Showing posts with label jewellery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label jewellery. Show all posts

Wednesday, 4 May 2016

First Attempts at Jewellery Making

Recently I was lucky enough to bag myself a free bracelet kit from jewellerymaker.com because I had a code in my quilting magazine. After some initial trouble with getting the website to order [probably because of the influx of visitors] But after some persistence I managed to get it to work and within about two to three days I had this little belter waiting on my doorstep.


My kit came with a "Get Started" Dvd , Gemstones and Elastic in a little organza bag. I thought the little bag was a nice touch and makes it feel like a little gift for yourself [The DVD suggests that you can use the bag as a gift bag should you want to pass on your finished item to someone else]


Now I'll be honest , with JewelleryMaker being a shopping channel I thought it was all going to be a naff. I immediate assumption was that the "gemstones" would be cheap or even plastic! BUT much to my delight they are gemstones, they feel weighty and cold just like stones should!  


They come threaded on a plastic string which I'm guessing is so they don't all roll around and get lost. I was a bit gutted that the gems were yellow, as the picture in the magazine had been pink and purple. But it did say that colours may vary so its not too bad. Actually I received yellow and I have blonde hair and my sister got orange and her hair is red so now I'm pretty sure jewellerymaker are stalking us.

The DVD is pretty short and isn't just specific to this bracelet instead it covers making basic, bracelets, necklaces and earrings. As well as talking through some of the tools you need to make jewellery [luckily you don't need any of them for this bracelet]


And here's my first attempt, the kit came with enough beads and elastic for two bracelets. Its pretty simple really thread the beads on and tie a knot! Although saying that I had some real trouble with the knot! Seriously that little swine kept pinging open and their wasn't really much detail on the video other than "tie a knot". Luckily before I lost my mind I remembered that the DVD had already said that their were more free tutorials on their website and I found this which helped greatly. Turns out a bit of glue solved the problem in seconds!


For my second bracelet I wanted to do something different [and delve into my own little stash of beads, yes I don't make jewellery but I still have a bead stash] These beads came from Rome? possibly on another bracelet and kind of look like glass. whilst I'm not sure it quite works it was nice to try something different, and I guess knowing what looks good is something that comes with time,


Here they are together looking all cute and stuff.


This is me modelling them, which is harder than it looks.


They are both pretty tight but that's my fault not theirs and I guess measuring elastic is another skill that comes with time.


They look pretty cute layered together!


So what do I think? Have I caught the jewellery making bug?

Well lets put it this way, I spent the morning googling jewellery making kits. I think I liked that's its almost instant gratification with jewellery making rather than the long time it takes to sew something or the even longer time it takes to knit something.

So yes I think that time willing it might be something I carry on with! I'm already lusting after this , this and this. And I think they might be producing their own magazine soon which I'm sure will have me making doe eyes at Rikki!

Anyway I'm calling this a grand success! And possibly another craft found! And If you want to order from http://www.jewellerymaker.com/en-gb/ You can use this code-   CDBM86  For a cheeky £10.00 off! [not sure if there's a minimum spend!]

Much Love

Frankie

p.s Whilst I did receive this kit for free because of the code in my magazine it is not a sponsored post! Jewellerymaker.com have not asked me to do this, I just really liked the product and thought I'd share my thoughts! and code!





Wednesday, 20 April 2016

In God We Trust .... I hope this is legal!

In 2010 I went to New York with my college for a photography trip. From what I remember it was quite expensive but my parents were good enough to pay for me to go on the condition I worked on controlling my anxiety and panic attacks better.

And I'm happy to say I smashed it!

We were their for about 5/6 days and took in all the sights as well as soaking up the atmosphere, We went to the empire state building on valentines day, where I had the pleasure of watching an American couple break up [yeah on valentines day! what a bumface] we did ice skating at the rockerfeller centre and I did a power slide down one of the marble hallways of Trump towers!  


Yes I wore bright pink fluffy ear warmers, I'm not sure what was more fun receiving compliments from Americans or their delight to find that I was British!

"OMG do you know the Queen?"

"Yep me and Lizzie are home girls, BFFS, two peas in a quaint British pod"

Naturally I brought a lot of souvenirs but whereas my hoody, tshirt, novelty glasses and other bits of tat have all gone, the only things that remain are my New York booty shorts [ya know for when I'm feeling sassy] and this Quarter, which has been floating around my jewellery box for the past 6 years.


Until last night when I took the plunge and drilled a hole so I can wear it as a lucky talisman of how far I've come. And as a reminder that all bad things come to pass.

I drilled it using our little handheld drill and it took bloody ages, I put some sticky tape on the front but the drill still slipped so the eagle doesn't hang completely straight which is annoying but I'm not perfect so I don't see why this should be. the loop came from an old piece of jewellery and the chain did as well, the chains pretty short as well which I like and I'm enjoying wearing it layer up with other lucky talismans.

It did occur to me halfway through that damaging a countries currency might be a bit illegal, I'm pretty sure that damaging English money is like a personal diss on the queen or something?

So yeah there is a part of me that wondering if Donald Trump might be stood at my door at some point ranting and raving but I didn't do it as a disrespect of the american people just as a respect of myself, and my personal journey!

Anyway I definitely plan on going back to New York at some point In fact their has been discussion about doing some sort of american road trip with me Rikki and lil knitwit which could be cool!

Although we completely differ on where we want to go!!

Much Love

Frankie

xxx






Friday, 11 December 2015

Christmas gift Ideas

I love gift idea lifts so here's some of my personal favourite perfect for the stitcher in your life!

Sewing Book, Sewing Gifts, Notebook Journal, Handmade Journal, Custom Notebooks, Vintage Sewing, Inspirational Gifts, Gifts For Sewers, Book

sewing + stationary = heart eyes

£7.99

Fabric Addict market Bag, Canvas Cotton Tote, Quote shopping bag, gift for sewer reusable cotton Grocery Bag, Eco friendly fabric bag
what with the new 5p carrier bag charge every sewer should have a bag to carry their new fabric purchases in! 

 £11.99

Gold Sewing Machine Necklace - Seamstress Jewelry - Gift For Sewer - Birthstone Necklace

This sewing necklace is a personal favourite of mine! I wonder if they do one of these in silver becuase it would be a perfect personal touch for my wedding!

£17.65

Teacup Pincushion,Repurposed Teacup Pincushion,Teacup With Roses,Christmas Gift For Sewer,Sewing Room Decor

This is just too pretty to words! An adorable teacup pincushion

£10.20


the Mystery sewing box from offset warehouse is hands down one of the coolest things I've ever seen! and as a bonus its a surprise!! I'm actually really hoping I get one of these or that I get some Christmas spends because I'm so curious about what's in them! [and I promise if I do I'll post a lil review!!] 

£14.99

Sock Love Monkeys Craft Kit

sock love monkeys craft kit, because its monkeys and stuff!

£15.00


this book by sewing bee runner up Chinelo Bally has already had some great reviews which is why freehand fashion is one my wishlist!

£13.60

So Santa I've been a really good girl!!!

Frankie

xx