Stop! Press!!

A quick but exciting post today during my Christmas/New Year break.

I have been featured in lots of places over the past few weeks! Here goes... click on the picture to read the full story....

First up - The Yorkshire Post - this is the City of Leeds' main newspaper, and also serves the rest of the County of Yorkshire. A kind of regional broadsheet:

Next up - the Telegraph and Argus, Bradford's local daily newspaper:

The Keighley News, Keighley is a smaller town on the outskirts of Bradford:

And thanks to Jess of Epheriell, for featuring my story in the 'My Crafty Journey' series:

Note: The following mistakes are printed:

• 'Kitchen Sink' is KitschenSink (yeah it is in fact me they are talking about, although no one would know!),
• The Lego work is not exclusive to Projeto, although it is sold in their online store here, I also sell it here in dollars, and here in pounds sterling.

Our local newspapers are well known for making mistakes. Thanks to Paula at Projeto for using me when publicising the gallery.

Right, I'm off to pack a rucksack with red bull, vodka and lamrini. Cocktails wahoo! This means I might not blog for a few days!

What do you have planned for new year?

xoxox

Folksy Finds Friday - Cherry Pie Punk

Cor blimey, it was difficult to choose just three of Cherry Pie Punk's offerings... colourful, punky and sexy....

"Quirky clothes and accessories inspired by punk, rockabilly, urban and japanese fashion"

Rainbow Brite Painties - these are cute! My friend always says Rainbow Brite reminds her of me. I wanted to BE her when I was little. I had a hair elastic with a Rainbow Brite on it with long multicoloured hair, and my mum would plait it into mine.

Frankenstein Corset - Love corsets. I have the curves for them too. I think I do anyway!

Barbie Earrings - you get a lot of Barbie themed goods but these are so cute!

xoxox

I heart - Kokeshi dolls

I seem to be following a theme of japanese-related toy goods in Wicked Wednesday. Oh well. I like them.

Kokeshi dolls are from northern Japan and are basic in form - a cylinder body and oversized head.

I'm not too fussed about traditional looking Kokeshi dolls, above

These ninja kokeshi dolls by Temple7e are so cool!

I love this cute tee by Kid Pirate


And Wunderkind let you make your very own! Check their shop for inspiration... sooo cute

xoxox

I'm addicted... Time for Flickr anonymous...!

I love Flickr!

I have been wailing for so long that I couldn't get my head around it and now I'm loving it. It's such a huge world out there, and some amazing things I may ever get to see properly in my lifetime, but I can see them captured there.

I love how I can add my jewellery photos to random groups... I still need to work on my tagging... but... wicked!

If you are on there... ad me as a contact

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kitschensinkuk/

xoxox

I heart - Amigurumi

When I was young, my Mum's friends used to knit me those old-school, Rosie and Jim style dolls.

They were 'just for show', not really for playing with, since so much effort had gone into making them. By the time I was too old to play with them, I resented them for not letting me play. So, unfortunately, it was a no-win situation for that farmer and his wife with apathy in her eyes.

Amigurumi is the Japanese art of knitting toys. They are typically adorable! I want to get one for Little G, but she isn't big enough yet, because the eyes are a choking hazard. I'd get her something like Tom the Bear by Hannah-Chan. And I'd let her play with it.

And how COOL are these. Now, if I could afford these, they might be for playing with away from any liquids or naked flames or chocolate or Stella and Bruno (crazy Boxer dogs that eat anything). It's the totally awesome work of Gourmet Amigurumi. Check her Flickr photo stream here.

I like how they are typically cute but also eerie. The blue Koala looks like he's on a crack comedown and I love how they are dressed in hoodies and other trendy wares!

Awesome. Inspired.

xoxox

LeGo LoSt iN SpAcE... RiNg!

Ever since I found out about resin casting this is the design I had in mind... I'm so glad it worked out in the end, as after several attempts with horrible polyester resin causing various respiratory problems, a sticky surface to the cabochon, and the colour generally not mixing, I am really happy with the outcome!

It's listed in the Etsy Boutique ($) and the Folksy Boutique (£). I'm awaiting some new moulds so I can make some pendants for this range too...

What do you think?

xoxox

Folksy Friday (whoopsie) - Asking For Trouble

Sorry it's a day late, but this particular Friday for me was party Friday, a friend and I danced our socks off to some classic house at Retro @ Tokyo. I haven't had a good dance in ages and, man, did I need it! I work in a city I don't live in so there is no time to spare when I get home!

