Handmade Monday, My first attempt

I have often read about 'Handmade Monday' but not fully understood what it was all about, I have just seen Haptree's blog on CraftUK and decided to have a go. Still not quite sure were I am meant to link it too? but do understand no shop links and chat about craft and latest makes be they good or bad...
Well, as some of you know I am really a bag maker, but do enjoy other crafting too. I noticed many of our customers like something a bit more reasonably priced to treat themselves too, so had the idea to make brooches - it didnt start so well..




I have listed some brooches, but they often turned out way too big so became keyrings and bag charms instead, but some as the one above and this did not make it to the shop, I just wasnt getting it!



Improving slightly, I am aware its my outline that just isnt right - so tried this one, still not quite sure the magic is quite there though?



During the weekend I had a new idea, long long ago when time began I used to make jewellery, I still have some left in a drawer so thought I would try a spot of remaking and turn the old jewellery into brooches, now these I like...I may well be the only one, who knows? but I am happy with my first two attempts at flower brooches - although the light is not really my friend this morning but hopefully you get the idea.






So, there you have it. SimJaTa's move into the land of the handmade brooch, you may wish to watch this space and by next Monday I may have improved. I have spent an awful lot of hours trying, and more hours will be spent this week too - alongside the next bag I am 'meant' to be hand quilting, anyone found out were those extra hours in the day are hiding yet?

Late edit - to say my first mistake was not putting the link back to the handmade monday blog by wendy (sorry) here it is http://www.1stuniquegifts.co.uk/blog/

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

Brooches, Keyrings and Bag Charms

Further to my last blog post, yes sorry it has been over a week! As usual just not enough hours in the day and many things outside of craft studio have been getting in the way.
Every available minute has been spent trying to conquer textile designs. The pictures above are 2 new ones ready to list in my "Special by SimJaTa" shop - link on the right. I am enjoying this challenge so much its all I want to be doing, I feel myself becoming quite frustrated when so many things get in the way. I am still working on bags alongside these designs, and these too are taking a new approach with some quilting, applique, patchwork designs and new ideas.

Here are the first 3 I added to my shop this week, the pictures take you to the Special by SimJaTa shop, I have found them great fun - hope you agree.








Here's to the start of a new week tomorrow - hoping it brings me more time.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

Folksy Friday - The handmade brooch

If you read yesterday's blog you will know I have been trying to create my own textile brooches with my own theme, which I have decided will be handbags to fit in with my main craft.

I would today like to introduce you to my inspiration of the textile brooch, from the fabulous crafters on Folksy. Be sure to click on the pictures as they too create other superb items alongside their brooches.

"PantsandPaper" is one of the most popular and has her own fantastic individual style, I just love watching out for what she does next each day. Here is just one from her fabulous collection.



"Buttercup Boutique" is another talent I admire, so much so I purchased one of her lovely creations as a christmas gift for my Mum last year, here is one of her lovely little birds.




"Nofkantscurios" is one of our talented embroidery people, my own embroidery not yet in this league but maybe one day, here is her Magpie brooch



"Lynwoodcrafts" does not just embroidery but felting too to create this wonderful scenary, simply breathtaking, here is her meadow flower brooch



The next two sellers I discovered whilst looking at brooches, I thought this one a great individual talent so had to include "Nadine arborthot adornment" and one of her lovely beaded embroidery pieces



Lastly, but by no means least another new discovery by me, a great shop with other talents too "MarmaladeRose" and one of her lovely fabric brooches




I hope you have enjoyed this selection, I am off back to the sewing room to see what else I can come up with, one of my blog readers suggested I have a go at creating brooches to match the bags I have for sale, its a great idea - but can I master it? well I just cant wait to find out, so off I go!

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~