Disney, Displays and Damp

I love half term holidays!
It gives me a chance to catch my breath and catchup with friends, particularly my lovely Goddaughter who was able to visit with her mum & 3 siblings. This week also brought my first opportunity to sell some of my things at an Autumn Fair hosted by one of the churches I work for.

I love seeing Terri, T and the family, although fitting all 4 children into our small flat is always amusing, especially when they empty the Playmobil and Lego across the lounge floor. 4 days after their visit and I'm still standing on tiny plastic animals.

Thankfully we were able to get out for an hour and take a walk around the pond to feed the ducks.

But the best thing I can do to keep them entertained and quiet, so Terri & I can talk weddings, is to put on one of my Disney DVDs. I LOVE Disney.

Having recently been asked what I would like for Christmas and it being suggested that my friend adds to my Disney collection, I ended up listing the DVDs that I own and there were about 35 in total!
From the classics like Aladdin and Cinderella to some of Pixar's best like Up and Nemo and their fab live action, especially Narnia.
I did, however, discover that the disc for Hunchback of Notre Dame was missing and that I do not own The Lion King (shocking, I know!!!)

From my love of all things Disney I have recently been pondering how I could be inspired by their stories in what I make. So far I have made a couple of pieces based on Alice in Wonderland, and thinking about the charms I would  need for Cinderella. Would love to do something for Aladdin, but that would mean lots of lovely new charms (oh no, WHAT a shame!!!...)

Alice and Wonderland inspired Bag charm

'Red Queen' charm bracelet - SOLD!!!
Inspired by the court of the Queen from Alice in Wonderland

Yesterday (Saturday) I went to a small market at one of the churches I work for. Only 5 stands (bric-a-brac, hand made bags, franchise home business stationary bits, books, cakes and me), a tombola and a raffle. I only took earrings, bracelets, cards and boxes,as I only have 3 finished painted letters.

On Thursday I started to panic,  realising that I had nothing to display my jewellery on. My sister had given me her jewellery doll, but when I tried to hang something, the wire arms sadly drooped to one side and no amount of super glue could help.
I started to raid the flat, I went through the recycling, all my craft supplies and even my kitchen for ideas. With craft knife and glue I put all my childrens worker skills to the test and then went on a spree in 'Tiger' a shop I love in Basingstoke, and by Friday evening I had a wonderful display.

Bracelets in a small case w/
sticky hooks to hang examples

A whisky tube, covered in fabric

A card box w/ ribbon loops
& covered in pretty paper
mounted on another covered box

Seating plan from my sisters wedding.
frame made & hearts attached by Dad,
I tied the bows & bride printed lists.

I wanted something with different heights and colour. For my cards I had the frame my Dad made for my sisters wedding, this sat on a chair to give a back drop to the display.

The simplicity of glass bowls showed off
my cheapest items and allowed beautiful
display at a low level.

I dug out my jewllery doll (which didn't break) and placed the whisky tube on a pretty gift box to give it extra height.
A heart shaped jewellery display and the spotty case filled the middle space. And my impulse-buy Sainsbury's glass bowls created the lowest level.



I forgot what it was like to go to one of those insular community fairs/markets, everyone goes to the church or is related/lives near someone who goes to the church. Most people just came in, had a coffee & cake and purchased a strip of raffle tickets. Lots of people looked at my stand, many commented that I was 'such a clever girl' (in a patronising voice, as if shocked that someone in their twenties could master a pair of pliers), one commented that everything was out of her price range - meaning they were more than £1.

BUT I made 4 sales!!!! which I'm taking as a success as there were 50 people (and that's being optimistic) who visited in the 2 hours.

Also this week we have discovered that there is a leak in the flat (probably a pipe from upstairs) that runs from the corridor, around the door, both inside and out, through the bathroom and into the en-suite... (it sounds like a chase from an Enid Blyton book) All quiet dramatic really.

Our en-suite ceiling. eek... Does anyone have the number for the TARDIS?

A bit of a long post but a busy and fun week.
Back to work tomorrow but the next holiday is CHRISTMAS.... time to start making my Christmas bits. YAY!!!

p.s. I have almost finished my Christmas shopping, yes I am, one of THOSE annoying people, but what can I say I love Christmas just as much as I love Disney...x

103 days

Only 103 days until Christmas -eek!

I am planning to make most of the gifts this year, not only will it be good practice but it will also (hopefully) work out to a little less expensive.

I am also trying to sign up to 3 craft fairs during November & Christmas fairs connected with the church I work for in December - I therefore need to get a shake on and build up my supplies, and what i have available to to sell.

As well as my jewellery I would like to make & sell some seasonal bits, and when I saw these cute bead & ribbon trees on another blog I had to give them ago, along side my beaded angels  I hope people will be tempted to buy one.

 

I have also developed a new style of bracelet that I am calling 'Aurora' they feature two strands if wire; between the larger beads two smaller beads sit on their own strand adding dimension and interest. 

Here are 3 of my new bracelets

'Aurora - bright'

'Aurora - earth'

'Aurora - strawberries & cream'

In my previous post I told you about the bookmarks I ordered - here is my first attempt. Let me know what you think

Accidently on purpose

Having recently discovered a seller on ebay with lots of lovely charms - and finding out that to bid (and win) these charms work out very reasonable - often half the price, or less, if I were to buy them from elsewhere - I have found that I have spent a small fortune on charms, a mistake as I actually am in need of beads to be able to make more items.

However
I have purchased some beautiful bookmarks that I need to add beads & charms to make a lovely gift - watch this space for pictures.

Borrowing Another Life

This week I have been house sitting in a lovely house in the country. We (Ed & I) have been looking after a dog & 3 cats and it's been great! I forgot how much I missed having an animal to come home to.

being out in the country has insprired me to invest in more nature themed charms and after discovering an amazing seller on ebay, i might have gone a little OTT

This week I have had time and space to make some more charms, including a new bracelet and after the encouragement of Anneke, the owner of the house and another friend, in next couple of weeks I am hoping to put a few items on Etsy to see how they sell

Before that I have Holiday club at work to survive, which will be full of fun, craft and mess!

Getting snappy

I have finally found a space in the flat that I can use to get clear photos - one problem: its the balcony so finding time when it's not raining means that it will take a while to get the photos of most of my creations.

I did manage to get a couple today; here's a selection

Hand painted/decorated gift boxes

Small key charms
*Please note keys & ring nit included

Love themed double keys charms
*please note keys & ring not included

To see more images of my items please see my facebook page.

Until net time xx