Asking For Trouble sells paper goods... I am always jealous of anyone with a Gocco, plus it's inspired by Japan which always goes down well in my book!

Geisha Gocco Print

Sparkle Book Hearts

There is also a tutorial on how to make these here! Have a go yourself if you're feeling crafty?

Kawaii Christmas cards... who wouldn't love to receive these?!

Hope you like :o)

xoxox

I heart - Irregular Choice Shoes

Doesn't every girl LOVE shoes? Irregular Choice are my favourite brand of all time... and here are a few on sale this season.

A pair in my favourite colour...

Some sweet hearts...

Check the detail on their soles...

I'm also into Babycham pumps and Converse Chuck Taylors.

Do you think these are sexy or scary? Do you have a favourite type/brand of shoe?

xoxox

My November - Round-up - and a commenting incentive!

Is it really December already? Here goes my recap of November:

Super social events:

1. The Guillemots (Live music)

2. Knaresborough Girly Weekend (Road trip!)

3. Tokyo (Club)

4. Michelle's birthday (Pubs)

Surely I have missed somethings here...

Movies I watched:

1. Lost: Season 3...

2. Lost: Season 4 (OK I know they aren't strictly movies, but I watched the whole two seasons in a week! I didn't have time to watch any more TV!)

Funniest moment: My friend Natalie, dropping lime pickle down her top during a 3.30am curry.

Heartwarming moment: A customer from a year ago telling me her necklace was 'her favourite thing'.

Proudest moment: Putting my work into a bricks and mortar shop, and having another consignment enquiry.

Annoying moment: A woman telling her daughter my items were 'just little gimmicks' and thinking I'd be OK with that.

Most used phrase: 'We'll FC it' (whilst waving a hand infront of one's neck, in a slicing action. FC stands for False Claim, as in a bingo game. It basically means, forget it and move on. Me and my friends are soooo cool).

Most time consuming task: Getting to my 9-5. I absolutely cannot drag my ass out of bed at the moment.

I'm starting to get my head around my Flickr a bit more now. If you want to take a look and give me some tips... please do.

Thanks to all my lovely commenters: I now have a Top 10 on the right! What an incentive to give me comments! I love comments so do keep your thoughts coming :o)

Berrysprite (love that blog btw, soo want to visit Japan)

Geraldo Maia

Julia

Cloudhopping

dark angel

mamutopia

Victoria

Pippa

Swirlyarts
linda
Littleclouds

Tizzalicious

This month I also changed my blog about a bit, can't seem to get my banner back up... oh well...

Back tomorrow for That's Wicked...

xoxox

Binged

I got nothing I wanted to get done over the weekend. I'm in my twenties and live in the UK, which basically means on a weekend I drink too much and spend the remaining time recovering. Fab time though, we went to Tokyo. I drank some delicious Raspberry Mojitos. I think it may have been the 3.30am curry (we live in Bradford, it's what you do) that caused morning problems. It seems like a good idea at the time!

I am so tired now. Tonight I need to make some Lego cufflinks ready for a stall on Wednesday, and make a ring I have been commissioned to do for a Rubiks Cube party (don't ask...). I also need to get to a Tea and Biscuit meeting and see friends I haven't seen for what feels like weeks!

I'm so tired I feel sick.

xoxox

Folksy Finds Friday - Funkyshapes

My new weekly feature is Folksy Finds Friday (are you getting sick of my alliteration?). I'm all about the UK when it comes to crafting, I don't think we get enough publicity, certainly compared to the US. Folksy is all about the UK and I want to showcase our talent.

First up is Funkyshapes. I have just bought a Christmas gift for my friends' baby from Funkyshapes (none of these here though... I'm keeping it a surprise but they are GORGEOUS!!) I can't wait to receive them!!


Funkyshapes is a Chillean mum living on the Isle of White in England. She makes and designs with her Mother-in-Law. How lucky they have something in common!

They are perfect baby wear because they have no internal seams to rub against baby's feet. Plus, they are all 100% hand stitched and unique.


Best of all, they are made wtith love for funky, happy people! I think Little G gonna love her booties!

xoxox

So much time and so little to do! Strike that - reverse it! - #2!

Never was a truer word spoken than that of Mr Willy Wonka.

I feel like ~38% of my posts are me saying - I have been doing stuff but I have been soooo busy.

Well... how about this for a creative kick up the be-hind. Another shop has been in touch to request I sell my work there. Yay!! I have asked for their terms, so, as always, so as not to jinx I'll not be saying where until the goods are in place. I am VERY excited about it though.

I'm hoping to take photo's of my recent work at the weekend (when I see daylight) and get it listed!

