Seeing Red and Feeling Blue

Please don’t be deterred from reading this blog post because of the title.  Yes, I will be writing about being annoyed and also feeling depressed, but please read on because I think you will pleasantly surprised.  My primary aim is to showcase the beautiful red and blue items from the June Jewels daily listing club.  Every day, as I am part of this group, I have the privilege of seeing an array of gorgeous new items that are being popped into shops all over Folksy.  I thought I would share some of them today.  It is only a selection because there are too many of us to include everyone.  I hope you will click on the images, and take time to browse the shops and the stunning items they have for sale.

Seeing Red, whilst primarily associated with being annoyed or irritated, the colour red has many associations - heat, heated emotions, communism, a sign of warning (as in traffic lights), ripeness (in fruit), and blood.  It is widely thought that 'see red' derives from the sport of bull-fighting and the toreador's use of a red cape to deceive the bull.

Red is also the colour that attracts attention. Research has shown that it is the colour most frequently associated with visibility, proximity, and extroverts. It is also the colour most associated with dynamism and activity. In China and many other cultures, red is associated with happiness.  It is also associated with passion and beauty. So whilst seeing red has its negative connotations, it also has its huge positives!

Red is used in modern fashion much as it was used in a medieval painting; to attract the eyes of the viewer to the person who is supposed to be the centre of attention.  I think you will agree many of the red items on display in this selection of handmade items are very eye-catching.

Feeling Blue is associated with depression, low spirits and feeling miserable.  In Greek mythology blue was associated with rain and storms.  The god Zeus would make rain when he was sad (crying) and a storm when he was angry.  The phrase “feeling blue” is also linked with a custom among many deep water sailing ships.   If the ship lost a captain or an officer during the voyage, she would fly blue flags and have a blue band painted along her entire hull when returning to home port.

Whilst traditionally to feel blue or have the blues is associated with depression, a recent article suggests that depression is good for us!  Apparently there is more benefit from having the blues.  Being sad can leave sufferers stronger, better able to cope with life's challenges, and can lead to great achievements. 

“Paul Keedwell, a psychiatrist at Cardiff University, says even full-blown depression may save us from the effects of long-term stress. Without taking time out to reflect 'you might stay in a state of chronic stress until you're exhausted or dead.'”

On a more cheerful note the colour blue is one of my favourite colours and it is often associated with clear sky and deep sea. My personal association is with peace, calm and tranquillity.  There are such gorgeous variations within the colour range including royal blue and turquoise. Who does not have a favourite blue?  Don’t you agree that the blue items on display are fabulous!  Blue in nature is a wondrous sight – don’t you stop and look at blue flowers, blue butterflies or blue birds – there is something very special about them.

I do hope you have enjoyed seeing red and feeling blue and you don’t go away feeling angry or depressed, but uplifted from the beautiful handmade items that you can buy and own. Surely this would lift your spirits everyday just looking at them? 

BFN

Edwina

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:  Handmade by Edwina, Dees Designs, JAusten Jewellery Design, Dottery Pottery, picocrafts, Dottie designs, Silver Spiral, Girl of the Sixties, Bojanglies

Supporting charities with your crafts

When I had the idea for this blog post I wondered if and how craft makers on Folksy raised funds for charities through their crafts. I had my own ideas but I was interested in what others were doing.

Some of my ideas about how we can support charities were probably things that many of us already did in one way or another:

1.   Booking a stall at a Craft fair organised by a charity – I have supported Guide Dogs for the Blind, Save the Children, Primrose Hospice and many others in this way.

2.   Giving a percentage of your Folksy sales to a charity that has particular importance to you.  This something I have thought about and I am sure that some people already do this.

3.   Donating some of your stock to a charity so they can sell it and raise necessary funds.  I was pleased that the bags I donated will be helping to raise funds for Save the Children.

4.    Buying items from charity shops that you can recycle or upcycle with your craft work.  I always enjoy purchasing items from Charity shops.  My most recent purchase was a 100% wool sweater that I felted in the washing machine and made some purses with it.

