Christmas Earrings!

Wow, How time flies.  It's less than 2 months until Christmas already. 2 months ago it was end of August bank holiday, and I'd just been to Scarborough for a few days. While that seems like ages ago in some ways, it really isn't! Anyway, I've been busy preparing for Christmas by stitching away to make some cross stitch Christmas earrings. i have a few more variations and styles, but here's the first few that I've made, and all are for sale in my Etsy Shop for £8.00 plus P&P (£1.20 UK, £2.80 for everywhere else). For a little Christmas treat you can get 10% off using the Code CHRISTMAS10 until the end of November.

   

     

 Anyway, after all of that I'd best start making some cards and presents before I run out of time....!

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WIP: Photo Conversion Cross Stitch!

You may remember my post a few weeks ago, where I asked you to choose your favourite of 4 photos I'd shortlisted to convert to a cross stitch picture. Photo 2 (below) was the clear winner!

Well, I've finally converted it, and it should be approx 30x40cm when stitched onto 27count evenweave (27 cross stitches per inch). So that's pretty big, and a heck of a lot of stitching. At the end of last week I ordered the 44 colours required along with the evenweave fabric, and they have arriveed! Hooray! I can't wait to get started, hopefully I'll get a chance tonight as I'm busy tomorrow and away at the weekend for my sisters birthday. I'll soon show you some progress though!

Happy Stitching!

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Friday Finds: Tribal

It's been 2 weeks since my last Friday finds post as I was busy at Shake Rattle n' Roll charity event raising money for St Lukes Hospice. We raised just over £1000 on the night, which is absolutly fantastic!

Anyway, the break in my Friday finds posts has enabled me to have longer to think of a theme, and after some deliberation I decided on a tribal theme.

i love the craftiness of traditional tribal items, be it wooden carvings from Africa, Fabrics and Rugs from Europe or jewellery from Asia. Unfortunately, the real tribal items are hard to find in the UK, but there is plenty of inspired items on Etsy, (and a few of more traditional ones from further afield).

I love this brooch by Antique Alchemists. The patterned clothing and the shapes of the figures makes me think of tribes eeking out a living on the plains of Africa. it's also 22K gold, which gives the brooch it's lovely colour, enhanced by careful soft polishing.

 

 

 

 

Turquoise is one of my favourite colours (my living room is painted bright turquoise) and the pretty black inlay really makes the colour pop. I just need to learn how to make bead jewellery so I have an excuse to buy some from Snap Crafty.

 

 



 

 

Here's one for the boys, especially ones who like making a noise! This beautifully patterned drum stick roll up bag is just one of several intricate fabrics used by FleaPuckett. This alone makes me want to start learning the drums!

 

 

Tribal doesn't just mean pretty ornaments and jewellery, as these quirky measuring spoons by AQuartzyLife prove. You'll soon be reaching for the herbs and spices to add to your baking with these. The best bit? They're even dishwasher proof!

 

 

 It wouldn't be tribal without something wooden, but these chunky earrings are actually made from coconut shells! Made in Thailand by Fake Gauge Organics these eco friendly, sustainably sourced organic earrings are perfect for the tribal hippy in everyone.  

 

 

A more subtle tribal option is Shelter Protects You taplin bag, with a striking black and white print and camel coloured leather this bag is perfect day or night, so that's 2 reasons to get one! 

Happy Shopping!

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Shake Rattle n' Roll

Phew! Friday night at Shakespeares was a busy one! Our charity night, Shake Rattle n' Roll in aid of St Lukes Hospice went well, and was definitely a success overall! It's the first time we've ever had a charity night since it opened in June 2011,and we've never organised such a big event, with so much going on! Chris (my boyfriend, manager of Shakespeares and main event organiser) was definitely nervous in the morning, but also had a great time!

 

After an afternoon spent setting up the raffle table with all the fabulous goodies, including many from local Sheffield crafters and local business who kindly donated, setting up various games including hoopla, pin the tail on the donkey and hook a duck 5 O Clock quickly arrived, and with it the start of the event.

 

It began a bit slowly, the usual after work crowd was in but there wasn't lots to do as only a few people had a go on the games (manned by Martin, Jo and Charlotte), giving Kaisha (bar girl and event organiser and I time to glam up in the toilets before the event gained in custom.

