Free bracelet tutorial

Hers a super free tutorial I found for this lovely mandala bracelet, I've made a few similar to this before and they are great for using up those odd leftover beads and make a stunning statement piece.


See Mandala Bracelet and 1000's of others - or share your own on Cut Out + Keep

Bead giveaway

For all you keen beaders I've just come across a fabulous bead giveaway on The Beading gems journal blog - I'm kind of reluctant to share it as I'd SOOOO love to win it but sharing it gives me and extra entry into the prize draw so here's a link - Beading Gems journal giveaway go forth and DROOL over these lovely beads.

Trying to find inspiration

I can't believe its been over a year since I've blogged about anything craft related. I've been posting on my book blog but apart from that I haven't been doing a huge amount of crafting we've been kept busy with a rather fraught house move which has included downsizing. Anyway we're now settled in our lovely brand new house. Most of my craft materials apart from a box of beads had to go into storage and I had to have a serious de-clutter!

Now we've got a bit more sorted out I've managed to commandeer the smallest bedroom as a craft room and although its pretty hard to work in there compared to my last huge studio, as everything has to be put away after use (then found again which is the hardest bit)

I've joined a couple of local groups trying to get my creative juices flowing, one is called Open Arts at the Darlington Arts Centre, its open to everyone and is aimed at mood enhancement and helping beat depression and mental health problems through art and crafts - which I think is fabulous.

We do all kinds of crafts from painting and pottery to papercrafts and textile art. Every week either a guest tutor or demonstrator comes in to run a workshop, or a member does a demonstration or workshop. I took in some of my beadwork and they've asked me to hold a couple of classes - which I'm nervous about doing but busy planning as I do love to share my love of beading.

I've also been very inspired by the beautiful textile art, embroidery and felting which I've seen there and am trying my hand at that ( like I NEED another craft to obsess over!!)

I've also met a lady there who runs a craft group and has asked me to show some of her ladies some card making ideas as they have lots of materials which they had donated and don't know how to use, including rubber stamps and embossing powders and lots of embossing boards and stuff.

I'm SOOO out of practice not having done any cardmaking for over 4 years I'm having to sit down and reteach myself so I don't make an absolute fool of myself.

So I'm scouring the internet for ideas and inspiration once again. Especially looking for ideas and tutorials on using the keepsake embossing boards like bookatrix, majestic and romance, so if You know any good projects or tutorials or have any ideas for using them on your blog or site please leave a link in your comment.

Making room for crafting

I've been busy trying to keep my new years resolution - to start clearing some space in my craft room. Wow how DID all that stuff get in there anyway?

I'm a serious hoarder and sometimes get overcluttered and it begins to make me feel stressed, so I'm taking it a bit at a time and trying to have a craft de-stash of some of the items I'll never use.

Firstly I've begun with some scrapbooking supplies and tag books and journals that I've made and will never use. Hopefully someone else will be able to put them to good use and if I get something for them, even if its nowhere near as much as I bought them for (blush) maybe I'll be able to buy a new storage unit to keep things tidy?

Please have a look in my Folksy shop for more crafty supplies (as well as my usual handmade jewellery)

Happy New Year

I just want to wish A Very Happy New Year to all my crafting friends and fellow bloggers.

I know it's a little late but I've been enjoying an alternative Christmas by sunning myself in Tenerife. We spent the festive season over there chilling out and relaxing and have come back with the batteries recharged and ready to face the remainder of winter, if not with a smile at least with a bit of a tan!

Here's just a few of the many photos I took.

Folksy :: Buy "Vintage collage brooch"

Folksy :: Buy "Vintage collage brooch": "£4.50

1 in stock
Description
Pretty, nostalgic, one of a kind, collage brooch.

I collaged a scrap of vintage text onto mountboard and deckled the edge with silver embossing powder, then I added a recycled bottle top filled with a pretty vintage image, then glazed it and surrounded it with embedded pearl trim.

Swinging below the brooch is a strand of silken threads, loaded with delightful beads and a tiny tassel.

On the back is an easy to fasten badge pin.

Because this is made from mountboard its lightweight and easy to wear on a delicate garment or pin it to your hat or bag to make a vintage fashion statement.

Folksy :: Buy "Pretty in Pink Necklace and bracelet set "

Folksy :: Buy "Pretty in Pink Necklace and bracelet set ": "Description
Beautiful handmade beaded necklace and matching bracelet set in pretty shades of pink from palest candy floss to deepest dusky rose, with a hint of silver, pearl and a tiny touch of spring green.

