Thursday, 24 January 2013
Beading Nuisances
Not easy trying to bead or do anything intricate with these two either sitting on your work or ready at a moments notice to nab anything that looks interesting....
Man Knitting Success
Finally managed to make a paracord bracelet. After all my hassle last time I decided to tackle a simple pattern but, when I actually got down to doing it, it turns out that it is actually just a shamballa macrame knot. So much faffing around for something that was really pretty simple!
This was my first go when I totally over-estimated the size needed and it would have comfortably fitted Desperate Dan...
So, I loosened the original knotting out, resized the 'lazy cords' then re-knotted it. I found it easiest to draw the ends through the bracelet and then melt the ends and 'hide' them under the knotting. The pic below show both the front and back. Regarding the melting of the ends to neaten and seal, apparently it really does mean just gently melting the nylon cording and it is also helpful if you trim the internal threads first. My first attempt to seal the cut end resulted in a nasty sharp carbonised end which smoked. So the note to self is that black and smoke are probably best avoided.
This was my first go when I totally over-estimated the size needed and it would have comfortably fitted Desperate Dan...
So, I loosened the original knotting out, resized the 'lazy cords' then re-knotted it. I found it easiest to draw the ends through the bracelet and then melt the ends and 'hide' them under the knotting. The pic below show both the front and back. Regarding the melting of the ends to neaten and seal, apparently it really does mean just gently melting the nylon cording and it is also helpful if you trim the internal threads first. My first attempt to seal the cut end resulted in a nasty sharp carbonised end which smoked. So the note to self is that black and smoke are probably best avoided.
Needle Felting
These are my first needle felting attempts. Initially, I was just going to recycle some of my wool and use the felt sheets instead of buying the felting wool called roving or tops. I tried the orange flower first and, although it worked, it is not the greatest. So I pottered off to buy some of the felting wool and that worked much better. It feels just like wool and although you are felting it, it doesn't develop that horrid wet boiled wool texture or mess.
This is a nice craft to try as it offers brilliant flexibility to make freehand designs. It is also easy to add a bit more wool if an area is looking sparse or to give it a wee 'haircut' if it gets too bushy. I really enjoyed this and found it good fun. The outcome is a bit rough but for a first attempt I think it is not bad.
This is a nice craft to try as it offers brilliant flexibility to make freehand designs. It is also easy to add a bit more wool if an area is looking sparse or to give it a wee 'haircut' if it gets too bushy. I really enjoyed this and found it good fun. The outcome is a bit rough but for a first attempt I think it is not bad.
Saturday, 5 January 2013
New Year Resolutions
I hate making New Year's Resolutions. All those unrealistic plans to strive for the perfect lifestyle and behaviours which would need a personality transplant and half a dozen extra hours in the day to achieve. Ultimately, most people end up feeling worse because they are failures in their own minds a week or two into the new year because their resolutions have gone awry. I reckon that is worse for you than not making any in the first place as the 1st of Jan is nothing but a date just like any of the other 364days. On this basis I don't normally make any.
This year, however, I am breaking with my personal tradition and going to make some life enhancing resolutions. These are undemanding and fun resolutions with no negative consequences if I dont achieve them so in my book they are good to go.
1. I am going to 'Go Beading' more often: For quite some time, and particularly over the past two years or so, I have barely touched my jewellery making. I have bought new sparklies and toys to encourage and motivate myself but done little more than move them around the house. This just makes me feel worse as I have lots of untouched materials.
I have made a couple of gifts for special friends to mark an occasion but nothing for myself, or just for fun. I was often just to exhausted to get the stuff out, didn't have the concentration or motivation or just felt too guilty to be beading when there were boxes to be emptied and other work to be done that was overwhelming me. The boxes are lessening ever so slightly and there is always something productive to be done but time to relax, to create and to achieve something I am proud of is also important and should have a place on the priority list.
2. I am going to learn some new craft skills: Time to channel my inner Kirstie Allsopp, I think. I treated myself to some needle felting tools and supplies a couple of days ago. I saw this craft on one of the Homemade programmes a while ago and thought it looked interesting.
I don't know why as I hate the feeling of felt and boiled wool! Also, my work scuffed 'housewife hands' have all the texture and allure of the rough side of velcro right now so catch on fabrics. However, there was something about dry needle felting that just appealed. So why not give it a go? I might even be able to do something with/recycle the beautiful purple wool jacket that I destroyed by washing on a cottons wash with biological power. So annoyed with myself, as I loved that jacket. However, I hadn't been concentrating as I was just trying to get through all the washing so I slung it in last thing at night on a timed wash then nearly cried when I saw what it had been reduced to the next morning.
I am even telling myself that the cost of the tools and felt can come from the spare coinage that I have come across as I've been unpacking boxes. I just need to get it into the little plastic change bags and stagger off to the bank.
