shop update

Did you have a nice Sunday?  I went to a car boot sale with my mum, no bargains unfortunately but we made up for it by having tea and delicious crumpets from the good and proper tea company who had their little van there. 

I wanted to let you know that I've added a few handmade purses to my Folksy Shop shelves. They are all made from beautiful soft silk and vintage broderie anglaise, which I love to work with.

These purses are ideal for keeping safe all those little treasures; jewellery, love letters, cards & loose change.

Well, I hope you like them....x 

 

Pink silk & white broderie anglaise coin purse 

 

 Midnight blue envelope purse 

 

Coin purse in pretty purple silk 

 
Clutch purse in purple silk 

before the rain

Sorry I haven't been around for a while, I've had family visiting and we've had lots of fun doing all those touristy things I never normally get to do.

 

Here's a little photo shoot with a silk purse I made a while ago, which is for sale here. I love these little purses, they are so useful to keep special trinkets in like my vintage compact mirror.

 

Today I'm busy working on some new orders, so I'm kind of pleased that it's raining and I can stay inside with no temptations to be in the garden.

busy, busy

Hello again! Sorry I was so busy last week, I didn't have any time for my blog. It's nice to have January over with though, not one of my favourite months.

 

The whole house smells of lavender, I have little stacks of lavender bags tied up with ribbon, piled up in my work room.

I've been making them for various places and have some for sale in my shop too. Take a look here.

 

The smell really does make you feel very relaxed, I slept so well last night.

 

Sweet dreams...zzzzzzz

morning

 

Some photos of my desk yesterday ... I made the little pin cushion from a lovely soft grey velvet and vintage lace, a really nice combination of fabrics. I took these photos just before I left to go to work, making the most of the morning sunshine. Today looks like a very different day, cold, windy and grey. Definitely a tea and toast morning, while catching up with all your inspiring blogs.

 

 

beautiful lace

I'm in love with these pictures that I've torn out of British and French vogues in the last few months. The different types of lace are beautiful, from Filet to Macrame lace, they all have a feeling of elegance and nostalgia, which I try to capture in my own work.

Now pinned on to my inspiration board with strings of pearls and diamante necklaces...very inspiring.

How do you get your inspiration?

treasure

I've been sat at my desk, radio on, making a few more pieces for my next show at West Ox Arts Gallery in Bampton. I will be exhibiting along side other members of the Oxfordshire crafts guild.

 Hidden in this mess are some little lace brooches I have been working on. Can you spot them?

and this mess resulted in some cards being made.

enjoy the rest of your week..

 

my week...

My week has looked a bit like this...lovely new floral fabrics to make lavender bags, I always feel quite sleepy making these, perfect to tuck under your pillow for a peaceful nights sleep.

I found these little blue daisies hidden away in a box of bits, they will look lovely on my handmade cards.

I love eating outside, listening to the birds tweeting away. We felt quite pleased with ourselves, as we ate the little chard leaves we grew.

My mum treated me to a pink Geranium, which I've put in the bedroom as it's a nice and sunny spot.

faded charms

I've had a lovely day at home today, enjoying the sunshine in the garden, sowing salad and herb seeds. I so love having a little outside space to potter around in.

When the sun goes in that's my cue to go back inside and start working on my little lace brooches for the next exhibition in July. 

These ones I sold at my last show. I'm really pleased that people like them as they are my favourite things to make at the moment.

back home

The weather has turned crazy! Gale force winds, torrential rain and little old me with an umbrella is not a good combination, anyway back home and dry now.

I've been getting ideas from pearly coloured buttons, pretty plates, vintage crochet lace and tiny seed beads...

I must admit that I'm slightly lacking inspiration at the moment.

I'm off on a trip to Lisbon, Portugal with my boyfriend next week. I'm really looking forward to some blue skies (hopefully) and to come back refreshed full of ideas.

Have you ever visited? I would love to know x

 

nice and tidy

My work room doesn't actually look this tidy now, this was taken before I started work on a new design, now the jars of lace have been emptied out, sketch books open and buttons everywhere. It's hard to keep the space tidy when you are in the middle of making, but I hate to start work in a mess. I find the best way is to have jars, boxes and tins to pack it all neatly away afterwards. 

I bought some great fabrics yesterday, I really love the red flower piece, very 1940's, I'm going to make some little lace and fabric lavender bags with them later.

see what I made

I've been meaning to get some business cards printed for ages, so I have spent the afternoon sorting through pictures of my work, trying to decide which ones are the best to use. I've finally narrowed down the selection, actually it's really nice to look back at work that has now sold and remind myself of what I have made. It's easy to forget when you start working on the next piece.

I also found an amazing set of teacups, saucers and side plates in a charity shop earlier. Only £5 too!

I'll take some photos to show you.....tea anyone?