A peg & a pouch..

My bench is finally completed! peg and pouch in place and its perfect! what a special day this is!

Michelle Lowe - Holder flocked jewellery

I would love to learn how to Flock! I know the fashion has been around for quite a while now but I find Im still drawn to the texture and colour spread of flocking - just look at these wonderful pieces by Michelle Lowe - Holder, an accessories designer that uses second hand ewellery items for her range of flocked jewels. She trawls the charity shops to find unique pieces that with a bit of electrostatic care are turned into deliciously colourd and fantastically modern,brand new pieces of jewellery! Check out her blog where you can find out more and see her newest range of folded and pleated accessories using sustainable materials - really inspiring!

Flocking is so at the top of my to try List!

Magic Garden Photography Series

Here is the first photo to start my new Magic Garden Album, where I will be posting pics with the theme of an enchanted garden, all through the seasons- Looking forward to building up a lovely collection!

Vintage treasure hunting for new preloved range

Here is one of the pieces of vintage costume jewellery that I plan to clean, refurbish, polish, re-string and whatever else may be necessary to take them back to their former glory.

There is something very special about old things, and finding items that I can breath new life into and hopefully find new homes for is something I definitely look forward to doing.

In the mean time my first addition is plated base- metal, bib style neck piece set with circular stamped "medallions" and facet cut black glass discs.Salvaged from a car boot sale, it really is a stunning find and I look forward to doing something lovely with it.

Black and white pics Im afraid as I had to take these with my iphone and these are the best I could do to show off the detail.

Have Just set up my new signiture with the help of Yoboy the blogger addict from southernspeakers.net

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

The fruits of yesterday's labour

I took some pics this morning of the ink drawings I did yesterday, once again I am loving the cobalt blue, need to get on to some watercolouring efforts..
These doodles are the result of my explorations of the Portuguese "azulejo" these blue and white tiles are a typical aspect of Portuguese culture and have been produced without interuption for five centuries, they were applied to walls, floors and even ceilings and covered everything from houses and palaces to churches.
The area I am most interested in is "Aves e Ramagens" - Birds and Branches, a style that became popular between 1650 and 1680. These designs were influenced by the representations on printed textiles imported from India that depicted Hindu symbols, flowers, animals and birds.
At this time the trend for the Dutch blue and white Delft style was also introduced to Portugal, this trend became so popular it never left and rooted itself so deeply in the way the Portuguese azuleijo was made and designed.
More on this to follow I am sure but for now..... my doodles.

Putting pencil & ink to paper

Today I went out and bought myself a new sketch book journal and some new art supplies ( all my old goodies are still packed up back home in S.A). Armed with watercolour pencils, indigo ink, black roller ball pens and the hope of reanimating me lack luster creativity I set to work.
Some sketches of a few intriguing owls  developed - not sure what direction that is going in but best not to discourage my first attempts.....
and worked on some indigo blue doodles - loving the cobalt blue, its so fresh and clean when set against white.
Pics to follow.... will take some in the morning light.
In the mean time I have lots to do on this quest of revitalizing my old self, a list as long as my arm!