SimJaTa features - Cosmic Eden

I was wondering what to write about today, and struggling with feeling very sorry for myself after a particular horrid visit to the dentist, thankfully its all over now (bar the numb mouth) for another few months. When I came upon one of my fellow crafters needing a bit of a lift.

So, here are some of the fabulous creations by Cosmic Eden. I have selected one of my favourites from the first 4 pages of her lovely Folksy shop, why not take a look for yourself at what else is on offer, simply click on the photo's to be taken to the item for further details and you can take a look at the rest of the lovely jewellery whilst you are there.

These are lovely, not just the butterfly but there is also a rabbit and a swallow featuring on page one



This necklace is adorable, if anyone would like to treat me for my birthday (its only 2 weeks away!) this would be good please.



Now I just love lavender, you can almost smell the aroma just looking at this (unless you dont like lavender, then you can just imagine something else)



How about this for the little lady? I dont know any little ones, but if I did this would be a must have




Hope you enjoyed the few items I have shown, please do go take a look at the rest, Cosmic works very hard and as you can see has a superb talent there.

Before you all think I have gone totally soft, dont go away now.. Please do take a look at the lastest wonderful bags at Bags of Swank by SimJaTa





Thanks for reading, have a good week and stay dry with impending rain.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

Fishy Folksy Friday by SimJaTa

Introducing this weeks Folksy Friday by Bags of Swank by SimJaTa, on the theme of Fish for this week.

Folksy Friday is one of the opportunities for me to show off the rest of the talent that can be found on Folksy, the best UK Craft Site.

To view the items in more detail, and to be taken to the shops of this great talent below, simply click on the photograph of each item.

To Begin is Audrey's Art with her ACEO of the Angel Fish



Pop-up Zoo Greetings Cards has this excellent fish birthday card



From Nofkants Curios you will find many of these great keyrings or handbag charms, this one was my favourite, made from carved black agate gemstone



Shoogly beads has more stunning jewellery in her shop, here is her Driftwood Bracelet



From artmagic, is this ACEO entitled 'Queen of the Sea'



A superb collection of charms make up this bracelet from Putting on the Charms



Last of all, are two tote bags (or shopping bags) from Bags of Swank by SimJaTa, little and large version of cute fish






I hope you have enjoyed this weeks selection of fish themed choices. Have a super weekend, and lets hope this lovely spring weather continues for us all.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa ~

The Folksy Crafter - by SimJaTa

What a lovely day today, far too nice to be working - thats my excuse anyway, all us crafters need a break from time to time, so today is mine. I thought I would share my little verse with you all (dont worry, I wont give up the day job)

The Folksy Crafter

First thing in the morning switch on the PC
Have there been any overnight sales for me?
Next is onto the forums, just for a quick peek
But whilst I am there maybe more goodies to seek
Or perhaps someone looking for a craft from me
Just one more look in ‘fancy a cuppa’ bit
Often the place to find the crafter’s wit

Hours can pass by, watch the crafters at chat
Sometimes wonder how we find time to craft
Busy busy on line to promote
Anyone want to buy a Tote?
Really must get down to some work
Being our own boss is the crafters perk
This next item will be the one to sell
Off the shelf it will fly by the sales fairy spell

Each item made with loving care and design
Why has it not sold yet? Can be heard as we whine
All our items are made to bring in the readies
But sadly the UK has to watch all the pennies
One last plea from the Folksy Crafters here
Come treat yourself on Folksy for gifts to hold dear


~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

Happy Birthday to Alfie

Tomorrow our boy Alfie will have reached 3 years old. Isnt he handsome?

Alfie came to us on October 31st 2009 at 18 months old, not the easiest of dogs having had no socialisation, not a clue how to behave around other dogs and a bit on the dominant side. After 'that op' and some training classes and a lot of hard work he is getting much better, he still attends dog club training for obediance shows, is training at scent work each week (one day to be part of a team to search for lost dogs) and does agility. Alfie now even has some playmates on his walk, he plays with a super daft retriever called Zac and a chocolate Labrador equally as daft called Hugo, these are his favourite friends.

