Not a handbag in sight, but more resin adventures

I did 'sort of' finish these at weekend, but only just got around to photographing. My latest progress report on the resin adventures, it has come to a bit of a standstill at the moment as I was awaiting some non-toxic resin to arrive. Also being the impatient person I am while I was waiting I went and purchased some clay and paints, have been working with that for a while, my first attempts are even more amusing than the resin, might photograph them another day to raise a smile or two, all a learning process but I am really enjoying some new challenges. Meanwhile I am still adding to my new Etsy shop, so dont forget that and joining in with my new team the Crafty Folk.



I made these for my friend Sylvia with her dog Zac on them. She is a pink person so they have been added to raspberry pink to suite her style. As you can see one of my first lessons is how to get the photograph to be a perfect round, I think I have found the right gadget for this for next time.





This one is for my friend Sian, with her Kelpie dog 'Tigger' as Sian is not really much of a jewellery person I made this one into a keyring for her. Again, I realise I need to work at these circles, but I think he sits quite well in here for a first attempt.






A range of necklaces here - spot the purple one, thats one of mine of course. The first dog is my Aunts rescue dog 'Sophie' the Staffie, the others are my own dogs, I am wearing Tess and Alfie on purple now, one of my favourites, yes I know the circles are far from perfect but I am happy to be wearing my dogs, and sure Auntie will like her Sophie.





I made some more teardrop pendants, and even added some necklace bails on some of them. This time I did suffer from an attack of the bubbles, which again need some work, and I also need some polish to shine them up a bit more.

I also learnt another valuable lesson about wearing gloves at all times with resin, even if you 'think' it might be dry enough to mess with it isnt! so lesson learnt to put gloves on again when taking box off the top to have a look, as if you drop one its then your instinct to pick it up, this is not a good idea without gloves. Oh and another one, to watch were you are mixing and take more care.

Hope everyone is having a peaceful evening, at least its not too cold yet, no heating on here yet.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

Rescue Dogs

I have been happy to observe recently that many of us crafters are also animal lovers, be it dogs like me and cats. So todays wafflings are on the rescue dog. The above photo shows four dogs from this mornings walkies, can you spot the rescue ones? no, of course not they are all dogs having fun. Zac the golden retriver (rescue), Alfie the black labrador (rescue) and their pals Charlie the mad yellow labrador and Bailey the darker golden retriever.



Here is our Jaja, looking so adoringly at my friend Sylvia - not because he loves her, but he does love her pocket of gravy bones. Jaja was adopted from Swindon Strictly Strays 8 years ago as a puppy, his Mum was rescued by them expecting a litter, Jaja was one of that litter, infact the largest of that litter. He has been a lucky dog, never known anything but love throughout his life.




This is our Alfie, adopted 31st October 2009 after a relationship breakup. Alfie did arrive with us with one or two 'issues' we are still getting there, he is ok with most dogs now, but still needs a little work. He does attend classes each week, along with agility, flyball and scent work to keep his brain working and keep him out of trouble the rest of the time.


Tess came to us from Labrador Rescue 9 years ago, she was a failed gundog who had then been homed to a delightful family (not) who beat her, she is still a nervous dog at times, sometimes you cannot remove the past no matter how you try. Tess is now around 11 years old but still enjoys playing with the younger dogs.



Zac, is my friend Sylvia's dog, he is from Retriever rescue. Also a very nervous dog with many an issue, he is quite happy as long as he is in familiar surroundings and with his friends, but reverts back to his nerves in strange places. His Mum no longer has holidays as Zac couldnt cope with them.

Last night I was looking here ManyTears
at the many dogs needing homes, heartbraking to see so many unwanted dogs. I may well have been lucky enough to find one a home with a local lady who was looking for a minature poodle having lost hers to old age earlier in the year, so thats one lucky dog out of so many.
Many Tears are one of the rescues my own organisation help to support, as well as crafting I am also area co-ordinator, and one of the founders of Woof Beginnings,
WoofBeginnings
we raise funds to help rescue dogs. Currently working towards our next show at the end of the month, collecting as many donations of prizes for our quality tombola as we can.

