Folksy Friday: Blues and whites

Working with some lovely handpainted blue and white ceramic beads gave me the idea for this weeks Folksy Friday.  Aren't they beautiful?  Click on any of the pictures to go directly to the shops.






1. Blue and white oval buttons by Amanda Mercer/Designer & Maker
2. Tea cosy by Ruby Ruby
3. Pill box feather hat by Rachel Wykes Milliner
4. Glass bowl by Abundant Glass
5. Felt flower brooch by Charlys Gems
6. Shopper by Ann Lampitt

Folksy Friday: Blues and whites

Working with some lovely handpainted blue and white ceramic beads gave me the idea for this weeks Folksy Friday.  Aren't they beautiful?  Click on any of the pictures to go directly to the shops.






1. Blue and white oval buttons by Amanda Mercer/Designer & Maker
2. Tea cosy by Ruby Ruby
3. Pill box feather hat by Rachel Wykes Milliner
4. Glass bowl by Abundant Glass
5. Felt flower brooch by Charlys Gems
6. Shopper by Ann Lampitt

On Fire For Handmade Feature Artist: Gabs Bags

This weeks featured Artisan is Gabrielle, owner of Gabs Bags.

Unique handbags to accent your wardrobe! You can find Gabs Bags at:

http://www.gabsbags.net/

Artfire

Etsy

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Showcase Sunday: Bags, bags and some coasters

Two lovely bag shops this Sunday.  I nearly called this post 'Two lovely bag ladies' but realised just in time that might be misinterpreted!

Sim Ja Ta (aka Bags of Swank) makes these lovely animal inspired bags, as well as some crazy loud bags.  Of course, I had to pick the labradors to feature, as Lucca would never have forgiven me otherwise!

Next up is Not Just Handbags on Folksy.  Beautifully styled and made bags here. I love this vintage inspired clutch.  You could walk down the fashion runway with this and not look out of place!

Lastly, a quick shout out for Lemonade and Lamingtons, who was kind enough to nominate my blue glass bracelet for the Handmade and Fabulous blog this week.  Such a great varied shop, this one, with jewellery, crayon rolls, and some fantastic gift ideas. Like these lovely coasters - they would be a great man-present.

PS Next week I get to nominate for the Handmade and Fabulous blog, so be sure to visit.  I've picked three blue items, but you'll have to wait for the post to see who is featured.

Showcase Sunday: Bags, bags and some coasters

Two lovely bag shops this Sunday.  I nearly called this post 'Two lovely bag ladies' but realised just in time that might be misinterpreted!

Sim Ja Ta (aka Bags of Swank) makes these lovely animal inspired bags, as well as some crazy loud bags.  Of course, I had to pick the labradors to feature, as Lucca would never have forgiven me otherwise!

Next up is Not Just Handbags on Folksy.  Beautifully styled and made bags here. I love this vintage inspired clutch.  You could walk down the fashion runway with this and not look out of place!

Lastly, a quick shout out for Lemonade and Lamingtons, who was kind enough to nominate my blue glass bracelet for the Handmade and Fabulous blog this week.  Such a great varied shop, this one, with jewellery, crayon rolls, and some fantastic gift ideas. Like these lovely coasters - they would be a great man-present.

PS Next week I get to nominate for the Handmade and Fabulous blog, so be sure to visit.  I've picked three blue items, but you'll have to wait for the post to see who is featured.

Folksy Friday: Dragonflies

Saw a beautiful dragonfly on a walk this week.  I thought I'd just find a picture of in on the net and blog about it.  What I didn't realise is how many species of dragonflies and damselflies there are!  So I gave up trying to find a picture and selected some lovely Folksy items instead.  Click on any of the images to go to the shops.






1. Dragonfly print by Spiral Moon Fantasy
2. Dragonfly vegan soap by Oracle Lake
3. Dragonfly in glass by Bubble Bees painted glass
4. Silk painting with dragonfly by The Owl and the Pussycat
5. Watercolour by eastwitching
6. Jute dragonfly bag by Art on a Bag

Beautiful, aren't they?

And in case there are any dragonfly experts reading who would like to help identify the one we saw, it had a deep bottle green body with translucent green wings, and it looked just like someone had shaken a pot of green and silver glitter all over it.  It kept its wings open when it landed so we could see just how amazing it was.  Quite a bit bigger than the blue ones we see more often around the river, this one was some way from any water.  Any offers?

Folksy Friday: Dragonflies

Saw a beautiful dragonfly on a walk this week.  I thought I'd just find a picture of in on the net and blog about it.  What I didn't realise is how many species of dragonflies and damselflies there are!  So I gave up trying to find a picture and selected some lovely Folksy items instead.  Click on any of the images to go to the shops.






1. Dragonfly print by Spiral Moon Fantasy
2. Dragonfly vegan soap by Oracle Lake
3. Dragonfly in glass by Bubble Bees painted glass
4. Silk painting with dragonfly by The Owl and the Pussycat
5. Watercolour by eastwitching
6. Jute dragonfly bag by Art on a Bag

Beautiful, aren't they?

And in case there are any dragonfly experts reading who would like to help identify the one we saw, it had a deep bottle green body with translucent green wings, and it looked just like someone had shaken a pot of green and silver glitter all over it.  It kept its wings open when it landed so we could see just how amazing it was.  Quite a bit bigger than the blue ones we see more often around the river, this one was some way from any water.  Any offers?

