Monday, December 17, 2012

Crafty Creatives Taster Box - a look back

As you know, I've been posting a lot about Crafty Creatives the past few months. It's been a really fun subscription service and I am glad I got in fairly early! Recently they started offering a taster box- a box with a selection of things they've had in past boxes. I only missed the first two boxes but  knew I'd be happy with any extras from the boxes I had received so far, so at the beginning of this month I ordered one! It came this weekend (where it was luckily NOT held hostage by my student neighbors as I managed to collect it from them before the last one left for Christmas break) and I thought I'd share what I got with you! These boxes are still available to order!

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

December! Crafty Creatives Box 6

Winter is well and truly here. Along with cold weather and icy sidewalks, the viruses have arrived. And not just the colds and flus- but the fun stomach viruses that kids love to share. Luckily we weren't hit hard this time around, but I spent a good day and a half feeling weak and wobbly, and wishing I had some nice brothy soup. Things weren't allowed to come to a complete halt but instead came to a crawl, which ended on a high note.

I think you can guess what that high note was!

Monday, December 3, 2012

Nostalgic Treats

I have been wanting and planning on a tutorial for you guys, and the weather keeps thwarting me! Even on the sunniest of days, my photos are just not cutting it. Additionally, the past few weeks I've been working hard on a few new things and some commissions- and it's not going to quiet down for a few more weeks! This is the busiest time of the year for me. So, to tide you over until I do manage to get the sunshine to cooperate for me, here are some things I've made in the past few weeks, including some nostalgic favourites.

Bouche de Noel, or Yule log pendants!

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Crafty Creatives box #5 has landed!

I look forward to it every month now, that glorious Tuesday afternoon where I get a box of crafting goodies! That day is here, and I am, as usual, so excited to share it with you! Spoilers after the cut, including some of my first quick makes!

CCBox 5!


Monday, November 19, 2012

Christmas is (almost) here!

I am not a fan of Christmas creep. Growing up, it was almost a social faux-pas to put up any Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving weekend. Nowadays, I see Christmas items in the shops at the end of August! Even though it satisfies my extreme cravings for chocolate coins, it makes me wary of putting this into my own shop too early. Living in the UK now, with no Thanksgiving to bridge the gap between Halloween and Christmas, it's easy to fall into the spirit early, but I held off! So, for your viewing pleasure, here are some thoughts on a few highlights of this year's offerings!


Teeny Tiny Gingerbread Houses

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Some new and shiny things

I've been really busy the past few weeks finishing up my autumn items. Halloween is only just around the corner, and Bonfire Night right after. I had things I wanted to do that ended up being right against the wire, as always, so I hope these latecomers get some love!

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

It's that time again... Crafty Creatives box 4!

Box #4 of the great Crafty Creatives subscription craft boxes landed today. I can't believe it's been a month already since #3! It's only my second box as I missed the first two, but from what I can tell, they're just getting better and better every month! 


I'm sure you can have a guess at what the theme was this month...

Friday, October 12, 2012

Pumpkin Pie- how do you like yours?



One of my most popular items last autumn was my pumpkin pie. Everyone seemed to want a pair- and I made several batches to compensate! I'm excited to be back in pumpkin pie season- not only because it's such a fun item to make, but also because it means that autumn is really here! It's a very simple make, and one batch will produce 8 charms- perfect for when you're giving a gift, but know you'll need to have one for yourself as well.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Polymer Clay basics and cloud necklace variations - Part 2 - and a Giveaway


I love my minimalist cloud. But I knew there was more to come for this little guy. Here he is with all his playmates, and my table almost looks like a (very strange) weather map! Today I'll just run down how I do a few of the clay effects and make some of the smaller pieces, and then I wax poetic (or maybe just rant) about varnish for a bit. And there's something extra special right at the end...

For part 1, including how to make the basic cloud form, please go here.

Crafty Creatives Box #3 Kit- Japanese stab book binding



Before I continue with the tutorial from my previous post, I just wanted to make a quick post about something fun that came yesterday! Last month after seeing a few tweets here and there about a subscription box from Crafty Creatives, I signed up, curiosity piqued. Their third box shipped earlier this week and I was not disappointed!  Each box has a theme and this month's was a good one. And, every month, along with a variety of crafty supplies related to that theme, you get a kit for a complete project! So as I was in the blogging mood yesterday, I thought you might like to see the kit in progress.


Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Polymer clay basics and a simple cloud necklace, Part 1


Earlier this summer, I made a few gifts for my daughter's teachers. Her school emblem contains oak leaves, and I racked my brains on how I could quickly and easily make consistent oak leaf shapes. Then, I saw my trusty flower cutter and it went from there! As I was making my oak leaves, suddenly I saw little green clouds, and I knew I had to come back later and make this. And when I decided that it was time to start this blog, it seemed like this would be the perfect first tutorial! So here we go...

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Shop news and looking to the future of the blog

Well, it's been a crazy few weeks around here and I haven't had much time to devote to making anything, let alone making things with a tutorial in mind. It's coming- maybe in the next few days- but sadly not today.

So, yes! A tutorial is coming- and I think you'll like it. I'm hoping for a sunny Tuesday so I can get some really good shots. And, even if you're not sure you're ready to jump into the world of polymer clay, you'll still be able to purchase the finished product in my Etsy shop, and get a look at how I make everything. Check back here at the end of the week!

I'm going to start listing autumn designs in the shop this coming Friday, including pumpkin pies, candy corn, fiendish fancies, and maybe few new-for-2012 designs as well. Christmas items will start going up in the beginning of October with more being added up until December.


So... are you hungry?



Sunday, August 26, 2012

Late to the Party...

Since starting my Etsy shop last October, I have been wanting to start a blog to show the technical side of things as well as to share some tutorials and host the occasional giveaway. Almost a year later (has it really been a year already?) and I'm finally happy with my photography skills! This is perfect timing, because there are some posts I know I need to make in the next few weeks and a giveaway near the end of September that I'm really excited about!

Anyway, let me know what type of items you'd like to see me break down in a tutorial- I have a few in mind, but am always open to hear your comments!

<3