In honour of Alfie's birthday, here are some of my Labrador Tote Bags for sale in my Folksy shop, just click on the photo's to be taken to my shop for further details.







Tomorrow Alfie will have a special walk in the sunshine and maybe something nice and tasty for his tea. We might even go mad and buy him a brand new ball, ball is one of his favourites.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

Folksy Friday, A touch of Art Deco

Good Afternoon all, for this week's Folksy Friday I have chosen the theme of Art Deco. I have recently discovered some fabrics in this theme and taken an interest - so took a look around Folksy and found some wonderful treasures in this theme, here are just a few I have chosen to show you. To see all these items in further detail and the other lovelies in the shops simply click the picture to be taken to the individual shop.

Starting with "Silk Purse, Sow's ear" and this fabulous ring



Next is "Milliebead" often featured here on my blog, as just so much variety to choose from in her shop



I struggled to choose a card in this shop, so many great ones to choose from, here is "Cards with a Difference"



A Stained Glass Art Deco panel from "Amy Orange Juice"



Hand crafted beret from the talented "Imogen's Imagination"



Vintage Travel Necklace from "Kitsch Kitten"



..and finally from here at Bags of Swank by SimjaTa a shoulder bag featuring Art Deco music notes, the second in the Art Deco collection (first was sold) and another to appear later next week, with Art Nouvaux Swans.



I hope you have enjoyed this weeks choices, these are just some of my favourites, there are many more Art Deco theme crafts on Folksy, which is of course simply the best on-line shopping experience.

Have a great weekend.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa ~

Update by SimJaTa

After a couple of weeks of major upheaval at SimJaTa studio's, with heating to fix and finally today my beloved shower mended I am happy to say that Bags of Swank can now continue full steam ahead.

Today I listed the Vintage Fabric Tote bag you can see here in the pictures, and it will be on its way to the post office shortly as already sold. The other two bags are on the future list, not yet in the Folksy shop, so you may wish to watch out for those. What an excellent discovery the bears, moose and fish fabric was, ideal for the wildlife fan, and great natural colours finished off with a superb wooden vintage button I found. Another VW Camper Van bag to come also, the last one sold quite quickly.

One Scarf sent off earlier in the week from the Special by SimJaTa shop, that has gone off to auction to help Cats in Care. With a custom order yet to start, then on to another auction item for a child in need. I have also sent off a sample tote bag for a possible new outlet, wont tell you anymore about that yet as still to be confirmed, though I have ordered some more fabric in anticipation, so fingers crossed on that one. Also had plenty of fun and games here last night attempting to hand dye some handles to match, think I need some more practice at that one.

Also have a house guest here this week, my friends dog 'Tigger' so he is keeping me quite busy as he is missing his Mum, we pop along to feed her cats twice a day too, luckily for me the post office is on the way, so helps to get those orders out on the same day.

Next blog post will be Folksy Friday already, how the week flies by.. Not a clue what theme to choose yet, hopefully I will be inspired tomorrow.

Hope everyone is having a fun and productive week, without any catastrophies around them.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa ~

Folksy Friday Part 2 - The Special Ones

Yes, I know its Saturday! But unfortunatly Friday's time just totally ran away from me what with one thing and another, even late today due to a houseful of visiters. Sorry for delay, but without further ado, here are the rest of the super Special people who supported me and took the time out to enter my blog giveaway. To view their wonderful crafts in finer detail simply click on the photographs shown below.

