Earrings, earrings.

I think the title says it all.  I have been making lots and lots of earrings.  They are all listed in my etsy shop .

I have had great fun looking at colours and beads. Let me share with you what I have made.

I will be making lots more but if you want something similar in a different colour then just let me know.

New Earrings - Now in Stock and More Coming Soon

Here are some new earrings which are the first in a new range of earrings which I have been working on.  They are a variation on my handmade dorset buttons - using some of the same techniques but appealing to those who like the idea but do not want buttons (why not? You should as my buttons are lovely!).

Pink with Turquoise Glass Beads Fibre Earrings

Blue and gold sequins Fibre Earrings

They are available now in my etsy shop - click here.

If you love colour and colour combinations and want me to make you a pair of earrings to your colour choice then just let me know.

New in Stock - My Dorset Button Making Kit

Woo hoo!  I am rather excited as I have finally put together a kit.  I have written and printed an instruction booklet and together with 6 brass rings and thread, it is now part a kit for sale in my etsy shop. 

The first one is purple but I will be listing more colours.  If you want me to make up a colour one for you then just let me know through my etsy shop or email me at bigbluebed@live.com.

I will be listing on folksy very soon.

Les Miserables' Costumes and 'I Recognise those buttons!'.

 Les Miserables is one of my favourite musicals and I was so excited when I heard that part of it was being filmed in Portsmouth. Unfortunately I did not fit the type of extra they required - I was not a man.

They required lots of men for the convict scene near the beginning of the film, and this was filmed in the dry dock at the dockyard in Portsmouth.

Because of this connection, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard was given the wonderful opportunity to show some of the costumes from the film, and my sister, daughter and I went along (on one of the coldest days this year).

The entrance to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

 It was good to be able to see the costumes close up, only a few were behind glass.  I do admire the work of costume designers and makers. And on that subject I have to tell you that I was very lucky to be asked to make some of my dorset buttons for a costume.  This was over a year ago, and I was very excited and did scream a bit. However, I put on my professional hat and got on with the job as skilfully, and quickly as I could.  You will see which costume later.

Here are some of the costumes:

I think this is Gavroche's costume.  The waistcoat looks shiny but it was not. It was more of a hand blocked cotton print.

Eponine

 

Cosette

Cosette

As for the buttons I made...they were used on one of Anne Hathaway's  (as Fantine ) dresses. This is the one,  it is lilac. My buttons were used on the back.

Fantine

 I really must apologise for the poorness of the photographs that I took of my buttons. It was a very poorly lit area (no flash allowed) and I was using someone else's camera and I am obviously rubbish at this type of photography.

Here are my buttons.

This is another dress using my buttons on the back.  It is the same dress but distressed a bit more.

It was lovely to see all the costumes and the work that went into them.  The exhibition closes next week so hurry if you want to catch it.

Pigs Galore

I thought it was about time I had a photo of my pigs all together.

So here they are:

You can buy my tiny pigs from my etsy shop and my folksy shop.

 And this next one is of the pigs with a new friend.

 And I will tell you more about him in my next post.

Playing with Colour & Texture

Here is a custom order I have just finished.  The customer wanted these colours and some texture so I had a lot of fun playing around with different stitches.

There are four colours but they have not come up very well in this photo (which is the best of the twenty I took!).

It has inspired me to use these stitches more in my buttons sets.

If you too want your own buttons, then just let me know either using this listing on etsy or email me at bigbluebed@live.com.  I can do just one button or many.

Making Daisies and Teeny Buttons

I have been busy making lots of orders, especially in my most popular design which is
Daisy

I took a little time out to use the tiniest 'o' ring that I have to make a really tiny button. You can see it here, it is the pink and white one, in comparison with the other size buttons I make.



Fiddly, but fun.  Using spring colours, at this time of year does help lift the spirit.

Beautiful Roses

Look at these lovely roses! Aren't they beautiful.  You can see more about them over here on Sarang-Craft's Blog.

