Happy holidays everyone!!

Inspiration!

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

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

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

Winners!!

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!

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!!

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!

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

http://www.modishblog.com/

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/

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

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

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!

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

elinart -Etsy favourite!

Inspiration

Loving these orange bracelets from fashion designer Celeste Lee Arendse.

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

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.

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

Gorette. 2006

Marvel at extraordinary and fabulous crochet from artist Joana Vasconcelos.

http://www.joanavasconcelos.com

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.

'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/

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

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

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

Studio day

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

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

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

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

Vintage buttons!

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!

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.

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!

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.