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Making gifts for Elves

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 25 Jul 2013 21:47:00 +0000

Earlier this year on FaceBook there was a little meme going around that basically said "I promise to send the first 5 people who comment on this post a handmade gift. Sometime during 2013 I will send you a little gift. In return you have to put this status on your timeline and send handmade gifts to 5 of your friends". We'll I know a whole bunch of very talented people so I was totally up for this. I said "YES PLEASE" to the lovely and talented Jan Fowler and have received a lovely painted handbag.

One of the people who said yes please to me was Anthony, also known as the Elvish Taylor. I was inspired to create for him after this hilarious status update where he confessed to sewing his spectacles into the lining of a jacket he was making. He obviously needs a spectacle chain, so I got out my tiny beads.

I found some great earthy greens, blues and blacks and because of the Elf's fae nature I included some sparkly crystals and some haematite stars. So I poured them all onto my work mat and get stringing. Then I had to take most of it out and work out how to space the stars mostly evenly. A while later, and a few beads on the floor too, I had a spectacle chain.

Anthony loved it.

If you would like to make your own spectacle chain:

You will need:

2 spectacle ends
some tigertail or other strong beading thread
A selection of seed beads
Some haematite stars
Crimp beads
Pliers
A beading mat

Select your colour scheme and pour out some beads on your mat. Mix them up, adding until you have the colours you want.

Cut around 34 inches of tigertail. Slide on a crimp bead & loop the tigertail through one spectacle end and back through the crimp bead.

If you have crimping pliers close and fold the crimp, or just close it flat with flat pliers.

Thread on your beads, with the stars evenly spaced by poking the tigertail end at the beads on the mat to ease them onto the thin wire. If you are using a thread you will need a beading needle, but I still recommend picking up the beads from the mat with the needle rather than trying to pick them up by hand.

Once you have around 32 inches of beads slip on another crimp, thread it through the remaining spectacle end back through the crimp and close it.

Voila, you have your very own spectacle chain. If you change the ends you can make all kinds of lanyards and chains. Have fun

You can get all of the things you need on Amazon (see links below) or from places like Hobbcraft or your local craft store.

Why I need so many necklaces

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 09 Jul 2013 20:00:00 +0000

The lovely ladies at London Jewellery School posted this pic on their Facebook page last week and it made me feel quite happy about the amount of necklaces I own.

I mostly wear V neck or scoop necked jersey tops so a lot of my necklaces are medium sized pendants on fairly short silver chains. However, I do have a lot of lovely long strands and some gorgeous chunky and multi strand pieces. This little infographic give you and me, a few hints and tips about pairing that perfect piece of statement jewellery with the right type of top or dress.

For example, this statement necklace

was originally designed to go with a strapless dress

but away from the summer sun this long strand necklace would look great with a turtle neck cocktail dress, like this one.

Now this lovely wire wrapped pendant is a great statement piece and you wouldn't want to loose the impact of it.

I would recommend a V neck or Scoop necked top, or maybe even a sweetheart neckline like this lovely tea dress.

Happy dressing everyone. If you decide you need more necklaces, please do get in touch, or look on my Folksy store and I'm sure I can help you out x

Making fabulous Hats!!!!!!!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 05 May 2013 22:51:00 +0000

The Elvish Tailor ran some hat workshops this spring.

I had the great opportunity to learn how to make a straw cloche hat with Anthony this month. We gathered together in the beautiful sewing room of The Sewing Sessions in Ipswich and had 6 glorious hours to make a hat. Anthony was an exacting tutor, expecting us to strive to meet his high standards, but a patient and good humoured one.

As well as steaming and shaping our hats on a block, I cut into the brim to make the back curl. I don't like it when the back of my hat bumps on my collar or scarf. We then wired the brim and covered the wire in ribbon. Once we had decorated our hats; with everything from butterflies and feathers to velvet, chain and flowers, we ribboned up the inside and lined our hats in silk. I was truly amazed at the professional finish we managed in just 6 hrs.

We were 6 lovely ladies, who made 6 very different hats.

