Beady Wendy Update - www.beadywendy.com.au

Summer is coming to an end and so are the markets

2013-03-30T17:05:00.004-07:00

The Inverloch Rotary show yesterday was a blast. The wind was a trifle strong which made for some interesting table arrangements. Everytime it blew the tablecloth moved and pushed all the jewellery into a pile. I don't know how many times I sorted it out. I don't like it to look messy but gave up after a while. I'll definitely be booking in for November!

I've had some issues with my thumb and making beads has been painful but since seeing a specialist and having a custom brace made it seems to be getting better. It will never be pain free as it's arthritis and as I was told, I'm too young for it but there you go. So now it's time to learn new, pain-free ways to work with my hand. I'm not giving up - that's for sure!

I've also signed up for a promotion through The Handmade Show. They're offering 100 Pamper Goodie Bags at their next market on April 20th. I'll be including a free glass bead made up to wear as a pendant on a cord or ribbon. If you have time, visit the The Handmade Show, St. Anthony's Parish Hall, 163 Neerim Road, Glen Huntly. The first 100 visitors will receive this wonderful Pamper Mum, Pamper You gift. It's all Hand Made!

I'm also working on submitting some items to the ISGB juried show - Pendants. Got to get myself organized for that one.

Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Merry Christmas 2012

2012-12-25T15:09:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!

It's Boxing Day as I write this blog. Still tired from the work of creating a great Christmas dinner. It was a traditional meal which included Roast Lamb, Turkey and Ham with Curried Parsnips, Turnip (Rutabaga in Canada), Roast Potatoes, Candied Carrots, Cauliflower & Cheese Sauce AND Green Beans Almondine (fresh picked by friends Ann and Mike from their veggie patch). Ann and Mike and Graeme and Helen joined us. The afternoon started with bubbles on the deck and beautiful pate and cheese from Gaffney's in Warragul. Then onto dinner which wasn't too far off the 6:00 time I had in my mind.

The table was laid with the best china and silver - most of which I had to polish that day to remove long standing tarnish. We had Christmas crackers / bonbons and lots of fun. The evening didn't end until 10:30 pm. So, I guess that's a sign of good food and good company.

As we move quickly toward the end of 2012 it's time to reflect on the past year and look ahead to 2013. I think it's time I challenged myself with a new project. While these ideas percolate in my head, I'll start planning for some big events in the immediate future.

On January 19 & 20th I have a big show with the Warragul Lapidary Club in Yarragon at the Town Hall. It's a big show and brings in lots of fossickers and lovers of stones and beads. I'll be demonstrating for 2 days and selling my beads. It's always a great weekend and very successful. I guess the only thing that I could wish for is not too much heat on the days.

February brings another big event - the Festival of Glass in Drysdale, Victoria http://www.festivalofglass.net.au/ . This will be my first time at the Festival but it was a good event for my Flaming Mathilda Friends last year. It will mean an early start to drive from Drouin but hopefully well worth it.

So, there's lots to plan and to make new beads and creations. I hope the creative muse in all of you, dear readers, is inspired and takes you on new and exciting journeys.

Cheers,
Wendy

Market Success

2012-12-02T11:13:00.001-08:00

It's been a while since I posted on my blog. Apologies for that. Life does get very busy. I was at the East Gipplsand Makers Market on Saturday and had a great day. Lots and lots of people were walking through. I didn't know what to expect. It's held in Boucher Hall, around the corner from the Bairnsdale Secondary College. I used to live in the area but the market didn't run then. I sold lots and lots of jewellery and got some very lovely feedback on my work. One lady told me it was the best stall in the market. Very worthwhile for sure!

I also participated in the market in Yarragon for the Great Victorian Bike Race. That wasn't so successful. The temperature that day was 38C and we were outside on the grass strip between the Princes Hwy and the Yarragon Service Road. Thank goodness for my marquee but it was still bl**dy hot! I made sales but not what I expected with 4,000 riders and staff in the town for the day. Note to self: Bigger isn't always better.

So, now it's time to start concentrating on Christmas. One more market before then - the Warragul Arts Market. I really love doing this market as it's all artisan work. It's taking off in Warragul and we're in a larger space than last year at Civic Park. More on that later.

I gave another beadmaking class last Monday to my friend, Annie Laughton. She's got me more interested in using Facebook to promote so keep watch for more beads and jewellery in the coming weeks. Here are a few pics -

That's it for now, everyone. Have a terrific day!

