ELIN@

2012-01-05T05:53:00.000-08:00

Great news! At least I think so....

2011-08-19T06:12:00.000-07:00

It's funny how things happen...I had just made a firm decision to let my Etsy shop lie fallow and if it died through lack of attention, so be it. The next day I was contacted by Etsy's European arm to be informed:-

"you have been selected for Etsy's Press Kit....Now is a good time to fill your shop with similar items and beef up your descriptions"

What! Not the kind of serendipity I wanted. Trying to stop wasting time on Etsy has been like trying to quit crack!! I was so close....Anyway, after being on holiday for a week, I have returned to find all this relevancy bother, yet another major tweaking session required. Exactly the kind of thing that keeps me hooked on Etsy but hating it at the same time....arrgh!

'Preparing to sell' at Tredegar House

2011-07-13T06:04:00.000-07:00

A good time was had by all at the 'preparing to sell' day workshop at Tredegar House, Newport, Wales.

Tredegar house is the venue for 'Made by Hand' in December, (it's also a location for a lot of the filming of the Dr Who series!). My first ever big selected craft fair. Made by hand- Wales is an offshoot of the huge annual craft show in Bovey Tracey.

Ffi..http://www.madebyhand-wales.co.uk

I am very excited and it will be a huge eye opener for me. The list of things I need to get my head round is growing exponentially every week!!

StitchLondon at the Science Museum

2011-06-22T13:53:00.000-07:00

I'm very pleased to be exhibiting at the StitchLondon, knitted science event at London's Science Museum. They will be showing the crochet petri dish pictured.

Here's a link to their blog http://pix.stitchldn.com/post/6682957499/petri-dish-full-of-amazing-embroidered-and

mmm...I don't know what to say about the photo they took...4/10...or maybe 3/10. A good reminder that the work is out of our control once it's in the hands of curators.

Giveaway winner announced!

2011-06-08T11:27:00.000-07:00

Well done to worthy winner Gina from Staffordshire, the 'Handmade Market' is no doubt travelling up the M5 this very moment!

Gina's Etsy shop is brimming with super felt items, including this fabulous red, white and blue scarf, a tribute to all things British.

Do check out her shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/FeltByGina

Blog Giveaway!!

2011-05-08T08:37:00.000-07:00

It's giveaway time again!
This a great book called 'The Handmade Market place - How to sell your crafts locally, globally and online' by Kari Chapin. A great book to kick off your online craft empire! Look out Martha Stewart!!

Here are the rules:-

1. UK sellers only (sorry!) 2. Your Etsy or Folksy shop must have 10 sales or less. 3. You must provide a link to it via email on Etsy or via comments here. 4. The winner will be selected randomly on June 1st 2011. Good luck! :)

I predict a riot!

2011-04-22T13:25:00.000-07:00

As many of you in the UK know, Stokes Croft, the area where I live is in the national news today!

I was lucky enough to be included in the blog Handmade Europe (http://handmade-europe.com/2010/07/10/favorite-places-elinart) a while back and was asked to describe where I live. The second photo I chose to describe my area is of the squat where the saga of last evening's riot began. The police went in and arrested four activists which created a disturbance, which in turn gathered a crowd of 300, including myself. After going home, thinking it was all over, the attention of the crowd turned to the new Tesco Express...there has been an ongoing protest to try and prevent Tesco opening this shop in an area where a large number of residents were against it. This Newstatesman article below has used video footage my partner David took during our visit to the epicentre!

http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/laurie-penny/2011/04/stokes-croft-police-tesco

More on being copied

2011-04-12T10:14:00.001-07:00

When I first got to Etsy I sold something completely different. Within three weeks I was being copied by an aggressive seller. This seller put her prices down at below 50% of my prices. She had signed up to my RSS feed so, every time I listed something new she listed three of her products next to mine. As expected, I sold very little and she sold large quantities, I had to content myself with the numerous emails saying how much better my work was.