Thank you Anthony, I really hope to make another hat very very soon. x

1st Silversmithing class

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 22:35:00 +0000

My New Year's resolution this year was to "learn new things" (and to moisturise, but that isn't very interesting) so I've enrolled in a Silversmithing course at my local Adult Education centre. Thursday was my first lesson.
Once I'd found the workshop I met my lovely teacher and 4 other eager ladies. Then we got down to the serious business of Health and Safety and making a ring!!!!!! After we had got over the shock of all the terrible things we could injure ourselves with we were handed a small slip of paper. This, we were told was the best way to measure our fingers. Suitable measure we then went on to anneal, saw, file, shape, solder and pickle our rings. I'm very impressed with my little copper ring, which I hope next week will gain silver wire edging and a flower.

I hope you like my little shares and that the pictures will get more interesting as I make more pieces. If anyone would like to commission a piece, or give me some lovely ideas, please comment below or send me an email. Looking forward to next week lots x

Yule competition

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 19:43:00 +0000

Guess how many beads are in this jar to win a £15 voucher for Ivaldi.

This is a 280g pickle jar, aprox 2 inches across. There are a variety of beads in here, but none smaller than 5mm.

Closing date 17th December 6pm.

The winner will be the entry with the closest answer and will be notified by email within 2 days of the closing date.

You can use your voucher to purchase or to go towards any item in our Folksy shop or on a made for your item (see the web site for inspiration).

Christmas events

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 20:14:00 +0000

We've got a busy couple of months running up to Christmas so I thought I'd better share all our events with you.....

Saturday 17th November 9.30 - 1.30 Poringland Christmas Fair, Village Hall

Thursday 22nd November Recreation Rd Infants School Christmas Fair 7 - 10

Sunday 25th November 12 - 4 Snowy's Christmas gift & craft Fair, Brundall Memorial hall (FB event)

Friday 7th December 5 - 9 Castle Christmas Craft Fair TBC

Saturday 8th December 11 - 4 Take 5 Vintage Fair TBC

Saturday 16th December 10 - 2 Acle & district Lion Christmas Fair, Brundall Memorial Hall

Shooting Stars Necklace, from inspiration to the big day

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 15:03:00 +0000

We had some lovely news at Ivaldi Towers a few months ago. My biggest nephew and his long term partner were finally tying the knot. So, obviously an enormous hat has in order, as was a stunning piece of jewellery.

Hat and dress were easily arranged, but as a bespoke jeweller I wanted to create something stunning, I do have a reputation to maintain after all. My current collection is all about stars so the main focus was an easy choice but where to go from here. An evening on Pinterest and I had an inspiration board http://pinterest.com/ivaldi/shooting-star-necklace-inspiration/ and a quick trip to my favourite beads hop and I had some yummy new beads to play with.

Many sketches later I had a design I was happy with and I started making stars. The Lovely Caroline from the Outhouse Studio has loaned me a beautiful antique kiln, and I just love the results it gave.

I then spent about 3 days placing beads, polishing stars and generally faffing about until I get things where and how I wanted.

Here it is about half way through.

So, Saturday morning dawned and we were off into the wilds of Suffolk and here it is in it's finished glory.

Rosemarie of the Lighthouse Network has been helping me focus and reach my goals, and she has been hugely encouraging all through this project, thank you sweetie x

So the final outcome of this is that the necklace is now up on Folksy, the original you see here but also as a bespoke, whatever stones, colours you want.

I've really enjoyed this project. It's brought my Stars collection to a conclusion and I've learned a lot doing it. So what next, what will be my next collection. Stay tuned and I'll let you know.... as soon as I know myself x

I'm a Great British Maker

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 18:54:00 +0000

And you can vote for me by clicking on the Facebook Like button on my profile page here

I need your help

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 19:33:00 +0000

I'm doing some market research to aid my plans for world domination. Please take the time to answer my survey.

Thank you x

Gothic Cameo Pendants from your pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 21:24:00 +0000

Following on from our stunning Victorian Fashion Plate pendants (here and here) we are now pleased to announce the ability to create pendants from your own pictures.

