Handmade Monday: Poppies, gizmos and more wire work

Are you bored with the wire work yet?  I know I keep posting about it but I can't get enough of it.  This week I finished this set where each bead is caged in twisted wire.  I hand twisted the wire (me and power tools would be a dangerous combination!) and the spirals so the set literally took hours.  Decided not to sell them as the time they took would make them so expensive, and there's always a chance that the twisted wire might snap on knitwear - I wouldn't want to be responsible for ruining someones warm woollen sweater!  Those are just excuses because I want to wear the set myself ;-)  I did make an extra pair of earrings - they'll be going in the shop soon.

Also this week, I invested in a wire coiling gizmo machine.  What an excellent toy!  I can now waste hours at the table turning the handle until I'm mesmerised!  The first real results are these earrings.  I thought the coiled wire looked a bit festive, so I added ruby and green chrysocolla rondelles.  What do you think?

I always like to support the poppy appeal, but at the moment haven't ventured into brooches.  So thinking outside the box, I had a go at some poppy earrings in ruby red jade, onyx and emerald.  They don't lie flat - naughty little gemstones! - but that does give them a quirky little 3D feel!  There's a donation to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal with each purchase too, so you can wear these poppies with pride.  Why have one poppy when you can have two?!

Quite a busy week, and I managed to fit in a project management exam as well.  Actually most of these makes were a diversion from revising for that exam if I'm honest.  So if I haven't passed, at least I have something to show for it!!!


Here's the link to see what others handmade crafters have been doing this week.

Folksy Friday: Poppies

As Rememberance Day approaches, it's also a good time to remember the beauty of this flower, which has such historical and modern significance. I like my poppies deep red and black, although I'm coming to terms with the orange ones now!

Check out these beautiful Folksy makes, some with the added bonus of a donation to the British Legion poppy appeal.








1. Tiny poppy pin by Wychbury - sold in aid of the British Legion.  I have one from last year - it's beautiful, everyone comments on it
2. Poppy decoupage earrings by Dream Beads - sweet!
3. A bit of a twist on the conventional poppy from Handmade by Bethany - so delicate in organza - also sold with a donation to the British Legion
4. Poppy in a field of poppies, by Oscar and Rose.  That's what I call a professional photo.  There a stunning tryptych version too - in fact, check out the whole shop, it's well worth a visit
5. A kit to make this lovely applique wall hanging by Quilt Routes
6. Another brooch, this time by Mushy...Makes, also with a donation to the British Legion.  Lovely modern bold style

Remembering

Now that Halloween is over, it's a good time to start thinking about supporting the poppy appeal. It's a cause I feel strongly about, as it not only encourages people to remember history and hopefully learn from the mistakes of the past, but also remember those risking their lives for others in danger zones across the world.

The poppy is such a beautiful flower, I wanted to celebrate it. Here's a link to the treasury while it lasts

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=91033

The creativity of folks on Etsy never ceases to wow me. The fine art pieces here are especially beautiful, I think.

By the way, if you buy oen of the poppy pins from Wychbury, a donation to the Royal British Legion is included.