Includes lampwork glass beads, crystals, facetted glass and rose quartz gemstones all mixed together.

The necklace is Princess length measuring approx 18' long and fastens with a secure rollover claw clasp and a large tibetan silver loop.

The Matching bracelet measures approximately 7 3/4' long and fastens with a tibetan silver t bar and loop."

Folksy :: Buy "Evening in Paris Beadwork Necklace"

Folksy :: Buy "Evening in Paris Beadwork Necklace": "Evening in Paris Beadwork Necklace
£18.00

1 in stock



Description
I handmade this one of a kind beadwork necklace from a selection of my prettiest beads in shades of mid to deepest blue with touches of green, lilac and purple.

First I made the centrepiece by beadworking a Peyote twist which spirals naturally then I embellished it by intricately working rows and rows of freeform beadwork across and around the spiral twist.

I then added a couple of sperkling blue beads to each end and mounted it on a dainty beadwoven double netted row of small beads and finished it with a Tibetan silver loop and secure rollover claw clasp.

It measures approx 19' long which is a really nice length to flatter your neck and comfy to wear.

You can dress this necklace up or down by evening it will grace the most elaborate ballgown or little blue party dress.

If you can'r bear to stop wearing it by day it will look just as fab nestled in a V neck cashmere sweater, or worn with a checked cotton shirt and jeans.

Its a one-off and a real conversation piece - absolutely stunning.

Old Teddy begged to model it - doesn't he look cute? But it will look even better on YOU !"

Folksy :: Buy "Honey and lime twist Necklace and bracelet set"

Folksy :: Buy "Honey and lime twist Necklace and bracelet set": "Honey and lime twist Necklace and bracelet set
£14.00

1 in stock

I just listed this set on Folksy

Description
Matching set of a beautiful, handmade spiral twist beaded rope necklace and matching bracelet.

Both are handmade from glass beads in shades of honey and lime green.

They fasten with a tiny Tibetan silver heart loop and secure rollover claw catch.

The Necklace measures approximately 20' long (just over 51cm)

The bracelet measures approx. 8 1/2' long (21.4 cm)

They would make a lovely gift set.

Please note - Old Ted isn't for sale - he just wanted to help by modelling some jewellery for me."

Patchwork bags

When I recently got back into sewing again as a hobby I decided I wanted to make some nice bags and smallish items to get back into the swing of using a sewing machine.

First of all heres my veryfirts attempt - a tea towel tote bag. I bought a pack of 3 retro print tea towels in a lovely firm linen like fabric, one tea towel made this really useful shopping bag which I made with one long strap so I can carry it over my shoulder.

Next I wanted to make a book cover as I'm seldom to be seen without my current read in my hand and I tend to take them with me where I go, this useful book cover has a ribbon as a bookmark and I made it with 2 handles so I can carry it about, its very lightly padded so it protects the book but is still light and compact.

I made this one a touch too small and it only fits a smaller papaerback but hey, now I've made one I can make a whole bunch in different sizes and colours!

I wanted to try a handbag and I looked on the web for free bag patterns and found this super free pattern at Made by Rae for a buttercup bag, if you're interested in making bags I can recommend popping by her blog which has several really easy to follow patterns totally FREE to download.

Its quite a small shoulder bag and I made it in really bright tropical summer colours to add a bit of sunshine to the days I use it.

I got a big offcut of this very jazzy fabric at my local car boot sale - what a great find!

In the meantime I bought a small pack of mixed patchwork fabrics so I could get on and do some patchworking which was what set me off on this route in the first place.

First I made this smallish book bag which is smallish enough to carry 2 or 3 paperback books but not big enough for a whole load of shopping.

Its really pretty and I think I might make a larger one for when I go scouting around the charity shops, markets and car boot sales for fabric and books!

Finally here is the most recent one I made - this was MUCH more complex It was made from a pattern my friend gave me when I saw her toting one of these lovely patchwork bags around.

Its padded with wadding and quilted to make it nice and soft and it has ties at the side so it opens out even larger if you need to cram more stuff in!

Its nice and big and strong enough to use as a shopper or a craft bag. I'm going to use this for carrying my current project around when we go away for weekends, or when I go to my craft group or for a crafting session at a friends like I enjoyed last week.


I hope you've enjoyed seeing my efforts so far.

Beady fans - don't worry I haven't stopped beading and have several new beady projects in line to follow shortly.