Claire Laraine - Partners in Crime

Arctic Circles

2008-12-06T10:42:00.004Z

These tea towels with imagery of Bristol cranes are so unusual and striking, this unexpected mix works really well and could add a sophisticated edge to any kitchen.

Arctic Circles is run by Amy Kimber, who is a small scale designer based in Bristol, who loves snow, and reularly travels northwards to Scandinavia, a destination that inspires a lot of her work. A lot of Amy's work is exhibited and sold at the "Here Gallery" in Bristol, where she has recently had a gocco show with print makers from all over the world. The Here Gallery have just released a gocco print box set entitled "Even Dwarves Start Small". Click on the link and check it out!

You can find prints and lots more on the Arctic Circles website, including, vintage jewellery, stationary, scraflettes, brooches and more! You can buy internationally on the website http://www.arcticcircles.co.uk/

CONGRATULATIONS ...

2008-11-30T14:00:00.003Z

...The winner of our NOVEMBER give away is comment NUMBER 4!!*

You are soon to be the proud owner of the beautiful CeeGee Jewellery Swarovski Star Pendant.

Thank you to everyone who entered, we hope you will be back in the new year to enter January's great give away!

*The winner was chosen using a random number generator

Pretty Little Love Objects

2008-11-29T15:48:00.005Z

Pretty Little Love Objects is a great jewellery shop run by Jodie, a 23 year old British girl with a BA in history who is currently working her way through a marketing qualification while crafting, writing and working a full time job.

Jodie says "I was an indie kid back in the nineties and all the girls wore hundreds of beaded stretch bracelets. Buying my own glow in the dark beads and stringing materials pretty much began my beading obsession. I love searching through fairs and finding new quality suppliers and make original, individual pieces from whatever is in my massive stash at the moment. All my items are designed to be objects of desire, something you’ll love and keep on gazing at for years. My pieces are very textual, made for touching as well as for making your friend jealous. Buy someone else a little love object or gift yourself a jewel and become the object of your own affections."
‘Bottle Treasure’ necklace is an eclectic collection of beads and glass pearls, that complement the small treasure bottle pendant, filled with semi-precious gem chips. Red, patterned glass hearts are combined with smaller glass hearts, featuring flower detail, in red, pink and white. Grey Czech glass pearls, long red glass cylinders and hanging bronze glass bee nest beads (also featuring small flower detail) are allowed to stand out by being surrounded by simple red seed beads. The necklace is fastened with a medium sized, smooth black button clasp. The necklace’s rich colour scheme ensures that the whole piece is as attractive as the stunning and unusual necklace.

And guess what, if you’re looking for advice on love from a very demanding romantic, check out Jodie's weekly spot on the front page of Beautiful and Fabulous http://boutiqueflair.ning.com/

So, after all that, I better tell you where you can get all these 'bottle treasures' and much more from! Visit http://www.blinkingmouse.etsy.com where you can buy internationally.

Zouzou Designs

2008-11-14T10:14:00.004Z

Zouzou Designs is home to these amazing Russian and Japanese lavender dolls. A couple of years ago Caroline decided to combine her love of sewing with her love of Russian dolls and Kokeshi dolls. She thought it would be a great idea to fill them with lavender too, for its relaxing and stress relieving properties.

The dolls are all handmade from original designs and patterns using good quality new and recycled materials. Choose between lavender or polyester filling. Due to import/export regulations, lavender cannot be sent from the UK to destinations outside Europe. However, dolls with polyester filling love to travel and can be shipped anywhere in the world!

You can buy these little dolls at - http://zouzoudesign.etsy.com/

November giveaway with CeeGee Jewellery

2008-11-07T10:21:00.005Z

One very lucky winner could soon be the proud wearer of this beautiful Swarovski Pendant, courtesy of CeeGee Jewellery Design, run by Carolyn Grant.

Entirely self-taught, Carolyn spent 10 years working in banking in London, before relocating back to Cheshire where she grew up. A newly discovered love of jewellery-making led to a total career change and the creation of her business. Carolyn works exclusively in sterling silver with a particular focus on semi-precious gemstones, and loves sourcing handmade lampwork beads directly from the glass artist for use in her designs.

