One of the best things of the internet is the sharing of ideas and finds so I am going to do my good deed for the day and share one of my best finds yet.  I came across this shop while browsing through Folksy seeing whats around when up popped up some absolutely gorgeous photos.  So I explored a bit further and found this shop, Cassia Beck photography (click on her name to take you to her folksy shop).

My favourite are the vintage ones, the colours are just glorious and they seem to have an almost tactile textural quality, the grainyness lends so much to the subject matter.  So with Cassia having a sale on it would have been rude not too – wouldn’t it…

Look what I bought!  I don’t know where I’m going to put them but I don’t want to rush it, the frames or frame have to be perfect.  One thing I do know though is that I am really going to enjoy looking at them and figuring out where to put them!

I’m going for the whole clean sweep, a fresh start and in order to get organised I’m having a sale!  Over in my folksy shop I have taken the 20% off all prices already, so for example these gorgeous fingerless gloves that are perfect for driving and shopping as you don’t have to take them off were £15 and are now

and are now £12.00.  And this gorgeously soft neckwarmer is also down to £12.00! 

In my etsy shop you have to use the code ilovexmas to get the 20% off. 

 So this wonderful wrap was £31 and will now be £24.80

and this gorgeous clutch as featured on the etsy front page, was £18 and is now £14.40!

So if you haven’t bought all your Christmas presents why not grab yourself a bargain, happy Christmas folks!

We have ’scarf with pockets’, gorgeously chunky, warm and perfect for those with cold hands like me (just need to create one that goes down to my feet and I’m sorted)

The Wrap Scarf, depending on how you wear it

there are many more examples, I won’t bore you!

and some new cable fingerless gloves too, perfect for driving and shopping as you don’t have to take them off!

More bits in my shops, please look and let me know what you think!

Jane x

Isn’t it magnificent!  But this isn’t any light box, oh no, its a cardboard box with a large window cut out of the top and sides with white tissue paper stuck on and a sheet of white card proped up in the back!  Fantastic and best of all, it does make a difference AND it only cost me 2 bars of chocolate, love you dad!

And if that wasn’t enough to make me into the next David Bailey, this brilliant tutorial was linked to the ukhandmade blog.  It is so useful, simply written with great tips and there is a competition for the best photo which I may well enter now – so what do you think of the results of yesterdays photography session:

You may recognise the last one, It wasn’t quite right before, but I think its better now.  So this is what I’ve been working on for the last few days.   I’m really enjoying combining several techniques and working with patterns and bright colours.  As always this has led to more ideas – I’m thinking sort of sculptural.

That requires more thought though, and I need to post these on my Folksy shop and get on with my Art Trading Card’s, more about that later!

I have a range of beautiful crochet hooks, threads and scissors, but looking at my pincushion I realised that it is functional, definately not beautiful.

The perfect excuse to make a new one, though I got a bit carried away with ideas

So these will be going into my folksy shop!

Next up, I’m going out!   I know, can you hear the fanfare too?  Anyhow, I got this gorgeous dress in the sales, bright emerald green, quite 50’s in style.  I thought perfect occasion to wear my new glamerous necklace I made, the one with the wire flowers… but it doesn’t go. 

So I made a bracelet that does!

Finally, I’ve also been spending, but not too much, honest!  Thanks to the Craft Neutral Challange I’ve only bought some jump rings this year, eveything I’ve made has been from my stash, and that includes several necklaces, bracelets, earrings, scarflettes and gloves!  And after all, we have to support the wonderful craftspeople we have!

So, after browsing through researching some of my favourites shops on Folksy I  saw these gorgeous brooches by the amazing artist Amy McCarthy 

They are recyled beer bottle tops filled with various found objects like shells, bits of old jewellery, shards of glass and set in resin.  I think this one is my favourite

or maybe this one

Check out Amys other fabulous glass products in her folksy shop!

So a nice piccie

Crocheted flowers waiting to go onto hairslides

and a bit of shameless promotion

I’ve put my Vintage Lace bracelet that I made for February’s issue of Beads and Beyond in my folksy shop – its a good Valentines day present!

I’ve finished it!

I love it!

And the skin is slowly starting to regrow on my thumb (from all the cutting).

Initially it was going to be a basket, but I couldn’t get the image of doileys out of my head.  Originally it was a duvet cover from ty hafan my local charity shop (where I probably spend more money than if I shopped at Howells).  But now, my entry into Folksy Upcycle competition is…

And in action

There you go – doileys – but not as you know it!

Mad busy at the minute with replenishing depleating scarf stocks (which is great news, but not for my fingers) and trying to finish my entry into Folksy Upcycle Christmas Competition.

 Its a great idea, take something from a charity shop and upcycle it!  There are some great judges,  Wayne Hemingway MBE and India Knight among others so i’m very excited!  You can see other entries on Folksy – and here is a little taster of what i’m creating….

What do you think?

If any of you do your own craft fairs and make jewellery, you must visit Boo’s blog.  Not only does she have gorgeous jewellery, but also lots of free tutorials.  I’ve just made the necklace stand from her template and it really is amazing!  Now I can display my necklaces properly as opposed to lying flat on the table.  I am so envious of people who can think laterally (?) or is the word just clearly (!), i’m not sure, but she is one clever lady.

I’ve also been really remise in not mentioning the Crafteroo Children in Need shop we have set up again on Foksy.  We have all donated items, and all the money goes to the charity, last year we raised over £600 for Comic Relief!  So if you fancy doing your bit, while having fun at the same time, check us out here.

Finally, i’m buzzing this week, i’ve been featured on two, yes two fabulous blogs, one of my bracelets on Found on Folksy and one of my bags on UKHandmade.  Talk about glowing!