In a bracelet groove

My sunflowers are out! I normally plant about a dozen bog standard, tall sunflowers but this year I went for a couple of the smaller, bushier ones that have multiple flowers and I'm pleased I did, what with the lack of rain and all. Sunflowers are thirsty buggers so now me is thanking past me for not doing the big tall sunflower thing.

I adore sunflowers. I'm sure I've droned on about them on the blog before but honestly, they are just things of wonder. I can look at them for ages. The bees and other insects like them too.

I've never rendered a sunflower in glass because I know I would never in a million years be happy with it, so I've not bothered. However, I decided to use the sunflower colour scheme to create this simple spacer bead bracelet.

The bracelet is finished off with a little sunflower charm.

I've also made a seaside-inspired bracelet this week.

This one is made up of ivory, turquoise and pale aquamarine beads, with just a touch of silvered ivory here and there. Some beads are shiny and some are tumble-etched.

I threw in a few aquamarine Czech crystal rondelles for a bit of sparkle and the bracelet is finished with two seashell charms.

Both of these bracelets are in my shop as I type.

I'm still a bit sporadic with the beadmaking at the moment because of the heat. It's looking like next week's weather will allow me to work mornings in the shed. If I can get more than two bracelets' worth of beads made I'll give you advance notice of when they'll be for sale. That will be either here on my blog or via my mailing list.

I've come to an Instagram compromise with myself and at the suggestion of a couple of followers there I'm going to post-and-run. Basically, it'll just be a photo along with whatever name I've given the beads or piece of jewellery. Any mildly-interesting stuff I have to say about the thing in the photo will be posted here, away from the Instagram madness. Also, you get other assorted waffle here. Lucky you, eh?