Sweet Treats and Stocking Stuffers

It was that time again ................. this year I thought I would like to attempt to make a few gifts for a couple of my favourite people.  Just testing the waters you do understand, next year I might make more gifts.  I find it quite hard to make things for friends as I get overcome with nerves as to whether or not they like the gift or are just being really kind to me.

I am freakishly sensitive and giving a bad gift is enough to stop me sleeping properly for weeks!  I know, this is really trivial when you think of all the actual misfortune in the world. But I guess we all have our thing!


So this ring is assembled from bits and pieces
I have collected over the years.  Have always loved
the tangle of discarded jewellery found at the bottom of a jewellery box.  To me it represents an intriging past life and the promise of discovery - each piece is like treasure to me.

 

 

Love working with silver - so shiney and soft, wirework is such a pleasure.  Both these pairs of earrings are made from repurposed sterling silver necklaces.  Oviously the posts are brand new.

Both pairs contain semi precious gemstones.

Sewing Circle - Lesson Five

Teaching is really satisfying - you get to nurture and progress other people's talent which is a very rewarding feeling.  I could be wrong, but maybe this could be my calling???

Lesson five, my fantastic pupil made me a new ironing board cover, we created the pattern from the existing one which quite frankly should have been replaced about 10 years ago.  This provided an opportunity to sew around sharp curves on both the overlocker and the standard sewing machine - not so daunting when you have done it a few times.

LESSON FIVE - Mini Ironing Board.  Perfection!

Awwww, how cute is that???

See how nicely it fits the curved end?

A very snug fit indeed.

Not a unclipped thread in sight!

IN LESSON SIX WE WILL BE LEARNING TO MAKE A BASIC KIMONO SHAPE.  It will either be a dressing gown, blouse or a dress - watch this space ................

Sewing Circle - Lesson Three/Four

Seems a lifetime ago that I completed my City and Guilds Tailoring, B-TEC Womens Outerwear, Silver Jewellery City and Guilds and Fashion Design Degree not to mention the PTTLLS Teaching Qualification - at last - something I can apply it all too!

My star pupil in lesson three produced the following Jewellery Pouch which taught her some transferable techniques such as sewing curves, quilting, attaching bias binding and covering buttons.  She did marvellously as you can see from the results.

LESSON THREE/FOUR - JEWELLERY POUCH.  LOVELY BUTTON EMBELLISHMENT!

Check out the perfect quilting!

Splendid job with the bias binding!

Sewing Circle - Lesson One/Two

 Well dear reader, I finally succombed to teaching and found I actually really like it!  Surprised am I or what?  Well it helps that my first ever pupil is so clever, a quick learner and an all round lovely lady.

So what has she made so far?  After only five lessons (never having touched a machine before now) she has successfully made the following items;

LESSON ONE:                       Cushion Cover    -   photo coming soon..............................
LESSON TWO:                       Tote Bag
LESSON THREE/FOUR:        Jewellery Pouch
LESSON FIVE:                       Ironing Board Cover

LESSON TWO:                TOTE BAG.

Check out the perfect corners!

Excellent securing of bag handle!

Pretty Glass Flower Necklaces - Bouquet of Beautifulness!

Pretty opaque red and peach flowers wth green leaves.

Pretty pink and burgundy flowers with green glass beads. 

Lovely, influenced by Victorian floral swags, remind me of romantic funeral wreaths.  For sale in store at Eishen-an, Adel, Leeds.

Treasure Time!

My 'Ice is Nice' ring bracelet has been included in a treasurey on etsy.  Treat your eyeballs and check it out.  My last available of this design.  Hx
www.etsy.com/treasury/MTY3NjA1NDd8MjcyMzMzMzMwMg/not-sure-about-the-titl...

'My Legs are Weak' (Paloma Faith)

Really love the music and voice of Paloma Faith, amazingley talented artist. 

Unfortunately from time to time I exibit rather strange behaviour (clearly I am bonkers!), so last year at the Paloma Faith gig in Harrogate I threw a necklace I had created for her birthday straight at her on stage nearly tripping her over in her fantastic platform shoes while she was in mid song. 

Poor love thought I had dropped it and tried to hand it back (at least I hope that is why she tried to hand it back!).




Anyway, I created this giant rosery necklace while listening to 'My Legs are Weak' from the album 'Do You Want the Truth or Something Beautiful'. 

The song makes me think of departed loved ones obviously who you miss terribly and the pain you go through (what a sap I am!), the crystal drops are like tears rolling off it.  Has a slightly Quaker feel I think with the embriodered lace collar.








 Quite interested in Victorian morning jewellary and tradition including religious jewellary which is probably why it came out as a rosery design. It is a deep aubourgine colour with brass findings and cut glass facetted beads from a vintage necklace - everything
used in this necklace is upcycled.  It ties at the nape of neck with a deep purple silk ribbon.

 As you can see - its rather long!

MEDALS OF HONOR!

 Started looking at medals and militaria and decided to create my own take on them, still at beginning stages as still experimenting and waiting for inspiration to strike ....................











This one is made from an upcycled brooch piece and door handle which we have sprayed black.

As you can see the brooch finding is hand stitched to the reverse.

For this medal I have reset the stones in an upcycled brooch piece and used a cameo pendant.  The fabric is a gorgous striped silk from an FCUK camisole top. 

The fabric is handstitched to the inside of the broochpiece.

To make this medal I have used a vintage gentleman's tiebar and a flatterned piece of ornate bronze or oxidised copper.

As you can see the fabric is again stitched into the brooch componant.

DRESS UP DOLLY!!!

This is a necklace I have designed and made especially for Dolly Divine who I hope will shortly be modelling some of my pieces - once I get my act together and send them up to her!  Honestly where does the time go???

Experiments.

Just realised that I haven't really posted any pictures of works in progress.  I tend to start projects, put them down for a bit and then go back to them - I find this is a more organic way to design rather than forcing a piece to work.  The piece then generally works itself out as it reveals what it is to become if that makes any sense at all????

These are the very bones of three cuff bracelets I am toying with at the moment using recycled bits and bobs.  Just waiting for the end designs to reveal themselves to me.  The spikey one at the rear is made of glass chanderlaire pieces and for the two pink in the foreground I have disassembled a bracelet and wired together the pieces.  I can't wait for the results.

ITS A BLING THING!

One man's trash is another man's treasure.  Inspired and made from discarded jewellary laying around in the bottom of my jewellary box.  Every piece is an earring, the chain itself is made from butterfly backs linked with jump rings - really fiddley but well worth it I think!
Have had this bracelet pinned on 'Pintrest' recently. Check it out.

Inspired by the Snow Queen in the Narnia books.  Ice is nice! Upcycled an old and discarded highstreet necklace - rearranged it a bit and replaced the crystals.  Would be lovley with white fur (faux of course!). 

Its a Ring Thing!

Wire rings inspired by and made from upcycled broken or surplace jewellary.  Spent quite a few hours replacing rhinestones and wire findings etc.  Very enjoyable way to spend time methinks!