Beads Bracelets and Cakes (or BBC as Rob suggested)

I went to the Rock and Gem show in Cheltenham this morning, as recommended by the lady who taught the jewellery workshop I went on some weeks ago. I was quite cynical about the whole thing as couldn't understand why a rock and gem show would sell beads...surely they would sell umm, rocks and the odd gem?

I was quite disappointed, there were two small rooms with stands, and lots of both rocks and gems..and a few joss sticks burning. I felt like a student again. I did find a couple of stands with some interesting beads to buy though, and because they sell in bulk my friend and I were able to split the cost and the beads which was rather clever of us.

When I got home and had thrown a load of washing in (my contribution to the daily chores) I realised we had a bizarre number of lemons in the house. Lemons are one of those things I tend to always chuck into the basket at the supermarket as they will 'come in useful'. Mostly for gin and tonics, although I prefer lime..so as an ode to Nigella I made her lemon cake.

I have even allowed Rob to have two pieces, as usually it disappears to work and is never seeen again. It did sink in the middle a bit, but she does mention that sinking is likely, so that made me feel happier. One day I shall be a domestic goddess!

And because I then realised that we also had lots of eggs that needed using up I made some fairy cakes...these will definitely be sent to work to keep up morale amongst the troops.

They are far from perfect unfortunately as the cases were a bit squashed up in the muffin tin. Oh well. I have it on good authority from the husband that they taste good. I can't see us having any need for dinner tonight, somehow.

I have had a fiddle about with the beads I bought this morning and I am trying to branch out into different types of bracelets now. A friend of mine gave me a bag of battered old necklaces to pull apart and have a play with and I noticed how lovely the settings and wirings were on some of them. So these are my latest designs, due to be modelled this week. I am quite into green and turquoise at the moment, hence the colour scheme of choice.

I haven't spent long with the red beads which were also purchased, but I have lots of ideas milling around, so for the time being....