This is what I do when I am FORCED to sit in front of a TV screen
I have just added a section to my website and once I can get some better photos I will be adding handmade scarves to my shop!
Here are some photos of the present I made for my friend's birthday, I mentioned this in another thread but couldn't post piccys in case she saw but she collected it tonight so its fine now...
I commissioned the vase from a woodturner I know (and sleep with) LOL!!
I spent a long time working out what I wanted to make and then even longer making it... she seemed to like it very much and has given me some fantastic ideas of how I can take these little stamens further...
(http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k261/stacyemma/Mixed%20Media/Bouquet-Multi_edited-2.jpg)
These are the stamens which are in the centre of each flower...there are 11 flowers in the vase
(http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k261/stacyemma/Mixed%20Media/LilyStamen-Orange-1.jpg) (http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k261/stacyemma/Mixed%20Media/LilyStamen-Green-1.jpg) (http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k261/stacyemma/Mixed%20Media/LilyStamen-Autumn-1.jpg)
(http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k261/stacyemma/Mixed%20Media/LilyStamen-Aurura-1.jpg) (http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k261/stacyemma/Mixed%20Media/LilyStamen-BlueGreen-1.jpg) (http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k261/stacyemma/Mixed%20Media/LilyStamen-Pinks-1.jpg)
I'd be really interested in reading your opinions please...
I've been thinking for ages of applying to do a 3 year degree in applied arts at the local university, I've always thought that if I did apply I would like to show them a portfolio of my work.
I've been thinking of making this up for a long time now but finally did it yesterday:
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3658/3332614625_71932eff81.jpg)
Following this thread: http://www.frit-happens.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=11379.0 I ordered myself some plain totes and iron-on transfers, and this morning I made my own (thanks for the tip, Mary :-*):
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/9229659@N03/3409344056/" >(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3650/3409344056_2f56f7c7e7_o.jpg)</a>
For those of you who thinks this is a bit of fun, here's where I got the totes and transfers from(very quick delivery from both):
Plain totes: http://shop.thecleverbaggers.co.uk/store/pc/home.asp
T-shirt transfers from here: https://www.craftycomputerpaper.co.uk/
Now show me yours!! ;D
This is the one I bought, I wanted the long handles and the gusset - it's fairly light-weight - I'll just have to make another when I'v worn it out ;D:
http://shop.thecleverbaggers.co.uk/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=884&idcategory=3
I did post some of these last year, but they're different every year, so may I present...our East German/Polish family tradition of painting eggs with wax before batiking them :) These are the best of this year's crop - Happy Easter, everybody!
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3538/3433605064_39bd0c0f1f.jpg)
PS: The squiggly one on the right is a collaboration between Toby, Daddy and me (Daddy held the egg, Toby held the pencil with the pin (that gets dunked into wax), and I held Toby (wax = hot!)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3599/3432795557_743aba80f6.jpg)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3540/3433610120_d240172b58.jpg)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3390/3432803131_33ff400e87.jpg)
....and show us your eggs, if you've got any, too!
Great eggs but none to show for me either i'm afraid.
I coulden't get it quite round although that might not matter if someone was putting beads all around it?
I do struggle with these, need more practice I guess.
(http://www.lesleymcfarland.com/7bead/Cabochon.jpg)
I find it difficult around the edges to make the shape round or oval.
The first one (round) I started with a blob in the middle. That didn't work. No photo.
The second (oval) I started with first round the edges and then fill in the rest. This is made with Pandora (terrible glass to take a photo)
Jolanda
(http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq242/Beads-Me/ovalecabouchon-1.jpg)
I was getting dressed this morning when I realised that I didn't have anything summery in my wardrobe. So I thought I would make something to wear...
It took me a couple of hours to make it as I needed to unpick it a few times and the smocking around the top was a nightmare but I think it came out OK. I am happily wearing it now and feel really chuffed as this was only the 3rd piece of clothing I have ever made.. after two very basic skirts! ;D
(http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k261/stacyemma/Stuff/SummerDress.jpg)
I just wanted to share a couple of piccies I took in the garden earlier on......
