Pearls And Whirls

Happy New Year!

2010-02-26T14:39:00.005Z

Bit late I know but I don't know where the time has gone!? I've been mainly concentrating on my recycled denim jewellery at the moment as its doing really well. Its being stocked by another company now called Eco Emporia who stock all sorts of lovely recycled, eco friendly goodies.

I had two very successful craft fairs at the end of last year & sold a lot of stock that I just haven't got round to replenishing so I won't book any more fairs just yet & my website is looking a bit bare. Still, shouldn't grumble!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-23T10:47:00.003Z

Finished all the shopping & presents all wrapped. Early for me this year! Hoping for a bit more snow to have a white Christmas.

Happy Christmas to all my blog readers & to the bloggers I follow, have a great time!x

Upcoming fairs.

2009-11-05T16:03:00.002Z

Just a quick note to mention my upcoming fairs . The 1st is at the Red House Glass cone in Wordsley on 22nd Nov & the other is in Quinton, Birmingham on 5th Dec. Full details here

The Red House Glass Cone.

We have eggs!!

2009-10-13T14:28:00.002+01:00

Just a quick update, we went away at the weekend & came back to 2 eggs & another one this morning. Here's the finished results!!

Back to School & Poultry Farming!

2009-10-01T13:32:00.004+01:00

Wow! I didnt realise it had been that long ago that I last blogged! I didn't really blog in the summer holidays as I hardly did any crafting as I wanted to spend all my time with the boys. They are all back at school now & really enjoy it, the middle started reception & my baby started pre school so I have free mornings now. Dont they look smart on their 1st day!?

Finding it hard to motivated again now, I've been doing the recycled jewellery still as always have orders for that but couldnt be bothered with anything else. I have a few craft fairs coming up though so that has started to motivate me to get cracking!

We've also bought a couple of chickens! Speckle & Gracie have been with us for a week now, not laid any eggs yet as I think they are not quite at laying point but its been fun having them. I let them out in the garden free range for the 1st time yesterday & was worried they would manage to escape but they were fine so I will let them out more often now.

Hopefully they will lay us some eggs soon. I'll keep you posted!

The Great Escape!

2009-08-07T15:36:00.005+01:00

The lovely Sarah of Photo Fairytales used my hubby Dean for one of her delightful images on her website. Check him out & have a look at the wonderful other gift ideas, I think they would make terrific personalised birthday gifts for someone, isn't she talented!

Busy times & holidays!

2009-08-07T15:05:00.004+01:00

I know I've been a bad blogger recently & not been posting very often, I do try to read everyone elses though! I had a really busy time a few weeks ago as I have some suppliers of my recycled bead jewellery & had a job keeping up for a time which is a good thing business wise but I didnt have a lot of time for anything else. The first supplier is Planet Trash who have a lovely range of eco friendly & recycyled goodies.

We also went on holiday the 1st week of the school holidays to the Lake District. We were quite lucky weather wise as we didnt get that much rain & had some lovely trips out. The boys loved the Laurel & Hardy museum & have been watching DVD's of them ever since!

Been trying to keep them all busy for the rest of the holidays what with the miserable weather so thats another reason for my lack of inetrnet presence as I am nagged to play as soon as I switch the laptop on! They are out with their grandparents today hence I am able to blog! Hope you are all enjoying the holidays too........

And the winner is.............

2009-07-10T22:17:00.004+01:00

My lovely eldest son picked Knitwit Elaine, will get the little hairclips off in the post to you, sorry to the rest. They are always available to buy on MISI! Thanks to everyone for your lovley comments & taking the time to enter.x

Cupcake Giveaway!

2009-06-29T13:36:00.007+01:00

These little cakes are becoming so popular these days! I have been selling so many of my polymer cupcake earrings & phone charms at craft fairs & sold out at the last school fair with the kids asking for more! So I have launched a range of cupcake items & to celebrate I am offering a givaway. Just leave a comment on this post telling me what item you would like to win, a phone/bag charm, dangly earrings, stud earrings, brooch, hairclips or a ring. I'll get one of the boys to argue over who is going to pull a name out of a hat on Friday 10th July. Good luck!

