New years resolutions...

Ok, so one of my new years resolutions is to improve on my photography! I read a really interesting article this morning about how you can make your product photographs a lot more interesting by using props and creating a scence for your product (in my case jewellery) I always tend to go for the minimalist approach when photographing my jewellery (my thinking was that you need a good clear view of the item with no distractions) but I'm going to give this whole "creating a scene" thing a go, I think its a good idea. When I look at my Etsy store I do tend to think that my photos lack colour and interest, they need livening up! Of course the good thing is that Etsy gives you space for five photos, so there is still room for my minimalist, clean product shots too! Here is my first attempt at a product shot using background props, I really enjoyed playing with the props (a perfume bottle and my jewellery box) and creating a setting for my pendant, and I look forward to taking more photos like this!

This pendant is now listed on Etsy, please click on photograph

Here's To A Happy And Successful New Year!

Ok, I'm a couple of days early but I'm wishing everyone a happy and prosperous 2012! I found this very unsual Victorian New Year card!!!! I'd been watching the kid's show Horrible Histories and they were talking about "Wierd Victorian Christmas Cards" Ha ha! I had to go online and check out "Wierd Victorian Christmas Cards" after that! And this New Year card is one of my favourites!

Believe it or not I actually like this! I think he's cute!

Ok, how do you follow that? Hmmmm, you can't really can you? So on a completley different note, here are some pics of my latest jewellery designs, I'll uploading them to my etsy over the next few days.

"Audrey" pendant is already for sale, click on either photo!

That's all for now! I'm excited about my new "button" necklaces, will get better photos taken of them soon and I also have lovely new "Statement" rings for 2012! Once again I'll wish everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR! Have a good one, and don't be partying too hard on Hogmanay! Ha ha ha! Mx

Have A Crafty Christmas!

Ok, so I have just over a week to complete my christmas shopping! Eeeeekkkk!!!! This year I'm making a lot of my prezzies (there are a lot of decoupage boxes and drawstring bags getting made) One thing that I LOVE are these tags to use with my sewing projects, they really add a lovely touch to my bags and cushions, it just makes everything look extra special.

Tags bought from Kokosnoot art and design 

As I've mentioned above, I bought these tags from Kokosnoot craft and art supplies shop in Callander. It is one of my favourite shops for crafting supplies (especially ribbon!) and if you happen to be in the area please pay them a visit, you'll be glad that you did. They have a lovely selection of art and craft goodies. To find out more visit their website - www.kokosnoot.co.uk (you can also "friend" them on Facebook!)

Kokosnoot - Soooo much ribbon to choose from! I love it! 

I'd like to say thanks to Nic for kind permission to use these photos ( :

One of my cushions featuring "made with love" tag

Christmas prezzies for my friends! Luckily they don't read my blog, so I'm safe to post pics up! (actually the box isn't even finished yet, I still need to decoupage the outside)

Ring Making Workshop!

My next jewellery workshop in Alloa!

Learn how to make a wire wrapped ring and a beaded cluster ring.
Monday 28th Nov, 18.30 - 20.30 at Resonate Art house, Alloa. Cost £20. To book contact Resonate - 01259 928014, email: info@resonate.uk.net

Happy Holidays!

Last week we were up in Aviemore on holiday. We had a fantastic time (always do, its one of my favourite places!) One day we visited Granton On Spey, and discovered The Craft Lounge -(http://www.thecraftlounge.co.uk/)  a lovely craft shop/gallery selling beautiful handmade work by local artists and also a great selection of crafting goodies (lots of lovely beads! I had to resist the urge to buy!!!!)

The Craft Lounge, we will be back next time we're in Granton!

However one thing that I couldn't resist buying was an amazing Spider ring created by "Becka's Insects"  - (http://www.beckasinsects.co.uk/) Beautiful! Becka doesn't just stop at spiders, she also creates butterflies, snails, fairys and beetles. I also admired the beautiful driftwood and woven wire spider's webs that she makes (saving up my pennies for one, definately!)

Stunning Spider rings by Becka's Insects!

I love these driftwood spider webs, beautiful!

Jewellery Classes!

I teach jewellery workshops in Alloa, the next workshop is a ring making class, will post photos soon (I dont like to put up a blog post without images, but this winter daylight has not been very photo friendly!)

Learn how to make wire wrapped rings! Monday 28th Nov, 18.30 - 20.30 at Resonate Art house, Alloa. Cost £20. To book contact Resonate - 01259 928014, email:  info@resonate.uk.net

Vintage Style Rose Rings And Fabric Fun

Christmas is coming and I'm looking forward to getting back into my sewing again (Christmas prezzies!) I found out about a lovely fabric shop on Etsy IKOplus fabric (click here for link to shop) They have a fantastic range of fabrics, I love this cat one!

"Kawaii Shining Cats" fabric

I've been mastering the art of wrapped wire rings this month! Delighted with the end result! I'd had these lucite rose beads sitting in my bead stash for a year, finally I've found the perfect design for them!

These rings are available for sale on my Etsy, click HERE to visit the my etsy store (or just click images!)

Decoupage Boxes

My latest hobby is creating decoupage boxes, using old comic books and magazines. I just love it and can't seem to stop making them! I'm hoping to sort myself out and get an online shop up dedicated solely to my decoupage boxes (watch this space, it will happen eventually!)

The creation of the box! Paper all over the place!

Its impossible to do this bit without making a mess

Bag charm

Bagcharms are the ideal jewellery present for someone who doesn't wear jewellery. I do enjoy making them, at some point soon I'll be posting a bagcharm tutorial on here!

The "ingredients" for the bagcharm

 Finished Products

Earring Display

I'm pleased to have found a new way to display my earrings! I had been experimenting to find new ways to display them, I had come up with the idea of making earring cards, then there was the picture frame idea, but while shopping last week I saw a mini canvas for sale... pierce some holes in it and you have a great earring display! I've also invested in a couple of A4 size canvases. I have a craft evening this Friday so I'll be able to test out my new display then!

Using the mini canvas is my favourite way to display earrings!

My earring card design

New Bracelets

Its been a while since I've updated my blog! I guess it because I prefer pictures to words! But here I am, with a new resolution to blog on here more regularly! To start here are photos of my latest bracelets and pics that I took during the process of making them (I do love "before" and after "pictures") The bracelets featured Douglas Tartan and beautiful dark blue beads to match it. I hadn't really used Douglas before, it was requested by a customer, I'm really pleased with the results. I guess I'd got stuck in a rut of using my usual tartans (Macdonald and Mackenzie) but this has encouraged me to experiment more with new tartans and colours... Its time to create some new designs!

Ta Daaah! The finished product!

Blythe

I needed a model for my tartan bow bobby pins, I think big eyed Blythe is perfect (although a couple of my friends informed me that they found her "Scarey"! Nonsense!!!)

Hello 2011

Hello
well, its been a wee while since I've updated this. I will be updating more frequently from now on, what's the point of having a blog if you don't use it! Ok, so I'm supposed to be here to talk about my jewellery but I am now the proud owner of a sewing machine and have been busy experimenting with it. So far I've made a present for my friend's birthday this month (I'm not posting a photo just on the off chance she comes on here and sees it) and last week I bought some amazing fabric from my new favourite website Fabric Rehab and produced this cushion at the weekend

                                                               

I'll take better photos and post them later, please note the wee cuddle toy dog with the pink hair on the right of the picture, you'll be seeing her in a future post!