Inspiration: Betty Pepper

So, I thought I'd start some kind of actual feature on this blog...starting with my inspirations...
Betty Pepper is, to me, and obvious place to start. I was in Birmingham, studying Fine Art, not really struggling, but just coasting along with no real direction. And then I saw a Betty Pepper piece....I can't actually remember which it was, or where I saw it, (you can see, I am not too great at stories, my memory is awful!) but it was amazing....a huge, intricate, detailed, stitched, collaged necklace bursting from a book....powerful, silent. Something clicked....There was clarity about what I was trying to do with my art work...it was also probably at that moment, although I didn't realise it then, that I wanted to become a maker of jewels and trinkets.


Go and visit her website....lots of amazing pieces... www.bettypepper.co.uk

the secret garden...

A little behind the stall view from Stockbridge Market, which myself and Amy from Green Tree Crafts have been frequenting the past couple of weeks.
It's a fabulous little (but growing) market just off Raeburn Place in Stockbridge every Sunday....so if you're in Edinburgh pop down and say hello!

The stall is looking a wee bit empty, I am currently working on new things, but was struck down with illness for a week and got nothing at all done.....but it is full steam ahead now thank goodness as it will be a busy weekend....Made in the Shade at the Lighthouse in Glasgow on Saturday 26th followed by Stockbridge Market on Sunday 27th...



A sneak peek of what I'm currently working on.....The new collection includes lots of owls, bows, keys, lockets, wood, copper, acorns.....like a magical autumnal secret garden.....

So, anyhoo...it would be lovely to see you, make sure you say hi if you visit!

P.S You can now buy my little hand made, hand painted book and mermaids tear necklace from the Mythical Beast Sweet Shoppe online! http://themythicalbeastsweetshoppe.bigcartel.com/

Labour Day Sale

Happy Labour Day weekend to all my American and Canadian readers....and whoever else celebrates. To mark this occaision (and generally because I felt like being nice) there is 15% off everything in my shop this weekend (until Monday 7th 12pm GMT). Quote LABOUR at checkout - it would also be rather nice if you let me know where you discovered the sale! The reduction will be made by paypal refund, or on request of a new invoice. The 15% reduction is only valid on purchases and does not effect shipping cost. I am very excited (I'm sure there is a better word for it than that, but at 8.30 in the morning excited will do) about the change in seasons. I am an autumn/winter type of girl. I don't dress well in the summer.....I love to dress well in the autumn....beautiful colours, scarves, hats, wellies, thick tights (although thick black tights have been my summer staple!)....stomping through piles of soggy leaves in dark woodland....ahhh.....I love it! My autumn/winter soundtrack is Fern Knight......yes constantly. SO magical.

And whilst listening to the beautiful melodies I am busy creating some new pieces for the shop.....more to come soon!

stitched..

So, it seems I have been listing a lot (in comparison to jewellery pieces, I am well aware lots of nothing has been going on around here in the past couple of weeks) of textiley things recently. It was not a concious decision, but it is where I began....it's interesting watching things change and fluctuate over time...always returning to the same things, albeit in slightly different ways....

Anyway, never fear jewellery lovers as I have happened upon some fabulous vintage charms, old jewellery, chains and things and will be constructing some fabulous new pieces for your viewing (and hopefully wearing) pleasure! So... keep your eyes peeled over the next couple of weeks! In the meantime you could just hop on over to the shop and see some new purses made from vintage fabrics and some vintage fabric brooches and plush hearts embroidered with some of my favourite song titles......custom ones are also available on request :)

Hello, hello....can you hear me?

Sooo, hello! We now have internet access, although my computer is currently on the floor and monitor balanced atop a cardboard box - I really must get a laptop, my desktop is on it's very last legs, is rather slow and would be considered a pensioner in computer terms...I also apparently have no space for it in the new flat. But, hoorah! I have still managed an etsy update! Lots of new things.......

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade lostintheforest.etsy.com

Packing is still under way....but we finally move on Monday!! Normal service will resume shortly from the letter A.....or at least the basement flat below the house which the letter A is pointing to!


Please don't forget about the Made in the Shade summertime hop...20th June. Please come along if you can - it will be lots of fun!