I don't know about you, but I have only bought one Christmas present so far. Some people ask if I make gifts. I don't, I feel like it would be presumptuous to think a person would want to wear my work (very modest). I think when a person pays it's because they are aware of it's uniquity, perhaps the time spent on making it, and therefore my hard work is worthwhile. I won't give things away that won't be worn, it's a waste of my time, which I think is much worse than a waste of my money -so I buy gifts.

I sometimes make cards for birthdays but never for Christmas. People get a lot of cards for Christmas, and they generally end up recycled or in the bin. So I make cards to sell, but not to give away. Blimey, I'm an absolute capitalist aren't I!

How much of your Christmas (or any other festival you might celebrate - I celebrate Christmas THE END) have you got done? Will you make any gifts or cards?

xoxox

I heart - Laura Groves

I love things cute and pretty and her music is all that. So is she actually. Watch this, if you love things pretty and sweet, you'll love the video as well as the music.

Did you spot the references to my home town there?



Did you like it? A friend of mine is recoding her album and it will be ready very soon! I'll be making a purchase for sure. If you can't wait that long... iTunes her!

xoxox

Wicked Wednesdays - Tattoos

So, a second part to my new structurified blog!

(Most) Wednesdays will be devoted to stuff I love.

Tattoos

I had one done when I was 18, for my birthday, paid for by friends. I went in wanting a creepy lizard, I came out with a butterfly. Half way through I fainted and was really rather pissed off that the man with the needle brought me round with some sort of chemical. This story should not be misunderstood - he did not decide to change the design while I was unconscious.

I want it extending but was never sure how to do it, considering I didn't want any more butterflies. Then I saw this beauty

You can see more photos from different angles on her myspace page. She also makes the cutest food themed crocheted items and sells online - Twinkie Chan. My favourite:

I think I want to be her a little bit. No I didn't send a link to my hairdresser to her myspace. I didn't!

Yeah I did. So I'm basically feeling a bit of a unicorn/rainbow/stars thing that incorporates my butterfly.

Have you got a tattoo? What have you got or what would you like?

xoxox

New colour scheme - by popular demand!

You may notice the blog has a new look!

A couple of people said the white against black hurth their eyes - I just used a Blogger generic one and didn't realise there was the option of going in and playing with colours - what do you think? I should probably do some branding exercise where I pick certain colours to use on everything I do - web pages, packaging, signage...

But I like to mix things up every 2 days so it's not worth it. And mix-up is what KistchenSink's all about!

So go on.... how's this?

xoxox

FaceFanBlogShop

I arrived at Mum and Dad's at 8.30am today, armed with 3 cork notice boards, small hinges and some screws. Ten minutes later and Dad's rocked up a zig-zaggedy showy thing for my stall on Saturday. Rockin, Dad! I am going to paint it black, just as soon as I get my hands on some paint (scoured Shipley today, but none to be found).

Then we set off to... Silsden!! The quaint little village where the shop requested to sell my work?... Read on...

OK so not a 'shop' per se, it's a gallery (swanky, yeah?), and it's called Projeto. It covers a multitude - Paula, the owner, offers a web design service. The gallery also houses photographic prints and sells handmade jewellery. Paula also intends to sell some craft supplies... and is thinking of offering craft classes. It's all really exciting... and I hope my jewellery sells well there. Here are some photos to wet your whistle...

Paula has now put a jewellery display in the window - where mine will be!

I'm excited about this - hoping to get some of the resin and other bits in there soon, if there's space... they're looking pretty good! I'll have to rethink my packaging a bit, I reckon, some gorgeous stuff in there that puts mine to shame! My recycled efforts keeps my costs down though!

Also... if you are on Facebook - be my fan!

Hearts xoxox

Four more sleeps to Christmas Craft Fair No.1!

And preparations are well under way! I have taken a week annual leave this week to get sorted:

Some generic items (of course made with love, but easier to repeat) are the good ol' button jewelleries:

The flower earrings I blogged about a few weeks ago:

And the much loved 100s & 1000s jewellery:

I have used recycled mail-outs for the majority of the packaging, that always goes down well and saves me a few bob too!

I also got some super news from work (fact bit: I work in a very big university, it employs around 8000 staff and I'm not sure how many students it has but I expect it's lots! We don't have a staff room, no, we have a staff centre building. It has an eating area, hot food, a licensed bar, and then upstairs there are rooms for various classes, groups (book group etc) and so forth. It's proper good and ting)

they hold a few craft fairs throughout the year in the staff centre, but are hoping this year to hold a Christmas one in the main university entrance building... which is awesome as there will be much more traffic. PLUS - they have asked me to help out - which is great! I am always up for that!