“I’ve always loved gemstones and anything with a bit of sparkle, but never dreamed I’d end up doing this for a living. I get a real buzz from seeing people wearing my jewellery, and feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day to get through all the designs I want to try.”

There’s a wide selection of earrings, bracelets and necklaces available on her website, with bridal and vintage lines to be introduced next year.

Visit www.CeeGeeJewellery.com for secure online shopping, with international shipping and gift wrapping available. CeeGee Jewellery can also be found on Etsy and Folksy.

So what do you need to do to get your hands on this gorgeous give away?
Its easy, head over to CeeGee Jewellery Design now, have a good look around the site and then pop back here and leave a comment on this post about all the beautiful handmade jewellery you've seen. Leaving your email address is optional, as the winning name will be posted on this blog and asked to contact us to receive their prize.

The winner will be announced on Partners in Crime on 30th November - Good Luck everyone!

Get yourself featured

2008-11-02T18:30:00.008Z

If you want to become a partner in crime - it couldn't be easier, all you need to do is fill in a short application form - we will be in touch if you are successful!

New Forum

2008-11-02T16:31:00.002Z

We are setting up a forum for all you fabulous Partners in Crime! Its still in its early stages but we would love you all to go and check it and try it out! Don't be afraid to tell us what you think too - any ideas for improvement are always welcome, thanks!
Just click on the title of the link to be taken to the forum and sign up!

Crafterstation

2008-11-02T14:59:00.003Z

Catherine Hayward runs Scatterbox Originals, an Etsy shop with a range of items based around the idea of troubled animals.

Scatterbox Originals is based in beautiful Cornwall, by the sea, where Catherine

has lived since moving there for art college. Catherine gained a degree in Illustration and after graduating in 2005, gradually moved away from art and more towards crafts, she says

" I'm mainly self taught. I started out with abstract designs, far removed from the Illustration work I had done - I found it easier to teach myself working with simple shapes. My first creations were cushion covers, simple bags and notebooks.As my skills have improved, my designs have become more and more complex and suddenly I find myself creating things heavily based around Illustration - the very discipline I'd backed away from"

Catherine has plans for some new paper goods based around her drawings, coming later this year, but right now you can buy, purses, children's scarves, cushions (and hopefully soon bags) with characters sewn on in 2D form. They're made with wool-viscose blend felt, sewn onto beautifully soft brushed cotton. In addition to Scatterbox Originals Catherine runs a second etsy shop that houses her range of jewellery and accessories - http://www.treacletoffee.etsy.com/.

All of these great accessories are available to purchase internationally too!

Vegan Friendly Soapaholic!

2008-10-31T09:40:00.007Z

Sharon runs Morgan Street Soap, making luxurious soap that leaves skin feeling velvety soft.

There is something quite special about this soap, especially the Palin Jayne range. Sharon adds silks fibres to the soap mix, this unique blend will leave your skin feeling soft, silky and rich. To cater for everyone, Morgan Street Soap have even developed a special vegan soap that is just as luxurious, featuring bamboo fibres. Not only are they derived from plants which makes them Vegan friendly, but they make a wonderfully soft and silky feeling bar of soap too. What more could you ask for?
As well as all these beautiful soaps you can find lotions, scrubs, bath and body oils, bath bombs, and our favourite is that patisserie rnage of soaps, they look good enough to eat! The bad news is that you will be spoilt for choice!
The good news is that you can buy Morgan Street Soap items wherever you are in the world, on Etsy http://morganstreet.etsy.com

Half an Acre

2008-10-17T21:17:00.005+01:00

Anna Hull loves to paint and to get messy painting! Although she studied photography she has always enjoyed making things, orininally she liked to make funky things for her house or birthdays when she couldn't find anything she liked in shops. Then Half and Acre was born.
Our favourites are the hagstone wreaths and the geckos but you can find many more funky things at Half an Acre's etsy shop, Dawanda, Folksy or their own website - http://www.halfanacre.co.uk
Anna keeps a blog that features lots of "fabulous things for funky people"!http://www.halfanacreblog.blogspot.com. Anna is also involved with the new Ukhandmade website which will launch later this year. You can check out the blog here which will run alongside it.

