Folksy Friday - Monkey Business!

Following a trip to the fantastic Colchester Zoo today, which has a large variety of primates from tiny tamarins to their incredible 42 year-old male orangutan, I have decided on a monkey theme for my Folksy Friday today.








 1.) Something for your little monkeys to wear by Nell...I love the heart shaped nose of the monkey print on this kids t-shirt.

2.) Amigurumi cuties like this wee blue monkey from Cute Designs make me really wish I knew how to crochet.

3.) A sock monkey with an original twist - this skeleton monkey from Honest Fabrication is definitely a cute rather than a spooky skeleton

4.) Need a home for your jammies? Harry the monkey from Katie's Corner needs your PJs to fill up his empty monkey tummy!

5.) Another adorable sock monkey, this time from Squiggly Monkeys - in a funky shade of bright green stripeyness, and he has a scarf on too :)

6.) And last, but certainly not least, a lovely little felt monkey brooch to wear on your jacket/bag/anywhere else you like to show your love of all things ape

Hope you enjoyed all the monkey business and remember, if you enjoyed the blog, please click follow - I will be having a giveaway once I reach 50 followers so spread the word!

Nicole

XOXO

Being teacher and student...all in one day!

If you happen to be a follower of mine on Twitter, you might have noticed a few tweets about me doing some jewellery making teaching lately. I replied to an ad that popped up on my Facebook page that was looking for part time jewellery trainers and after attending a trial session I've now been involved in a couple of beginner's jewellery making workshops showing people the basics of using headpins, chain and of course, plenty of beads, to make simple necklaces, earrings and bracelets as well as teaching some jewellery making at a hen party. It's been great fun so far, although sometimes a little hectic - 4 hours seems like plenty of time but before you know it there's only 15 minutes left and you really want everyone to leave with finished pieces of jewellery that they'll love to wear (or maybe give away as gifts).

Last Saturday, having already been 'teacher' in the morning at a beginner's workshop, I then headed off to Kingly Court (just off Oxford Street) to spend a few hours being 'pupil' instead at a horsehair weaving workshop run by the Micro Techniques Horsehair Jewellery pop-up shop. This craft originated in Chile, and the shop had brought together Chilean artisans and jewellery makers to create some beautiful contemporary pieces showcasing the amazing weaving skills.

Now I am used to fiddly/small things being a beadweaver, but horsehair weaving beats beadweaving on the fiddliness scale...trying to get the base right and then making sure you don't miss bits and mess up your over-under pattern is tricky stuff!

Doesn't all the brightly coloured dyed (although personally I'd love to think of horses this madly coloured trotting around somewhere) horsehair look fun?

We started off learning the simple 'circle' shape...but my version is nowhere near as fantastic as the one our tutor whipped up whilst she was teaching us. Appologies for the rubbish photo taken on my mobile....proper camera batteries decided to run out.

We also made a start on the 'butterfly wing' but I haven't had a chance to try and finish that off yet...it's a lot harder than the circle as the base fibres seem to want to revert to the circle base shape constantly the whole time you are trying to weave around them!

I enjoyed myself, despite the high difficulty factor...plus I think I could potentially incorporate some of the technique into my jewellery work replacing the base fibres with wire. 

If you want to find out more about this craft then check out their website www.chilemakers.com. There's a great video on the website showing you the craft as done by the experts :) The ladies at the pop-up shop are hoping to come back for another spell sometime in September potentially so keep your eyes peeled if you fancy a go.

Nicole

XOXO

Buying handmade...and selling it too!

As a crafty person I have a great love and appreciation for others who make things...and not just for other jewellery makers, but all walks of crafty people. I would far rather buy a handmade item than something off the high street that you'll see loads of other people wearing/using and support talented designer makers in the process. As such I've made a few purchases from other crafty types that I thought I'd show off because I am soooo happy with all of them.

