Cold, wet and crafty.

It's cold and wet in New Zealand, and I've been working in front of the heater at night making some tie necklaces.
What I love most about them is that they are quite unpredictable, and you never really know how they will end up. I let myself just 'go' with them, so they are a very organic process, influenced by their pattern and texture.
I finally started listing some of them on my very old and forgotten Etsy account, so if there is one you fancy, go and get it!

DIY Weekend - Button and Craft tins

I thought I would start making some crafty DIY projects to share.

I know when I browse the internet, especially Blogs; I keep finding ideas and inspiration. So only fair to provide some back. :-)

This project I made for my Mum.

When I was a little girl, I use to always play with my Mum's button collection whenever she had her sewing machine out. She had this lovely big tin, full of an all-sort collection of buttons. Some were new, some pretty old and vintage. All very pretty.

I use to LOVE organizing and grouping them together. Colour with colour, pattern with pattern. Hours of fun.

Since we've moved to New Zealand, more than 8 years ago, her gorgeous collection of buttons have been kept in a plastic ice-cream container. So I thought I would make a button tin for her, and an extra tin for her knitting needles.

They would look great in her craft room!

Covered Tins

To make this you will need:

- Baby formula tins or any other big tins you can find.

-Textile in a print/design/colour you like.

-Blackboard paint

- white acrylic paint or home paint

-Spray on glue

-scissors

-cheap plastic tape measures or ribbon of your choice

-masking tape

-glue gun

Step 1:

After cleaning your tins, apply 3 coats of blackboard paint where you would like it on the tin. On one or both tins. Whatever you like.

Then paint the rest of the tin with the white paint. This coat is essential if your fabric is a little see-through... otherwise you will still be able to read whatever is on the tin through your textile. Not nice..

Step 2:

After the paint dried, measure and cut your fabric to fit around the tin. Now put masking tape over the blackboard paint to protect it from the spray glue. Then spray the tin with the spray on glue.

Step 4:

Carefully stick the textile on the tin, making sure you don't create any air bubbles with your application.

Now measure a piece of the cheap measuring tape or ribbon to use as a trim where ever you want along the edge of the tin.

Then glue it on with your glue gun.

All done! And you have LOVELY tins, perfect for a lot of things! Would be great in kids rooms to organize craft materials, or even in the kitchen.

Devonport craft market - done and dusted (for April)

Had a BUSY week last week making and creating enough stock to take to the Devonport Craft Market on Sunday. I worked like a crazy woman every time my boys let me - and really got into it when they were sleeping!

It ended up being a lovely day at the market - sunny and almost summer like - probable the last of this wonderful weather before the real cold sets in.

I got lovely feedback (and some sales) with my creations, and it makes it really worthwhile to see someone else appreciate my craftiness!

My mini maracas with the cute ice-cream design.

In between I even got some time to make a new bracelet. I crocheted a cute bracelet with some colourful electricity wire while I was chatting to customers. Now I need to get my hands on more wire...

I also started making jewellery from those gorgeous silver spoons and forks I bought at the op-shop the other day. They are still a bit rough, and not as perfect as I want them, but it is a start... will be perfecting them soon ( I hope!)

Upcoming jewelery designer and new projects

My two year old son is fascinated by my jewellery making, and today I scraped the courage (and patience) together to let him play with my beads while I work. Usually I don't let him mess with my beads and findings, because:

a- He still likes to put everything in his mouth, and

b- He will probably throw them everywhere.

But he was really good, and tried to copy me with what I was doing, putting beads on wires. I was pretty impressed with him getting the wire into those small holes, and not loosing his patience with it.

Now that I know he can handle it, I will let him play with them again :-)

I also painted these cute little tin buckets with some blackboard paint. Great way to organize pens, pencils, chopsticks etc... I love the way it looks! Will be selling these too at the upcoming market on the 3rd April.

Wire beads and an upcoming market

OoOoOo!!! Pretty excited about some wire.... that I've made into beads. Gorgeous copper, gold and greens. It's so much fun!

I have a coiling gizmo, that I purchased about 6 years ago, and  I've FINALLY started playing with it.

I know. I know... 6 years! I just kept it in its little box in my drawer, promising myself to do some creating with it as some stage when I have time... and well... just never had the time! Also I have to admit, it sounded complicated to use, and above my skill level.

But I was wrong! Not too difficult (just a little hard on the fingers) and HEAPS of fun! I can see myself go through stacks of wire with this.

Here is some of the beads:

I decided to make a bracelet with them, and I am quite happy with how it turned out:

I also booked a stall for my first market with Once Again. It will be at the Devonport Craft Market on Sunday 3rd April 2011 at the Devonport Community House, 32 Clarence Street, Devonport.10 - 3pm. Now I have to move my butt (when the kids are sleeping) to make enough stock! Eek! Looking forward to showing all my handy work to the public though!

Funky wheel earrings - up-cycled from my boys broken toys!

Here is also a preview of some of the other items I made this week:

Necklace in brass made with hand stamped disc, heart made from a broken up-cycled teacup, and charms.

Watching the devastation in Japan..

Sitting in front of the TV at the moment watching the big, scary earthquake coverage from Japan. Have to say the Tsunami is really freaky. My heart goes out to all the people in Japan, and of course Christchurch, who also had their share about 2 weeks ago.

I couldn't believe that devastation happening in my own country, and now in Japan...

I've also donated some of my items for charity auctions to raise money for the Christchurch earthquake fund. Three of those have already sold,  but three will be going up soon. These three will be listed on Trade Me through 'Handmade for Christchurch"

Have a look at their other auctions too. It is for such a good cause!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Members/Listings.aspx?member=3720030

Go and spend some money on gorgeous handmade items!!!

Here are the items I donated that is still to go up on auction:

Handmade polymer clay rose and stiffened crochet leaf necklace.

UPDATE: These auctions have now been loaded (14/03/2011)

 Go and have a look!

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Jewellery-watches/Earrings/Other/auction-361304525.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Jewellery-watches/Earrings/Other/auction-361305347.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Jewellery-watches/Necklaces-pendants/Other/auction-361306513.htm

Cute wooden bird and cage earrings

"Kisses for Christchurch" wooden earrings

My inspiration is back!

Glad to say that inspiration is 'once again' firmly planted in my brain! :-)

 While pregnant with my second son, I lost all inspiration that was left in me after my first pregnancy, and all I could really concentrate on was growing this new life inside me while taking care of my demanding toddler.

I suffered a bit of postnatal  depression since my seconds son's birth 6 months ago, but thankfully to a fantastic husband and an observant Mum, I did get some help for this. The medicine started taking effect and it is like the "light" went back on. I didn't realize how dark it had become...

I made this recycled neck tie necklace - LOVE it!

I've started with my 'Once again' crafting endeavours in January 2011 - and I mainly make things from recycled, up-cycled materials. Although I'm not limiting myself there. I'm going where ever this new wave of inspiration is taking me.

So expect variety! :-)