Jewelry industry (or not)

From time to time, I play along with my beads. It has been more fun this summer, since my mother (and daughter) has been playing with me. :)

My mother bought a bracelet kit in a craft store, and I used the same technique for two bracelets. One in blue glass and waxed cotton cord.


And the second with freshwater pearls.


I am making a third one with tiny glass beads that I can wrap three times around my wrist. Takes forever, even for my skinny little arms.

I have a thing for green (and blue) (and pink) right now, so I also made this in macrame.


Oh, and I love all these glass hearts! A necklace is this.


And finally - yes! It worked!


I have made two so far but believe me, I will make more! I am so happy that I tried this.


Many more! I love felting and I love small embroideries made on free hand. So this is the perfect thing for me! So happy I tried it.

Glitter and tatting

I am tired, oh so tired, most of the time. Due to the new medication. I have so many projects to work with, but in one way or another they feel too heavy to work with right now. But at least I managed to make a pair of mitts for a pretty little girl. 

It happens all the time that I forget to take a picture of things I make for others. This time I remembered it in the last minute, in the car! :) So behold, red glittering mitts! I know, I really am a great photographer...

I spend a lot of time on internet right now, finding a lot of inspiration. Too tired for most of it for the moment, but this seemed easy enough to try. May I introduce to you my very first tatted thingy!

It's a flower pendant. I followed a great tutorial on youtube, since I haven't figured out how to follow patterns yet. But I think I will, since this was great fun. I didn't have any tatting equipment, so I used a tapestry needle and thin crochet yarn. I thought it would be complicated when I first saw tatting, but at least this flower was a piece of cake. Try it! I will continue tatting, that's for sure!

Jewelry from trash

I am not as tired as last time I talked to you, and apparently in a creative mood. I love looking through Pinterest, searching for inspiration. Especially remaking clothes, both small changes and making something completely different. Today I tried a few things from one of my boards. I have made myself  a necklace and a pair of bracelets from old t-shirts. I have mountains of old clothes saved for creative days, and I love it! I love using something "useless" instead of buying new materials all the time.

I know I don't deliver neat pictures, I'm sorry. I don't find the energy to run around with my camera, looking for a clean background and the best light. I simply put it on a blanket or a cushion and snap a shot with my tablet. And it doesn't even have a flash... But it is better than no picture at all, right? :) At least I hope so.

I'll see if I can get you the links if you want to try these too....Here's the necklace, and here are the bracelets. Have some fun!

Nothing much

I just have to show you, don't you just love these colors? I helped my daughter organizing her beads yesterday, until we realized that the little boxes with tiny compartments was not the best solution for her. So we simply disorganized all the tiniest beads into this box. We had organized them in colors, and when we poured them all into the box, we were both struck by the beauty of the colors. Like a summer meadow! And like a true blogger, I went for my camera... :)

 Oh, and look here, I finally remembered to take a picture of the scarfs I made a while ago. I also got the permission to share the picture of the... scarfs... Can't be too careful about what you share on the www, you know! ;)

I made them both with a few rows of garter stitch (knitted in the round) followed by plain knitting and then some garter stitch in the end. Thought it would work out, every time. And every time the curled up... When I made the one for the... ooops, that was a close one, I'm not allowed to say that... Hrrm... When I made the black and white one :) it stayed nice and flat for a long time. I actually thought I had succeeded, but as soon as I got to the finishing garter stitching, it curled up to something looking a lot like a camouflaged snake... But the owners love them anyway, so who am I to complain? But if I ever make a new one, I will make it differently. Maybe garter stitch all the way. But it's a practical scarf, it stays in place since you don't have any ends that can slip off or constantly get in your way.  Can't be perfect all the time! ;)

Playing with beads

I used to play around with beads a lot a few years ago. Before I started card making, crocheting and knitting. But once and again I get my bead boxes out and make something. A long time ago, I made my mum a bracelet. She wanted me to add something to it, but I decided I didn't like it as it was anymore, and started all over. I like it more now, I only have to make it a little wider to actually fit my mum. That's the problem with me, small hands, skinny wrists and big head - not always easy to make things for others and actually make them fit!

