May you live in interesting times ...

Well it’s been an interesting couple of weeks.  I didn’t think Christmas was going to have any effect at all on etsy sales. Then, three sales in a row with my vintage textile wrist cuffs proving to be the most popular item in the shop.  

Things have quietened down now – we’re past the date for posting to the USA safely in time for Christmas so it’s to be expected I guess.

Talking about wrist cuffs, they are an exercise in perseverance.  They take an enormous amount of time and energy (much much more than you can realistically charge for in the price) and you are never really sure if they are going to work until you are about ¾ of the way through.  I got a lovely convo from the buyer of one of my cuffs today to say how pleased she was with it.  It’s always nice to get positive feedback.   I know it sounds a bit schmaltzy, but etsy really is a great community to be part of.

I've been trying a few new textile techniques such as using heat to distress fabrics (see the holes in the chiffon) on the cuff below.  I have to say (even though I’m biased) that the finished piece is much nicer in real life than in the photo.

Lately, I’m finding it hard to make anything other than bangles, bracelets and cuffs.  They are a such a good vehicle for experimenting with different techniques and combinations of colours.

This stack combines painted metal, crochet and fabric.  I found my little yoyo maker when I was cleaning up and put it too good use (for some reason I can't rotate these pics so they are the right way up - sorry)

Not sure what I’m going to add to this stack – I was thinking maybe a leather bangle,  charms and other embellishments??

These are little polymer clay discs that I've painted to resemble enameled metal

It’s been busy on a non jewelry front too.  We’ve been relocating my mother-in-law.  Whilst we’ve been fortunate not to have done it all on the one day, the downside of ‘bit-at-a-time’ moving is that it drags out the process which is exhausting for everyone.    

Cricket season is taking its toll on my husband and son – both have pulled up with muscle aches and strains (see, I knew sport was bad for you)

Oh and I meant to say hi to my first commenter Anabela Joana on my last post.  It was very exciting to get something other than a 0 in comments report. 

Til next time ...