The title of this post says it all.
No one reads this blog, just as no one was interested in buying anything I made.
The craft fairs are a bust, after £50 layout only £18 made back and I can't book any more as they are full for the next two years!
Ive started to give away my makings for free to the neighbours of my new house. The large Hex blanket and the Round cushion are gone. I am transferring my place of work closer to home in the next few weeks, so less commuting time but more hours. It helps financially but not creatively.
I think everyone has days like this. Mine just seems to be months.....
Sunday, October 20, 2019
Thursday, June 13, 2019
Dilemma
Hello world...
I'm at a cross-roads right now. I've so many things I want to make, but I just cant seem to get the time or energy to do them. Work is taking up most of my time until at least August.
So I am doing none of them.
Instead I have decided to step back from the usual crafting stuff and do a painting, something I haven't done in over thirty years. What am I going to paint? I have a few ideas but its just going to be whatever comes out the day I lay the paints out.
I'm not very good at it. But it is relaxing. I'll take a picture at some point, just don't expect anything recognisable!
I'm at a cross-roads right now. I've so many things I want to make, but I just cant seem to get the time or energy to do them. Work is taking up most of my time until at least August.
So I am doing none of them.
Instead I have decided to step back from the usual crafting stuff and do a painting, something I haven't done in over thirty years. What am I going to paint? I have a few ideas but its just going to be whatever comes out the day I lay the paints out.
I'm not very good at it. But it is relaxing. I'll take a picture at some point, just don't expect anything recognisable!
Thursday, May 9, 2019
A Long time
Hi....
Its been a long time.
During the 'gap' I've moved house. The new one is lovely but a downsize from what I am use to.
Many projects have been put on hold.
I have, however, been trying my hand at something new.... Candle making.
Its not something I have ever tried before and did not even think about it until I was walking past a Charity shop and saw a complete kit in the window.
"Why not?" I thought. So I bought it.
Its very addictive, Im just not very good at it...
Yet....
Its something I really enjoy, but the kit is very basic. I think, when funds allow, the house move stripped me of everything cash-wise, I might look into getting a more sizeable kit.
Or even make my own.
A picture of my first efforts...
Its been a long time.
During the 'gap' I've moved house. The new one is lovely but a downsize from what I am use to.
Many projects have been put on hold.
I have, however, been trying my hand at something new.... Candle making.
Its not something I have ever tried before and did not even think about it until I was walking past a Charity shop and saw a complete kit in the window.
"Why not?" I thought. So I bought it.
Its very addictive, Im just not very good at it...
Yet....
Its something I really enjoy, but the kit is very basic. I think, when funds allow, the house move stripped me of everything cash-wise, I might look into getting a more sizeable kit.
Or even make my own.
A picture of my first efforts...
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Finally finished!
Hi!
The bowl is finally done. It took me three weeks just to decide what to use for the footing. I went with a thin, tough foam base so its scratch free on all surfaces.
This is what it looks like....
The bowl is finally done. It took me three weeks just to decide what to use for the footing. I went with a thin, tough foam base so its scratch free on all surfaces.
This is what it looks like....
Wednesday, January 2, 2019
Back!
Hi all...
Back after a holiday hiatus.
The bowl is more or less finished now, I had to let it stand in the shed for a few months to remove the varnish smell!. Just needs the felt base adding and its good to go.
Have a few crochet things on the go at the moment, but nothing else close to ready yet!
I did make a New Years resolution this week, to take more pictures!
When I do I'll post them here...
Back after a holiday hiatus.
The bowl is more or less finished now, I had to let it stand in the shed for a few months to remove the varnish smell!. Just needs the felt base adding and its good to go.
Have a few crochet things on the go at the moment, but nothing else close to ready yet!
I did make a New Years resolution this week, to take more pictures!
When I do I'll post them here...
Sunday, November 18, 2018
A disappointing day...
You know how things seem to be going so well then 'blam' it all blows up in your face?
Well that might be a little dramatic but it was how I felt yesterday at the craft fair.
It turned out to be a poorly advertised venue, with most store holders than customers. Out of 32 stalls only 4 sold an item. I didn't sell a thing, nor did most of the other people there despite them all having some beautiful stuff.
