Friday, 31 January 2014

Celebrating "Red Carpet" and "Dawn Mist in Radiant Orchid"

Red Carpet Gowns worn by beautiful people are just so gorgeous and so stunning, that its difficult not to fantasize about them. So I do fantasize- during the day, during the night, whenever I have a chance to do so. I suppose its cause I do indeed live in pictures, and fantasizing has become a very natural phenomena to me.

This time I fantasized about this beautiful dress Mila Kunis is wearing. If only I could wear it, what would I add to it? The answer came quite naturally, a gorgeous necklace of course.


So "Dawn Mist" was born, and today I can sit back and know that my fantasy became reality. Although I don't have the gown to wear, I do have the necklace and can sit and gaze at it till its sold. And then of course my fantasy will change to "Dawn Mist" as the new owner will now have it in her possession.



Materials used are Swarovski Crystals (Clear Crystal, Topaz, Amethyst, Amethyst Rivolis ), Italian leather, Rocailles, Delicas, Sugilite Gemstone Cabochon,  Pellon, Ultra Suede, Nymo, Japanese Glass Seed Beads, Sodalite Gemstones Cabochons, Collar Metal Blank.

Size (excluding the collar) is 7,5 inches X 3,5 inches (19 cm X 8,5cm). As the collar has a metal insert it can be adjusted to fit any neck size.


Friday, 24 January 2014

CELEBRATING LIFE, LOVE AND MUSIC

I want to live,
I want to give
I've been a miner
for a heart of gold.
It's these expressions
I never give
That keep me searching
for a heart of gold
And I'm getting old.
Keeps me searching
for a heart of gold
And I'm getting old.


Please join me and listen to this amazing version of "Heart of Gold" by Neil Young



                     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh44QPT1mPE

I've beaded 2 Retro Pieces these past couple of weeks, and they both originated from "Heart of Gold"



               Please remember to visit my Etsy Shop - 

                     http://www.etsy.com/shop/conniquejewellery

Should you want to buy any of the above pieces, please send me a message.

  Stay cool and groovy till next time.




Sunday, 12 January 2014

2014 Is On Its Way

Its never too late to wish you all a Happy And Prosperous New Year!

Connique Jewellery is well and looking forward to New Beginnings, New Inspiration, New Ideas - and loads of New Creations! 

Sharing a couple of pictures from the shop


Please remember to visit My Etsy Shop for a Once In A LifeTime Uniquely Beaded Item 


Till next time! 

 

Saturday, 15 June 2013

Saturday - the beginning of the weekend!

Time flies, doesn't it? Just the other day I said Hi to Monday, and now its a couple of weeks later and here I'm again saying Hi to Saturday!

I've been a very busy beader this past couple of weeks, completed a number of small items for my shop and the upcoming Winters' Market in a week's time - decided enough "small bead talk" and started on 2 new collars, monochromatic white and monochromatic black. 

Here are pictures of some of my latest jewelry pieces, please visit my Online Shop and My Etsy Shop on www.connique.com - 


Monday, 13 May 2013

Good Morning Monday

Good Morning Monday and how are you today?

You have only one thing to remember today Monday, and that is to visit my Online Shop and My Etsy Shop on my website, have a look at those wonderful and exquisite bead embroidered jewelry pieces and then do you know what to do next Monday?? Of course you do Monday, you can shop to your hearts delight!

Did you forget my website Monday?  How naughty of you, you should know it off by heart already Monday! Just so that you don't forget again Monday, here is my website's address - please try and remember it now Monday- 

                                        www.connique.com  

You will see a tab at the top of the page reading Online Shop, as well as another tab reading My Etsy Shop - I'm convinced that you will find it  - have a look at those beautiful jewelry items and buy some for yourself Monday, and remember to tell all your friends about this website as well!

Just so that you don't forget again Monday - 

                                        www.connique.com

I finished the items below during the past week Monday, but they are not available on my Online Shop as yet, will add them during this week.

Enjoy the rest of your day Monday, and remember to say hallo to Tuesday tonight at midnight.

                                       







Sunday, 5 May 2013

New jewellery items

All these lovely new items can be found and bought on my website, either on my Store or My Etsy Shop.

www.connique.com




Time Flies!


Fly me to the moon
Let me play among the stars
Let me see what spring is like
On a, Jupiter and Mars
In other words, hold my hand
In other words, baby, kiss me

Fill my heart with song
And let me sing for ever more
You are all I long for
All I worship and adore
In other words, please be true
In other words, I love you

So many ideas and items, so little time to make them!  Don't know where the time went, I've been beading, designing, updating my website, hardly had time to take care of my blog.

Here are a few of my latest designs, hope you enjoy them, as always the items are listed either on my website or on my Etsy Shop, both tabs can be found on my website, www.connique.com

 Till next time, take care!



Wednesday, 20 February 2013

1st Bead Embroidery Class

I did it! Another dream come true - but then again, so many of my dreams have come true!