This is Gabrielle, who agreed to allow me to experiment with her picture, to create the beautiful necklace you see below.

If you would like a pendant from your own picture, maybe a treasured family antique or a memento of a special event, then please get in touch or order through our shop.

Special thanks to Gabi for allowing me to use her picture.

Living with no fear of Failure

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 04 May 2012 09:36:00 +0000

I read an article on Facebook, or Twitter, somewhere anyway I can't find it now. It was something to do with the excellent influence of the fantastic Rosemarie of the Lighthouse Network who is puling down a lot of walls in my head and helping me create a more balanced life.

Anyway, the jist of this article was that there was a group of people who took failure as a positive learning experience. They set themselves impossible goals and then enjoyed the ride trying to get there. Now this was a bit much for me, fear of failure is a really big thing holding me back from my creative projects. I spent quite a lot of yesterday thinking about that and another thing mentioned in the article. What would you do if you knew it couldn't fail?

This is Simon Walsh's studio. Image from http://www.simonewalsh.com/

Mine would be to set up a studio and make jewellery more than a couple of hours a week. I love this image of Simon Walsh's Australian studio, so bright and open.

I would love to spend more time making money from my creative skills rather than my teaching practice and also have more time with my beautiful babies and Fabulous Hubby.

This little article, now lost in the timelines of yesterday, has given me a lot to think about, and how I can go about doing it with less fear in my heart.

What would YOU do if you knew it couldn't fail???

Victorian Cameo Pendants

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 20:41:00 +0000

I have created a series of beautiful portrait cameos using fashion plates from the University of Washington's archives (you can see these images here) They are taken from fashion journals from the 19th and 20th Century and are a great record of the way we would have been dressing (or aspiring to dress) 150 or so years ago.

They show closeups of the sketches, mounted and varnished to create a long lasting piece of jewellery.

One of the original images I have used for my cameos.

I'm thinking about doing some boys next. What do you think?

I can also make these images from your own pictures. I will be blogging about that really soon. I'm in the process of making a necklace for a lovely friend that I can't wait to share with you all.

Some chilled out meditations for a lovely Sunday afternoon

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 15:07:00 +0000

Please enjoy these lovely meditations

This one sounds a bit like a vacum cleaner, but plug in your headphones and the white noise will help clear your mind.

Greet the morning (or afternoon) with the light of the sun, lovely.

Tibetan silver - don't be fooled

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:50:00 +0000

I spend a lot of time online looking for lovely new beads and charms to include in pieces for me and for future collections. A lot of the cheap stuff is labelled as Tibetan silver. I wasn't sure about it so I looked further.

Guess what? Tibetan silver CONTAINS NO SILVER (or at the best less than 30%)

Wikipedia (always worth a quick look) says "Currently, jewellery, beads and castings described as 'Tibetan Silver' tends to be a base iron 'cheese metal' casting, overlaid with this pewter and silver plating." HERE

eBay reviews have lots of info from customers on how NOT silver it is.

Just to let you now. I use sterling or fine silver as standard and will occasionally use silver plating for my fashion pieces. I am always VERY clear about the silver content of my jewellery.

Meditation Workshop

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 19:52:00 +0000

I will be giving a Beads Meditation workshop on Sunday 16th October at the Hewitt MBS fair in Norwich.

I will also be selling my lovely jewellery. I would love to see any Norfolk people.

Keep looking on Twitter and I will be putting up a password for a show discount!!!!!

For your bead meditations

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 10:57:00 +0000

Some lovely inspirational music. Enjoy

Rehydration fluids for Children and Adults - save a life!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 09:08:00 +0000

So this is totally off topic but I am in my 3rd day of a D&V bug, quarantined from my children and feeling awful. I am surviving on Rehydration fluids, this is the most important thing you need for rehydrating after vomiting or diarrhoea.

You don't need to buy Dioralyte or other branded rehydration solutions all you need is boiled water, salt and sugar.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends the following mix. In 1 litre of boiled water dissolve 1 level tea spoon of salt and 6 - 8 teaspoons of sugar. Sip little and often to maintain hydration after a purge. Drop the salt a little for children.