 

Before long the pub began filling up, and I was suddenly in the darts tournament run by one of our friends, Patrick, against Charlotte (bar Girl and Event Organiser) and Martin (event helper). Despite the fact I regularly play darts (albeit badly) with Martin, we both lost to novice player Charlotte.

 

After a delicious pizza from PizzaSmiths, who had set up in the old Stable in the garden, washed down by a fantastic pint of Shake Rattle n' Roll ale, brewed by us in conjunction with Blue Bee Brewery (10p a pint was donated), it was time for raffle ticket selling and selling entries for a prize draw for a beautiful vintage style beret by Gilboa for the Lady. Kaisha and I were on to a winner, then I carried on alone as she disappeared to the function room with a charity collection bucket to collect donations during the gigs.

 

I didn't get to see any of the music, but Chris (and the many people who came to see the bands) did. The Mother Folkers, described as 'the unstoppable folk machine' kicked the night off. They were followed by Rita Payne, a talented folk duo. Up and coming indie rockers, The Lion Works were the next act on stage. Check their Guardian acclaimed new EP. Blues Duo The Blackbirds encouraged plenty of foot thumping with their modernised Blues music. They even kindly donated a CD as a raffle prize on the night! Headliners The Hosts packed out the function room with their soulful Rock n' Roll and a touch of class. They have even played in the Devils Arse! (Peak Cliff Cavern).

 

As if all that wasn't enough we managed to squeeze in an art auction between bands, featuring work by local artists such as Martin F. Bedford (who also kindly designed our poster for free!) and Geo Law. Then, to top it all of was the act I was looking forward to most, (and which I most definitely did not want to miss) A burlesque show by the talented ladies of Secrets of the Boudoir. It was my first experience of Burlesque and it was sexy and seductive, a bit of female empowering fun, and I loved it! I even got 'Burlesqued' - one of the ladies 'noosed' me with some of her feather accessories! many of the acts were novices too, (Secrets of the Boudoir run a class on Tuesday's at Shakespeares and many of the ladies had completed the last course the next one starts soon). It was fabulous and I am even considering giving it a go, especially as the ladies were all sizes, so I'd feel less self conscious about by lumpy bits!

Burlesque Dancers with The Hosts - Photo courtesy of The Hosts

 

 

 

All in all, the night was a success, and while we would do a few things differently next time, we all enjoyed it and all of the organisers and helpers made it a huge success!

 

We raised £701.89 through collections, stalls, and raffle tickets. The art auction raised a further £198.99 and £91 through sales of Shake Rattle n' Roll beer. That gives a total of a massive £991.88 raised, plus the money in a collection jar (St Lukes have to count it - we don't have access) we have raised just over

 

£1000

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Shake, Rattle n Roll Crafters!

 

Gosh, time flies. It's already the 9th of October, that means there's only 3 days until Shake Rattle n' Roll, the charity event we're hosting at Shakespeares Pub in Sheffield in aid of St Lukes Hospice, which takes care of adults with debilitating illnesses.

We've loads planned on the day, live music from Rita Payne, the Mother Folkers, The Lion Works, and The Blackbirds with The Hosts as headliners. There's an art auction featuring local artists, including Geo Law, Kid Acne and Martin F Bedford. Games such as Hoopla, Hook a Duck and Pin the tail on the Donkey will bring out your competitive side. We even brewed a special beer in conjunction with Blue Bee brewery for the event. You can't miss it, it's called Shake Rattle n' Roll and is a delicious Pale Ale. That's not all though, Secrets of the Boudoir Burlesque will be finishing the night with feathers and tassel's, and not much else!

And, as with every good fundraising events night, there is the obligatory raffle. however, among the usual vouchers and business donations, we have a beautiful selection of lovely hand crafted items from local Sheffield crafters. The work we have received already is fabulous, and I'm looking forward to seeing the few items still to come. The team behind Shake Rattle n' Roll, Chris, Charlotte, Kaisha and I would like to give everyone who has donated and helped a huge thank you, but here is a little extra crafty showcase for all the lovely people who donated their hand made items. All of the items displayed below are available on their Etsy Shops, and are not the items donated. To see them, come along to Shake rattle n' Roll

First up is Freya, who donated some beautiful butterfly wing earrings. Her Shop, Fushia Gold, stocks a wide range of jewellery made from leather and beads in all sorts of bright colours and shapes. Here's just a couple of her lovely items.