Several shops on Folksy have specific charities that they already support and some of the items in their shop are specifically made to raise funds.

Annabel from ARP Glass designs:

“I have created a collection of key rings in aid of the RSPB, a society that helps our birds and wildlife. I chose them because not only do I have quite a few birds in my shop now, but with our long harsh winter plus the chemical spills, the bird population is dwindling. Our ecosystem is precious and reduced numbers of just one species can have detrimental effects on other animals and ultimately us."

“With the bird key ring collection I have created, 50% of the proceeds is given to the RSPB. For the key rings, I contacted the RSPB and they register what you are doing and supply a logo for use in publicity. These I have put in my Folksy shop and will have them on any craft stalls I do. I hope to raise at least £100 by selling 50+ but early days yet!”

“More information on their work can be found here: 

http://www.rspb.org.uk

Lastly I’ll give a little plug for a health charity I support: The Pituitary Foundation, a small charity that raises awareness and supports pituitary patients.” www.pituitary.org.uk.

Maureen from Sew Flair:

“Since having treatment at the Royal Derby Hospital for a Cancer last year I have been making Pink Ribbon items. I have one cushion and nine bookmarks left in my current stock. I have just been given a check and have been given all clear. Wonderful news for me but my sister is now having chemotherapy.”

“In 2011 I went for my normal mammogram - which I had had regularly - and was shocked to find that I had a breast cancer that until then had been undetected. I received excellent care and after two operations and 6 weeks daily radiotherapy I have been given the all clear. My sister was persuaded to get checked and was found to have a much more advanced breast cancer. She had to have a full mastectomy and is still having chemotherapy. When she has completed the chemo she still has to have the radiotherapy as well. Just like to get all ladies to get checked. The earlier it is found the easier it is to deal with and you do not always know it is there.”

Pam from Phoenix Projects :

“I wanted to create a series of paintings to raise money for Kidney Research UK, a charity which is dedicated to funding research aimed at finding better treatments, and ultimately a cure, for kidney disease. The proceeds from this painting and also another in my shop will go to them."

"I chose to support Kidney Research UK, because I know many people who have been affected by kidney disease and renal failure. Any charity which works so hard to fund research into the causes and, hopefully, find a cure for any medical problem deserves support. I hope that people like my paintings and will support such a worthy cause by buying one.”

Charlotte from Wild Silver:

Charlotte has made some beautiful silver jewellery and the proceeds will be given to Barnstable Chemotherapy appeal.  Please visit her shop and you will see a lovely selection of silver jewellery.

“I made the cancer ribbon pendants as my best friend was diagnosed with breast cancer a couple of years ago and I spent a lot of time in the Barnstaple chemotherapy ward with her, and although the service is excellent, the building and the facilities are very limited. The Barnstaple chemotherapy appeal is raising funds to build a purpose built day treatment unit that will offer many new facilities and hugely improve the service that Barnstaple is able to offer to its patients and their families.”

Eileen from Eileen’s craft studio:

“I've been raising funds regularly for the past 3 years with the Arts and Crafts Class I teach. We often have a demonstration of a craft that people may take part in.

The last one we did was with children T-shirt painting. We bought a selection of children’s white T-Shirts. Each child bought one and we supplied fabric pens and crayons for the younger children to create a design onto their T-shirt. The older children used fabric paints. I gave instructions on what to do and also supplied them with sponges, potato stamping, paint brushes, and stencils. We also helped the children to use the masking tape to hold their T-shirts in place on the tables, so they had a smooth surface to paint onto. After everyone had completed their own designs we then dried their effects with hairdryers, before I 'fixed' the fabric paints with a hot iron. The children were then able to take away their customized T-Shirts.”

 “The charity that received our cheque was 'The Smile Train', which is a charity in India of doctors who give up two months a year on a train going from town to town performing operations on people who have facial deformities and who can't afford to pay for them.”

