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!

Back to Etsy.

I have finally, (finally!) managed to list something on Etsy last week. I've been feeling a bit down about my shop lately, I've let things expire and haven't really done much promotion. Partly because I haven't had much success and partly because real life events have been a bit tough...BUT... now it's time to pick myself up and get back into it.

I've been enjoying playing around with some new glass molds I was given for Christmas and, after a bit of experimentation, I made something that I thought was good enough to list on Etsy (the photo is a link to my shop) I really like this way of making pendants, I could get addicted to making them.

I'm also sharing some of the work of the The Crafty Folk team members. All photos are links to the shops.

Handmade Monday

The past week has been a one of craft firsts- First I sat down and made a plan of what I wanted to make, not my usual style of crafting but one I think I'll adopt, then I cuts shapes out of glass instead of straight (ish) strips (need practice and some way to smooth the edges out so they are..err..smooth, I used glassline to draw on the glass and I made my first blank.  

My pieces of glass waiting to be fired

This is the blank I made... well done to Caroline who correctly guessed Poppies! When I was sat down designing I was thinking of big flowers and just ended up with poppies, I think Remembrance Sunday must have subconsciously paid its part.
For my first go I'm quiet happy with how this turned out though I'm not that keen on the bubbles and think I may have to alter my firing schedule next time..also I wanted the petals to be more separate... I guess its all about experimentation at this point.

I wasn't just setting out to make a flat piece, nope, time for another first.. slumping! I bought a soap dish mold and, with a bit of trepidation, I put that and the glass back in the kiln....

Not very good photos, but I think it turned out pretty well and was gifted to my mum who is using it as a candle holder and not a soap dish!

Have a great Handmade Monday  everyone.

LH

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