Here are a couple of treats I made this week with resin - I have more ideas up my sleeve so can't sit here blogging forever (sorry and all that)

What do you reckon?

My other plans for the week are to go to the dentist, go to the gallery who have kindly asked to sell my work (yippeeee), see a couple of ex-colleagues to catch up on the goss, and do a bit of networking/publicising. Something that happened this week has given me a right kick up the behind to pull my finger out and get my name known!

Ooh and prepare my stall ideas - I have just bought 3 notice boards and hinges - guess what I'm making...?

Hearts xoxox

Celebratory note

I just wanted to say - I hope you all enjoyed Bonfire Night...

Did you get up to any mischief last night?? I just went to sewing class, fortunately there was no treacle on my door handle when I got home!

Hearts xoxox

My October - Re-cap & Round-up & Thank-yous

I did say there would be soon more structure to my blog! I’ll do it gradually, don’t want to bite off more than I can chew!

Following in the footsteps of Tizzalicious I will round up the last month… and inspired by Ismoyo I will thank all that commented on the blog… we’ll it’s just courteous! I'll do this each month...

Super social events over October:
1. Georgia’s head wetting (Pubs)
2. ‘From Bond to Broadway’ (theatre/show)
3. The Courteeners (Live music/gig)
4. The Mystery Jets/The Golden Silvers (Live music/gig)
5. Angels & Demons Halloween party (Party)
6. Gavin’s Freaky 40th Fancy Dress party (Party)

Movies I watched:
1. Babe: Pig in the City (I love this soooo much)
2. Sex and the City (missed this at the movies with the girls cos I was on a date! True SATC style!)
3. 13 Going on 30 (love seeing her office filled with kawaii stationery, I’m heading that way myself!)
4. Bring it on (it was on TV)
5. Dirty Dancing (I carried a watermelon?!)

Rock ‘n’ roll moment: My friend re-appearing after 15 minutes of losing him, very sweaty, after crowd surfing
Flattering moment: Being refused alcohol at the bar for looking under-age
Embarrassing moment: My strapless dress falling down as I cut up the rug to old-skool hip hop in a packed out club
Exciting moment: Being asked to sell my work in a proper bricks and mortar shop!

Most used phrase: What do you want for tea? I want crisps (from Kaiser Chief's 'Never miss a beat')
Most time consuming task: preparing for up-and-coming craft fair: Bradford Peace and Craft Fair, 15th November, Victoria Hall, Saltaire.

I joined Twitter (very addictive) and Flickr (still not got my head around it)

Big thanks to my lovely commenters, you keep me going :D :

Allison Strine

Mamutopia

Victoria

Tizzalicious

Jennifer Katherine (Elegant Journey)

Pippa (Pippa's Arty Life)

Anonymous (Natalie!)

Anonymous (tbf)

Julia

Katy (please get back in touch re your request!)

Anonymous (Kate! Getting good at working out who you are!)

Thanks my lovelies!

In a bit x0x0x

In the last week of KitschenSink...

...I have...

...sold two items on Folksy! A blue and a pink 'Measure of My Dreams Bracelet'. I'm really pleased, because I think they are super cute!! They are in limited supply too... I don't seem to be able to find any more measuring tapes in these funky colours. Boo!!!!

...been interviewed for the 'Crafting in Colour' Etsy Team blog! Read it here!

...been asked to sell my work in a new gallery/shop in a quaint village not so far from where I live. I am excited and apprehensive all at once! This is an avenue I wanted to explore after Chirstmas but if the mountain is coming to Mohammed (PBUH) already, then I won't be turning it away!

...as always, been super busy. When I get chance on dinner break (lunch, I'm northern) at work, I jot down a few objectives for the evening. Today's is - buy dress, tea, blog, read up on wholesale, pack items, make. That's right, a reminder to eat my tea. The oven is preheating as we speak. Blog - check.

Think I will watch 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' whilst I work on the rest.

And on that note... I am mourning the BBC's loss of Russell Brand - the only thing worth my TV Licence fee.

Russell - here's to you. I love you. I'm just going to look at this photo for a bit...

... see you on Channel 4 I suppose....

Holidays are coming??

Here in the UK we have what's called Sunday Trading Law. It basically means shops can't be open longer than 6 hours (although I think convenience stores have different rules).

I think the same should be applied to Christmas advertising/display/etc. I almost threw up a few days ago when I heard the DFS (sofa company) ad playing Christmas music. I mean, It's not even November yet.

