle Pain, Cramps, Muscle Spasms
Painful menstrual cramps
Restless legs syndrome
Muscle Twitches
Sleep problems
Swelling, numbness, burning, and tingling in hands, arms, feet, and legs
Trigger points
Urinary symptoms
TMJD Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
TN Trigeminal Neuralgia
Chemical, Food, Smells, Noise - Sensitivities
Skin Disorders

Just to mention a few, some of us have other ailments but these are the general symptoms. If you know someone who suffers with this please help raise awareness. If you don't know anyone with this condition and you meet someone with it please be gentle with us. We may look ok on the outside, there is never anything OK about Fibromyalgia it is an invisible illness. It takes over your life and you are at the mercy of your own body trapped inside a broken body.