Handmade Monday: mostly chain maille but some bag charms too

I'm still obsessed with chain maille (is there treatment available?!) but I did take a bit of a break to post some new bag charms in my Folksy shop.  It's been a good week for sales, and people seem to prefer the multiple purse charms without beads, so I've concentrated on that.  Now which do you like best...

This one is for when you need a bit of luck...

For lovers of emo, goth, steam punk etc,

For lovers of shoes, handbags etc,

For anyone with a dog.

Is that almost everyone covered?!

And this one is chain maille and a bag charm.

Here's a link to see what other crafty people have been up to this week over at Handmade Monday.

See you soon,
Alison

Fanatical Friday: Bronze bag charms

Somehow I can't stop making these bronze steampunk-style bag or purse charms!  Is it a recognised illness?  Can I get treatment?!

Handmade and the high street 2: Summer flowers and maxi dresses

The current vogue for maxi dresses and flower patterns has me drooling.  Soon it might even be warm enough to wear them!  Here's a selection of high street and handmade items to prove once again that the two go really well together.




I was spoilt for choice searching floral maxi dresses online, but this one from John Lewis with its really dramatic neckline and muted colours really took my eye.  Love the butterflies too.











This Paul Smith handbag from House of Fraser would be perfect with the dress (floral prints together are so cool!)  I think the bag is currently sold out but clicking on the image will take you to a selection of Paul Smith bags including similar floral ones.










You need a lovely pair of sandals to go with these, so to carry on the floral theme, here are some gorgeous ones from Roberto Vianni at Debenhams:

Don't they have a great gladiator feel about them too?  I still have a pair of beloved gladiators from Office, which must be about five years old now.  I think they've lasted so well because I can't walk outdoors in them so they have, ironically, lived in a drawer in my office!!


Here comes the handmade bit, and a shameless plug for my handmade jewellery this time.  Mookaite (or moukite or mookite) must be my favourite gemstone at the moment and it's been a big seller for me.  The contrasting deep reds and mustard yellows are the reason behind that, I think - you wouldn't think they'd go together, but they do.  Here's my take on this summer's trend - a long tassle necklace dangling from a central flower charm, matching earrings and a bag charm for that lovely handbag.  Simples, as the meerkats say :-)

Hope you've enjoyed this taste of handmade and the high street again.  Many thanks to John Lewis, House of Fraser and Debenhams for permission to reproduce their product images.  Do let me know what your favourite item is.

New Year resolutions (and how to get out of them)

By heavenlyhandbag on Etsy

Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and has found time to relax and refresh in the post Christmas lull. Funny time of the year, isn't it, this week between the two events. I can get a bit maudlin at this time, so I thought I'd occupy myself with New Year resolutions. And because each year I try really hard but somehow fail, this year I've made them a bit more realistic. Call them SMART targets if you like a bit of business speak!

by erin on Folksy

1) Go on a diet. As often as possible. Try to diet for whole days at a time. Tell as many people as possible that I'm dieting as often as possible, as this will make me feel thinner and more virtuous.

Likely to last until ... first encounter with chocolate machine on first day back in the office.

By sophiaedesigns on Etsy

2) Don't buy (m)any more handbags.

Only buy ones I really need or really want very much. OH says we need to move to a bigger house if I buy any more. Have included a selection I'm currently drooling over so that you can help me out and buy them before I can.

Likely to last until ... the next email offer for bags comes through.


3) Spend less time on the computer.

Likely to last until ... Oops, broken that one already!

Share your resolutions here, and your get-out clauses :-)

Happy New Year!
Alison

June loons A bit of blue

This week I joined the June loons on Folksy with their challenge to list a new item each day for the whole of June.  Never mind listing items (and getting sales!) being in the group is fantastic fun - every day there are great things to see and a brilliant bunch of new friends to chat with.
I've picked just a few delightful blues from the listings that are new this week.  Click on any of the pictures or links below to go directly to the shops.






1. Simply elegant and stunning colour earrings by Amie Rose Designs
2. Imogen's imagination is responsible for this amazing turquoise bird fascinator.  Wear it to the supermarket, I say, too nice to keep for a special occasion!
3. Strictly, this one is purple, but it's too beautiful to leave out - by beadesk
4. Blue fleecy owl by Lonely Hearts
5. The perfect summer handbag by Northfield Primitives
6. This one is a choice of sea blues or roses - that's a tough one as they are both stunning - by Drop Scone

Lovely, aren't they?  And here's one from me...

Just turquoise earrings £9 on Folksy

which would go beautifully with....

Turquoise and diamond bracelet £17 on Folksy

Watch out for more loon-acy next week!

Folksy Friday - Blue Waves

I fancied some blue waves as tomorrow I'm off to the seaside - hurray! And blue is my favourite colour.







Aren't they pretty? Click on each picture to visit the lovely shops represented here.

I must fly - packing to do...