Mum also wanted me to make her a brown necklace, and the choice of beads was easy enough. I love these stones, I think they are called Tiger Eye or something like that. This time I made it big enough. I love the toggles I used, they are both pretty and easy to use. 

I actually have a few more things to show you, but I don't have the time right now, which means you'll probably hear from me again soon. If I find the time between all the Christmas preparations that still are to be done...

Små saker - Little things

Jag är så nervös! Till helgen är det dags för Skördefest, och jag ska för första gången stå och sälja saker som jag själv har gjort. Det blir ju så personligt, man visar nästan upp en del av sig själv och hoppas att någon tycker om det de ser tillräckligt mycket för att vilja ta med det hem för en peng.

I am so nervous! The harvest feast is this weekend, and for the first time I will be in a stand selling things I've made myself. It gets so personal, almost like you are showing a piece of yourself, hoping that someone will like it enough to pay some to bring it home.

Nervositeten gör att jag börjar undra om jag har tillräckligt, om jag borde gjort något annat... Vet att det bara är nerver, att det finns en del fint på bordet i matsalen. Samtidigt som jag i halv panik försöker göra fler och fler saker. Jag tillhör dem som har svårt att få något gjort om det inte är brådskande. Men nu spottar jag ur mig saker.

The anxiety makes me question if I do have enough to sell, if I should have made something else... I know it's just nerves, that I have some nice stuff on the dining room table. At the same time as I almost in panic try to make more and more things. I am one of those who don't get things done if it isn't urgent. But now my fingers are flying in the process.
 

Hade glömt att köpa fler öronkrokar, så jag kunde inte göra så många örhängen som jag tänkt, men det blir säkert bra med dem jag har.

 I forgot to by more hooks for earrings, so I couldn't make as many as I planned, but they will surely be enough.

Köpte några enkla diadem som jag pyntade lite. Svårt att ta bra bilder idag, det regnar. De svarta blommorna ser nästan blå ut...

I bought some simple headbands which I decorated. Hard to take good pictures today, it's raining. The black flowers almost look blue...

Jag gjorde broscher av blommorna som blev över när jag gjorde hårband. Min favorit är nog den rosa blomman med tygknapp i rosa och svart.

I made brooches from the flowers that were left over from the hair band making. I think my favorite is the pink flower with a fabric button in pink and black.

 
Det blir mest små saker gjorda nu, sådant som jag tänkt göra länge men skjutit upp. Som tur är går de ganska fort att göra.

I mostly make little things now, things I have planned to do for a long time but postponed. Luckily, they are fast to make.

De här burkarna är jag faktiskt lite kär i. Det är små glasburkar som innehållit marmelad. Min man har fått dem i fina presentförpackningar med choklad och kex. Virkade locken igår kväll, och visste inte riktigt vad jag skulle pynta med. På armstödet "hittade" jag några blommor och hjärtan som blivit över, och de visade sig vara perfekta! Behövde bara göra prickarna till svampen.

I am actually a little in love with these jars. They are little glass jars that used to contain marmalade. My husband received them in nice gift wrappings with chocolate and crackers. I crocheted the bonnets last night, and didn't really know how to decorate them. On the armrest I "found" some flowers and hearts that had not been used, and they turned out to be perfect! I only had to make the spots for the mushroom.

Efter skördefesten ska jag göra en till mig själv. Den ska jag ha i min necessär när jag reser bort, och ha mina minsta örhängen i. Den sorten som inte trasslar sig, och som alltid glöms bort i något litet fack eller en ficka eftersom de inte har någon egen plats. Men sen ska de få det. Hoppas de blir glada. Jag vet att jag kommer att bli det!

After the harvest feast, I will make one for myself. I will bring it in my toilet bag when I'm away, and keep my smallest earrings in it. The ones that don't tangle, and always are forgotten in some little tray or some pocket since they don't have a place of their own. But soon they will have. Hope they will be happy. I know I will be!

