Have just spent a fantastic 3 days at Diana East's studio learning some amazing new stuff like sandblasting, engraving, off-mandrel, lots of enamelling and murrini making.  Saw her make a fish murrini and then put it in an incredible aquarium bead.  I met some really nice people including Red Hot Sal and lots of other people from the Frit Happens forum.  I feel really inspired and am still buzzing!

Also have just been accepted for membership by the Guild of Essex Craftsmen so will be doing my first proper show for two days at Cressing Temple, near Witham in Essex on the 24th and 25th August.

You can now find me on My Space, click on this link to go directly to my page http://Myspace.com/Hothousebeads

Have just added a few more items to the Jewellery Shop, including some earrings and pretty focals on sterling silver snake chain and some larger focals on leather thong choker.  Am still trying to get the hang of my new camera.  I have a long way to go yet but am reading up on it as we speak!

If you've found this page, hello and welcome!

This year is already zooming by.  In early January I went to Rome to celebrate my 40th birthday and last Sunday I came back from a week's skiing in Slovenia.  There was so much to see in Rome and 3 days was not enough.

Check out this cute car from Rome (old Fiat 500)

Here is a picture of the Vatican at dusk and also part of one of the mosaics inside it's vast museums.

Slovenia is a beautiful country but it did rain for a few days which is not what you expect when you're skiing.  Still, not too many bumps and bruises and I still have the use of both my arms and legs so I can't complain.

I've been working on the website this week and next week I hope to get the hang of my new camera so I can add more items to the Jewellery Shop.  It does look a little sparse at present but I assure you I have lots more items to go on it.

Speak to you soon...