Honing My Craft

What an interesting word 'Honing' is.  Is sounds odd as it rolls on your tongue.

'Hone' means 'sharpen on a whetstone' - so it means giving a sharp edge to a tool.   My tool, I suppose, is my needle and my fingers. And if I 'give them a fine edge' it means I am making my skills better and better.

I was looking at my flickr page, this morning. I have a set 'Dorset buttons' and there right at the bottom is one of the first buttons I ever made.  Here it is:

It is off-centre and the stitches are wonky.  Compare it with these which are the same size, more or less:

and these which are much smaller:

I am getting better. I am honing my skills, sharpening the old metaphorical tool on the old metaphorical whetstone.

It is good to look back and then look forward.

Beautiful hats.

This lovely, lovely hat is made by Moaning Minnie at etsy.

There are some delectable hats in her shop and I am a very happy owner of one myself.

The reason I draw your attention to this sumptuous sun hat is because it is a result of a collaboration between us. Minnie made the lovely hat, I made the blue flower. I really think that the whole style and the choice of fabric in the hat brings out the best in the flower.

I love it.

So go and have a close look here and also spend a while browsing through the shop here.

It is Spring and Purple Flowers are Growing

Well the sun may think it is Spring but the cold wind doesn't.

But I have been working on some more flower hair clips. I bought some sumptuous purple fabric. And started with these flowers.

Then I was thinking - roses. And they of course have lots of petals. I love old roses and spent a while thinking about it and then in the end just got out my trusty scissors and cut some petals of different sizes. A few beads and this is the result.

This one is a present for a work friend. But I will be making some for my shop soon. If you want one of you own in the meantime then do contact me as I love making it so much I will be happy to make some more.

AMI Designs - Handmade Jewellery

I would like to introduce to you AMI Designs who designs and makes the most luscious jewellery.

Look at this gorgeous Montana Blue and Silver Pearl Necklace. It is so beautiful.

Matching bracelet and earrings are available:

And in her Bubbles Bracelet range, is this lovely Blueberry bracelet.

And as it is nearly 'that time of year' look at this lovely festive decoration. This Red and Gold Christmas Bauble is just perfect for your tree.

Check out AMI's etsy store as there will be lots there to delight you.

More Promotion and handing on the baton

I have some more details of the promotion that my fellow etsy UKers have been doing for me.

Treasuries:

'Peppermint' by Creamrose:
' A Few of my faves' by Coloursandtextures:

'Batwing, Maple Squirrel and Stud' by ARE Jewellery:

Mentions in Blogs:

'Am I blue?' by MissMaisy's Chatter:

(I have included a photo as I was her featured seller too).

'Dorset Buttons' by Boutonniere
'Mondays Featured Seller' by AMIDesigns
'Hair Clips' by Parsy Art and Cake

AND PASSING ON THE BATON...

I am passing on the sparkly beaded, knit covered fabric sewn button to the next person who is

AMI DESIGNS

so please check out her gorgeous jewellery in her etsy shop.