Spetsigt - Lacey

Dukarna har torkat. Den här gången lyckades jag göra dem lite hårdare än första gången jag stärkte med lim. Då penslade jag bara på lim och vatten (blandat i lika delar), nu doppade jag hela dukarna i blandningen.

The doilies have dried. This time I managed to get them at bit harder than the first time I starched with glue. That time I applied the glue and water (mixed, one part of each) with a brush, this time I dipped the entire doily in the mixture.

Först testade jag med vanligt skollim, men det blev ganska skört och lite knastrigt, så jag doppade om dem i trälim. Funkade bättre. Fortfarande är de lite flexibla i formen, men har man inget tungt i dem så ska det nog gå bra.

To start with I tried with the kind of glue kids use, but it turned out quite fragile and a bit crackly, so I dipped them again in wood glue. That did the trick. They are still a bit flexible, but if you don't use them for heavy stuff it should work out fine.
 

Jag tänkte faktiskt testa att göra en duk i färgat garn och göra om till skål. Vill se hur det blir. Finns en viss risk att limmet syns, dock. Vitt lim på vitt garn syns ju inte, men på färgat... Men testar man inte så vet man inte. Får se när jag hinner med det.

I was also thinking I should try to make a bowl out of a colored doily. Want to see how that works. There's a certain risk that the glue will show, though. White glue on white yarn is rather invisible, but on colored... But if you don't try you won't know. Will have to see when I get the time to do it.

Jag skulle vilja hitta en limblandning som gör skålarna hårdare. Jag skulle inte våga fylla en stor skål med äpplen, tex. Jag såg en bild hos UnderbaraClara där hon gjort just det, men hon stärker med sockerlag och det vill jag inte eftersom jag misstänker att det kommer att dra till sig husets alla flugor. Vilka är ganska många när huset ligger i en kohage.

I would like to find a glue mixture that makes the bowls harder. I wouldn't dare to fill a big bowl with apples, for instance. I saw a picture at UnderbaraClara where she had done just that, but she uses sugar and water and I don't want to since I suspect that it would attract all the flies in this house. And when you live in a cattle pen, that means many.

Jag har gjort några fler ljuslyktor också. Detta är ett tunnare garn, så jag fick anpassa mönstret lite. Den här gången gjorde jag luftmaskbågar på tre luftmaskor istället för stolpar. Och en liten hålrad på halsen. Jag gillar verkligen att variera mig, skulle aldrig kunna sitta och virka precis samma mönster gång på gång på gång...

I have made some more tea-light holders too. This is a thinner yarn, so I had to adapt the pattern some. This time I chained three instead of making double crochet. And I made some holes further up. I really like variation, I could never sit and crochet the same pattern over and over and over again...

Spetsigt, skrev jag, och spets är det. På mönstren på skålar och ljuslyktor, men framför allt på dessa tavlor. Jag har en egen sådan här på sovrumsväggen, där alla mina långa örhängen hänger. Väldigt praktiskt! Det är lätt att se vad man har, och de trasslar inte ihop sig. Dessutom kan man njuta av dem även när de inte hänger i öronen.

Lacey, I wrote, and lace it is. In the patterns of bowls and light holders, but especially in these frames. I have one on my bedroom wall, where I hang all my dangling earrings. Very practical! It is easy to see what you have, and they don't get tangled. Moreover, you can enjoy them even when they are not hanging in the ears.

Ramarna har jag köpt på loppis. Det mesta av spetsen har varit min svärmors. En del av den är handknypplad eller virkad, vilket känns lite lyxigt. En sån här ram är riktigt enkel att göra. Jag har klistrat fast ett mönstrat papper i ramen och häftat fast spetsen. Klart!

I have bought the frames at a flee market. Most of the lace belonged to my mother-in-law. Some of it is hand tatted or crocheted which adds some luxury. A frame like this is really easy to make. I have glued a patterned paper in the frame and stapled the lace on it. Done!

Ull och knappar - Wool and buttons

Jag har verkligen varit dålig på att uppdatera bloggen i sommar. Jag har helt enkelt inte haft lust att sitta vid datorn på flera veckor. Men nu närmar sig vardagen, nästa vecka börjar barnen skolan igen. Då känns det mer naturligt att sitta här. Dessutom har jag ju en del att visa.