Firstly, I ordered some lovely lampwork glass beads from Julie of Lush Lampwork that look almost good enough to eat! The frosted hearts I want to use to make another "Heart to Heart" braclet and a set of matching earrings...and the litle blue dotty bead is actually a button, which I am hoping to be able to use as a clasp for either a bracelet or a neclace, haven't decided which yet.

Another recent purchase was one of the fab denim bags created as a collaboration between Bonbi Forest and Custom Made. I love the print and it works really well with the denium, plus there's a lovely blue lining inside it too. Think I might have to save it for evenings out though as it's far too pretty for me to overfill with my day-to-day bits and bobs (there is so much random/useless stuff in my current day handbag!).

And last but not least, despite being a jewellery maker myself I can't help but treat myself to jewellery from other maker's from time to time, especially if they use techniques that I myself can't do. Hence the purchase of this funky laser cut acrylic goldfish necklace and "Team Jacob" wolf ring from the lovely Leese of Cup of Sea. Have worn the necklace a fair bit, but since I can't really wear rings day-to-day (and I fear clumsy moi would manage to break wolfie's head somehow) I am going to incorporate the ring into a bracelet instead - and I shall of course post photos to show you all the finished result.

So that's the buying handmade part...now what about the selling part? Well, after having a shop there for, erm, rather a long time, I have now actually gotten around to listing some of my beadwoven jewellery on Folksy. Would very much appreciate people taking a look and any feedback on the items/shop design etc would be gratefully received. You can visit my Folksy shop by clicking here.

Til next blog!


Nicole

XOXO

What I've been up to lately...silversmithing and my old friends the seed beads

So now that the madness of moving flat is over and done with and I've had a chance to take some vaguely ok photos, I thought I'd write a little post to show you some of the things I've been doing recently.

In the last couple of months I've been giving silversmithing a try, to expand my jewellery making skills a bit further. I've learnt how to piece metal with a saw (which I actually really enjoy, even though it does make your hands ache after a while!), conquer my fear of open flames by using a handheld torch for soldering, plus polishing and finishing, and a little bit of stone setting. Here's a few of the pieces I've made on the courses I've attended...

...some simple hammer textured earrings (with handmade ear wires)...

....a handpierced "squiggle" link and soldered oval linked bracelet...

...and my favourite so far, a simple rub-over cabochon flower ring - I believe the stone is blue lace agate.

But I haven't forgotten the seed beads (how could I when I have bags and bags of the little treasures!?)...and I'm currently trying to build up a bit of stock to reopen my Folksy shop so here's a few of my latest seed beady makes too...

This chunky, tactile glass heart embellished bracelet which I have christened "Heart to Heart..."

A baby blue version of my "Daisy Garland" bracelet...

...and some matching earrings too...

...and to finish some fuchsia-inspired earrings for my mum for her birthday (I also have a silversmithing project on the go as an additional present for her but it is still to be finished off). 

Hope you enjoyed a peek at my beady antics of the last few weeks

N

XOXO

Folksy Friday - Tea time!

Now who doesn't enjoy a sit down with a nice hot, fresh cuppa? I don't like coffee...well, I actually rather like the smell (plus I am totally down with the concept of cappucchinos - hot drink + cream + chocolate = yum), but I just don't like the taste. Therefore my hot beverage of choice is a good cup of strong tea...and so I've selected this week's Folksy Friday picks from the many tea-related items crafty people have dreamt up. Go put the kettle on and then have a looksy :-)

1.) Adorably cute, with lovely button details, this knitted teacosy from Buzybee will keep your teapot toasty warm and pretty at the same time.

2.) Run out of tea bags? Don't panic - with this fun emergency tea bag brooch by NikkiMade a cuppa is always at hand...love the creative photo shots of this piece too.

3.) Keep your pennies and your pounds safe in this sweet and daintyly appliqued 'I love tea' purse by Dinky Daisy.

