Shona's Designs

Another awesome giveaway

2011-02-02T16:48:00.000+10:00

To celebrate the opening of her new etsy store Belinda Saville - Handcrafted Artisan Jewellery is having an awesome giveaway.

Such a gorgeous necklace definately worth entering. Visit her blog, the link is above to have your chance to enter.

Also be sure to check out her etsy shop there are definately some gorgeous pieces available.

Pretty Things stamp giveaway!!!!

2011-01-22T14:06:00.000+10:00

Ever wanted to give metal stamping a go well here is your chance win a set of the stamps below. Just visit lori at Pretty Things for your chance.

Happy 2011

2011-01-07T15:52:00.000+10:00

Well I have to say last year just flew and I was a little hopeless with posting last year. I had big plans to post lots but that really didnt happen. I have still be busy making jewellery, even had a small sale before christmas to sell off some stock.

So whats install this year??????

I have been having a bit of fun with stamping and resin, so I would like to do a little more of that. Metalwork is where my interest is at the moment and to really get back into my chainmaille.


one of my favourate stamping/metalwork shops at the moment

Besides that I hope to promote my etsy store more, blog alot more and see if I can find myself a muse to help with my creating :)

picture courtesy of reiki fairy goddess

Other then that I have my daughter starting prep this year and I am starting a new job, so its full steam ahead in this household.

So what do you plan for the year ahead????????

Joined the Etsy world

2010-09-25T19:37:00.002+10:00

Well I finally did it, Opened an etsy store. For those of you that are unaware of etsy it is an online shopping mall. Its very exciting and scary at the same time. When you start making jewellery one always wonders if its good enough, if people will like it, if people will buy it.......... Well i guess now I will find out.

As you can see I have added a mini store on my blog but you can also visit my store here

Kumihimo and Stamping

2010-09-01T19:37:00.003+10:00

Well just when I think I am on top of things I look at my blog at low and behold its nearly two months since my last blog. I havent really been doing alot of beading/jewellery making since the last post as I have been doing a little bit of reading (well its been a little more of an obsession, lol). At my last bead me though I got a chance to give kumihimo a go and loved it. Here is my first bracelet made.

Now for the next adventure, I finally brought some stamping supplies as I have always wanted to give it a go. Thanks to beaducation and there wonderful service I am now on my way. So I had a little practise and then decided to give a blank a go. My spacing and design stamp need a bit of work but I think it turned out quite good for a first go. Oh and the daugther loves it.

Sorry about the dodgy pic's but due to the shine its a little difficult photograph.

Creative Space update and more

2010-06-14T16:41:00.004+10:00

In my last post 'My creative space' I posted a picture of my next adventure into the world of wire. Well I have finished and I am really happy with how it turned out. The first two pics are the process.

Now for the finished product

Up close

The next are a few pictures from my lastest challenges. Firstly was a wire monthly challenge with my qld beading friends. Secondly was my entry for Australian Beaders group on facebook. I loved what I created but sadly I didnt place.

So now onto my next challenge :)

My creative space

2010-05-13T20:07:00.004+10:00

I have noticed that a few of my beading friends have been posting picture every Thursday of there "creative space" on an awesome blog Kootoyoo . Its so exciting seening what people are up too and really motivates me.

I have been watching for weeks and decided its finally time for me to participate. So here is my first creative space. I have decided to work on another wire woven pendant. So far I have picked out my colours/stones. Now just to start.

So watch this space and see it evolve :)

I did it, I make a tutorial well two actually

2010-04-20T21:30:00.005+10:00

I have been a busy girl lately making jewellery for my sister, a few bits and pieces that will be at the end of the post. But the most exciting is my tutorials one paid and one free.

The free one is Helm weave and you can get the tutorial here

Now for the tada

These are my Helm rose earrings and if your interested in the tutorial you can purchase it here. You need to have a knowledge of Helm weave first.

I am now considering creating a piece for the EKKA so I will keep you posted.

Something new what do you think?

2010-02-17T16:43:00.006+10:00

Well we are well into the new year now do you believe its halfway through february. How slack of me for this to be my first post for the year. I have been still making Jewellery and selling it (which is the most exciting part :)

Also this year I wrote my first tutorial and taught my first class, it was chainmaille, byzantine to be exact. Looking forward to this being an continuing trend for the year as I really enjoyed it.

So what have I been making I hear you ask well firstly there is a wonderful artist, maxine I have found on the beading forum that makes really quirky beads, you can find them here. I got her to make me one in pink, I just love it and so does my daughter.

