Work in progress take two

Day 17
Originally uploaded by sallers

This is the second time I have started this piece. The last time I stuffed up and didn't read the instructions properly. I just couldn't face picking it all out so I just went and bought another kit. Luckily it was very expensive. It eventually is going to be for a friend of mine who is expecting a baby next year, so at least I have plenty of time to finish it!

One object 365 project

14/365 9-7-8
Originally uploaded by sallers

I joined a group on flickr where the idea is to take a picture each day of the same object. This is probably my favourite so far. Only about 330 more days to go!!

July featured etsy blogger

This months featured etsy blogger team member is A KeepersJackpot

shop: http://akeepersjackpot.etsy.com/

blog: http://akeepersjackpot.blogspot.com/

These green earings are really pretty. I am a great lover of all things green and purple for that matter.

Congratulations for becoming this months blogger!

Finished

Well I finished off my cat picture today. I decided not to go for the writing at the top, as I thought it looked good as it was. The picture reminded me of my cat Cleo who always hogs the best seat in the house!

Interview with Heather of niftyknits

1. Tell us a little about yourself and when did you start crafting.

My name's Heather, I'm a primary teacher but I'm not working at the moment. I started knitting again a few months ago when I'd been off sick for a while - someone suggested it was a really good way to relieve stress, and they're quite right. I used to knit years ago when my kids were small, but hadn't knitted for so long that I'd actually given all my needles away to a charity shop so had to start my collection all over again! I've been an ebay seller for years, so at first I just added my knitted items to my ebay listings.

2. What do you sell in your etsy shop and how long has it been open?

My son's girlfriend is an occasional Etsy buyer, she told me about Etsy and said I should open a shop. When I first looked at the range and quality of goods available on Etsy I wasn't sure I was up to it...but she persuaded me to give it a go, and my shop opened on April 28th this year. I sell knitted toys, collectibles, noveltie...even knitted jewelry! I've recently picked up crochet again to add to my repetoire, and have produced a few amigurumi collectibles.

3. What is your favourite item in your shop?

It changes (my favourite is often the one I am working on at the moment) but overall it wold have to be my fuschias. When I first started knitting again I worked from patterns, but the fuschia was the first time I knitted something from my head without a pattern. I'm very proud of it!


4. What other craft would you like to try?

Well - I'm not quite sure what this is called, but it's something I've been meaning to have a go at for a few weeks now. On a day out I saw the piece of artwork in this photo, I think I'd call it weaving? It was very simple, and very efffective. I've got as far as collecting some long straight sticks (!!!) and thought I'd try to do a gardenscape using my knitted flowers.

5. Do you have a blog or website?

http://www.niftyknits.etsy.com/ (of course!)
and http://niftyknits-somuchyarnsolittletime.blogspot.com/

Thank you Heather!

Catch up

This week I have been catching up with myself, as I have a weeks holiday.

What with life and work, it's hard to find the time to do the essentials like chill and unwind.

I have had some time to watch a bit of tv whilst trying to finish off some new gift tags and my cross stitch.

I want to get the cat picture finished off so I can start my friends baby sampler. It's soo cute!

Interview with glasswingdesigns

1. Tell us a little about yourself and when did you start crafting.

I've always designed and made things, even at school. I studied design at Uni - specialising in metalwork, jewellery (big body artpieces) and furniture. I've stopped and started a few times over the years. But when I was busy with other projects I always really miss being creative. I started making beaded jewellery about 3 years ago, and just recently started silversmithing again. This time I don't plan to stop.

2. What do you sell in your etsy shop and how long has it been open?

I sell handmade jewellery using a mixture of metals including sterlingsilver, gemstones and Cornish sea glass that my family and I collect on our local beach at Marazon, opposite the famous and beautiful St Michael's Mount. I also sell beaded butterflies and flower jewellery,in which I use wonderful Japanese Seed Beads, gemstones and silver. My Etsy shop, Glasswing Designs, has been open since February this year.

3. What is your favourite item in your shop?

The Moonfly Necklace I think. I made one as a special order for acustomer, who chose the colours, and it came out so well I made another one.

4. What other craft would you like to try?

I've worked in quite a few crafts, including furniture(wood and steel), bookbinding, stained glass (copper foil and leadwork),and I was a 'journeyman' blacksmith for a couple of years, and love wrought iron work. I really like felted jewellery at the moment, and would like to give that a try, but really welding pieces of lovely steel togetherand bashing hot iron is still my passion, I'd love to start making larger scale metal pieces again. Now I am based in Cornwall, with a good size workspace, I plan to do this soon.

5. Do you have a blog or website?

Yes, my blog is http://www.allthingsglassandbeautiful.blogspot.com/ and my website is http://www.glasswingjewellery.com/.