Folksy Friday - My Folksy purchases!

Only time to do a little Folksy Friday but I thought I'd do it on all the lovely cards that I bought from Folksy this week. You know when you suddenly look at your diary and realise there are lots of birthdays coming up? Yup- so rather than giving my money to some un-deserving company I've stayed local and homemade. I love to be able to support other Folksy sellers so here are a selection of what I bought:




Thank you to everyone that I've shown. Kate x

Bridal Jewellery - Necklace almost finished!

I've finally finished beading my first bridal necklace and I'm really happy with it. I still need to work out exactly how I'm gong to do the clasp / ribbon. What is shown here is just a temporary ribbon to check that it sat right around the neck. It is quite heavy but still very wearable. I love the way the light works with the different size pearl beads and AB crystals.

Finally- the full necklace

This is how it can sit on the neck as half choker half collar length

Trial option of having a lace up back

The back of the necklace- not finished! I want to get some chunky cream silk ribbon to use for this so there is a nice big bow.

My next project is a narrower necklace with the central section of beads being 'loose' so there is more movement. I think I finally worked out how to make it last night but it's going to be quite a challenge with lots of separate threads needed.

Starting again

Workings out

...think I've got it

This is my trial mini mock-up. Quite hard to imagine it but I think it'll be really stunning and also a variation from my usual way of making jewellery

I'm using the same cream pearls again but this time twinning them with silver, black diamond and dark grey crystals to add a more modern feel to it.

I would love to have your opinion on both of these- so let me know if you like or don't like them. Thanks Kate x

Folksy Friday - What a Swine!

After a lot of messing around by the doctors and other healthcare professionals I finally managed to get my swine flu jab this week. So to celebrate this my theme for today's Folksy Friday is... Pigs! Tenuous? Yes, but a good theme anyway. Thank you to everyone who I've shown. As usual there was a brilliant selection of items available so here are my favourites.

Today is also a special day for me as I have a full DAY and NIGHT OFF! I'm off to a spa with my best friend and we're staying the night in the hotel. It's my first night away from Martha ever..! I know I'm going to miss the monkey terribly but I can't wait either. Stuart is taking the day off so I've revoked my duties this morning before I head off to west London for a 90 minute pedicure (and I'm guessing snooze?), a pregnancy massage before having dinner and an uninterrupted nights sleep. Well- as long as the bump behaves. Have I mentioned I can't wait?! I'll post on here how I got on.






From left to right starting at the top
1 Mr and Mrs Pig Shabby Chic Country Decorations by Sparrow Primitives
2 The pig and the mushroom coin purse by Sunny Sweet Pea
3 Small Purse by Haptree
4 Penny Pig Printed Knitting Pattern by Fluff and Fuzz
5 Pink Valentine heart babycord and velvet pig by Dottie Doodle
6 Baby Pig Booties by With Hugs and Kisses
7 Penny the Sock Pig by Socklings
8 Polymer Clay Pig by Amy's Clay Critters 

Thank you again to everyone who I have included in this Folksy Friday - and to Stuart for letting me have this luxurious day off.

The most depressing day of the year?

Well apparently so- and considering the rain I completely agree. I thought I'd do a little treasury on the theme of Grey and Rain as Martha won't let me do any beading without climbing onto my lap and grabbing at all the beads





1 Storm Cloud Pendant by Rebecca Jayne Designs
2 Victorian Inspired Beaded Cuff Bracelet by Elinor Jenkins
3 Rainy Day Grey Silver Button Charm Bracelet by Mrs Gibson Atelier
4 Raindrop Tote Bag Black/ Grey by EmilythePemily
5 Grey Rose Necklace by Little Red Star
6 Grey knitted wide scarf/wrap with wool by The Crafty Bride

Thank you to everyone that I've used in this blog. Kate

Bridal Jewellery - Necklace Work in Progress

I've finally started making my first piece of bridal jewellery. I'm making a necklace which will either be a choker or a collar length. I'm using my usual square weave with glass pearls, clear AB crystals with white nylon thread. Here is a photo-story of my work in progress:

This is my workspace ready for action. I know it won't look this tidy for very long

Beads that arrived today. Glass pearls in 3, 4, 6 and 8mm and 4 and 5mm crystals

This is my mock up before the pearls arrived. I hope the real thing looks better?!