I must this time begin with my luck blog winner Millie, from Milliebeads - here is one of her very attractive necklaces




At Helen Jane's Designs like most of the special shops I have struggled to choose an item, dont forget if you click on this one you will magically be taken to her Folksy shop to see the rest



Top Floor Treasures also has a great selection, I have chosen this one as though it shows the artists name this can be customised to your own name in this super artwork or that of a friend



Just how cute is this? Here is just one of the fabulous Dragons from Dragonwys



From Linda at Uniquely Yours is this stunning handbag



I just had to choose on of the owls from ThatFuzzyFeeling, as my Mum loves owls



So many lovely items from Natalie at NofkantsCurios, here is one of my favourites



From DottieDesigns I have chosen this album that can be personalised for any occasion, I won a memory box from Dottie in one of her giveaway's so can recommend how gorgeous they are



This next shop was recommended by Margaret as she does not sell on Folksy, stunning jewellery which again I stuggled to choose a piece to show as my favourite, I was drawn to this one though




Lastly, just listed today from Bags of Swank by SimJaTa




Hope you enjoyed viewing this fabulous collection of talent as much as I have enjoyed choosing them. Just shows how you can shop for luxury items from the comfort of your chair, instead of something mass produced on the high street, on Folksy you find quality and individual gifts and treats.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

Folksy Friday - The Special Ones Part 1.

Good Afternoon, and welcome to this weeks Folksy Friday. Having said I would showcase all the wonderful people who contributed to my blog giveaway I had not actually realised how many this involved, so will have to be in two parts or gives an overloaded look which is no good.
So, here is the first part of Folksy Friday highlighting half of the Special ones from Folksy and one extra shop that is not a Folksy shop but still deserving of the same recognition. Dont forget, all you have to do is just click the photograph to be taken for further details, and a look around the rest of that sellers shop.

To Begin here is an item from Sugarmice, I think these earrings are such fun and very unique



Next is Nithria cards, this one is my favourite should be as I have already purchased one for my Mum on Mothers Day, it is on its way to me complete with a chosen verse



Julie Monk Photography has a shop full of wonderful Photographs, either to display or to purchase on cards



From Crystal Velvet I have selected one of her fabulous fun sock monkeys from her shop RaRa Bazaar



As my own birthday is in April, I just love these April earrings by Red Moon



JinJa Jewellery has this gorgeous bracelet amounst her collection



Here at Bags of Swank by SimJaTa, recently added is this lovely family of cute foxes on a Tote Bag/Shoulder Bag.



Lastly, but my no means least is my friend Mick at Shpangle Jewellery, with his fabulous unique designs (hope this works) not on Folksy but his own website



I hope to treat you to part 2 tomorrow, have a good weekend.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

Whats new and still to come at Bags of Swank by SimJaTa

Seen here is my latest creation, another of those fabrics I fell in love with, might just make one of these for myself - super bright and cheery bag, though it seems many of my creations are these days. This one is next to be listed so you will have to wait a day or so for it to appear in my Folksy shop.

Just listed today is this Art Deco Music notes bag, again the fabric spoke to me - and I just had to create with it.



Just click on the picture to see further angles of the bag, and details. Like all my latest bags they have plenty of organiser pockets, for all your precious items to be safe and easy to reach, and I still have my FREE pen offer with the bags.

The bags brought to you today are from a very happy and warm SimJaTa Studio, we now have hot water and heating after 10 days without, so rest assured the weather should start to warm up now, -4 mornings were not the best around here for the last week, and its surprising how we get so used to the luxury of hot water!

Next blog post will be Folksy Friday, so be sure to check back to see the lovely items on show from the great people who supported my recent giveaway. Have a good week.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

SimJaTa Blog Giveaway - Winner

Thank you all so much for your entries to my Blog Giveaway. Also for the wonderful comments and choices, certainly helps me to know what is more popular. The winner is number 16, which is Millie D, from 'Milliebeads'. I dont have her choice as yet, sure she will be along to choose shortly.

I wish you could all be winners, especially those who have given me so much support over the last year. You are all special, but the biggest thanks have to go to my friend Chris who has been a HUGE support to me, and to Mick from Shpangle Jewellery who has been there throughout, and in the early not so confident days, I might not have survived without some of his words of wisdom.

Here are Millie's choices, after she has chosen two will still be available to purchase.








Thank you again to my friends new and old for all your support during my first year, and those of you with Folksy shops lets hope 2011 will be fabulous for us all, sure with all this talent it will. This weeks Folksy Friday will feature something from all with Folksy shops who took the time to enter my giveaway, perhaps Margaret would like to nominate one of her favourites?

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~