Frilly As A Girl - PART TWO (Post 51)

Not quite frills - but still 'girly'. 


Winter has approached quite quickly, don't believe all those stories that UK has the warmest November on record; it certainly doesn't feel like that to me!  I'll give you, its been dry, but its definitely scarf weather. 


The trouble with scarfs is, quite often, the length of them!  They can be quite bulky or you need to wrap them round, and round, and round ... you get the picture!  Like a Dr Who's scarf.


Aha, I came across the perfect solution.  A scarf which is short enough to wear without dragging you down and has an attractive-lacy look as well.

Sourcing the wool, with the internet is obviously not a problem unless ... like me, your impatient!  What wait a whole 2-3 days, my enthusiasm meant I just couldn't, NO, not even 24 hrs. The scarf takes alpaca wool, so not your day-to-day wool that some of the more popular shops sell.  Luckily for me, I live near a proper little haberdashery shop which is a quite a treasure trove.


Tucked away, was ... yes, you've guessed it ... just what I needed!  

I 'opted' for a warm Sage Green shade of wool and twinkly-clear buttons, which match perfectly with the coat I had in mind.


The stitch is one I'd not come across before and reminded me of an 'hour glass' or shaft of wheat.  Every few rows the pattern nipped in the stitches, emphasising the design.  The lacy-look is carried on into the main body of the scarf.

And there we have it ...


'Keep Watching, and I'll Keep Blogging'


Charters

Frilly As A Girl - PART ONE (Post 50)

There are two things that are 'typical' to girls: screaming - that is shrieking with laughter, and in the majority - the love of frills. That's what comes to mind to me. Then of course those girls grow up, but don't necessarily change. Take for instance, being pushed down a kiddies slide in a swimming pool! Yes, I shrieked ... quite loudly. Secondly, looking for that special dress - OK, doesn't have to be frilly as such but sparkly surely? A little 'bling'.

The minute I saw the end product of my red/white bracelet immediately I thought, 'frilly as a girl'.  It sounds like I had only just looked at it - in honesty, I suppose that's true?  Because, aside from knowing the beads I was going to use I wasn't sure what the end result would be. Suitably satisfied, I then produced the purply-black-blue-greeny one!

The pattern is just an 8-bead design, repeated.  Thread a bugle, then 3 seed.  Go back through the bugle and pull tightly, which gives that cute picot frilled edge.  Repeat ... this, what I call top and bottom frill to make the design.  Simples!  Repeat until its as long as you want.  I did a basic loop/clasp finish because it blends in so well.


There we have it ...
I'm not keen on 'long' Posts, (the blogging sort, of course).  So, I'm going to surprise you by making this a double post - I know like buses!  No news in ages then suddenly in the space of a week or so you end up with FIVE ...

Before I go though, I'd like to say 'Hi' to Jill Spain, my latest blog friend. Her blog is really interesting, don't you think - very 'newsy' and friendly.  Jill's expertise lies in Card Craft, running a Greetings Cards Business and regularly attends Events where you'll find all the efforts of her hard work.

* From Wendy's Biography 1st Unique Gifts,
(Host for Handmade Monday)

Have you remembered?  Today is Wendy's Handmade Monday No. 42, why don't you pop over and have a look what everybody's been up to - I love catching up with everybody.  Wendy has had an exciting week, with a newly arrived Granddaughter and has even posted a picture of her.  


Part Two to follow .... don't forget you can follow me on twitter or Charters Creations Facebook.


'Keep Watching, and I'll Keep Blogging


Charters

Social Networking ... am I ready for it? (Post 50)

Do you still use 'snail mail?

Have you noticed, when web surfing, the amount of sites which now have links to Facebook and Twitter.  I've used Facebook for a while now, but only on a personal level.  Twitter ... well, never understood it really.  There is no escaping it; although you don't have to use it.


I do like to 'try' and keep up-to-date with technology myself, and, with this aim in mind I have recently created a Facebook page for Charters Creations.  So if you want to join me, click on to the Facebook Like sign on the right of the blog.  Hopefully, this will then mean you will become a 'fan'.


