Vintage Hermes Scarf

It's been a mixed weekend so far...some good bits, some not so good.
I received some long-awaited funding from Arts-in-Action to promote and support my felt-making workshops (good) and on one of my textile treasure hunts, I picked up a vintage Hermes silk scarf (very good), which will probably make its way onto my Etsy shop at some point. It's from 1993, so not quite old enough to sell there yet, but it will meet the 20-years-old rule next year, so I'll sit on it until then.
As for the 'not so good' - well, I haven't been in the mood to make much this weekend and I haven't sold anything at all - Folksy is very quiet and so is Etsy. I also picked up a vintage designer handbag that, on closer inspection, is obviously a fake...buyer beware...but at least I didn't pay much for it!

Vintage Hermes scarf  'Alfred Dedreux, Peintre du Cheval' by Zoe Pauwels (1993)

Your Perfect Bag

It's over to you now...I want to know whether you have (or have had in the past) a favourite bag, one that was 'just right'. Describe it - is it large or small? Handbag or shoulder bag? Leather or fabric? one or two handles? Lots of pockets or soft and slouchy? Black or hot pink? I'd love to know - what makes a perfect bag?

Not on 'Notonthehighstreet' - oh well...

A disappointing response from NOTHS - my application was turned down (booooo!) - but nil desperandum.....I'm happy on Folksy and will continue to promote elsewhere too, including CraftJuice, Facebook and here on my blog. I'm also planning to set up my own website soon, so watch this space for news of that.
I've been busy making more phone cases and bags (with thoughts of selling at a good craft fair at the end of March), and have loads more design ideas to try out, but I have to also keep the exhibitions in mind and create some artwork too.
Recent listings on Folksy include:

'Arundel' large shoulder bag on Folksy

Pink floral mobile phone/gadget case on Folksy

Blue check mobile phone/gadget case on Folksy

Green print mobile phone/gadget case on Folksy

Stunning Kimono Silk Handbag

I haven't got very far with my artwork - with two exhibitions looming, I do need to produce something to submit - but I have completed another bag. This time it's a silk one, made from some stunning vintage kimono fabric, and I've called it 'Kyoto' after one of my favourite cities. It's a classic handbag design, perfect for a special occasion or evening out, it will be a favourite I'm sure. Listed on Folksy today....

'Kyoto' classic silk handbag on Folksy

Wet Wednesday

It's a miserable, wet, grey day today here on the coast - quite unusual really, we're normally quite lucky with the weather. However, I've been busy this morning making some felt - it keeps me warm and is quite absorbing - and have produced a good selection of pre-felt pieces, in a range of colours, to be used in later projects.
For those of you not into felting, pre-felts are pieces of semi-made felt - the fibres have knitted together but the felting (or fulling) process has not begun, so the felt hasn't started shrinking yet. The pieces can be cut and felted together at a later date or can be felted onto another piece of felt to create a picture or pattern.
Check out my felting workshops on the Workshops & Courses page.

Red Monday

It's supposed to be the worst day of the year - dark, cold, cash-strapped, the Christmas bills are landing on the doormat and most of our New Year resolutions have by now failed miserably!
But...here it's a cold, crisp, sunny morning. I've just looked in the garden and I have daffodils, roses and geraniums all flowering together, despite the heavy frost on Friday night...what an amazing January!

I've just photographed and listed my latest creation on Folksy, so here it is with a selection of other items that link nicely to the Red Monday theme and will hopefully cheer you all up.

'Janus' large shoulder bag on Folksy

Crimson classic silk handbag on Folksy

Hand-felted cuff bracelet on Folksy

Wool felt padded heart on Folksy

Liberty print draught excluder

Knitted furry scarf on Folksy

Vintage linen tablecloth on Etsy

'Poppies' print

Another Day, Another Bag

I spent yesterday sewing and came up with a new bag, larger than usual, with just a single shoulder strap. It's made from a lovely fabric called 'Grassmere', by Moygashel, full of meadow flowers and very summery. I teamed it with a plain, heavy brushed cotton fabric in soft green. I was very tempted to keep it for myself, as I haven't had a new bag for a while, but it's now on Folksy...if it doesn't sell after a few months, I may give it to myself as a birthday treat! Anyway, here it is...what do you think?

'Grassmere' large shoulder bag on Folksy

This morning I had to go to Arundel to 'dress' a window for the RNLI. It's Lifeboat Day on 27th January and the RNLI have the community window in Martin Steel's opticians for the next two weeks...I was 'volunteered' to do the honours this year and make an eye-catching display. Hopefully it will catch everyone's money too!