Oven Baked Glass Marble Pendants

I really did bake these marbles in the oven.  My son thought I had lost the plot!  I think they are really pretty and catch the light beautifully.

More Crafty Makes

I am dreaming craft at the moment.  I am suddenly panicking that I won't have enough stock or enough variety.  I know what I want to make but in the process there is much trial and error!  I have time to make simple gift tags and lace trimmed note books but other things need much more planning such as the caged baked marble pendants that I want to try out!

If I only knew ahead what sort of things people wanted to buy I could concentrate on doing those.  I have been told that there will be other jewellery makers and card makers at the fair.  I am quickly looking for a USP* and I think it is going to be quality goods with a few quirky makes thrown in for good measure! So quality/quirky!

When (or if) you go to craft fairs, what things catch your eye?  Are you looking to buy for others or to buy for yourself?  Is there anything you want to buy but can't find?  I would love to know what you think.

*unique selling point

Note Card Folio Set

YouTube has been a wonderful source of inspiration and information for me recently.  I really wanted to have a go at making a note card set but wasn't really sure where to start.  I found many tutorials on YouTube and set about simplifying a note card set where I didn't have to factor in different measurements.  I am happy how my first attempt turned out, especially with the chip board motif on the cover and can now imagine making all types of sets using pretty floral paper and images.

The designs inside the set are simple, making use of ready made embellishments and pre-printed cards.   I could of course spend a lot of time making beautiful and intricate cards but time is money when creating for the craft fair.

 

 I had such fun creating this set although it took me best part of a day!

I think I will make another Christmas set using purples and blues as a theme and then I will start on something vintage inspired!

I hope your week is going well!

Sunday Walk

I did a five mile walk this morning around the grounds of Forty Hill House.  To the far left of the photo stands the Cedar of Lebanon tree which at over 200 years old- is one of the oldest in England. 

One of these days I will take the time to have a proper look inside the house.  I am so lucky to have such heritage and history on my doorstep.

Ombre Necklace

I had a break from paper crafting and made this ombre necklace for the November craft fair.  I'm in two minds to undo it and make something else but my son approves so it stays for now!  It is 16 inches in length but hangs down on me because I have a 12 inch neck!  If I was to keep it for myself I think I would shorten it to be worn higher on the neckline.

I'm making steady progress creating items to be sold at the fair.  Keeping busy is helping to take my mind off it!  It is one thing being shy and another to put yourself out there among strangers.  I really wish I had someone to take with me for moral support but I'm a big girl now! 

Have a great weekend!

Body in September Mind in November

It seems ridiculous that on one of the hottest September's on record I am making cards with Christmas in mind for the November craft fair!  The thought of snow is cooling me down but we rarely get snow in the South East of England. 

I am making some cards with wintry messages but they are not overtly 'Christmas'.  I love my wooden block hare stamp and have stamped it with black paint and used iridescent glitter over the top.  The card is only small; about 4 x 4 inches, and I am hoping to offer a wide range of tiny cards!

The fabric behind the card is cream velour.  It is beautifully soft and I am hoping it will add a decadent touch to my table. 

Thank you for all the suggestions of what I could sell at the fair.  I have heard that Downton Abbey inspired jewellery is popular as are chokers and tiaras! 

Cheeky Heron

I did something new yesterday.  I met with a group of strangers to join a walking buddies group. There are so many beautiful walks close by but I don't have the confidence to go walking through woods alone.  Luckily the group of people I met feel exactly the same. 

Seven of us turned up to walk together.  The problem from the outset was that three members of the group (including the organiser) wanted to walk in order to keep fit so they walked at a fast pace.  The other three members of the group moved a lot slower, meandering and taking in the scenery.  I was a bit like piggy in the middle wanting to keep up with the front runners but wanting to get to know the ones at the back and take some photos and observe nature too.   I think next time I go (Sunday mornings) I will hang around with the ones at the back. The aim is to walk about 5 miles but I still have a 2 mile walk back to home!  I shall be either very fit or very worn out by Christmas if I keep it up!

After I parted from the group I took the chance to take some photos.  As I was about to take a photo of the lake a heron* swooped down and landed on an object on the island.  It was quite comical how he stared me out showing me the vast expanse of his wings.   He gave me a front view, a back view and even a profile!  He was determined to photo bomb what ever I was trying to take a picture of.

* The heron can be seen right in the middle of the picture.