Spring Fever

This is what happened to the beads I was making, this is a picture of six of my new necklaces. There have been requests for one as above which I am working on at the moment. A collection of these necklaces went straight into Cream in Frome as they look fantastic on Avrils gorgeous knitwear.
I have also been experimenting making fabric beads.. and since making these have been on a bit of an adventure. Back in January I put my name down to attend The Best Of British Open at Liberty London, and a couple of weeks ago I got an e-mail with the details on it. I became very excited and decided to make some of the fabric beads with Vintage Liberty Fabrics and luckily Donna Flower was able to provide the most perfect fabrics. I didn't really sleep much over the 14 days leading upto the 2nd of April. My mind was buzzing, 'what if they did like my things how could I cope with the orders', (I do have an army of knitters and crocheters that would help) 'what if they didn't like them' etc etc. Mainly I was going for the experience and whatever happened I was going to have a great day.
I used the Liberty fabrics wrapped around curtain rings as well as making the beads and embellishing them. I also wrapped the fabrics around woooden beads and did a few embroidery stitches to give it a bit of texture.
The one above is quite a long one and one of my favorites, I really should have worn it on the day!
I got to Liberty fairly late, about 11 and there was none of the queuing I expected. I went straight in and up the stairs to a waiting area signed in and was offered coffee and tea, much more relaxing than I thought. I spent the next couple of hours nattering and people watching. There were some amazing designers there.
When I went in to do my pitch I was sooo nervous, your given 3 minutes. I started talking about my work and the first thing I took out of my bag was a necklace nearly 2 metres long which I had made to look like the one at the top, I was sort of going for the vogue look. I think I probably came across as absolute beginner and not at all the person I am with 24 years experience in retail ;) I then showed some of my other work. The people judging had really already decided that my work would not suit Liberty and felt it was a 'niche' market. Ah well I did my best, and was so glad I did it. It was something I had been dreaming about since my 20's and maybe one day I'l go back who knows. The only thing I think about getting in later was that the buyers had probably seen 300 people each before we all went in and it must have been such a tiring day. If you think you've got what it takes they are doing another one in August. I would say dress quirky and wear what you are selling if is jewellery or clothing.

I now have a really strong collection of work and 6 Galleries interested in stocking them, which is probably a bit easier to do and fits more with this years plan!

Spring Greens

We have had a lovely bank Holiday Monday, doing odd jobs around the house and the garden, me and the boys had nettle soup for lunch, made with nettles, potatoes,onion lovage, rosemary and oregana yum. Tony was not convinced that it would be delicious and stuck to bread and pate.
It was so nice to have lunch together, the boys are rarely around over the weekends now. We all went for a walk around our local woods after lunch.
They all have a bit of a competitive streak..as you can see from the top pic, I was taking a picture of Arthur and Harry, but the others wanted to see if they could jump higher Lol :)

Lots of chatting on the way (inbetween the jumping and climbing).
The colours of spring are fantastic, the vibrant greens of the new leaves against the blue sky..
The fields are full of dandelions and daisys, the wild garlic is all along the hedgerows and ready to flower.
The blue bells are just starting to come out. I will have to go back next week to see how the colours have changed.
How high can Arthur be lifted! and for how long? Harry ran up the hill carrying Arthur building up his muscles ready for the army.





Arthur is so going to miss his big brothers soooo much.
I am desperate to capture every moment of these last few months of us all being together.
More competitions in jumping, Arthur wanted to do it all by himself..and also refused to hold my hand on the walk.




More pictures of the beautiful spring flowers, happy colours :)

I have also been making a lot, inspired by Arthurs beading above where he used everything to hand regardless of shape or colour. I have made some allsorts bracelets, I loved the way the buttons were bunched together, I have not been able up to now to find a use for the shank buttons.
I have also made another scumble cushion, I am trying to get a collection together to get into Galleries. I have added buttons to this one.


I had a great day last Monday taking pictures of the new bracelets for my website, the bracelet above is made using recycled jewellery and wooden beads.
I hope you all had a good Bank holiday weekend. x

Back to work.

I had a lovely delivery of Jewellery Tuesday and have been busy changing my whole cabinet, which now looks very flowery, and organised....another delivery of Pearls and Girls jewellery is due in any day, and really there is not much space left for it. I think I need a rush of customers, always the optimist :)  Today i am going to finish these brooches just need to add butons and beads.
I really should be doing a whole shop stock take :( but keep getting side tracked as usual..there are much more fun things to do, counting is boring!  I have started though..slowly slowly, I have found Items that no longer go well in with the constantly changing stock, so next week I am going to have a photography week, and update my shops on Folksy and Etsy (with new bits) and have a sale on e-bay (with old bits).  While doing the link to my Etsy shop I realised how long it is since i updated it, poor shop.  
These are some of my button brooches using some of my huge stash of Vintage buttons, I have been teaching people how to make these and button hearts as well as jewellery as part of the new button workshop.
I thought I would share a couple of my favorite cards with you, these are by Pulp, and I have a great range of them in my shop.
Der.. think that might be me ;0

The button workshop.

All set for the button workshop on Saturday. I had great fun pouring all the lovely buttons into the coloured bowls.
I put out some large vintage buttons to be the bases of the button brooches. This was my first button workshop so I had not promoted it too much as I like small groups to start with.
Vintage buttons and beads were put at the end of the table, I put out everything I think people will need, show how to make a few things and get every one inspired and basically let them make whatever they like.  It is very free and easy. Every body said what a lovely relaxing morning they had. It is great that people have the opportunity to test out the techniques with out any of the outlay.
Everyone went home with ideas on how to use up there button stash.
These are some of the hearts that were made. I love the colours of the one above...it makes me want to make more.
I also get lots of inspiration from every one that comes on the workshop.
Chloe came with her Mum Jill and produced two beautiful necklaces .

I am looking forward to the next workshop and really must get on and add the new dates for April and may. Some of the people who have already done two or three have asked whats next! So I need to come up with some new ideas.  It is a great way to spend a Saturday morning and at only £15 I think everyone definitely gets there moneys worth :)