All about Pure

Pure crafters and craft supplies, based in Finedon, Northamptonshire - over 40 crafters selling fabulous items from jewellery to knitted items, to cards, candles and more, alongside a whole host of lovely craft supplies - why not take a look!!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pure-Crafters-and-Craft-Supplies-Shop/768024886583183


So many crafters, not enough space to name them all, but just thoughts I'd share a few of the lovely handmade items they've created!


Abigail's Artisan Attic

Michelle Stevenson

Toni Davis

Joanne Knight



The Red Butterfly





Handmade by Brooke

Stacey Davidson Creations



Changes & New Creations

A lot's been going on, new house - bit of a project, work, new crafts, a sewing class and Shakespeare Richard II...so it's all go!

Many things in the house need sorting (not least to say a new kitchen!) All in good time...I keep telling myself, got to watch the ££ it's a busy and costly time of the year!

We 'inherited' some chickens, who desperately needed looking after, that's an ongoing project and the garden seems to have been a dumping ground, so more clearing and sorting there, just want the worst done before the really cold weather sets in!

Potential for a decent garden - just get rid of the 'dump' at the bottom, sort the chicken's pen, sort the hedges and tree, get some more light in, get up the paving slabs, demolish old shed, build new larger shed, get a veg patch in, flowers etc...this may take a while!

I have had a little 'me' time in between, so my sister and I attended a lovely sewing class at Guthrie & Ghani in Moseley. See more here.
I also was fortunate enough to get tickets for Stratford to see Richard II with David Tennant- we had excellent seats, so close. The play was very good and had light hearted comedy moments, and parts of the play are relevant to today, so Shakespeare was well ahead of his time, that or the problems of then are still with us today!

I have been crafting I can, which isn't often enough and sometimes I'm too tired to craft- which isn't on! Anyway I have agreed to make a few items for The Donkey Sanctuary, a lovely charity looking after neglected/abandoned Donkeys I hope to make a few items for them, it's just fitting it in around my crafting too!

Crochet - as well as various donkey themed items, I have been working on some cute crochet creations including owls and robins. 

Felt - again I have been making donkey items as well as some robins here, which I hope to make into brooches/decorations/hair clips...hopefully in time for Christmas!

Lavender scented donkey sachets - typically my felt robins have gone walkies, I can't remember where I put them!

I have also got some background projects I have been working on, including some bouquets I hope to finally put together, it's all a bit experimental, but involves crochet, beads, buttons, vintage pearls and various bits and bobs. I would love to get something finished this year, but with robins in need of making and turning to Christmas - hand made decorations...who knows if I'll have time!

I'm also considering a craft swap...may be join one or organise myself? I'd like to, but it all boils down to time - if only we had more of it!!

Crochet Flowers

Vintage bead earrings

Shells - making into Angel Wings & Butterflies

Headband - button centre

Jewellery Frame Tutorial

Over the glorious sunny past few days I have actually managed to make a few things - firstly a jewellery frame.


I had seen a similar idea on pinterest and had thought about making one myself, but I hadn't got round to it. Then after I had made some Alice in Wonderland themed drawer handles for my sister's mini set of drawers (we couldn't use them on the drawers as she had just brought and fitted some handles) we settled on creating this jewellery holder.

Items: handles (you could always upcycle old ones you have or find)
a photo frame
fabric for backing
ribbons/lace etc
glue
staple gun

Start with a photo frame, the drawer knobs I had already created so these were simply glued on in position to hang jewellery from. You could make you own knobs too, or if you come across a handle or hook (check charity shops & car boots) they can look decorative too.

I made the handles by covering them with old book pages - I went with an old copy of Alice in Wonderland. I then painted round the bottoms of the handles to cover areas that are harder to cover in paper. They were all coated in pva glue to give it a protective cover.

Choose a fabric for your centre piece - we went with a red polka dot fabric brought from Guthrie & Ghani. Measure the back of your frame against the fabric, cut to size ensuring you can fold over onto the back of the frame.

Measure the fabric to ensure you don't have too much or too little of an overlap.

Cut to desired width - with this frame there were hooks that spin round to clip the back into the frame so I had to ensure they would move over the fabric.

Use a staple gun to fix the fabric in place, where you can try not to let the staple go all the way through to the fabric, but fold the edges down. As you move round the frame this becomes harder, but remember you can always hide the staples if they are visible on the other side with various embellishments at the end.

Keep checking & measuring each side as you go round.

Once complete fit the frame back together to ensure it all looks and fits ok.

Choose ribbons,  laces & trimmings to decorate your frame. These will hold light jewellery such as earrings which can be hooked over the top edge of the trimming. Play around with it first so you know how many trimmings you want and in what order.

The trimmings are all glued to the back of the frame, again ensure this won't affect how you put the frame together. If you find the trimmings are not quite strong enough to hold jewellery items that's ok, it will always make a lovely decorative piece & you have handles / hooks around the frame for other items.

The back of the frame isn't going to be seen, but if you were wanting to tidy it up you could cover the whole piece with something like felt to hide the ends - this may mean you will have to completely seal your frame. Once each trimming has been secured you can tidy the corners of the fabric by carefully folding inwards and gluing in place.

