Return to beading heaven

Last weekend was the return of my favourite bead fair; The Big Bead Show which is held at Sandowne Park in Surrey. Yet again this year it was a glorious sunny day and it was almost a shame to be indoors. However the lure of the goodies inside is such a draw. This show is always very well attended and every stall is surrounded by eager buyers. There are several sellers whom I always visit as their stones and silver findings are second to none. To me strands of beads are like glistening sweeties and even those I cannot afford I love to gaze at. I spent 5 hours there and I will not admit how much money I spent but I found some beautiful new stock. The most annoying fact is that the price of silver is still rising. Necklace and bracelet clasps that I bought last year are now 50% more expensive - eek!

Here is a glimpse at some of my buys

A gorgeous strand of amethyst nuggets

Gorgeous pink and natural shell/mother of pearl

Some lovely shapes of haematite, one of my favourite gemstones as it is so versatile.








I also found some new Tibetan beads at the Fair, as it is getting near Christmas I bought some Christmas themed ones which included these

Cute aren't they! I also found some glorious Owls, just look at these beauties.

These are very large in comparison to the usual  little ones I use but I thought they would be fun to make up into bag charms.

I so wish they did pigs this size, I would buy the whole stock! I have already made these up into bag charms, I am really pleased with them.

This little fellow is for sale in my Etsy Shop here

And this fellow is going into my stock for my upcoming Christmas Open House in November.

I also could not resist putting together a Christmas themed one ;0)












Despite the frosts earlier in the week the last few days have been wonderful again. It has been gloriously sunny here today, a perfect day for planting my bulbs and my winter bedding plants. The garden looks really tidy. We even managed to have lunch sitting out on the patio; what a lovely bonus for late October. The really great news is that my dear Billy seems to finally be well again and he is jumping around with all his usual grace and agility. Here he is looking down from his favourite wall whilst I was busy in the garden this afternoon

I am so relieved that his back has settled and he did not need the intervention of the vet. He does NOT like going to the vet's at all!
I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful weekend and you perhaps caught a peep of the sun too?  Thanks as always for your visits and comments and "see" you all soon.

Bye for now,

Jane x