Artist Bears in Leather & Suede

2008-10-02T19:19:00.006+01:00

Chloe' Livingstone runs Little Green Shoot, making beautiful artist bears from leather and suede, in a tiny village hugged by the hills of the Derbyshire countryside.

Chloe is 17 and has been crafting all her short life (she told me she is pretty sure that she was born armed with a sewing needle!) Having started studying textiles in college, Chloe found that she was craving the freedom to 'do her own thing'. In January 2008 Tobias, the first Artist Bear was born, after Chloe had rescued a huge amount of leather and suede from a dismal fate. She says " I couldn't stand such beautiful material going to waste, and the challenge of giving it a new life really appealed to me"

Artist Bears and Friends are Teddies entirely handmade (not a machine stitch in sight!) and are especially made for collectors - they are not toys. Bear Artists work in everything from mohair & felt to wool & plush fabric, The smooth richness of the leather and the tactile nature of the suede makes for an altogether irresistable combination. Little Green Shoot specialise in making traditional bears in earthy browns, golden caramels, charcoals and even pinks! The newest additions to the shop are Mini Moo Artist Friends, with many more on the way.

You can get your hands on one of these sumptious looking bears from Little Green Shoot's Etsy shop, and they can be purchased from the UK and internationally. Look out for the Little Green Shoot website - coming soon!

http://www.littlegreenshoot.blogspot.com/ http://www.littlegreenshoot.etsy.com/

We have a WINNER!!

2008-09-30T20:04:00.003+01:00

CONGRATULATIONS 'Crystal' - You are the lucky winner of the lovely ring in September's give away.

If you didnt win this month, then come back very soon to see what you can win in October's give away!

Big Blue Bed

2008-09-21T10:54:00.006+01:00

Alix Smithers runs Big Blue Bed and has always made things or had handmade things around her, guided by her mother and older sisters who wore handknits by her grandmother.

After having her daughter, Alix realised that she loved seeing children make things and be involved in creating. With a bit of time on her hands and with Christmas approaching she decided to make things as presents.

Alix says "I have recently opened an etsy shop specifically for my knitwear. I design and knit these myself. I love feeling yarn and letting it work itself into my creative mind, almost deciding for itself what it wants to be. One of the items I love and will be making more of is the 'Mine all Mine' scarf which incorporates these words into its pattern. I loved doing the chart for this even though it did not do my eyesight much good!"

As well as knitwear you can find a range of fun accessories including, coin pouches and wallets, hair clips and cuffs.

You can buy all of Big Blue Bed items from a great new UK based site called folksy - http://www.bigbluebed.folksy.com/; and also on etsy - http://bigbluebed.etsy.com/. For my knitwear visit - http://www.bigblueknits2tog.etsy.com/

September give away

2008-09-19T15:35:00.005+01:00

The first of the 'Partners in Crime' monthly give aways begins now!

Want to bag yourself one of these funky rings? Then all you need to do is check out the Claire Laraine website and leave a comment on this post about what you love the most! We will announce the winner on this site on the 30th September, if you are the lucky winner you must email us to let us know your details and we will send your prize to you!

This ring has been lovingly handmade using a colourful piece of 'found' fabric, trapped behind a glass pebble. The best bit is this sliver plated ring base is adjustable, so you can be sure it will fit you! This ring is truely unique and special.

Beautiful spinning fibres for you...

2008-09-16T20:14:00.003+01:00

Jooles discovered and fell in love with knitting a few years ago, after trying out several crafts, and says that

"Knitting and all the related crafts has so much going for it the possibilites are endless. I became obsessed with bags, then socks and then lace. It wasnt long before I bought a spinning wheel and began to spin my own yarn. The next step was dyeing my own fibre to spin. The UK has some great fibre artists but not nearly as many as the USA. Often shipping and custom charges mean that hand painted fibre can become very expensive and obviously its not great for the enviroment to be importing everything from over seas. "

Jooles loves the magic of painting fibres. Each one is unique and the magic carries on through the spinning and knitting. It is never certain how the finished product will look, ensuring excitement until the very end! As a spinner myself I know it is as much about the process as the finished product, therefore I hope my fibres excite the senses with the colours and textures to make crafting as joyful as possible.