Cheers,
Wendy

Free Beading Workshops in Trafalgar this weekend

2012-04-17T14:32:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone:

Today I'm getting ready for the free workshops taking place as part of the Trafalgar Rotary Art Show on the weekend. I'm taking my entries for the show in and will be checking out the space I'll be using to hold the workshops. I'm doing a memory wire workshop - ideal for kids 8+ or adults. The second workshop will be a wire wrapping workshop which will teach basics of wire wrapping to create earrings or pendants. Once you have those skills you can wrap just about anything.

It will be fun. The kids are so awesome and their creativity is fantastic to watch. I get a real blast working with them! They always teach me something for sure.

So, if anyone's near Trafalgar, Victoria, stop in and have a look at what will be a tremendous art show. Have a good one!

Cheers,

Wendy

New Giveaways at Kondalicious

2012-04-16T13:04:00.000-07:00

My lampworking friend, Carli Hall, or that Kondalicious babe! is giving away tons and tons of good stuff. Vintage Clothing store credits, nail polish by the truck loads and a pair of my lampwork earrings! She's one amazing Mamma, that's for sure! Stop by her blog and enter to win. This is open world-wide too. Here's the link: http://konadlicious.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/konadlicious-500-awesome-3000-followers.html . Don't miss out!

In other news my new beginner lampwork classes are up and running with great success! It's truly rewarding to watch newbies pick up a piece of glass for the first time and create a bead. It takes me back to my first try and how nervous and excited I was. The glass still gives me that buzz too! It will be good to see what everyone's style becomes.

Life is pretty good, eh?

It's all go here!

2012-04-11T12:47:00.000-07:00

It's a busy time here at Beady Wendy Central. Two weeks ago I gave my first beginner lampworking class which was a big success. No need to be nervous after all. My two students were so keen, they've gone and bought the whole setup of their own. How good is that! Kerry of Affordable Inspirations is great to work with, too. She's got them all organized.

Yesterday was workshop day at The Arts Hub, in Yarragon. Memory Wire bracelets and rings were made. The little girls were so cute and had a good time. At the end of the day, I gave away the ones I made and they liked that as much as they did making their own.

Next up is another beginner lampworking class tomorrow and next week finds me in Trafalgar doing similar memory wire and wire wrapping workshops for the Trafalgar Rotary Art Show. I've entered a few pieces of jewellery too.

And, I've got two markets on as well - Yarragon Market on Saturday, April 28th and the 3847 Makers Market in Rosedale on Sunday, April 29th. And, in between, I'm making beads so it's all good here! Have a great day.

Handmade Orange Pendant on Orange Velvet Cord - by beadywendy on madeit

2012-03-31T14:10:00.001-07:00

Handmade Orange Pendant on Orange Velvet Cord - by beadywendy on madeit

First Beadmaking Class a Success

2012-03-29T22:27:00.000-07:00

I don't mind telling you I was a bit stressed this morning waiting for my pupils to arrive for their 10 am start at beginner lampworking. Everything was ready. We hit it off really well right away and they (Mom and Son) were eager to start so off we went to the shed. Even though it was about 26C today, the newly insulated shed worked a treat and was actually cooler inside than outside in spite of two torches working.

They each made 10 beads and worked right up to 4:00 pm. I served them quiche and salad for lunch with zuccini bread for morning/afternoon tea. I think they enjoyed the class and were ready to go shopping at Kerry's Affordable Inspiration.

So, let's hope there are more classes to come! Phew!

Another Market but a Different Story

2012-03-18T12:09:00.000-07:00

My friend and great helper, Ann, and I made our way down to Mordialloc for the Mordi Market which coincided with the Mordialloc Food and Wine Festival. The site was terrific, right outside the train station. But, sales were definitely not. It wasn't just me either. I guess everyone was saving their money for the food and drink. The day was pleasant and Ann made the time go faster. But, I don't think I'll be doing that one again. Time to start concentrating on my internet sales.

I submitted my piece for the ISGB Juried Contest called Indelible. My piece is called 'After Black Saturday'. The fires came dangerously close to my home and it was the scariest day of my life. The amazing thing about the fires, was how quickly the bush began to regenerate. The hundreds of kilometres of burned, blackened trees which looked like giant black toothpicks started to show green shoots from the bottom of the tree up. Like a green fuzz. It was amazing. And now, 3 years later it's hard to tell there was a fire in some spots. So here's my necklace. Cross your fingers it's good enough for the exhibit.

A big weekend coming up

2012-03-13T14:17:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone:

I have a busy weekend coming up. Saturday is the Warragul Arts Market at Queen Street Park in Warragul. This will be the last one for the summer! Wow has the time flown by. The Arts Market has been a great success and I know the final one will be great too. Jessie's done a terrific job of bringing the talented Baw Baw Arts Alliance Artists together with demonstrations and music. It's a lovely day out.