I am tired of being told to be flattered by copyists…I had my arse well and truly kicked!! It was not a flattering experience, I can assure you. Not only was my idea ripped off, I was shown to be useless business woman! To this day I feel nauseated when I remember that period of my life and how soul destroying it was.

People who suggest I should be flattered, I can only imagine haven’t thought it through sufficiently or haven’t personally experienced it.

Regarding that creative idea, I gave up and I resigned myself to moving on to something else. That is when I started creating lichen and moulds. This time I have a great deal more to feel threatened about. This is my niche on Etsy that I have been working at for two years, sometimes 14 hours a day. How do you expect me to feel? To those who don’t approve of my anger in this situation, it’s NOT a hobby, it’s my living. Being copied can mean the total destruction of your business.

Also, people often pipe up with the old chestnut ‘It’s not an original idea’ so and so has being doing this for years. Sorry, in two years of working I haven’t seen anything like my moulds (until now). Yes, I’ve seen plenty of people who make textural pictures of lichen and very occasionally mould. I’ve exhibited with the British Lichen Society right alongside some of these folks. But sorry, I’ve done something different and it’s been lifted by another seller. If you can send me a link to something that really is similar I’ll admit defeat, but until then….you ain’t right!

I recently attended a seminar run by the Intellectual Property Office in the UK. Many aspects of what I do could be registered under ‘design rights’ because of their originality (which I would do if I could afford it). Places like Etsy are a free for all, most people think by you just putting it out there, it gives them permission to set themselves up in competition with you using your idea.

What is the universe telling me? I should get ready to get my arse kicked again? Well, that’s really peachy isn’t it.

Being copied again!!

2011-04-10T17:46:00.001-07:00

Well it's taken two years but I guess it was inevitable that I would get idiots on Etsy copying my work. I thought mold would be pretty foolproof subject but no. I'm very disappointed. I hope the person feels embarrassed.

In addition, this person must be incredibly stupid. Why?

1. They have copied something that sells very few items, if you are going to copy, the wise man says copy a bestseller.

2. Copying something that is only made by one person in the world, means you get caught out as a plagiarist straight away! Wise man says copy something that has already been copied.

3. Copy if you can bring a genuinely new twist to it or fresh perspective. Wise man says don't show yourself up as talentless moron by copying without a creative bone in the body.

2011-04-07T09:55:00.000-07:00

Wonderful news for me!!

I've been accepted to sell at Made by Hand, at Tredegar House in Wales.

http://www.madebyhand-wales.co.uk

Wow! A great event for selling and exposure. It's going to be hard work but I have until the beginning of December to make sure I'm prepared! I suppose I better start nowish.....

Lovely surprise!

2010-12-05T11:36:00.000-08:00

Nature is redolent with surprises. I have been nurturing this plant for eight years. I've always thought it quite non-descript, with it's plain broad leaves, that do admittedly, curve in delightful way. But it's never done much and has not increased in size over the years.....then suddenly.....these three beautiful flowers appeared laden with stamens.
Ahh...what glory! Hope springs eternal eh, finger's crossed it's a self pollinator, because I doubt there is another for miles around!

But still, it's worth it, just giving your very best even if it's for a short time :)

Sneaky peek!

2010-11-13T05:57:00.000-08:00

Here's a quick peek at the Harris Tweed purses I'm working on at the moment. This is the small coin purse which will join a new wristlet and clutch design I'm producing.

I'm celebrating this week as my plans for 2011 are shaping up! ELINtm will be exclusively on 'Handmade' sites next year. I will be selling on 'not on the highstreet' - http://www.notonthehighstreet.com
and a great new up&coming juried UK site that has accepted me this week, 'fromthewilde' -
http://www.fromthewilde.com/shop

The event I'm taking part in at the Natural History Museum in Ol'London town in January was confirmed last week. I'm really excited about it, even though I am going to have to work like crazy. Bang went my Xmas holidays!!

It was a bit of a milestone too, to actually reach 50 items in my Etsy store, that has never happened before and was the result of good studio practice. Sticking religiously to an extremely detailed list that is about 2 metres long.