I suppose I should just chalk that one up to experience. I wouldn't mind so much but it was my first one and has left me rather jaded for the future.
Fortunately I have found a reputable company who organises fairs and I will be going to one of them sometime next year.
Meanwhile here is a panoramic picture of people setting up....
Well that might be a little dramatic but it was how I felt yesterday at the craft fair.
It turned out to be a poorly advertised venue, with most store holders than customers. Out of 32 stalls only 4 sold an item. I didn't sell a thing, nor did most of the other people there despite them all having some beautiful stuff.
I suppose I should just chalk that one up to experience. I wouldn't mind so much but it was my first one and has left me rather jaded for the future.
Fortunately I have found a reputable company who organises fairs and I will be going to one of them sometime next year.
Meanwhile here is a panoramic picture of people setting up....
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Busy Busy Busy
As the title says, Busy!
40+ cards made, 40+ bookmarks also finished. Numerous other bits and pieces...
The fair better be worth it!
Here are the bookmarks...
....and some of the elements for the cards before I added them...
See you soon!
40+ cards made, 40+ bookmarks also finished. Numerous other bits and pieces...
The fair better be worth it!
Here are the bookmarks...
....and some of the elements for the cards before I added them...
See you soon!
Sunday, November 4, 2018
It has been a while...
Hi all!
Its been a while since my last post.
State of play so far...
Bowl is more or less finished. I used a high gloss, oil based varnish though and now have to wait for the smell to dissipate!
I've got a craft fair coming up in 2 weeks time with my daughter. I have been extremely busy getting lots of nice things made for it and sorting out the indemnity insurance that they always advise you to have if you are selling products to the public. Found a great deal through the market traders association which covers both of us for just £57 a year (as we don't sell toys, cosmetics or food, which is a lot more).
As Christmas is rapidly approaching I have also been stepping up the card making.
Pictures to follow! (Hopefully)
I'll blog some from the fair as well....
Its been a while since my last post.
State of play so far...
Bowl is more or less finished. I used a high gloss, oil based varnish though and now have to wait for the smell to dissipate!
I've got a craft fair coming up in 2 weeks time with my daughter. I have been extremely busy getting lots of nice things made for it and sorting out the indemnity insurance that they always advise you to have if you are selling products to the public. Found a great deal through the market traders association which covers both of us for just £57 a year (as we don't sell toys, cosmetics or food, which is a lot more).
As Christmas is rapidly approaching I have also been stepping up the card making.
Pictures to follow! (Hopefully)
I'll blog some from the fair as well....
Monday, September 17, 2018
A bowl too far?
Hi...
My bowl. Its hard to know when its almost finished.
Im basing it on an ancient roman bowl similar to this one... (image via google images... thanks!)
I saw one years ao in a museum and the slight asymmetry of it has had me fascinated ever since.
But its not an easy shape to, well not reproduce but take after, in papier mache. For instance the wide brim is easily doable but I didnt like it aesthetically so went for more of a suggestion than the whole.
The look. I wanted it to look like papier mache but also ceramic. I think though that I am going to take a different approach. Using the slightly off-centre design Im going to go with a contemporary finish.
Its almost in the end stages now, its been a real labour of love, when its had the final decoration I'll post it here.....
My bowl. Its hard to know when its almost finished.
Im basing it on an ancient roman bowl similar to this one... (image via google images... thanks!)
I saw one years ao in a museum and the slight asymmetry of it has had me fascinated ever since.
But its not an easy shape to, well not reproduce but take after, in papier mache. For instance the wide brim is easily doable but I didnt like it aesthetically so went for more of a suggestion than the whole.
The look. I wanted it to look like papier mache but also ceramic. I think though that I am going to take a different approach. Using the slightly off-centre design Im going to go with a contemporary finish.
Its almost in the end stages now, its been a real labour of love, when its had the final decoration I'll post it here.....
Friday, September 14, 2018
A few pictures...
Hi all!
Here are a few pictures I promised of my scatter cushions and the Surprise rug I made.
Enjoy!
Here are a few pictures I promised of my scatter cushions and the Surprise rug I made.
Enjoy!
Monday, September 10, 2018
A Surprise Project.