Three ladies attended my 1st Bead Embroidery class yesterday, they were all beginners and very new to bead embroidery. What fun we had! I did all my prep beforehand, and really enjoyed teaching them what I already know and have learned over the year - the numerous videos I downloaded and watched, the more than I can remember files I downloaded and study, and then my own personal experience that added value really paid off for not only me, but for my students as well. 

They beaded a very simple pendant consisting of a Jasper Cabochon from Upington here in  South Africa, size 8/0 and size 11/0 seed beads. A simple black leather rope finished off the pendant, and they all went home with their pendants around their necks - 3 very happy and satisfied customers!



Monday, 5 November 2012

PRECIOSA ORNELA

My first Christmas Present arrived via email today - I was chosen amongst a huge number of people all over the world to receive a wonderful gift of 1000 grams beads and seed beads from Preciosa Ornela!!!! Can hardly believe it, but then again, why not me?

Why don't you log onto their website and see all the bead paradise they have for sale?

http://www.preciosa-ornela.com/


 

Wednesday, 3 October 2012

Pearly Shells Bead Embroidered Collar

Music is simply an essential part of my life - I breathe it with every breath.
Like so many of my items did this beautiful collar originate from the song

Pearly Shells

Pearly Shells,from the ocean.
shining in the sun,covering up the shore
When I see them
My heart tells me that I love you,
More than all the little pearly shells.
For every grain of sand upon the beach,
I got a kiss for you.
And I've got more left over,
for each star,
that twinkles in the blue,
Pearly Shells,
from the ocean,shining in te sun,
covering up the shore,
When I see them,
My heart tells me that I love you ,
More than all the little Pearly Shells

I beaded with C Lon D on Pellon, the backing is ultra suede. Sea shells were used, and glass pearls in various colors throughout. Glass seed beads, Japanese glass beads and Delicas made up for the texture.

Pearly Shells Collar will easily fit around a 15,25 inch neck (39cm). If necessary, can the clasp be removed and a lobster clasp and chain fitted to give additional length.




This gorgeous collar is available in my Etsy Shop: 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/110588805/pearly-shells-bead-embroidered-collar

Saturday, 29 September 2012

Green Moss Bead Embroidered Necklace EBWC

Imagine a Misty Winter's Dawn in a Forest, where you're walking around the forest with the mist around you, its cold and wet and the sun is hardly visible - all the colors you notice seem to be matte with hardly any sharp definition of trees, plants, ground.

Especially if there is no direct sunlight coming through the trees, you get the underground in the forest to be one of "Green Moss."

I designed this necklace to be "Green Moss", with the occasional stone, pebble, and a lonely leaf as the focal areas. The center cabochon is an Agate from the Orange River, here in South Africa, and typically reflects the branches of a tree in the Moss Forest.

I beaded on leatherette, used C Lon D and ultra suede as backing. A chain finishes off the necklace, being a rustic color to compliment the "Green Moss" effect. Lobster clasp added for closure.

The length of the necklace is 21 inches (54cm), but additional chain can be added to provide additional length.

I am a proud member of Etsy Bead Embroidery Guild and Etsy Beadweavers team, to see more work by these members please search EBW team or EBEG under handmade or visit our blogs at http://ebeguild.blogspot.com/ or http://www/etsy-beadweavers.blogspot.com.

Friday, 14 September 2012

Pink, Purple, Metallic Coral Reef

A couple of months ago I shied away from using any pink seed beads in bead embroidery - don't know exactly why! This week I embroidered a stunning cuff using all of the various shades of pink seed beads I had, added shades of purple and metallic, and this is the result - NOW I love beading with pink beads.







The name of the cuff is Coral Reef, as it reminds me of scuba diving and dwelling or swimming on the coral reef. If never done it before, so I let my imagination run free.

Coral Reef can be bought in my Etsy Shop:  

http://www.etsy.com/listing/109183631/coral-reef-bead-embroidered-bracelet

Have a wonderful weekend Friends, and remember to live!





Thursday, 6 September 2012

Steam Punk Jewellery

The wonders of art  - just when you think that you know all the genres another one catches your imagination!

This time I was introduced to Steam Punk Jewellery by a fellow beader, and of course had to make a piece of jewellery. A gorgeous collar made its way into my mind, and I couldn't wait till it was done!

Please don't forget to visit my Etsy Shop where you can browse and buy to your heart's delight!



Sunday, 2 September 2012

My Very Famous Bread-and-Butter Pudding



My Very Famous Bread and Butter Pudding - NOT for the faint - hearted!

6 Slices of white bread (pre-sliced)


Butter on the one side and smear Apricot Jam on the other side.

Use a greased oven proof dish and arrange the slices into layers.

Mix 600 ml full cream milk, 2 eggs and 1/2 cup of sugar, pour over the bread and leave to stand for at least 30 minutes.


Preheat oven at 180 degrees Celsius, bake (uncovered) for at least 2 hours.


Serve hot from the oven with very warm custard.