I have also put this cupcake charm bracelet on MISI as well as the other items.

Pixies Playhouse

2009-06-04T15:30:00.008+01:00

I jaust wanted to thank Vicki of Pixies Playhouse in Brierley Hill for displaying one of my Baby Gift Baskets & leaflets. Vicki, Donna & Liz took over a local kids indoor soft play area & transformed it into a far better place! They have great deals on parties & Toddler Time deals. There's plenty of seating room & the food is good & very reasonably priced. Check out their website for full details.

Baby Gift Baskets

2009-05-21T14:04:00.003+01:00

I have added baby gift baskets to my MISI store. The pic here is for a boy & contains a fleecy spotty blanket, hooded cuddle & dry towl, 3 vests, 3 pairs socks, 3 bibs, Johnsons baby shampoo, Johnsons baby wipes, 8 Pampers nappies & a pair of bootees. In a cotton lined wicker basket & wrapped in cellophane with ribbons & a gift card.

I'm going to make them to order (hoping I get an order that is!) in blue, white & neutral beige/lemon.

Whaddya think then? I though they would make great practical gifts as I like to give practical gifts rather than the usual 'cute outfit' that you get so many of they cant all fit in the wardrobe! I wouldn't like to give a new Mum a pile of vests & socks etc though but it looks so pretty this way I would love to give & recieve this as a gift. Well I think so anyway!

Fair Time

2009-05-05T09:49:00.008+01:00

I've been really busy the past few weeks with a craft fair at Hatton Country World & my chalet I have taken on for a month at a local craft market. Still working on my display in the cabin as looks a bit bare inside & I need to make more bits to put on the shelves inside, went to a car boot sale yesterday & got some nice wicker display units that I have sprayed

white & want to put a table outside to put more on. I may make it a more long term thing its just having the commitment to be there every Saturday, perhaps I shall have to employ staff! I did think of asking an other local crafters if they wanted me to stock their things in return for them helping me out occasionally, just a thought. Theres still some more crafts I want to try out. I saw some lovely knitted cakes at a fair recently & with my very limited knitted skills fancy having a go. I also want to try paper mache boxes but I cant find any instructions on how to make one from scratch, only about covering ready made boxes.

The Hatton fair went well, especially my felted scarves that sold out & people wanting different colours that I didnt have, also sold some of my candles but not so much in the way of jewellery, I think there is perhaps too much competition at fairs from jewellery sellers so just as well I want to try all these different things!

More different crafts......

2009-04-07T22:01:00.009+01:00

OK Mrs Sausage I'll update my blog ( you know who you are!) I don't get much of a chance to get on the computer when the kids are on school hols, even the 2 year old asking to look at You tube! Not much chance of crafting either but have done a bit the last week or so I could share. I had a go at sewing & made a pump bag for my 8 year old from some jeans I got in a charity shop. May not be impressive to you sewers out there but for me whose hubby usually has to sew his own buttons on & this was my 1st attempt I was impressed!I also had a go at altering a charity shop skirt but just don't mention that one!

Still experimenting with felting & had a go at needle felting these flowers

Still having a go at candles following a recipe from a book. Now I've got them to look all nice but didn't really bother to follow (or actually understand) the instructions about wicks so although they look & smell very nice they don't actually burn properly!

I have got premises now! My own little cabin at a permanent craft market. I have just taken on a months rent to see how it goes for now & if any good I will rent it full time. I move in on 18th April so hope it goes well!

Trying Felting

2009-03-25T10:04:00.004Z

I've been having a go at trying different crafts & here's my attempt at felting. The scarves are nuno felted onto silk chiffon & I'm quite pleased with them, my photography isn't so good though & doesnt do them justice! I have also made flowers using needle felting & will get round to showing you them soon.I've also been having a go at candles which has been great fun. So many crafts & so little time!

Happy St Patricks Day Patrick!

2009-03-17T15:02:00.003Z

My 8 year old son Patrick always gets excited on this day as eveyone celebrates HIS day he says. His brothers are most put out that they dont have 'their' days! I'm sure there was a St Aaron & a St William somewhere!?

Happy St Patricks Day Patrick!