It has encouraged me in my plans to expand my Big cartel store next year, start advertising it and make it more of a destination site. To celebrate I have free WW shipping up until December10th - click on the blue bracelet :)

2010-11-09T03:41:00.000-08:00

I was really lucky to get this great feature article in the 'noir' issue of Artizen Magazine. It takes a minute or two to load but well worth the wait. Well...for me anyway....I'm so chuffed!!

http://www.artizenmagazine.com/artizen1-4

I just noticed the magazine is a finalist in the Digital magazine awards 2010. Wahoo! Well done Cindy :)

Friday finds

2010-10-30T09:15:00.000-07:00

Ah...I do love my succulents! They are so fascinating, especially how they can reproduce in the most hostile environments. I found this one down the back of a bookcase, clinging to life, feeding on the dust and mire that has accumulated over the seasons.

2010-10-04T09:07:00.000-07:00

Wow! Has it been that long since my last post. Yes....my bad!
I was preparing for the Mycology conference, IMC9 in Edinburgh and absorbing all things fungi. I came across this mind-blowing information about fungi at the TED talks site.

http://blog.ted.com/2008/05/06/paul_stamets

I think our future hinges on supporting research and promoting the development of these kind of left field ideas!

During a very successful conference, the laws of attraction were in operation. I ended up with a nasty cold, virtually consumed by bacteria. That triggered a succession of colds and gripes, so was unwell for about five weeks in total. All that talk of swarming bacteria, spores and contamination....they say, be careful who you keep company with ;)

2010-07-12T15:30:00.000-07:00

Check out this great blog, Handmade Europe. I got to choose some of my favourite places!

http://handmade-europe.com/2010/07/10/favorite-places-elinart

Inspiration!

2010-07-08T12:56:00.001-07:00

The amazing work of Stebastian Buescher. The link below takes you to more of his work at the inimitable Velvet Da Vinci.

http://www.velvetdavinci.com/allimages.php?action=artist&id=130

Etsy features ELINtm!

2010-06-04T12:21:00.000-07:00

Hooray! I've been featured in Etsy's 'The Eye of the artist' series in the Storque. Below is a direct link to the article.

http://www.etsy.com/storque/handmade-life/eye-of-the-artist-the-deep-blue-8665/

Free shipping offer!

2010-05-23T02:54:00.000-07:00

To celebrate my upcoming exposure on both the 'Fossil' and 'Etsy' websites, I am offering free shipping on all non custom items in my Bigcartel shop ( click on the blue bracelet, to view), for a short period. Hooray!

New pin!

2010-05-03T06:32:00.000-07:00

New pin in my bigcartel store. This is one of my favourite colour combinations, mustard, aqua and silver grey.

Inspiration!

2010-04-26T15:08:00.000-07:00

I've just discovered the wonderfully creative jeweller Terhi Tolvanen. Her website is a veritable treasure trove of beautiful ideas and explorations.

http://www.terhitolvanen.com

Enjoy!!

Custom pincushions

2010-04-06T12:40:00.000-07:00

One of my favourite things to do is make custom items. Last week was a pincushion week and both have found new homes in the USA. The top one is a delicious moldy one and the lower, my popular 'pixie cups' design.

I had an edition of pincushions in my Etsy shop using re-purposed shot glasses. After making about 30 of them I skipped off to Habitat to buy some more and horror! I was told the line was completely discontinued. So...I've had to play with new designs which have internal supports instead. These are my first two goes, one has a plastic disc, the other half a felt stone inside to make them stand up independently, both work well.

Do you follow the seasons?

2010-03-24T13:35:00.000-07:00

There is no escaping the fact spring is in the air! All you crafters out there will have noticed the mountains of chicks and bunnies. Every time the season changes I seem to be miles behind! I've got another cold and my hands have gone as dry as streusel. In my dreams(!) one day, I'll be ahead of the curve and fully prepared for the seasonal changes. My pagan friends would say I don't get out of the city or plunge my hands into earth frequently enough, so am out of synch. They are probably right!