Sounds good?  I have to admit, you will be joining me on my social networking journey ... it may be a bit of a bumpy ride!


Likewise, you can also follow me on twitter - again, linked on the right of my blog. Now that is very much in the experimental stage.  


If you are able to join me that'll be great, if you are able to share your views/experiences of either Facebook (for your blog/business) or Twitter - fantastic!
If there is a problem with these links, I really would appreciate it if you could let me know.


Are you up to walking the wobbly social technological path with me?  


'Keep Watching, and I'll Keep Blogging'


Charters

A Potted Update (Post 49)

I recently took 'early retirement' which I know is everyone's dream!  The reality is that it has taken a little while to settle. Suddenly, I have 'time' ... which brings with it ...  the 'I can do that later' mentality.  It has had the opposite affect.    You could say - 'I've been busy doing nothing'  Not quite true, but certainly true on the 'jewellery front'. 

The good news is, I love the 'freedom' I now have, and I've given a lot of thought to a lot of things over the last few months and the truth is - I've taken time out (the 'me-time' phrase comes to mind - how I hate that word!!) to adjust to 'not working'.

I now feel I've got past the 'guilt' of not working and ready to walk into the next stage ... I'm not sure what path that will take?


There are so many things I want to do that I think you'll see a few subtle changes.  Firstly, more regular posts and introductions of other handmade crafts.  Did any of you notice my blog name change - now, Charters Creations - in readiness.    




Its always been my intention to have 'variety' in my craft, although to be honest jewellery making will always be at the top of my list.  I'm drawn to working with beads: polymer work, precious metal clay, bead weaving, bead knitting, bead sculpture, resin, altered art, felting, handbag making, card craft ??  I think  Caroline (Carolee Crafts) post this week for Handmade Monday echoes my thoughts to a 'T'.   She talks about 'New Beginnings' and says: "... I feel that as handmakers we have to evolve, move with the times try something different or revisit something old ... "To work for yourself you have to love what you do and most of all follow your dream".  

Caroline you are so right!  


So for the time being, I intend to get back to my jewellery and take it from there - I'm not ready to commit to online shops or the like ... yet?  Who knows for the future.  


I guess that's all I wanted to say really and here's to exciting New Beginnings!


"Keep Watching, and I'll Keep Blogging"
Charters

The Sound of Silence (Post 48)

I thought I had nothing to say ... how wrong I was

I thought no-one would listen, but you do  

Whilst I have renounced my blog of late I have remarkably achieved an additional three virtual friends; for which I am sincerely grateful. 


Nici, Ine and Heather a very big 'Welcome' to my blog.  You have contributed to 'awakening' my blog!  Thank you for breaking the silence.  I look forward to sharing my thoughts with you and all other 59 virtual friends.


So without any further ado, let me introduce you to:

Nici - Goblin Dreams

Here we have a very talented lady, her work is just so professional, and captures the inner child in us all, with fond memories of faeries and the like.  Her blog is very interesting and her website hosts an assortment of beautiful goblins, jewellery and lots of little treasures.  In fact, if you weren't a Goblin fan I'll guarantee you soon will be!

Ine - Jewels by Ine

Ine specialises in jewellery, with her collection of polymer clay, glass beads and leather.  Some really cute items!  Ine is from Belgium but blogs in English as well - pretty amazing in itself.  New to polymer clay work?  You'll love Ine's easy-to-follow tutorials.

Heather - Dragonfly Lampworks
Heather is a self-taught lamp work artist, first taking the plunge about 6 yrs ago.  Her work is very popular and sells very quickly on her Etsy store.  Heather work supports charity organisations - her jewellery will inspire any budding 'lamp worker.


Déjà vu
Today is Handmade Monday an opportunity for you to see some interesting, exciting and affordable goodies.  I have highlighted Wendy's site before, because it really is good to see so many like-minded artists and get an insight into a corner of their world.  Pop across and have a look ... you won't be disappointed!


They say 'Rome wasn't built in a day' ... how true that is!  So tomorrow I'll post again and bring you up-to-date on events.   In the meantime ...

'Keep Watching, and I'll Keep Blogging'

Charters