I mention them not only because they are so lovely, and what a great idea it is to use them at a wedding, but also because they were made using my tutorial.  Thank you Abby for letting me share your lovely flowers.

Nicky Epstein - Knitting in Circles

I am delighted to be taking part in the Knitting in Circles Blog Tour. Do pop over to the other listed blogs (see my blog post here ) and read their Tour  blog posts. 

Knitting in Circles, is written by the knitwear designer Nicky Epstein, who also write Knitting Block by Block among others. Nicky lives in New York, but has recently crossed the Atlantic to visit the UK.

The patterns of garments and accessories in Knitting in Circles  are lovely and there is a great range from pieces you can knit with just one circle to the amazing many-disced Circle Sampler Afghan. I love the Hoopla Bag and Eternity dress is so beautiful. 

The beauty of Knitting in Circles is that the vast majority is the circles themselves - all arranged gloriously by pattern and type. Nicky takes you from the basic circle shaping to lacing, and on to ruffles, and petals and much more. Thereby giving you a reference book that will allow your circular creativity to escalate in a circumrotatory fashion.  Think of all the wonderful things you can create. 



Nicky was kind enough to answer some questions (asked by my wonderful readers) :-


One problem that faces a lot of small business is copyright issues.  Have you had any problems with people copying your work and do you have any specific thought about it?

I deal with it on a daily basis, and it makes me feel very sad that someone has to copy my work. The idea of asking permission and given book credit has been lost along the way. Recently a person won a design contest with a prestigious craft company with an exact copy of design of mine that had been published years ago. A few fans of mine recognized contacted the craft company and it was awkward for them. But as they say on the New York subway “If you see something…say something”. Thankfully, publishers are becoming more vigilant and cracking down on the offenders.

How do you start your designs and what inspires you?  Do you start with the yarn, or a particular stitch you fancy using, or do you sketch?

I get my inspiration from everywhere and everything, depending on my mood, and I like to start with a sketch so that I remember the inspiration. But, I am often inspired by a great yarn or a unusual stitch pattern. The process varies from project to project.

Do you ever look at something you have knitted, and wonder how you did it?

Yes! Overwork sometimes dulls my memory and it’s frustrating. But that’s when I consult my own books. After all I’m very close to the person that wrote them.

How many people try out your patterns for you before they are published?

Me, my knitters, my instruction writer for format, my proof readers, and the publisher’s proof readers. My husband would be on the list if he could knit!

Do you find any differences in designing for particular markets, for instance the UK and the U.S.A?

Not really…I try to design for everyone regardless of culture. Even though I know a certain piece might not be made by everyone, I want people to say “Wow!” or “How did she do that!”

Thank you Nicky for your great answers which will be pertinent to crafters everywhere.

Nicky will be appearing on QVC tomorrow October 10th,  and then will be on the GMC stand at the Knitting & Stitching Show from the 11th - 14th to sign copies of Knitting in Circles and run Make & Takes.

If you cannot make it you can always visit her website at www.nickyepstein.com. 

Tomorrow's Blog Tour stop will be at by ConnieLene Johnston at http://www.connielene.com/category/connieleneknits-blog/

Knitting in Circles can be purchased from http://www.thegmcgroup.com/.

But for you lucky readers, I am giving away a copy of Knitting in Circles. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post. The winning number, which will be randomly COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED

Blueberry and Spider

I made a couple of hair snaps today.  The first was this pair of Blueberry and White. Such a lovely fresh combination.

The next hair snap was this Halloween inspired Spider on a Pumpkin.  Last year I made a smaller version for the bobby pins that I also have in stock.  But I thought it would work better on a larger button.  I added a pair of red eyes too.

Both are available now in my etsy shop. 

New Headbands

I have just listed some of the head bands.  Each one is individually cut and sewn by me.

Here is a quick view of them.

Yes, my model is a very cheeky girl. Also quite patient while her mamma takes shot after shot.

The last headband is available in two colourways so far. I haven't listed it tonight but will do tomorrow.

All available from my etsy shop.