I do really like the idea of organising colours into seasonal palettes though. I'm always seduced by those books which work out what colour one's wardrobe should be from skin tone and hair colour. So, I'm aiming to try to think along those lines. The picture above is a new piece I made yesterday, endeavoring to use an autumnal palette. You can see the spring and winter rings at my Bigcartel site.......http://elintm.bigcartel.com/

p.s. Happy springcleaning :))

2010-03-21T15:49:00.000-07:00

Woohoo!! Check me out on Apartment Therapy :))

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/look/elin-lichen-inspired-crochet-art-111713

"Dusts off shoulders and buffs nails on lapel!! ;)"

Inspiration!

2010-03-19T02:57:00.001-07:00

I love the work of Polly Wales (good name too! ). Especially her Battenburg series, the collection is beautiful and such an inspirational use of materials. You can see it here......
http://www.pollywales.com

2010-03-17T03:15:00.001-07:00

These felt brooches are winging their way to the Black Swan Arts Centre in the UK. This style of rolled felt was my starting point for experimenting with jewellery, a couple of years ago....I am gradually phasing them out, but they do sell very well at this particular gallery.

This week, I have been mostly listening to......

2010-03-10T08:11:00.001-08:00

Beavering away in my home studio over the last couple of days, listening to the radio and CD's, whilst working. Currently I'm listening to Nils Okland's album 'Bris', he composes on the Hardanger fiddle, a Norwegian folk instrument. It's a beautiful and haunting album. If, like me, you are prone to weeping when hearing sad music, get a supply of tissues!

Here's some snippets on Boomkat.
http://www.boomkat.com/item.cfm?id=15966
You can also find it on Spotify.

2010-03-01T09:02:00.001-08:00

Today was spent getting a package of new jewellery pieces sent off to the Museum of Craft in San Francisco. Pictured is one of the brooches winging it's way across the pond. I love this connection with the US....it's given me greater confidence in my work and boy! does it open doors for me here in the UK.

http://www.mocfa.org

2010-02-26T05:45:00.000-08:00

These plushie lichen brooches are the 'entry level' item in my Etsy shop. I'm now working on a design where three very small stones are combined with a delicate seaweed or lichen.(I want to try out the red seaweed often seen washed up on the beach) I've also just bought a magnifying glass, so will be trying to miniaturise the lichens even more!

2010-02-21T07:28:00.000-08:00

For the past week I've had a stinking cold and suffering a form of brain fog. It involved regressing to childhood and cutting out felt shapes.

I've spent the week being wrapped in a duvet and making things I tried out when I was about eight. I remember being soooo frustrated at that age, not being able to make what I could see in my head (Yes...I am a perfectionist!). The good thing is, my manual skills have improved a great deal, so it's actually fun!

My Etsy dilemma!

2010-02-14T14:11:00.000-08:00

It's Valentine's day and I think my love affair with Etsy is well and truly over.

My discontent has been brewing for a few months and last week I closed my jewellery shop there, leaving my only presence on Etsy my 'elinart' shop. This week I have had two customers ask for jewellery and when they found out the price, they declined. For me this is the nub of my Etsy dilemma....success is starting to come my way, new galleries and boutiques are regularly approaching me for sales and exhibitions. I want to move up a gear and achieve decent prices! But I'm asking myself, "How far can I go on Etsy?"

Sadly, long-term it's got no potential for craftspeople with ambition and the desire to build a real reputation. There is excellent quality work there but it's in a small minority. I think this is one of the main factors in my decision. I thought of the type of customer I want to buy my work. What if they saw my work in the context of Etsy? It just doesn't add up.

If I want to get into more prestigious galleries and attract customers who want couture jewellery, it's a positive step for me to make my product more exclusive. Last week, my jewellery, which I put my heart and soul into, was sandwiched between a 'vintage' crochet thong and a 'hello kitty' cuff. It just doesn't add up anymore.

