Wednesday 7 March 2012

Twit Twoo

Good Morning Folks

You may have noticed that I have recently ‘been on one’; well if not; here we go.

I saw some lovely Owls on the internet and decided to have a go at making some of my own.
I started off with what I thought would be an ok size, but was disappointed how small it came out.
It is really cute but very fiddly to make, so I decided to enlarge my pattern and have another go.
Colour choice was the main question, so I rummaged in my stash and found these Jade/Turquoise fabrics, so here we went again to see what the bigger one would look like. The bigger size came out at approx 7 inches tall, and I was generally happy with him.



Next to move on to some more, but again what fabrics?  My current favourites are Batik fabrics so I decided to see what combinations I could come up with. I found a lovely cream fabric that had some subtle changes in it; so decided to see what I had that would contrast well with the cream. This is what I came up with:




Once I had made the six I thought it was time to move on, but what next? Well it had to be more Owls because I just love them at the moment, so I decided it was time for Owl cushions. You may have seen that I have made one before.


The fabrics were quite subtle, so I decided to ‘go for it’ this time. This is the result:



Next was a compromise, not too bold, and not too subtle.


All of my Owls are available at the Creative-Connections CRAFTfest  and on my Website  (except one, which has already flown)

Well that was the end of the weekend, so had to stop sewing; but that hasn’t stopped me planning the next round; I have started it, but you’ll have to wait for the next blog to see what I came up with.

Signing off for now, back soon

F xx



Monday 5 March 2012

More Lilac Groupies

Welcome back,

CRAFTfest is fast approaching, so I'd like to  introduce you to some more of my Lilac Lovelies; here goes:


Handmade by Suzanne


Hi I'm Suzanne a busy mum of two wonderful children, I make handcrafted jewellery, and all items are unique. I usually have at least one or two (or ten!!) projects on the go at any one time, my dreamy Pisces head can get easily carried away. Whenever I start with a plan I tend to go off on a tangent and end up designing something completely different - but that's all part of the fun isn't it??? As such although my items may not always follow the current high street trends (my mind doesn't seem to want to conform), you can be sure that all items have been made with love and passion and have been created uniquely just for you. Most have even got my four year old daughter's approval although sometimes Mummy there just isn't enough pink!!

I use mostly sterling silver and/or genuine gemstones, however all materials will always be stated for each and every item. I hope you find something you like xx




The Velveteen Cat


The Velveteen Cat store is where you will find handmade, one of a kind jewellery for the person who is looking for something a bit different to what you will find on the high street at very reasonable prices. There are several jewellery collections which cover a range of different styles from feminine and elegant pieces, to contemporary and more glitzy ones. There are also Heirloom Rosaries which are made of semi-precious and sterling sliver. With all that choice there should be something for everyone! Each piece is individual and although some designs may be similar, they will never be exactly the same unless requested as a custom order. Why not take a leisurely browse and see what is on offer!!



Mystic Moon

I'm very free spirited and spiritual person and because of this I am a Reiki Master in two different styles of Reiki, In Ushi Reiki and Angelic Reiki. I'm Pagan and a lover of Nature, Elements and Sun and Moon.
I use Gemstones due to their Magickal and Healing Correspondences.

My jewellery is designed with quirkiness, individualism and dark fantasy in mind. My spirituality influences each and every piece, and I mainly create One Of A Kind (OOAK) pieces as creativity flows better that way. But there is a smattering of Festival Eivissa Style Jewellery and some Boho Undertones too to keep the shop fresh and on trend with the current fashions.



Jacqueline Jones


I am a cottage industry manufacturing from home in rural Lincolnshire, trading as Jacqueline Jones.
I design and make vintage inspired bunting, aprons and homemade handicrafts. I am qualified as a Professional Interior Designer and have a love of vintage fashion and home, alongside colour, texture and beautiful materials. I sell online mainly via Folksy; I also have a number of retailers who sell my products.. I started the company after making hostess aprons and receiving such kind praise and also requests for me to make some for friends.
My beautiful high quality products are all individually made with great care and attention to detail. My items are only made in small quantities, so you can be assured of buying something unique to cherish forever :-) Jacqueline Jones is all about pretty things and just sometimes being inspired by the environment.


