The clue is in the date... :)

Can you spot the theme of today's post among these lovely things from fellow Craftyfolk team members on Etsy?

Yes, it's Valentine's Day, so the perfect excuse to indulge in a spot of pink and flowery girly-ness!

(To go to the item on Etsy, click on the name of the shop beneath each image :)

            Moody cow designs                                                                                Miss Bohemia

                                                                Mystic Spirit Shop

                                    jcu designs                                           Gimme that thing

Shoogly beads

                     Ritzy Swish                                                                                      Sew Gifted

          

          Avrilpam

         

     Michele Webber Art

My shop

I hope you enjoy browsing some of these shops.

Happy Valentine's Day

Lesley

New Year's Resolutions, and it's only December 29th :)

So Christmas is over for this year. It was lovely spending time with family and getting the house decorated for the festivities...

Pressie-wise we were quite restrained this year, but I was lucky enough to receive these:

Venus Beadery, Etsy

They are wire-wrapped amber, and absolutely stunning. I'd like to learn how to wire-wrap like this in 2013, but don't know if I have the patience!

However, I do know what I shall be trying, very very hard, to do next year. It all starts here:

I know from chatting to other jewellery makers that this is quite a common sight... 

Certainly I frequently end up like this, with beads and various projects scattered arranged everywhere, until I am literally working on the very edge of the table. Not helpful!

So I used the upcoming festivities as an excuse to spend quality time sorting it all out.

Much better!

The thing is, since doing this (on Christmas Eve!), I've been far more productive (well yes, I know it's the holidays too ;)

I've made lots of earrings, which I'll be listing shortly...

 


And some bracelets too...

So my New Year's Resolution? A nice tidy table at all times. I'm sticking to it so far ;-o

What are your Resolutions for 2013?

New and coming soon!

I've been working on some new ideas recently, inspired by some beautiful handmade lampwork beads I've had for a while, and some new art tiles I found on Etsy.


This was the bracelet I made using an adorable burnt wood tile from J-Lynn Jewels:


Rose Garden Bracelet

I enjoyed matching beads, gemstones and metals with the pretty colours in the heart. It's funny how you start off with an idea in your head, but, as you start putting it together the design sort of takes off by itself. You end up with something a little bit unexpected, but even more pleasing, as it's a bit of a surprise!




I've also just completed some earrings using fabulous handmade lampwork beads by UK artist Shirley Giles from Fyrebirds. They are greenish in shade with an amazing depth and intensity. I think the lovely handmade sterling silver earring wires from Etsy artist Tracy Smith at Cinnamon Jewellery complement them perfectly:

I love the quality and uniqueness of these handmade beads and findings. 


I am also working on some earrings using handmade copper wires from Cinnamon Jewellery, and a project involving these J-Lynn tiles, once I can decide whether to use them separately or all together!

All I need is more hours in the day...!

New earrings

These earrings I made a little while ago, but have only just got round to listing them on Etsy. I like the vintagey feel, with layers of little orange and peach flower beads and little bead caps.
The flower beads are Czech glass, which come in such a pretty range of colours and styles, I'm a bit addicted to them at the moment!

To view the earrings on Etsy, click here