In amongst all this love for fibres, Spindlefrog was born, and offers unique beautifully crafted fibres for spinners. There is a vast aray of fibres to use, each with their own charactistics. Sometimes you need a fibre that will stand up to years of hard work other times soft and squishy is called for. Whatever you need there is a fibre out there.

So if your a spinner then get yourself over to Spidlefrog and grab some of these beautiful fibres. http://www.spindlefrog.etsy.com/ http://www.spindlefrog.live.com/

Pretty Lil Stars

2008-09-12T10:42:00.004+01:00

Amy Lees loves bright things and has been collecting bright things since she was little. Amy lives in Scotland and works from a small home studio, making funky, fun and kitsch jewellery, which she sells in her Etsy shop - Pretty Lil Stars. Her shop is filled with bright colours and quirky pieces, Amy makes the jewellery that she would want to wear herself.

Amy is branching out and learning new skills all the time and her goal is for people to wear her creations and have people say WOW!! She hopes that people buy something from my shop and when there wear/use it they feel how I felt when she made it.

Amy says "It makes me happy when i make something new and sit back and admire it its a huge sense of achievement. I love bits like charms and beads! I'm seriously feeling the love for plectrums right now!"

So am I - just look at this plectrum badge - Love it! Head over to her Etsy shop now to check out other plectrum goodies, including earrings and necklaces. I am also a fan of the reclaimed seat-belt belt! Amy will ship internationally too - http://www.prettylilstars.etsy.com/

The Accidental Jeweller

2008-09-04T12:31:00.010+01:00

Jo sort of fell into jewellery design after breaking one of her favourite necklaces. What began as a hobby has quickly grown into a small successful business - Gem Heaven. Jo says that "glass artisans creating unique and exciting lampwork and gemstones are my main obsession - mixing these beauties with sterling silver or gold filled is a fantastic journey I'm lucky enough to take everyday".

Having a studio in Cornwall ensures endless inspiration for Jo and she strives to capture the special organic nature that the ocean and the wilds of the moorland inspire, in every hand crafted piece.

Last year Jo took a silverwork course and now incorparates soldering and hand-forging within some pieces. More recently wire wrapping has become a feature in her work and she was thrilled to be voted onto the new Wireboutique.com website for handcrafted wire jewellery.

You can buy Gem Heaven jewellery worldwide by shopping online at http://www.jelli.etsy.com/ http://www.wireboutique.com/ http://www.gemheaven.co.uk

Covetables

2008-09-04T12:29:00.005+01:00

Michelle Aaron has been making stuff ever since she was a little girl and used to make dresses for Barbies. Now Michelle has a little girl and is still making dresses and dolls! Being a mum to her five year old daughter has really stirred up a passion in her for making things for kids. She believes that playthings are central in a child's life and they ought to be things that are special and treasurable.

Michelle now runs Covetables making among other things, cloth dolls. She adores working with natural materials; wool, silk, bamboo fibre, organic cotton and felt. It's not only best for the earth to use natural and eco friendly products but they feel great, look beautiful and even smell gorgeous. Each doll is one of a kind and happens in an unplanned way, taking shape as she makes them. They are all sturdy enough to play with, the clothes can be removed and their hair can be styled as well. Some even come with sets of special things.

Michelle says "Nothing satisfies as much as making something with my own hands and see it turn out before me. Actually rethinking that, it's even more satisfying to see someone fall in love with something that you have made for them!"
If you would like one of these unique dolls, you can buy yours on Covetables' Etsy shop - http://www.covetables.etsy.com. These dolls are happy to be shipped internationally too!

One of a kind jewellery

2008-09-01T13:21:00.005+01:00

Elizabeth Yarker from Evy Designs has been making jewellery for 5 years and began when she was unable to find something individual for herself and a little bit different from the norm.

