This morning...

Couldn't resist posting a quick update (see previous 2 posts) as I'm totally chuffed with the results! [a blog is like a diary, right? I can post it if I find it interesting...?!]

Pretty pleased with how these have turned out. I've used the tape sealing method with all of these and it seems to have worked with all but the little green one, which has bled a little. Anyone got any experience of taping up things to resin? Do they last? I hope so! I've got some sealant too so may have a go with that, dabbing round the sides, or even sealing the whole piece with it. We'll see. The main thing I need to work on is my circle cutting...it's pretty rubbish...

Happy Saturday! X

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More resin!

I've totally got the bug...

I recently bought some bezel rings from Miss Lorelei and have been pondering what exactly I shall do with them....

Here they are, full of not yet set diamond glaze. I tried out putting a bit of tape around a few of them to start off with, thinking that the pointy edging would mean the glaze would leak out. NOT a good plan....it just meant that the resin leaked down the side, between the rings and the tape. I pulled it off, cleaned them up and refilled them. Pretty hopeful they'll work out well - we'll see tomorrow!

And here are the results of yesterday:

Colours are brighter in real life, the light is fading in our kitchen. I found a box of origami paper, stashed away, and used it in about half of these. The red, blue and the butterflies are all from the set. Love the little postage stamp butterflies!

I think that is my favourite bezel setting from Vintaj that I've used so far. I think I have enough resin examples for my class tomorrow by now :-)

Hope you all have a good weekend ahead of you! I've got my beading class tomorrow, then Altrincham craft fair on Sunday. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

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Some resin work

So, I'm very excited that on Saturday, I'll be teaching The Bead Shop, Manchester's first Vintaj class. They have recently started stocking Vintaj stock (much to my absolute delight, as you can imagine!) but as it's not so well established over here as a brand, being American and all, I'm running a workshop in some of the many, many wonderful things you can do with Vintaj findings. Some of you may remember my recent obsession with stamping (still love it but not compelled to make several stamped pendants/earrings a day anymore - phew! It was getting expensive!). I started (tentatively) resining back in November after getting a free sample of diamond glaze at the Big Bead Show. I've dabbled on and off since then -and yes, I know it's not 'proper' resin! I'm lazy and like that I don't have to mix it. It's also perfect for a class - or as perfect as resin can get in such circumstances. Everyone will get a box to take pieces home as they certainly won't be fully set, but they'll be set enough for transportation. I'm really excited about this class but a little nervous too - it's a new class, it's workshop style which is a new angle for me, and it's in The Bead Shop's new workshop, which I haven't even visited yet! Keep your fingers crossed for me. I absolutely love teaching though, so of course, mostly I'm just looking forward to it :-)

Here are tonight's efforts:

A close up on some of my faves:

Still experimenting with the old iPhone 4 camera, can't get much closer than that at the moment!

And here's me, looking tired but happy! And check out our kitchen wallpaper. Much awesomeness, no?

My nose looks awfully weird here but I hope that's just the phone....I totally hate photos of myself so I'm going to try and take more, and force/encourage myself to look at my face more! And be less vain. Not quite ready for the full length shots yet though.....

Hope you are all having a healthy and happy Thursday.

Ps anyone going to see Harry Potter tomorrow??

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BTW

Here's my tip of a table....

And a close up on some goodies.





Porcelain from c-urchin, polymer Rose from elise canning and lampwork polka dotties from Moogin. Photos taken on my new iPhone 4. VERY exciting. I've been waiting on it a while! The camera seems loads better than my old GS, so I'm hoping this will mean I can blog on the go more. X x x

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Muffin Tin Update

Thought I would share some updated, better light pictures with you of some of my Muffin Tin Jewellery. Here's the spec if you missed it, and my original post. Yucky light and therefore photos, I'm sure you'll agree! So I thought I'd snap some better ones.

Click to enlarge and see individual pieces more clearly. Most are available in my Folksy and Etsy shops *now*. 

I've been playing around with Picnik as some of you will recognise. I've rounded the corners of the photos within the collage off, and also added a '60s' finish - it fades the colour slightly giving it an aged, nostalgic feel and rounds the corners of the collage itself. I think it's my favourite photo finish there at the moment. 

Hope you're all having a great weekend!

x x x

Hello! Second post of the day.....ok, that's because I cheated and scheduled my Folksy Friday post below - please check out all the polka dot goodness below! 

However, I received an extremely exciting package in the post today and just had to share it with you all immediately.....

What's in here....?

....this little birdie has come all the way from Australia to see me....

Look at the stash she brought me. 

Thanks so much Jenni!

I think these are my favourites.

They are *absolutely stunning*. And my colours to a T. 

Jenni has made all the lampwork herself....thanks so much for sharing your amazing art with me Jenni!

x x x

Folksy Friday

Haven't done one of these in a while so thought it was time I shared some of my recent finds from Folksy with you. I took inspiration from these new earrings, Vintage Spots. Beads by Laura, earrings by me :-)

Not surprisingly, polka dots are a very popular tag on Folksy! So retro and cute, and as Lisa recently commented on this blog, happy. I think we all need a bit of retro, crafty happiness every once in a while - heck, how about every day! So I've featured seven super artists and their wonderful polka dottish wares. 

Polka Dot and Floral Cushion - Polka Dots and Posies

Dot Button Ring - Nosey Rose Parker

Polka Dot Bow Earrings - Twiggd

Red Polka Dot Button Brooch - Flourish

5 Polka Dot Pegs - Clare's Rustic Makes

Bird Bag Charm/Keyring - Polka (great name!)

Polka Dot iPhone Case - Crafty Sew and Sew

Hope you have a great Friday! x x x