The next day, on Sunday the 18th, I'm off to Mordiallioc for the Mordi Market at the Mordi Train Station. This is a really long day and so far the weather forecast is terrific! If anyone's in the area, please drop by to say hi.

I'm busy working on a few pieces for the ISGB comps that end tomorrow. Not too much time left so I'll have to get back to work. In the meantime, take care! Thanks for reading.

New QR Code

2012-02-18T21:16:00.000-08:00

Here's the latest QR Code. Use your phone to read it and go straight to my website. Cool, isn't it?!

Arts Market Was Another Success

2012-02-18T20:05:00.000-08:00

Hi again!

Yesterday the Arts Market in Warragul was another success. We had some lovely musicians playing all day and lots of shoppers. I had another terrific day with lots of positive feedback and sales. I'm quite surprised at how well it's all going being in such a small community. Let's hope March is just as good and the weather holds. March will be the last market for the summer. The next challenge will be to renegotiate with the Shire to continue holding it at Queen Street Park. Everyone loves the venue.

Made some more necklaces today. Here's a pic or two. They are similar but not excatly the same.

Warragul Arts Market on Today

2012-02-17T11:34:00.000-08:00

The Warragul Arts Market is on today, Saturday, Jan. 18th from 10 to 2 pm. I missed January's market because I was demonstrating at the Yarragon Gem Show for the weekend. December's market was absolutely fantastic. I received such wonderful feedback. It's really great when people see what I do and understand how much time and effort goes into creating even one bead. It reinforces why I love making beads.

My new Oxygen Concentrator is up and working a treat. It gives more pressure than the old one. I'm just about ready to start teaching too! Yikes.

I'll blog again tomorrow with the results of my day.

South America - What a Trip!

2012-01-12T12:43:00.000-08:00

Our trip of a lifetime was over the Christmas Holidays and was a 14 day cruise around Cape Horn. Our itinerary was to fly from Melbourne via Sydney and Auckland to Santiago, Chile where we connected to Rio de Janeiro. Nothing went right with our connections and so we missed our plane to Rio. It was a comedy of errors waiting in line with 50 others while the LAN service desk tried to accommodate us. Half were put up in a hotel in Santiago with a connection the next afternoon. The rest of us were rushed onto a plane to Sao Paulo with a connectoin to Rio later that night. It was like the Amazing Race. We ran through the security screening area without being screened as we had 15 minutes to catch the flight. The lights and sirens were going off like crazy as we raced through. I had to laugh at the expressions on the faces of the security agents. Imagine doing this anywhere else in the world?!

Once we made it to Sao Paulo, we had to find the LAN office which was no mean feat. Sao Paulo is the largest city in South America with a population of 22 million. Their airport is also the largest one I've ever seen. No one speaks English and our Portugese was non-existent. We kept asking police and security officers where the LAN office was and finally found it. They gave us our onward flight details and told us to go right away as they were boarding the plane. Another run through the airport to the gate and we were okay. Who knew if our bags would make the switch!

We finally made it to Rio at 2:30 am the next day. Our elapsed travel time was 48 hours from getting up in Melbourne to arriving at the hotel. A long day.

The next day we went shopping to the H. Stern jewellery factory. They picked 6 of us up at the hotel and took us to their factory/showroom. It was very lovely and we saw the artisans working on jewellery from design to finished product. Next came the sales pitch. We were taken to a lovely area filled with desks, chairs and separated by frosted glass panels. There were serving people all around and offering any kind of drink from a local soft drink to champagne. We were shown trays and trays of period, citrine, saphire, amethyst, etc. Our friends did a big shop and bought some amazing things. After that we walked to a shopping mall which is more like an office tower. The aisles were huge and the entire place was very airy and spacious. Lots of shoppers were there but it still felt empty. Things were very expensive so we had a bite to eat and walked back to Stern's to pick up the purchases and catch the shuttle back to our hotel.

We saw all the sites - Cristo the Redeemer, Sugar Loaf, etc. We stayed on Copacobana Beach where every Brazilian in the vicinity was sunbathing in 39C heat! They don't swim in the ocean as it's too cold but have showers to cool off. The sand is so hot, they lay pipes that spray water every so often so you can walk in bare feet without burning.

There's still much more to tell but I'll leave that for now. The trip was awesome!

Great Weekend at 2 Markets

2011-11-20T14:11:00.000-08:00

Despite the rain, the first Baw Baw Arts Alliance - Warragul Arts Market was a success! Customers were so appreciative that we braved the weather and were very supportive of the whole concept. It will continue to grow, no doubt about it. I felt the atmosphere was wonderful. It brings all of us together in a way that meetings never can. We get to look at each other's work and admire and that's what it's all about. I won't complain that I had some good sales too!