Working from a studio in a beautiful village near Halifax, Elizabeth creates a mix of eclectic to timeless pieces, they are all carefully hand crafted, using a range of components including, handmade glass, Freshwater Pearls, Jade, Swarovski Crystals, Amber & vintage items that can be brought to life again by being incorporated into a new design.

ELizabeth says that she loves working with gemstones because "no two are ever the same, each one is unique and they have a wondrous beauty which has been captured in many cases after thousands of years"

These two are my favourites though, the vintage typewriter key bracelet and the knot wood bracelet.

You can buy any of these gorgeous pieces online at http://www.evy-designs.com

Crafted by the storm

2008-08-25T16:00:00.008+01:00

Storm Island is brought to you by Sara Pike and specialises in individual, handcrafted items.

Inspired by the powers of nature, and created using natural materials you can find handmade cards, jewellery and much more at Storm Island. The latest creations are these handmade paper cards, with a 'Journey of Discovery' theme. They have been left blank for any occassion, there are 5 different designs and each card is unique in its own way.

You can buy a selection of Storm Island items on the website http://www.storm-island.com/

More items are still to be added to the online shop, so visit often to find your 'little piece of nature'.

For comissions, please contact Sara via the website.

Snapdragon Beads - Beaded Adornment

2008-08-23T18:02:00.005+01:00

Alice Elizabeth Still has been making jewellery for 16 years, despite wanting to go to Art College Alice ended up with degrees in Mathematics and Engineering. However she is now packing in her day job in the heady world of corporate IT to concentrate on her two passions, her little girl Amelia and beading.

Snapdragon beads has an array of beautiful jewellery, Alice's particular area of interest is off loom beadweaving. Alice describes her design process as "very much organic at times, I love selecting colours and finishes, especially ones that you wouldn't immediately put together"

To find out more about Snapdragon Beads and for details on craft fairs that Alice will be attending in Ireland and England visit the website http://www.snapdragonbeads.com/

To buy online visit http://www.snapdragonbeads.etsy.com/ or http://www.snapdragonbeads.folksy.com/

Linda Boucher

2008-08-17T17:46:00.004+01:00

Self taught painter Linda Boucher generally paints oil on canvas, and is best known for her paintings of red shoes and glamorous women. Linda taught her self to paint whilst simultaneously selling her work and found it a thrilling experience, however she soon felt that there was a pressure to produce the kind of work that is popular and found that it often stunted her experimental creating.

Linda then discovered Etsy and ACEOS (Artist Cards, Editions and Originals- which are always 2.5”x3.5”). She says "My paintings are big, and these are so small, that they’ve pushed me to think of new ways to present my ideas". Linda is having fun working in this way and is getting used to thinking small and is excited to be working this format and to seeing where it takes her.

You can view lots of Linda's work on her main website http://www.lindaboucher.com/, on her etsy shop http://www.lindaboucher.etsy.com/ and at http://www.lindaboucher.tumblr.com/, and her work is available to buy internationally too!

Quixotic Cards

2008-08-12T14:14:00.008+01:00

Elaine Hughes of Quixotic Cards is a fabulous designer of handmade whimsical, speciality and luxury greetings cards.

You can read a little more about Quixotic Cards and get in contact via the website http://www.quixoticmiss.com/and you can buy online at http://www.quixoticmiss.etsy.com/

Quixotic Cards also has a uniue range of cards for dog lovers, featuring sophisticated imagery of dogs in monochrome with splashes of red, these cards have a very elegant feel to them.

Elaine also has a blog where she talks about a bit of everything, including her book addiction! Check it out - http://blog.quixoticmiss.com/

Although Quixoic Cards is UK based Elaine ships all these gorgeous cards worldwide.

Paper Cards from Bluecricket Co.

2008-08-08T20:53:00.011+01:00

Lindsey Bird runs The Bluecricket Co. designing and handmaking greetings cards for all occassions. Using pencils, crayons, paint and inks to create these beatiful cards, with a little help from her daughter too!

Being a creative being Lindsey doesn't like to be bored and doesn't like things to take too long, and loves her Trollbeads!

All Bluecricket Co. items can be purchased online in Lindsey's Etsy shop.

http://www.bluecricket.etsy.com/

Leigh Shepherd Designs

2008-08-07T19:29:00.007+01:00

Leigh Shepherd a designer and maker based in Haworth, West Yorkshire makes thes beautiful pendents using vintage tiles and counters.

