Handmade Monday #5

Here we are again it's Handmade Monday time started by the lovely Wendy from 1stuniquegifts.   If you're not a regular reader you've been missing out on some very talented ladies and men who blog about what they have created during the week.  So pop over to Wendy's blog and check out these lovely creative people and if you are a handmade creative why not join in the fun - we are a nosey lot and like to see what others are making and you never know what you will come across.  I've seen some lovely things which I am keeping my beady eyes on for when I have birthdays etc.

Anyway here are my contributions.  I had a busy week preparing for a wedding fayre which was held in one of the lovely rooms at Manchester Town Hall.  Sunday was the first time I had been into the Town Hall and I can say that it is very impressive if a bit daunting - definately worth a visit if you're ever in Manchester. In fact we had the occasional tourist walking around the room we were exhibiting in.

Ok here are some of the items I made this week - 

So there we have it lol it's a bit of long post this week.

Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog.  If you would like to please do leave a comment I always like to hear what my readers think of my blog posts.

Handmade Monday #4

Well it's that time of the week again where we explore what we creatives have been creating.  

This week I made some beaded tulip charms for a swap over on UKJC and while I was making them I could see that the  technique I was using could be used to make other flower/star shapes.  I'm not sure if these look like flowers - maybe more like stars?

Anyway, I've decided that I like them enough to make a new collection for my bridal range.  I like the versatility of making it simple or putting a few of them together to make something rather extravagent for maybe an Indian wedding.  The ideas are buzzing around in my head (where else would they be huh? - lol don't answer that :) )

I'm going to be making up the red/gold version first as I have made up enough flowers/stars  for a necklace.  I'll post pics once it's made up.

Single flower component made with Swarovski Pearls and size 11 seed beads.

3 Components/flowers joined together.

 4mm Czech beads placed inbetween the stitched flowers  - another idea

Red and Gold Czech Beads 4 & 6mm.  I've made a larger flower as a center point.

Single components

If you would like to share your blog and what you have been creating then why not join in the Handmade Monday fun.  All you have to do is go over to Wendy's Place leave a comment and a link to your blog using the link tool so that we can come over and have a nosey around.

Spring Theme Charm Swap UKJC

Spring Theme Charm Swap UKJC, originally uploaded by itsamistry.

I can now reveal the charms that I made for Lynne on the UJKC charm swap (they now live on the Isle of Wight)

This is the first time I have ever made beaded flowers. In my vast collection of books I have one called The  Beaded Garden by Diane Fitzgerald. I've had the book for a few years but have never had the courage to make anything out of it. But i have to say the instructions were easy to follow and i think I will be making more of these little beauties to create my own little garden.

My head is bursting with ideas on how I can use the technique and incorporate it into my wedding collection. I've made a few samples but with a little bit of variation but I will share those tomorrow and have it as my "handmade Monday" feature.

Thanks for reading and if you wish to leave a comment please do.

GUILDED GEMS/Handmade Monday

I hope you don't mind but I'm combining the launch and the Handmade Monday  that Wendy from IstUnique started a few weeks ago.  The beaded bead is all handstitched and was featured in Beads & Beyond in June 2010.  I made this one as a giveaway prize on Guilded Gems.

Monday 14^th February sees the launch of a new website called Guilded Gems by The Guild of Jewellery Designers.

The website will provide up-to-the-minute fashion and trend updates for style conscious jewellery enthusiats with an eye for quality.  You will be able to buy directly from over 100 British jewellery designers thus assuring that you are not only getting quality workmanship but in doing so you are also supporting British Craftspeople.

Itsamistry Design Studio has donated the “Ananta” beaded bead necklace as one of the giveaways.  To be in with a chance to win this and many more lovely British made jewellery why not pop over to Guilded Gems and enter your details.

The winner of this necklace is Scarlet Leonard from Lincolnshire.

Well done Scarlet.

Barclays Trading Places Awards 2010 Certificate

Barclays Trading Places Awards 2010 Certificate, originally uploaded by itsamistry.

Finally managed to take a pic of the certificate for being listed in the top 100 business list for the Barclays Trading Places Award 2010

They did manage to mis spell my name lol.

Handmade Monday 7.2.2011

Well here we are again it's Monday and it's time for Handmade Monday started by Wendy from 1stuniquegifts.  I have not made anything today as I've been busy moving the last bits out of the studio and haven't had time to make anything creative.  This time last year I was moving in - time flies :).

I was telling Wendy that I had started knitting again and would offer that as a work in progress.  I have no idea how long it's going to take me to make this cardigan (for me).  I've already discovered that the yarn is difficult to undo if you make a mistake- that's if you can spot it lol.  It works up quite bubbly (if you can call it that) so if you were following a pattern it wouldn't matter as you'd never spot it.

heart tree card

So here it is my make from yesterdays Handmade Monday all made up into a card.  I decided to mount the painting onto a lilac coloured card which compliments the other shades of purple/pinks on the heart and border - shame the sheen on the card doesn't show on the pic.

Handmade Monday 31.1.11

My friend Wendy is hosting a regular feature called Handmade Monday over on her blog 1stuniquegifts.  I am really pleased that Wendy has started this as it will make me more proactive in my own crafting which I have to say has been sadly neglected for the last 6 months and this will give me the motivation to do something even if it's only a doodle. 


The idea is that you blog about something you’ve made or are making (or anything related to that) and then go over to Wendys blog,  where there is a Linky tool – you add your blog link this should then point more visitors to your blog.

So don't forget mark it in your diaries every Monday is Handmade Monday.  Who knows what we will come across on each others sites.  

Ok here are my makes for today.  They will eventually be turned into greeting cards althougth I'm not too happy with the lollipop trees - I think the trunks are to wide.  The tall heart card I started last week but have only finished it today - I'm happy with the way it's turned out. 

Oh and please do excuse the creative mess :) and the picture - daylight seemed to have disappeared and the pic was taken under my desk lamp.

heart tree card

heart tree 1, originally uploaded by itsamistry.

Original artwork painted with Derwent watercolour pencils on aquafine w/colour paper mounted onto cream card - ideal for valentines day.

Win these Swarovski Earrings

Win these Swarovski Earrings, originally uploaded by itsamistry.

Swarovski 8mm round faceted crystal in fuschia pink with crystal AB bicones flower bead caps - sterling silver ear wire.

Who would have thought that I would have 400+ followers. I certainly didn't.

So to celebrate this I am doing my first give away. All you have to do is leave a comment on my facebook page (see link below) and maybe "like" the page if you haven't done already although this will not affect your chance of winning.

The draw will take place on Wednesday 12th January.

Leave your comments here www.facebook.com/pages/Itsamistry-Design-Studio/140063075...