Thursday failure aagghh!

I can only say sorry for the lack of posts of Thursday. My excuse is that I was out with friends viewing the new Harry Potter film, and it was brilliant. I have been a closet Potter lover ever since I was handed the Philosophers Stone by my Mum, to wean me away from the famous five and other Enid Blyton delights. I do admit to being disappointed when there are differences in the films from the books, but they are still fab!

So here is a delayed Thursday challenge post......Fifi Loves. Fi is a graduate from the NCAD in Dublin and now works at Glasstorm in Tain. She creates unique and fun fused glass jewellery, capturing pictures between two layers of glass, or using traditional fusing techniques, with a twist!

Fi is available to take commissions for the centre of the pieces, making them a gorgeous, personal gift, for friends, or simply yourself. I have already commissioned two pieces myself! Her work ranges from necklaces to cufflinks, suitable for male and female.

Fi's work is available at Glasstorm Contemporary Gallery in Tain, and at http://fifiloves.bttradespace.com

Christmas disappointment

A few days ago I experienced such a great amount of disappointment. As many of my friends have also admitted to, we gauge when it is ok to accept the Christmas bug, on the viewing of the Coca-cola advert. You know, the one with the line of trucks all lit up with that jolly Father Christmas on the side. For years it has been a good gauge, it seemed strong enough not to bow to pressure and start earlier and earlier each year. So, I was devastated to see it last week. It's not that I don't like Christmas, I love it, the tree, the cake, and the music. However, I do feel that if the whole world left it well alone until December, then I wouldn't be that little bit bored of it come the actual day! And, it seems that now the advert gauge cannot be used I need to find a new one. Any ideas anyone??

Now I can admit to posting a festive themed post on this very blog already. But, as a crafter you find yourself preparing months in advance, and the onslaught of Christmas fairs inevitable. However, I am going to resist in adding the Christmas decorations to my Folksy shop until December. I am also working on an array of vintage stamp themed pressies, so keep a look out this weekend.

Thursday Challenge - Irisue yarn crafts

Today I share with you, Irisue Yarn Crafts. A mother and daughter duo who knit and felt by hand beautiful bags and woolen vases.

Here are two examples of the gorgeous vases or bowls. They are hand knitted and then felted in a hand turned washing machine, imagine the arm ache!!! The colours vary from bowl to bowl depending on the yarn used. You can find a bowl to suit every room in your house, I did. They just make you want to pick them up and hold them, as I did for most of the day.

The bags are made using the same method, hand knit and then felted. No two bags are the same, finished of with different fastenings. The bags are all lined internally and are incredibly strong due to the felting process.

There was also a jolly array of hats on sale, all hand knitted again with different fairisle patterns. They are incredibly warm, tested out while walking the dogs on a wintery day this week.

They will be at Eden court Christmas fair on the 3rd-5th December to stock up on some unique christmas presents.

Thursday challenge - Crooked Crafts

This week I am going to introduce you to Crooked Crafts. A Father and Son duo, based in the Highlands of Scotland. They make and sell bird boxes from found or recycled materials, and because they are made from re-used timber no two are the same!

The style and varieties are simply gorgeous, taking the humble bird box to fantastic new levels. Wiggly roofs, heart shaped boxes and the new sail house box would look fabulous inside and out of your home.

I am particularly in love with the blue heart shaped box pictured above!

They have also created a box suitable for the discerning golfer, a recycled club becoming a comfy perch for the birds.

Smaller wooden items such as these lovely coasters are also available, alongside hand turned mushrooms and jewelery.

You can visit their website at www.crookedcrafts.co.uk or see them at various fairs in the Highlands.

Fabulous weekend

I have had a lovely weekend at Strathpeffer on my stall. Unfortunately no major sales, a few decorations went though. So i'm looking at the positives of meeting lots of lovely people. These events are brilliant opportunities to meet fellow crafts people and artists, and there were plenty to meet. I have picked up plenty of business cards and website addresses which will all be going onto the blog soon. I have also begun some christmas browsing, there were so many things I liked that it was hard to find things I would want to give away! I resisted parting with my cash, only to save the moment for the fairs at Eden court in Inverness, coming up soon.

Here are some piccies of my stall from this weekend.

I have decided to set myself a challenge, a new post about a different crafts person, photographer or artist a week. My chosen day is going to be Thursday, starting tomorrow, so watch this space......

Strathpeffer fair

On Saturday and Sunday I will be holding a stall at Strathpeffer food and art fair. There will be lots of stalls showing off wonderful handmade jewellery and crafts. I'm looking forward to meeting some new, lovely people and gaining some contacts for the future. I must try not to spend more than I earn. Hope to see you there if you are in the area.

On my stall I will have all my original artwork for sale, and my handmade canvas xmas decorations. They are hand-painted and decorated with vintage buttons form my Nana's button box. Take a look, I'm feeling slightly festive.