Monday, 19 December 2022

December Birthdays

Hi Everyone

I don’t know how many of you have December birthdays amongst your family and friends but I have a few.  So I have been catching up and getting them all finished over the last week to make sure they’re posted and arrive on time.

It is always a joy to send a December birthday card made just for that special person, as they often miss out on their special day amongst all the Christmas stuff going on. So here are three of my offerings and I hope you like them as much as the intended birthday recipients.

Just a final note to say I will be taking a break to bake and prepare for the holiday next week, so I will be back and posting in the New Year and I hope you have a save and happy holiday in the meantime.

Jo X




Monday, 12 December 2022

Fuzzy Designs Newest Creations

 This week we will be looking at what Fuzzy Designs has been up to recently.

First of all is the design for the 2022 Christmas card. In a similar vein to last year’s design, this features a manga style female rider but with a far more technically detailed bike than before. I wanted to include some high levels of accuracy but had forgotten just how difficult it can be to draw spoked wheels – I don’t think we‘ll be seeing them again next year!

 Then we have three Spanner Art outings.

 The first is a reworking of my original Spanner Art creation from many years ago, even down to using similar shading in the background. I’d never seen a spanner quite like this before but, with just one set of teeth and a strange tap thread at the back, it was an obvious choice for something long lurking in deep water.(I have since been told it’s actually an old scaffolding spanner, so now you know.)

Second was a purely decorative piece which was inspired by the lines radiating across the jaws of the spanner. They lent themselves perfectly to being filled with rainbow colours and then the idea of wrapping some rainbow flames around the spanner popped into my head. It did take a surprisingly long time to design the flames in such a way so as to avoid them all getting bunched up together but I think the end result was worth the effort.

Finally we have an oriental – inspired dragon flying through the night sky. It doesn’t really show in the pictures but the back half of the dragon has been painted in a special paint which changes colour from a dark blue to a light green. So, depending on how the light catches it, the dragon’s tail is either the same colour as the night sky or its head. 

It’s always difficult to know how popular a creation will be but these three all sold at the first fair I took them to – I hope their new owners enjoy them! 








Monday, 21 November 2022

Christmas Cards

 Hi everyone

I don’t know about you but this last week I just realised that I am running out of time to get my Christmas cards in the post, so I have been spending all my time making them.  I have counted up about 27 this year and I am pleased to say that they are now made and will be in the post today!

Unfortunately, I forgot to take a photo of them all and I only have few left with the envelope un sealed – sorry, but that is all I have.  The designs have come from Kolette Hall in the Silhouette shop and they are accordion cards. Seven different designs, fun and easy to cut and construct with just a little bit of bling.

I hope you enjoy these pieces and are enjoying your creations as we move ever closer to Christmas.

Jo x




Tuesday, 15 November 2022

Gemstone Curved Tubes

Good morning

I was feeling the gloom of the winter weather this last week so went looking for something to make me think of sunnier times, and this is what I came up with.

Finding a small bag of gemstones carved into curved tubes, which cae in a variety of colours, I paired them with either leather or multi coloured cords and silver or gold beads.  I love the end results which, whether worn in winter or summer, are just the thing to promote some cheer.

I hope you enjoy these pieces and are enjoying your makes as we move ever closer to Christmas.

Jo x 





Monday, 31 October 2022

Learning New Stuff

Morning

This week I wanted to experiment with things I haven’t done before and stuff I haven’t used.

The first idea was to make a pendent which looks like peas in a pod.  I have seen this done a few times before and wanted to give it a go. It only took a couple of tries to get the result I was looking for and I am so happy with the results.

The second project was to wrap a cabochon using pre made gallery wire.  This is fancy cut flat wire which is used to wrap around the edge of the stone for an interesting finish.  I chose a Bumble Bee jasper because I love the layers of colour and they are not very well known.  I think it looks great but, having used the gallery wire, I now believe I could make a better finish next time.

I hope you enjoy these pieces and are enjoying your makes as we move ever closer to Christmas.

Jo x 








Monday, 24 October 2022

Winter Necklaces

Good morning

The first Christmas fair has been and gone and it was great to talk a lot about the upcoming fun times.

I have also been looking through my jumper collection for the winter months and it made me think about some new necklaces to wear with them.  So this week I have made a couple, let me know what you think about them.

The first is a quite large piece of emerald that I have set in a gold plated twisted ring which will freely spin when you move it.  I have teamed it with two smaller pieces of emerald on silver plated twisted ring to make ear rings.

I have also used a pretty enamelled cap with pale green crackled quartz on a long silver chain.  It looks great on a roll necked jumper.

Jo x







Monday, 17 October 2022

Halloween Silhouettes

Hi

With my first Christmas Fair around the corner I have been sorting through what was unsold from last year. 

However, with Halloween just around the corner I have made a couple of silhouettes which I have been wanting to make for a while - they are so fun and look great.