Babies (under 1 year) should see a doctor the same day and children after 36 hours or if they become really unwell (ie floppy or unresponsive)

And whatever you don DON'T take anything to stop the diarrhoea, it will just keep the virus, bacteria etc inside your body and keeping you ill for longer.

For more information see the world health organisation's web site, or NHS Direct.
(normal service will resume soon)

Events

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 20:04:00 +0000

This is the current list of events you can come and meet us, buy our beautiful jewellery and beads, try out our prayer beads and even make your own fingerprint jewellery (please email us to make sure we will be bringing the equipment)

See more information on events here or on out Facebook Calendar

Acle MBS - Acle Memorial Hall - 2 March
6.30 - 9.30 Fantastic local MBS fair with a wide range of readers, stalls and therapists. More info here

Easter Fair - Christchurch hall - Saturday 24th March 10 - 4
Bottom of Constitution Hill, Norwich. More info here

Lots of fun for the children and a chance to make your own fingerprint jewellery (booking for fingerprints advised)

North Elmham MBS Fayre - Sunday 15th April 10 - 4
King's Head Hotel, North Elmham, Norfolk, NR20 5JB

Lots of stalls, therapists and readers. More information here

THE EAST ANGLIAN GREEN GODDESS BODY and SOUL FESTIVAL
Fri 27th, Sat 28th APRIL 2012. The Forum Norwich

One of the BIG MBS events of the Norwich calendar, come and see us right in the centre of the city for lots of beautiful sacred jewellery.

Family Fun Day - Brundall Memorial Hall - Sunday 20th May 12 - 4
Another family day - this one in aid of Snowy's Nursery. More making and jewellery to buy.Info here

Handmade for you - Brundall memorial hall - Sunday 8th July 10 - 4
A fantastic craft event in Brundall, all handmade just waiting to be snapped up. Info here

Ladies Night - Brundall Memorial Hall - Saturday 6th October 7 - 10
Another chance to come along for a chilled out evening of girlie fun. The last event saw massages, hair makeovers, manicures and loads of lovely stalls to buy from. This night promises to get better and better. Info here

Previous Events

May 13 - Acle MBS.

7 - 10 pm The Bure Room, Acle Recreation Centre

Taster treatments for £10 and (hopefully) a meditation workshop by Sam using BlessedBeads prayer beads

May 28 - Brundall MBS.

9 - 5 Brundall Memorial Hall

June 9 - Ladies Pamper Evening, Ramada Jarvis Hotel

19.30 - 22.30, Boundary Rd, Norwich (click here for the FB Page)

Sunday July 3rd - Long Stratton MBS

Long Stratton Holistic Fair (Goodies Farm)

Friday July 29th - Acle MBS
evening event - more info soon

Wednesday August 10th - Meditation Bead Workshop
Brundall Memorial Hall, 7.30 - 10 more info here

Friday September 16th - Acle MBS 7pm - 10 pm
This will be our third visit to Acle, and a delightful evening it will be.

Saturday September 17th - Brundall School Fair - afternoon
A lovely community event that would appreciate your support

Sunday October 16 - Hewitt MBS - all day
Organised by Dianne Brannan, this is a staple in the MBS season and is not to be missed

Thursday October 27th - Ladies Pamper evening (CANCELLED - sorry)
Norfolk Show ground

Sunday November 6th - Rackheath Mind Body Spirit Day 10.30 - 4pm
Rackheath Villiage Hall, Green Lane West

Friday November 18th - Acle Recreation Centre NR13 3RA 7pm - 10pm
Your last opportunity before Christmas to visit this very popular MBS event. More info here

The Sale of Lurve - Online fair - 28/29 Jan

on the Supermums Craft Fair on Facebook

Ladies Night - Brundall Memorial hall - 4th Feb

7 - 10pm More info here

Catton Craft Fair - Christ Church Hall, Constitution Hill - 11 Feb

10 - 4 more info here

Money off voucher for Norwich MBS Fair in October

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 20:08:00 +0000

I'll be at the Hewitt MBS fair on Sunday 16th October

If you would like to come please use the voucher for 50 p off.