Similarly, craftwise I am going to have another crack at paracord bracelets, try using the mini Kumihimo wheel that I bought on my last trip down south and use up the wools and papercraft stuff that I have gathered over the years. I may also get the tapestries that I completed 20yrs ago blocked and completed into cushions tho' this is a wish list item rather than a definite.
3. I am going to create and enjoy a kitchen garden: My garden is a jungle with grass worthy of a visit from a tv company doing a nature programme.This spring is an opportunity to do something productive with the outdoor space that I have and I've always wanted to be able to 'pop out' to the garden to gather some herbs or veg for dinner. I sat up till the wee hours on the night of the 1st/2nd Jan while everyone else slept and started drawing up plans for what I could do and scouring the internet for suppliers and advice.
I have a very long, south facing garden which has a lot of areas of shade. To be fair the grass seems to be a decent quality one and doesn't grow too high unlike the patches that have been seeded at a later point by the last owner. The grass is very mossy, is host to a veritable army of slugs and snails and has been totally waterlogged in the six months I've been here due to the constant rain. In fact the only thing that has changed as we have moved from summer, to autumn to winter has been the temperature of the rain! With this in mind I can imagine gardening in the ground will be a hard slog of digging to prep the ground and any harvest will be at the mercy of the marauding slugs and snails. A neighbour has raised beds, but again, this looks like a lot of work. I don't want to dig the lawn up, realise my kitchen garden is too much work then have to re-grass it and have it look like a very bad patchwork effort. I also know that I am very time poor and that this is not going to change anytime soon. So a demanding, labour intensive garden which sucks my energy instead of replacing it doesn't fit with my 'Good Life' vision.
I browsed around and potato planters and bags seemed to be a good, if potentially costly, alternative to digging for victory! Similarly, using lots of pots and planters saves the digging and potential for a plant to run riot and can be easily changed. Plants too can be costly unless you grow from seeds which might also be a faff. So I made some decisions:
I'm still drawing up my list of what I want to grow but potatoes are definitely on the list as apparently home grown taste wonderful. Romescue and some coloured caulis sound fun, as do pink blueberries, white strawberries, chillies, tomatillos, cucamelon, herbs, lavenders and butterhead, rocket and lambs lettuce.
I'm going to start small, stage the planting and give it a whirl.
This year, however, I am breaking with my personal tradition and going to make some life enhancing resolutions. These are undemanding and fun resolutions with no negative consequences if I dont achieve them so in my book they are good to go.
1. I am going to 'Go Beading' more often: For quite some time, and particularly over the past two years or so, I have barely touched my jewellery making. I have bought new sparklies and toys to encourage and motivate myself but done little more than move them around the house. This just makes me feel worse as I have lots of untouched materials.
I have made a couple of gifts for special friends to mark an occasion but nothing for myself, or just for fun. I was often just to exhausted to get the stuff out, didn't have the concentration or motivation or just felt too guilty to be beading when there were boxes to be emptied and other work to be done that was overwhelming me. The boxes are lessening ever so slightly and there is always something productive to be done but time to relax, to create and to achieve something I am proud of is also important and should have a place on the priority list.
2. I am going to learn some new craft skills: Time to channel my inner Kirstie Allsopp, I think. I treated myself to some needle felting tools and supplies a couple of days ago. I saw this craft on one of the Homemade programmes a while ago and thought it looked interesting.
I don't know why as I hate the feeling of felt and boiled wool! Also, my work scuffed 'housewife hands' have all the texture and allure of the rough side of velcro right now so catch on fabrics. However, there was something about dry needle felting that just appealed. So why not give it a go? I might even be able to do something with/recycle the beautiful purple wool jacket that I destroyed by washing on a cottons wash with biological power. So annoyed with myself, as I loved that jacket. However, I hadn't been concentrating as I was just trying to get through all the washing so I slung it in last thing at night on a timed wash then nearly cried when I saw what it had been reduced to the next morning.
I am even telling myself that the cost of the tools and felt can come from the spare coinage that I have come across as I've been unpacking boxes. I just need to get it into the little plastic change bags and stagger off to the bank.
Similarly, craftwise I am going to have another crack at paracord bracelets, try using the mini Kumihimo wheel that I bought on my last trip down south and use up the wools and papercraft stuff that I have gathered over the years. I may also get the tapestries that I completed 20yrs ago blocked and completed into cushions tho' this is a wish list item rather than a definite.
3. I am going to create and enjoy a kitchen garden: My garden is a jungle with grass worthy of a visit from a tv company doing a nature programme.This spring is an opportunity to do something productive with the outdoor space that I have and I've always wanted to be able to 'pop out' to the garden to gather some herbs or veg for dinner. I sat up till the wee hours on the night of the 1st/2nd Jan while everyone else slept and started drawing up plans for what I could do and scouring the internet for suppliers and advice.
