All Buttoned Up! Part 1

I have been intending to write a blog post about buttons for some time, but I never seem to get around to photographing my stash of buttons!  However, I have made a determined effort and here you have them!  The photos show only a small (tiny, miniscule,) selection of my collection.  I have chosen just the vintage buttons, but I also collect new ones because they are fun and there is so much variety and lovely colours to be found.

I love buttons!  I never knew this, until a few years ago when I started crafting with them. This coincided with me building up a HUGE collection!  Early this year a friend’s mother gave me a very heavy tin full of vintage buttons.  WOW!  I found some glorious ones inside the tin and I thought I would share some of them with you. In my opinion buttons are the best embellishment you can use, and if you visit my Folksy shop you will see that I frequently use them on the bags, purses and also on my notebooks and journals.

My favourite buttons are the Art Deco ones.  I was so thrilled when I found these in the tin.  They are gorgeous.  I don’t know if I will use them for a project, as they seem too special, so it would have to be a very, very special project!  The blue buttons are very pretty.  Sadly some of the paint has worn off – but if you look closely they were once very pretty buttons.  It is such a shame that time and age has deteriorated their appearance.

The Mother of Pearl buttons are another favourite and in the photo I only show you some big ones, but I have lots and lots of small ones that I have already started to use in my projects, particularly on my A6 notebooks and A5 journals.  The ladybird buttons are fabulous and what a find – when I was looking in the tin it started with one, then another, and it gets so exciting when you keep finding more!  They are definitely vintage, but I know you can probably buy new ladybird buttons today, so again I doubt I shall use these ones.

I have discovered that crafters use buttons in a myriad ways too which is very exciting. So let’s celebrate the humble button! Here are some lovely craft items from Folksy that include buttons in one way or another. Don’t forget to click on the image and view it in the sellers shop! Enjoy!























From top to bottom: 1. Dees Design, 2. Quilting Demon, 3. Dottery Pottery, 4. made to make, 5. Kozmic Dreams, 6. beady daze, 7. Buttercup Boutique, 8. Dab and a dash.

Part 2 of my blog will be coming soon with what I love most about buttons and some interesting facts too.  Plus some more gorgeous craft items from the Folksy Sellers.

BFN

Edwina

Mega Blog Giveaway

To celebrate six months on Folksy I am having a mega giveaway and it comprises of the following:

·        Silk patchwork cosmetics purse - measures 20.5cm (8ins) wide x 18cm (7ins) deep with base = 15cm  (6ins) long x 5cm (2ins) wide

·        Red Coin purse - measures 12cm (4.75ins) x 10.5cm (4.25ins)

·        Six green vintage buttons (approx. 20mm diameter at widest point)

·        1 metre cream vintage lace with width 10cm (4ins)

·        A6 notebook

·        Pack of 4 A6 patchwork cards (or note lets) comprising of three green and one black. (Each card has six circles of different fabrics stitched on the front. (They are blank inside.)

Six items – one for each month I have been on Folksy! I am looking for THREE lucky winners and each winner will receive TWO items from the above selection.

Why am I celebrating?  There are a couple of reasons.  I opened my shop back in October 2011 and quite soon after I had a few sales and this was very encouraging.  My bags, purses and journals seem to attract people looking for Christmas gifts, so I joined Folksy at the right time.

In December I became a member of the daily listing club and very quickly began to enjoy getting to know other sellers on Folksy.  The support and encouragement I received trying to sell my handmade items really made it worthwhile.  I learnt lots too.  I was able to make improvements to my shop by providing better photographs.

Compared to other sellers on Folksy I feel that I have been very lucky in achieving nearly sixty sales in six months!  I love what I do.  I want to share what I love with other people.  All good reasons to celebrate and this giveaway is my way of saying “thank you for your support”. It’s very exciting!  I am looking forward to finding out who the winners are!

How to enter my mega giveaway:

1.   Become a member of my blog if you aren’t one already.

2.   Leave a comment on this post.

3.   Say in the comment which one item (of the six items) you would most like to receive and why.

All the names that have entered will then be collected together. Then three names will be randomly selected to receive two each of the above items.  The mega giveaway closes at 9pm on Sunday 22^nd April 2012.

I will update this post to announce the winners on Monday.  Good luck everyone!

BFN

Edwina

P.S.  Don’t forget I am also offering 25% discount off ALL purses listed in my shop until Sunday too!

The Winners of my Blog Giveaway

First of all, thank you all so much for entering my six months on Folksy celebration blog giveaway.  I have really enjoyed doing it, so I am sure it won’t be long before I have another!  (Now what can I celebrate next? She thinks.)

I am sorry that there are only three winners.  I would have loved to have been able to give you all a little something!  Anyway, without further ado the THREE winners are:

·        Mrs Jones

·        Say it says

·        Oakapplerose

Congratulations to the three winners!

BFN

Edwina J

Texture



Handmade by Edwina

Texture is incredibly important, but I wonder how many of us think about it?  What do I mean by it too?