Enough to serve at least 6 people. And those left overs are perfect the next day or two heated in the microwave.
 

Saturday, 4 August 2012

Never ever ever ever give up!

We all know that phrase very very well. And sometimes its really hard and difficult to do just that, not to ever give up. Perseverance and more perseverance, and just one fine day you'll see that all your hard work has paid off.


Today I sold my very first item in my Etsy Shop - this very beautiful hair barette - 


As the month of August is my birthday month, I really want each and everyone to celebrate with me - I'm offering a 20% discount on all my items in my shop till the 15th August- all you have to do is use the code Connique20 on checkout once you've ordered your items.  

So don't miss out - here's to you and to Connique (pop goes the bubblies!)



Sunday, 22 July 2012

"Masquerade"

Chorus:
Masquerade!
Paper faces on parade.
Masquerade!
Hide your face, so the world will never find you!
Masquerade!
Every face a different shade.
Masquerade!
Look around -
there's another
mask behind you!

Flash of mauve.
Splash of puce.
Fool and king.
Ghoul and goose.
Green and black.
Queen and priest.
Trace of rouge.
Face of beast.
Faces.

Take your turn.
Take a ride.
On a merry - go - round
In an inhuman race.

Eye of gold.
Thigh of blue.
True is false.
Who is who?
Curl of lip.
Swirl of gown.
Ace of hearts.
Face of clown.
Faces.
Drink it in
Drink it up
'til you drown in the light.
In the sound   
(Phantom of the Opera)


Friday, 13 July 2012

Busy Beading Babe

A very Busy Beading Babe - that is how you can describe me!

But then again, there is never a dull moment in my life, if not beading, reading, listening to music, being and just being me, the only time not accounted for is when I'm asleep, and that I don't need a lot of either.

So - here are my latest treasuries that may be bought through my Etsy Shop:

www.conniquejewellery.etsy.com

Year of the Dragon Collar

 "Mijo" Necklace

 Groovy Flower Power Necklace

Have a wonderful weekend Friends - see you next week!






Friday, 29 June 2012

Tutorials listed!

Just before I'm getting ready for the weekend - here with my 2 Tutorials I listed in my Etsy Tutorial Shop this afternoon:   A basic Cuff Tutorial and a Basic Pendant Tutorial, both suited for beginners.



Now I'm done for today and this week - enjoy your weekend Friends.


Thursday, 28 June 2012

I'm still here!

Just thought I let you all know I'm well - don't know what happened to this month but it just flew by!

I've been very busy with cuffs and a collar this month - here are a few new ones you can view and buy on my Etsy Shop.

Below is my Funky Fox Cuff influenced by Heidi Kummli.

Coral Bubble Collar below.


And oh yes, there is a huge surprise or two up my sleeve - but that will have to wait for next time!

Don't forget to leave a comment and follow Friends!

Wednesday, 30 May 2012

"Grace" is what it's all about.



 
Also called elegant, sophistication, affected, appropriate, apt, aristocratic, artistic, august, chic, choice, classic, clever, comely, courtly, cultivated, cultured, dainty, delicate, dignified, effective, exquisite, fancy, fashionable, fine, genteel, graceful, grand, handsome, ingenious, luxurious, majestic, modish, neat, nice, noble, opulent, ornamented, ornate, ostentatious, overdone, polished, rare, recherché, refined, rich, select, simple, stately, stuffy, stylish, stylized, sumptuous, superior, turgid, well-bred.



To me that was quite a revelation - I was born in August, and I can relate to most of the synonyms above.

When I was still a little girl, I attended boarding school because of distances between our farm and the town. All the farmers' children attended boarding school, so to me it was a very natural thing to do. My dad/mom would drop me off before school starts on a Monday morning, and fetched me again straight after school on a Friday, normally at about 13h15. I then would spend the weekend on the farm.

My mom was really very good with sewing, baking, creating things, painting,  and often made me special dolls' clothes. She will then dress the doll in the new clothes, and should they go to town during the week, leave the dressed up doll on my bed in the boarding school. I will then find the "surprise" on my bed when I return from school that day.

One of my very special memories from those years is a particular doll that was dressed in a full length pure white wedding gown. I came home from school one day and there was this beautifully dressed up dolly on my bed. I can still picture the image, it is so vivid.

Many of the beads in this collar came from my mom's stack of beads after she passed away some years ago. The sequence beads were used on that very same wedding dress for my doll. "White" resembles pure, grace, and to me the wedding gown for my doll my mom made me.



The white rose represents a little girl, the white glass cabochon below the rose purity, various white shells, white cabochons and glass cabochons were used in creating "Grace".  Embellished with glass beads, glass seed beads, glass pearls, sequence beads, this collar to me will be a direct reflection to my doll and her wedding gown.

I embroidered on white leatherette, ultra suede is the backing, the length of the collar is around 53 cm. A toggle finishes off this collar.

To create depth and texture I made use of Picot Stitch between some of the cabochons.

Hope you will enjoy this creation as much as I did when creating it.