Kingfishercrafts

Hi I'm Julia from Kingfishercrafts. I love trying new crafts, but my main loves are knitting and card making. I cannot remember a time when I wasn't knitting or making something from baby clothes to soaps and candles. Everything at Kingfishercrafts is handmade using luxury hand dyed wools to fashion yarns, and cotton printed fabric to satin ribbon. Come and visit and have a browse through my shop.


Jennyrosemann


My interest in textiles began in childhood taking various forms, and has continued into my adult life. I currently create pieces fusing together felt, fleece, fabric and thread with hand and machine stitching/embroidery based upon the design of single stem flowers that stand proud. I often start a piece with only a visual representation in my head and allow the medium to shape the finished piece. I enjoy the journey that is being taking when creating a piece and experimenting. My work progresses over time and takes new direction supported by new techniques and experimentation.
The pieces within the Stall are based upon the single stem flower design with various combinations of fabric and thread and techniques. No two pieces can be the same due to the techniques used. Colour ranges vary from spring yellows to deep reds, and blues to purples. Custom orders are also very welcome based upon colour ranges and sizes. Thank you for looking at my page.


Handmade By Midge


Handmade By Midge has plenty of handmade gifts for everyone but for the Craftfest I have chosen my baby and children selection. 




AsIndividualAs


Handmade Jewellery, Fun different and excellent quality. I've included in my stall some of my most popular items, including things for boys and Men, who often go unloved in the jewellery world. I have also put in some of my items that my current customers really like.
I enjoy making Jewellery its a hobby that has grown arms and legs, but it must be good quality, I love what I do and I want my customers to love it to. I hope that you do..


Christine Reader



 Presently I make handmade Cyanotypes. They have a beautiful ethereal quality,reminding one of nature,they are feminine & timeless.I use female garments,underwear made of fluid fabric & lace or evening wear; also drawn images to make a negative.I photograph these onto paper or fabric.I also embellish fabric images with embroidery & beads,drawing into them with threads.Some of my work is inspired by my illustration training, beginning with a reference point. Such as a book title,poem, personal thought or feeling.
I also make cards and smaller hand crafted items to compliment the larger pieces.
I will take commissions for my work, personal garments can be photographed & embellished. 



Silver Fusion


Paragraph = Keeping to a limited palette of cool blues, greens and purples, and using traditional techniques, Rachel makes beads, findings and jewellery components, using glass, enamels, polymer clay, sterling silver and copper. 




The Lemon Tree


The Lemon Tree hand crafts fine silver jewellery inspired by nature aswell as combining with genuine gemstones. Often a mould is taken of an object found outside on a walk along the beach or a leaf taken from a tree in the woods which is then used to design a beautiful, unique item of jewellery. 



Crafty Goates


My name is Clare and I am Crafty Goates, having established my craft business in 2005. We supply an extensive range of items for children's rooms comprising nameplaques, pegs of many different types, mirrors and canvasses. These are all individually handpainted with my original designs and names can be added to give that special, personal touch. Many of these items are also handmade to order in our workshop in Hemel Hempstead (by my father). I studied art to A level but did not consider making a career of it until more recently when I became a full time Mum. As well as painting, I also enjoy other creative crafts such as making cards, gift boxes and fabric items. Art runs in the family as my Auntie is an artist and my great grandfather was a leading painter at a well known ceramics factory in Chelsea during the Arts & Crafts movement.



I hope you all enjoyed my preview, and apologies to those of you for whom I have had to use different pictures to those that you sent me; (I was having some trouble with loading pictures today).


Please remember CRAFTfest starts this Saturday, so lets see lots of blogging, tweeting, sharing etc.


Look forward to see you all there


F xx