I have a very long, south facing garden which has a lot of areas of shade. To be fair the grass seems to be a decent quality one and doesn't grow too high unlike the patches that have been seeded at a later point by the last owner. The grass is very mossy, is host to a veritable army of slugs and snails and has been totally waterlogged in the six months I've been here due to the constant rain. In fact the only thing that has changed as we have moved from summer, to autumn to winter has been the temperature of the rain! With this in mind I can imagine gardening in the ground will be a hard slog of digging to prep the ground and any harvest will be at the mercy of the marauding slugs and snails. A neighbour has raised beds, but again, this looks like a lot of work. I don't want to dig the lawn up, realise my kitchen garden is too much work then have to re-grass it and have it look like a very bad patchwork effort. I also know that I am very time poor and that this is not going to change anytime soon. So a demanding, labour intensive garden which sucks my energy instead of replacing it doesn't fit with my 'Good Life' vision.
I browsed around and potato planters and bags seemed to be a good, if potentially costly, alternative to digging for victory! Similarly, using lots of pots and planters saves the digging and potential for a plant to run riot and can be easily changed. Plants too can be costly unless you grow from seeds which might also be a faff. So I made some decisions:
- it must be a low maintenance, low cost and manageable kitchen garden close to the house
- it must raise my spirits, enthuse and encourage me
- the produce should be something I will enjoy eating and be a bit unusual as there is no point in spending 3mths growing something that I can pick up easily from Sainsburys
- the projected harvest should be tailored to what can be eaten or shared without waste
I'm still drawing up my list of what I want to grow but potatoes are definitely on the list as apparently home grown taste wonderful. Romescue and some coloured caulis sound fun, as do pink blueberries, white strawberries, chillies, tomatillos, cucamelon, herbs, lavenders and butterhead, rocket and lambs lettuce.
I'm going to start small, stage the planting and give it a whirl.
Friday, 4 January 2013
SECC Hobbycraft and Crafts for Christmas
Better late than never that I record my trip to the SECC Hobbycraft Event in October! This year Ava could not make it so we didn't manage to put our plans into action. However, another friend fancied going, so a fun day out was planned for the Saturday, and fun it was.
This year I thought there were fewer stalls and it all seemed much less crowded than the previous year. However, it was more pleasant being able to browse the aisles without being mobbed and mugged by avid crafters on a mission. I was planning to be more frugal than last year partly through the demands of the housemove but also because the packing shockingly revealed just exactly how much stuff I have still to use. However, I did plan to purchase a ribbon shredder and one of the Spellbound pattern kits. I justified this on the basis that I dont have these tools or patterns so that made it ok.....
As we toured the stalls we came upon the paper ribbon one, watched the demo then returned to join in the make and take session. Odette was slightly less than enthusiastic as she made it clear she was not planning to 'do' hands on crafting. Unfortunately, she was with me so that was swiftly knocked on the head, as I made sure she got the necessary bits to enable her to join in making a ribbon rose. It came back to bite me tho' as she got better marks for hers than my wee sad unravelly effort!
We had a brilliant time wandering round, browsing and just having tme to chat. We also managed to meet some ex-colleagues who were demonstrating hot-fix crystals and had a great catchup. This time we were well prepared and had brought packed lunch bits to share which we ate in the chilly but bearable sun outside. I still haven't forgotten the taste of the dreadful food from the cafe last October and was keen neither to taste it again or to subject Odette to it.
The Crafts for Christmas hall was pretty good too and I once again managed to upset my companion with cheese again. Last year I got Ava to taste the garlic one which I found really tasty but she reacted like she had been poisoned. Odette was quite up for tasting the cheese but the cube of chilli cheese was unfortunately a step too far for her. However, when I went to the loo she went back and purchased a cheese selection and gave me a wee truckle of the chilli version which is very pungent but addictive.
Would I go back again? Yes, definitely. It is a great day out particularly if you fancy trying something new or seeing examples of different crafts. Hopefully next year we'll be able to manage things to enable all of us to be free to go and we can go mob-handed.
The other memory from the day was Odette's courtesy car. She offered to take her car as she had driven to my house and her car was already de-iced. The last time her car was in the garage she was given a flying shoebox, or Smart car. This time she had a very luxurious top of the range car which had seatbelts that gave you a 'hug' when you buckled up. The first time was a bit surprising as she hadn't warned me but it seems this is one of the safety devices which tensions up the belt at the start of the journey. This, I definitely want in my next car....!
This year I thought there were fewer stalls and it all seemed much less crowded than the previous year. However, it was more pleasant being able to browse the aisles without being mobbed and mugged by avid crafters on a mission. I was planning to be more frugal than last year partly through the demands of the housemove but also because the packing shockingly revealed just exactly how much stuff I have still to use. However, I did plan to purchase a ribbon shredder and one of the Spellbound pattern kits. I justified this on the basis that I dont have these tools or patterns so that made it ok.....
As we toured the stalls we came upon the paper ribbon one, watched the demo then returned to join in the make and take session. Odette was slightly less than enthusiastic as she made it clear she was not planning to 'do' hands on crafting. Unfortunately, she was with me so that was swiftly knocked on the head, as I made sure she got the necessary bits to enable her to join in making a ribbon rose. It came back to bite me tho' as she got better marks for hers than my wee sad unravelly effort!