When I was at Art College I remember having a great deal of fun in my sketchbook by experimenting with acrylic paint and mixing it variety of other substances to create texture, for example, salt, sand, poppy seeds, candle wax, and cut up bits of polystyrene.  Of course, you can buy acrylic mediums that create different textural effects, but they were expensive, and I was having way too much fun using these other substances!  My tutor commented that silky smooth is a texture.  (‘Fine’, I thought, ‘but not nearly as exciting!’)

When I started making collages texture became key, and I sought out handmade papers, textured wallpaper that I would paint with acrylic paint, different types of fabric, lace, buttons, beads, stitching, wool, raffia, ribbon etc.  Colour and variety seemed important.  So texture has always been part of what I do creatively whether consciously or unconsciously.  If you are interested in looking at my collages check out my website: www.artworks-by-edwina.co.uk

Crafting with fabric is a great joy.  If I find a plain fabric then I think of a myriad ways to add to it, whether it is appliqué, stitching, embroidery, or lace and buttons.  With highly patterned fabric, then adding texture is more challenging...  and sometimes not really required, but I’m always looking for ways to use buttons from my huge stash!  I also have a small stash of vintage braid too that I have been using recently, often because I feel I am adding a unique ingredient to what I am creating!

Lace is my favourite medium for adding texture.  I don’t know what it is about lace, but I love everything about it and I have a huge stash that I still keep adding to!  I was told recently that lace is a totally feminine thing.  I’d never thought about it before.  Maybe unconsciously I am making a statement about being a woman and lace is representative of that fact.



Lynwoodcrafts



Steampunkstorm



Anyway, here is my blog all about texture and how on earth am I going to illustrate it?  It seemed obvious to select a few items from the lovely April Artisans that demonstrate texture in a myriad of different ways.

Don’t forget to click on the photo and it will take you directly to their shop. Enjoy!



NOfkantsCurios



Maxine Veronica





Audrey's Cat



 

BFN

Edwina

Creative Card Making

Last weekend I spent the time making Easter cards for family and friends.  It took ages and I had to use the KISS principle because of the time factor!  I was quite pleased with my efforts and successfully made TEN cards!

I enjoy card making from time to time and have been doing it for years – mainly just for family and birthdays, although I have made Christmas cards to sell in my shop and at Craft Fairs.  I have also a few packs of textile based cards in my Folksy shop.  But I won’t be producing any more of these, so once they have gone they have gone!



Handmade by Edwina



KISS?  Keep it simple stupid!

The majority of the Easter cards have now been safely despatched to all the recipients. I have a few family birthdays coming up, so will be thinking of what cards to produce for these, but I have a little bit of time before I shall be card making again!



Adien Crafts



I love seeing all the lovely cards that the wonderful designers/makers on Folksy produce.  They are a very talented group of people and I thought it was time to celebrate this and show some of their stunning cards on my blog.

The cards all look very professional, well designed and more importantly I always feel that a lot of thought and heart has gone into the making.  Their passion shines through!



Ello Design



Don’t forget to click on the photo and it will take you directly to the shop.



Crafty Mushroom



Just in case you are not aware I am running a special offer in my Folksy shop at the moment.  25% discount off ALL bags and totes until midnight on Easter Monday (9th April 2012)  Only the first FIVE customers will be lucky, so grab a bargain now!



Helles Belles Cards





Picocrafts





Maxine Veronica



Aunty Joan Crafts



I hope you have enjoyed looking at all the beautiful cards.  I certainly have and I eagerly await more of their delights in the April Artisans daily listing club!

BFN

Edwina

A Treasury of Jewels



Creative Treasures

Sadly, I have never been much of a jewellery person.  I have quite sensitive skin so it feels uncomfortable to have jewellery against my skin.  I have never even worn a watch!

All my life I had long blonde hair, but in my early forties I decided it was time to have it all cut off!  Wearing my hair short gave me the excuse to have my ears pierced and to start wearing earrings.  Things didn’t run smoothly, but after a while my ears and my skin adjusted and I indulged myself in purchasing a wide range of earrings!


beady daze


I discovered that I loved earrings that were inspired by the designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh, particularly his rose design, so when looking for new earrings I was always drawn to those that were influenced by his work.  Over the years, I have collected quite a few! 

Unfortunately, losing earrings has been a daily life hazard and I have sadly seen many disappear... most frustrating is when you lose one, and still have the other to remind you of your loss!

Lillibets



Spiral Fountain Jewellery

Joining Folksy last October brought me into contact with lots and lots of handmade jewellery and I found myself being fascinated, tempted, dazzled, transfixed, seduced by an array of gorgeous designs!  All kinds of jewellery presented itself to me and I was intoxicated by the beauty of the colours, textures, and craftsmanship! 

Last Christmas I could no longer resist and purchased four pairs of earrings from four different sellers as a treat to myself!  I think at the time I thought I was going to give them away as gifts, but of course, once they arrived I couldn’t part with them!  

Adien Crafts


I appreciate beautiful things.  When I am designing and making, the thought that I want to create something beautiful is uppermost in my mind.  Sadly, it is not always achievable, but I certainly give it my best shot!

