Testing out New Ideas

Today has been a day of finishing off small projects and trying out a new one. Although it's not really new it's almost going back to what I used to make when I first started out on Etsy which was embroidered jewellery. Funny how things end up coming round full circle. 

Recently I restarted making brooches again, the little bee, and now I am trying my hand at making necklaces or in this case a pendant. I am trying out different ways of working out how to speed up the process of making up the actual pendant not the stitching.  Not that I like the whole adage of time equals money but it does really, that and its also coming up with a sturdier finish. This has worked but I need to work out a better way of attaching a loop.

Of course, it would be good to get some feedback on whether there is the interest there to buy them. I have a small design which would feature bees and of course, the Paradise bird design as shown below. I would certainly appreciate any comments.

And finally, I've just listed the second version of the ring of bee pouches. So as I think I mentioned before there will be five of each design. I am rather fond of this blue fabric, just got enough left over to perhaps use it for another project, I am sort of keen to do another mini quilt, or for when I finally get round to attempting at making a faux taxidermy bird. I really want for the new place...

Ring of Bees Pocket Mirror

Whilst temporarily sofa/bed bound owing to picking up some rotten cold I've at least been able to work on the next round of projects. One of which is progressing the 'Ring of Bees' pocket mirrors and pouches, from a sample to actual product. 

I've only made one pouch thus far, but have at nine in the works in various stages of completion and hopefully I will get them all completed over the coming weeks. There are two colours for the linings that people will be able to choose from, five in this rather lovely pink flowery pattern, and the other five in navy, both are new Liberty cotton fabric prints.

These pocket mirrors are once again to support the British Bee Keepers Association (BBKA), £1 will be given for each one sold. The first of these lovely beauties is already for sale. 

I'll hopefully be able to work on the next thing on my list of projects (which will see the return of the paradise bird pattern) to try out at the weekend, when I am up and about.

Hopefully you are all germ free and snuggly warm.

Great Oaks from Little Acorns Grow

As the saying goes. 

The little acorn in this case was a design I came up with based on Art Nouveau style, so very organic but with a sense of flair to it. I came up with a repeat pattern which enabled me to mirror it. The design was for a coat collar. A very special commission for a very special lady. It was an utter pleasure coming up with the design and subsequently stitching it. It gave me an opportunity to work on some very wonderful luxury cashmere fabric and to work in pure silk threads. 

I can't wait to see it attached to the coat, and when I do there will be more photographs! 

Following the completion of the collar, I was able to crack on with the second part of the commission which was to create a set of matching buttons. Which I completed last weekend. 

I chose to use the acorns on the collar, rather than try and create mini versions of the leaves. It also gave me more of excuse to do more of the very tactile acorn caps, which I should have added was a combination of hand dyed wool thread with a strand of silk thread, the stitch used was French Knots. 

It was rather tricky to get the fabric round the button blanks!

With the commission complete, I return once more to my own work, and whilst I have been a little lax on this side of things, I am slowly getting back up to full speed!