We had a brilliant time wandering round, browsing and just having tme to chat. We also managed to meet some ex-colleagues who were demonstrating hot-fix crystals and had a great catchup. This time we were well prepared and had brought packed lunch bits to share which we ate in the chilly but bearable sun outside. I still haven't forgotten the taste of the dreadful food from the cafe last October and was keen neither to taste it again or to subject Odette to it.
The Crafts for Christmas hall was pretty good too and I once again managed to upset my companion with cheese again. Last year I got Ava to taste the garlic one which I found really tasty but she reacted like she had been poisoned. Odette was quite up for tasting the cheese but the cube of chilli cheese was unfortunately a step too far for her. However, when I went to the loo she went back and purchased a cheese selection and gave me a wee truckle of the chilli version which is very pungent but addictive.
Would I go back again? Yes, definitely. It is a great day out particularly if you fancy trying something new or seeing examples of different crafts. Hopefully next year we'll be able to manage things to enable all of us to be free to go and we can go mob-handed.
The other memory from the day was Odette's courtesy car. She offered to take her car as she had driven to my house and her car was already de-iced. The last time her car was in the garage she was given a flying shoebox, or Smart car. This time she had a very luxurious top of the range car which had seatbelts that gave you a 'hug' when you buckled up. The first time was a bit surprising as she hadn't warned me but it seems this is one of the safety devices which tensions up the belt at the start of the journey. This, I definitely want in my next car....!
Sunday, 20 May 2012
Hanging Offence
I am trying rather unsuccessfully to bead while Red sits by me. The lack of success is related to Red biting my beading wire as I try to do Right Angle Weave and my unfamiliarity with the pattern. After getting quite frustrated by repeatedly having to rescue the wire from his teeth I sternly told him in my best Barbara Woodhouse voice that if he didn't stop I was going to "put him down"! Then I ruined my warning by laughing at the dual interpretations of my warning...what I meant was I'd would put him down off the table, not have him 'put down' at the vet's...! The punishment does seem a bit extreme for biting my jewellery making.
Tuesday, 24 April 2012
Green Goldstone
I absolutely love green and blue goldstone. I think they work so well with lots of things and look absolutely superb. I'd have to say they are one of my favourite beads. Everytime I think I've kicked my addiction they present themselves as the ideal choice for something I am making. This was a necklace and bracelet set for a friend, and obviously if I rate it, then it is only fair that my friends receive the best.
The Green goldstone beads are partnered with Miyuki rocailles and gold toned magnetic clasps.
The Green goldstone beads are partnered with Miyuki rocailles and gold toned magnetic clasps.
Day trip to Manchester
Two lovely pieces for two lovely friends. The first set is made with freshwater pearl drops, Swarovski bicones and heart and gold Miyuki roacailles. The second is orange crystals, deep orange Swarovski' bicones,Miyuki rocailles and a lovely pendant I picked up on a trip to the brilliant bead shop in Afflecks Palace in Manchester last year. All of the clasps are magnetic.
That trip to Afflecks makes always makes me smile. Between lots of commitments and problems last summer I couldn't go on holiday. Usually I have a high old time in the summer as I spin my birthday out to last for the whole month with lots of treats. I was feeling the NEED to get away so decided that it might just be feasible to liberate a single day, but not night, for myself. So the big question was how could I make this feel like a treat and not exhaust myself driving a huge distance to get somewhere inside of my 16hr 'window' of time? A train journey somewhere seemed like a good idea till I realised a bank loan would be needed for the ticket. So then I looked at other options and settled on a bus trip to Manchester to visit the bead shop - far enough away, a purpose to the trip, a decent turn around time to enable me to have a wander and the cost was reasonable - result! My friends made me laugh as they clearly thought I'd lost the plot planning a crazy long bus trip ostensibly just to buy beads. They are used to my flights of fancy so took in their stride, after expressing their opinions on my sanity!
So, on the day I trundled off to the bus station for a rather inauspicious start to my day of indulgence. I lost the ticket I'd printed out at home but luckily had the email confirmation on my phone, the bus, well actually coach, broke down and didn't look like going anywhere for 45mins, the heating was broken and I ended up on the roasting hot side AND it started pouring with rain 15 mins into the journey! I could have whinged but this was my big day out so I got the earphones in, the magazine out and made the best of it, and it turned out great.
The weather in Manchester was so scorching hot that everyone was in vest tops, the bead shop was full of lovely things and I was like a demented magpie bagging up goodies and popping them in my basket. Once I'd left Afflecks I had a stroll round the shops and into the Arndale centre for a bit more retail therapy and a leisurely late lunch/early dinner in the sushi bar before the return trip. I had a great time.
These necklaces were made for two very special people from beads I'd bought on this trip so they are remind me of both the recipients and of a very lovely day of me time during a pretty difficult time.
