Indie Trend Tuesday - Black Magic

Indie Trend Tuesday - a selection from the cream of indie designers across the globe. Who needs Gucci?

Black Satin and Lace Cocktail Dress - Decadet Designz

A Lady Ought - Untamed Menagerie

 

 

Miseria Black Mini Top Hat, Torture Couture

 

 

Got any ideas for future themes? Leave me a comment or email me (link in right margin)

 

xoxo

A nice surprise... [#3?]

You've got to love a little surprise on a Monday. 

I had a little brew and blog time this morning. Having a little read of my newest subscription (and highly recommended), Kiki's blog (of Tikikiki / Dear Kiki) has put my bLoCk PaRtY - LeGo ObLoNg sWaRoVsKi CrYsTaL NeCkLaCe in her '10 little things that make me smile Tuesday' post.  I am most humbled. Her blog and work is seriously cool. Just the kind of person I aim to please. Yay!

Some Kiki love 

For my sister...  Word.  She's tattooed up and flying the rainbow flag, just like her.

For Catherine (colleague), I hurt myself playing Wii. Because it's a common complaint

For Kate (good friend)... Nerd is the new black.  Although Kate isn't a nerd, she does have some similar Velma glasses and a blasé attitude :)

The weekend seems to pass too quickly, for me anyway. I want to (in order of preference): get KitschenSink stuff done (whether that be making jewellery, blogging, etc); see friends; see family; watch TV (whilst doing absolutely nothing else); afternoon nap; get chores done.

Have you had a nice Monday surprise today?

xoxo

Taking over the world; Step #1

I've been having a little think about my long term goals ahead of the Leeds Enterprise Show tomorrow.  Cos like... I don't want to show up saying 'Yeah, so. I wanna make nice stuff and sell it'.  To be honest, I probably will say something to that effect.  But I thought it was high time I made some goals for the year and write down some steps to achieving those.

I won't say all my goals here. Mainly because I may wish to change them here and there. And if I don't acheive them I don't want to make myself look like a tit.

What I will tell you about, is each stage to acheiving my goals, and I'll do them one by one.

#1: Get lots of gift boxes, paper bags and envelopes ready (these are all made by hand using recycled magazines, comics and mailouts)

Gift boxes, check

I have turned a whole Beano annual into paper boxes. There's 44 here.  I will probably make another Victor annual into boxes then start on envelopes and bags.  It's kinda boring, but I can do it in front of the TV and when I hang out at friends.

What's the most boring job you have ever done?

xoxo

Folksy Finds Friday - Kitschy Coo

I want to pop out 5 babies when I look at Kitschy Coo's Folksy shop, and then probably foster a further 22.

Rowan rant: I can't stand to see small children branded up in horrid Rockport and the like. Make you kids look cool, not cloned. Do that with Kitschy Coo!

Reversible spotty corduroy and red cotton jacket with asymetrical collar

Corduroy apple print peasant dress

Retro boom-box hoodie

Gotta go... I'm off to make me some babies to dress up

Not really

xoxo

Jan Vormann - Lego graffiti!

I like to see random artworks in public spaces, like Banksy and Space Invader.

Lego is a classic toy enjoyed by young and old, so it's no surprise it's used in fashion (see my previous post), KitschenSink jewellery and now art!

Jan Vormann has been using Lego to fill gaps in walls. What a colourful, and perhaps practical surprise!

What's the nicest graffiti/street art you have seen?

xoxo

New additions and a 'spot' of narcissism

I decided to keep the long necklaces I blogged here as they were (for now), but thought that the photography should include a little human aspect. So I got myself glammed up and gave myself a photo shoot. Problem was, I had a bit of a spot on my chest (this only ever happens when I have a boy to kiss. All other times I am spot free... weird). Thankfully, I had a play in Adobe Photoshop Elements (don't have full version because I have no idea how to use it). There is actually a 'spot healing' tool! Shame it's only virtual! Here's one result:

You see, not so narcissistic I don't know how to have a little fun with myself...

WiLd tHiNg - I tHiNk I ♥ U! NeCkLaCe #1

I did tashes on most of the photos... but then when I uploaded them to Folksy my eyes were cropped off the photos so the tashes weren't really necessary... I went for a leopard skin dress to bring out the wild thing... OK I am embarrassed for myself now...

Also, can you help with this? I like how I got the colour on the next one, but I have no idea how I did it. I like how my skin is green but my lips stayed red. Any ideas?? I did it in simple Microsoft Picture Manager.

WiLd tHiNg - I tHiNk I ♥ U! NeCkLaCe #2

I've just come back from tapas with my parents and aunt and uncle. I'm stuffed and starting a weight loss regime for tomorrow. Hoping to go to Turkey in Summer!

xoxo

KiTsCh CaMeO ApPEaRaNcE - now on sale!

I have been a busy bee this weekend! Don't know how I am fitting everything in to be honest!

The cameos I cast last week are now on sale as brooches. I hope they will be pendants soon too. Perhaps even bracelets.