The Warragul Arts Market will take place on the 3rd Saturday of each month until after March. At present, it's located at the Queen Street Park beside the TAFE. It's a great site as it's got cafe's opposite and toilets close by. A must for all stallholders!

Sunday brought another terrific day. I wasn't too pleased to wake to rain - AGAIN - but the day fined up and was tremendous. There was a real buzz at the Lardner Park Craft Markets Australia market. Lardner Park only happens 4 times a year and since I have been doing them, the weather has been awful most of the time. So, yesterday was wonderful. I love watching the people go by and seeing them cart their purchases around the market. I had reasonable sales so can't complain. If you can remember, the next market at Lardner Park will be Sunday, February 3rd. Make a day of it and make the drive to Lardner Park, Warragul. It's worth it!

There's lots happening at the Arts Hub in Yarragon too! We have lived through the opening night which was terrific. Lots of stress getting this going but it's been very successful. My hat's off to the insightful people like Ingrid Thomas and Sue Acheson and Jessie McLennan who had the vision for a creative space and made it happen. It'squite exciting.

Anyway, that's it for now. Off to do other committee things! Trying to get the washing out before I have to leave. That's life in Drouin.

Take care,

Cheers!

Selling on Etsy Again

2011-10-05T12:55:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone: I've decided to add some beads to my Etsy store to see how things go. Etsy seems easier these days to put in new items. Sort of 'follow your nose' which is good. Especially as I do most of that type of thing very early in the morning. Go to: http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadywendy

My main computer is in the shop getting a new Mother Board and it's only 4 years old. So, I'm using the second hand laptop which doesn't have a spot for my memory card from my camera. I've taken tons of new photos but have no way to put them on the computer. If it's not one thing it's another.

I've got a commission to work on today for a good friend so that will keep me busy. I hope everyone has a terrific day.

New Bracelet Tutorial

2011-09-09T15:18:00.000-07:00

I've developed this lovely bracelet using one of my handmade glass focal beads. Compliment the lampwork bead with seed beads for an easy, custom-made bracelet. It should take about 2 hours for the average beader. A knowledge of beading and using needle and thread is helpful, but not essential. All requirements are listed. After you buy the tutorial, stay at my website and buy a lampwork focal bead for the bracelet!

Here's the bracelet:

Go to my website: http://beadywendy.com.au/ProductDetails/86/Embellished-Bracelet-Tutorial

Changed the blog a bit

2011-09-08T14:05:00.000-07:00

I had a look at my blog and decided to remove the ads. I don't know about you, but I find them annoying. I've made all of $.22 so can't see it as a big money maker. What do you think?

Cheers!

Arts Hub in Yarragon .... That close!

2011-09-05T14:05:00.000-07:00

Last night at the AGM of the Baw Baw Arts Alliance (Bbaa) I was elected Vice-President along with Jessie McLellan as President, Philip Van Ness, Treasurer and Sally Alsop as Secretary. We are that close to final permit approvals from the Shire and the lease being signed. Our new home will be a vibrant, arty place where all types of creativity will be fostered. We'll have gallery space, a small retail area and good sized workshop space. The Arts Hub will act as the hub of a wheel and other, satellite locations within the shire will be like the spokes of the wheel. It's a blank canvas right now and with so many talented people in our organisation it will be absolutely tremendous. I think I'm the least creative of all the members. I'm just the one who can't say no! I've given up the Golf Club Committee of Management and now taken on Bbaa. So, when one door closes, another opens.

If anyone is driving through Yarragon, stop into the Arts Hub, 2 Murray Street. Our opening hours will be Wednesday to Sunday, 10 - 4. Watch this space for more info.

Gardening, Gardening, Gardening - No Time for Beads

2011-08-31T12:34:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year when the garden grows overnight. I spent the entire day working in the veggie garden, getting ready to put in the potatoes, peas and beans. My husband thinks it's easier to just buy them at the shop but there's nothing like eating your own produce. It's hard on my back, though.

If I could only keep the b....y rabbits out of the garden. I've got metre high chicken wire all around and still one managed to dig under the wire and get in to start digging a warren. The pair of rabbits that plague me have now had a litter so there will be more of them digging up everything.

I'm excited about the New Arts Hub in Yarragon. I've agreed to become Vice-President of the Baw Baw Arts Alliance (Bbaa). The fact that the Arts Hub is almost a reality is amazing. Hats off to Ingrid Thomas, Jessie McLellan, Sally Allsop and Aleene. Their vision and determination has made it a reality. The AGM is on Monday, Sept. 5th at 7:30 pm at the Arts Hub on Murray Street in Yarragon. Watch this space for more updates!

