Frustrations and Flowers

 It's Handmade Monday!

It feels forever since I last look part in this fab blog tradition! It's hard to believe it's been going more than a year, it only seems like only yesterday the "Handmade's'' were in the double digits.

So, what have I been up to this week?  Well, I have taken advantage of the lovely weather and have been taking some photo's around the garden, I love this time of year (I've probably said that on this blog a million times up to now!)

You can just make out my sparkly slippers on this one!

Don't you just love how bright and fresh everything looks? Love it!! 

I was at clinic last Wednesday for my monthly check up, I've managed to avoid another stay in hospital for the next 5 weeks at least (well, baring anything happening, the nature of CF is pretty changeable , I can be well one minute and be flat out the next,  it makes planning a real hassle!) I've done pretty well after the rubbish time I had at Christmas, it's taken a lot of hard work, but finally my lung function has started going in an upwards direction which is a relief! 

I've been making necklaces with the pendants I have made using the glass molds I got for Christmas.  I put them up for sale on EBay 2 weeks ago thinking that £8 for 11 would be a bargain price for someone looking for car boot joblots ...I've only had 17 views and no bids, I'm feeling very frustrated and a bit despondent if I'm honest and I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong or where I can sell ( I've had a few on Etsy but again hardly any views. I'd love to sell them at Craft fairs but I can only do those now and again as they are such hard work and tire me out for days) I'm not really sure what I can do now... any advice (including "just give up!") greatfully received!!

Here is the Ebay listing if you fancy having a look Here.

I've also been making bracelets again after having a bit of a break from them. I think I will list this one on Etsy in the next few days. I do love the making, I think I just need a plan of action and do a bit of research on promotion so I can sell and afford more glass and beads! I'm not going to give up, just need to start feeling a bit more positive !

Have a fab week everyone!

A Sale!

It's HandMade Monday time, just where are these weeks flying to? It's finally getting a bit warmer and I spent a little part of this morning planting yet more seeds. I'm in bed now tho, my chest has decided to throw a strop so I am having a relax and what better place to chill than my comfy bed.

You can tell it is Spring when you hear the blackbirds singing and I managed to take a picture of our entertainer. I can hear him singing now and it is making me feel a lot more cheerful, I think the long, lighter days are helping too.

I sold one of my glass pendants yesterday, I'm well chuffed! I have a few more to list next week and a couple more to drill holes in, hopefully they will be popular.

I have listed 4 more things on my Etsy shop, I am slowly and steadily restocking again :) The photos are links to my shop, I think my favorite is the pink ribbon elephant set.

I was also featured in this treasury -

'16 Cheers for Craftyfolk!' by oneoffcreations

Didn't have room for everyone but this is for everyone in the Craftyfolk Team needing a li'l boost. : >

ON SALE Pink Kokka Apples Fa... moodycowdesign... $7	Lavender hanging hearts set ... MissWinnieMake... $6	Love Hearts Warm Scarf SimJaTa $11
ABSTRACT PHOTO PRINT - Alien... HeketDesigns $22	28" Peach Pearl Necklac... KatieBugCreati... $14	Heart Decoration Hanging Orn... averilpam $4.5
Silver flower earrings, hill... jinjajewellery $12	Stunning Collar/Scarf/ Neckw... UniquelyYourDe... $14	Handmade Dark Red, Purple, P... LittleHarriet $10
ACEO A Quiet Evening Scotlan... ShooglyBeads $3.5	Floral Card, Pink Alliums Wi... CShellCards $2	Hand knitted Baby Shoes, New... Snugglescuddle... $12
Bridesmaid Pink Pearl Earrin... Michelleshandc... $10	Original Botanical Watercolo... michelewebber $85	Glass Dome Pendant, Personal... Careish $9
Personalised Card - Butterfl... AuntyJoanCraft... $2.5

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

Have a great week!

I'm featured!

It's Handmade Monday! time :) Be sure to check out the link to Wendy's blog for details on how to take part, it is a great way to get views and helpful comments. I must apologise that I haven't been commenting on other posts as much, I seem to be rubbish at time management at the moment.. something I will improve!

I woke up to some great news, I have been picked as this weeks featured seller on the craftyfolk Etsy team. I never win anything so I was shocked and very chuffed! I have had some gorgeous treasuries made featuring the items from my shop and the views to my shop have shot up :)  Have a look here for the details of how to take part in the weekly challenge and also for some links to the treasuries that have been made for me.

I started a new hobby on Sunday, it involves shooting pointy things at round things... have you guessed? It's archery! Me and a friend have started a beginners course which lasts for the next 5 weeks, in which time I hope to improve. I wanted to take up a sport that someone with as rubbish lungs as me could do but wow, it is hard work pulling that string back and my  muscles feel like they have had a real work out. It was a little embarrassing that out of the 12 of us there, I was the only one who missed the target a few times and I had my bow (that was about two inches shorter than me) swapped for a baby one, but on the whole I absolutely loved it. There is a competition on the last week with an actual trophy which obviously I am going to win hehehe!

I have added a few new things to my shop this week which you can see below, just click the photo to be taken to the shop.





Have a great week!

Chain and Ribbon Charm Bracelet- A Tutorial of Sorts.

Welcome to Handmade Monday! This week I have been making chain and ribbon bracelets, it’s a new technique for me and I thought I would write a sort of tutorial to show you what I did and leave myself a record to look back on. It is really easy and I think it is quite effective, I have lots of different ideas using different coloured ribbon and chain, I think I will be visiting my local haberdashery shop very soon!

You will need..

A length of chain (enough to go around your wrist) Make sure the links are big enough to pass the ribbon through.

A length of ribbon. I used a piece a good few inches bigger than the chain.

A clasp of your choosing.

Jump rings

Charms

The usual jewellery making tools ( I used  flat and chain nosed pliers and memory wire cutters)

Method

1.

Cut a length of chain long enough that it will fit around your wrist. I found when making the bracelets that the chain seemed to bunch up a little as I threaded the ribbon through so you may want to add a cm or so extra but don't forget that you will be adding a clasp. It may be better to add the ribbon until you get to your desired length then cut the chain. Do whatever you find easiest. I used memory wire cutters to cut the chain.

2

Tie the ribbon to one end of the chain. You can add a dot of glue to the knot when you have finished the bracelet to make it extra secure. I didn't have any glue so used clear nail varnish which seemed to work just as well.

3

Start to weave the ribbon through the links of the chain. You may find it easier to thread the ribbon onto a needle ( a darning needle would be ideal) just make sure the eye can pass through the links. I spent ages looking all over the house for my big needle only to realise that it wouldn't fit. Frustrating!


4

After all that threading, have a rest and a cup of tea. When you have finished your brew, tie the ribbon to the end of the chain.


5

Add your clasp, I had a nature theme in mind so chose a clasp with a flower and leaf design.

6

Set your charms out where you think they would look good. I think this is much easier than adding them as you go and then realising you don't like the look, but use your own preferred way of working.

7

Try not to drop your bag of jump rings.There are a good few hundred in there and I am still picking them out of the carpet. Rarrrrr!


8

Add the charms to the bracelet using the jump rings and there is is- the finished bracelet. There are loads of different colours you could use and different charms too.

Have a great week!