Helping Bees - BBKA

Since making the decision to change my name over to Mason Bee, I've always had it at the back of my mind that I would like to do something to help bees. Strange perhaps, to some that I would want to do this, but its not really. I see it as doing my bit for still overlooked and misunderstood creature, bug...the humble bee. Bees are so vitally important to our ecosystem but we are doing so much damage to their natural habitats. I know I am only one person and I am never going to make my millions but I would like to do what I can. 

So, I did some research and a few days I contacted the British Bee Keepers Association (BBKA), firstly to ask if they a button that I can add to my site and secondly to state that my aim is to create some products that will allow me to give a donation to their cause. In the short run I would like to use the money raised to 'Adopt a Hive'. I just had a wonderful idea, this very second, that when I do raise enough to adopt a hive (through sales of certain items I produce), I will put everyone who has put money towards it into a raffle to win what you get for adopting a hive.....okay, I need to really work out the details for that but I am loving it the rough idea.

Anyway, I got my response today, and they are really grateful for the support and I will soon be sending me a button so I can add it to my website.

I am already working on the ideas of products that I will be producing, and in time I'll let you know what I have in mind.

A mini update for you there.

Before I sign off, hello to the new followers of the blog I had quite a lot of hits from http://craftgossip.com/ after I sent them a link to the patterns, which in turn has brought a lot of people to the site. So hello!

Busy Bee - Project flying

Okay, I'll admit there was a lot of things done on this project between last night and this afternoon, that I didn't take photographs of, now some of that was partly down to dodgy lighting and being wrapped up with what I was doing, that I forgot. 

So some of yesterday's afternoon/evening was taken up with stitching the wing. Worked separately in order to give the bird more height. The wing has extra form, this comes from stitching over a very thin paper covered wire, this was shaped to the outline of the wing. Make sense? Basically couched down some wire onto silk. The stitching is very close together, which means I can then cut the fabric away, right up against the stitches which is always ruddy nerve wrecking. Before I got to that stage I stitched the middle lines, back stitch with silver thread weaved through them. In this shot you can see I also stitched some beads on it....

Your probably wondering how I got the wing attached to the body. Allow me to explain. 

I used a great big needle (mislaid my stelletto at this point) to punch a hole into the right place on the body, to keep the opening neat I then did a quick buttonhole edge round it. The wire on the wing was tightly bunched together and plunged through the hole, its then bent back on itself and stitched down on the back of the fabric.

Pretty shot...look at that wing. Just checking the head still works.

Told you the tail wasn't finished. I couched down some silver passing around the left of the trailing to act as a highlight. Don't it look pretty.

Actually at this point the silver passing had been stitched down, and the head has also been very carefully stitched down into place, something else has occurred to and I will explain that bit in the next picture. However, in this shot I am using six threads of stranded cotton and carefully couching that around the edge of this silk, this is to cover my stab stitches. Neat, huh?

There is a lot in this shot. But you might notice a couple of things, one the wing appears to be missing its beads. This is correct, I took them off. It wasn't a simple undertaking as it meant I had to take the wing off, and stitching back down. Not easy but I am happier with the results the beads just weren't doing it for me. 

I also added to the thighs of the bird, or trousers as I have now called them. Made them jazzier by adding some lasy daisy stitches in silver, I love them.

Around the body to hide the stitches I couched a double row of silver passing around it. 

The head has it's prong things (technical term), these are wrapped wire. Now like the tail feathers they need one more thing, a bit of sparkle. But that's enough for one weekend, and I need a few days to ponder what else needs to be done, how I am going to mount it. Thinking like with the last stumpwork on the round. I also have a wedding to attend so maybe a wee break will aid the thinking.

Although, open to suggestions?

Paradise Bird Hand Embroidered Wall Clock

There are times when I create a piece that I am so in awe of the finished look that I almost want to cry. Okay, I didn't shed a tear but it was close! I had at least a cup of Earl Grey in celebration instead. This clock is one of those pieces that deserved a cup of tea, of course miles away from it not wanting to tempt fate.

The clock as you can see is so simplistic in design but beautifully executed. It also gave me the great opportunity to get out the crystals again and use the new clock hands. Perfect!

This is also led me to feel happy about doing this again, but customised. People can select any colour thread, and if I have the stock the crystals, clock hands, size and even the linen. I want to do a mini version next, so a little 3" wall art version.

It's now available to purchase in store, the listing for the customised version will be up later today.