I have been making my own necklaces and bracelets for quite a few years. In 2006 I got back into making jewellery on a more committed basis and started taking commissions for friends for presents. In April 2007 I was asked to make a piece for a good friend who likes moons and having difficulty in tracking down a suitable moon bead I turned to American websites. I found the most gorgeous bead and made a piece of jewellery I am very proud of but it got me thinking that there must be people here in the UK who make their own beads and I wanted to explore this further. This led me to search the Internet where I found Sarah Downton (see links page for Sarah's site). I booked up for a 2 day tuition with Sarah and the rest as they say is history.

I was hooked. I travelled to the beadfair in Lingfield and saw Martin from Tuffnells and brought all the equipment I needed and set up my workspace in the garden shed (my poor husband! He spent ages building it and then I took some of it over!) Things have progressed and I now have my own studio space that is completely mine. I now spend my spare time sitting in the shed with my torch making beads to use in my jewellery and also making jewellery to order for friends and family. This has ultimately led to me dipping my toe in the ocean of jewellery and consequently "Aurorabeadz". I work 4 days a week in my "other job" and care for 2 small children so my days are fairly busy but I thoroughly enjoy making beads and jewellery.

I have also just done a silversmithing course and have a very basic knowledge of some silversmithing skills and hope to develop these further to use in my jewellery in future.

I thought I ought to update this a bit more! It has been a busy year culminating in  me being published in Issue 19 of Beads and Beyond  (Art Clay tutorial) and a 2 page spread in the first issue of Making Jewellery. I have learned loads, and am very keen on using silver metal clay with my beads as well. I am about to embark on teaching myself to solder again so I can open up a  whole bunch of possibilities in jewellery. Thank you for sharing this journey with me.

July 2009

I have left my "day job" and with the support of my fantastic husband I am now expanding Aurorabeadz! I have had another tutorial published in June 2009 Beads and Beyond and a 3rd one is due soon!