Enjoy you recent makes because Christmas is coming.

Jo x





Monday, 10 October 2022

Cubes & Slices

Good morning

This week I have been working with cubes and slices, I love both the look and the feel of these shapes and I hope that you like them too.

The first piece is a necklace made from Rhodonite and Charoite slices with pretty shell pearls to finish the colours.  The second piece is made from Lapis Lazuli cubes and slices, and finished off with a rectangle at the centre.  Both necklaces have been rosary linked because I like the way the stones look in small piles.

I look forward to hearing what you think of these latest makes and also what you are making.

Jo x 




Monday, 3 October 2022

Bat Candle Stick

Morning everyone

So it’s October already and Halloween is coming up fast - it’s one of my favourite holidays. 

After having a think I decided to make a new piece of paper construction, it is a spooky candle stick and I had so much fun making it.  Picking just the right paper and colours is always the most fun part of these projects for me and that hasn’t changed at all!

I hope that you like it too and you can purchase the pattern from Dreaming Tree (https://www.3dsvg.com/bat-candle-holder-svg).

Jo x 




Monday, 26 September 2022

Long Line Necklaces

 

Happy chilly morning

Well, there is no doubt that Autumn is here and the days are getting colder so I have started to think about my wool jumpers and what jewellery I will be wearing to complement them.

I decided that I would like a variety of long line necklaces this year and here is what I have made so far.  I used beautiful bead caps in different colours with pave CZ settings, matched with large clear crackle quartz. In my stash there were some pretty pave Indian style setting with CZ elements and I matched these with either purple or turquoise large cultured pearls.

I love the outcome and think they will be fun to wear this winter, hope that you like them too.

Jo x




Monday, 19 September 2022

Cards

Good morning

On this sombre morning with this unexpected Royal event, and many people feeling the importance of family, I have made some very simple but I think effective cards.

These cards are for birthdays, and a heartfelt Thank You, which I am sure will be gratefully received by the recipients.

I hope that you like them too.

Jo x 




Monday, 12 September 2022

Jointed Bracelets

Hi everyone

I have a fondness for bracelets and, earlier in the summer, I saw a pretty bracelet which was very simple to look at, but so comfortable to wear that I have been experimenting with a similar design.  I am pleased to say that I am finally happy with my efforts!

The following photos show a range of bracelets which I have completed using the same basic design in a variety of colours and using gems from my stash which look fun and are easy to wear.

I hope that you like them too.

Jo x 



Monday, 5 September 2022

Bird Houses Light Up

Good morning

Over the last couple of weeks I have been working with paper and card to create some illuminations.  I am so pleased with the end results and I am enjoying them immensely. 

I have made two bird houses and one bird box - they are in various colours and are all in different designs which I purchased from Dreaming Tree (https://www.3dsvg.com/).  I have used papers and birds which appeal to me rather then what was originally suggested and I am very happy with the results. All of the houses have a battery run tea light which makes them very safe.

I hope that you are enjoying what’s left of summer and are making fun stuff.

Jo x 






Monday, 22 August 2022

Hematite All Round

Hi everyone

After spending five days over the last three weeks at craft fairs, I have not done a lot of making -  just sorting and resting.  So, last week, I made a necklace, bracelet and ear rings - none of which are matching, but just colourful pieces that I enjoyed making!

The first is a necklace made of purple multi-colour hematite in fancy shapes with a multicolour slider bracelet used as a necklace finding. This looks fun and is easy to wear with the slider at the front or back of the neckline.

I then made a rainbow, multicolour coated hematite, rice bead, elastic bracelet which is so pretty and, last but definitely not least, a pair of ear rings made from rainbow coated crackled quartz, they are stunning and easy to wear.

Make sure you enjoy the summer while it lasts and make fun things,

Jo x 





Monday, 15 August 2022

Small but Powerful

Good morning

Well, this has been the end of a long run of craft fairs which have lasted three weeks for me, and five full days over the last few weekends. They were all enjoyable but are more exhausting than you imagine when you sign up for them!

This last week I made a necklace which was ordered at the first weekend fair - it has now been delivered and I am pleased to say the customer was very happy.  The brief was that it should be a necklace that was mostly purple but very delicate.  After looking through my gemstones, I chose Lepidolite which was 6mm faceted coins and teamed this with 1mm gold coated hematite and, at the centre, Micro Pave CZ Bead caps with a clear quartz between them.

The second item is a necklace and ear rings suite made from haematite chevrons and cultured pearls in the shape of crosses.  They are very simple but impactful and lovely.

I hope that you are enjoying the summer but taking care in the sun.

Jo x 




Monday, 8 August 2022

Mandela

Hi everyone

Over the last week I have been making some Mandela necklaces, they were great fun and with all the bright colours of sari silk, they are great for the summer.

Starting with a simple Mandela made from base metal, you just choose the coloured thread and weave them throughout the design until you are happy with the results.