I hope you have found this blog post of interest and will visit the shops that have been mentioned.  Click on the photos and it will take you directly to the item and the shop.

Finally, the photo above gives you a preview of some of the items I will be adding to my Folksy shop in the next week or two. I hope you will come and have a visit.

BFN

Edwina

May Blossoms

Don’t you just love the blossom trees in May?  I think they are my most favourite thing about the month of May.  It is such a shame we have had so few sunny days to really enjoy them this year.  Today it is very windy too, so I wonder how much longer they will last – the wind blowing the beautiful blossoms to the ground.

May Blossoms is the name of the Folksy Daily Listing Club that I have joined this month.  It has been great being back with my fellow crafters, sellers and supportive folk after my three month break.  I felt at home straight away.  Natalie Ofkants does a brilliant job of keeping a tally of everyone sales.  It is great fun too, having a chat and supporting folk whatever they are experiencing. Most of all we get to see the beautiful items everyone has been making.  I just love it.

Today I am devoting my blog post to a small number of the daily listers – too many of us to include everyone!  I hope you will enjoy their crafts and a little about them too.  Please click on the photos and it will take you directly to their shop – stop and have a browse – you never know what you might discover!?

Meet Wendy, From Joan Cards

“The flowers I use are all hand picked and pressed ,mainly by myself ,in small quantities and as each flower is different no two cards are the same - the 'Cards are unique by nature'.”

Meet Armine, picocrafts

“My style is cute,shabby chic and vintage and I also love collecting fabrics and using them in my designs. I always try to make one of a kind items but if you like an item in my shop I will try to make a similar one for you.”

Meet Jacqueline, JAustenJewelleryDesign

“I get my inspriation from the beauty of nature and the stones themselves and have often designed a piece mentally, just on the first inspection of a focal pendant stone or faceted gem.”

Meet Stephanie, Stephanie Short Stationery

“Ever since I can remember, I've always loved anything creative and crafty.  My first love was drawing and colouring in. All those lovely pens and pencils! Most of my designs are embellished with genuine swarovski crystals and gorgeous organza & satin ribbon, along with paints and a little bit of sparkle!”

Meet Nora, Leah Rose Designs

 “I live in Camden, London the perfect place to get inspiration from all the vintage and unusual clothing and homeware for sale in the market. I sew, knit and crochet my own designs and my aim is to produce items that combine more than one technique. For example a fabric hat with knitted or crocheted trims.”

Meet Linda, Uniquely Your Designs. Accessories & Gifts for Adults, Children and Home.

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

I hope you have enjoyed meeting some of the Folksy May Blossoms and  will visit their shops – they will certainly welcome your visit!  Next time I have a very special blog post about supporting charities with your craft work.  I hope you will come back for a read.

BFN

Edwina

Hooray for card makers!

I am devoting my blog post today to card makers.  I just love what they do – their creativeness, inventiveness, individuality, craftsmanship, perseverance and uniqueness.  Yes, I am a great fan!

I have dabbled in card making myself, but mainly I only create them for friends and family.  I have made a few textile based cards to sell at Craft Fairs, but these tend to be very simple and plain.  What I love about the card makers on Folksy is the endless variety that you can find – cards for every occasion imaginable and such beautiful designs and techniques.

-

There is nothing quite like looking at a specially handcrafted card – it can lift your spirits.  I know how long it takes me to create a card for friends or family members and I do not use any fancy techniques!  I am in such great admiration for the amazing array of techniques that are evident in the cards from our card makers on Folksy.  I have selected a few favourites with samples of their cards.  (Please click on the photos and it will take you directly to their shop where you will find a whole gallery of delights to tempt you.)

