Flowers By The Lake

This week, the winner of the European Street Team weekly challenge and new host is juanitatortilla, who picked the theme Hills and Lakes. You can see the relevant post, as well as all the entries for the challenge, in her lovely blog here.

Now, keeping in mind the theme Hills and Lakes, I started thinking of the wildflowers that grow around lakes. It helped that the weather was starting to get warmer and there was plenty of sunshine... So I made this bracelet using reclaimed beads in shades of blue and pink, and combined them with an image of a pink and yellow flower from an old book. Everything is connected using brass wire or chain and antique bronze findings.

Flowers by the lake

 

 

This bracelet is suitable for smaller wrists too, as it closes in three separate lengths. It is definitely going to be your favorite bracelet for spring!

Exotic Earrings, Pearls and Coconut Shell Buttons

The current host of the EST weekly challenge is Sandra of zsazsazsu1963 and the lovely theme she picked is Seeds and Pods. I made a bracelet and earrings set with tagua nuts and beads, but I sold it before I even took a picture, so I had to think of something else. Then, I remembered I had rescued a few coconut shell buttons a few months ago, and had kept them for when the inspiration was right...

Exotic Earrings

 

These are one of a kind. Look at the flower carvings on the coconut shell! I think it's lotus, and I have a feeling these buttons were made in India. They measure a rather large 17mm in diameter, and they look perfect combined with potato pearls. Amazingly elegant and so fashionable too!

Cactus Loves Hot Weather

Contrary to humans, who usually find intense heat rather annoying to say the least, cacti plants seem to love it!

Here's the evidence:


This little beauty started as an unhappy, baby indoor cactus that a friend gave me three years ago, because she didn't know what to do with it (!), and quite frankly, it didn't seem to be alive. I placed it on my balcony, and gave it a little water and plenty of light. And now, three years later, it has grown more than 5 times its previous size and is in bloom!!!

Once again, nature shows its beauty...

Shoes Revisited

Here's what I did to give new personality to a beige pair of shoes, that can now be worn at a party, instead of just the office...













I used little pieces of leftover fabric, and I'm totally loving these right now! I also made another pair exactly like this, which you will find in my shop. AND I'm ready to experiment with shoe clips more...

May Day Flowers: Red Poppies

Tomorrow is May Day, or International Workers' Day. Instead of wreaths, I have decided to present red poppies, knowing that red poppies signify both sleep or death, but also the promise of resurrection after death. They are, after all, a very common wild flower, so fragile yet with such impressive qualities.



Clockwise, from left to right, the beautiful creations are:
1. Felted poppy flower brooch Red poppy by JaneBoFelt
2. Little Poppy - Earring Studs by annarubyking
3. Poppy head band for kids or moms by sabahnur
4. Flanders - Red Poppy and Black Beaded Necklace in Brass by Chameleonite

How are you planning to celebrate May Day? Leave a comment and let me know.

White Roses

-------

John Boyle O'Reilly (1844-1890)

A White Rose

The red rose whispers of passion,
And the white rose breathes of love;
O the red rose is a falcon,
And the white rose is a dove.

But I send you a cream-white rosebud
With a flush on its petal tips;
For the love that is purest and sweetest
Has a kiss of desire on the lips.





You will find the earrings already in my shop, and the necklace is coming soon...

First Fabric Flower Brooches In My Shop!

They are certainly not the first I have made, but they are the first I am listing in my Etsy shop. I recently made 5 or 6 of them for myself and my friends, but I still have lots of fabric left from curtain projects etc.

My Recycled Fabric Corsage Flower Brooch, Oyster Pink and Brown is a youthful design and appears to be madly loved! Thanks everyone!



The Recycled Fabric Corsage Flower Brooch, Cinnamon Multi and Brown is another style, with shaped 'petals' and seed beads, and is Oh! so elegant!



Stay tuned!!! More will follow SOON!!!