Inspiration

2010-02-06T13:57:00.000-08:00

Kinokinoghetti
Embroidery floss and fabric (hand embroidered)
41cm x 41cm
2008
Copyright © 2008 Takashi Iwasaki

Drool over the work of the outrageously talented Takashi Iwasaki at:-

http://www.takashiiwasaki.info/takashiiwasaki/english/news.html

2010-02-06T11:20:00.000-08:00

Ahh...the pleasure is in the detail. This moss is in an back alley by the docks in Bristol.

ELINtm giveaway update

2010-01-31T05:10:00.000-08:00

Just thought I'd update on last month's blog giveaway. Many thanks to Melina for taking these great photos of her prize package arriving. I love this picture of her postbox, we don't have this style in the UK, so it is extra special.

It wasn't till I saw this picture that I got a complete sense of what it means to send my work out to the four corners of the globe. We get feedback on Etsy but there is nothing like getting a good visual sense.

A great shot of my moo card and ELINtm box.

Melina with a happy smile.

Melina has a great Etsy shop, clothes and accessories made with beautiful, subtle hand-screen printed fabrics. Check it out here:-

http://www.etsy.com/shop/NeuralNetwork

Offer of the week!

2010-01-18T08:10:00.000-08:00

15 % off the 100th purchase in my Etsy shop. Type 'Haircut 100' into message to seller for refund.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ElinThomas

2010-01-15T04:27:00.000-08:00

My christmas present to myself!! "Seaweds and lichens"A beautiful original chromolithographic print from a 1896 German nature encyclopedia. Bought from this wonderful Etsy shop:-

http://www.etsy.com/shop/PetitPoulailler

Lichen wood walk

2010-01-05T14:48:00.000-08:00

Well the holiday is over and it's back to work! I got a chance during the break to visit my favourite wood in west Wales. Every available surface is covered in moss and lichens. Quite spooky...I would balk at being there in the dead of night.

Two beautiful lichens caught on camera along the way. The detail on the first is truly breath-taking. Please click on the image :)
My first snap of British soldier lichen.

2009-12-23T04:30:00.000-08:00

Happy holidays everyone!!

Inspiration!

2009-12-20T15:18:00.000-08:00

Just discovered Yong Joo Kim, a US jeweller, really interesting use of everyday materials like velcro and cable ties. http://blog.yongjookim.com

2009-12-19T04:21:00.000-08:00

Thinking about my application for Liberty's open call. mmm............

http://www.liberty.co.uk/fcp/content/best_of_british/contentform

Winners!!

2009-12-12T12:39:00.000-08:00

Well done to Melina and Antonella! The ELINtm goodies will be winging their way to Italy and Texas, USA on Tuesday....probably not quite in time for Xmas, but never mind. Commiserations to all who didn't win this time, there will be other opportunities for sure.

Mystery prize!

2009-12-11T11:55:00.000-08:00

Thank you all for the fantastic response and lovely comments, here, on Flickr and Etsy. The response has been so positive I have added a mystery prize for a runner-up.

As promised, I will draw two names tomorrow on the 12th and notify winners asap for shipping addresses. I can't wait...this has been so much fun and I will definitely be offering another giveaway in the not too distant future. Good luck everybody!! :)

ELINtm giveaway!!

2009-11-29T04:32:00.000-08:00

At last! My blog giveaway is imminent. I will be picking the lucky recipient on 12th December just in time for international shipping!

Entry requirements are:-
All blog followers will be put into the hat. Or alternatively subscribe to my newsletter by sending your email address to:-

elinfelt@googlemail.com

See my Flickr site for more pics - http://www.flickr.com/photos/elinfelt

Good luck everyone!

2009-11-26T02:33:00.000-08:00

Super little featurette on me on the gorgeous blog 'Modish'

http://www.modishblog.com/

2009-11-21T04:05:00.000-08:00

My wonderful partner, David Hopkinson has won the Getty Images video remix competition. So well deserved, I'm honoured to have made many cups of tea during the creating of it!