I hope you are all enjoying the long weekend! Just a quick note to say that I have started adding new bits and pieces into the shop this weekend...I'll carry on updating all week hopefully - although next week is going to be a busy one - 2 new exhibitions to hang at work, etsy meets, private views and looking at flats (I wasn't planning on moving...until I heard about this flat - hopefully it's as nice as it sounds!)...plus all the usual bits to fit in!

Above is Morveren...a locket inspired by tales of mermaids and selkies.

on the shore...

I had a lovely day today perusing the antique shops and charity shops of Edinburgh....I found a few old treasures, some of which have already been transformed into new treasures and some which have joined the ever increasing pile of beautiful things I'm not quite sure what to do with yet.

A selection of new necklaces & brooches (above) are coming to the shop very soon...I'm quite excited about them....so much so that one....or two might not actually make it! I will replace with something equally fabulous...:) I just have to wait for the sun to stay out for a wee bit so I can take some pictures that don't look so....blurry!

I'm on a bit of a military/nautical/damsel/fair lady kick at the minute....it possibly has something to do with the constant stream of traditional folk songs and sea shanties played in this flat.......

New beginnings.....

To celebrate new beginnings I'm offering 50% off everything at Lost in the Forest until May 10th. This will be your last chance to buy what is currently listed in the shop, so grab it while you can!

If you go down to the woods today...

So I'm doing things a little differently this year. No more bitty updates in the Etsy shop. Instead, whole collections. At the same time. Shocking. So, I'm beavering away ready for next week when I will have an update!

Incidentally, beaver (ignoring references to lady parts) is my new favourite word - did you know, it is also slang for beard. I'm quite fond of beards...


Anyhoo, beards aside (haha, I not have an image of all you men (as there are an awful lot of bearded men who read my blog) sweeping your beards to one side in anticipation of what is about to be said).....here is a sneak preview of what's coming next week. A little bit of a foresty theme, british birdies, eggs and leaves, maybe some mushrooms and moss and feathers. Maybe even some patchwork quilts and a picnic thrown in for good measure....

There may very well be further sneak previews, so please check back soon - or check the shop out next week for newness!

Etsyversary sale!

I told you it would be exciting! I've joined up with Indiesmiles and I'm offering 20% off all full priced items in the shop using the code 20SMILES from 16th-31st January! Just enter the code in the message to seller at checkout and wait for a revised invoice, or partial refund if you're impatient and want to pay immediately!

My present to you

It's nearly Christmas!! I am half way through putting up my decorations just now - paper heart and leaf garlands and star shaped lights! There is a cake of the birthday variety in the oven and it smells lovely. So anyway, this festive feeling appears to have put me in a good mood - and from now (well, a little earlier today actually) until 12pm GMT (midday) 19th December 2008 there is free shipping within the UK from my Etsy AND Folksy shops! The 19th is the last day I'm able to post anything that isn't being sent super fast special delivery as I'm travelling 'home' on 20th. So order early!!

aaaachooo

Just a quick update....the etsy shop update, and really any work at all has been delayed by the birth of my first (and only) nephew. Both baby Zach and mum weren't too well after the birth, and had to stay in hospital (dad stayed too) so I have been running back and forth between various flats, shops and hospitals, looking after the new family as best I could. Unfortunately, I forgot to take care of myself....so I am currently writing from my sick bed! I'm hoping a few hot toddies, tea and blog reading will nurse me back to health in a day or so (where is a handsome, caring man when you need one??) so I can go and visit my sisters new family now they're well and back at home!

Oh, and get lots of work done too....Lost in the Forest will be appearing at Made in the Shade III - Festive Weekender....I will talk more of that later when I am well!

........

I got started on lots of new things today - I can't just do one thing at a time, it's impossible! Each thing I start gives me new ideas, so they either get noted down for the future, or get started pretty much straight away. I did manage to finish a couple of lockets, well one - and one is almost done, and another few are drying.
I finally got round to making some new screens - I'm planning to go back to a few altered books and re-work them. But they're also currently drying in a dark drawer.
Maybe I end up doing so much because so much of what I do involves waiting for things to dry, so while I wait I start something new! Ok, well that doesn't sound like loads, but I'm not about to write a list of what I did today - really this blog needn't get any less exciting!

I feel a little deflated this evening, I think it's because I'm on my own again tonight...I don't know 2 days with company and now I can't seem to function on my own!

I think I shall just disappear now and go and read - 'The Princess and the Goblin' which my mother has leant me.