Her current ranges include Mah Jong tiles and wooden Scrabble tiles. Leigh says "When I first began making these pieces I wanted them to be a complete gift or treat so I made little keepsake tins and pots to present the jewellery in ...

... I am passionate about handmade items, I would really like to see the craft / handmade movement become as popular here (in the UK) as it has in the States and it's great blogs and sites such as this that will help that happen! I also have a fasination for upcycling and repurposing, taking a found object and transforming it intosomething different and more valuable. That is what I hope to have achieved with my jewellery."

All of Leigh's beautiful designs can be purchased nationally and internationally online at http://www.leighshepherddesigns.etsy.com/ and at http://www.leighshepherddesigns.com/

MONTHLY GIVE AWAY?

2008-08-06T23:57:00.002+01:00

Thinking of starting a monthly give away/competition - what do you all think!? I'd love to hear all your ideas!

Pets, Paws and Paint

2008-08-04T20:23:00.008+01:00

Tara from RossellaJayne is a mixed media artist and loves to design collages and dimensional pieces with recycled bits and pieces.

Over the next 2 weeks Tara will be adding pieces to her Esty store (TaraVictoria's Shop) under a new section "Pets, Paws & Paint". An amazing 20% of the proceeds of these pieces will go to one of the larger ASPCA shelters in NJ (where one of her dogs came from)... Tara is very excited about this new endevour, and I would like to wish her the best of luck, I hope you all check out her Etsy store and support Tara!

All Items can be purchased in Tara's Etsy shop and you can read more about RossellaJayne on their website, http://www.rossellajayne.com/

What goes around, comes around - the rambling path of a recycler

2008-08-04T20:17:00.005+01:00

Sue Harris
Blue Box Studio

Blue Box Studio is a treasure trove of findings from the shore. Sue designs and makes jewellery using sterling silver and sea glass, mainly collected from beaches around the beautiful south west coast line of England and occassionally from abroard.

When Sue isn't busy making jewellery she is busy creating stunning silk and velvet scarves using shibori, devoré, batik and other printing techniques.

If this looks like something you would like to have a go at then you've come to the right place, Sue runs shibori dyeing workshops and sells a range of shibori dyeing scarf kits (make your own masterpiece in the mircrowave!) As well as selling loose sea glass for collectors or jewellery makers that might not live near the sea!

Sues Story . . .
What goes around, comes around. My mum gave me my first sewing machine at the age of 5. A little blue toy that made daisy chain stitching. She then showed me how to make patterns from paper; so I cut up my bed sheets to make a dress. I wasn't too popular that day but she did then realise that a little toy machine wasn't going to hold my attention for long. She let me loose with her sewing machine. I sewed anything and everything. Sewing lessons in school didn't amuse me. I've worked my way through spinning and weaving local fleeces to make cloth to sew, machine knitting, kumihimo - a love of silk threads left over from a friends weaving, onto making jewellery from the silk braids, then just making the jewellery from silver, before discovering sea glass .... The scarves started out as a bit of fun and light relief but soon became equal partners with the jewellery and now I make lots of things with fabrics that catch my eye using a sewing machine. I've not cut up any sheets recently, but looking out of my window, the curtains catch my eye ... watch this space!

You can buy all of Sue's fabulous work online - http://www.blueboxstudio.co.uk/
http://www.blueboxstudio.etsy.com

Critters, Cupcakes and . . . Clarabell the Cow!?

2008-08-04T20:04:00.011+01:00

Claire Fearnley
FeltLikeStitchin

Claire Fearnley from FeltLikeStitchin creates these very fun hand stitched DiDi Dolls

There are so many choose from she make monsters and animals and even celebrities!

Claire says "My Mr Potato Head DiDi Dolls are unique felt versions of my favourite childhood toy. Each one I make is different because I like to randomly plonk the features on the face - just like when I was a kid! . . .

