Fibre Art Jewellery

I've been making fibre art jewellery lately and thought you might like to see some.

This is a blue cotton and red button flower pin brooch. I can make them in different colours and sizes. They look great jazzing up a little black dress or on a casual outfit. They also make beautiful hair band decorations.

This is a freeform turquoise and silver necklace I created a while ago. It took me a long time of laying out the individual discs until I was satisfied with the shape of it before sewing them all together to get this asymmetric necklace. It is a one off as it is made from vintage cotton sparkle yarn that cannot be purchased any more. I love how it has turned out. It is a real statement piece. 

When I was a little girl my dad liked to play tennis and he would take me and my big sister with him to the grass courts at his work and we would sit on the sidelines eating picnics, playing at being ball-girls and making daisy chains together. This is my first attempt to make daisy chains from yarn. I will be having another go and this time I think I will get some yellow pompoms to put in the middle so they look more daisy like.

I hope you like them. I will be working on more in the coming months.

From yummy seeds...

This morning I logged onto Artfire and the first thing I saw on the front page was a giant sunflower. The bright orange colours made me smile a huge wide grin. Is there a happier, more heart lifting flower than a sunflower? I know they are big and brash, but for all that vibrant, in your face colour and size don't they just make you feel all summery and warm inside every time you see them? Add to that they have very yummy seeds to eat as Autumn arrives and I have to say I love you Sunflowers!

Deb Moran's photograph captures beautifully what I mean about sunflowers, their bright orange glow and their warm smiley face. I also love the reflection below the flower in the photo. It somehow shows the fragility of the flower and reminds us to enjoy it whilst it lasts as soon it will fade and be gone.

This sunflower from Anna Clifton Jewellery is just so beautiful, you would never realise it's petals was made from recycled aluminium cans would you? The patterned centre is sterling silver which contrasts beautifully with the delicate looking bronze like petals. Beautiful!

These beautiful baby ballet slipper from Pink Angel Wings Creations are just so adorable. Imagine a baby girl in a bright yellow dress wearing these little shoes and a pretty sunflower print summer hat. She'd look like a little princess fit to visit the Queen.

Kitty Linnington Art's sunflower card just shouts out "Yippee for the sunshine, long summer days and vibrant colours!" Do you know someone that's feeling a little bit down, or is having a hard time? Imagine the smile on their face if this card dropped though their letterbox with a personalised message from you written inside. Go on, send someone a smile in an envelope!

I have to be honest, I don't think I would want to poke pins into Sew Lucky Embroidery's pincushion, purely because it would obscure the beautifully embroidered sunflower. I guess I could put the pins in the back of the cushion. This little cushion would definitely make pinning those sewing patterns a much more jolly task.

So Sunflowers really are like balls of summer and joy to me. I hope you feel the same way about them and that today's article has given you a warm glow!

Written by Lynne of PiratePixieCrew and Hyperloop Hoops

Charming Chainmaille

Where did the sunshine go? I woke up this morning to dark grey skies and drizzle. So to cheer my day up I logged onto Artfire to check out new listings and the first item I saw, top of the front page was a beautiful hand crafted chainmaille necklace. It really lifted my spirits to see such an unusual piece...

LeafLee was the creator of that item and this is it. I think it is gorgeous! From it's flattering V shaped lines to the materials used to make it, it is just fabulous. Did you notice yet that it is made from recycled soda can ring pulls?

This lead me to searching for more chainmaille items. Barbs Designs created this rainbow coloured full Persian style bracelet. It's so pretty and just the right for brightening up a grey day like today.

Marion's Dream Works presents these very elegant and stylish Tetra orb chainmaille earrings. They are made from solid silver wire and Capri Blue Swarovski Crystals. They would suit all occasions.

This bracelet from Carol's Creations in some ways reminds me of beautiful serpent skin. The way the chainmaille links are fitted together creates a pattern that echoes the shapes found on the most regal snakes skin.

This very fine detailed sterling and pearl necklace from Red Panda shows so perfectly that chainmaille isn't all just about big bold chunky pieces. They can be delicate chic looking pieces like this. Utterly stunning!

Chainmaille comes in many shapes and sizes and after checking out what was on offer for sale at Artfire this morning I think there really is something there for everyone, from those that want a large statement piece to wear through to someone that wants something simple and elegant. There are items for men, women and children. Chainmaille is so versatile and as you can see from the above items the masters of the craft can create the most gorgeous jewellery with it. It has really lifted my day writing this article. Thank you all you chainmaille artisans.

Going dotty

I just adore polkadots - whenever I’m in a shop my eye is drawn the anything with colourful dots, and items on-line are no exception. Today I’ve chosen some beautifully dotty items, in the hope that you guys will join me in my enthusiasm. As I’ve found you can pretty much find them on any different type of item… jewellery, purses, brooches and even knitting needles, as you’ll see!

This frame pouch by Yunisacs is so classy, unique and well made. The purple polkadot print is so cute and works really well with the pink floral design - a perfect valentine’s day present!

I’ve had my eye on these beauties for a while now! I keep telling myself once I learn to knit then these will be my reward! For the knitters amongst you, or for a knitter you love these handcrafted knitting needles by baahurrah would make a perfect present. You can choose what sizes you’d like and even what colour you’d like your dots!

This item from MagpieNest is just what I want in a piece of jewellery – simple, stylish and quirky all in one. This unique pendant is made using Japanese washi paper in a sterling silver holder.

All of Lupin’s brooches are fun, cute and very wearable. I really wanted to feature her badger as it makes me giggle (in a very good way) every time I look at it. I’m not sure what it is about badgers that is so funny. Anyway… I’ve chosen a lovely red British teapot instead as it’s got more to do with dots than badgers do. I love tea, maybe I’ve had too much today, which would explain the giggling.

Designed by Lynnea created this gem of a bracelet. These dotty lampwork beads are really eye catching. I like the deep blue one of the beads best, but they are all beautiful.

I'm dotty about dots! Are you?

Written by Rose P of Felt Giraffe