That trip to Afflecks makes always makes me smile. Between lots of commitments and problems last summer I couldn't go on holiday. Usually I have a high old time in the summer as I spin my birthday out to last for the whole month with lots of treats. I was feeling the NEED to get away so decided that it might just be feasible to liberate a single day, but not night, for myself. So the big question was how could I make this feel like a treat and not exhaust myself driving a huge distance to get somewhere inside of my 16hr 'window' of time? A train journey somewhere seemed like a good idea till I realised a bank loan would be needed for the ticket. So then I looked at other options and settled on a bus trip to Manchester to visit the bead shop - far enough away, a purpose to the trip, a decent turn around time to enable me to have a wander and the cost was reasonable - result! My friends made me laugh as they clearly thought I'd lost the plot planning a crazy long bus trip ostensibly just to buy beads. They are used to my flights of fancy so took in their stride, after expressing their opinions on my sanity!
So, on the day I trundled off to the bus station for a rather inauspicious start to my day of indulgence. I lost the ticket I'd printed out at home but luckily had the email confirmation on my phone, the bus, well actually coach, broke down and didn't look like going anywhere for 45mins, the heating was broken and I ended up on the roasting hot side AND it started pouring with rain 15 mins into the journey! I could have whinged but this was my big day out so I got the earphones in, the magazine out and made the best of it, and it turned out great.
The weather in Manchester was so scorching hot that everyone was in vest tops, the bead shop was full of lovely things and I was like a demented magpie bagging up goodies and popping them in my basket. Once I'd left Afflecks I had a stroll round the shops and into the Arndale centre for a bit more retail therapy and a leisurely late lunch/early dinner in the sushi bar before the return trip. I had a great time.
These necklaces were made for two very special people from beads I'd bought on this trip so they are remind me of both the recipients and of a very lovely day of me time during a pretty difficult time.
Key Rings
Some simple keyrings. The pink one is a simple Right Angle Weave with double link chainmaille in pink coloured copper wire made for a friend.
The one below was made for a friend and contains lots of charms or items which are special or unique to her and her job. The links are made with coloured aluminium wire rings
The last one is a mirror with AB crystals , heart and an empty 'wish box' for the person to place a special wish in.
Sunday, 22 April 2012
Bead Haul
This was a recent raid of one of the local bead shops for new goodies. As you can see lots of shiny beads and lots of possibilities. Red decided he fancied a look and surprisingly he is actually quite innocent here as he only had a tentative little paw of the beads and didnt try to drag them off. I can't blame him for touching them as that is exactly what I was up to myself.
I haven't yet used anything from this lot yet but have lots more ideas than time.
I haven't yet used anything from this lot yet but have lots more ideas than time.
Is that satin....No, actually it is Sat On
I really want to get into seed bead work. It took me hours to make the white luster Tila and pink rocailles bracelet using a pattern tutorial on the web but just as I finished it, Magic came up to the table and promptly sat on it.
Sadly, she probably did the best thing for it. I'd got a bit carried away and as it turned out I'd made it far too big and it just falls off my wrist of its own accord. I thought my biggest issue was having to adapt the catch to a magnetic style one and completely missed the fact it was getting longer by the second! Still it was a learning piece and the first time I'd used Tila beads. I may try to alter it but not right now.
You can just see it under her little haunch!
Sadly, she probably did the best thing for it. I'd got a bit carried away and as it turned out I'd made it far too big and it just falls off my wrist of its own accord. I thought my biggest issue was having to adapt the catch to a magnetic style one and completely missed the fact it was getting longer by the second! Still it was a learning piece and the first time I'd used Tila beads. I may try to alter it but not right now.
You can just see it under her little haunch!
Bead Thief
All jewellery making needs precision, a steady hand and, in this house, the ability to rescue stolen goods from small fur thieves.
I was making beaded dodecahedrons with macrame lengths to act as curtain pull extenders. The original needed cut firstly to protect the cats from hanging themselves and also
to make the cord easier to reach given the high ceilings. The pink one was made earlier and the lilac one completed what I needed. They are made with rubber coated beads so that they dont clatter against the wall or window in case the cats start using them as a pet sized Swingball.
Right angle weave shouldn't need to be rescued each time you tighten the tension of it.
After some stern telling off Red settled down and put on a face of utter innocence. Don't be fooled though he was just plotting his next move.
This was him playing gently while I worked out where I had gone wrong. You can see that the ball shape is lopsided. Just after this Red grabbed the pink ball and ran off with me yelling "Bring that BACK..". Yeah, as if that was going to happen. I'd to go and chase him to retrieve it.
I was making beaded dodecahedrons with macrame lengths to act as curtain pull extenders. The original needed cut firstly to protect the cats from hanging themselves and also
to make the cord easier to reach given the high ceilings. The pink one was made earlier and the lilac one completed what I needed. They are made with rubber coated beads so that they dont clatter against the wall or window in case the cats start using them as a pet sized Swingball.
