Spotlight on… Jujulee
It’s been a few months since I last featured laser cut jewellery, so I think I’m allowed to show you some more! This time it is Etsy seller jujulee’s turn. My absolute favourite pieces are the”diamond” rings. Very cute and inexpensive!
Spotlight on… None of the Above, plus a new idea in progress
Last week I received a little parcel from Canada, and I eagerly opened it… Look what I got!
The colours and textures are gorgeous- just look at the detail!
They are made by None of the Above on Etsy and I envy her patience and polymer clay skill! She’s got quite a successful shop (and rightfully so), and I’m now worried that the items I sent her in a swap won’t be up to her expectations…
Here’s some more of my favourites from her shop- check them out!
In other news, I am working on making my collection of Christmas cards this week and also I had a brainwave. I decided to make resin friendship heart pendants. I make the resin fabric hearts as normal, then each one is individually cut before findings will be added. I haven’t sanded this one yet as I was eager to get the saw out first, plus I plan to sand then cut in the future, but you get the idea 
I hope to have some in my shops soon for potential Christmas pressies!
Spotlight on… Corrina Smith
I love anodised aluminium, bright colourful jewellery but still a rigid metal and quality feel to the pieces. That’s why I love the work of Corrina Smith (http://corrinasmith.etsy.com), and she also has another shop with fine silver and gemstone pieces at http://greenriverstudio.etsy.com. Yes I featured her Folksy shop a couple of months back but I don’t care 
Spotlight on… Hinomaru
These rings are really unusual, chunky and affordable! Made by Hinomaru (http://hinomaru.etsy.com) in Japan from fired clay, check them out!
Spotlight on… Glamourpuss
I love those plastic vintage flowers that seem to pop up frequently on Etsy. Then I discovered http://glamourpuss.etsy.com today and found a much classier alternative!
UK Etsy Challenge
Every month, a craft challenge is run on Flickr here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/uketsychallenge/ with a theme for each month. The idea is simple, you make something (anything!) as long as it fits that month’s theme, upload it to the Flickr group and then a poll is run on Etsy to decide the winner.
My entry for "Childhood Memories" earlier in the year
Rather appallingly, no one enterred last month, so hopefully there will be a surge of entries this month to make up for it, it would be a great shame to lose the group as it has been running for a couple of years now. The only condition for entry is that it’s for UK crafters with an Etsy shop.
This month’s theme is “London” and I have an idea to make a cuff bracelet already! Come and join us!
These are a few of my favourite things…
I’ve bought a few necklaces from Etsy recently and love them! From left to right: Polarity (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5719038), Blue Fish Handmade (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7677865), Holly’s Deco Drops (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7362329)
Spotlight on… Agora Art
I love love LOVE enamel, but current experiments turned out rubbish. I aspire to be as good as Agora Art, this jewellery is just stunning!
Interview with… Dria Hades
Dria is a regular on the Crafteroo forum and likes to dabble with most things that involve a needle!
Who are you and where do you come from?
I’m Talia, and I come from Bristol. These days I live in Crawley, with my lovely boyfriend though!
What do you do in your spare time other than craft?
I bake, I watch TV, write to friends, travel back and forth to Bristol, gossip via email, blog, and listen to heavy metal!!
Please tell us a little bit about what you make.
I mostly make sock creatures, but in the winter I make hats and scarves. I also make button corsage flowers, and I embroider.
What do you enjoy making most?
I think sock creatures. When I’m making one I can see a little personality developing, and they always look so cute when they’re “born”.
What part do you dislike the most?
I don’t like photographing my products much. I need more practice on that, and a decent place to take them. At the moment most of my photos are taken in the garden, and that’s very weather dependent!
What are your main inspirations for making a piece?
If I see something pretty (like socks or wool), then I generally want to buy it to make something pretty from. I’m a big sucker for buying pretty socks and wanting to turn them into cute sock animals!
Do you plan out your designs or do you get stuck in straight away when inspiration strikes?
I’m really not a big planner. Mostly I’m halfway through cutting up socks, or through a row of knitting before I’ve even decided what something’s going to be!
What are you currently making?
At the moment I’m working on my new project – embroidered underwear!
Do you make custom orders?
If someone wanted me to, I don’t see why I wouldn’t!
Where can we buy your work?
In my Etsy shop – http://www.driahades.etsy.com
Spotlight on… Akka Design
I discovered a relatively new Etsy shop in a treasury the other day and I like Akka Design (http://akkadesign.etsy.com) is relatively local, based in Dublin. I love all of the colours!