I imagine that card making is a tough business.  Sellers are competing not only with other sellers, but there is such a huge community of folk who are making cards as a hobby – much like myself.  I never buy a shop bought card nowadays, but I have purchased a few handcrafted cards from Folksy.  I was so busy prior to Christmas last year that I just did not have time to create any Christmas cards for friends and the family, which was a little disappointing for me because I enjoy it so much, and for them who also enjoy receiving my handcrafted efforts.  Problem solved, I just purchased more than enough handcrafted cards from Folksy sellers – there was so much choice – and sent these out as my Christmas cards.

I imagine that when sales are slow, card makers must feel very disheartened.  Perhaps some start to wonder what is wrong with what they are making, why are they not selling? Perhaps self doubt creeps in, and I am guessing it must feel really difficult.  But I think that often the problem is only that buyers on Folksy have so much CHOICE.  They can pick and choose their cards from a vast array of makers on Folksy.  My advice during these times is: If you love what you do – just keep making.  This is what I do when I feel discouraged – just keep on making! Enjoy, enjoy!  OK so maybe no one is buying your cards at the moment, but maybe one day ... soon... you just never know!

I love looking at the wonderful cards that I see on Folksy and would feel bereft if they all suddenly disappeared.  Sometimes I look at cards and think “how did they do that?”  Sometimes I look at cards and think “that’s a good idea – perhaps I will try that next time I make a card!”  Mostly though, I look at cards and just enjoy their creativeness and beauty.  So join with me to shout three cheers for card makers! Hip Hip Hooray!

I have been busy restocking my Folksy shop and have lots of new notebooks and journals. Here are a few new items that I have listed during this past week.  Enjoy!

BFN

Edwina

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: Dees Designs, Box of Delights, From Joan Cards, picocrafts, Paper Chains & Beads and Helle Belles Cards

Special Feature: Jacqueline from J Austen Jewellery Design

What a treat is in store for you today!  This is my special feature on a Folksy seller Jacqueline of J Austen Jewellery Design.  She has kindly agreed to share her work and background and what inspires her creations.  Over to Jacqueline:

"I have been selling on Folksy since 2010 and have enjoyed my time here. Everyone is so friendly and supportive."

"I am a mum of three boys (so far) with my next baby due in August. My love affair with jewellery making began as a child where I made and designed pieces in copper and enamel to give as gifts. I studied Geology and my love for stones grew. A typical girlie, I love things that sparkle! My husband is very generous with his support, although in the beginning, when I first started out trying to sell my work, he wasn't too sure if I would make enough income from my jewellery. At the time I was working full time. I have had several government jobs before I gave up full time employment to have a family."

"I left school and began medical research into BSE (showing my age here!) then moved on to cancer research for many years. I used to run a lab at Manchester University, back in the dark ages! After further posts in the same role, I changed tack and started to work for Customs and Excise, as it was then, before leaving to have a family and working part time at our local butchers before having baby number three. I now fit my jewellery making in round the boys, so unsociable hours in the main!"

I asked Jacqueline: "What is the inspiration/motivation behind your designs?"

"I am very often inspired by the stones themselves. I can get quite animated about a really good specimen - I tend to see them as geological delights more than just pretty gems and I love the whole process of how they are formed and their chemical make up etc. I am very keen on archaeology and some of my designs are inspired by museum pieces. The world around me and my interpretation of it is the most common source of my inspiration, oh and most importantly, my imagination and what I think would just look 'pretty'. I am not a follower of trends - I make pieces that I hope are timeless and above all that I would like to wear myself."

"Making decisions about what to make next is quite hard at times. I have a very large collection of stones in stock and I often just get the boxes out and look at the beautiful contents. I am inspired from there, sometimes with more success than others really!"

"I do have other creative interests. For many years I used to press flowers and compose and create greetings cards with them, often teamed with water colours for a little creative twist. I like to paint, though I can not remember the last time I did! I used to sew and have made my own clothes - all from patterns mind you - I am not cleaver enough to do it any other way. I like to knit and crochet, but I am not particularly fast at it, so haven't made anything too ambitious. I used to make and design all my dolls clothes from off cuts of my mums fabrics when she was sewing. Also knitting jumpers from sewing thread for them, using sewing needles. Even then, the scale of the stitches had to be right! Details matter to me I suppose. At present, I bake for local events, such as markets etc. (I am registered with the local council) so try to make a few pennies from this as well."