Volia! Finished frame - being picky I think my lace is a little wonky, but overall I'm happy and it'll be great for hanging necklaces & bracelets & earrings, as well as being a decorative piece.

 

 

If anyone has a go at this or has done something similar I'd love to hear from you!!

 

The frame in use! Sorry for picture quality - my phone's not great for photos.

 

Accessories

Accessories

Following on from scarves- a simple, affordable and stylish way toturn your outfit 'vintage', the next obvious follow on is accesories.

Again these are generally inexpensive (unless you go for things such as jewellery made from gold or with precious stones...it'll get pricey then!)

Accessories are also something you can get copies of vintage styles fairly easily, or even make your own.

Since accessories cover several items we'll break it down and start with- Jewellery - see my Vintage Love page

Giveaway Win

Well, finally some nice news - I won a giveaway on facebook with Made In The Attic

I was lucky to win this competition and got to choose some items - it took a while to decide but I choose these

Right and below: Literary themed earrings- I went with Pride and Prejudice

Elizabeth and Mr Darcy.

I also chose two beautiful fabric flower rings - perfect colours for spring.


So many thanks to Nelli for the items - definitely worth keeping an eye on her etsy shop!!
 Facebook Page

Vintage Delights

I visited, for the first time, the Custard Factory in Birmingham last week and went to a fabulous vintage fair, a mixture of clothes, accessories and hand made items for sale (plus some lovely tea and cakes!)

This was the first of these sort of fairs I have been to, was great to see so much variety and so many well kept vintage items surviving.

Although I was on a budget, I did manage to treat myself to a few bits, including this fab vintage dress, date approx 50s.


 I have always liked this style of dress, more so the ones with the petticoats underneath that really give the dress a flare (sadly too much £ for me), but this was spotted by my sister and turned out to be a great buy, already worn once and now eagerly awaiting some sunshine for its second wear!


Other items I found were little accessories that can really make an outfit vintage, without having to go all the way with the whole outfit. One accessory that is popular at the moment are scarves. I found this lovely red flower one, it can be worn in so many ways.

 Round the neck, over the shoulders, as a headband, round a bun, you could even attach it to a bag or, if long enough, use as a belt! Very versatile and in expensive!!!  

Another great item to accessorise yourself is jewellery. Now I make a lot of my jewellery, but also love buying bits and even better when it's handmade (support other crafters) and I picked up this chunky white bead necklace. This has a very 60's feel to it, whilst not original, it was handmade and whilst not my usual jewellery style I have worn this and think it does just give your outfit a little edge of something different.

I am a keen bargain hunter and think if you have a good eye you can really get some great stuff at these fairs, but don't forget to keep your eye out in charity shops, car boots and antique fairs, I've collected a few items here and there and made a few unique accessories by up-cycling old items. I made some lovely vintage button earrings and I'm keeping an eye out for more items like buttons which perhaps don't suit our day to day clothes now, but can be creatively used to make something unusual and fun!

So here's to all the future discoveries. Let me know what you've found, or any vintage style tips you have! Love to hear comments.

British Sellers On Etsy

Here are some fab British crafters selling their items on www.etsy.com they are all very creative and have some wonderful and unique designs ideal for gifts, the home and treats for yourself. Why not go and take a look...you never know what you might find!

The Vintage Appeal

One of the fashions that does not seem to die out, is the vintage style, whether it be clothes, jewellery or home styling there is always a demand for a vintage look.

I myself find looking back at old fashions fun, you get a chance to imagine left back when and to see the development of personal/home styling through the ages. I do enjoy rummaging around at antique fairs and buying things to re-style the home, and more so, bits that I can re-use to create beautiful crafts- mostly vintage jewellery, of which I continue to build on.

I have recently listed some vintage bits on folksy- including these simple, but elegant earrings:

http://www.folksy.com/items/2371397-Vintage-Style-Glass-Pearl-Earrings?shop=yes

I am also currently loving the new series of Downton Abbey- as great as the story and acting is, I can’t help looking at the wonderful costumes and accessories they wear.

The other great thing about looking back at fashion, you seem to notice more so the dodgy fashions that sneaked through into many people’s wardrobes…even I have a few faux pars -  you live and learn!

Newbie

Just starting out with blogging, hoping I can regularly update here, but life has a tendency to get in the way- I will try!

I have set up this blog mainly to talk about my love of crafts- I have two online shops:
http://www.folksy.com/shops/cheshirecat
 and http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheDarlingBudsOfMay?ref=pr_shop

I love making crafts when I get time and I like trying new crafts. I make jewellery, accessories, hand painted glass items, various fimo creations as well as knitting, crochet, card making etc.
I hope to learn more crafts and become better with the crafts I already enjoy- I'm thinking about doing a silver making course, it would be great to make your own designs and I have seen so many beautiful creations. Any tips or advice on silver making appreciated!

I also spend my time working as an aromatherapist. I like making oil blends and natural beauty products and I hope I will be able to make some more scented sachets from home grown plants! If you are interested in aromatherapy please see my website:

www.beautiful-serenity.co.uk