KiTsCh CaMeO ApPEaRaNcE bRoOcH

I'm working flat out to get plenty of inventory for up coming sales. I;d like to also get ahead as I am thinking of doing a big market in Leeds in the Summer. I also need to get some stock to Projeto Gallery. I am loving it though.
Hope you busy weekend is as productive as mine. Or not... however you like it!
xoxo

'WhAt KiNd oF GirL aM I?' ViNtAgE CoMiC NeCkLaCe - now in stock!

At last! The first in the series of the eerie Love Diary series is ready. I love it and I hope you do too!

♥ What kind of girl am I? ...I don't even know his name... and I don't care... I just want his kisses! ♥

'WhAt KiNd oF GirL aM I?' ViNtAgE CoMiC NeCkLaCe £8

A couple of other new additions to the shop - more of the bLoCk PaRtY bRiGhTs - LeGo ObLoNg NeCkLaCeS:

bLoCk PaRtY bRiGhTs - LeGo ObLoNg NeCkLaCe - LiMe

bLoCk PaRtY bRiGhTs - LeGo ObLoNg NeCkLaCe - bRiGhT oRaNgE

My to do list for the weekend is pretty huge. A select few of 'to do' are making more cameo moulds, and casting in them, making more Love Diary heart pendants, and going to the shops to buy my mum a handbag for Mother's Day.

What are you doing for mother's day?

xoxo

Folksy Finds Friday - Zedhead Ltd

I am in LOVE with Zedhead Ltd's wares. My flat is full of colour and could do with more, and I feel it being added in the way of these creations and designs by Zoe Thompson.

Graffifi Print LampshadeGiddy up Horsey - Cream cushion

And... to indulge my handbag obsession - Graffiti Print Cluth Purse

Hope you like. I love!

xoxo

Work in progress - the next stage

I rushed home today to see how the casting using my own hand-made moulds went. I'd say it went ok? Yes?

I really like these. I'm going to make a rainbow of them.

xoxo

Another nice surprise from Premier Packaging

I've been featured by Premier Packaging in their article 'Packing the Story of your Business'. There's some great tips and ideas in there for how to make packaging work for you. Check it out.

They had seen my Flickr and commented on my gift wrapping service idea '...the box itself is a piece of art...'

Read the full article here

What's the coolest or craziest idea for packaging you have ever come across?

xoxo

Nightmares on Canal St

That isn't my real address of course. I'm not that stupid!

Friday night was the only night in the last seven where I haven't hallucinated & walked in my sleep. I'm not entirely sure of the reason behind this. Sure, I do it, but never have I done it quite so intensively over so many days.

I live on my own and it's really frickin scary when it happens. My ex used to shout at me when I did it. Arse. Because I was really enjoying myself!

Visual represenation: The Nightmare, by Henry Fuseli(1781) is thought to be one of the classic depictions of sleep paralysis perceived as a demonic visitation (source: Wikipedia).

The science bit:

I have done some web-based research and believe I suffer from hypnopompic hallucinations and sleep paralysis. "Images or speaking that appear during the paralysis. The person may think that someone is standing beside them or they may hear strange sounds. These may be dreamlike, possibly causing the person to think that they are still dreaming. Often it is reported as feeling a weight on one's chest, as if being underneath a person or heavy object.
These symptoms can last from mere seconds to several minutes (although they can feel like much longer) and can be frightening to the person. There may be some body movement, but it is very unlikely and hard for a person to accomplish."

In the past few days I have a a bloke crouched down the side of my bed twice. On waking up fully, I put the light on, he is no longer there. I go to find him. He is no where to be found. I then realise it's one of my episodes! I also had a massive spider on the ceiling, with long, twitching legs. I have to sleep with the bedside light on for the rest of the night, which doesn't aid a restful night's sleep.

I must say though, throughout all this, creative thoughts have been at an all time high. So it's not all bad...

What crazy things have you done in your sleep?

xoxo

Sneak Peek-a-Boo

The last week or so I have been using a lot of resin. I'm not sure if that's what's causing me to have so many hallucinations through the night (have I talked about them before...? I'll check and do a seperate post one time if not!).

Here's the outcome, I'm really excited:

I made the mould myself, and tried out a new way to colour the resin. These two succesful experiments combined equals a wealth of possibilities! Hopefully there will be plenty on sale soon!

Something that turned out 50% well:

If it wasn't for that pesky bubble! I don't know where it came from. The air, probably.

Here's something that's been in the pipeline for a while. Notice this necklace I am wearing. I made it for me, ages ago, but wanted to develop it a bit more to sell:

And this is what I have so far. It's on a long necklace so the animal sits between the boob area! I feel like something is missing though?

I'd love to know what you think, or any ideas for what's missing?

xoxo

Folksy Finds Friday - Lilly Loo

As a nipper I had a couple of favourite toys that I'd take everywhere. One was Angelina, some sort of blonde monkey that squeeked when you pressed its belly or hugged it too hard. One was Roland Rat (Superstar!).

This week's Folksy Find is Lilly Loo. A collection of sweet soft dolls perfect for little girls!