So this is three weeks away what I am selling at, so it seems the right time to advertise it. I am so excited but still have so much to do! I have booked the week leading up to it off work to get prepared!





It's always a really good do and the folks who oragnise it are gems. Get yerself down if you can make it!

Bad stuff.... good stuff

My horoscope says today:

'It's a busy, busy day today as your normal routine becomes more complicated. You may talk about simplification, but it's not going to be easy to cut back on your activities. Instead of fretting over what you cannot finish, slow down enough to catch your breath and just try to meet your obligations as best you can.'

Too effing right. Too too busy. My 9-5 is stretching me to capacity and sooner or later my hair is going to start falling out. If my eyelashes fall out, enough's enough. That REALLY freaks me out.

I have had a social event pretty much every evening as far back as I remember (I recommend you listen to the Courteeners , The Mystery Jets, and the Golden Silvers, seen those over the weekend).

So just as I am contemplating jumping into oncoming traffic of a dual carriageway - I notice my feedback has arrived for the first ring I sold on Etsy... whoopie!

'Fab product. Great design. Well made. Really fantastic wrapping and postage. Prompt delivery. Wonderful!'

Yeahhhhh.

So much time and so little to do! Strike that - reverse it!

I am telling you. Mr Willy Wonka was a genious when it came to proverbs and all that.

I have done a fair bit over the last few days.

I have joined Twitter and Flickr and haven't quite got my head around them yet but quite like them. Better than myspace anyway. I used to like myspace alot, but not so much these days.

I have joined the Craft in Colour Etsy Team, which is run by Tizzalicious, which I am really excited about... following from this, I was featured in a Treasury. Yay! Here's my fame, and I have so many more hits from this so many thanks and I'll have a go at creating one soon:

The above features :

Mermaid Bracelet by Pulp Sushi
Sweet and Sassy Hair Flower by Always Amy
Large Felt Handbag by Lusitania
Pool Party Office Set by Start To Finish
Bright Blue Button Bracelet by Kitschtique
Sweet Coral Red Rose Earrings by Baby Loves Pink
Block Party Lego Cube Ring by Kitschen Sink
Any Way You'd Like To Travel - Tractor Print by Goodbloom
Tripple - Sweet UFO - Sprinkles Bracelet by Stoopid Gerl
Fleece Dog Ball by Bentleys Bones
Kitty Cat Double Cards by Chez Larsson
Recycled Shirt Tunic Dress by CourtneyCourtney

Thanks again to Tizzalicious for featuring us, head over to her shop there's some really cute stuff, it's a shame she couldn't put something of her own in but apparently that's not good etsy-quette.

Well you may think that doesn't sound alot but I do work full time and have family and friends to see too... and this online marketing whatnot takes alot of time up!

I'm off to go make some stuff with my new supplies!

Hearts xoxox

This weather is wack

Blurgh.

I am a BIG fan of autumn/winter fashion for various reasons - some of which are: I enjoy tweed and tartan and other heavy fabrics; I am of the pale skin variety which is allowed in these months (you look like a tit with orange skin in any season to be fair, and fake tan never looks right on me); I don't have a boyfriend and therefore do not shave my legs unless it's a special occasion so trousers and tights get the A+.

But this weather Iis HORRIBLE. I have a crack in the sole of my boot and my foot is getting wet, I need some new ones but haven't found THE pair yet. So wet foot for a few days.

Check out the dreadful scene from the penthouse today (anyone want to run away to a sunny country with me?):

I expect to make LOTS over the next few days with cups of tea and perhaps I'll buy some cupcakes. What do you do to cheer up in the miserable weather?

Hearts xoxox

Fruits of my labour

So I said I had some new supplies... here's a few things I have made. I really enjoyed making these and they didn't take too long either. I think this is the way forward when working towards a big craft fair and Christmas time, having some staple items that are effective and don't take too long to make, alongside the more creative pieces that I make from scratch. It also means I cater for lower budgets!!

Not sure on prices yet, need to do some sums.

First - Hearts - necklaces, rings, earrings, hairslides to follow (just ordered them)

Second - Snowflakes - Ready for winter - necklaces, rings, earrings, hairslides to follow

Third - Ladybirds - necklaces, rings, earrings, hairslides to follow

I also made some button stack rings/earrings but they aren't finished yet.

There is a black/white/red theme here which I like... I just ordered more supplies so the idea will be developed further very soon...

What do you think? What have you done in preparation for the upcoming holiday season?

Hearts xoxox