Here is a beautiful beaded bead. Its is part of a necklace design in the lastest bead and button. I decided just to make only the one bead and turn it into a pendant and I am really happy with it.

Lastly is a pendant I have recently made its fine and sterling silver with swarovski's. I am not sure it if I really like it and its not the best photo. Let me know what you think about it

Visit back soon....

Nearly Christmas - Wow

2009-12-15T20:31:00.004+10:00

Wow has time gone fast. It has been so long since the last post its crazy. Since my last post I finally created my online shop at http://shonasdesigns.vstore.ca/ ,which I am currently learning the in's and out's. Had a Jewellery party and sold a few pieces, woooohooo. I have also been asked to teach chainmaille at a new bead shop in Cleveland which I am very excited about, nervous, but excited. Hopefully I get some interest.

Lastly I havent really made alot of jewellery but have been making some beautiful beaded christmas ornaments here is one of them.

So very long

2009-09-02T13:00:00.004+10:00

I am sorry it has been so long since my last post. I have been doing alot though and having a great time doing it. Firstly I want to tell you about this very talented friend of mine - Sandee of SanDeeLee Designs. I was lucky enough to get one of her tutorials, which you can get them here. She lots of different tutorials that are beautifully written and easy to follow. The one that I tried was the puffy love pendant, I just love it. I call this my ''healing heart" as it is filled with clear quartz, rose quartz and moonstone. Check out her site you will not be disappointed.

At the last Bead meet our monthly challenge was to make a polymer clay chameleon steampunk by Christi Friesen. I have never done any polymer clay before but it was a fantastic time and I am very happy with the outcome. I think he's kinda cute, I haven't baked him yet.

Lastly my sister asked me if I would have a table with here at her son's schools ladies night. There was about 8 others tables there of various things. It wasnt a huge turn up but I did manage to sell some pieces. I wasnt one hundred percent happy with my set up but I was a great learning experience and it got my stuff out there. It was a good night.

Oh and I have finally started setting up an online shop. After setting up a website to have it shut down I decided this was a good option. Will update when I have finished the set up.

First wire sculptured pendant

2009-07-01T15:24:00.006+10:00

Update: Well I was so happy when the theme on the beading forums year of jewellery was focal point. I thought my piece definately fit. So I entered it and yep I WON. Wooooohooo my first Year of Jewellery win.

Well I have finally given it a go and I have to say I am pretty happy about the outcome. My very first wire sculptured pendant. Thanks to a wonderful tutorial by Remy at Studio Health , I was able to create it. It is made from sterling silver and fine silver, blue lace agate, moonstone and some swarovski's.

The front

The back

So what do you think??????

Free Stuff, gotta love it

2009-06-15T13:17:00.010+10:00

Since I have started my jewellery journey I have found alot of great designers. When it comes to wire work there is somewhat limited resourses. I have previously spoken about tutorials that I have purchased and have found to be fantastic. Today though my post is about some great free tutorials that I want to share with you.

Cage Bead Tutorial

Ocean Pearl Hoops plus many others

A Beautiful Connie Fox Garden Bangle

Gorgeous gold ring

I hope you enjoy these and will be adding more over time.

Another month gone

2009-06-01T15:43:00.006+10:00

And what a month it has been. I had every intension of posting many times this month but it just didnt happen. With flat batterys in the camera, a week in melbourne and my daughters 3rd birthday I had no chance. Well here I am now.

Firstly a short time ago I brought a wonderful tutorial, Viking bezel pendant by AnneMade Jewelry . I was very happy to finally give it a go. I have just used a stone sitting around the house and some silver artist wire.

Our lastest brisbane bead meet challenge was beaded cabs. We were luck enough to have karyn (her blog) . This was my first creation using a beautiful rhodonite cabochons.

Whilst at the meet I was lucky enough to by one of debs lampwork cab/bead and this is my creation.

I am very happy with how they both turned out, actually lovin them.

Finally I have been getting some more chainmaille done, been missing it lately. This is a child's bracelet made from aluminum. Byzantine and mobius flowers. I think it looks really sweet.

Lastly and on a non jewellery note I mentioned at the beginning of the post my daugther turned three. Below is the cake/cupcakes I made for her party. They were the yummiest cakes ever and it was a really hit.

Lemonade Award, I got one

2009-05-06T11:37:00.004+10:00

Do you believe it, I cant. I have been awarded the Lemonade award by a wonderful artist, Kathleen Krucoff, you can visit her at Reflections of a Glass Artist . I have to appologise though as she awarded me this in March and I had missed it till now. I am still so excited though to have recieved it.