. . . This is Squiffi the Beer Monster he is one for the guys (and a few of us girls lol!) Every time I look at him his swirly eyes make me laugh"

Its the Russian Dolls (pictured at the top) that are my favourite item, and the classiest item in Claire's shop. The smallest one is only 1.75" tall and ever so sweet.

Claire would like to inform you all that - Elvis lives in her shop, along with Audrey Hepburn and Charlie Chaplin! These just have to been seen, head over to her website or Etsy store to get yours now, these little DiDi Dolls are international jet setters and will happily be shipped worldwide!

http://feltlikestitchin.etsy.com/

http://feltlikestitchin.co.uk

Who's Bead Mad?

2008-08-04T19:56:00.005+01:00

Ruth Campbell of The Handmade Jewellery Shop

"I make beautiful bead necklaces using a wide range of beads sourced from around the world. Each necklace is unqiue except the gorgeous little Swarovski crystal single strands and even these can be ordered in any length or mix of shades you desire.

A few years ago traditional bead necklaces (cloisonne, wedding cake, millefiori, porcelain to name a few) were considered rather old fashioned, now people have woken up to the enormous possibilities of good old "beads". Every colour you can think off and so many shapes, sizes and designs. Sparkling crystals, semi-precious gem stones, painted wood, faceted glass, pretty satin ribbon ties and so much more.

I have 2 online shops listing over 600 bead necklaces (yes all made by me!) for you to browse and perhaps buy. They are all in stock for despatch within 1 working day from receipt of cleared payment .... and should you wish to treat someone else but are not quite sure which they would like, just buy a pretty gift voucher and let the lucky lady choose herself. Or why not be a little crafty, set up your own wish list in my store and email it to family and friends so you know the next birthday present will be great, not another fluffy pink hotwater bottle cover!

Bead mad? I'm not bead mad ... well only a little perhaps - why not come and join me in my "bead mad" shop, you would be most welcome"

http://www.the-handmade-jewellery-shop.com

Charming and Pretty

2008-08-04T19:32:00.006+01:00

I am really happy to be featuring Rachel Hunt who runs Charming and Pretty because she has a love of recycling and turning "junk" into "jewellery" I love it! The jigsaw jewellery is quirky, funky and fun, at affordable prices too.

Rachael is a stay at home mum to 2 children and discovered by accident that jigsaws with missing pieces aren't destined for the bin, they are destined to be worn with love. Rachael says "Daytime TV is rubbish! So my fingers and brain keep busy by creating items to sell or as gifts"

You can find all Rachael's recycled goods available to buy worldwide in her Etsy store. If, however, you can't find what you are looking for, just send her an email and she will see what she can do for you, you can't get much better customer service than that! With reasonable worldwide rates and post within 3 days of purchase, all items are wrapped with care in tissue paper and then a jiffy envelope.

For Fantastic handmade gifts visit http://www.rachaelhunt.etsy.com or http://www.charmingandpretty.com/

Craft for a Cause

2008-08-04T19:04:00.017+01:00

The first ever feature of Partners in Crime goes to Kerry Wilkinson of PennyDog Jewellery - and what a fab first feature it is! Not only does Kerry create gorgeous jewellery she donates £1 for every item sold to the Retired Greyhound Trust - view more about this here http://pressroom.prlog.org/pennydog/

Kerry makes beautifully crafted resin jewellery, there are currently 5 collections to choose from in her online shop - Retro, Treasure, Sweetheart, Shore and Nature. There is something for everyone here. You can shop in £'s at http://www.penny-dog.co.uk/ and in US Dollars on Etsy http://www.pennydogaccessories.etsy.com/

But Kerry isn't stopping there, she is now venturing into felt, acrylic and aluminium work, you will be able to see these new creations later in the year.

Kerry also features the work of others on her blog - http://www.pennydog.wordpress.com/

I recommend you head over to her website now, there's lots to see and buy!

CRIMINALS COMING SOON!

2008-08-04T13:30:00.002+01:00

We have a whole host of crafting crims lined and waiting to be featured!
We have had an overwhelming response and I would just like to say thank you to everyone who has shown a such a keen interest in this, and for taking part, this wouldn't work without you all!
Keep coming back to see some of the best things in the handmade world . . .