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2429/3589273230_3ac20d8980_o.jpg)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3561/3589272890_b5ac59ed7b_o.jpg)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3382/3588464857_4b124969e2_o.jpg)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3310/3588465217_a8d83eea3a.jpg?v=0)
Sorry some of them are a bit bigger than the forum likes, but I think they are better viewed a wee bit bigger :O)
I do love messing with my camera :D
Its nice to have something cheap and cheerful to offer at fairs, so I came up with these super easy keyrings ... simples! ;D
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2480/3641294942_36aed84012.jpg?v=0) (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2480/3641294942_36aed84012.jpg?v=0)
(PS Newmarket Bead Fair (http://www.beadwork.net/June_%20Newmarket_beadwork_fair.html) this Sunday ;))
For example
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pliers-SPLIT-RING-pliers-polished-professional-quality_W0QQitemZ390058403808QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Crafts_JewelleryMaking_GL?hash=item5ad14ae7e0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65:12|66:2|39:1|72:1683|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50
(other split ring pliers are available at other outlets ;))
I have just repainted my workshop and the walls were looking a bit bare. I'm still waiting to have enough spare cash to make up some posters professionally but in the meantime I made up a couple of my own which I printed off and have hung on the wall.
I know these arn't everyones cup of tea but I quite like them:
(http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k261/stacyemma/Beads/colourisedbeads.jpg)
(http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k261/stacyemma/Beads/Colourisedhearts.jpg)
I haven't been around for a while as I've struggled over the last few months with a missing (jewellery making) mojo. I'd sit with my pieces and many beautiful beads and couldn't make a thing v. scary and upsetting. I decided that I'd stop for a while and give myself a break before I ended up a blithering wreck but my fingers were itching to do something so I 'borrowed' a sewing machine and thought I'd have a bash at a bag for my daughters birthday and have got a little carried away........
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3641/3681795638_2db7562703_m.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2600/3680926609_a0bd10d1e1_m.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2431/3681000021_d0a7b1afe3_m.jpg)
This is part of a cunning plan as I have some modern beach bags ready and I'm going to use lampies as bag charms to open the door for my mojo's return ;)
At the very least I have a selection of bags as xmas/birthday pressies :)
Marie
My eldest son (who has had some difficulties at school) was recently told at camera club that he had a real eye for photography.
As he is never really picked out for anything other that his behaviour I thought this was brilliant and decided to enter him into the local village fete photography comp for under 12s (he's 10).
However, after he picked out the category (portrait) and a photo which he wanted to enter we were told at the competition tent that we had missed the entry time and the pictures had already been judged.
It was such a shame that he didn't get to show off his piccy I thought I would put it up here for you guys to see.
I just wanted him to know how very proud of him I am and any thoughts or comments you might have I shall pass directly onto him!!
(http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k261/stacyemma/people/luke.jpg)
I have been making more mosaic cane bundles using 2mm Bullseye glass sheet following on from Diana East's masterclass. These bundles have taken several weeks to produce and the largest (the white one) has 168 seperate sections of glass in it. I have to say that my glass cutting skills have improved quite a bit recently!
(http://www.theflyingbedstead.com/Auction/BigBangBeads/130709/_MG_29471.jpg)
(http://www.theflyingbedstead.com/Auction/BigBangBeads/130709/_MG_29413.jpg)
(http://www.theflyingbedstead.com/Auction/BigBangBeads/130709/_MG_29656.jpg)
(http://www.theflyingbedstead.com/Auction/BigBangBeads/130709/_MG_29667.jpg)
(http://www.theflyingbedstead.com/Auction/BigBangBeads/130709/_MG_298114.jpg)
(http://www.theflyingbedstead.com/Auction/BigBangBeads/130709/_MG_29574.jpg)
(http://www.theflyingbedstead.com/Auction/BigBangBeads/130709/_MG_29709.jpg)
(http://www.theflyingbedstead.com/Auction/BigBangBeads/130709/_MG_297813.jpg)
(http://www.theflyingbedstead.com/Auction/BigBangBeads/130709/_MG_29605.jpg)
(http://www.theflyingbedstead.com/Auction/BigBangBeads/130709/_MG_29688.jpg)
I am taking them to the lovely people at Liquid Glass this afternoon, where they will pull them into cane. Fingers crossed that they hold together ok...I used 250ml of PVA sticking em together. I love playing with PVA glue...
