MOO cards

I found out the other day that MOO offers free sample packs where you can get 10 cards with your own designs. Hehehee! Of course, I had to make a batch to see. As each card can have a different image, I thought my samples would make the perfect little portfolio that I can carry around and show people when they ask me, 'So what sort of jewellery do you make?'

They arrived last Friday (4 days from order) and are soooo pretty =D

A completely free pack comes with a MOO logo band on the image side but you can choose for them to be logo-free for a small fee. As the shipping is also included in this offer, I felt it was a fair deal. Very happy with the result ~♥~

Making raindrops

Here's a peak at how I make the raindrop pendants. First I stick a paper backing to the fabric snippets, then I choose by eye the parts of the pattern I want to use and cut out the shapes.

Then I seal the metal parts with Mod Podge to help prevent chemical reactions with the glue which can discolour everything. This bit I tend to do in advance as you can just leave it to dry and cure. It also means I have batches of them ready to use whenever I need.

Next I set in the fabric pieces and the clear glass cabochon over them with clear drying Diamond Glaze. You can do both at the same time or you can set in the fabric, let it dry and then set the glass over it. I usually set both in at the same time because I'm impatient.

But this is the slightly tricky part because you need to make sure all the air bubbles are squeezed out from under the glass, otherwise any left can ruin the clear image. As the glaze will take a while to dry, you will need to periodically keep squeezing until it has dried with no bubbles left behind.

Tip: be careful with the amount of glue! If you put in too much, it'll just spill over the sides when you squeeze and make things messy. It can be wiped off when still moist or scraped off when dry though so don't worry if it does.

The raindrop necklaces and all the others in the glass series are available in my Etsy shop ~*~

More adventures underground

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass are two of my favourite books. I love the nonsensical whimsy of the stories, love Tenniel's illustrations and the whole nostalgia for childhood that it represents. It also has so many icons associated with it that it's wonderfully easy to evoke: rabbits, teacups, hats, pocket watches, cards, hearts, mushrooms...

I've made several versions of this Painting the Roses keyring, each with slightly different charms. I like this version the best, I think it's the brass White Rabbit based directly off the original drawing that seals it for me.

Sold out ~*~

Bunny Wishes in Pink

You know when you buy a present for someone else and like it so much that you end up keeping it? It happens when I make jewellery too. Sometimes I like what I've made so much I want to keep it for myself. This bunny necklace is one of them! All four of the blue version that I first made have been bought; I think I will keep one of the pink ones.

Sold out ~*~

Raindrops

I've been looking forward to posting about these new necklace designs. Cute vintage fabric cuts displayed on raindrop shaped pendants covered with clear glass cabochons! They're really fun to make too which is an added bonus =)

Available in my Etsy and Folksy shops ~*~

Beads from Murano, the Venetian glass island

I'm in love with my latest purchase of Murano gold foil glass beads, they are so incredibly beautiful. This island in Venice has been making glass for centuries and I really like that sense of heritage, it makes the beads that little bit extra special.

I've kept the designs simple to show off the beads.

Viola, necklace with a light purple gold foil glass cube (Sold)

And Tranquil, earrings with light blue 'opalino aqua' and gold foil glass globes

In my Etsy shop ~*~

Tiny Portrait

New necklace with a tiny portrait cameo charm on a sterling silver frame setting. I wanted to give it a romantic, Victorian feel.

Sold ~*~

Custom Butterfly

A while ago I received an unusual custom order - 40 string loop Chinese knotted butterflies. It was difficult at first as the cotton string is quite flimsy, but once I got into the swing of things, the weaving was quite meditative.

It was rather fun =D

Lace, ribbons, pins and brooches

I've been researching ribbon craft and fabric flowers in my plan to expand my shop inventory. Tested out a few techniques and a new glue to come up with a couple of pretty brooches.

I also had a bit of fun taking pictures of them attached to various objects. =D

Here's 'Olivia', with an orange peony flower cameo centre surrounded by pink and white.

And here's 'Marianne' going for a slightly gothic lolita edge with the darker lace and portrait cameo.

Both on my Etsy and Folksy stores ~*~

Hoops and stars

I love the designs that can be made using these hammered rings, the beads and charms get to twirl inside...

Clover [sold]

Star Catcher [sold]

A cluster of wishes [sold]

Yes, indulging in my love of stars too. ^^

A little romance

I'd been eyeing these cute brass bows for ages to use with my stash of baroque freshwater pearls. The designs turned out even better than I imagined. Makes me think of spring garden parties and Jane Austen romance.

The earrings

And the necklace

Both in my Etsy and Luulla shops

Light Pink

Think sweet candy floss, strawberry ice cream and pastel coloured cupcake icing.

Cherish, a new ring with a gorgeous filigree heart and pretty pink rose quartz

In my Etsy shop.

Caramel & Honey

Sometimes I will take a photo that makes me surprise myself, where I think "That's actually good!"

Very fond of this new bracelet, Caramel. The Czech glass is so pretty.

On both Etsy and Luulla ~*~

Hatchling

Made a new set of porcelain owl charms. I had to be inventive and fix their eyes a little as they arrived rather non-uniform.

Sold out ~*~

Tea & Cake

There must be an infinite number of ways I can incorporate adorable porcelain miniature tea sets into key rings and charms. ^^

Also tested out the glue and glaze I bought (for attaching glass cabochons) on a brass pendant with a hand drawn cupcake image, and made use of a sterling silver cup and saucer charm I had sitting in my supplies.

Sold ~*~

Down the Rabbit Hole

Join the tea party! Handmade Mad Hatter keyring charm. I love the cute porcelain sugar bowl. I've always liked miniature doll's house things. Cleaned and polished the Mad Hatter pendant; finally able to use it in something.

Sold.

Lady. Princess. Queen

New necklace made over the weekend. Twirly gold lines, pearls and jewel green. Makes me think of medieval princesses in long flowing gowns with billowing sleeves.

Isabella.

Sold out ~*~

A walk in the forest

On a walk through the woods, you come to a glade. The sun is setting and the low light filters through the treetops. There's a still lake up ahead. The only sound you hear is that of the dusk chorus.

Imagine the colour of the light filtered through the leaves overhead...

New handmade bracelet, Forest Magic.

In both my Etsy and Luulla shops ~*~

Outside the snow is falling

It is starting to get really cold. I'd love to have a white Christmas.

Got a few blank ring charm holders a while back because I wanted to make my own cute charm rings. Here's My Star!

Finally got to use some of my mum's button freshwater pearls. These baby are older than me! She got them when she was into jewellery making in Hong Kong.

Sparkle sparkle

It gets dark around 5pm now, really quite depressing.

Meanwhile, two new listings:

A freshwater pearl and sterling silver necklace called Selene, after the moon goddess. I will always be inspired by Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon, because I grew up watching it and it is such a beautiful story.

And some Stardust earrings, with sterling silver long curved ear hooks and pastel Swarovski crystals.

Both on Etsy and Folksy ~*~