My note book trying to work out how it will work and how many beads I need- which I nearly always manage to get wrong

First row of beads completed

7 rows done and I'm very happy with how it's turned out so far

Folksy Friday - Garnet

Can't believe it's Friday again. This week I am doing Folksy Friday on Garnet as it's January's Birthstone so there are some nice ideas for presents for any Capricorns you know. I'm going to try to do a Folksy Friday on the relevant Birthstone every month and ideally nearer the start of the month. There are lots of lovely items out there but here are a few of my favourite Folksy ones.







Items from left to right starting from top:
1 Garnet and Smoky Quartz Chandelier Earrings by Alicia's Stones
2 Garnet & Pearl three strand bracelet by Goldhawk
3 Sterling Silver & Garnet Earrings by Aeris Designs
4 Amethyst Garnet Citrine Viola Tricolor Earrings by Alicia's Stones
5 Satin and Sequins Sterling Silver Green Sapphire and Garnet Ring by Pebblestone
6 January personalised birthstone necklace by Angelstone Jewellery
7 Granet Stack Ring in Sterling Silver by Scape
8 Garnet and sterling silver necklace by Red Bird Jewellery

Thank you to everyone that I've included in this Folksy Friday and I hope you've enjoyed looking at my selection. Kate x

This is the first time that I'm trying a new layout- thanks to Haptree's tutorial:(http://craftbloguk.blogspot.com/2010/03/blog-treasury-template-haptree-mini.html)

Bridal Jewellery... dipping my toe

I'm having a difficulty getting motivated in 2011- I'm finding it hard to find inspiration. I'd like to start looking at bridal jewellery especially with summer coming up (trying to look on the bright side of a miserable wet day). I know that brides are especially choosy, understandably, and I know there are lots of people out there offering custom designed and made necklaces and jewellery sets. So my thought is 'how can I offer something unique?' what is my USP? Made myself feel sick typing that- but I do need one. I've had really good feedback to my jewellery- especially the statement and larger pieces but how I can translate that into something understated (no-one wants to be outshone on their wedding day), sophisticated and contemporary? Do I go with simple chokers or long strands? I'm thinking of using predominantly pearls and crystals which is hardly revolutionary but still seems very popular for all type so of weddings from traditional to modern.

As I'm new to this jewellery game I'm not sure how to go about where to try to sell, promote, etc. I know there are millions of wedding shows and I know I'm no where ready for anything like that. Maybe I should just start trying to actually design and make something and take it from there..?

But if anyone is, or knows someone who is, getting married this year and is thinking about having some jewellery made then look my way as I will offer a complete design service and work with the bride to come up with a perfect piece to match their dress and day.

Just need to wait until someone has their nap so I can get my beads out and start the process... wish me luck.

Folksy Friday Flutter-by

It's been a while since I've done a Folksy Friday so here are a few of my favourite items using Butterflies as their inspiration. I say a few of my favourite things as there were so many beautiful things to choose from- I think I could do every Folksy Friday about Butterflies for all of 2011!
I've tried to limit how much I've included but I also wanted to demonstrate all the different things you can buy... So here there are:


Stunning and simple Butterfly Ring by Akino Jewellery


Pretty Butterfly Card by Ellson Design Cards and Prints


I love the materials in this Butterfly Brooch by Kettle of Fish


Bold and very Big Butterfly Earrings by Pirate Pixie's Treasure Trove


Beautiful colours in this very feminine Large Fancy Butterfly Brooch by Julia Smith Ceramics


Stunning mix of materials and colours in this Vintage Style Butterfly Bracelet by Batoko


I know a lot of people who would love this Fluttering Butterfly Maps (example of custom work) by Terror Dome


Beautiful and unique Diamante Filigree Butterfly Headband by Steampunk Storm


Pretty White Butterfly paper confetti by Gooseberrymoon


Lovely bold colours in this Blue 'Silk Butterfly' Purse by Silk Tree Purses


Grab a butterfly bargain with this 30% off! "Fantasy" Long Vintage Style Butterfly Necklace by Cosmic Eden


I love this Butterfly and flower mobile by Mia Design- might have to get one if this bump turns out to be another little girl!


Elegant and also striking Butterfly and Flowers Brooch by Sian Bostwick jewellery


Make a wish with Vintaj Woodland Necklace by Facets


Turn heads in this stunning Turquoise Butterfly Veiled Small Fascinator by Imogen's Imagination


I know lots of little (and big) girls that would like a Butterfly Purse by Creative Knits


More beautiful items to brighten up your handbag. Butterflies -Fabric Card Wallet / Holder by Baggie Aggie Too


I love the Carribean Blue crystals in this beautiful Oriental butterfly necklace by Bessie Loves

Thank you to everyone who suggested their items, I hope you've enjoyed my choices x