Look what I got!

I feel like I've found a whole new world. Surfing some of the indie artisan crafters and beader shops I came across Pink Chihuahua Kisses . Susan McCormack who owns this store on Folksy makes the cutest clay pendants, buttons, frames, candle holders.

I was very excited to receive these pendants just two days after I made my purchase. I was worried they wouldn't look as nice in reality as they did on the web but I needn't have worried. They are so funky and nice and chunky.

I'm playing with ideas now ... thinking maybe a chunky watch or simple cord necklace. Any ideas? What would you match them with or make? I might even send one as the focal in a bead soup.

Will be getting buttons later on in the year to decorate some hand knitted hats for The Duckling (my daughter), nieces and nephews as part of my homemade christmas (oh yeah - still doing that!)

The best part about buying direct from the artist is that at a completely affordable price, I have 7 unique pendants. No-one in the whole world will ever have them. I find the idea and exciting and full of possibilities.

If you are in the market for something truly unique. Perhaps you're knitting a cardi, or want something a little different for your newest photo or some buttons for a knitted wire cuff. I truly recommend Pink Chihuahua Kisses.

If you are interested in handmade items of all descriptions I would definately recommend Folksy they are a website dedicated to promoting British handcrafted goodies, its free to register and for you British artists and crafters out there - free to set up shop. Best of all while the emphasis is on British arts and crafts you can sell to anywhere around the world and Folksy will display the local currency to your customer. If you want to look further afield check out ETSY . This has a wider array of products with sellers providing products that are handmade, vintage, retro and just plain funky. ETSY is an American site and has sellers and buyers from all over the world. Beaders who want a treat should plug in handmade beads or handmade lampwork into the search engine - my oh my - I've just bought some fabby pendants from there but I'll keep that for another post when I have some photos.

Now I'm off to get my sketch book to see what I can make with them!

Bloghopping

What an interesting day I've had. Determined to find other beaders and jewellery designers to give me some inspiration I started to look through twitter and I came upon Lori Anderson's blog and from there took a whirlwind tour through the bloggosphere. Lori contacted other jewellery designers about a cause called 7000 bracelets for hope. Basically they were tasked with making an adult sized bracelet on the theme blue jeans which will be sent with handwritten notes to the mums of children with rare deseases so they know that someone somewhere is thinking of them. Please check this out, there are over 100 very talented artists who have made some beautiful - 'I want it! I want it!' jewellery and some amazing artistry. Also if you are in the market for some beautiful jewellery you will be spoilt for choice some of these people have amazing talent and very lovely shops. My personal favourites have to be Lori Anderson Designs and Cardiff based Hello Gorgeous Designs. A beader is definately spoilt for choice when it comes to finding one off handmade beads to incorporate into thier designs and I can't wait to explore all the new shops I've found. Not sure how long my wallet can sustain it though. hmmm. Well Amy at Copper Diem might be able to help as well as having a great blog which I now happily follow she is doing a draw and giving away a great stash! Check it out. Now I've heard alot about Bead Soup - Sounds great! How do I get in on the next one? Guys?

Compliments from Strangers

Very chuffed and just wanted to share. I made this new jewellery set and a total stranger said she loved it and asked where I got it. Told her I made it and she asked me if I sold it! Result.

Shes a nurse at the local doctors. I might just make her a pair of earrings for being lovely.

This is the bracelet and necklace. There's earrings too but I need to figure out how to use my camera better if I'm going to upload those.

New Passion

Wow! Sorry I haven’t been on for a little while but how things change in a few short weeks. Not just the direction of this blog, but all my crafting efforts! Not long after my first blog I was in Hobbycraft buying the wool for AHEM'S present and I needed some stitch markers. All they had was some ugly plastic rings and as I’m an aesthetic type who likes to work with soft wool and pretty tools that just wouldn’t do! It just so happened that next to the stitch markers … BEADS… lots and lots of beads. Beads in every colour, shape, and material you could think of. So not being one to shy away from something new I bought a pick and mix pot of some glass beads, round nose pliers, jump rings and head pins and decided to make my own. Who could have known what would be begun? I am hooked. Literally. All my thoughts are on jewellery. Those who know me know I don’t start simple so in the last month I’ve made a watch, necklaces, and lots of earrings and yesterday made a start on wirework. So if you don’t mind the blog is changing slightly. I’m still having a homemade Christmas and I’ll still be bogging about it, but I’m also going to be blogging about my journey from Novice bead stringer – to hopefully – a designer who can sell her work. I’ll be learning different techniques such as wirework and silver clay, maybe eventually lampworking and etching and putting all my experiences, good and bad up here for you to enjoy. By the by for any other novice beaders who haven’t yet discovered the beauty of Internet shopping – Hobbycraft buys many of their beading supplies for the fabulous http://www.beadsunlimited.co.uk/ . Buy direct and save yourself a packet. Look out for my letter appearing in issue 28 of Making Jewellery.