Hope you have enjoyed meeting some of our friends today, I have been told recently blogging should be about other aspects of our lives as well as crafting, so here you have an insight into mine.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

Fun in the Sun

The dogs keep telling me its far too nice to be indoors working. So warm for them out we dash down to the pond and spend more time there for them to keep cool. In today's pictures from earlier in the day, we have my Alfie (the Black Labrador), his best friend Zac (Golden Retriever) and my old girl Tess (yellow labrador), having far too much fun.
By the time the dog walking was done, not much time to squash in the rest of the days chores, and no time left at all to get any work done. I did however manage to list one of the Summer Bags I created yesterday.



Also on the warm summer theme, is the last one listed for the bicycle enthusiast.



Hope you are all enjoying the spell of good weather, I am not really a big fan of it, seen today under a large hat. Not sure when I will get to blog next as its our fund raiser over the weekend for Woof Beginnings, setting up our new marquee on Friday then the show is Saturday, Sunday and Monday, with family tea to enjoy on Sunday evening too, but I guess most people will be out and about enjoying Easter and the forcast good weather. Hopefully in my area they will be at the Town and Country Fair in Southport buying from our stall to help the needy dogs.

Enjoy your weekend!

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

Just too nice for work today

It seems such a long time since we enjoyed a morning like this, so Alfie our rescue Labrador, along with his housemates Tess and Jaja, and his pals Baily, Zac and new friend Woody 'forced' us to take them for a great walk to the cooling pond for some fun.

Alfie's best friend in the world is the light coloured retriever Zac, when these two get together their shared brain cell is lost forever and as you see, fun is the name of the game.

The dogs at play together are my Tess,Alfie, Bailey, Zac and their new pal Woody the Lurcher who until very recently spent 7 months in a kennel at the RSPCA awaiting a new home, at last his has found his own special home along with Trevor and his partner who love him very much and have taught him what being a 'special' boy is all about.

Not much work done so far today, infact not ANY work done so far today - so I must also use this opportunity to show off the dog products available in my shop.

First we have a tote bag in Lavender with a photo of Bailey the Retriever, this bag is also to show the possibility of your very own photograph which can also be used in a tote bag design.



Here is one for the Chocolate Labrador fan



This bag is the same as the one I use, with all the colours of Labrador on



Lastly, most recent listing from me in my Folksy shop (the photo's all take you there) is this holder for your glasses, mobile or other gadget




Hope you are all out enjoying the wonderful weather whilst you can, this is just perfect for me as I am not a fan of the heat, but love the sun with a nice cooling breeze.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

Springer Spaniel Backpack - First for shop

I have been asked to do a selection of popular dog breeds for a pet shop. So here is the first one, I have 5 more bags cut out, all I have to do know is create the bags with the fabric. Bit short on time today, as had other chores this morning, but its so hot outside I had to cut the dog walking short so gained enough time to finish this one before dog club later.

Please welcome Backpack Number One, The Springer Spaniels.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~

Spirit of Border Collie

Last night I attended a talk on 'For the Love of Dogs' by a wonderful lady called Barbara from here http://www.fostbc.org.uk/. The talk was to teach us already dog people to educate the public in dog ownership and the horror and defanition of the Puppy Farmers. My own site Woof Beginnings will hopefully be helping with this education in the future.

Never one to miss an opportunity LOL, I have (hopefully) struck up a deal with Barbara for some advertising in her magazine and maybe on her website for my products, what she doesnt know yet is I will also be offering a donation to her rescue for every item sold from her advertising space.

Day of work ahead, the new project is going very well so far - so hoping to have some new design bags to show you during the week.

~Bags of Swank by SimJaTa~