A Place of My Own.

Sounds very much like a film, song or novel title doesn't it, and in fact it is all three ! It's also happens to be how I'd like to refer to my achievement this week, as I celebrate the setting up of my very own  crafts workstation.
It's been a long time coming - over 10 years in fact, and I'm over the moon and deliriously happy to have at last a place however small, of my own in the home.
I bought a second hand cabinet/desk/bookcase, that has worked out just fine; it has a magnetic board, with a shelf that makes a great display setting for my finished work; a pull-out drawer with enough headroom to slide work-in-progress out of view at night;  2 bookshelves and a couple of nooks and crannies for, well stuff :-)
 I wasted no time getting it set up.

Why has it taken so long you might be wondering, and doesn't every crafter have one? Well,  as long as I've been crafting and that's well over 30 years, I've had to share my space with  family (parents and siblings), my family (children and spouse), and now they are grown and slowly moving onto places of their own. My stuff was famously all over the place; I crafted on my bed, floor, and sometimes commandeered the dining table, kitchen and living room. It sometimes dictated what sorts of projects I did -  the smaller and faster the better.
I have a Pinterest account and it would be so easy to have workstation envy, such are the innovative ways people have come up with, to creatively use small spaces;  I post some examples here.
 
Ikea USA, Photo

 
Bookcase to Amoire, Martha Stewart

In truth, I'm very happy with my workstation so, Happy Crafting all !

Love is all around !

So...I managed to get some items ready for Valentines, but it was a close call ! If Valentines is about love, then what better than to showcase what I love doing !
When in a hurry, I turn to Polymer clay for it's versatility, colour choice and cost. My valentine hearts were made using a marbling pattern, achieved by twisting two logs of clay, one black one red. I then divided the candy cane twist into 2 and twisted the resulting logs again. I then flattened the cane and rolled on a separate base of clay and 'raked' the resulting stripes giving the nice marble effect. The design reminds me of Tie-dye fabrics which give a zigzag pattern depending on where the dye touched the material. I shall look out for some examples ! In the meantime, enjoy my hearts, from me to you !
Don't Forget to take a look at our Showcased Artists !

Polymer Clay Hearts, baked and ready for sanding and polishing and setting

A Beautiful Set of Earrings, Necklace and Bracelet, and blocks of raw polymer clay

Detail of marbling effect on heart shape polymer clay pendant

Polymer Clay Hearts, with Wire and seed bead inset encased in resin

Out with the old ?

Happy New Year to you!

I find this time of year is a boon; it’s just the right time for me to consolidate my existing projects and think about starting new ones.

In years gone by, I would round up excess or leftover material and donate it to crafts groups and charities in the full knowledge that I could easily get more and start again.

This year, as part of my austerity drive, I am going to recycle my hoard and finish or create new projects from what I already have.

My supply mountain is quite impressive because I am interested in many crafting disciplines. I have tools, clay, paints, fabric, beads, yarn, parchment and wire to name a few things!

The next obvious crafting landmark for me is February – Valentines to be exact. I’ve always managed to miss this holiday crafting opportunity because it comes right on the back of Christmas, giving one hardly enough time to plan and execute complex projects.

I think that hand crafted, goods will be big this year, as people try to reflect more heartfelt meaning to their gift giving.

Speaking of hearts, I attended a silver metal clay class last October. The one day course was fun. We were a class of about 12 of varying ability, and we were able to complete a set of earrings, pendant and ring - I chose hearts as my motif for the pendant and earrings. The clay itself is costly and one would have to achieve a high standard of finish if you were going to sell your work. The items are pure silver when fired and can be hallmarked at approved centres.

More on this craft as projects come up.

In the meantime, enjoy my efforts with this new medium. The diamond shapes were my first attempt with a home kit.
Search Amazon.co.uk for metal clay 

Adjustable Ring in Metal Clay, Pure Silver after firing - October 2010

Pendant in Metal Clay with Cubic Zirconia CZ crystals embeded

Heart Shaped Metal Clay earrings

'Diamonds in the Rough' of Metal Clay - using home kit