Friday 26 August 2011

It's Folksy Friday time again!

Two weeks running and I've managed to get a Folksy Friday post done - how long will this continue? Your guess is as good as mine! Once again, no theme here, just things I've favourited recently on Folksy that I think deserve a blog shout out for their fabulousness.


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1.) A cute wee highland cow card by Aileen Clarke Crafts - aside from it's total adorableness, I love how the felt texture has transferred so well as a print
2.) A heart necklace by Alison Moore designs - I think the silver and copper look fantastic against one another in this piece
3.) A mini yarn skein necklace by Max's World - a great gift for a knitter, a teeny weeny little skein of yarn pendant
4.) A resin bird ring by Cassiopi - I love the the 'brushed' effect of the blue colour in this ring, which makes the little flying birds really pop
5.) A cat necklace by Jings Things - A cute and fun little kitty necklace in acrylic, with the sweet little addition of a bow around it's neck
6.) A pair of cufflinks by Fortune Favours The Brave - these Scottish themed cufflinks made me smile with their 'aye pod' slogan - and who doesn't love a man in a kilt, right?

Hope you like my picks for this week. As ever, click on the photo to be taken to the Folksy makers' shop. I am off for a Bank Holiday weekend back in Essex with my family, so my Etsy and Folksy shops are now closed and will be re-opened on Monday. Hope you have a nice holiday, however you choose to spend it!

Nicole
xoxo

Tuesday 23 August 2011

Success for Flora Metallica in the London Jewellery School Student Competition!

I attended the London Jewellery School last year to take one of their evening classes in silver jewellery (fab little studio, a fantastic, inspiring tutor (Michael Milloy) and I came away with two pieces of jewellery which had tested and educated me in several techniques) and was thus eligible to enter their competition for current and present students. 

I was extremely excited to be nominated in the final five, packaged up my entry, my 'Flora Metallica' beadwork necklace, and awaited news of the results, which were to be decided by a judging panel made up of tutors from the London Jewellery School.

The result? Flora Metallica was awarded 2nd place! 


I am so proud of this necklace - it is my first really big piece of beadwork and challenged me in new ways whilst I came up with a way of beading the necklace I had imagined and sketched out. Winning a prize for Flora is the icing on the cake! 

My 2nd place prize is a gift voucher for the London Jewellery School - so I will have to look through their website and try and decide what course I want to take next (they have so many to choose from!) I am also looking forward to having Flora back...I have missed having her sparkliness sat on my chest of draws as a reminder of what I can achieve in terms of my beading.

My congratulations also go to the other winners and finalists in the competition; you can see the full results page here. There were some fantastic pieces, and all very different from each other.

I'll try and remember to blog and let you know what workshop I decide to take and how I get on - I think my choice is between wax carving and enamelling at the moment!

Nicole
xoxo

Friday 19 August 2011

Folksy Friday...yet, yet more favourites!

Apologies once more for the lack of blogging - a wee holiday and PhD woes have kept me from keeping on top of things. I will try and be a good blogger (but don't throw stuff if I fall off the wagon again, please?)

 So here's a Folksy Friday for you; no theme really, just things I have favourited recently.


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1.) I love the mood and subtle colours of this illustrated locket necklace by Bonbi Forest; there are a range of different designs too, making it hard for me to choose a favourite!
2.) Two of my favourite colours in one lovely floral hair pin from Wychbury - perfect for summer hair (if we get anymore sunshine!)
3.) A beautiful set of silver butterflies featuring gorgeous etching and patina in this fab necklace by Artigiana Jewellery.
4.) A fun, vibrant necklace created from vintage fabric by Gemma Nemer - there are lots more fantastic florals to choose from in her shop too.
5.) I love the use of stained glass to make a 'scene' with these lovely dragonflies flitting in amongst the bullrushes created by Raven's Stained Glass.
6.) A beautiful bridal bag embroidered in seed beads and crystals by Rococo & Co - so much work has clearly gone into this piece.

That's my Folksy Friday picks for you, hope you enjoyed!

Nicole
xoxo