Sunday 28 February 2010

Bejewelled



It will come as no surprise, I am sure, for me to tell you that I adore things that have been handmade. Time, effort, creativity and love go into individually crafted work. I get so much pleasure from surrounding myself with handmade homewares and I really enjoy wearing unique pieces of clothing and jewellery...so I've been doing a little shopping over at Etsy and I thought I'd show you what I've bought, along with some of the things I've been making.

I purchased some lovely earrings from Renee at cocoapod botanical jewellery :





They are bright yet delicate. I'm so happy with them!


I had a ring custom made by Teri Lee Jewelry too:






I was thrilled when it arrived (and relieved that it fitted.)
I love the symbolism of the lotus:
the idea that, just as the lotus plant can produce exquisite flowers when growing in the dirtiest water, I can transform the most negative of thoughts and feelings into wisdom and beauty.
The ring's a gentle reminder for me to be positive.


And, as for the things that I've been making things myself,
I've been wearing a bezel set ring that I constructed last year at Fremantle Arts Centre:





I used sterling silver and a beach pebble from Tweed Heads that my wonderful tutor, Claire Townsend, supplied. (One of the little boys I work with thinks that the stone might be magic ~ inspired by the Deltora Quest books he's been reading~ which tickles my imagination too.)

I also made a set of wine glass charms for my dad's birthday
so that we don't get our wine glasses mixed up at big family dinners anymore.
Here are some of them:



If you'd like to make some there's a good tutorial here.


I've been working on my sunburst granny blanket too:



and I've started to make a cardigan from a pattern in September 2009's edition of Yarn Magazine:



I don't know if I like the way it's working up, the pattern uses a really soft, squishy bamboo and I'm crocheting with cotton, but I'm going to perservere with it for a little while longer...and, if it doesn't work out, I'm going to use the yarn for another Chevron Lace Cardigan.

I'd love to know what you're making!

Blessings.
x




13 comments:

Erin Wallace said...

You rlotus flower and bezel rings are beautiful!

Red Hen (dette) said...

That ring IS magic!

2paw said...

Oh what lovely things you have to share today. You are so clever to make a ring: I reckon it could be magic too!! Love your custom ring and the earrings too.
Good luck with the cardigan, hope it works out for you: let's be positive!!!

Judy Merrill-Smith said...

Pretty rings and earrings and crochet! I'm working on some quilted hearts that I'm going to fashion into something three-dimensional -- an experiment!

magnusmog said...

So much effort and creativity. I love the Lotus ring and what it symbolises.

MiA said...

At work.. terribly boring. Would rather be home with my yarn basket within reach. Have been thinking of a crochet jacket/cardigan for spring to come. The ones you pictured look great :)

Thea said...

This is one of those times I wish that I wear jewelery. I lost my knitting mojo on Friday, after my wrist started hurting form too much ravelympics knitting, so nothing at the moment. I hope the cardigan works out!

Anonymous said...

That is a really beautiful lotus ring. I'm glad it fit :) Love the blog and all your fun finds. Following you now! -Jami

Unknown said...

That ring is stunning. Love it. It reminds me of wildflowers. Great blanket of sunburst. Can't wait to see this cardi, aren't the old patterns so much fun with all the new yarn.

theflowerofjannah said...

Beautiful work on your sunburst granny blanket. The first ring is quite nice too, but not the type I would wear. Beautiful blog.
Blessings..

Anonymous said...

hi 'vermilion'!

i am so in love with your Sunburst Crochet - what radiant colour! you truly have an eye for glorious colour.

wondering how you are doing these days, and thinking back to the MMB. its not quite the same anymore, is it?

i'm just getting into blogging myself (am i the last one on the planet?!) and been doing some furious quilting the last two years. the bug got me!

be well,
sending happy vibes your way,
jenniwiffles

Anonymous said...

I love the colours you're using for the blanket - really vibrant and cheerful! The lacy cardigan looks lovely too - looking forward to seeing how yours turns out.
xxx

Balkan Style Bloggers said...

I love those earrings! I need to make me some of those. :)