This faithful friend has your name embroidered to the back!

There's also a selection of cushions and draw-string bags to keep Lilly-Loo comfy

How sweet? And currently very, very cheap...

xoxo

What's in your handbag?

Seemed like fun... I saw Pippa's on Pippa's Arty Life blog, and thought it might be a nice way for you to get to know me better.

Handbag is from Next. Usually, I'm not a fan of Next clothing in the slightest. So generic (I hope a certain friend doesn't take offence to this! You don't design for them :D ), but this was nice and big (I love a big handbag) and was reasonably priced. Oh and I can't stand it when people say 'Is your handbag big enough'. Erm, yeah, do you see anything poking out of it?

Left to right (kinda):

• Hello Kitty Filofax
• Compact mirror - given by a friend when I said I liked it
• House keys to my parents - with resussitation mask for First Aid
• Car keys - with Nici and KidRobot keyrings (KidRobot a souvenir from a friend from New York)
• Owl coin purse - from Camden Market
• Notebook - from Muji, just underneath. For scribbling creative thoughts whilst out and about
• Random ring finding
• iPhone
• Hello Kitty purse - getting old and tatty now
• Loose change
• Milky Way
• Ice chewing gum
• Boots advantage card, National Insurance card
• 2 x lip balm (Body Shop Vitamin E Lipbalm is a must, my top buy)
• 4x blister packs of Paracetamol.... I rarely take painkillers so I am confused by that
• Hello Kitty train ticket cover
• Security pass for work
• Letter from work
• Small pack of tissues (I am so allergic to everything)
• Zebra print umberella
• Stamps
• Bobble
• 2 x receipts
• iPhone headphones

There was also a large heap of tissues (yeah... used...) but I didn't think you needed to actually see them O_o

As in Pippa's... if you read this, consider yourself tagged! Let us see into your handbag!

A nice surprise...

... I was featured on Cuteable.com today!

Check it ere!

xoxo

Super Hero Me!

As you may well be aware, a great deal of my jewels use comics. You may not be aware, but on my craft stall, I'm all branded up with comic speech bubbles for pricing and descriptions.

Oh yeah. It's cool alright.

I saw this on the Cherished Trinkets blog and thought I'd have a little go myself, whilst my soup heated up in the microwave.

I gave myself green to wear (it's most flattering on me), I have razored ginger hair and have some sort of shopping bag. It's quite realistic really. Even the wings...

Have a go yourself here at the Hero Factory.... fun :o)

Comment back if you post your own, I'd love to see!

xoxo

Time management

I'm pretty good at it, except for when unexpected things occur like people turning up without notice and staying for a couple of hours, or the toaster spontaneously combusting (no danger took place).

So this weekend I haven't stopped. Stopped = jewellery making.

I'm not complaining proper, like. My time has mainly been filled with cocktails (raspberry mojitos), vodka, dancing, friends and kissing a boy.

Think my Mum might be mad because I don't see her so often these days. I try, but it's hard squishing everything in, especially when she mainly wants to make an impromptu appearance!

I have just added another layer of resin to some pendants I am making, and hoping they look good when done as it's taken a few days to make them. Fingers crossed.

This week I hope to buy a pale blue toaster and perhaps a matching kettle. Yay.

xoxo

A tweet of inspiration

I noticed a tweet from necessarym: 'What's next for Lego?', which fed through to this lovely little article, which excites me somewhat. Pictures below for your convenience :)




Cool, eh? And just when I was thinking about how to resurrect my Lego line...
xoxo

New additions to the shoppe

The fair is over and done with, and so the leftovers are now up on Folksy. You want, you want!
Hopefully they will go up on Etsy too... when I can be faffed!

In other news, my day job is being hectic, my love life is being confusing, and the creative thoughts will hopefully manifest themselves later this evening. I'm itching to have a go at my new ideas.

xoxo

February round-up

Yeah, yeah. It's a bit late but it's tough!!

Super social events (somewhat suffering due to credit crunch):
1. Pals & pancakes
2. Fourteen Corners (gig)
3. Ladies what Lunch at Interlude Tea Rooms
4. The Tempus (gig but it was more pub fun than anything)

Movies I watched:
1. Blades of Glory (again, because I was ill)
2. The Big Lebowski
3. The Anchor Man
4. He's just not that into you (turns out he's not... kidding, I hate boys today)

Disappointment of the month: I took a few days of work but got really sick. This also meant I missed the Cribs gig I was really looking forward to :(
Crafting highlight of the month: University of Leeds Fair Trade Fair. I did well :)
Downer of the month: being single on Valentine's Day. I don't usually mind being single too much, but on 14th February, it's whack
Point worth noting but not sure what to label it as: I had a date. It was good. But boys confuse me and make me anxious

Focus for next month:
1)To get lots more lockets made, and to try out a new idea developing from the comic pendants. Yay :)
2) To stay happy. I must keep in mind all the time that you make yourself happy, and if something's not right, I must change it, no matter how much I think I might want it. Cryptic I know! Grr it's not easy.
3) To get a cool hair cut

xoxo