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Published: 27 March 2012

I went to the Auckland Craft and Sewing Show the other weekend, not really sure what I was going to find - it's the first time I've been.  It was relatively small - just one hall.  Lots and lots of quilting, patchwork and stamping and paper crafts.  Not much beading.  My favourite Bead Hold was there, of course.  Quite a few places were from Australia, a couple of them beading.

I did my usual, walk around all the stands, taking note of what I might want to buy and then go back and decide what I do actually want to buy.  That way I don't spend all my money at the first couple of stands and then find stuff I really want later on but have no money left for!

I walked up to one stand and picked up their leaflet.  The stall holder saw my face fall a bit.  "You've just seen that we're in Australia," she said.  "Yes," I said, "that means I can't come and visit you."  I love being able to go into bead shops and since a couple in Auckland have closed over the last year there aren't so many to visit anymore.  Well, I got a pretty good near-enough with this place.  They're called Bead Shack and they had some stunning kits to choose from.  Lots of beautiful crystals and pearls.  I bought three - Frilly Bobble, Flower Garden Bracelet, and Off with the Pixies.

After spending a couple of weeks creating Christie's Law jewellery I decided to spend a couple of evenings making things for me.  So I pulled out my Bead Shack kits and go to work.  I had great fun.  As you can see, I had enough beads left over from the Frilly Bobble to make a bracelet and earrings too.  I'm really pleased with the colour combination and distribution in the Garden Bracelet.

I'm leaving the Pixies till later in the year.  I think they'll look really cute on our Christmas tree!

I got one more thing from Bead Shack.  They do a kit subscription.  AUS$40 per month for 6 projects.  They send a kit once a month, all you have to do is wait for it to arrive.  You can't set it up from their website but if you send them an email or contact them through the website and they'll send you info and organise everything.  I can't wait for my first kit to arrive next month.  I will post pictures!

I didn't go to the big Hamilton Craft Show last year but going to the Auckland one has enthused me to do my best to get to Hamilton this year (September).

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Published: 18 March 2012

I have just finished adding all the Christie's Law jewellery to the site.  Follow the Christie's Law menu item on the left and then send me an email with your order.  As easy as that!