Now for those of you that do not know about the Lemonade Award is given to bloggers that show a positive attitude and gratitude.

Here are the rules for the award:
1.Put the logo on your blog or post
2.Nominate at least 10 blogs that show great Gratitude and/or Attitude.
3.Be sure to list and link your nominees within your post.
4.Let them know they have received this award by leaving a comment on their blog.
5.Nominate your favorites and link to your post.

My nominated blogs are:
de Cor's Handmades
My Wired Imagination
Shaktipaj Designs - No Detail Too Small
Kookie Designs by Mel Poxon
A Metalsmith's Journey-Handcrafted Art by Janice E. Fowler
Meanderings by Julz
SCJ Jewelry Design
Get Silvered
SanDeeLee Design
Aislinn Occasions

Thankyou everyone for all you share.

I fused, finally

2009-03-22T21:24:00.008+10:00

Well I had the chance to do a silver fusing workshop and it was very exciting. Firstly we made headpins, next we got to make a ring. Firstly was creating the ball, my oh my that took forever and then after all the time I ended up flattening it, lol. Next step was stamping, this too was my first time so there was a couple of double stamps. Its not exactly round but I really like it and will definately be giving another go.

The last piece we made was the bracelet below just loved this one, fusing rings, then hammered. Sorry for the unpolished piece but it requires another link then I will tumble.
I have been also trying to create some new wire pieces building on what I have been learning lately. On the beading forum I am a part of they currently have a challenge which is TRON, based on the movie TRON if you are unaware of it, it was and 80's sci-fi style movie. This is my entry, it hasnt been judged yet so we shall see.

Lastly are two bracelets I have been working on for a friends children. The first an egyptian spiral and the last is macrame, its my first bracelet for a boy so hopefully he likes it.

Thanks for looking and any comments welcome.

Blog revamp

2009-02-19T19:42:00.003+10:00

I came across this great site from someones blog to get new backgrounds so I decided to give my blog a revamp. Not sure yet if its to busy, what do you think?

I will have to sit on it for a little while. Now time to get back to creating.

update sat on it a few moments just to busy so this is now the new revamp, nice and soft I think. Now I can move on

Its a wrap

2009-02-08T19:43:00.005+10:00

For those of you that dont already know in my last post I talked of a workshop I had done. Well I finally gave it a go on my own and I am very happy with the results. Although it is a little skewif, I am sure that will get better in time with practise. It is dyed howlite and sterling silver.

And so the journey continues. Stay tuned for the next installment.

Loving the new year a time for creating!!!

2009-02-04T16:30:00.008+10:00

I finished these beauties the other day. Another wonderful tutorial from Perri Jackson. Beaded caps, they are not as neat as perri's but I love them all the same. Now to start creating.......

A while ago I did a weekend wire workshop I finally got around to making another ring. Very happy with this one and hope to do a wrapped cab soon.

Again using deb's wonderful beads, swarovski's and sterling silver. I created this necklace. I also did my first trizantine (not sure if thats the correct spelling) to attach the pendant. Something simple but I like it.

Next is an attempt of a friends tutorial, which I love sterling silver and red tigers eye, I believe.
This is my first ever commission designed as requested, Sterling silver and sodalite.

Last but not least was my entry for the valentine challenge on a wonderful new website JewelryLessons . I was trying to do something different other then hearts but it didnt turn out as good as I had hoped and only hearts made the semi's. Mind you what made it to the semi's where of a much higher quality and skill. Better luck next time. Oh and I called it circle of love, the infinate circle.

Thanks for reading and hope you enjoy the journey as much as me.

Do I have the skills?

2009-01-18T13:33:00.002+10:00

Over the year I have been lucky enough to find out about some very wonderful jewellery artist, I have mentioned earlier Iza and Eni but there are a few more I would like to mention. Slowly but surely I am hoping to try all there wonderful tutorials to help increase my skills and techniques.

So the most recent tutorial I have tried is Celtic Coiled Bezel Pendant by Perri Jackson. A wonderful tutorial although I think I still need alot more practise on my wire work skills. This is my creation on the left. There are a few things different then they should be but all in all I am very happy with my creation. I have another of hers to try, beaded caps and will post when done. Be sure to check out her tutorials at ShaktipajDesigns .

The other people I will talk about in the near future is Corra and her wonderful designs and tutorials and lastly is Bobbi some more gorgeous designs and tutorials. I am sure there is more artist's to discover but for now I hope to learn and grow from them.

