Summer 2012 Jewellery Collection

I thought I'd just show off my new jewellery range. Each piece is a one-off, hand cut and created using reclaimed leather offcuts from my books - I suppose you could call it reclaimed reclaimed! 

Find out more about each piece by clicking the images, or you can visit my shop by clicking here!

♥

Cheeeeeers Becki ♥

Sweet, simple, lovely wooden and vintage lace bunting necklace. I LOVE this, so so much! The laser cut flags were a gift from the wonderful Becky Button, and I pieced them together one evening not long ago. I'm becoming ridiculously obsessed with bunting. What with the bunting note cards I made earlier this month, I even made another bunting related craft for my 30 days of creativity which I'll be sure to blog about soon!

Stash-busting Cupcake Brooches!

I don't know about you, but my overflowing stash boxes are getting a little bit out of hand. It's getting to the point of it taking me 10 minutes to remember where I've actually put something in my studio. Possibly the worst culprit is my scrap stash. Boxes - Drawers - Bags. They're everywhere. There is literally stuff - EVERYWHERE.

So in an attempt to scale down the ever growing colossal mountain range of stuff, starting small I came up with these little free machine embroidered applique cupcake brooches. The fabric used in these came straight out of one of these super-amazing Japanese fabric scrap bags from The Eternal Maker, backed with felt with a pin sewn to the back.

I think these are pretty nifty! What scrap stash-busting projects have you done? ♥

FEATURE - Peculiar Forest

Not too long ago I was lucky enough to get my little paws on this beautiful cherry blossom pendant, hand pierced by Peculiar Forest's own hands in copper, hanging from an oxidized sterling silver chain. If you're not familiar with Peculiar Forest then read on, because we've done a lovely little interview for you!

Look, look, isn't it beautiful! Want your own? You will find an abundance of beautiful jewels in her etsy shop so I urge you to go and take a look!

(Psst - She even takes custom orders!)

Recycled Silk Sari Ribbon Nautical Jewellery Wrap.

Day Three of 30 days of creativity. I love plaiting things. In fact, the only thing I can't really plait is my own hair because I can't quite get to grips with the whole backwards-upside-downiness of it (I WILL learn one day!). Plaiting fabric though I definitely can do, and I love making these jewels so much I've got a whole load in my back-up stock, and a few in my shop!

This one was created using recycled silk sari ribbon. If you don't know what sari ribbon is then all I can say is this: you need some in your life and whilst we're on the subject, sari yarn is also mighty beautiful - I can't knit or crochet and even I have some!

I picked out and cut three strands that complimented one another (in this case, turquoise & golden, red & white striped and chequered navy & cream). I secured one end in a loop, plaited my way down the strands, secured the other end in a loop and added a glass cross pendant. Sure, for my nautical-themed jewellery wrap I think an anchor, boat or seashell charm would have looked better but I couldn't find any in my stash and the glass cross had not long arrived in the post amongst dozens of other 'things' I've ordered for no specific reason other that 'it was shiny and I wanted it'. It just seemed to 'go', so on it went.

 

The longer these are, the more uses they have. This one measures  26 inches so it can be worn as a bracelet, anklet, necklace or anything else you can think of! Lovely ♥

Antique Keys . .

I know I'm not the only one who has an obsession with these things.. So I thought I'd dedicate a post to them. I've acquired old keys from everywhere - the internet, family members, junk shops, antique shops, car boots.. I just can't get enough of them!

I think it's the mystery that surrounds them that makes them so appealing. Not knowing who it belonged to, wondering what it was used for.. Did it open a gate to a secret garden? A secret room? A treasure chest?

I thought I'd share a couple of things I've been working on -
First up, a skeleton key garland to hang wherever you please! This little beauty has been sent across the country to a lovely girlie, as part of a swap package. I am SO making one of these for myself! It starts with a braided base of vintage floral fabric and ribbons, and the keys are wrapped in the same florals as the base, each key was looped onto the garland as I plaited and it's all finished off with vintage buttons and some skinny ribbon at each end to tie it up with!

Second, a bib style necklace with a faded blue felt base, rolled muslin and lace roses, the pink flower in the middle was made from reclaimed sari fabric and the whole thing is finished off with a sweet little antique key, tied down with vintage lace bows, vintage glass pearls and a vintage button! These necklaces are so much fun to make and of course each has the opportunity to be a complete one-off piece, I'm really looking forward to making more!

I'd love to know what you all think! ♥

Adore - Ditsy Neckwear

Whilst I adore handmade and will almost always opt for second hand or handmade when it comes to my purchases, the highstreet is absolutely brimming with beautiful offerings of floatyness, florals, frills, lace, pastels, light fabrics and vintage prints this season, and the jewellery stands are filled with vintage inspired gorgeous ditsy charms, fabric flowers, bohemian beauties, pearls, bows, birds, butterflies and pocket watches dangling from antique style chains.. Honestly, walking around the shops right now for me is like entering wonderland.

Here are some pieces that I'm obsessed with right now.. I can't even describe how excited I was when I clocked eyes on that rocking horse.


I'm ashamed to admit that I've spent more money on clothes in the past two months than ever before in my life. However, to make up for spending copious amounts on mass-produced products, I did treat myself to a vintage kaftan (albeit, it does need a few stitches) and belt this afternoon. Phew.

WIN signed prints from What the Jackdaw Saw!

Do you love creating beautiful jewellery or would you like to give it a go?

They're holding a challenge on the Jewelry and Trinkets board Over at craftster.org anyone can join in, just register and give it a go, you've got nothing to lose and a whole lot to gain!

The theme is SUMMERTIME

The winner will receive their choice of either one 8x8 inch print, or two 5x5 inch prints from my shop over at What the Jackdaw Saw - If you're lucky enough to win the challenge but you can't find what you're looking for, all you have to do is message me at Craftster so we can sort something out for you!