Let's Go Retro!

I have a real love of car boot sales and charity shops, you never know what you're going to find. Last weekend I had a good haul. Saturday morning at the car boot provided me with a beautiful piece of screen printed fabric (1970s) and Sunday I was lucky enough to come across a 1970s floral tea tray and... some Mills and Boon books. Ok, I bought the books purely for the cover art work. I am trying to read one at the moment but I must admit I'm struggling. I love 1970s design and artwork but I don't like 1970s attitudes! Enough said. Mind you, I have got 3 books so maybe I'll try a different one and see how I get on. I wanted to like the story inside the book, I really did...

Stunning design, puts me in mind of the Biba fashion house

As you can see its a big piece of fabric!

I've not decided what I'm going to make with it yet

 

My lucky finds from the charity shop

 

Classic Mills and Boon cover art

I really should have removed price stickers before taking this photo!



Jewellery from a found object

I'm trying to get out and walk more so instead of taking the car to my local shops if the weather is agreeable I will walk instead. One of the benefits (apart from the obvious health/exercise of course) is that sometimes I will find interesting objects discarded on the ground. One lucky find was a heart shaped key ring, I couldn't just leave it there, as soon as I found it I saw a dramatic piece of jewellery, so here it is...

 This is the heart exactly as I found it,

I'm guessing it was a key ring in a former life

 

Creating the pendant bail

 

Add a selection of beads and charms

 and a piece of jewellery is created

Spring is here!!!

I have a tendency to "hibernate" during winter, hence the lack of blog posts recently (3 months is it?!) But Spring has now arrived so its time to get back out there! Now that the weather is a bit warmer I've been able to move into my new workshop (it was just too cold this winter even with the heater on full blast) I've re-decorated and I'm planning on spending a lot of time in here creating :-) Its been too long!!!!

My lovely new workshop

 

I've made an effort to personalise my workspace and make it a nice place to spend time, I brought down some of my favourite pieces of artwork to make me feel at home and to inspire me creatively. I'd like to draw your attention to the picture under the siamese cat, I was lucky enough to win this back in February. The artist is Anna Watkins and you can see more of her work here
www.annawatkins-artist.co.uk

 

Artwork by Anna Watkins

 

I found Anna via Facebook, one of my friends was a fan of her page (social networking actually does work!) You can follow this link to follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/annawatkinsartist  I highly recommend that you take a look. As well as creating beautiful artwork Anna promotes self development, well being and positivity through creating art, and her blog The Creative Path makes interesting reading ( I recommend her post "Spring Cleaning" for all you clutterbugs out there, I found it most useful) She also runs courses and workshops at her studio in Buckinghamshire - see website for details. So why not see for yourself and take a look at her website now, you'll be glad that you did.

 

Miniature picture that Anna very kindly painted for my Mum 

 

Oh and one more thing to prove that Spring really is here... Today just before settling down to write this blog post I was lucky enough to see a deer right outside my house, I just happened to have my camera to hand because I'd been taking photos for this post.

 

Beautiful - I feel very lucky to have seen him!









Jewellery Class February 2nd

Hello, this is just a quick blogpost to tell you about my next jewellery class at Resonate Arts House in Alloa. using cold enamelling techniques you will "cold" enamel your choice of pendant blank and then add embellishment using coloured wire and beads. This is a fun and creative workshop and suitable for both beginners and those with some experience.
Workshop date is Saturday 2nd February, 10 am untill 12 noon and costs £20 (including all tools and materials to make your jewellery) To book a place contact Resonate Arts House on 01259 928014 or email info@resonate.uk.net

Resonate Arts House, Units A3 and A4 North Castle Street, Alloa FK10 1EU

I think the pictures below tell the story perfectly!

HAPPY HOGMANAY!!!!

Just a quick post to wish everyone a Merry Hogmanay and all the best for 2013! I'm posting some pics of the beautiful Scottish countryside as a "toast" to the upcoming year. One of my resolutions for this new year is to get out walking in the countryside more often (didn't do nearly enough of that last year) So the pictures below are of two of my favourite walks.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

 

View from above the Dollar Glen (Castle Campbell is in the bottom left)

 Braklinn Falls near Callander

 

ALL THE BEST FOR 2013 - HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

Happy Christmas (and some interesting Victorian Christmas Cards!)

Hello, I hope that everyone is enjoying the Christmas season and looking forward to happy holidays!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY PROSPEROUS 2013 FROM ARTIZANIA

Yesterday while browsing online I found a very emmmm, interesting looking Christmas book, titled "We Wish You A Crazy Christmas" It is a postcard book of Victorian Christmas Cards (see my post from last December, I love Victorian Christmas Cards) I wish I'd discovered it a couple of weeks ago I would have bought it in time for Christmas. I shall definitely be buying it and will save it for next Chritmas! Ha ha! Here is a picture of the front cover! I can't wait to see the postcards inside.

Pretty Crazy looking, I am desperate to see inside this book!

Here are samples of  typical Victorian Christmas cards. Well it is Christmas after all, the time to share.

Apologies to the vegetarians out there

 They get a lot stranger, just do an internet search for "Weird Victorian Christmas Cards" and see what you can find. On that note, I'll finish this post and wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS!



First Jewellery Workshop Of 2013!

My first jewellery workshop of 2013 is at Resonate Arts House in Alloa on Saturday Jan 5th, 10am till 12 noon. We are making a beaded cluster pendant and a pair of earrings. Workshop cost is £20 and this includes all tools and materials. To book a place contact Resonate on 01259 928014 or email info@resonate.uk.net Or you can message me direct via the Artizania Facebook page - click HERE or go to www.facebook.com/artizaniajewellery This workshop is suitable for beginners.

Resonate Arts House, Units A3 and A4 North Castle Street, Alloa FK10 1EU