Good enough to eat?

2009-02-27T14:45:00.008Z

Just finished these earrings & brooch made from polymer. Mmm, makes me feel hungry! Both in my Misi shop.

Other Hobbies!

2009-02-21T19:16:00.005Z

I haven't been doing much crafting recently as been busy with 1/2 term & taking the boys out every day & fulfilling other commitments hasn't left me with much spare time! I used to do a lot of sugarcraft flowers & cake decorating a few years ago but it became increasing difficult with the kids 'wanting to help' so have really just been doing the occasional cake for family & friends. I was asked by a colleague of my husband to make a dalmation cake for his grandaughters 4th birthday. I finished that yesterday so did a bit of crafting last night & made a wire wrapped denim pendant & brooch. Hopefully I can get back into the swing of it when the kids go back next week.

More Recycling!

2009-02-03T12:49:00.009Z

This time I have been making denim beads out of old jeans. Lets hope hubby Dean doesnt wonder where his jeans have gone!? I have made a few things with them as I have a craft fair on Saturday but have put some on my website as well.

Been very cold here this week and we have had quite a bit of

snow over the past couple of days. My sons school has been shut so we made the most of it & have just comeback from sledging down some hills just round the corner,

hoping for yet even more snow later!

Fabulous Blog Award

2009-01-18T14:03:00.005Z

Today I have kindly been awarded the 'Fabulous Blog Award' by Buffy from Buffys Charms Blog who I am a follower of so thanks for that Buffy! I have to choose blogs I like, to be linked back too so I have chosen:

Kathryn at Lazy Daisy Glass

Izabela at Blue Fish Handmade

Sara at Saraeden

Amanada at Maygreen Fairies

I hope they all enjoy their awards too!

Recycling Time

2009-01-13T19:37:00.008Z

We've all been struck down with a sickness bug the past few days so not managed to get much done but I have been making up some jewellery with some beads I made from recyled paper They have come out OK, the beads are nice & sturdy as they have several coats of varnish so it can be worn out in the rain! Heres some pics, what do you think? I've put them on my website & MISI site.

Happy 2009!

2009-01-01T15:35:00.003Z

Happy New Year to all Pearls & Whirls blog readers. We had a nice quiet, calm New Year after the excitment of 3 young kids over Christmas!

2008 was an excellent first year for Pearls & Whirls & did far better than I had hoped & expected, we had several successful craft fairs & only one failure the week before Christmas which was very quiet. I managed to set up a website & this blog. I have decided what I like making & what sells the best & have lots of ideas for new designs that I hope to get started on soon & hope to get some pieces stocked in shops as well. I think I am very fortunate to have done so well during the 'credit crunch', I think perhaps many people prefer to buy handmade products, I know I do! I can only hope that Pearls & Whirls will continue to be a success in 2009 along with the other crafters whose blogs I visit who make such lovely things, a lucky 2009 to you as well!........

Happy Christmas!

2008-12-23T22:30:00.005Z

Finally just about ready for Christmas! All the presents bought & wrapped & just munching on my homemade mince pies. I've finished all my craft fairs fairs for this year, of the two this month the first was very successful but the last one was very quiet, I think the miserable weather put them off! I'm going to have a couple of weeks off 'making' now & plan to eat, drink & be merry & have lots of fun playing with the kids toys!

Merry Christmas to all my blog readers & customers this year..........

2008-12-01T14:34:00.007Z

Had a job keeping up with the crafting the past week as had two of my sons birthdays, one 8 & the other was 4. In between parties & cake making I have managed to carry on with the polymer bead making and made a set thats for sale on my MISI website.

Also made these cute Christmas tree earrings that I think should sell at the fairs I have coming up this month. Also on MISI.

The fairy charm bracelet was sold to a lovely lady who asked me to make her another as well so they are proving popular! I haven't even begun my Christmas shopping yet so I hope to make a start on it this week, I have a fair on Saturday which is a real handmade fair so I am looking forward to that one. Will keep you posted how it goes.......

