My little neighbours

I've started my blog quite recently and I did it mainly for the reason to invite people to show my crafts, find out other craft blogs, new ideas and possibly new friends. Doing crafts means a lot to me as I've spent years working at the office which left me no time for hobbies. So now I'm enjoying every minute I can spend with my crochet hook and wonderful cotton thread. 

Pets are my other passion. At the moment I have 2 favourites - Staffordshire Bull Terrier Missy and little budgy Billy. They are not mine :(

Missy is a lovely girl, full of energy and everyday things to do. She is busy all day but always gets some time for having a little stroke and poking her little black nose through the fence.

And Missy likes to make a mess.

Her little white patch on the neck is adorable.

While his mummy is away I'm taking care of Billy the budgy. He is a cheeky boy, pretty boy and a good boy. At least he thinks so and likes to inform everybody about it. Since his previous stay with us he learned some new phrases: Billy, what's up? and something else but I can't grasp it. He is also very curious as likes sitting on my shoulder and watch me when I am doing crafts or just chewing my earrings.

Feather earrings

Feathers are very popular in crafts. In any craft store you can find packets of different types of feathers - marabou, duck, goose, peacock. I like all of them as they are all different and bring their own attractiveness to the craft project.
Recently I've started making earrings from feathers. Pheasant feathers seem to be less popular than colourful  peacock or fluffy marabou. But it all depends on your creativity and the additional materials you are using in your project.

My pheasant feathers earrings are embellished with beads.

I have to say if you start something new it's getting quite addictive. So after pheasant feathers I'm going to open my packets with marabou and peacock feathers.

Have you heard about Leeds Kirkgate Market?

Leeds Kirkgate Market is a market in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, UK. With over 600 stalls this is Europe's largest covered market. It attracts around 250,000 visitors every week.

It first opened in 1822.

It was a founding location of Marks & Spencer. Michael Marks opened his "Penny Bazaar" in the open air market here in 1884.

Since then the market has been refurbished and here is how it looks like nowadays.

Since last year it has been hosting 'How Bizaar', a big market stall, providing an opportunity for starters of new businesses to display and sell their products. Starting a new business can be risky but now having an opportunity to test demand and get market feedback before fully launching their product, service and idea, is less stressful.

'How Bizaar' provides a low risk trading opportunity for a wide range of businesses e.g. arts, crafts, clothing, food, electrical goods, toys.

You ask me why I'm giving you all this information? Because since April my crochet embellishments and jewellery are displayed in Leeds Kirkgate Market! I'm having my own display space. It's quite big but it's never enough when you start arranging it. Since it's YOUR space you can do there what you want.

This week my space is arranged this way.

I have wonderful neighbours who are displaying and selling their gorgeous products - handmade cards, clothing, bags, unusual jewellery, items of home decor. They all are of high quality and are very popular among visitors of the stall.

So please do come in to check our handmade products!

Playing with felt

I'm still trying something new. This time new type of flowers using dry felting technique. I used the same dyed in beautiful colours wool fleece as I used for my wet felt flowers. What I like in felting is that you are in total control of what you are doing and actually nothing can go wrong. The only thing is barbed needle that is used to make a dry felt. Having small experience you better be careful while punching the fleece otherwise you will stab your fingers. Yes, it hurts :(

So first I made a flower.

It is quite nice on its own and can be used as a brooch pin or a corsage flower. But I decided to use mixed media - crochet balls, rings, wooden beads - and make a necklace.

So here it is!

Show off your accessories

Summer is knocking at the door. It's time to show off your accessories. Cell phone accessories shouldn't be hidden.

These elegant crochet cell phone drawstring bags are made from cotton thread with lurex and designed to protect your phone.

They will comfortably accommodate tiny digital cameras, cell phones, iphones small to medium sized especially ones in diamond shape.

 

 

I love pansies!

These little flowers are adorable. I like to crochet them and use in my crafts.

Felt Flowers

I like rambling around book shops especially in craft sections. They offer such a good variety of books in all sorts of crafts which are very handy for craft lovers. Even if you are not interested in any craft still you can't just pass these shelves without stopping by. Bright covers appeal to you!

I love crocheting, knitting, enjoy beading and I'm always eager to try something new. First I've seen the books on feltmaking I had a feeling this craft was so mysterious - how was it possible to make such beautiful pieces of clothing, jewelry and accessories just using sheep's wool? Since then I've read a lot about this wonderful art. It's still mysterious for me but at least I tried to make some woolie things myself. Well, to make a ball from wool tops is quite fun and it has a therapeutic effect on your body when you are rolling the ball between your palms. But lately I've decided (at last!) to have a go and make a flower. So I made a flower, even three! Here they are. Well, it's just my first attempt so please don't be too harsh.

Crochet Jewelry Video

Just uploaded my new video with my latest creations - crochet jewelry - necklaces, chokers and brooches. I've spent quite a while to find the music for this video and my choice is Waltz of Flowers from the Nutcracker. Perhaps this was the best-loved work of a genious Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. In Western countries the ballet has become popular and performed mostly during Christmas season. The music is so light and tender but at the same time vibrant and emotional. I hope my floral crochet designs do not spoil the impression of this masterpiece.



Want to see more? Just click on the photos below

Crochet Floral Necklaces

Recently I've started a new line in my crochet jewelry based on usage of Irish crochet elements - flowers and leaves.

Irish crochet technique originated in Ireland in the middle of 19th century during the great potato famine when women had to find additional ways to support their families. With distinctive needlework traditions they created real masterpieces with complicated motifs and patterns. Quite often one piece was created by more than one person.

My crochet necklaces and chokers are crocheted from mercerized cotton thread in a variety of colors and shades. Each necklace is one of a kind and is made either in one predominant color/shade or a combination of colors for adding more brightness and life.

They seem to be quite popular in my etsy shop. Just pop in to have a look.

Meaning of Green

According to Wikipedia the word green

is closely related to the Old English verb growan, “to grow”. It is used to describe plants or the ocean. Sometimes it can also describe someone who is inexperienced, jealous, or sick.

Culturally, green has broad and sometimes contradictory meanings. In some cultures, green symbolizes hope and growth, while in others, it is associated with death, sickness, envy, or the devil. The most common associations, however, are found in its ties to nature. Green is also associated with regeneration, fertility and rebirth for its connections to nature.

My Green treasury is definitely inspired by the Nature and appeared due to amazing craftsmanship of etsy artists.

 

First row (from the top):

1. Green Forest Necklace by Daimblond

2. Two Little Birds by Enchantedpond

3. Scented Mini Tree by Kaleda

4. Deep Blue Sea - Peyote Stitched Beaded Cuff Bracelet by Mysticfibers

Second row:

1. 12 Crocheted Green Cotton Leaves by Flowersbyirene

2. Sky Cubes Earrings by TonyaUtkina

3. Knit Victorian Cape Cowl Scarf Shawl Wrap Stole apple lime green with yellow flowers by Allmadewithlove

4. Fully Reversible Modern Everyday Canvas Tote Handbag by Thebagshop

Third row:

1. Photo Print - FRIENDLY NEIGHBOURHOOD by Yuliyaart

2. Lampwork Beads Set by Britanika

3. Sweater Dress in Bio Linen by Mirthquakeclothing

3. Bella brass verdigris earrings in brass by Fleurfatale

Fourth row:

1. Purity by VaidaP

2. Felted Necklace by Galafilc

3. Pomme de pin by Anasousa

4. Pillow Case Starling by Mirthquake