I am sure that I share this wish with all the jewellery designers/makers on Folksy, whether consciously or not!  I decided it was time to celebrate this beauty, so my blog post today is devoted to those special people who create beauty with their treasury of jewels! 

Abyjem

(Don’t forget to click on the photo and it will take you directly to the item in their shop!)

I hope you don't mind but I steered clear of depicting some earrings.  They would have been far too much of a temptation!  I am sure you will agree though that the selection I have chosen are all beautiful, and I hope you enjoy looking at this feast of beauty as much as I have enjoyed finding it!

If you wear jewellery I hope you will consider purchasing something beautiful for yourself - go on, treat yourself!

Marthamoo Beads

BFN
Edwina


 




Inspiration

My visit this week to the NEC – Birmingham for the ‘Sewing for pleasure’, ‘Hobby crafts’ and ‘Fashion, Embroidery & Stitch’ exhibitions was truly inspiring.  This visit is an annual treat and I always look forward to it every year.  Of particular interest to me this year was the exhibition called “The Art of Lace” – I very much enjoyed looking at this stand and was mesmerised by the beautiful vintage lace on display.

There is so much to do and see that it is never possible to do it all in one day, but I was whizzing around on my mobility scooter trying to pack in as much as I could!  Watching the fashion show is always fun to do.   Just the colours and designs on the Cat Walk are an inspiration and led me to purchase some turquoise fabric (no idea why!) but it is such a gorgeous colour!  ‘The Queen of Chocolate’ was a highlight of the fashion show – and it just shows you what you can do with chocolate wrappers!

Best of all for me, was meeting and talking to textile artist Helen Cowans.   The work she had on display was just heavenly.  I was completed captured by her use of textures, colours, photos, and vintage LACE (my all time favourite!)  So beautiful!  I really enjoyed talking to Helen about her work and I found it so inspiring!

Of course, much of the day was taken up with shopping!  When you have the most delicious array of fabrics, lace, buttons, and numerous other items on sale – how can I resist!?  Most years I have been fairly restrained in my purchases, but this year I had been saving up the pennies to have a mega blow out on fabric!



In the photos you can see some of the fabric I purchased, and all these will be making an appearance in future projects.  My head it buzzing with ideas!  There are twelve different fabrics on just one pile!  Twelve!  Not all purchased together I hasten to add, but periodically throughout the day.  In fact, I didn’t know how much I had bought until I unpacked all my purchases the following day!  I forgot to photograph the silk I purchased – yes, I had to buy silk because I love it so!  Another photo shows the lace and trims – very unusual – that I purchased along with turquoise (of course!) beads and rick rack, threads etc.



Purple silk purse



Ruby Tote



Finally, just a couple of photos of the latest items I have listed in my shop.  The Ruby Tote has received a lot of interest so I am hoping it won’t stay in the shop for very long!

Thought for the day:  What inspires you?

BFN

Edwina



Passion for Knitting and Crochet



UniquelyYours

My Mum loved knitting and crocheting.  My abiding memory of her is sitting in her favourite chair with a pair of needles or a crochet hook and lots of yarn!  Sadly, she passed away 18 months ago and I still miss her dreadfully.  With Mothering Sunday almost upon us, I feel sad that I can’t take her a card and flowers/gift and visit her and have a chat or take her out for a meal.  It feels quite painful.


PollyKrafts


However, Mum was a sunny person with a positive attitude and a good sense of humour, so she wouldn’t want me to feel sad.  My Mum loved her crafts, not just knitting and crochet.  She was a dressmaker too and not a bad cook!  She also liked embroidery and when I was young she attended evening classes and learnt how make items with leather.

I am confident that my passion for crafts was inherited from my Mum and for that I am grateful, for nothing makes me happier than when I am creating something beautiful.



NOfkantsCurios



In honour of Mum and in her memory this week, I have decided to showcase three people and shops from Folksy who all have a passion for yarn crafts:  Linda from Uniquely Yours, Natalie from NOfkants Curios and Polly from PollyKrafts. 

Natalie from NOfkantsCurios

“I enjoy knitting and working with yarn and wool, making items from simple scarves through to handmade handbags. My inspiration is often taken from nature, or by the look of how differing yarns, wool and other products work together. Each of these items will be unique and guaranteed handmade.”



NOfkantsCurios

Linda from Uniquely Yours

“I love to crochet and knit, it`s a real passion. I don`t make anything to a pattern, so everything is unique for each unique person.”

Linda is a great blogger so do have a look at her blog which I find always interesting and she loves to feature handmade crafts from Folksy.

http://myblogfinallymadeit.blogspot.com/



UniquelyYours



 

Polly from PollyKrafts

 “My grandmother brought me up and very patiently taught me to knit and crochet and sew as soon as I was old enough to hold the needles. I cannot remember a time when I wasn’t making and designing. My passion is mostly with yarns and fabric. I love to sit in my Cornish garden knitting or doing my crochet in the sun, listening to the birds or the sound of the sheep in the field beyond.”



PollyKrafts

I hope you enjoy looking at these stunning knitted or crocheted items from three talented designers/makers from Folksy.  Click on any of the photos to view the item in their shop! Enjoy!

BFN

Edwina