That perfect market?

2011-08-22T13:03:00.000-07:00

Is there such a thing as the perfect market? I don't think so. I keep trying different markets but no success. It's not that people aren't spending. It's more about the number of people that come to these markets I keep being asked to attend. They're searching me out and misrepresenting the success of their market in the process. I guess I'll have to chalk another one up to experience.

On a more positive note the Baw Baw Arts Alliance Arts Hub in Yarragon is almost a reality. We have the building and the funding. We're waiting for the final lease to be signed. It looks like we'll be open in a month or so! It's so exciting to be involved at the inception stage. I'm the least talented of all the people involved and it's a pleasure to see such creativity come together. If you're passing through Yarragon, stop into the Arts Hub on Murray Street to see how creativity comes together.

And so.....

2011-08-15T23:11:00.000-07:00

We're back from Cairns and The Tip and it's time to get back into making beads. I have some great ideas for beads but need to get some other stuff out of the way first.

I've been checking dates for upcoming markets. The Berwick Clothing and Handmade Market is on this Sunday, August 21st. It's located at the Berwick Leisure Centre, 79 Manuka Rd., Berwick. It's my first time at this show so we'll see how it goes. If anyone's in the area, stop by for a chat.

The Barn on Jackson's in Jindivick has closed due to a lease dispute so my work is no longer for sale there. You can find some of my work at Wild Dog Winery, in Warragul, however. It's a great venue for lunch or dinner with an amazing outlook and terrific wines.

Cheers!

Wendy

Weekend at Lardner Park

2011-02-20T11:46:00.000-08:00

Well, I survived another rainy day at Lardner Park. What's with this rain? It's still too wet to get my potatoes out of the garden. They'll be the size of footballs before long - if they're not rotten. I plan to get some beads made today. Something for me I think. I've got these amazing pink semi-precious donuts that are just calling for a fabulous bead! I'll give it a go.

Just posted some new beads on Craftumi.com.au . Have a look: https://www.craftumi.com.au/detail.asp?id=10634 .

Bead Ramblings

2011-02-17T14:26:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone:

Well, another week is almost over and I haven't been on the torch once! Too many other activities keep me from my beads but things should calm down soon. However, I'm about to photograph my Convergence II pieces. That's my job today! I've decided to put in two entries this year. I'm not that rapt with the second one but I'm really proud of the bead. Can't seem to find a way to implement the design that's in my head. I guess I'm searching for the right inspiration but the clock is ticking. Entries need to be in by March 1st. Once I've entered, I'll post on the blog.

We took a drive yesterday with the car club from Warragul to Tyabb on the Mornington Peninsula. We drove all through the recent flood areas of Tynong, Coral Lynne and Bayles. It's so very flat down there and there are still paddocks with standing water on them. My friend's son has lost his entire potato crop! What a shame. Anyway, the run was terrific. We had lunch at a lovely little cafe in Tyabb called the Peppertree Cafe. If you're cruising through Tyabb, stop and have a coffee or a bite to eat there. While the men went to the Airplane Museum, the ladies went to the Antiques Shed. It's HUGE. You can spend a lot there. I like to fossick around and picked up a hand-made drill bit guide which I will use to straighten wire. It's just a steel plate with each size drilled from 1/16 to humungous.

So, that's my news to date. Oh yeah, almost forgot. I've added some new beads to Beady Wendy Craftumi Store . Have a look. My website is still undergoing some updating but that change should be done by Monday. Here are a few pics of my latest beads.

Watery Weekend

2011-02-06T13:04:00.000-08:00

What a weekend that was! You know, I said that exactly 2 years ago after the February bush fires! This time it was floods. We had 150 ml of rain from Friday night to Saturday night. Our house sits on the high side of the street but we still got so much rain that there were rivers running down the lawn, the driveway and around the house. We had a river running along the back of the house and down into the neighbors. I thought, well, it's raining what a terrific day to make beads.

Hah! Went to the shed where I do my work and found it filling with water. Everything off the floor, quick! Of course, my work bench is filled with glass so it meant a minor clean up to get boxes and stuff off the floor. The second shed took the brunt of the water - again! You just can't keep it out.

So, now we have 2 very clean sheds and a little bit of a tidy up and we're right to go again. Let's hope we don't have another one of these in the immediate future.

Instead of making beads, I got my photography kit out and started taking pictures of beads. It takes a long time to take and publish the pics. Perhaps I should just do them as I make them instead of piling them up. Anyway, here are a few of the latest creations.