Handmade Monday: Tree of life

This week I've mostly been experimenting with tree of life pendants. I've not tried them before, but I know they are popular, so thought I'd have a go. My first attempt with lapis lazuli chips and...

Handmade Monday: Kumihimo again

So, I've been playing with the Kumihimo disc again. This time I thought I would have a go at seed beads, as I've never tried that before. Some hours later, with my eyesight probably deteriorated...

Handmade Monday: Fame for my little blog and dog pictures

This week I'm excited to report that this little blog was reviewed in the April edition of Making Jewellery and Handmade Monday was mentioned! Just pardon me a moment while I quote the whole review...

Handmade Monday: Thank you blog readers!

I wanted to thank everyone for the feedback you gave me the other week on the bag charms 'with or without beads' issue. Most people said they liked the non-beaded flower version best so I've been...

Handmade Monday: February?

Well, I'm not quite sure what happened to January - it must have passed in a blur of being busy, but here we are early at Valentine's Day so I'm saying an early 'I love you' to my blog as apology...

Handmade Monday: end of the year

Well, Christmas has really crept up this year. It seemed to be November for ages, then December has flown by in a flurry of sales and busy-ness. I can't complain, and the thought of literally...

Handmade Monday: Busy, busy, busy flowers

What a busy week! Record sales in my Folksy shop this week, and the little cord charm bracelets are still proving popular everywhere. There's not been time to do a tutorial, and at one point in the...

Wordless Wednesday: What on Earth is that?!

Handmade Monday: Viking weave

Just looked back and realised that it's a year since I promised my blog readers a tutorial on Viking weave. Well, better late than never! The shops have been really busy this week, so doing a...

Handmade Monday: Kumihimo to infinity

What a week! The shops have been incredibly busy, and I'm coming up to 200 sales on Folksy - something I never thought I'd see. As well as rushing around packing orders, there's been the weather to...

Handmade Monday: Kumihimo again and some wire work

Remember last week when I was struggling with my ends?! Well, thanks to you all reminding me not to give up, I did persevere and found the larger Kumihimo ends I needed in the bronze tone to finish...

Wordless Wednesday: Cute dogs!

Handmade Monday: Kumihimo experiment

Last week, I gave in to temptation and bought a Kumihimo braiding starter kit. It's an ancient Japanese craft and the real traditionalists do it with a beautifully crafted wooded disk. Mine is mass...

Folksy Friday: Christmas swaps

I've had the pleasure of doing lots of swaps or trades on Folksy and Etsy recently, and got some beautiful handmade gifts in return. I can't posts pictures of what I've received, as they are mostly...

Handmade Monday: Jigging about a bit!

I've been very lucky as it's been really busy in my Folksy shop this week. Packing all the orders doesn't leave a lot of time for making, though, so this week has been time to list some simple...

Friday feature: This week's makes

Blue and brown tassel chain earrings Blue and brown glass bead bangle with bronze wire wrapping Tiger striped glass beads with mookaite and carnelian Filigree leaves purse charm/ bag charm Filigree...

Handmade Monday: Rustic rings tutorial

Why don't I make many rings? Well, number one, I'm no good at them. Number two, they always come out a funny size (perhaps because I don't measure properly!). Number three, I'm no good at them....

Wordless Wednesday: Watch out, angels about!

Handmade Monday: Chocolate and caramel

It's a well known fact that I have a relationship with chocolate. Not always an entirely healthy one. We got a chocolate labrador because he reminds me of one of my favourite things! Truth is, I'm...

Wordless Wednesday: my doggie double

Lucca and a beautiful carved jasper pedant

Handmade Monday: lots of creations

Hi everyone, I've been away for a week in S Pembrokeshire, visiting the family. Have to admit, we had some traditional seaside weather - torrential rain, thunderstorms, hail - but luckily most of...

Handmade Monday: A bit of everything and cord bracelets

Well, the cord charm bracelets are still my biggest sellers, so I've been raiding my charm stash and come up some forgotten treats The little matryoshka/ babushkas are still the buyers' favourites,...

Just finished reading...

New Finnish Grammar by Diego Marani My rating: 3 of 5 stars I liked the idea of this book - something about Finland, which always interests me after travelling there, about language and the...

Handmade Monday: that time already?

So, this week I've sold some snowflakes and some snowmen and not to the same person. I guess someone is trying to tell me it's time to get organised for the big shopping, eating and relative...

Craftyfolk Round Robin

This beautiful lady has been travelling the country as part of the Craftyfolk on Etsy team 'Round Robin'. As she goes round, each crafty person adds a little adornment to what will eventually be...

Handmade Monday: drifting into Autumn

Metal clay - well, it was fun while it lasted, but I couldn't get the bronze clay to fire properly and some pieces broke, and yet another gas torch bit the dust! Really, the little torches are...

Handmade Monday: Beaded flowers

An exciting time for Blue Forest Jewellery, as my wire rose necklace and earrings were featured in Bead Trends this month. I'm waiting for the hard copies to arrive so I can show it to you, as the...

Catching up

New on Folksy - heart charm necklaceThis poor little blog has been neglected recently and I keep promising tutorials that don't materialise! I must be more strict with myself. I've missed handmade...

Wordless Wednesday: Look what I stole from the shopping today

Handmade Monday: More flowers and weaving

My obsession with all things floral seems to be continuing, and at least today the sun is shining, so maybe its working as a charm to create some good weather? Hope everyone gets some respite from...