Here's a link to watch :-

http://mishmash.gettyimages.com/

2009-11-06T13:49:00.000-08:00

Really chuffed to be in three Etsy gift guides with ELINtm jewellery, jumping into two new ones in the last couple of days. It's no coincidence I'm sure, the Etsy visit to the Museum of craft in San Fransisco where there is a good range of my jewellery. I'm very pleased as (I dare say I'm not the only one! ) I'd rather given up on renewing.

Repurposed shot glass

2009-10-20T11:12:00.001-07:00

I spotted this hand blown shot glass in Habitat and thought I've got the perfect new life for it! This pic shows work in progress transforming it into a miniature lichen landscape pincushion.
mmm, yes...I do have time on my hands!

My idea of bliss though, making miniature worlds. These will be available in my Etsy shop 'elinart' next weekend.

Work space

2009-10-14T10:15:00.000-07:00

Here is a sneaky peak at some new pieces for my 'elinart' shop. I'm trying out some new shapes and colours for my moulds and lichens.

The book in the top right hand corner is 'The suspicions of Mr Whicher', a must for any lovers of detective crime fiction/fact.

p.s. My blog giveaway is coming up soon, all followers will be eligible!

2009-09-28T00:19:00.000-07:00

Are you in a whimsical mood? Soak up some goodness at Donna Wilson's site.
http://www.donnawilson.com

2009-09-24T01:43:00.000-07:00

elinart -Etsy favourite!

Inspiration

2009-09-19T14:14:00.000-07:00

Loving these orange bracelets from fashion designer Celeste Lee Arendse.

2009-09-09T13:02:00.000-07:00

What's this I hear you say! What are these lumpen parings of copper. Well dear friends, it's last Tuesday's attempt at soldering.
I joined up for a jewellery class and have ended up in an super duper advanced course when, at this point in time, I have no technical ability with metal whatsoever.

Crochet - Hot tip #1 - Stripes

2009-09-01T07:23:00.000-07:00

Goodness me, this crochet tip has taken me ages to work out. Sometimes the obvious is staring me straight in the face!!

Speed up your stripes by tying the different coloured yarns together before starting (Doh!). Crochet the width you require your stripe to be i.e how many rows you want it to be. Make sure the start and finish are directly above each other or as near as. Cut your yarn about 5mms from your first and final stitches, leaving enough to create knots, then unravel your stripe.
Straighten out the yarn and use as a guide for lengths of yarn for each of your stripes. Knot them together in order of colour preference.
Phew! That is so much easier than fiddling around trying to tie knots inside the tube.

2009-08-12T05:48:00.000-07:00

Hurray! My crochet cuff jumped into the ETSY (her) gift guide yesterday. Maybe something to do with getting noticed in the Virtual Labs (?). It was my first time in the labs and managed to take part in the live chat with Crochet Today magazine, great fun was had by all. Got some great tips on trends for 2010!

Crochet Inspiration

2009-08-03T06:49:00.000-07:00

Gorette. 2006

Marvel at extraordinary and fabulous crochet from artist Joana Vasconcelos.

http://www.joanavasconcelos.com

2009-05-21T06:17:00.001-07:00

I have just taught a drawing class at the wonderful Prema Arts Centre in the West country.

http://www.prema.demon.co.uk.

The picture shows the group hard at work, drawing on billboard paper and long sheets of computer paper. They all launched themselves into the drawing exercises with amazing spirit.

2009-04-22T08:27:00.000-07:00

'Ripening grey mould' - No. 3 in a series.
Materials - fabric, crochet and polymer clay.
Dimensions - 19cms(width) x 2cms(depth)

Thanks for all the lovely feedback about these mould pieces. All those who contacted me via Etsy and those who have featured me in their blogs and treasuries.

The series will be ongoing and I will be trying some more ambitious pieces. So keep stopping by. I have had some great suggestions from embellishing vintage clothing to wild and wonderful types of mould, all of which I will try and encorporate into the work.

