BUSY BUSY BUSY

I HAVE HAD A BUSY few weeks as I had committed myself to delivering some Christmas themed brooches to Jemima's Locket, Minster-in-Thanet 
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jemimas-Locket/173724836012474

The shop closes at one o clock on a saturday so I had to make sure I made my deadline.  I wanted to make a dozen brooches.  I also had some hair clips part finished and thought that they would be good to try as well.

I have also been needle felting little gingerbread men for brooches. Some of these have already made their way to ROUGH TRADE in Margate. I want to get some made for Jemimas Locket before Minster's late night shopping night.

Today I weighed out the ten kilo bag of sugar nibs that I brought earlier this week.  I feel happier now it is out of a paper sack and into plastic boxes.  Much easier to store in my cupboards and lots of glorious baking to look forward to.

It was very important that I made some jam as we had run out  completely.  That was squeezed in as well and there are now five jars of Strawberry/Raspberry jam and five jars of mixed fruit jam.  I think I see scones in the very near future.

 

Pincushions

I found while making my needle felt creations that I needed a pincushion.  This made me look at the collection of little tins that I had been saving in a new light, it seemed like the perfect combination.

When I had made four I decided to look on Etsy and Folksy to see what sort of things were available.  It has been a while since I last looked at Etsy as I have been very busy making things for my shelf at ROUGH TRADE http://www.roughtrademargate.co.uk/#!  and for the shop I have at CREATIVE STORES http://www.creativestores.co.uk/DREAMTIMEMAKES/Accessories-Category/  It came as a bit of shock to find pop-up adverts on the pages of Etsy as I was trying to look at things.  I found it so very annoying and off putting. I found out what I wanted to know and the adverts made me realise that I have made the right decision to leave Etsy on the back burner and concentrate on other outlets.

First few tins  to make into pin cushions.

Making a start. 

First pincushions compleated.

 TODAY I WENT to Margate to give my shelf at ROUGH TRADE a bit of a Christmas makeover.  

While I was waiting for my lift I noticed what a lovely place this area of Margate is.  Known locally as Margate Old Town it is full of beautiful

buildings, charming squares,tiny streets and alleyways.  Situated close to Margate Harbour and the Turner Contemporary every corner hids a new treasure.  And it is here slightly off the 

 beaten track that ROUGH TRADE can be discovered - a collaborative trading area. http://www.roughtrademargate.co.uk/#!

Stalls include  MODS AND ROCKERS (a hairdressers, bespoke silver designs, vintage items, upcycled curios,and various other interesting stalls and items.  A "pop up shop"  way before Mary Portus came to Margate.

 CIGAR BOX BAGS - THREE DIFFERENT DESIGNS, an ALICE BAND with a needle felted flower and some of my LEOPARD PRINT FLUFFY PENS.

 There are a lot of needle felted items here.  SEAHORSES, HEARTS, A BLACK COIN PURSE WITH CHERRIES and my new line of CAT CHARMS. A CAT FOR COMPANY for all of us cat lovers.

A UNION JACK paper mache bag with a London Transport theme, a JAR OF SEAGLASS, SNAIL FRIDGE MAGNETS, and a notebook showing my wonderful cat Bruce sleeping.  

All manner of goodies fridge magnets, Christmas brooches, purses and seahorses.

 A CAT FOR COMPANY currently three designs on sale here at ROUGH TRADE. Marmalade, Perfect Grey and Lucky Black.  There will be more designs to follow.

Just behind the notebook with Bruce is a box of needle felt Christmas brooches. Comets, holly leaves and Christmas Trees.  I keep trying to choose a favourite but haven't managed it yet.  Each brooch is different. 

 AN OVER VIEW OF MY SHELF.  JUST ABOVE IT IS THE ONE SHARED BY MY NIECE AND HER FRIEND.  I think their items are lovely.

LUCKY BLACK CAT

The WHAT'S YOUR POISON BAG has a glittery sheen giving it an unearthly appeal.

The two hearts here were needle felted, then had needle felt flowers and leaves attached to them.  Both have a ribbon loop for hanging. 

One of the Christmas Trees.  This one has bead garlands.