I hope they'll be ready in time for a class I have with Di Saturday week.
Well...
Ben took some great pics this evening of the canes and some of the worked pieces made at Diana East's Studio 19 on Saturday. Kim from Liquid Glass did a fantastic job pulling the canes, and the red / blue ones were the best. The green ones delaminated in places...such a pity, and after speaking to Kim and Diana East, it is thought that the Bullseye aventurine glass may have compatibility issues. The pale mauve bundle delaminated too in so many, many places...I am gutted as I spent so long putting the bundle together. I have been sticking the sections back together with masking tape and pva in the hope that they can be rescued by re-heating in my kiln. I am experimenting tonight, so I will let you know how I get on! Once I have established what went wrong then I can update the Bullseye resource - hopefully it won't happen to others, as it can get expensive.
(http://www.theflyingbedstead.com/Auction/BigBangBeads/270709/_MG_31671.jpg)
The red and blue bundle produced a fabulous thick cane which Diana cut into three big chunks for me and we shaped them into three large beads on the flat lap coarse disk. I will smooth them a bit more with diamond pads and then tumble them. Diana also polished a smaller section which is in the centre of the picture. Photos don't do it justice though, as you get the colour and depth when you move the section in your hand. We also ground some end caps - these are the thin slivers of cane, which I can slip over the end of a bead...
(http://www.theflyingbedstead.com/Auction/BigBangBeads/270709/_MG_31722.jpg)
The pale mauve bundle did produce some large sections which we polished, and I have cut some murrini from much smaller canes:
(http://www.theflyingbedstead.com/Auction/BigBangBeads/270709/_MG_31823.jpg)
The green and purple cane also allowed us to cut some chunky beads and endcaps...these will look so vibrant when I have flame polished them in my kiln...
(http://www.theflyingbedstead.com/Auction/BigBangBeads/270709/_MG_31834.jpg)
I have popped in an order for some diamond grinding pads to use on my ground beads before they are tumbled...hopefully they'll arrive by Wednesday evening...can't wait!
I made a handbag, based on Amy Butlers Birdie Sling pattern with a couple of amendments -
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3201/3895424889_68d522fd7d.jpg) (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3201/3895424889_68d522fd7d.jpg)
there are work in progress pics on my blog (http://chameleonsdesigns.blogspot.com/) if anyone is interested ;D
Here's a leather sholder bag I made this weekend..
This is a draft version as I kind of threw it together and think it can be better. :-[
I'm going to play around with the strap, add a large glass lentil as a button/clasp and maybe do some embroidery on the flap. ???
(http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k261/stacyemma/Sewing/LeatherSholderMark1.jpg)
That is really lovely
Zoe
I now only do these on rare occasions as they take me far tooo long!!!! :(
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1TfEBTSUrCU/Sq1ZTc7xi4I/AAAAAAAAAWs/jgh90eoekmE/s400/IMG_1020.JPG) (http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/dvciCeb1Lk1JFxn2yYpZmQ?feat=embedwebsite)
I mentioned a few days ago that I was trying to come up with a pressie for the lady at school.
This is what I came up with after hunting down some copper sheet!
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3509/3940790556_3bdee823c8_o.jpg)
Its free standing and about 10cm in diameter with a glass cab stamen.
The petals look really flat in the photo but in real life they have an outward curve making them a little more lifelike.