Check out this new feature at the home of edgy embroidery - 'Mr X Stitch'. If you have just come from there...Welcome!

http://www.mrxstitch.com/2009/04/22/stitchgasm-elinarts-mould-pieces/

2009-04-05T11:59:00.000-07:00

#1 of a series of works based on mould. It's crochet!!
Check it out at www.elinart.etsy.com

2009-03-04T13:20:00.000-08:00

A detail of some freeform crochet I've just completed. I'm upcycling a Christiane Dior purse I found in a local charity shop , it's small and made of Navy ribbed satin with a navy leather lining and a press stud fastening.

I have three security doors to get through in order to reach my workspace. So this purse will stay around my neck, containing my pass and my MP3 player. Two vital items when in the studio.

* #20 crochet cotton in Black, Navy and Blackberry.
* Hooks #1.00 and #1.50
* Reading glasses #2.00!

Inspiration

2009-02-20T10:33:00.000-08:00

Check out Emily Barletta's fantastic crochet at www.emily-b.net

Studio day

2009-02-15T10:58:00.000-08:00

Spent the day doodling in the studio. Here's an unfinished drawing.

I'm pondering drawing and crochet together. An idea put to me by a gallery where I'm to be a featured artist next spring.

I think crocheting has made me more focused in my making. It takes so long, I'm much more prepared to think through what I want to make. Notions of total spontaneity were always a bit of a fantasy on my part....actually responding to certain limitations has yielded greater access to formal innovation.

New crochet necklace

2009-02-09T03:53:00.000-08:00

It's still feels like winter here in the UK and despite my efforts....gazing lovingly at the Galliano and McQueen spring collections....as you can see, I haven't started my spring collection yet!

However, I'm trying some new ideas. This is a new concept for me, creating an interactive element to my necklaces. Basically the components have become detachable and can be moved by the wearer.

These photo show one possible combination. The three 'beads' are detachable, they have flat backs and can be placed anywhere along the necklace and stay in position. There are also striped 'sleeve' beads that can be moved anywhere on the necklace. I also like the idea of being able to take all the beads off, or with just one remaining and still have a wearable necklace.

What really excites me as well is they can slide over the button fastening and create the look of one continuous piece of crochet.

Snowing overnight

2009-02-05T02:50:00.000-08:00

Bristol is a wondrous vision this morning, clad
in a pristine blanket of snow!

2009-01-26T04:35:00.000-08:00

New cuff available in my Etsy shop!
www.elinthomas.etsy.com

Vintage buttons!

2009-01-22T05:44:00.000-08:00

I'm still drooling over these vintage buttons that arrived yesterday. My selection from www.vinpapa.etsy.com
Each one has it's own distinct personality. I'm starting to dream up new pieces so I can do justice to these beauties!

2009-01-21T03:41:00.000-08:00

I love scouring the charity shops for crafting books. The pattern below comes from 1962 - 'The complete book of needlecrafts' by Dora Seton. The finished plant is stunning! One of these days when I get a spare afternoon.....
If anyone is interested in the prickly pincushion pattern that follows, let me know.

A Gay Felt Plant.

2009-01-21T03:39:00.001-08:00

2009-01-07T08:50:00.000-08:00

Look what Santa has given me!
These lovely Moomin books are perfect presents. I've been meaning for a long time to use the beautiful drawings as inspiration for some jewellery. So, that's my next creative adventure!

2009-01-04T13:04:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm a bit sad having to wave goodbye to an old favourite.

My first coral brooch was on the Etsy front page today....thanks Admin. It is now winging its way to Brooklyn, New York, for a new life.

Happily, I'm continuing the design but in the form of custom orders. I'm working on an amazing red version which I'll post when complete.

2008-12-24T07:20:00.000-08:00

Although it's Yuletide, I'm busy with two custom orders and a gallery order.

I'm also busy with preparations for an overhaul of my Etsy shop and the opening of another one! The new shop will be primarily for my drawings and called simply, elinart.

My website is also due to go live at the beginning of January. Phew!!!

2008-12-15T07:46:00.000-08:00

There's a lovely new gallery that's just opened in one of my favourite places - Blaenavon, Wales. This picture was taken on a glorious day at the height of summer, 15 minutes walk from the town centre. It's called Keeper's pond with the majestic Sugarloaf mountain in the distance.
Anyway, the Form Gallery (no website as yet) will be stocking my jewellery from Friday this week!!