I asked Jacqueline:  "What are your three favourite items from my Folksy shop?"

"It is very hard to choose as everything is so lovely, but here are three I think are super..."

"I don't have a Facebook page at the moment - it is on my to-do list, but I still haven't plucked up the courage to take the plunge!"

"I have a blog page - I am trying to write a blog a day at the moment - a sort of personal challenge to promote my fellow Folksy daily listers, other Folksy artisans and a some of my designs.  Here is the link: http://jaustenjewellerydesign.blogspot.co.uk/

I don't have a twitter account or my own website as yet, but like with Facebook, I am working on it!"

Huge thanks to Jacqueline for sharing this.  I think her jewellery is stunning - don't you?  Do click on the photos and they will take you directly to Jacqueline's Folksy shop.  Have a browse.  Here we only have a taster of Jacqueline's designs - in her Folksy shop there are lots more beautiful jewellery to drool over!

BFN

Edwina

P.S. I have decided to have a HALF PRICE SALE on all my notebooks and journals.  SALE starts 12 noon today (11 May) runs until 12 noon on Monday 13 May.  50% discount will be refunded via PayPal after purchase.

Lots of lovely notebooks and journals to choose from - they make lovely gifts so stock up for birthdays or Father's day.  Please visit my Folksy shop and choose your favourite.

What shall I do next? With Giveaway!

Fabric Pile

Do you ever have this dilemma?  A million and one ideas floating round in your head and you can’t decide what your next project should be?  I love creating and I am really passionate about it.  But I am one of these people who cannot do the same thing over and over again.  Sorry, no offence, but I need variety.  I often work on several projects at the same time, and progress them to their different stages which offers me a variety of different tasks.  Of course, there are repetitive actions involved – things that need to be done, but can be quite boring when they are isolated e.g. when I am making my journals or notebooks the cutting, scoring, folding of the paper is so monotonous, but necessary!

Psychedelic fabric journal

My favourite task of course is handling and admiring the fabrics and thinking about what I am going to make with them.  Once decided they sit on a pile until it is time to start cutting. This can be quite a protracted process, because I am erratic and I might sift through the pile until I find something I feel like making!

Wide embroidered purse

I made a list of new projects (to be started) and I just could not decide what to do next!  Would you like to help me decide?  I have taken some photos of some of the wonderful fabrics I have on my pile, (see top photo) and I have already decided what I would like to make with them.  But which one should I start with?

 GIVEAWAY

If you would like to help me decide, then please leave a comment saying which project you feel I should start next. I will put all the names of all those who participate in a hat (metaphorical) and then randomly pick one out. The winner can choose to receive either the A6 notebook or the Harris Tweed purse as a thank you gift for being so helpful. Please state in your comment which item you would like to win either the notebook or purse. Also, share how you have promoted my Folksy shop i.e. Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, etc. as this would be most welcome and appreciated!

Harris Tweed purse

A6 Notebook with bird on front cover

Here is my list: (in no particular order)

     Two Sewing purses with the Robert Kaufman’s “Vintage Couturier” fabric.   (I had previously made sewing purses with this fabric and they have sold quite quickly).  Here’s a photo of a previous one:

Vintage style fabric sewing purse

     Large or small Cosmetic purse using a lovely floral and birds fabric which I am going to team up with some green faux suede.

          A5 Patchwork Journal.  I purchase some beautiful fat quarters from the V&A Museum shop which are based on their collection. Lovely!

     A5 Travel Journal.  I have some fabric with the World Map printed on it in another language (I don’t know what).  I thought it would be ideal for a travel journal.

Green bird fabric, V&A fabric & Map of the World fabric

Two A6 notebooks.  I am looking forward to using some gorgeous oranges and lemons fabric by Richard Kaufman – one notebook in the oranges and another in the lemons.  Fabulous!