I will be at the Royal Agricultural Show this coming Friday and Saturday so, if you are attending, drop in to the Manx Craft Guild tent and say Hello.

Jo x 




Tuesday, 2 August 2022

Tanaznite

Good morning everyone

Last weekend was the Southern Agricultural Show and, although Saturday was a very rainy day, Sunday was sunny and warm.

Before the show I made what I think is a both beautiful and impressive necklace and ear ring suite from Tanzanite chips, featuring small peach seed pearls.  This jewellery looks divine with that unforgettable pinkie blue colour with is so distinctive; I love it and hope that you do too. 

Jo x 



Monday, 25 July 2022

Happy Birthday

Hi everyone

Over the last few days I have been looking for some quirky things to make and came up with two ideas.  The first was three glasses chains and they are made using black Rutile Quartz and silver roses; Apatite and rose gold stardust balls, and Lepodolite and Silver Daisies.  Glasses chains do take a little time to make but they look great when finished.

The second thing I made were some fancy diamond slide hair clips, they are painted with glitter nail polish and embellished with tiny diamantes.  These are so pretty when they sparkle in your hair.

I hope that you are enjoying the sunshine and, as always, have making your own fun projects.

Jo x




Monday, 18 July 2022

Beautiful Ovals

Morning

This week I have made a necklace and ear rings from bronze coloured oval hematite and amazonite rounds.  This was a simple design once I found the right size, and colour, gem stones for the centre of the hematite.  I added a tassel to the necklace which I thought finished off the look really well.

I hope you are enjoying the summer sun - but not too much!

Jo x 



Monday, 11 July 2022

Summer Comfortable

 Good morning

Gosh, it’s summer all over the UK and I hope you are enjoying it.

I have made a simple necklace and ear rings using corner drilled cubes of died magnesite in light and dark blue with silver spacer beads.  This is light and easy to wear and will look great with jeans or a summer dress.

I also made some ear rings from left over beads and they are great - cracked quartz towers and multi-colour agate beady beads on top with a silver bead cap, also summer wear.

Enjoy making your own fun projects.

Jo x








Sunday, 26 June 2022

Just having fun

Hi to everyone

Over the last few days I have been looking for some quirky things to make and came up with two ideas.  The first was three glasses chains and they are made using black Rutile Quartz and silver roses; Apatite and rose gold stardust balls, and Lepodolite and Silver Daisies.  Glasses chains do take a little time to make but they look great when finished.

The second thing I made were some fancy diamond slide hair clips, they are painted with glitter nail polish and embellished with tiny diamantes.  These are so pretty when they sparkle in your hair.

I hope that you are enjoying the sunshine and, as always, have making your own fun projects.

Jo x





Monday, 20 June 2022

Birthday Cards

Hi Everyone

Throughout this last week I have been stocking up on next  months’ birthday and notable occasion cards.   They are as varied as the people they are for, and it’s always fun to make just the right card for the right person.

This time around I have a mix of subjects ranging from a lady’s parlour and an engine head to a pretty baby card to finish it all off.

Have making your own fun projects. 

Jo x 




Sunday, 12 June 2022

Sometimes Simple is Best

Good Morning

Over the last week I have made a beautiful necklace and ear rings from some dark green climbing rope and large green line agate.  The gemstones have a dreamy or undersea quality about them with a matt finish.

The gems are threaded onto gold plated wire and then wrapped onto the rope in the very simplest way but it is so very striking. 

I hope you like it and are making your own fun projects.

Jo x





Sunday, 5 June 2022

ANOTHER RETURN OF SPANNER ART!

Morning All

Once again my partner in craft, Fuzzy Designs, has been rifling through his pile of scrap and come up with a new batch of creations – I’ll let him explain what he’s been doing.

The Clocks: these are both made from motorcycle sump plates and I thought the large circular hole (which originally housed an oil filter) could accommodate a decent sized clock face instead. Both have pearl effect paint on them which really comes to life in the sunshine – the “Z” logo on the green clock is a reference to the Kawasaki bike that donated the parts.

The Underwater Pliers: both of these went through my tried and tested method of transformation: namely a thorough clean up, then scales and fins were engraved and finally suitable glass paint was applied over the top. The rays of light on the dark piece are actually luminous paint so they have an eerie glow at night.

Mondrian No. II: my first homage to Mondrian was so popular that I’d always promised myself I’d do another when the right spanners turned up. As you can see, I finally found some (I have no idea what they were originally designed for) and in very short order I had finished this off. Hopefully this one will be as popular as the first!

Flowers and Sunshine: Finding three small spanners for the flowers was easy, finding a suitably small sprocket for the sun was a lot more difficult. Patience paid off in the end though and I’m pleased with the result – simple but effective!

Well I love them and I hope you do too and I am sure that there will be more creations from Fuzzy Designs in due course.

JO x