Jewellery & Muffins

I haven't been very productive recently, especially in making jewellery.

I don't know what to make & bake, sometimes simply not in the mood to.

But I keep up with making muffins as I have muffins for breakfast.

I don't always post the recipe for muffins as I use the same recipe again, with a little variations, like using different fruits, spice, tea, coffee or cocoa.

I just have to post these raspberry & apple muffins, it's soft, moist & sweet.

I got inspired by a new book I bought from WH Smith, it was on sale for only £6.

I was stunned by the price & I quickly grabbed one before it sells out.

It's a great book, packed with great photos & lots of inspirations!

I couldn't wait to try out the recipe of coffee & caramel muffins for my next week breakfast :)

Autumn's Fall

Photo taken by Cheong

My college has started  *___*

Although there are less lecture courses than last year, I've to start thinking what to do after my degree.

PhD or a job?

I think I'm more likely to apply for a PhD, maybe in my college.

Have a project proposal to hand in on 24th, so busy researching.

 I though I might have sometimes for my crafts but I don't think so now T___T

Well, I think at least 2 weeks I'm not making any jewelry, so might not renew my blog so often.

When I made this bracelet weeks ago, it's cold & raining.

Now it's sunny & a bit chilly.

My brother took the photo for me, he's launching his professional photography website soon.

I haven't seen his website but I've seen most of his photos.

They're great!

Can't wait to see the website.

Sparkling Amethyst

This bracelet was made for Jessie as a birthday present on 25th December.
I was unable to join them for lunch today as I have back to Basildon. Although it takes about 1 hour to London, I'm doing my revisions at home.
Wish her a happy birthday and enjoy her lunch with others.

Revolution of Crystal Dreams

This was freshly made just now. I gave the Crystal Dreams bracelet to my friend, Lan, but the bracelet kept falling apart. Because the STS wire was too soft so the closed loop became loose. Therefore, I made her another bracelet, it is a revolution of that bracelet, what I did was just close up the wire in a more secure way. So if the bracelet falls apart again, it would be her that has to be blamed not me :P

Well, as Lan likes rose quartz, I actually included some of them in the bracelet, and fluorites as well. I hope she'll like the replacement ^o^

Crystal Dreams

I just made this bracelet yesterday for Lan, as I promised to give her a birthday present, although her birthday was already passed. Well, she is moving to Canada after her degree, so I think we don't have much time to meet each other, this bracelet is like a souvenir for her. When I gave it to her this morning, I was very gald that she likes it. It always make me happy when someone likes the things I make. Well, it gives me a sense of fulfilment.

I was planning to set up a club in my university about jewellery making, but I'm very busy in my practicals and lecture courses. I don't think I really have times to set it up, plus I'm a bit getting fed up with everything. Maybe I should take a break >_<

Romantic Garden

I have made these a long long time ago. But I tried to draw a picture showing the method. Well, this is my first trial to draw out the graphic solution. If you don't understand the picture, you can leave me a message, I'll try my best to help you.

You can find the materials on this website: grove beads.

The length of bracelet depends on the size of your wrist. You can vary the length by increasing the number of motif or the length of the string of rose quartz chips. You can try using other colours and gemstones, like the other one I made using citrine chips. For example, amethyst chips with light amethyst 5305 beads and dark amethyst 5301 beads. Just choose the colour you like.

Sparkling Aquamarine

This bracelet was made a long time ago. I think this was the first one I made using wire. I wasn't so keen on wire work at first, I was rather focusing on weaving techniques with seed beads and crystal beads to make motifs.

This one was especially made for myself, as I don't always wear jewellery like necklaces. But I do like bracelets and rings, so I have made a lot of those. I will upload some picture of rings I made later.

Ocean's Blue

I have made another bracelet, ready to be shipped to my friend in Malaysia. I was going to meet her in London but she won't have time after the trip to Europe. This bracelet would be the last one to be made as I run out of STS toggle clasps. I couldn't make anything before I order some new stocks as I particularly like to use toggle clasps (easier to use than trigger or lobster clasps).

I realised I haven't talked about why I have made many bracelets recently. First thing is bracelets are shorter compared to necklaces, hence easier to make. Plus, I have bought some good quality sterling silver wire 0.5mm, which is half hard. It's hard enough for these wire workings as I have used 0.5mm STS wire which was softer before, and I found it's too soft. Well, just get some experiences working with wire. Then, I would step forwards to make something more complicated.

Amethyst

Just made another bracelet for my friend in Malaysia. Her birthday is on 14th, although it's late, I hope she wouldn't mind when she gets it.

I think the design is too simple, don't know what I can add on to make it more special. I'll think about that, and maybe add something on it.

The bracelet was made of faceted amethyst which would sparkle and round fluorite beads. Amethyst is stone of mind and love. It enhances attention and memory and also increase people's confidence. Perfect for my friend who just starts to work in Malaysia.

Summer

I made this long before summer. However, I always forgot to post this.
I have the idea of making this bracelet, but having difficulties to find beads with big holes. So once I found these gemstones with big holes, I made this summer-feeling bracelets. This was easy to make, just knot using hemp. But the hemp has to be thick to give the chunky looking.


After having vacation in Malaysia, I went shopping in London last week and found these red/orange gemstones with big holes. I made another one.

Friendship

I have a friend from Malaysia studying a summer course in Sheffield. She will leave in early of October. Therefore, I made her a bracelet as a gift. Hope she would love this.

Well, I decided to give this to another friend whose birthday is in September. Hope she doesn't mind it's too late when I ship it out.

Ocean's Pearl

This was made especially for my mother as a Christmas present.

It can be a necklace or a bracelet.

I like the idea of 2-way wearing.

It can be quite formal to wear it as a necklace.

However, when it's a bracelet, it's more casual.

It's simply elegant!