Knotted Shell

Knotted pearls may not be your cup of tea, but what about knotted shell discs? This long strand on brown shell discs creates a great beachy piece to wear with a maxi dress.

Beading: Completed Projects

With my thesis done and handed in for examination, it is time to return to the real world and with it the hobbies one can do when one has spare time. As many know, I do a lot of crafty stuff for fun and the occasional special commission for special events. As a result of my sudden spare time, I have finally managed to upload my completed beading projects onto a Pinterest board.

Cubed Cuff

This bracelet is a mixture of regular and two-drop peyote that creates a beautiful flat cuff to go with an evening gown. This particular piece is fashioned from Opaque Turquoise Cubes and Silver Grey seed beads.

Since these photos I have redone the silver section where I seem to have skipped a bead and added a button closure instead of a bead toggle.

Medallions Attempt 2

Pair 2 of the medallion earrings turned out much better than the original attempt. I've now figured out the correct bead spacing and tension. The picot on the edge creates a nice finish.

Fairview Cheesiness

Celebratory lunch at Fairview is always a cheese filled experience. I love their cheese tasting platters, that contain 10 samples (generous portions) of the different cheeses they make. There are 20 total, so between 4 of you, you can sample everything.

The photo below was taken midway through the tasting process. We finished the lot and promptly realised we didn't need to mains we ordered after our 'starter'.

PhD: Abstract

What my abstract looks like according to wordle:

Phd...Submitted, back to reality

I'm done. I have finally handed in my thesis and am returning to reality, the world of people other than my family, editor and supervisor.

Tomorrow it is back to back and the of life of developing in Python and dancing 4 nights a week. I've almost missed those days...almost.

Now the wait begins until I get any feedback, though there are many things to fill the hours. I am reminded of this:

Homemade Chalkboard

Mom's chalkboard has finally gone up, only 2 months late, but better late than never right?

The frame is not actually a bought frame...my brother the construction guy made it from moulded skirting  board, cut on the diagonal and then painted in high gloss white paint.

The chalkboard itself is a piece of plywood painted in black chalkboard paint we bought from the local hardware store. But you can make it in any colour you want, just ask Martha Stewart :)

Spiralling into Blue

A Russian Spiral is using blue metallic beads and iridescent squares. These necklaces make a beautiful accompaniment to an office outfit or a to spruce up a simple dress.

Canine Summer School Classes

Cape Province Dog Club training has resumed in the height of Summer. Daisy and I retreated to the shade while we waited for class to start.

Spirals of Chocolate and Cream

Spiral ropes have a very rustic look to them in comparison to Russian Spirals. These spiral colours where inspired by Top Deck chocolates, a particular love of mine.

Medallion Attempt

My first attempts at medallion earrings seems to be turning out rather well :)

These beauties are made around metal rings and then hand stitched using brick stitch. The purple and silver create wonderful contrasting bands. I'm thinking of using picot to create a frilly edge on them.

Purple Sparkle

Purple sparklies are my favourite kind. This bracelet is made from 144 Swarovski crystals strung on elastic with pewter spacers. The overall effect is one of opulence and shine.

Chevron Pearls

Pearls are always an elegant addition to an evening outfit. This chevron design adds a little bit of a modern twist to the classic pearl bracelet. The mother of pearl clasp adds a beautiful feature.

Knysna

While staying in Plettenberg Bay we took a day trip to Knysna and wondered around the streets and harbour playing tourists. In a previous trip we found a weather gauge, a rock tied to a piece of string which showed the current weather conditions. 

There was a Christmas Market in the Churchyard, which meant we got to take a look around and ogle the beautiful buildings.

Plettenberg Bay

Sunset at Roggeberg Beach is a beautiful sight, particularly when it is rather deserted and quiet. We took a slow stroll along the waters' edge and breathed in the fresh sea air after the long car ride. 

Memory Wire Madness

Memory-wire bracelets are just like slinkies, the keep their shape, wind onto your arm and go down stairs (with only a few bead injuries).

This fun bracelet is 20 spirals with a variety of rhomics, bugles and seed beads in red. Want bangles but not multiple individual bangles, this bracelet is for you!

Displaying your necklaces

Ever realised that you so many necklaces and no way to store them without them becoming a tangled mess? I saw this awesome idea at Big Tree Designs in Kenilworth today which is makes beautiful wall displays of your accessories. 

 There is pinboard mounted on a wood frame, then coloured felt (or material) is added to give some colour, another layer of wood frame is added, then chicken wire and finally it is topped with another wood frame.

SA-YSSP

This weekend I was invited to address the first group of SA-YSSP participants at the University of the Free State (UFS)  at the opening ceremony. As a past participant of the YSSP program at IIASA, I was asked to talk to the students on what they should hope to take away from  the experience.

I won't repeat it, but I hope the students embrace the opportunity they have been given and share their cultures, research and life journeys. I hope they soak up everything they are shown and taught, it really is a unique experience.

Following the opening ceremony, I was privileged to talk to the individual participants and hear their plans for the Summer.

The following  two days I got to join the Bloemfontein tour,  lunch and Campus tour.

The UFS Campus is rather spread out, with a wonderful postgraduate library designed to serve their interests! Reminded me of IIASA's library and librarians.

The Bloemfontein tour took us part buildings of interest, the Wildlife Reserve and my mom's old school :)

Zanchieta, the Wild Cat Farm outside of Bloemfontein served as our lunch stop. The cats are rescued, boarded or owned the the family that own the farm. They are beautiful to behold. 

Gorgeous Mugs

Look what I spotted in Clicks today. Aren't they gorgeous :) I love the colours and the different animals, especially the owl and gecko.