What a year, what a ride

2009-01-10T17:18:00.000+10:00

Well what a wonderful year 2008 was. I discovered chainmaille, wire wrapping, wonderful new beading buddies and exciting forums. A short time ago I posted that I had decided to start selling my jewellery. Since then I have had a friend/beautician show interest in stocking some, a boutique currently considering and two pieces already sold I am sooooooo excited.

I have also just started creating a website, which currently very basic but i will endeavour to work on it this year. I will soon post the link.

With such a great year last year and so many things in the works already I say BRING ON 2009.

I am looking forward to learning, learning, making, learning and now selling.

Thanks for Reading
Shona

I won I finally won......

2008-12-17T20:46:00.000+10:00

Why previously I have talked about being a member of the beading forum. Well every so often they run a designer quest. This is where a supplier, Cranberry, offers two packets, this time they were
The idea is to pick a pack, I picked the purple. Then used as much of the pack, the more the better, and make up to three pieces. Here is mine, a choker oh and I won the quest :)

Next is a bead meet challenge, made from size 15 seed beads, smokey quartz and a couple of deb's lampwork beads.

Next is my first attempt of huan's wire wrapped rivoli. Its a violet 14mm rivoli, crystal AB round and 3mm violet 2AB swarovski's. Sterling silver beads and wire.

Lastly our bead group decided to do a charm swap, colours to be used was purple, green, gold, bronze and silver. They are all very different charms in there own right but I love them. I made a double vision bracelet made from purple anodized aluminium to put the charms on. I just love it.

Thanks for looking.

More of what I have been up too

2008-10-14T17:30:00.001+10:00

I have been keeping myself busy trialing things, learning new techniques and planning for a jewellery party before christmas.

I wanted to make some beaded rings and I found these two patterns on the web. The black and red one is RAW (right angle weave) using size 11 beads and swarovski's. Not sure what you call the beading around the pearls but the rest of the ring is brick stitch. Size 11 beads with a large swarovski pearl 6mm and two 4mm glass pearls I think they were. I have since made a few more with different colours and have now changed the band on the RAW ring to brick stick, it feels more solid.

After finally getting a grasp of beaded crochet rope I decided to make a necklace, pretty happy with how it turned out.

Our August bead meet challenge. It is called "weave a bezel" ( page 55 - step by step wire jewelry vol 3 no 2 summer preview 2007). Its copper wire with a sesame jasper cab.

Just a few earrings I have been making.

In August I was lucky enough to do a wire workshop run by Sir Paul Howard, Principal of the Gold Coast School of Wirecraft, in Queensland, Australia, & Lady Marie. Here are the beautiful things I made.

Sterling silver and the cab is mookorite jasper.
A gorgeous ring and bracelet, I just loved the ring and will be making many more.

Lastly was these gorgeous earrings.

I brought some 6mm natural fossil beads and have struggled to find anything to go with them so with little modification I used a free tutorial from bead infinitum I created the following beaded beads. Now what to do with them.

Octobers Challenge was make a tiara, This is my work in progress, have to glue and cover up the terrible wire wrapping. Sterling silver wire base with swarovski's and czech beads. It is going to be my daughters.

What I have been up too

2008-09-28T20:22:00.000+10:00

A short time ago my friend cas taught us how to make this dreamcatcher pendant (her design) I finally found a use for it. Its silver plated with solidite and crystal.
This is just a spiral bracelet with 2.5mm swarovski's
I put this together using some beautiful dani polymer clay beads, not to sure if I am sold on the necklace yet but we shall see. If you like her beads you can purchase them here
Here is a simple blue charm bracelet.
Lastly Sterling silver bracelet with freshwater pearls.
I have previously made this design but decided on a black and white version. I think it turned out beautiful.
I will post more later. Thanks for looking

For Sale

2008-07-31T14:25:00.001+10:00

Ok well the time has come and I am wanting to start selling my jewellery. Only problem is are people interested, do I sell at markets or take to shops, use etsy, ebay. So many questions maybe I will just put it out there and see what comes my way.

If you see anything here you like or are interested in you can email me at shonadalrymple@hotmail.com.

Now back to the stuff that matters. This bracelet below is made from debs lampwork beads, crystal and sterling silver. I love the beads but just tossing up at the moment if I am going to add more dangles to it. Will post a new picture if I decide to change it.

Well this would have to be one of the best challenges yet, with bending and hammering wire I really lovvvvvvvved this one. Its made up of Sterling silver, freshwater pearls, czech beads, swarovski pearls, sliver charms and solitite.

This beautiful bangle is our last challenge crochet beaded rope. It was a struggle for me to learn but in the end I got it. I was happy I stuck with it as I love the outcome.