Special Occasion Purse 1.  I want to use some more of my vintage lace to create another purse.  This time I have an idea about embellishing it with a white or cream corsage on the front.  I use white linen as the base fabric.

Special Occasion Purse 2.  This time I want to make a purse using some beautiful rainbow coloured gathered lace.  This would be very exciting as I have not done this before. (I am always up for a challenge!)  Again, I use white linen as the base fabric.

Patchwork Journal 2.  I have some gorgeous purple fat quarters that I purchased at the NEC, Birmingham Fashion, Embroidery and Stitch exhibition in March.  I feel sure they will make a stunning journal!

Don’t forget to check out my Folksy shop – lots of new items added – I am trying to restock it as quickly as I can – I hope to achieve 100 items by the end of May.  Do you think I will do it?

Thanks for reading and please leave a comment.

BFN

Edwina

P.S. Please note only UK residents can enter the giveaway.

AND THE WINNER IS...

Thanks so much to the five of you who entered - opinion was divided on what I shall do next, but I think using the map fabric for a travel journal is next on the list to do - of course, I am going to make everything eventually!

I really appreciate your support.  All your names were written on paper and placed in a container and my friend popped their hand in and pulled out...

Linda, from Uniquely Yours - Well done, Linda - the notebook will be on it's way to you very soon.

Do look at my next blog - a Very Special Feature on Jacqueline from J Austen Jewellery Designs.

Thanks again.

Edwina

SPECIAL PREVIEW

I am back with a special preview!  Yes.  I have reopened my Folksy shop after a lovely three month break.  I tried to relax, but I kept on making lots of lovely new items and today I am going to give you a special preview of what you will soon find in my Folksy shop during the coming weeks.

 I have created lots of new handmade journals and notebooks.  I can’t seem to stop making them!  I am always looking for unusual or ‘different’ fabric to use for the covers and I am really pleased with what I have found.

Music Journal

I love Paris Notebook

The "I love Paris" fabric was very popular when I used it to make 2013 diary covers, so I decided a notebook would be ideal made in the same fabric. I searched high and low to find the music fabric and was delighted with this find!  

I have also had a purse making ‘bonanza’ where I have been exploring new ideas and techniques.  I think I will write more about that in a later post.  

Primarily today I want to give you a preview of my special occasion purses – they are ideal for weddings, proms or that special event or evening out.  I have really enjoyed making these purses and still have lots of ideas for future ones.

My favourite fabric/material has to be LACE so I was determined to dive into my huge stash and see what beauties I could come up with!

Special Occasion Purses

Special Occasion purse three flowers motif

Firstly, the heart shaped purse was quite a challenge.  Where was I going to place the opening?  I think it works, but I’ll you to decide that.  All my purses have zip closures because I no longer make or sell bags.  Even though you might consider these small bags – I really prefer to call them purses.

Special Occasion purse - heart shaped

The remainder of my stock of bags has been given/donated to a local group who raise funds for “Save the Children”.  They will sell them, or raffle them or whatever, in order to raise funds for the charity.  I am really pleased that they agreed to take them.  I no longer wish to make or sell bags but concentrate my time and creative efforts on handmade books and purses.

My favourite special occasion purse is the one I made with vintage lace and new lace for the bow with pearl beads.  Mind you, it was the last one that I made so I guess it will remain my favourite until I make the next one!

What I would like to offer potential customers is the option of making customised versions of the purses – in different colours, or with a variation of design.  For example, if a customer likes the shape of a particular purse but also likes the idea of having a bow, then no problem – I can easily adapt and combine, making another unique purse. I have a huge stash of lace that I have collected over the years and not just white - lots of different colours!

If anyone is interested in the items I have shown or the special occasion purses please contact me via my Folksy shop.

I think I have rambled on enough.  Who knew that I had so much to say?!

BFN

Edwina