I'm still alive...gloom, doom and a glimmer of sunshine.

Well, it's been a long time since I blogged - not because I've forgotten about my Blog - (and I really didn't want to be one of those people who set up a blog and then never blogged again!) It's just that so much has been happening in my life but I've not really wanted to share it with the wwworld. Still, a lot of you have been asking why I've been so quiet - so here's a potted history of the last couple of months.

Firstly a lot of bad stuff - my aunt sadly died last week. Although it wasn't unexpected it still was quite a shock. I've been busy helping my uncle (who is in his eighties) sort things out for the funeral and so on. It's been tough.

Previous to this my mum had a fall and broke her wrist so I've been helping out there, too. You just don't realise how much you rely on your hands until they're not in use. So, this combined with the Easter holidays has been rather detrimental on my work output. I wonder whether I should stop being a bead maker and start up my own care company!

Then - in reply to those of you who have asked me - I won't be at the Flame Off this year. I'm sorry for my absence but there was something I felt rather strongly about and I'd rather stick to my principles than make a quick dollar by selling there. Anyway - lest said and all that, but if you are going this weekend I hope you will have a great time. Don't forget to check out Di East's demo - sure to be inspiring and interesting. And make sure you see Bob Martin. He's the new star of the Making Glass Animals DVD that I will soon be selling on my website.

Next to all this bad stuff is a shining beacon of wonderful news. I'll not spill the beans yet on it as it could still turn to dust - but Adam, Emily and I have had a dream for several years. It is slowly becoming a reality and as soon as I know for sure I'll be sure to tell everyone what's happening in the next few days. Basically - it's "Coming Soon This Summer......"

In the meantime here's a picture of some beads I've just made which is a big clue to what I hope to be up to this July:

Oh....and I nearly forgot. Don't forget to check out my tutorial on vessels in this months Beads and Beyond. And look out for me in Practical Publishing's new magazine Creative Beads and Jewellery Issue 2 in April!