Crafty thoughts from Crafts forum Members

I was sent a handful of cabochons by a very cornish lady called Tania Grey, with a great deal of trepidation, and even more fear, I ‘had a go’………………I must have a natural affinity with bits of glass, or I was a window in a previous life, but the first two seemed to have worked - and the third one, which is either destined to either become a masterpiece or be thrown in the bin, is coming along ok. They will all be on my website as they’re finished http://www.beadsage.co.uk/

Here’s the first two……….oh, and Tan’s website is http://www.tanofcourse.co.uk/

I am most definatly drawn to two main colour schemes in my work.  The first is marine tones: blues, turquoises and greens.  The other is the autumn palate of browns, oranges and ochres, so it is rather a challenge to use pinks as they really fit into neither scheme.

I’ve been creating some cabachon bracelets. 

This is also my first attempt at combining sculpy clay and fimo classic.  They have combined really well and there is no shrinkage from either.

I have more of the bracelets on www.crystalvelvet.co.uk

I’ve been battling down the hatches and starting the work up to christmas and my open house etc.  Last year I had several sell outs so promissed myself that I’d get my act together this year and have plenty of stock in.

This is a watch I created last night using my favourite swarovski crystal in Ab finish.  I’ve teamed them up with Czech seed beads and bali daisies in an intertwining strap.

So what is kiki crafts…

Interactive Paper Craft CDs, All original artwork! Zodiac Borders & Backgrounds is our premier product 

The cd(s) offered by kiki are for paper crafters, offering “dynamic boarders and backgrounds”

At present Kiki crafts offfers only 1 CD called the “borders and backgrounds zodiac edition” which as by the name contians icon, patterns and backgrounds with the zodiac themes.

 To find out more please visit : kikicrafts.co.uk 

For similar crafts site visit: http://www.ukcraftwebsites.co.uk/scrapbook.php

I seem to be in a bit of a “design mode” at the moment which I’m enjoying!

This is my newest addition.  After a few prototypes, I finally managed to produce what I could see in my head.

I’ve made it from pale pink linen with applique gingham and sweet padded gingham flowers.

It is half filled with hollow-fibre stuffing and wheat for stability and weight.

I’m hoping it will be popular at craft fairs.

Here is another specially commissioned card that I have been asked to make.  The brief was to include the line “Happy 40^th Birthday Del Boy” and the rest was up to me! 

  I’d acquired some scraps of lovely suede fabric some time ago and have been itching to do something with them, and this was the perfect opportunity as the mustard coloured piece was perfect as Del’s donkey jacket. Del Boy’s customary chunky gold bracelets, sovereigns and ‘D’ chain add to the character, as does the famous Trotter 3-wheeler van.  For something a little extra, I included the “this time next year we will be millionaires” fob watch and the ill-fated blow-up dolls.  Two of Del’s speciality cocktails were also added. 

Lovely jubberly.

This handbag started off in life as a pair of trousers in the 1980’s that I wore and wore and felt very glamerous in.  Once style dictated that they should no longer be worn, I put them away in a cupboard because I couldn’t bear to part with them.  The fabric is a chinese silk with interwoven peacocks in two tones of grey / silver.

I made this handbag the night before attending a wedding and so it is lined with a pale blue to match my outfit.  The crystals are swarovski crystal ab 4mm bicones.

I have been busy this week!!!  Two new arrivals in the one week.

 My little halloween candles and now my new birthday candles.  These are aimed at any age not just those special ages.  They are pretty tricky though it is sooooo difficult to get the numbers to stay at the front of the moulds and to stay straight.  Hope you like them!

My son started “big-school” (primary school) a couple of weeks ago and once again needed a PE bag.  I have had this design in my head for weeks, and me being me, I left it until the evening before he needed it to get on and make it!  I was inspired by one of his models from his ever-growing camper van collection.  The applique is made from felt and the bag itself is fully lined.

 This was my inspiration …..

 I’m really chuffed at how it’s turned out as it was all a bit of an experiment, but I really enjoyed making it!

And yes, it’s on my website!

A friend of mine has made these dinky bags.  I don’t get the chance to visit her very often but when I do we always have a good catch up on what she has been creating.  On my last visit, she showed me a handful of these little bags, made from thick paper and using various techniques.

My favourites are the wax crayon and ink wash effect – very bright and unusual, and each one unique.  Also shown are the flower and leaf stamped bags.

Shirelle makes these on a very limited budget but it always amazes me to see what she has created from very little outlay.  They are ideal to use as an unusual gift bag for when wrapping something so small becomes a sellotape nightmare. 

I have requested 20 of the little bags as I use them to put loose die cuts in as a thank you for website orders.   And I hope that Shirelle can make many more and I can offer them exclusively through Tip Top Toppers.