Hi all...
I finished the twin-set scatter cushions last week and was at a bit of a loose end.
I decided to go to the local market for ideas. I wandered past my favourite yarn stall and spied some really soft, multicoloured chunky yarn
Well normally I never work with chunky, I find it a bit.. well... BIG, but I couldn't resist buying some.
I sat looking at it for most of the evening, trying to decide what on earth I was going to do with it!
After sleeping on it I decided. By the next evening I had a small semi-circle hearth rug made!
It came out really nice. Once I've wash tested it (along with the scatter cushions) I'll pop some photos on here.
See you soon!
I finished the twin-set scatter cushions last week and was at a bit of a loose end.
I decided to go to the local market for ideas. I wandered past my favourite yarn stall and spied some really soft, multicoloured chunky yarn
Well normally I never work with chunky, I find it a bit.. well... BIG, but I couldn't resist buying some.
I sat looking at it for most of the evening, trying to decide what on earth I was going to do with it!
After sleeping on it I decided. By the next evening I had a small semi-circle hearth rug made!
It came out really nice. Once I've wash tested it (along with the scatter cushions) I'll pop some photos on here.
See you soon!
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
A Tree....
Hi everyone...
Today I chopped down a tree.
Now before you all get over-excited and going 'Oh my god you cruel thing!' I didnt kill it, I used the ancient art of coppicing. Basically I cut it back in such a way that it will grow back with more branches. You can do this to most hardy trees, mine is a Sycamore and VERY hardy. I only have a small garden and doing this ensures the tree doesn't outgrow its space and have to be removed completely. I grew it from a seed so there is no way I'm going to harm it!
Do I recommend this to everyone? No, if in doubt get a professional. I use to be a Park Ranger and I've done this many times before. Done wrong and it can kill or weaken the tree so it falls down. Mine was only 20ft tall, I keep it set to that height as its the best for its roots in a small garden. Why now, before full autumn? I usually do this particular tree at this time of year, before it gets too wet and in danger of rotting the wood in the cuts. It has time to heal before winter sets in. Its better now than in spring when the sap is rising, the tree 'feels' it more then.
The resulting wood will not go to waste. I have set it to one side to dry, even the small branches can make something, and the leaves have been added to my wildlife pile where I get a lot of frogs. Good shading for them.
Why am I telling you this? Its to show that some crafting projects can be a long time in the making. I have plans for the wood but it will be at least 12 - 18 months before its really ready, the branches a little sooner.
Patience is as much a part of crafting as the creation process is......
Today I chopped down a tree.
Now before you all get over-excited and going 'Oh my god you cruel thing!' I didnt kill it, I used the ancient art of coppicing. Basically I cut it back in such a way that it will grow back with more branches. You can do this to most hardy trees, mine is a Sycamore and VERY hardy. I only have a small garden and doing this ensures the tree doesn't outgrow its space and have to be removed completely. I grew it from a seed so there is no way I'm going to harm it!
Do I recommend this to everyone? No, if in doubt get a professional. I use to be a Park Ranger and I've done this many times before. Done wrong and it can kill or weaken the tree so it falls down. Mine was only 20ft tall, I keep it set to that height as its the best for its roots in a small garden. Why now, before full autumn? I usually do this particular tree at this time of year, before it gets too wet and in danger of rotting the wood in the cuts. It has time to heal before winter sets in. Its better now than in spring when the sap is rising, the tree 'feels' it more then.
The resulting wood will not go to waste. I have set it to one side to dry, even the small branches can make something, and the leaves have been added to my wildlife pile where I get a lot of frogs. Good shading for them.
Why am I telling you this? Its to show that some crafting projects can be a long time in the making. I have plans for the wood but it will be at least 12 - 18 months before its really ready, the branches a little sooner.
Patience is as much a part of crafting as the creation process is......
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Machine life...
Hi!
Finally got a new washing machine after two weeks of waiting. Got a project for Folksy washing as I type this. :)
My problem now is that I have TOO MANY ideas floating around my head. So many I am in danger of not completing any of them!