My recent handmade lovelies...

..I had this lovely bag bought for me as a birthday present.

Looks like a lovely bag with a great print, perfect for the summer, doesn't it?

All that is true, but as well, this clever creation is a work-out for your creativity and knotting skills.  You can make a whole variety of bags in different shapes just by tying the fabric in different ways.

It's called furoshiki and Mich, who runs myfuroshiki stores on Dreamaid, Folksy, Etsy and Coriander produces them in a variety of fabrics. There are also other materials for wrapping gifts and presents available too.  Visit the shop and the blog to see the many styles you can make.  Such a great idea and an original gift for someone too.

Once you've got a furoshiki you never need buy another bag.  However, that doesn't stop me.  I'm a bag-a-holic.

I saw this lovely creation on Folksy from jentwinkle while I was taking part in the June loons challenge (listing one item every day for the whole of June - phew!)  I like cross-body bags because of my back problems, and Jen was kind enough to adapt this one with a longer strap for me.  It's really beautiful with the buttons and embroidery, and the first time I used it it was admired straight away - there's a dental receptionist with great taste!  Take a look round Jen's Folksy store for a variety of items all equally careful crafted and pretty.

So no bags for a while now.  The OH keeps saying no more bags until we have a bigger house.  But he makes an exception for special occasions.  So with the dog's birthday and our wedding anniversary coming up, I should be OK for the next couple of months ;-)

A blue and brown paisley print hobo style bag is next on my list....

My recent handmade lovelies...

..I had this lovely bag bought for me as a birthday present.

Looks like a lovely bag with a great print, perfect for the summer, doesn't it?

All that is true, but as well, this clever creation is a work-out for your creativity and knotting skills.  You can make a whole variety of bags in different shapes just by tying the fabric in different ways.

It's called furoshiki and Mich, who runs myfuroshiki stores on Dreamaid, Folksy, Etsy and Coriander produces them in a variety of fabrics. There are also other materials for wrapping gifts and presents available too.  Visit the shop and the blog to see the many styles you can make.  Such a great idea and an original gift for someone too.

Once you've got a furoshiki you never need buy another bag.  However, that doesn't stop me.  I'm a bag-a-holic.

I saw this lovely creation on Folksy from jentwinkle while I was taking part in the June loons challenge (listing one item every day for the whole of June - phew!)  I like cross-body bags because of my back problems, and Jen was kind enough to adapt this one with a longer strap for me.  It's really beautiful with the buttons and embroidery, and the first time I used it it was admired straight away - there's a dental receptionist with great taste!  Take a look round Jen's Folksy store for a variety of items all equally careful crafted and pretty.

So no bags for a while now.  The OH keeps saying no more bags until we have a bigger house.  But he makes an exception for special occasions.  So with the dog's birthday and our wedding anniversary coming up, I should be OK for the next couple of months ;-)

A blue and brown paisley print hobo style bag is next on my list....

BESTeam weekly feature: Swing Station Studio on Etsy

Colour, colour, colour - beautiful prints made into beautiful and practical bags, purses and housewares is what you'll find at Swing Station Studio on Etsy.

I just had to make a collage to show some of the great patterns on my favourite items.  Click on any of the pictures to be taken directly to the shop.  Each one would be a pleasure to use!

Heather, from Fort Collins, CO runs Swing Station Studio. She says her interests also include cooking, painting, reading, and sleeping! Helping out are hubby and fluffy little doggie, Ginger.

You can see how well made the items are, with the seams double stitched and co-ordinating linings inside.  Swing Station Studio ships internationally and will even contact you to arrange hand delivery if you live in the area.

I think my favourite overall though is this Birds of Norway fabric box purse.  The print is so lovely and you could store a substantial amount of things inside.  I love the fact that Heather will make any shape or size of purse in any of the available fabrics, so you could have a truly customised item.

And how cute are the elephants featured on this zipper pouch? They even have glitter!

You can find out more about Heather and this great shop by following the links below:

Twitter

Facebook

Blog

Email

BESTeam weekly feature: Swing Station Studio on Etsy

Colour, colour, colour - beautiful prints made into beautiful and practical bags, purses and housewares is what you'll find at Swing Station Studio on Etsy.

I just had to make a collage to show some of the great patterns on my favourite items.  Click on any of the pictures to be taken directly to the shop.  Each one would be a pleasure to use!

Heather, from Fort Collins, CO runs Swing Station Studio. She says her interests also include cooking, painting, reading, and sleeping! Helping out are hubby and fluffy little doggie, Ginger.

You can see how well made the items are, with the seams double stitched and co-ordinating linings inside.  Swing Station Studio ships internationally and will even contact you to arrange hand delivery if you live in the area.

I think my favourite overall though is this Birds of Norway fabric box purse.  The print is so lovely and you could store a substantial amount of things inside.  I love the fact that Heather will make any shape or size of purse in any of the available fabrics, so you could have a truly customised item.

And how cute are the elephants featured on this zipper pouch? They even have glitter!

You can find out more about Heather and this great shop by following the links below:

Twitter

Facebook

Blog

Email