Busy week

2008-11-13T14:46:00.009Z

I've been really busy the past week. I have a few orders for customers that I have to finish plus I want to make sure I have plenty of stock for my fair next month. I've been practising a bit more with the polymer beads & found that they look so much nicer glazed & have got round to actually making them into jewellery!

I'm still doing a few charm bracelets as I really enjoy doing them and the latest is a fairy flower charm bracelet. I had a lot of phone lariats through the post this morning so I am going to make up a load of mobile charms & bag charms that I think should make good presents for customers. I will post pictures next time I post.

Half Term!

2008-10-28T10:18:00.005Z

I have been decorating some lovely hessian 'eco' bags this week using my polymer beads & other beady bits & bobs. I think they look OK. The bags come in some lovely colours & I think will go down well at fairs.The boys are off this week for 1/2 term & moaning they are bored already! The eldest keeps on that he wants to have a go at candle making after having a taster session at a museum in the summer so looks like he's going to be a crafter too. I fancy having a go at that so we'll see if we can get a kit and see how they come out. I have a few customer orders to finish at the moment then I must concentrate on my Christmas fairs, I hope to make some Christmassy phone & bag charms & jewellery sets. I'd better be off now and amuse the kiddies!.............

More experimenting.......

2008-10-15T14:32:00.004+01:00

Had another busy week of crafting & looking after the boys. Still getting jewellery orders which is good & I have been experimenting again with different things! Tried crocheting with wire & beads which came out well although not sure what I'm going to do with it yet. Also trying to master beading flowers & managed a quite pretty 3 petaled flower until I ran out of beads!

The 3 boys have been keeping me busy & I had the experience of school dinners today as it is 'parents trying dinners week'. A lot better than the sloppy cabbage & mash that I had to endure many years ago! The dessert was individual pink fairy cakes rather than the big trays of cut up squares of pink cake!

The little 'un is on his second week of potty training, still very hit & miss, oh how practical to have laminate floors! Time for the school run again now...............

Fun With Fimo!

2008-10-06T09:44:00.009+01:00

Well I've had a busy week of making with my orders from last weeks craft fair. Not done as much as I'd hoped as still awaiting bits through the post. There aren't any beads shops near me so I get everything at bead fairs or on the internet & it's annoying when you have to wait ages for them to arrive. Well 3 days seems like ages anyway! A few people had reccommended 'The Range' at Kidderminster for crafty bits so I drove down there on Saturday. It was a fantastic shop for crafts but not very good for jewellery. I still spent ages in there & come away with some Fimo polymer clay as I've always fancies having a go at making my own beads. I had great fun with it, trying out millefiori and made the earrings pictured here. I also did a pendant & a bracelet to match last night! I also experimented with these autumnal coloured beads.Hopefully postie will bring me my awaited goodies today!............

Ironbridge Festival 2008

2008-09-29T11:34:00.007+01:00

Well Saturdays craft stall at the Ironbridge Festival proved to be very successful, despite my stall being under the trees so I was in the shade all day on a beautiful sunny day. If I had a pound for every passer-by who commented how chilly it was there out of the sun I would have made another few hundred quid! I was SOooo cold all day! Never mind, I had a very good day with lots of sales & a few commissions come from people taking my cards so I can't complain! I had lots of lovely positive comments from people about my work & it has given me ideas of different things to try, I am trying to find some more local craft fairs to attend now to show some of my newly planned designs. I had given myself a couple of days of making things but back to the drawing board this evening!..........

I had planned to take the camera to get some nice pictures of the stall but of course forgot it! I got hubby Dean to take a pic on his mobile phone quickly before he left as he only came to help me set up the gazebo and I had only just started setting up at that point which is why it looks so bare!

2008-09-25T10:52:00.001+01:00

Well this will be my first go at posting so I hope I'm doing it right! I should really be getting on with my preparation for Saturdays craft fair at the Ironbridge World Heritage Festival in Telford (quick plug there!!) Have been busy making making pieces over the last few weeks in preparation as well as completing some orders for friends. I always worry that I wont have enough stock but I think I am well prepared! I finished an ususual charm bracelet last night, well unusual for me as I usually use lots of pinks & girly colours & you can see that pink it aint! The rest of the family love it so we'll see how it goes!