I have really  been lousy at updating the blog this summer. I simply haven't felt for sitting by the computer for weeks. But soon everything will go back to normal again, the kids start school again next week. So it feels more natural to sit here now. Besides, I have some to show you.

Nej, jag har inte skaffat dreadlocks i sommar.  Detta är ull som jag köpte förra sommaren, som jag tänkte ha till tovning. Idag kom jag mig äntligen för att sätta mig ner med den. Den måste ju kardas först.

No, I haven't got dreadlocks this summer. This is wool that I bought last summer for felting. Today I finally got started on it. You know I have to card it first.

 Det var lite blandade färger i påsen, så jag sorterade upp ullen lite. Åh, så gott det luktade när jag höll på med den! Morfar hade får när jag var barn, och vi älskade att springa runt och leka i fårahagen. Härliga minnen! Det var inte bara jag som tyckte att det luktade gott, men till skillnad från vissa andra försökte jag inte krypa ner i påsen bara för det...

There were some different colors in the bag, so I sorted it up. Oh, how good it smelled when I was handling it! My grandfather had sheep when I was a kid, and we loved to run around and play in the sheep pen. Lovely memories! It wasn't just me who thought it smelled good, but at least I didn't try to crawl down into the bag like someone else did...

Jag har aldrig kardat förut, så det var lite av ett äventyr att börja. Hittade lite tips på nätet och sen satte jag i gång. Jag gick in och testade att nåltova lite med en kardad ullbit för säkerhets skull. Det gick, så jag antar att jag inte gör helt fel i alla fall. Men förmodligen skulle en och annan expert gråta om de såg mig. 

I have never tried hand carding before, so it was a bit of an adventure to get started. I found some tips on the net and started working. I went inside and tested needle felting a piece of carded wool just in case. It worked, so I guess I'm not doing it completely wrong. But I think some experts would cry if they saw me.

De senaste dagarna har jag lekt en del med knappar. Min söta kusin var så snäll och gav mig vår farmors knappsamling. Många, många knappar! Jag har sett några smycken gjorda av knappar och var sugen på att testa.

The last few days I have been playing some with buttons. My sweet cousin was kind enough to give me our grandmother's collection of buttons. Many, many buttons! I have seen some jewelry made of buttons and wanted to try that.

Det var längesedan jag gjorde smycken nu, så det var lite segt i starten. Jag hade en idé om hur jag skulle göra ett par örhängen, jag har gjort ett par liknande efter beskrivning fast med pärlor. Tycker att de blev riktigt bra.

It's been a long time since I made jewelry now, so I was a bit hard to get the steam up. I had an idea about a pair of earrings I wanted to make, I have made similar after instructions before, only with pearls. I think they turned out pretty well.

Gamla pärlemorknappar har jag gott om, så jag gjorde ett matchande armband till de vita örhängena. Jag har helt enkelt fäst knapparna som berlocker på en kedja. Pärlemorknappar gör sig bra som smycken, de blänker på ena sidan och ger karaktär och lite färg med den andra.

I have a lot of old pearl-shell buttons, so I made a bracelet to go with the white earrings. I have simply attached the buttons as charms on a chain. Pearl-shell buttons make fine jewelry I think, they glisten on one side and give character and color with the other.

Sedan kom jag på min första helt egna knappdesign. Jag trädde upp några stora knappar på silverståltråd. Tycker att det är så snyggt med knappar med fyra hål, så att man kan korsa tråden i fram. Det blev ganska stadiga armband även om tråden inte var särskilt tjock. 

Then I found my first button design that is completely my own idea. I stringed some big buttons on silver wire. I like buttons with four holes so you can make a cross with the thread on top. The bracelets turned out quite steady even though the wire wasn't really that thick.

Några olika färger har det blivit, men nu behöver jag snart köpa mer smyckesdelar om jag ska kunna fortsätta göra likadana armband. Knappar har jag ingen brist på än!

I have made some more colors, but I will have to buy some more parts soon if I want to keep making bracelets like these. I have no lack of buttons yet!