Merry-Go-Round...scary style!

Jump on the merry-go-round and join a group of artists/ crafts-women as they link hands around the world and tell you a little bit about their lives in art and craft!

Our question this month, with Hallowe'en just around the corner, is: 'What is the scariest part of your art/craft?'

Hmm, well, I had to think about this one for a good few minutes. Firstly, my reaction was well, where do I start? However, the more I pondered it, the more I realised that actually, none of it is really scary...although a lot of it feels rather risky at times!

I remember that moment very vividly, when I first made the decision to take the plunge, and 'set up shop'. I had absolutely no idea where to begin. I could barely use a computer, except for moderate use of Illustrator and Photoshop, and a little bit of internet shopping experience (naturally - I am a girl after all!) to help me along. I suppose that initial tentative foray into the world of selling online was a teeny bit scary. I would sit staring at the screen for what was surely hours on end, willing it to suddenly spring to life and do all the hard work for me...or at least ring a bell or two and flash every now and then to point me in the right direction!!

But that was then...and now, I'm loving it! I am completely suited to being this anonymous shopkeeper; I can work in my pyjamas (something we all do - right?!) and no-one knows. I can assume a managerial role if need be, and I don't even need to have washed my hair...let alone 'put my face on'! It's perfect for me! There are still things that might bother me a little (ok, maybe a lot...I am a worrier), like fulfilling a custom order - they've put their faith in me, I have to provide them with exactly what they want, and on time...pyjamas or no pyjamas! It's made me realise now, as I lounge on the cusp (ha ha! more like left of the centre!) of middle-agedness, that I can only do my best - as long as I do that, it'll see me through. That's what my Mum told me; it's what I tell my girls...and d'ya know? I think it's right! What's scary about that, eh?!!

Please check out the other ladies' stories that are spinning around on this merry-go-round with me - you can click on their links in the sidebar. We're all in slightly different time zones, so do pop back to revisit them if you don't immediately see their post. Thanks for reading!

Crikey, Really?!

I've decided to break out of blog hibernation (half term holidays, etsy custom orders....and, sadly, the dreaded lurgy...) to show you this. Utilemud's treasury, which includes my Pomp and Ceremony wrist cuff, was on the Front Page of etsy this morning - that's so exciting for me! I'd like to thank all those lovely people who took time out of their busy day to let me know about it. Thanks so much!

Shopping List Saturday!

I’ve been investigating dolls, lately. Dolls and plush fabric figures. There are so many out there, every single one different, with its own personality. Here’s a little dip into the Etsy waters of doll-land:
1)Black Bird Bronwyn doll wall art ooak/ studio67 I think she’s magnificent, don’t you? Such character...such a meaningful face!
2)Greyam Jeanovich/ willowstudio I just love him - great legs.
3)Barry/ dayanra Now, don’t tell me he isn’t cute!! Isn’t he??
4)Blue Floral Snail/ adn109 Now, this chap is full of fun! Bold and colourful..and no slime!!
5)pink goodnight, grub-felt doll set special listing/ kale This completely makes my heart melt. I saw kale’s work over on flickr – it’s adorable. Utterly lovely. Like bathing in a sugar bowl. A little (or big!) girls’ dream.
6)Lilly lil Hoot/ ManicMuffinTotes I couldn’t resist her. She reminds me of a gift I had once from Father Christmas: a cuddly owl. Only mine was furry and pillar box red! No style in those days....
7)Umber Cat/ Marjji I love the textures of this little sweetie...and check out that face!
8)Kelly the Kitten/ bitofwhimsyprims Full of whimsy, this little kitten is feminine and delicate – can’t you just sense her personality?

Happy shopping day to you...plenty to feast your eyes on within the multitude of shops in Etsy – and you don’t have to leave home! For more shopping ideas from fellow Etsy sellers around the world, click on the Shopping List Saturday links in the sidebar. I’m thrilled to say that we have some new players this week – go check them out! (Please remember that we are all on different time zones, so our posting times all vary).

Little Things...

A little gallery of felted brooches. Two are complete, the rest are lying in wait - if you see what I mean! I think these are destined to be sent to a lovely little gallery shop. We shall see...

The end of this half term strikes today, and this afternoon sees us sitting in the school hall watching youngest in an assembly play. Aaah. Makes you think - it won't be long before the Christmas plays arrive...must begin stockpiling the old hankies!

I think my Shopping List Saturday will appear later today, because tomorrow we have a family treat (thanks Mum!) - we're off to Cardiff to see the Birmingham Royal Ballet perform Beauty and the Beast....oooh, can't wait! The costumes and scenery look fabulous, dahling.....

On My Desk Wednesday...on time!

Yikes! I hope this doesn't give too much away! I'm about half way through this custom order - perfect for me, using my favourite colour...black! Actually, there's a lot of grey and silver here, too, but I seem to have lost that bit of detail in the photo. Love the accents of purple and lime...bring on the beads!!

Go and spy on some other laden desks, here, at kootoyoo's blog. Enjoy!

Yay!!

That gorgeous treasury I showed you yesterday? It's just been on the Front Page! Yay!!
Thank you everyone for your lovely, lovely compliments xx

Just a Quickie -

I wasn't going to do a post today - busy working - but then I discovered that my Midsummer Collar had been featured in a treasury...so of course, I had to take a peek. Valerie, from Mistflowerstudio, has curated this amazingly glamorous, romantic and fantasy-filled collection of items, and I simply had to share it!
You can visit it yourself, here, but have a jolly good look now - aren't these items fabulous..? So much storybook drama going on here, it's unreal!
Enjoy - and do visit Valerie's store, too, for the most amazing (that word again, but 'tis true!) mosaic work. Glorious.
Have a lazy Sunday, everyone!

Shopping List Saturday!

1)The Uprising/ chocolateandsteel 2)rusty neck warmer/ forqueenvictoria 3)Belle Ruche in Rust Brown/ infusion 4)Saffron Capelet/ AnniesWearableArt 5)Little Ripples Rust Orange Nunofelted Scarf/ IndigoCrane 6)Lustre ansd Rust Vintage Button Necklace/ calloohcallay 7)Logs II/ Golly Bard 8)Shades of Autumn Rust Leather Journal with Painted Leaves/ julieboyles 9)primitive colonial brooch/ ClairesArtfulThings 10)Ring of Fire Raku Pendant with Autumn Hues Silk Ribbon/ MAKUstudio

Driving through the forest, the colours of autumn are really becoming apparent now. Beautiful golds, rusts, oranges and a smattering of red here and there - just glorious, and the best is yet to come. Another week or two, and we'll have to shield our eyes!!

This week's Shopping List is packed full of just that - rich, intense colour, to warm the cockles of your heart! Beautiful items, delightfully handcrafted.

For more shopping lists from etsy sellers, click on the list in the sidebar (Saturday Shopping Lists:Check Out Their Lists!). So many beautiful, handmade items are out there, waiting for you!

Can You Believe It...?!

Something very small!!

No, really - this pendant is, I think, the smallest piece of jewellery I've ever made! It hangs on a sturdy silver coloured wire choker, and measures a grand total of a smidge over 2.5cms in length!!

Wow. Now I need to go and sit down, to recover from the shock of it. Small?? Well, I never.

Crikey - I Missed Wednesday Again! (On My Desk Wednesday)

Okay - so perhaps I have to add 'can't let a fabric purchase pass me by' to the list of random facts about myself (posted Tuesday)...as you can see, on my desk - yesterday's purchase of glorious organza squares at bargain prices, and some tres bon sari trim ribbon. Oh, the things a girl needs...

For more laden desks, go check out kootoyoo's blog, right now!