Shop Handmade Gift Boxes – Now on Sale!
Shop Handmade have opened a Folksy shop to promote and showcase the talents of UK designers by selling the sort of sample boxes you want to buy. They’re a little more expensive than other sample boxes in the region of £30-50 each depending on contents, but each box contains a wealth of full size items from a mix of UK designers and all money taken goes straight back to those contributors- how nice of Shop Handmade!
I have managed to get in almost every gift box available, contributing ice rings, fruit stud earrings and image pendants. Contributions from other people include knitted items, brooches, cards, artwork, candles and bags. Please take a look at the Folksy shop for an unusual gift for Christmas, or maybe just to treat yourself!
Make 50: Week 46
This week’s make is a submission for the Upcycle Christmas competition run by Folksy. The Carnaby bangle is made with plastic beads from a charity shop and will go up for auction for Sue Ryder Care in a few weeks time.
On another note I am at Bungalows and Bears in Sheffield this Saturday afternoon selling my wares, and also at Rawlins Community College, Quorn, Leicestershire on Sunday if you wanted to pop in!
Crafteroo for Children in Need
We’ve decided to reopen the Folksy shop again with items generously donated by Crafteroo forum members. Last time we raised over £600 for Comic Relief with 98 sales, and we hope to do just as well this time! please have a little browse, and if you decide you’d like to donate too, please have a look at this thread for how to take part.
Here’s a taster of the lovely donations so far:
Thank you!
Make 50: Week 39 and 40
Last week I made this bracelet and additional charm as a custom order with horse hair and silver stamped plaques.
These hairsticks were made this week and are now available in my Folksy shop.
Spotlight on… Much in a Little
This jewellery from http://muchinalittle.folksy.com is so clean, simple and elegant and carefully made in porcelain- lovely! There’s other non-jewellery stuff to check out too.
Spotlight on… Cherish Me
I saw these brooches whilst browsing through Folksy from http://cherishme.folksy.com and this girl share my love of Liberty fabric! I particularly like the animals and her packaging is pretty and sophisticated too!
Glue and Glitter collaboration!
It’s very rare for me to update twice in one day, but I had to share this. I made some cabs for Laura at Glue and Glitter in return for my logo for Rothley Craft Farm that she kindly made for me (more on this when I am in a position to share information), and I’ve seen that she’s started to add them to her Folksy shop and got excited 
Laura is an illustrator, and I encapsulated some of her designs, which she is turning into rings and possibly pendants, etc soon too. I wasn’t sure about the solid blue as it was a new colour I was trying out but I think I’ve decided I like it now! Check out Glue and Glitter on Folksy: http://Glueandglitter.folksy.com
Spotlight on… Corrina Smith
I spotted one of Corrina’s (http://corrinasmith.folksy.com) necklaces on the front page of Folksy today and went to explore her shop more. Her work uses mainly silver, both silver clay and sterling, and is well thought out and beautifully put together.
Spotlight on… Beautiful Skin
These are gorgeous leather accessories from http://tovicorrie.folksy.com aka Beautiful Skin and have a hint of tattoo style as well as vintage in their design. The graphics are printed directly onto the leather and are original works of art by the shop owner. Here’s some of my favourite cuffs, but there’s other stuff too…
Interview with… LEJ Jewellery
LEJ Jewellery is Jo- though I’m not sure what LEJ actually stands for or symbolises- it’s a mystery! I particularly like the combinations of colour that Jo uses in her work as well as her eye for great beads!
Who are you and where do you come from?
My name is joanne, i do many craft such as cross stitching, card making, jewellery making and i have recently started glass fusing and knitting. I live in lancashire with my husband and 2 lovely children.
What do you do in your spare time other than craft?
Spare time? whats that? no seriously i like going for walks and just enjoying the quite.
Please tell us a little bit about what you make.
I mainly make jewellery, my style is novelty although i do make some fashion pieces too. I love to make something which the chances of someone else having is slim. I have recently sold 2 VW beetle charm bracelets from one of my shops and have had an order for a spider charm bracelet. Plus pigs are always popular.
What do you enjoy making most?
I have to say bracelets as they are what i have the most of. I think lampwork beads are my favourite beads at the minute for making them with too.
What part do you dislike the most?
Having to wait until the kids go to bed before i start, i would craft all day if i could. It’ll probably be easier once my youngest starts school next year.
What are your main inspirations for making a piece?
Sometimes i’ll see a piece in a magazine which i like ie. colours or style and then i will change it so it is more my piece. I also love fairies and angels and a few of my pieces tend to be designed with that feel.
Do you plan out your designs or do you get stuck in straight away when inspiration strikes?
More often than not i will just put all my beads out on the living room floor and go from there, once everything is out i can see what works together and what doesn’t.
What are you currently making?
I am currently making some beaded curtain tiebacks, i have just made a hello kitty set and i am now going to try and make some boy themed ones.
Do you make custom orders?
Yes, i welcome any custom orders.
Where can we buy your work?
My work is available from my website - www.lej-jewellery.co.uk
My misi shops - http://www.misi.co.uk/store_info.php?user_id=467
My folksy shop – http://www.folksy.com/shops/lejjewellery
and my coriandr shop – https://www.coriandr.com/shop?seller_id=435