 

Gilboa for the Lady has donated a fantastic beret. Designer Simone makes these fabulous one off hats using vintage fabric and accessories. Don't worry boys, she has a second shop, Gilboa for Gentlemen too!

Kitty Kanzashi is all about folding fabric to create stunning flowers which make perfect hair accessories. I have never heard of these before, but I very much admire the colours and intricacies of these pieces.

  

Cheryl of Blossom Buttons creates all sorts of lovely accessories using fabric covered buttons. She lovels vintage and japenease fabrics, as you can see from these lovely items.

  

To keep the Burlesque theme going head over to Amourous Cats Attic for some glamourous steampunk jewellery and clothes. Perfect for adding some spice to your wardrobe!

  

Jeanni from Silver Cookies creates lots of sparkly silver jewellery to suit any occasion. She also uses beads to add a splash of colour to many of her gorgous accessories.

  

 

Imogens Imagination has donated a pair of wxquisitel orange and white orchid hairclips. Sophie, the lady behind all of this creativity also makes a wide range of fascinators, berets, headbands and hair combs too!

   

Lois, the lady behind logii is crafty with a hook. She has made several charming crocheted items as well as dabbling with hama beads and even origami!

  

And, of course, I am donating too. I could hardly ask for donations from fellow crafters and give nothing myself after all...

  

Hopefully see you there on Friday!


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Friday Finds: Cars

Tomorrow I'm going to a murder mystery party with friends from work. It's set on a racecourse, and the characters include drivers, mechanics, a ditsy blond for arm candy, a rich Arab, and Marsha Ull, (the Marshal) which is my character.

If you've never done a murder mystery party before then I highly recommend giving it a go, It's easy to do as there are all sorts of kits to buy (and you could probably find cheap ones in Charity shops) so you can pick a theme that interests you, dress up, and have a giggle (With names like Ivor Bigend and Sheik Dujaluvme a sense of humour is definitely required). All the characters have a motive, but it's fun trying to puzzle out the murderer...


Anyway, that's tomorrow, and it's given me inspiration for a car themed Friday finds.

Show your love of formula 1 whenever you read with this pewter repousse Kindle Cover by Lotul. Make sure you check out all of her other pewter goods, including decorated bottles, IPhone cases, and sculptures!

 

 

If decor is what you desire, then this enlarged pen and ink limited edition canvas featuring Jackie Stewart during the German 1966 Grand Prix. Vintage sport auto art have plenty of other striking pieces.

 

 

Start your little ones love of cars early with a set of  chunky transportation crayons from Colour me Fun. They almost look to good to use!

 

 



 Pimp up your ride with a cool vinyl car sticker from Stickalz. I love the girl and the way her hair is blowing out in the wind, but there are plenty of 'go faster' stripes, animals, and various patterns to choose from!

Add a splash of lipstick red with this cute vintage pocket mirror by Velvet Barnacle. The retro design proves that cars aren't just for boys!

Happy Shopping!

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Craft Fairs

Yes, it's craft fair time again...

this one is only in 2 days, at Bungalows and Bears on Division Street, Sheffield, from 3-9pm. It'd be great if you could pop down and say hi.

I'm hoping that this fair goes well, I've not had great experiences with the few stalls I've done previously. The first one I did about 1 year ago was fairly poor, but it was outside at Sheffield University (where I work as a cell biologist) in August (so no students) and it rained. The only stalls that did ok were cake stalls!

I've done 2 others since, to varying degrees of sucess. The problem at both was mainly the lack of people. My jewellery is also pretty quirky, and I think there just wasn't enough people from my target audience present. I'm hoping that Bungalows and Bears will be more succesful, as it's in the town centre, students are back, and it's a quirky funky place, which hopefuly will appeal to my target market. I've also got loads of things to sell, earrings, rings, keyrings, fridge magnets, and pendants now, a much bigger range than I had at my first stall just over a year ago. Fingers crossed that I do better, I'll let you know!

    

  

 

 

Happy Browsing!

 

 

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