2008-12-14T15:04:00.000-08:00

2008-12-13T14:48:00.000-08:00

Yes... there IS life outside Etsy......

I've spent the last few days, hard at work making jewellery for galleries and shops.
New venues where you can see my felt brooches are Black Swan Arts Centre in Frome and Centrespace gallery in Bristol.

http://www.blackswan.org.uk

http://www.centrespacegallery.com

However, having said that......

My jewellery heads a trends article in the Storque.....on Etsy

http://www.etsy.com/storque/spotlight/trends-fiber-jewelry-3036/

I'm really chuffed about the level of exposure! I received so many positive emails that were super complimentary and made me feel all my hard work is worthwhile.

2008-12-08T15:06:00.000-08:00

and again!!

2008-12-08T02:35:00.000-08:00

Two Etsy frontpages from last week.
Great to see my crochet pieces coming up in treasuries.
Thank you.

My latest treasury makes the front page

2008-11-26T00:42:00.001-08:00

Ahh.......how baffling are the ways of Etsy.
Hours after my treasury expired, it came up as a front page.
However, it's in a completely different order than I designed.
If you're an artist you'll know how long it takes to get a good composition!

2008-11-20T11:24:00.000-08:00

Beautiful paintings by Hidenori Ishii, pretty cool name too!

2008-11-17T10:38:00.000-08:00

One of the outlets that stocks my jewellery is the truly brilliant 'here' shop and gallery.

http://sparror.cubecinema.com/here/mainmenu.html

Today I found a page they made up of my exhibition I had there last year.

http://sparror.cubecinema.com/here/elinthomas1.htm

Not my photos. Seeing it reminded of the struggle I'm going to have photographing the work for my website.
It's difficult enough photographing the jewellery......much gnashing of teeth!!
I aim to persevere despite the lack of light at this time of year and my ineptitude with the camera.
Hope to post new brooches (another new design!!) in the next few days.

2008-11-15T12:11:00.000-08:00

Check out this amazing Swedish fashion designer working with knitting.

www.sandrabacklund.com

2008-11-14T13:48:00.001-08:00

Wow! Etsy Front page again.
I'm on a roll!!
Click on picture to enlarge

2008-11-14T11:27:00.000-08:00

Sculptural crochet ring.....not for the fainthearted!!
Available in my Etsy shop on Monday.

2008-11-09T10:49:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I finished a course with the wonderful William Bloom. Check out his site for more information.
www.williambloom.com

All the members of the group contributed to a book to thank him. My contribution was a free form paper cut that is a definite homage to Rob Ryan, whose work I really admire.
www.misterrob.co.uk

2008-11-06T11:48:00.000-08:00

New stlye of brooch! - I'm working on the theme of coral, basically to learn how to crochet. Lots of inspiration for the theme on Flickr, especially the amazing 'gooseflesh'.

2008-11-05T13:20:00.000-08:00

What a end to a cracking day, getting my first Etsy front page with one of my new crochet pieces.

Many thanks to marieflyfly.
www.marieflyfly.etsy.com

Great treasury for me....I'm a couple of months into a serious obsession with all things grey.

2008-11-05T07:42:00.000-08:00

Any crafter worth their salt is a supplies junkie!!

Today's post brought some goodies from the Etsy supplies shop - Atomicveggiecom.

Ooooh yes....and some great news from across the pond!

2008-11-04T03:06:00.001-08:00

Just found out I've been selected for 'ArtPresence' at the Centrespace Gallery in Bristol.

2008-11-03T09:34:00.000-08:00

Work in Progress.

Here's a crochet ring I'm working on at the moment. Below is one of the first incarnations that had green elements. You can see the finished ring in my Etsy shop soon.

2008-10-28T08:16:00.000-07:00

A recent purchase on ebay.
Although ebay turned me into a gibbering wreck, it does have it's moments.
Last week I bought an amazing 45 balls of DMC crochet cotton for £10.39.