today ...

... I refuse to give into my cold ... I'm going to pop into Downham and visit their charity shops (I really don't hold out much hope but they have three all on the same street) and then I'm going to buy some wallpaper paste - it's time to do some papier mache :)

my thrifty living is going to get thriftier

hurumph … I lost my temporary job yesterday – apparently being off sick with flu is no excuse for not going in, despite the fact that there were signs all over the centre saying ‘don’t come in if you have a temperature etc.’ So I am now unemployed again.

What really sucks is that I liked that job. I liked the other members of staff, I liked the clients. I was good at the job. Bollox to it.

So today I start again. I fired off a few CVs yesterday to agencies and had 2 call backs within the hour – so I’ve just got to go and have interviews there. I’ve also found a few jobs I’m going to apply for – including one at the House of Commons! Oh my … that would be funny. There are quite a few posts in education for charities and museums still – so I’m sticking to that tack. However, I’ve also asked someone if I can intern for them – they’re the Head of Development and Communications for a theatre and it would be great experience for me. So … I’m not going to rest on my laurels, no siree bob. Today though … could be nice to rest on laurels!

I just have to recount what happened last night – that ties in with yesterday’s post. After losing my job I was relieved to see that I had a bottle of wine in the fridge – so out it came and down my neck it went. Not the best thing to do when you’re full of flu meds. So I got drunk quite quickly. Our living room basically is very odd, we have the staircase and the front door in it – and as we were sitting there discussing democracy (true) the poor paper-boy tried to put the local free newspaper through our letter box. Being sick of having so much paper around I shouted ‘take it back!’ – and he did! I did think it was quite funny! So now I have a response to junk mail – just shout at them.

lack of style and ability

that's me - I've always wanted to be able to create. To be artistic - to be able to make clothes, jewellery etc. However I have realised that ultimately I'm a bit crap - but the fun is in trying - I guess.

Today I fell in love with this new website, Regretsy.com. It does what it says on the tin. If you are a fan of etsy, or indeed make your living from etsy - you've probably heard about it. Judging by the (now closed) threads on the discussion boards the opinions range between finding it hilariously funny or being offended. I can understand that perhaps, if you've created something and you think it's fantastic and that someone will buy it then being featured on Regretsy might be a lickle bit insulting. However, it appears that many of the 'featured artists' were simply a bit miffed that the original posts on Regretsy weren't linking back to their etsy shops!

I must admit to liking a lot of weird crafts - often the weirder the better. However it does seem that some people are taking it a wee bit too far. Just a few to start you off:

Black unicorn
yes - apparently a real one!

Crocheted toilet paper
Wouldn't the fibres get up your butt?

Frida Kahlo Uterous Doll
says what it does on the tin


And while we're on a 'bad craft' trip ... here are some more websites dedicated to bad bad bad crafting (and yes, I do expect something of mine appearing on here at some point!):

Glitter Gone Bad
Craftastrophe

Fabric scraps = beautiful jewellery

Like a lot of people who work with fabric I have a lot of bits left over. And being the woman that I am I obviously don't throw them away. Some find their way onto my ever growing 'crazy patchwork' bag - other stay sitting in a bag waiting to be turned into something.

Recently when I couldn't sleep one morning I found a tutorial on making fabric beads - and started playing. I'm not very good at following tutorials and started kind of making up my own fabric bead design. The final result was this:

Old dressing gown becomes upcycled necklace

I'm not entirely satisfied with it - I think it might need a lot more work - however I have a lot of other beads that I've made some I'm going to try some different designs. I also think that I should add some more beads to the top right hand side (where I've already started adding beads) as a focus.

In the meantime, here are some wonderfully exciting upcycled/ repurposed/ recycled fabric jewellery pieces that really inspire me to be more creative.

Fabric bracelet by Little Miss Crafty

This little bracelet seems so simple yet so cute and fluffy. I love the colours (although they're not the type I'd wear) and it just is SO yummy. Makes me want to go out and make my own cute little fluffy bracelet.

Read more of Little Miss Crafty's adventures here:

http://www.littlemisscrafty.blogspot.com/

Hand Made jewellery by Medusa - http://www.labottegadimedusa.com/

I'm in love with this wonderful piece. It has its roots in vintage style and is a real focus piece.

Absinthe and Orange

Absinthe and Orange creates such beauty out of repurposed material and clothing. Again, like a lot of things I love, the colours aren't something I ever really wear, however to own a piece like this and have an excuse to build an outfit around them would be something too good to miss! With fabric jewellery like this you KNOW that everyone will keep looking at it and noticing new things that make up this beautiful design.

Sonya's Boutique

Sonya's fabric necklaces are real focus pieces that combine strong colour palettes and inspired designs. Check out her etsy store - I cannot believe how cheaply she sells her work! Honestly - it's worth more than this! Once I can get properly onto Etsy (it's playing up for me at the moment) I'm going to purchase one of her pieces before prices sky rocket!

Finally I'm in love with the unusual work of Beehive Girl

http://beehivegirl.blogspot.com

I love her combinations of bones and lace - and I love the way in which her pieces aren't just 'focus' pieces - they make you sit up and stare! You can't stop looking and if you're me - you can't stop wanting!

Really - how can you NOT be inspired by these wonderful women's designs?

Here are some tutorials - often showing you the steps for building up your designs:

How to make a necklace from fabric scraps

What to do with all those scraps

Ruffle necklace

Fabric Flower Necklace

These are just very basic instructions - I figure you can adapt each tutorial to add more and more to make a wonderful statement piece.