My Creative Space.

I'm running a wee bit late today. I thought I might be heading towards My Creative Yesterday but I'm back on track just in time. Firstly, let me introduce you to my new favourite book.

My lovely friend Mel gave me this for my birthday a couple of weeks ago and I have been dying to try out some of the projects. There are so many great hints and tips that I have been spoiled for choice.

Today I decided to try out some bead work.

I have a few ideas that I would like to try out with these little flowers which I will show as they progress.

I had to check on the progress of my candles this morning. They need topping up a bit but I'm reasonably pleased so far. Being a big tea drinker I love the idea of using china cups for scented candles.

What could be better than a Strawberry scented candle in it's own china cup and saucer ?

My friend suggested tea flavours for the scents, and I'm still pondering that one. Maybe some of the herbal teas will provide some inspiration. Any suggestions.....?

Pop over HERE to see lots of Creative Spaces every Thursday.

Perthshire Open Studios

I mentioned a few weeks ago that we are taking part in Perthshire Open Studios in September this year. The organisers have just started a facebook page so if you want to pop over for a look or join or like or become a fan, click on the link above.
I imagine that as we get closer to the event there will be lots of interesting reading.
This may be my shortest post yet....
Fiona x

First 99 of the summer

                 Excuse the slightly dodgy expression on my face ( I think it might be brain freeze)

We went for a drive yesterday. One of those drives where the passenger knows where he wants to go but keeps the driver (ME) guessing. Turn right at the end of the road.... keep going past the Den... keep going I'll tell you when you need to turn.... yep, over the bridge... No not yet... Pitlochry... good guess but No..

Makes for an interesting day. Bit of a mystery tour but normally the driver is the one who knows the destination.

Anyway, after about an hour we ended up in Braemar, having stopped at the Glenshee Pottery along the way. Braemar is beautiful. Proper Scottish Highland scenery.

We had a lovely walk around town and stopped off for some lunch then walked around a bit more. There was maybe just a wee bit too much tartan but I'm sure the visitors love it. Heading back to the car we spotted the ice cream sign and my day was complete.

 Yummy 99 cone, then back to the twisty, turny rural roads and home in time for tea.

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend.

Fiona x

My Creative Space

I am attempting to be more organised in My Creative Space so today is all about finishing things off. Does this mean no more WIPS or UFO'S ? Mmmm no, I don't think so but I hope it will mean that things are a bit less messy around here. First job of the day was sewing buttons on to this.

This is my baby jacket version of the granny shrug which has been popping up all over blogland, thanks to Kirsty ay Kootoyoo. This is basically the same as the grown up version on finer yarn, smaller hook and with a couple of extra rounds of trebles on the sleeves and with an edging and collar added.

Next I finished off the catches on this.

Very simple little necklace which I started a few days ago for a customer.

The rest of my morning will be spent delving into this box.....

... and finishing off some button necklaces and bracelets, sewing catches onto some crocheted bracelets, and finally deciding what to do with some gorgeous turquoise and silver beads that have been eluding me for a couple of weeks.

I'm looking forward to a much tidier space very soon.

Then again I may just get distracted by all the lovely creative people at kootoyoo

Have a lovely day.

Fiona

To be, or not to be.....

Today I have a sore hooking finger...boo hoo..  I think I may have been overdoing the crochet recently. In amongst my growing collection of crochet and craft related books I saw an article about exercises you can do to relieve the effects of over indulgent crafting. I'm going to have to go and look for that and hope that I don't get distracted by any new projects I may come across along the way.
So while I am resting my dodgy digits I got to thinking about stuff. When I was about 10 years old there was a series on telly about a forensic scientist who solved crimes for the police. Kind of early CSI without all the high tech gizmos of today. For a long time I wanted to be forensic scientist, until I discovered I had no real affinity with science. Then I wanted to be lawyer. Again, I was inspired by a television programme. This time about a group of law students. Realising that I would need 5 A's in my highers soon changed my mind about that. I wanted to be journalist, but was too self conscious to let anyone read what I wrote. I wanted to study English at Uni but can't stand Shakespeare or Thomas Hardy, and some of the old poets just put me to sleep. I studied Publishing at Uni but then I ended up as a restaurant manager.
I don't think I ever considered being a crotcheting jewellery maker. And I know I never imagined having my own shop. I was talking to an old friend from school recently who I hadn't seen or spoken to for nearly 30 years ( ah facebook can be fun). He was rather surprised at how my life has turned out and suggested my job title should be ' artisan business owner'. I certainly never thought of that as a career choice !!!
So the question... if you would like to answer... is... What did you want to be ? Did you become what you wanted to be ?  Or are you still waiting To Be ?

My Creative Space.

I've been feeling a wee bit sentimental in my creative space this week. And surprise, surprise I have actually been working on jewellery. Crochet has also featured but I will have to show that later when I get some more photos.
As well as making jewellery to my own designs I often get special orders for particular colours, matching sets to outfits for special occasions. I am currently on the search for small red beads to match this...

The feather is left over from an arrangement on a wedding hat and my task is to make a matching necklace to finish off the whole outfit.

Another customer likes to wear yellow in the summer and would like something fun and funky to go with her summer wardrobe.

I love these beads. They make me think of daisies. Not sure yet how I will put them together but hopefully inspiration will strike some time soon.

Another service that we offer here is to repair jewellery.

So many people have costume jewellery that they really love, but when the catch breaks or the thread snaps they are left with lovely bits and pieces that they can no longer wear.

Most pieces that I fix or re-string have mostly sentimental value but it's lovely to be able to bring new life to an old favourite.

These poor old pearls just needed re-stringing for one of my customers but I love the story behind them.

"They're no' real pearls", she said when she brought them to me. They were however a First Wedding Anniversary present from her husband 51 years ago !!!

How amazing is that ?

She just thought it would be nice for her husband to see her wearing them again.

So here they are. Re-threaded onto tiger tail and fitted with a magnetic fastener.

And that's about it for now.

Thursdays are great for seeing what other makers are making in their own Creative Spaces

Pop over for a look and be amazed.

Fiona x

Bank Holiday Blues... and pinks and reds.

Although Monday was a Bank Holiday here, I decided to open the shop. The sun came out and lots of people, local and visitors, were out and about enjoying the weather.

I was really happy that Mary decided to take a drive down from Aberdeen to restock her wonderful selection of silk flower arrangements.

 I would love to be able to name all the flowers but am very vague about flower names. I know Poppies and Daisies and Roses... oh, and Carnations. But after that I simply think of them as 'the red ones' or 'the pink ones'. Not very technical but it works for me.

Mary has been creating fabulous arrangements for a good few years now and I love that we have them in Buy Design. They are really popular with customers but they also make the shop look to lovely and colourful

.

Just a few close-ups here.

The arrangements are really unique. Imagine anything you wouldn't consider putting flowers in and you may just get the idea.

It was lovely to see Mary and to catch up on what's been happening over the last month or so.