Dibble Dabble

Well, I apologize for not updating for quite some time.
It wasn't because of laziness, it's just that I've been busy....
Trying to set up a business on top of being in near full time employment is taking a bit of a toll on me- physically and financially, although I must admit it has been refreshing and challenging.
Since my work hours has reduced recently (money has also drastically reduced!!!) , I have been thinking of ways of recouping money that I've spent on setting the clinic up (and it has made a bit of hole on the account!) even though the clinic is not mine... I've had to get more stock and all the rest of the boring stuff and I didn't anticipate it would have cost so much!

So, I've been dabbling.... nothing bad.. signed myself up for some jewellery making and wireworking course and then had to spend more dosh in getting stock in to start in what I hope will earn me some money.
At first, I thought of just beading and selling some peyote made up jewellery but I've since changed my mind.
I had so previously love my purchasing my good friend Lynette's jewelleries but she lives so far away and takes so much trouble in sending me stuff when I want to buy them. Either that or I have to wait for when I get back to get to her beautiful stall and reluctantly limit myself to a few pieces from her beautiful arrays of choice. SO, I have to say she is my inspiration to do it...

So, I initially started with glass beads but have since decided to go for it with gemstones (for their healing properties)  which I can combine with some glass beads to make it prettier. I've also managed to combine a few pieces with my own handmade worework, nothing too complicated as I am still grappling with my pliers and wire to make it into shapes that I want it to be!

These are a few of the results... Lynette, I will really appreciate your input on these as you truly are my inspiration to do it...although I doubt I will be as successful as you are!

                                             hand crochet necklace

                                                               hand crochet necklace

                                                              hand crochet bracelet


              hand crochet bracelet

                                                                      hand crochet bracelet

                                                            hand crochet necklace
 

                                                              shell pendant

                                                                bead set

                                                      onyx  and my handmade wired rounds bracelet

                                                 glass beads bracelet

                                                   tiger's eye bracelet

                                                              glass beads bracelet

                                                          agate and jasper bracelet

                                                         onyx and coral bracelet

                                                          zoisite and adventurine bracelet

                                              new green and pale yellow jade bracelet

                                                 

                                                         turquoise bracelet

                                                         onyx and tourmaline bracelet

                                                          pearl bracelet

well, bracelets are my starting point whilst I am still practicing my wireworking. It's now onto ear rings and necklaces next. More pictures to follow.....
I just hope that with my hand crocheted items, Claire will let me in at her next craft fair to sell them ...

JEWELLERY

Well, I do apologize that I've been away for so long, not that anyone has missed my blog...

I have been very busy doing stuff, still knitting the second part of my socks, plus crocheting jewellery using copper wires. I think as I get older, I am going a bit mad with keeping myself busy and keeping my hands and fingers busy.
I was feeling a bit of aches and pain on my finger joints the other day, well quite a few weeks back and although I know it's a bit irrational but I got into a bit of a panic that I was developing rheumatoid arthritis. Not that the weather is helping as it has been quite cold really. So, since my master and teacher has started knitting sackboys and selling them, I have started experimenting with crocheting with jewellery.

It has been fun, I have given one away as a birthday present and the recipient, my good friend Debra has loved it, well thats what she said to me... I'll see if she wears it during our annual camping trip.
I try and crochet with different coloured sparkling wires and I have found that I absolutely loved it. Next came, learning how to attach the clasp on, which I am please to say I have managed to do that as well....

Now, I have to stop doing it although my fingers are itching to open my tin and get stuck in. I have a big exam coming up a week on onday and I can't afford to fail it as I have about 3-4 books to get through not forgetting revising all the dreaded muscles again!

CNY 2nd Installment

A moe visible 'Ang Chai' from Suzie

A vegetable platter

Selection of Seafood

Chicken, of course

Thinly sliced Korean beef

Last minute inspiration for my yee sang to make up to it's 8th ingredient (fried rice sticks aka mee hoon)

Noodles a must for long long life

My vegetarian Yee Sang (consisting of Carrots, leeks, kaffir lime leaves, mangoes, fried rice sticks, fried potatoes, red peppers and  cucumber, with a sprinkling of peanuts and sweet chilli sauce)

My homemade spring rolls, today there were a vegetarian option and also crab spring rolls for meat eaters. Did not turn out looking as perfect as I wanted it to but it was all gone within minutes of serving!

A full table ready 

The very delicious cake made by Simon

The initial table setting

Steamboat now waiting for broth to be added. Oranges a must during CNY

Broth (seafood based) added into the steamboat

The hungry guests with their mouth full of either Yee Sang or popiah/spring rolls

I had to take the jelly fish off as we weren't too keen on it!

So that's it for CNY 2011 in the Sleeman household. We had a second round of it the day after when Doug came round. Unfortunately Max missed it this year as he wasn't feeling to well.

My Steamboat Preparation

Banana & Walnut Cake

Malaysian CNY cookies, compliments from Cat & Suzie

( a bit broken but was sent with much love)

The start of my Crab Spring Roll

All rolled up, ready for tommorow

Vegetarian Wonton Filling, looks a mess but I hope it taste nice

(was made with love)

There you go, vegetarian wontons standing proud

Vegetarian Soup Base for Small vegetaran hotpot

This is a seafood based soup for the main Steamboat/Hotpot tommorow

Thought it would be worth a try

Right, that's what I have done so far.... Still got a list of stuff to do tommorow as it all needs to be prepared and chopped up fresh. I have decided to forgo the lorbak for now as I would like to try my adapted version of yee sang out.

Will post more pictures after