4.) And keep your sewing needles safe from doing anyone any mischief in this lovely little needlebook from Paperfish - you can attach other sewing accessories to the ring to keep everything on hand too

5.) Get comfy on the sofa with your tea with this cushion featuring a cool appliqued teacup design from The Quilted Teacup

6.)Brew up a storm in this fun illustrated teapot from She Draws featuring lots of tasty treats you might want to accompany your cuppa

Hope you liked this weeks picks!

N 

XOXO

Treasure UK Exhibition for London Jewellery Week

I had every good intention of blogging about this last week but we are about to move flats next week so things have been a bit hectic sorting out things for the new place and trying to get our current place cleared and packed up. So, a week later, than planned, here's my review of the Treasure UK exhibition which ran as part of London Jewellery Week.

Last Sunday, complete with boyfriend in tow, I headed to Victoria House to be inspired by the work of some of the top new talents in jewellery design - and I definitely wasn't disappointed in that respect! From traditional silver, gold and platinum, diamonds and semi-precious stones, to textile-inspired work and other unique materials, there was something to suit every taste.  I could go on for ages about the variety of work on show so instead I'll mention a few of my favourite designers and pieces.

The first thing to really catch my eye were the fab flower brooch displays outside Westwood Rocks little pop-up boutique area - loads of different styles in pearls and chunky dyed shell in every colour of the rainbow!

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Then Elinor Voytel's textile-inspired work caught my eye - especially this fantastic necklace which at first glance looked to be made of thin coiled wire, but is infact a lovely shimmery unusual kind of knitting yarn.

 

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Not too far from Elinor's display, was another eyecatching cabinet filled with pieces by husband and wife team C J Poupazis. Both myself and my boyfriend loved the geometric and kinetic nature of their work, particularly this necklace featuring lots of linked rings and tiny jasmine flowers.
 

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If cute, whimsical jewellery is your thing, then you might like the work of Helen Lea, one of several members of Design Space, who shared an area of the exhibition. Her Owl and the Moon brooch is just adorable, and intricately hand carved.

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Several members of the Jewellery Designer's Collective (JeDeCo) really stood out from the crowd. 

Ute Decker's scuptural ethical silver pieces were stunning.

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And Debbie Carlton had some fantastic statement bangles made from polymer clay, which were superlight despite their chunkyness - and I love the addition of a different pattern on the inside of the bracelets (even if you don't see it when you're wearing it, you still know it's there!)

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Finally, I also really liked Zelia Horsley's "block and chain" collection - with it's great initial concept behind it, plus the fact that (unintentionally) her pieces have a very 1920s feel to them (which my boyfriend pointed out, no less!). Plus, Zelia herself was a very lovely, bubbly lady when we were stopped for a quick chat with her.

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And there were soooo many more great designers featured but I'd be here all week to even begin to feature them all - so I suggest you make a trip to the next exhibition during London Jewellery Week 2011!

Folksy Friday...magnificent maille!

I love chainmaille jewellery...I have a copper maille necklace I made from a beading magazine tutorial that I love - though I did drop it about 6 billion times whilst making it, scattering jump rings as I went. As such I definitely appreciate the patience of maille jewellery makers and so today's Folksy Friday is entitled 'Magnificent Maille.'

1.) A really feminine bracelet by JewelleryMyDesign featuring aquamarine stones

2.) Funky purple coloured rings make this Euro 4 in 1 weave bracelet by Aeris Designs really stand out - I have some pink & purple rings lurking in my stash somewhere too

3.) I love copper and turquoise as a colour combination, hence why I picked out this great byzantine bracelet from Curve Jewellery

4.) Seed beads added to the rings on these sweet little maille earrings from Designed by Frances add a burst of colour

5.) And not just for jewellery - a length of maille combined with some wire wrapping create this unusual copper dragon by Corvus Chainmaille

6.) And finally some gothic glamour - black rings and a polymer clay rose focal create this collar that could have walked straight out of a Victoria Frances drawing by KaJulee

That's it for another Folksy Friday folks...haha.

N

XOXO