Sshhh

On Thursdays I like to visit kootoyoo where creative people from all over the world post links to their blogs and show a little bit of what they are up to.
There's not much that I can show this week as I have been busy with top secret projects. I really really really want to show a lovely set of jewellery that is now finished and waiting to be collected. It's really really nice and I am really really pleased with how it all turned out but it's a special order for a wedding next month. The bride is being very generous and giving all the bridesmaids and flower girls matching jewellery to wear on the big day. I was dead chuffed when she asked if I could do this for her and we spent a long time considering all the possibilities. I'm sure the girls will all be delighted with their gifts.
Now I know it's a long time till Christmas but I have also been making some things for this years' display. The window competition is very serious here in Alyth...  Last year I was knitting like mad throughout November to get everything finished so I am starting early this year. Of course, this is another Top Secret project. You never know who might be reading.
Third project of the week is ( a bit late I know ) an Easter Bonnet.. My friend Mel sets a challenge to a group of friends each month, and this month it's an Easter Bonnet. We are off to Mel's tomorrow night and no doubt she will have made little rosettes for the top 3 bonnets. No doubt she will also have the kettle on and some lovely things to eat. I'll try to get photos of all the hats tomorrow. So much better than just the one.
Have a lovely, creative day where ever you are.
Fiona x

And the winner is ....

I am really pleased that my customer was delighted with the selection of necklaces from my last post. I find it more stressful to make jewellery to order than to make what I want to do. There's more of a sense of responsibilty to it. A bit like working in reverse.
 I usually start with an idea of colours and shapes and just see what develops. This usually works for me, although sometimes I end up taking the whole thing apart and starting again. However, when I am making for a particular person I get a bit insecure about whether or not they will like it.... and will they feel obliged to buy the finished piece even if it's not quite right.
I really shouldn't worry so much but that's just the way I am. Anyway, my worries were needless. Customer was very happy, and almost tempted to buy two !!!  She chose the one bottom right in the photo, which just happened to be my favourite, and the one which I thought she would like best. Maybe I am a better judge of other people's taste than I thought I was.
The other three are now looking for a good home. Hopefully they won't be in the shop for long.

Pretty in Pink.

Today My Creative Space has been mostly pink.

Last week I was asked if I could make a necklace to match a lovely outfit which will be worn to a wedding next month. I love a challenge like this. First we rooted around my bead boxes and found some that were nearly right, but not quite.

Then we looked around for anything that matched the feature colour of pink.

On Tuesday I headed off to my favourite bead shop armed with a pink nail file,

An old copy of Womans Weekly

And a reel of pink craft wire

 Of course it would have been a lot easier if I had just borrowed my customers jacket and taken it to Perth with me, but it was having some alterations done elsewhere.

Anyway, I was able to find some lovely beads and have been putting together a few options today.

Apart from length and shade of pink the only other consideration was that the necklace would be worn with pearl ear rings.

Hopefully one of these will be just perfect.

I'm off to take a look at some other Creative Spaces now at kootoyoo

New Crafter coming soon.

Surprise, Surprise. I remembered to take photos at my craft fair at the weekend. A major achievement for me.

Sadly no photos of the crowds of customers as they were a bit thin on the ground. To be fair this is still a bit early in the year for craft fairs which really get started after the Easter Weekend.

I did have some lovely customers though and hopefully they will be coming for a visit to Alyth and Buy Design in the future. One lady in particular was very interested in the opportunity to have jewellery made to match her outfit for a Spring wedding. That will be a fun project

.

I also had the chance to chat with Margaret Flemming who paints wonderful ceramics for indoors and out. She will be stocking Buy Design very soon and I am really looking forward to seeing her colourful display in the shop. Here is a look at what she had with her on Saturday.

 Perfect time to sign out now. Time for lunch. x

Wedding Request

I am pretty excited at the moment as I have been asked if I can do a full set of jewellery for a wedding next May. I have had commissions in the past for the mother of the bride, and the grannie of the bride, but this is my first for the main wedding group. Bride, bridesmaids, and flower girls. Today I was out choosing a selection of brown and cream pearls and will be putting together a few ideas this week. It's a lovely thought that my creations will be going to such a special event.
Of course this meant another trip to my favourite bead shop and I was so tempted by all the lovely new beads. I was reasonably sensible bearing in mind that Christmas is on the way, but really, you can never have too many beads.
The weekend was really busy. The craft fair at Abernethy was really good fun. Jacqui Bell was there with her bags and we had a good catch up and a giggle. My neighbour was a lovely girl called Catherine, who is a dressmaker and designer. She recycles and customises clothes and accessories. Very talented girl. Her website is still in the early stages but she hopes to launch in the near future at http://www.palefacemakes.co.uk/
And now, back to work.