Here are some knitting projects that I have been working on for a while. The cardigan is my first ever knitting project - there is a picot edge and moss stitch border.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2657/3980739949_fe8cce2560_m.jpg)
I am going to be an aunty soon, I don't know if I am getting a niece or nephew so I decided to knit this blanket in neutral colours. It is nearly finished, just needs wadding added and backing.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2506/3981501454_4c70e4ec67_m.jpg)
I have now got a baby jumper on my needles - hopefully I'll get it finished before the baby grows to be a toddler.......
Doubtless all you needlework people have already seen this technique, but as I don't venture often into the strange word of 'thread and needle' I'd hadn't. I was trying to make a new coat for myself, and last one I made (actually it was first thing with sleeves I'd ever made) I struggled to get the sleeves on, and this time it was even worse. Needing a dummy, but not doing needlework often enough to warrent the expense I came across this;
http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/3659/clone-yourself-a-fitting-assistant (http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/3659/clone-yourself-a-fitting-assistant)
It's fantastic! I got my other half to help cover me in gaffa tape, and I am now seachig out old rags and pillows to stuff myself with! Only downside is a rather nasty bulge where my stomach is that I think means more salad and less pies! :-[ :D :D
I am not taking a picture of my silver spare body, as the amount of stuffing I need for it is rather depressing! :D This might however be quite handy technique for anyone planning some halloween fun though, as you could probably put mod-rock (the plaster of paris impregnated bandage) over it to make it more solid.
Ok, so I said the other day, that after a bad few days, something nice happened in the print room at Uni. Certain smutty minded people likened the print room to the bike shed or the stationery cupboard, tsk, tsk (you know who you are).
So here it is. It probably doesn't show up nearly as lovely as it is in the flesh, but I have been experimenting with laser cut lino (block printing lino this is) - as I am casting from it into plaster, and then will be trying to make ceramic tiles and glass panels. Well, before I started casting with it, I decided to try some blind embossing (using a printing press and plate but no ink, so you just get the texture) of the laser cut lino.
This is the result - its not been photo-shopped in any way, the colouring is purely where the printing process has picked up the burnt lino.
I think its a lovely effect (I am quite pleased with the graphic too). I love printing anyway, whether it's block, or monoprint, or collagraph - I am supposed to be developing the casting side of the work (I am on a Crafts course after all!) but I would love to do further laser cut lino prints....
(http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee4/zeldazog/University/Dawn%20Turner%20Year%203%20Derby%20Uni%20Crafts/th_scan0005.jpg) (http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee4/zeldazog/University/Dawn%20Turner%20Year%203%20Derby%20Uni%20Crafts/scan0005.jpg)(click for larger pic)
Here's mine (rubbish picture, this was the best of an appalling photo session, I blame the weather)
(http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x317/Bluebottle_pics/PB240084.jpg)
They make great stocking fillers in boxes - these are coming to the Handmade show in Oxford at the weekend
(http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x317/Bluebottle_pics/PB240088.jpg)
Anybody else got any to show?
These were a thankyou gift, for a class
(http://off-mandrel.com/ImageBin/Bears.jpg)
Cool, no?
Sean
I have been experimenting with painting in wax and it is a fabulous medium for anyone thinking of trying it, the idea is to combine this with glass eventually, Pipyr on LE is amazing at these.
These are my experiments so far
Poppy Fields
(http://www.lesleymcfarland.com/17bead/Poppy%20field%20sm.jpg)
Graveyard
(http://www.lesleymcfarland.com/17bead/Encastic%20Graveyard%20sm.jpg)
Moon Garden
(http://www.lesleymcfarland.com/17bead/Moon%20garden%20sm.jpg)
Landscape with birds
(http://www.lesleymcfarland.com/17bead/Landscape%20with%20birds%20sm.jpg)
and some Abstracts
The Net
(http://www.lesleymcfarland.com/17bead/The%20net%20sm.jpg)
(http://www.lesleymcfarland.com/17bead/Abstract%202%20sm.jpg)
(http://www.lesleymcfarland.com/17bead/Abstract%20sm.jpg)
Oh and another landscape
Stormy weather
(http://www.lesleymcfarland.com/17bead/Stormy%20weather%20sm.jpg)
Sorry to hog.