Pretty corsages

These corsages are so easy to make. It's a good idea to use sturdy fabrics so the corsages keep their shape. I used a thick tartan print and some felted wool. I washed an old wool jumper at 60 degrees in the washing machine to felt it. The wool drops an awful lot of lint at that temperature so it's a good idea to put it in a pillow case that has a zip.

To cut out the circles for the corsages I drew round 3 different size glasses on to the fabric and then cut the circles out with pinking shears. Put three circles of differing sizes together and put a couple of stitches through the middle to secure it. Then pop a button on the front and stitch it on. Finally stitch a brooch pin on the back. You can also use these for hair pieces, or stitch them to bags etc.

Completed fused glass coasters

My first attempt at glass fusing with bullseye glass is now out of the kiln. I'm really please with the result. You can see in one of my earlier posts what they looked like before firing - quite a transformation.
Looking forward to finishing my next project - a beach scene picture.

My first Etsy listings

I've just opened a shop on Etsy and listed my first item! Very

exciting, you can view my shop here, the URL is http://www.etsy.com/shop/AmiLouofEssex

Here are the earrings i've listed. They're made from sterling silver earhooks and black freshwater pearls. The ones on the right have sparkley blue sandstone beads and the ones on the left have shiny black onyx beads.

More to be added to my shop soon!

Glass fusing

Last month I started an Essex County Council Adult Community Learning kiln glass fusing course at the Wilson Marriage Centre in Colchester.

So far it's been excellent. The theory and science behind the glass fusing is explained, but not at the expense of getting busy with the glass cutter - we were cutting glass and putting pieces in to the kiln in the first lesson.

Before fusing

You start off using greenhouse glass, which is cheap enough to practice on, but gives you a good idea of the tecniques you can try.

We're now moving on to coloured glass from Bullseye. Last week I put my first coloured piece in for fusing, but frustratingly it must have found a cool part of the kiln as it failed to melt sufficiently, so it hasn't reached total fusion, so it's gone back in to the kiln this week along with some other pieces.

Here's a photo of what the glass looks like BEFORE it goes in to the kiln. I'll update the blog with pictures of the finished pieces after next week's class. Now to find some inspiration for something more involved than coasters, as there are only so many coasters one person can use.

Kirstie Allsopp

Just seen 'Kirstie's Handmade Britain' advertised. Starts next Wednesday at 8pm. Can't wait!

Completed scarf

Further to my post of yesterday, here is my completed crocheted scarf....

Make a scarf in a weekend

I'm just in the process of finishing off this scarf (sewing up). I made it over the weekend, just devoting a few hours here and there. It's also really simple but very pretty. The pattern was taken from a great book called 'I love crochet' by Rachel Henderson ans Sarah Hazell.

It's a great book for beginners. I used it to teach myself how to crochet. The book suggests using Rowan Kidsilk Haze, a very fine yarn. I thought I'd go a bit more wintery with a heavier yarn. I used Drops Eskimo in Parti. For my yarn I used 3.5 x 50g balls. The Rowan Kidsilk Haze version uses 2 x 25g balls.

Here is the original pattern. I probably did deviate a bit once I got going. I also stopped after 3 rounds of the large circle as I used a thicker yarn.

Hook: 4.5mm (Kidsilk), I used 8mm for the Eskimo.

Tension:
Small circle - 7.5cm diameter
Large circle - 13cm diameter

Pattern:

Small circle (make 12)
Make 4ch, ss into first ch to form a ring.

Round 1: 3ch, 2tr into ring, 3ch [3tr into ring, 3ch] 4 times, ss into top of 3ch
Round 2: Ss into each 2tr, ss into ch sp, 3ch, 2tr into same sp as ss, 3 ch [3tr into next ch sp, 3ch] 4 times, ss into top 3ch. Fasten off.

Large circle (make 7)

Round 1: 3ch, 2tr into ring, 3ch [3tr into ring, 3ch] 4 times, ss into top of 3ch
Round 2: Ss into each of the 2tr, ss into ch sp, [3ch, 2tr, 3ch, 3tr, 3ch] all into same sp as ss, [3tr, 3ch] twice into each ch sp, ss into top of 3ch.
Round 3: Ss into each of 2tr, ss into ch sp, 3ch, 2tr into same as ss, 1ch [3tr, 1ch] twice in to next ch sp, [3tr, 1ch] twice into last ch sp, ss into top of 3ch.
Round 4: Ss into each of 2tr, ss into ch sp, 3ch, 2tr into same sp as ss, 1ch, [3tr, 1ch] into each ch sp, ss into top of 3ch. Fasten off.

Making up:

Sew a pair of small circles between each large circle (i'll post photos of what this should look like once I'm done). If you're feeling pretty sew on some sequins/seed beeds in the centre of each circle.

Earrings on ice

After my first attempt bracelets I thought I'd try making some earrings. After a few false starts with head pins that were too wide for my beads, I managed to produce these from sterling silver ear hooks, freshwater pearls and turquoise/blue sandstone/black onyx beads.

I'd like to get to one of the Christmas markets this year, but I think I ought to test the market on a smaller scale first. The earrings are currently on ice though as I'm still waiting for some further beads (cute silver flower connectors) and the earring cards to display them. You can get some great jewellery making supplies on ebay from the middle east, but it can be a long, frustrating wait for the goodies to drop through my letter box! Here's a sample of what I've made so far.

Jewellery making - a first attempt!

A few months ago I decided to have an attempt at jewellery making. After some time scouring ebay for unusual beads I came across these cute polymer clay beads. I added some glass crackle beads and a lovely little heart clasp and here they are. I think the colours are a bit bright so they're maybe a bit too young looking for an adult audience.

My favourite craft book ever

If you're ever looking for some inspiration, Martha Stewart's 'Encyclopedia of Crafts' is a must buy. It's alphabetically arranged in to crafting themes and some of the more unusual ones include etching glass, marbleizing (much harder than it seemed at school) and tin punching.

So inspired was I that I set to work on a wreath last Christmas. I was pretty happy with the result, but it took a long time so make sure you start early!

My first (adult) project

Christmas 2009 was when I decided to turn my 90's childhood love of Art Attack in to an adult hobby. I eagerly added a sewing machine to my Christmas list and fortunately my Mum was kind enough to oblige. I hadn't sewn a thing since textiles at school, so I started with the very humble cushion. But for a first attempt it wasn't bad, so I went one further and had a stab at a book bag too. Not quite Cath Kidston, but a step in the right direction I'd say.

                                                              

                                                                                  

So here it is...

So here is my very sparse looking blog! I've always loved my crafts and I've finally managed to devote a bit more time to it lately. It's given me really itchy feet about doing it full time - wouldn't it be great to do it as the day job, I guess that's any crafter's ultimate dream. I recently visited Cornwall and Devon for the first time and there are gorgeous little artisan shops everywhere. It's a big step and a big risk, so the theory is I'll continue to spend more time making all things lovely and see what happens!