Mother's Day gifts
I haven't blogged much recently and much less have I been jewellery making over the last year or so as things have been very busy and involved. However, having finally downloaded some pics of the jewellery I have made recently from my phone I'm just updating what I have managed so far it is time to update.
These items were made for my Mother's birthday and Mother's day. She loves jewellery and particularly loves items which are easy to put on and take off.
Above: This is a simple woven heart in pink and green cats eye beads on an elasticated necklace.
This is an elasticated string of mirrorised cubes, silver crystals and silver lined miyuki delicas, the one below is a close up.
This is a strung lariat necklace with pink, green and white cats eye chips with blue cats eyes beads in between. This is a favourite set of my Mother's and she often teams the bracelet with others. I never knew I was a magpie sparkly person and was surprised when I got into jewellery making that I was so taken with crystals and pearls. However, if you look at my Mother's favourites then it is clear to see that the apple didn't fall far from the tree.
This is a right angle weave bracelet in pink and purple cats eye beads on elastic.
This is an unusually coated oval red crystal and haematite necklace, bracelet and ring set with a close up below. The haematite includes small and larger drop hearts and seed beads. The necklace has a small but strong magnetic clasp for easy wearing. This set is a particlar favourite of my Mother's and she wears it often, especially the ring as it has small haematite hearts at the side of the crystal.
It is hard to see the pendant but this is an articulated pave Teddy Bear with turquoise eyes on an elesticated seed bead 'chain'. Although it looks twisted it sits perfectly. The Teddy is now called Disco Ted after my Mother kept shaking him to see his legs and arms move!
These items were made for my Mother's birthday and Mother's day. She loves jewellery and particularly loves items which are easy to put on and take off.
Friday, 30 December 2011
Man Knitting
Before you get all excited that the ideal man can be knitted, or an unsuitable one unravelled and re-done, I am referring to knotting techniques. Using 'Get Knotted' as the title would have been just too predicable.
Man Knitting refers to the macho pursuit of making things with knots and sealing the ends with flames. I'm not sure which craft site I saw paracord watch straps on but I'm fairly sure Kirstie Allsopp wasn't involved, which is rather rare this weather. They are billed as survival bracelets as they contain around ten feet of paracord which can be unravelled and will withstand a weight of 550lbs. This can then be used in an 'emergency situation'. If you are an experienced bushcrafter or survivalist, this might just save your life but, if you work in an office, there are few situations where a length of cord is going to prove to be the determining factor.
However, it looked like a cool skill as you can make key fobs and zipper pulls AND the paracord comes in snazzy colours, including glow in the dark. I found a couple of UK suppliers but couldn't get the glow in the dark cord as it was out of stock. However, I did order navy, purple, neon pink and neon yellow and some contoured buckles, which arrived today. I'm still not sure what use the SAS might have for acid pink and 'let the enemy know we're here' yellow but, as I wouldn't have bought 'olive drab' or camouflage, then I'm ignoring this point.
I excitedly set to work. Video tutorial courtesy of youtube, watch face, sharp scissors and flame thrower (ok candle lighter) at the ready. Unfortunately, once I saw the size of the paracord I realised it wouldn't fit the watch face I was planning to use. Undeterred I decided to make a Monkey's Fist key fob and a Celtic Knot Loveheart just to get me started.
You will note by now there are no photos. This is because my monkey's fist looked more like a monkey's bottom and there was no love lost between the loveheart and me. In addition the cats found this utterly fascinating and took turns in yanking the ends of the cord just to check I was paying attention.
So much for man knitting!! As a relaxing hobby 400 feet of paracord and not a scrap of talent is not an auspicious start. Plan B is to buy an inexpensive watch face which I can thread the cord through and try again. I'll keep you posted!
Man Knitting refers to the macho pursuit of making things with knots and sealing the ends with flames. I'm not sure which craft site I saw paracord watch straps on but I'm fairly sure Kirstie Allsopp wasn't involved, which is rather rare this weather. They are billed as survival bracelets as they contain around ten feet of paracord which can be unravelled and will withstand a weight of 550lbs. This can then be used in an 'emergency situation'. If you are an experienced bushcrafter or survivalist, this might just save your life but, if you work in an office, there are few situations where a length of cord is going to prove to be the determining factor.
However, it looked like a cool skill as you can make key fobs and zipper pulls AND the paracord comes in snazzy colours, including glow in the dark. I found a couple of UK suppliers but couldn't get the glow in the dark cord as it was out of stock. However, I did order navy, purple, neon pink and neon yellow and some contoured buckles, which arrived today. I'm still not sure what use the SAS might have for acid pink and 'let the enemy know we're here' yellow but, as I wouldn't have bought 'olive drab' or camouflage, then I'm ignoring this point.
