New Collection part 2

Happy Wednesday lovelies, how are we all today? I thought I would share a few pics of some of my newer pieces now available in my shop. I am still working on the range, but these are all ready and out there for sale. This work is inspired mostly by my love of folklore and the art that it influences, using old weather/countrylore sayings and folk arts and crafts (quilts and samplers etc) as a starting point.

Shoo shoo gull, away from the sand. There's no good weather when you come to land

You can see more of my work at either of my online shops at Etsy or Folksy. And you can catch me at The Bath Artisan Market this Sunday 10-4, Green Park Station, Bath

Also don't forget to like my facebook page for the chance to win a pair of 'sewn with a kiss' earrings by April 13th xx

Sunday Markets

Hello ladies and gents, I hope you are having a super weekend and for those of you in the UK I hope you are enjoying Mothering Sunday. It was market day for me at Green Park and what a great event Bath Artisan Markets and Magpie & I put on. We enjoyed great music and food along with meeting up with some brilliantly talented people. Now though I'm glad to be curled up with a cup of tea hiding from the snow! See you at the next one xx

Make - paper flowers

Good morning, I hope you are looking forward to a great weekend, I am as I will be attending another great market this Sunday at Green Park Bath and as it is Mothering Sunday here in the UK there is going to lots of wonderful things going on. Magpie and I markets are joining in the fun with a vintage tea party, live music and lots of lovely stalls for you to treat mum. Come along if you can, we will be there between 10am and 4pm.

As Mothers Day is upon us I thought I would share a little make with you, it is a great thing to do with your kids so they can make a card for granny.

What you need...

A template or two flower shapes - one slightly smaller than the other, some pretty paper, a blank card and envelope, some brads and any other embellishments you may want to add.

Draw around your template on to the paper, you will need 2 large cutouts and 1 small for each flower.

Next you need to fold the cutouts, on the black lines fold inwards so the pattern is on the inside and on the white lines fold in the opposite direction so that the pattern is on the outside. Open out and your 'petals' should now be 3 dimensional.

Layer the cutouts so the smallest is on the top and carefully push a brad through the centre and open it at the back to secure. Pinch in the folds to make them more defined.

Finally move the layers so the lay in alternate directions and give a more 3D effect. Use to decorate your greetings card.

I apologise that the photo's aren't great but they were taken on a very grey and rainy day!

Have you anything nice planned this weekend?

Happy New Year!

Yesterday was the Chinese New Year of the Snake and I spent it at the Bath Artisan Market where we had a Kung Fu display and a Lion Dance to entertain us. A fabulous day was had by all and it was great to meet up with so many lovely people. Thanks to everyone who came along.

The next market will be on March 10th, a Mothers Day special with tea and yummy things!

Visit - BAM February Market

Come along to the Valentine and Chinese New Year market on Feb 10th xx

Jingle Bells . Jangle Bangles

So it seems the festive season is rapidly approaching and my beautiful city became all a glow this evening with silver lights. The streets were certainly full for the great switch on as it was being broadcast live on the BBCs One Show and after a shaky start the elegant chandeliers came flickering to life! 

Christmas was the main topic of conversation on Sunday as well with the pre-Christmas shopping market at Green Park. It was a beautiful day with lots of folk enjoying mulled cider and hot chestnuts whilst picking up early presents for their loved ones. If you can come to the next one on the 9th of December you really must, it is a great day and I will have lots of lovely sparkly goodies for sale!

Some of those items are these bangles I have been working on, I have taken the quote bangle I make and given it the look of three stacking singlets sitting together on the wrist. The one shown here is from one of my favourite stories, Peter Pan... 'Second to the right and straight on til morning', that, Peter had told Wendy was the way to the Neverland.

xx

Fireworks, Flea Markets & Fabric Labels

Over the last week I have been a little miserable as a vicious cold took hold, but we can't let these things stop us can we! I didn't manage to get to the big bonfire party in Bath, but there was plenty to see from the garden and I lit a sparkler or two to feel a part of it. I do love fireworks, it's the wrapping up all cosy and warm and being with lots of others all enjoying the same experience.

I have also managed to do some flea market shopping of late, picking up some brilliant finds to decorate a few spaces and to use as props for my Silver Shed booth (remember to come along to The Bath Artisan Market this Sunday at Green Park Station 9.30-4pm). I am particularly in love with the 1930's German sleigh I found in pretty Malmesbury. The enamel bowls are perfect for holding my jewellery goods, there is a song sheet which will be framed and a mini milking stool and shoe last for... um, well... well for no reason, but why not hey!

Lastly I need to share with you my new love... printing on fabric at home. Looking for some way to label my silver quote rings I started thinking about printable fabric sheets, these little gems enable you to design and print your own fabric with an ink jet printer. Perfect for text too, but just remember to mirror image!

It is quite pricey but looking on line I came across many people raving about freezer paper and how it allows you to make your own sheets by ironing it to the fabric and giving it enough structure for the printer. Sadly I soon realised this is an American product and tricky to find in the UK, but look on line and in quilting shops (it's popular for applique work) and you will eventually find it, and plenty of tutorials (here is one on the Instuctables website). Have some fun with it!

xx

Pumpkins and Packaging

So Hallow e'en has passed by without much fuss and bother, although I had the obligatory carved pumpkin and soup (most simple recipe ever!), one or two little witches and I finally managed to use the fake leaves I procured whilst doing a window display as a VM last year.

If you want to make the simple soup here's the recipe...

approx 1kg pumpkin, roughly chopped (mine was just the scooped out middle of this bad boy)
2 medium onions, roughly chopped
1l stock (chicken or veg are best)
any seasoning or spice to your taste (I used salt, black pepper and a little ground cinnamon)
oil

Pop the onions in a large pan with a light coating of oil and sweat them down for 5 mins.
Add the pumpkin and cover with a lid, cook on a medium heat for approx. 40 mins, stirring occasionally to prevent any catching on the bottom of the pan.
Once the pumpkin is cooked add the stock and bring to the boil. Let the mixture cool then blend in batches.
Soup can be reheated when ready to eat. See simple!

I have just had a final bowl of soup for lunch and am now putting together some jewellery for the market on November 11th. I received some greetings cards I designed to go with my Forest Folk pendants this week, and I am so thrilled with them. Along with the cards I ordered from Moo.com (check them out, they are fab) I also ordered some new packaging, and I have to say everything is shaping up to look pretty cool for the holiday season.

A Short Break

I'm all of an excited tiz at the moment as not only am I going away for a couple of weeks to my beloved Cornwall, but on my return I am hoping to be taking part in the first Bath Artisan Market. On the back of the hugely successful Farmers Markets and Vintage & Antiques Fairs that take place at Green Park Station in Bath, the organizers of The Secret Tea Party are giving handmade and artisan products their time to shine. I have submitted my booking form and am very much looking forward to hearing if I have got a place at the fair.

The first market, which is going to be held on the 2nd Sunday every month, is being run in conjunction with The Great Bath Feast 2012 on October 14th. This is a month long event celebrating all that is mouth-wateringly great about the South West.

Green Park Farmers Market - photo by ethical property

Anyway, whilst I am waiting to hear I am going to be soaking up the sea air in St Ives. I will let you know all about my rambling around the cobbled streets and cliff tops and visits to the Tate when I get back. 

Until then, check out these wonderful places where you can find vintage treats and handmade & home grown delights. Just click on the photo's to find out more...

Secret Tea Party

Bath Farmers Market

Vintage & Antiques Market