Meditation Workshop

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 21:56:00 +0000

I'm running a Mala and meditation workshop on Wednesday 10th August in Brundall (just east of Norwich)

It will be an opportunity for you to explore and make your own set of meditation beads in a friendly and supportive environment. The evening will end with a chance to use your new beads in a meditation focusing on Positive affirmations.

Please mail me or see the link above to book your place.

** Please book quickly to secure your place and allow me to confirm the room booking, thanks **

Positive Affirmation meditation

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 29 May 2011 20:43:00 +0000

Lovely day at the Brundall Holistic Fair

I had a lovely time at the Brundall Holistic Fair, Vikki raised loads of money for charity. I parted company with some lovely jewellery and had a very interesting tarot reading.

I ran a workshop on using my meditation beads and all the ladies (including my own little Gothling) were very relaxed afterwards and I got some fabulous feedback on the beads. The 'Earthly Delights' set were particularly hard to put down.

We looked at the 5 pattern elemental sets and used a positive affirmation based on the 5 elements (earth, air, fire, water and spirit) I chose a simple statement for each element to embody the strength of each element.

For Earth I chose I am/we are healthy. Earth represents the body, family and the tangible.
For Air I chose I am/we are heard. This speaks to the vocal aspect of air, it is also logic, thought and inspiration.
For Fire I chose I am/we are loved. Fire is all about passion, love, the heart and flame, and also electricity.
For Water I chose I am/we are calm. Water represents the emotions and deep sweeping change.
To draw everything together I chose I am/we are divine, to remind us that there is a spark of divinity in all of us.

This is the meditation we did.....

'With your feet on the ground close your eyes and feel the weight of your body through your feet and through your bottom solid on your chair. Remember, you are all divine and special.'

With your fingers on the first bead of your set, next to the pendant,
'We are healthy,' move your fingers to the next bead.
'We are heard,' move your fingers to the next bead.
'We are loved,' move your fingers to the next bead.
'We are calm,' move your fingers to the next bead.
'We are divine,' move your fingers to the next bead. Repeat this pattern 13 times

When you are completed with the full pattern complete the meditation
'Take a moment to own this affirmation, feel it within yourself.
Now feel the weight of your feet on the floor, hear the sounds around you, and when you are ready, open your eyes'

Brundall Holistic Day

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 25 May 2011 19:55:00 +0000

I had a fantastic time at the Acle Mind Body Spirit Fayre, met some fantastic people and selling LOTS of jewellery. Looking forward to the next one now.....

This weekend is the Brundall Holistic Fair. I would love to see you there..... http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=136837853052073

I'll be doing a bead meditation workshop. If you've never used meditation beads come along for a try to see how my beautiful jewellery can be used for affirmation and meditation work.

21st Norwich Mind Body Spirit Fair

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 13:00:00 +0000

I won't be selling at this fair, but will be attending to see all the fab stalls. A great event at Norwich's forum

Click here for a poster

Finger Print Pendants

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 21:29:00 +0000

Finger Print Pendants & Charms

If you live near Norwich, Norfolk UK you can get your very own fingerprint charm. These are a unique way to capture a moment of your children's or loved ones life. This easy process can be done on a kitchen table, with all the specialist equipment either very portable or ready to use back at our studio workshop.

Why not get some friends together for a finger print party.

This is the pendant that I wear next to my heart every day. The smaller print is my son's (1 yr old), the larger my 5 yr old daughter's.

I chose an abstract shape directed by the placement of the prints, you can also chose heart, circle and rectangle shape pendants.

These are one off, can't be reproduced items. Prices from £25. Please contact us to book a party (we will come to you within 20 miles of Norwich) or to arrange a visit to us.

Brundall Holistic Day

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 20:20:00 +0000

I will be at Brundall Holistic Day on Saturday 28th May 9 - 5 at the Memorial Hall.

This looks like it's going to be an interesting day with treatments, stalls and workshops. I'm going to be doing a meditation workshop on positive affirmations using the Blessed Beads, prayer beads.

It would be lovely to see you all.

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