Inspired by a Friend:

A very good friend of mine went on a trip to New York a while ago.  She treated herself to many things but one thing in particular caught my eye.  She bought a selection of elasticated bracelets made with red beads, silver plated tubes and Hamsa hand charms.

I was so taken by these bracelets that I decided to make some for myself.  I chose red/orange toned jade which I mixed with some darker brown wooden beads and silver coloured tubes and spacer beads.  I also used some lovely Hamsa hand charms.

I am very pleased with how they turned out and have received quite a few compliments on them.

I also made myself a matching pair of earrings.

If you are interested in purchasing any of these items, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thanks,
Annaliese (JBA)

Inspired by Travelling

Travelling is fantastic for so many reasons. It is amazing to see what different countries have to offer, the people, the scenery, the culture.  For me my recent trip helped me recharge.  I was lucky enough to spend time with my treasured friends and their families.  I got to exercise in the physical sense and believe me you wouldn't mind cycling if it's along a very scenic route in NZ.  I also got to exercise my mind, which is very important when on a trip of self re-discovery.
However, from a business point of view travelling was fantastic for me because of the inspiration and passion it reignited.  For example, a walk through one of the many beautiful nature reserves in NZ offered trees, leaves and plants in shades of browns, greens and reds that complimented each other so well.  In the middle of these colours was a silver fern.  Thanks to Mother Nature a new bracelet was created - photos will come soon.

Magazines

Hi,

I've been very naughty and have neglected this blog <slaps wrist>

However, I'm excited to blog that pics of some of my bracelets and details of my websites are in two beading magazines this month.

Here are the piccies of the magazine articles:

Issue 33 of 'Making Jewellery'

Issue 33 of 'Bead' Magazine

Bye from a very happy jewellery designer :o)

Annaliese (JBA)

New Jewellery Designs

Hi,

Not posted in here for a while as been busy,  busy making new items.

Here's a few photos - let me know what you think.

Thanks, Annaliese (JBA)

'Our War'

Hi,

I watched a programme last night called 'Our War'.  Wow. Normally whenever I watch something on TV I tend to multi-task and do something creative at the same time.  However, you know when you watch something that draws you in to the point that you can't do anything else, well this was that something.

It was such an emotionally charged programme and it really got me thinking.

I, like many of us, have my off days where the slightest little thing can and often will annoy me.  However, watching what those brave young soldiers went through helped me put things in perspective.  I can't promise that I won't ever have those moments again, but for now I am more grounded.

Not being able to find the exact beads I want, not knowing what to do with the beads I have and not making a sale are nothing compared to not being able to find your friends during a series of explosions, not knowing which of your injured friends to attend to first, or not making it out alive.

My thoughts are with those young men that have served, are still serving or are unable to serve again...

Peace,
Annaliese
(JBA)

Chaimaille

Hi,

Last night I decided to try something new, always a good thing for a designer to do.  So I decided to try out some chainmaille jewellery.

There are so many different chainmaille weaves just waiting for me to indulge in but as I had a limited number of jumprings in only two colours I chose to make a bracelet and earrings set using the Byzantine weave.

'A Byzantine chain is a metal link chain design used in jewellery that incorporates a rope-like texture and intriguing textural design. The chains are supple and flexible, draping gracefully about the neck. 

The chain is a 4 in 1 chain meaning that each link passes through four others. It is a variation on the Box chain whose links point in a constant direction, unlike Byzantine whose links alternate in direction.' (Wikipedia)

This was my first attempt at this weave. In fact it was my first proper attempt at chainmaille.  Sooo, did I make it easy for myself?  The answer would be 'no'.  I chose to use small jumprings, id (inner diameter) 4mm.  I also chose to use two different colours.  In this case I used turquoise and mat silver.  This may not have been so bad if I had practised the weave first so I could see where all the jumprings went.  But oh no, I decided to go straight into it.  Needless to say it took me a little longer to make the bracelet as first I had to learn the weave at the same time as trying to figure out which coloured jumpring I needed to use at which point.  So to say it took me a little time is an understatement.

There is a quick way of creating this particular weave which uses open and closed rings, due to me complicating things for myself I ended up opening all of my jumprings and adding them one at a time.

I was watching 'Criminal Minds' and I'm not sure whether it was my viewing choice, my adapted method or perhaps a mix of the two but I actually found this project to be strangely therapeutic.

I hope you like it.  Please feel free to leave me a comment.

Thanks,

Annaliese (JBA)

Wire Coiling Gizmo

Oooh it's been a while since I've been on here - apologies :o)

I posted a while back that I was getting a new toy - a wire coiling gizmo.

Well, it arrived and I've been playing.  Here's some photos of a few pieces that I've made with it.

Let me know what you think.

Thanks,

Annaliese (JBA)