I did use that ‘free’ time wisely though.  While I am still working my way through my wool stash (summer blanket on the way, pictures soon) I thought I should use up some of my jewellery bits too.  Not only do I have a few beads, I also have a largeish collection of broken necklaces, odd earrings and general shiney bits from, well, all over really.

So I got playing, sorry, I mean working

And a matching pair of earrings too

I’ve even listed them in my folksy shop too, so if you fancy some vintage glamour pop over and have a look!

However

However, it is something I excel at – deferring action.  Though thinking about it The Oxford Dictionaries definition isn’t quite fair, I do defer action,  that I don’t want to do, while filling the time with other sorts of ‘actions’ I do want to do.

Then again, defering action.  I think maybe I wasn’t deferring action, just ‘embracing’ the action.  So while I should have been tidying the wholeback bedroom ready for the in-laws arrival, I tidyed only the beads.

And I got to thinking (while I was tidying not procrastinating) that I didn’t have a turquoise necklace and I love turquoise, lots of my clothes are turquoise.

Voila!

Made from broken necklaces, old beads and a bracelet my oldest found on the street last year.

Unfortunately I still have to tidy the back bedroom…

Waiting in the post for me was the latest issue of Beads and Beyond Magazine, which has my tutorial for using amethyst chips to make a necklace and brooch.  I’ve had these for absolutely ages, and when I bought some new thicker wire I knew what to do!

Speak soon x

I won the makers-online competition with my upcycled morrisons plastic carrier bag crocheted necklace!!!!!

Really, honestly, still can’t believe it but its true!!

Rachelle Strauss of myzerowaste choose the winner and said:

Some of the entries were really stunning so I am unbelievably flattered to have won!

So, I thought in honour of this great occasion I would host my first giveaway!  If you would like to win this necklace all you have to do is leave a comment with an email address so I can let you know if your the winner, and pop by occasionally to read my ramblings, see what I’m working on and leave the odd comment as they are so, so important.  As much as I love my boys and OH, how can I put it, your comments are more, informative and welcome!

I’ll leave it open till Monday 6th September, the last day before the boys go back to school and they can pick the winner!  Well, thats all I think, I’m off to do a bit more screaming…

Jane x

I’ve been featured over on Popular Crafts website,  Its a great site, full of tips and tutorials covering almost all aspects of craft.  They’ve choosen one of my necklaces for their ’Popular Crafts - buys vintage style’.  Its among some gorgeous items so I’m really chuffed to be included!

My Christmas cactus has decided to flower, not over Christmas but nevermind, the Spring seems to have given it a wakeup call!  But it was worth the wait, isn’t it gorgeous?

The other one I’m working on is in a gorgeous kid merino, so soft to work with it is an absolute delight in my hands.

Do you remember those gorgeous balls of varigated sock yarn Rachel sent me in the pincushion swap?  Well I’ve bought 3 balls of 3 ply cotton  in dreamy shades of aubergine, heather and a sea green and am planning a wavy scarf with them.

Finally I need to get on with my latest Art Trading Card, Aprils theme is songs which is very inspiring, I’m thinking of doing something influenced by Corinne Bailey Rae’s new album which I’m loving at the minute.

Along with the ATC group I’ve also joined the Round Robin one over at UKHandmade.  We are making a necklace, well, 3 in fact.  We all start a section, then send it on, the next person completes a bit more and sends it on to someone else.  Its very exciting as I have no idea what mine is going to turn out like, I didn’t put too many requirements on mine, I’d like to see what the others come up with.  I’ve done a pendant and will keep you updated with what they do to it, and I’ll also post pictures of who sends me what to work on and what I do to enhance/ruin them!

Okay, so no one has a green neck but it was the best thing I could display it on, and It doesn’t work so well on the clear vase.

I crocheted 8 flowers in wire, using 2 beads for each stitch on the petals and used the tail ends to stitch them together.  It is so light and soft and molds to your neck shape perfectly.  I love it – can you tell!

 I’d forgotton how versatile this technique is, and I’ve been using different things to cover like bracelets.

My first experiments:

What do you think?

I’m in it again!  If you take a look in January’s issue of Beads and Beyond magazine, you’ll find a rather stylish vintage necklace on page 50!  I had all these lovely bits lying around (yes, literally, you’ve seen my room) and wanted a way to bring them all together that didn’t look like a mish mash.  I think I’ve achieved it here, and the brooch gives it a nice bit of weight too.  Using the most simple of techniques, a chain anyone can do this!

Also there’s only 1 day left on the folksy upcycle ebay auction for Sue Ryder, there were some great entries which are now all up for sale, a few people have even bid on my doily rug!  So if you want an unusual Christmas present pop over and place a bid, its all for charity don’t you know!

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!