I excitedly set to work. Video tutorial courtesy of youtube, watch face, sharp scissors and flame thrower (ok candle lighter) at the ready. Unfortunately, once I saw the size of the paracord I realised it wouldn't fit the watch face I was planning to use. Undeterred I decided to make a Monkey's Fist key fob and a Celtic Knot Loveheart just to get me started.
You will note by now there are no photos. This is because my monkey's fist looked more like a monkey's bottom and there was no love lost between the loveheart and me. In addition the cats found this utterly fascinating and took turns in yanking the ends of the cord just to check I was paying attention.
So much for man knitting!! As a relaxing hobby 400 feet of paracord and not a scrap of talent is not an auspicious start. Plan B is to buy an inexpensive watch face which I can thread the cord through and try again. I'll keep you posted!
Sunday, 20 November 2011
Glasgow Hobbycraft and Crafts for Christmas event
A couple of weeks ago, thanks to the generosity of a colleague's lovely daughter I was given two tickets to the Hobbycraft event in Glasgow. She had won the tickets but already had some so I too became a lucky winner as I got the use of her spare tickets.
I'd only ever been to one bead fair in Perth and hated it as it was so cramped and crowded and hot from the stall lights. However, the Hobbycraft and Christmas event is apparently 'the' big date in the crafting calendar and attracts people from far and wide as well as lots of opportunity to see different crafts so I was very keen to see this one.
On the Saturday my friend Ava and I arranged to go. As I picked her up from the train station I was almost mugged/car-jacked by a frightfully well dressed woman clutching flowers and presents. Apparently she, her hubby and son were waiting for some friends in a hire car and she simply would not catch on that I wasnt there for her. I tried the exaggerated hand gestures you do when inside a car to let her know I wasnt there for her but she wasnt to be deterred. So I rolled down the window and said "I dont think I actually know you. I'm here for my friend who is just coming down the street". However, this made her worse as she got so flustered she wanted to explain why she was all dressed up, was clutching gifts, how they werent sure what kind of car they were waiting on as it would be a hire car.....! Tho' it was only a few mins I wanted to stick my head out and shriek "AVA!" to hurry her up and save me. Thankfully the lady's son started dragging her back by her coat belt while she was still babbling on.
Anyway, we headed off and made it into the venue. When we got into the hall there were a prolific number of stalls selling all sorts and we were captivated. Luckily the friend I was with is a methodical sort and we were able to tour the venue in a very orderly fashion. Normally she and I are total opposites in the structured approach stakes. She is Mrs 1.1, 1.2 and I am all "ach, bung it in and see if it works". Normally our 'complimentary' approaches work somehow but at this craft fair we were of a one mind in making sure we covered every stall.
It was, however, quite obvious we were newbies. How did we know this? Well, because we were unarmed. Neither of us had a backpack you could have gone on an expedition with, a pull along shopping trolley on wheels, or a hand driven or motorised battering ram (sorry, wheelchair). Some of the folk there were serious crafters and were deadly serious about doing their big opportunity for stocking up their craft stashes. Yes, we were obviously lightweight novices.
We did have a ball though. everywhere you looked there were shiny things and our eyes were swivelling wildly. We bought some lovely bits and pieces. I got a few (ok 5) pairs of very pretty scissors. I used to do a lot of embroidery and always thought the height of sophistication was having those gold crane scissors rather than using the kitchen scissors or your work ones. I got a pair when I was an embroiderer but when I got into this jewellery lark the years of lusting after them has meant one is never enough. So when I saw the ones with the fairy wing shaped handles, it was a certainty I 'needed' some of them too. I also got some nice swarovski findings and I joined the Beadworkers Guild. This is my next big plan; when I actually get some time to bead is to learn peyote and all the other tiny bead work skills to begin making a dent in my substantial seed bead collection. I also got a number of items in the Christmas Hall for my Mum's Christmas so that is nice that I am way ahead of the game compared to normal years. Ava didn't do too badly either and bought herself some lovely treats for her and her Mum too.
We were both taken by the number of sparkly christmassy beaded items. Ava loved the baubles with the beaded overlays and I liked the beaded angels. I was going to buy some as I buy a new tree hanger each year but her comment that they looked like Dalek's took the shine off somewhat! I could see what she meant as their little arms were sticking out like Dalek's.
What did surprise us was that we've both picked up a new craft when we visited the Pergamano stall and they were making little gift bags from parchment which looked very swish and just the thing when we are gifting our jewellery creations to friends and family. 'Obviously' we had to buy the templates, the paper, the cutting mats and high powered double sided tape. Worryingly, neither of us needed to buy a stanley knife as we both had our own at home...! Needless to say neither of us have had any spare time to actually try out our new craft but we live in hope that either some spare time or retirement comes before the paper degrades to dust.