As well as the bowl (which has stopped for the moment while I get hold of some more paint and varnish) and a pair of striking neon-striped cushions (I like cushions) I have also just drawn out a pattern ready for crocheting of a stylised fat black kitty. It will be my first tapestry crochet project. I never make things easy for myself!
EDIT...
Diamond cushion is now of Folksy!
Im not very good at taking photos though, heres an extra picture thats not on Folksy of the soft-brushed edging I did.
Heres the unedited pic of the full thing, not much different to what I finally used.
Finally got a new washing machine after two weeks of waiting. Got a project for Folksy washing as I type this. :)
My problem now is that I have TOO MANY ideas floating around my head. So many I am in danger of not completing any of them!
As well as the bowl (which has stopped for the moment while I get hold of some more paint and varnish) and a pair of striking neon-striped cushions (I like cushions) I have also just drawn out a pattern ready for crocheting of a stylised fat black kitty. It will be my first tapestry crochet project. I never make things easy for myself!
EDIT...
Diamond cushion is now of Folksy!
Im not very good at taking photos though, heres an extra picture thats not on Folksy of the soft-brushed edging I did.
Heres the unedited pic of the full thing, not much different to what I finally used.
Friday, August 10, 2018
Broken washing machine....
Hi!
A broken washing machine has put most of my textile projects on the back-burner for a week or two so I decided to go back to another project i started some time ago.
Im currently working on a paper-machete Potpourri bowl in the rustic style popular at the moment. Slightly (and deliberately) off-centred and created without a 'mould' such as a balloon or another bowl, just using a card ring, its starting to come along nicely. At about 8 and 1/2 inches across by 4 and 1/2 inches high, its quite a decent size.
Ive just finished layering the paper and given it a good sanding. The hardest part is knowing when to sand and when not, I dont want to lose the 'roughness' too much as its the whole point of the piece. I've also added the first of about 20 (yes 20!) coats of paint ready for another light sanding. Ive already got in mind the decoration for it, but its a secret for now! Another month and it should be done (hopefully)...
In the meantime Im ploughing on with crocheted cushions... I got a thing for them..
See you soon!
😊
A broken washing machine has put most of my textile projects on the back-burner for a week or two so I decided to go back to another project i started some time ago.
Im currently working on a paper-machete Potpourri bowl in the rustic style popular at the moment. Slightly (and deliberately) off-centred and created without a 'mould' such as a balloon or another bowl, just using a card ring, its starting to come along nicely. At about 8 and 1/2 inches across by 4 and 1/2 inches high, its quite a decent size.
Ive just finished layering the paper and given it a good sanding. The hardest part is knowing when to sand and when not, I dont want to lose the 'roughness' too much as its the whole point of the piece. I've also added the first of about 20 (yes 20!) coats of paint ready for another light sanding. Ive already got in mind the decoration for it, but its a secret for now! Another month and it should be done (hopefully)...
In the meantime Im ploughing on with crocheted cushions... I got a thing for them..
See you soon!
😊
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
What I've been doing...
Hi!
Ive been busy this month with my job but I have managed to start working on a diamond shaped crochet cushion. When Its done It'll be up on my Folksy page. I need to start doing some 'in progress' pictures, I really do!
In the meantime I've also just started practising Multicoloured Tapestry crochet, but its in very early days yet. I've always done tapestry knitting, but the crochet version is much more challenging.
I'll let you know how it goes...
In the meantime, here is a picture of a kitty to keep you all pleased...
Happy crafting!
Ive been busy this month with my job but I have managed to start working on a diamond shaped crochet cushion. When Its done It'll be up on my Folksy page. I need to start doing some 'in progress' pictures, I really do!
In the meantime I've also just started practising Multicoloured Tapestry crochet, but its in very early days yet. I've always done tapestry knitting, but the crochet version is much more challenging.
I'll let you know how it goes...
In the meantime, here is a picture of a kitty to keep you all pleased...
Happy crafting!
Thursday, July 19, 2018
Hello
Hi! And welcome to the new blog page for Homemayden!
I am just branching out into the world of blogging but currently have a page on Folksy for my crafts (thats new to). Hopefully here I can post about projects new and old, add a few photos and give a few hints and tips on everyday stuff.
Please feel free to contact me, just understand I also work and I might not reply straight away!
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