So all in all was it a good day out and would we go back? Absolutely! We had a ball and we are already planning next year's outing, albeit with some modifications. 1) We will take a wee annual leave day and visit when less likely to be crushed/trampled to death. 2) We will get fit. Both of us were exhausted. After I dropped Ava back at the station I went to do my weekend supermarket shopping but I got there and realised I could not walk another step or face the crowds so went home and dined from the freezer - God Bless Captain Birds Eye. 3) We will take our own lunch. Although the colleague who'd been the day before and was a seasoned visitor advised us to take a packed lunch Ava and I thought we'd do the Fair then go and lunch elsewhere not realising how long it would take us to see everything. We lunched in the cafe in the SECC and the food and service were truly dire. All in all it was an excellent day and one we'll look forward to repeating next year.
I'd only ever been to one bead fair in Perth and hated it as it was so cramped and crowded and hot from the stall lights. However, the Hobbycraft and Christmas event is apparently 'the' big date in the crafting calendar and attracts people from far and wide as well as lots of opportunity to see different crafts so I was very keen to see this one.
On the Saturday my friend Ava and I arranged to go. As I picked her up from the train station I was almost mugged/car-jacked by a frightfully well dressed woman clutching flowers and presents. Apparently she, her hubby and son were waiting for some friends in a hire car and she simply would not catch on that I wasnt there for her. I tried the exaggerated hand gestures you do when inside a car to let her know I wasnt there for her but she wasnt to be deterred. So I rolled down the window and said "I dont think I actually know you. I'm here for my friend who is just coming down the street". However, this made her worse as she got so flustered she wanted to explain why she was all dressed up, was clutching gifts, how they werent sure what kind of car they were waiting on as it would be a hire car.....! Tho' it was only a few mins I wanted to stick my head out and shriek "AVA!" to hurry her up and save me. Thankfully the lady's son started dragging her back by her coat belt while she was still babbling on.
Anyway, we headed off and made it into the venue. When we got into the hall there were a prolific number of stalls selling all sorts and we were captivated. Luckily the friend I was with is a methodical sort and we were able to tour the venue in a very orderly fashion. Normally she and I are total opposites in the structured approach stakes. She is Mrs 1.1, 1.2 and I am all "ach, bung it in and see if it works". Normally our 'complimentary' approaches work somehow but at this craft fair we were of a one mind in making sure we covered every stall.
It was, however, quite obvious we were newbies. How did we know this? Well, because we were unarmed. Neither of us had a backpack you could have gone on an expedition with, a pull along shopping trolley on wheels, or a hand driven or motorised battering ram (sorry, wheelchair). Some of the folk there were serious crafters and were deadly serious about doing their big opportunity for stocking up their craft stashes. Yes, we were obviously lightweight novices.
We did have a ball though. everywhere you looked there were shiny things and our eyes were swivelling wildly. We bought some lovely bits and pieces. I got a few (ok 5) pairs of very pretty scissors. I used to do a lot of embroidery and always thought the height of sophistication was having those gold crane scissors rather than using the kitchen scissors or your work ones. I got a pair when I was an embroiderer but when I got into this jewellery lark the years of lusting after them has meant one is never enough. So when I saw the ones with the fairy wing shaped handles, it was a certainty I 'needed' some of them too. I also got some nice swarovski findings and I joined the Beadworkers Guild. This is my next big plan; when I actually get some time to bead is to learn peyote and all the other tiny bead work skills to begin making a dent in my substantial seed bead collection. I also got a number of items in the Christmas Hall for my Mum's Christmas so that is nice that I am way ahead of the game compared to normal years. Ava didn't do too badly either and bought herself some lovely treats for her and her Mum too.
We were both taken by the number of sparkly christmassy beaded items. Ava loved the baubles with the beaded overlays and I liked the beaded angels. I was going to buy some as I buy a new tree hanger each year but her comment that they looked like Dalek's took the shine off somewhat! I could see what she meant as their little arms were sticking out like Dalek's.
What did surprise us was that we've both picked up a new craft when we visited the Pergamano stall and they were making little gift bags from parchment which looked very swish and just the thing when we are gifting our jewellery creations to friends and family. 'Obviously' we had to buy the templates, the paper, the cutting mats and high powered double sided tape. Worryingly, neither of us needed to buy a stanley knife as we both had our own at home...! Needless to say neither of us have had any spare time to actually try out our new craft but we live in hope that either some spare time or retirement comes before the paper degrades to dust.
So all in all was it a good day out and would we go back? Absolutely! We had a ball and we are already planning next year's outing, albeit with some modifications. 1) We will take a wee annual leave day and visit when less likely to be crushed/trampled to death. 2) We will get fit. Both of us were exhausted. After I dropped Ava back at the station I went to do my weekend supermarket shopping but I got there and realised I could not walk another step or face the crowds so went home and dined from the freezer - God Bless Captain Birds Eye. 3) We will take our own lunch. Although the colleague who'd been the day before and was a seasoned visitor advised us to take a packed lunch Ava and I thought we'd do the Fair then go and lunch elsewhere not realising how long it would take us to see everything. We lunched in the cafe in the SECC and the food and service were truly dire. All in all it was an excellent day and one we'll look forward to repeating next year.
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