Thursday, March 16, 2017

Pom Pom Necklace DIY

 
 
 
Hello, hello...
This is a project I had on my mind for quite a while now, and though it is a necklace more suitable for the cold(er) months - I guess because of the yarn poms, I just had to make it. Because, when I get something in my head... well, let's just say it's difficult to get out. So I had to cross it off.
 
Now... what do we need to make this wonderful, eye-catching pom pom necklace?
 
Supplies:
  • Piece of felt for the bib (foundation)
  • Pom-poms in various sizes and colors (maker's choice)
  • Pom-pom ribbon or any kind of ribbon for the edging
  • Silicone glue
  • Metal chain or cord or ribbon to hang the bib on
 
 
 
Sew / glue the ribbon on the felt piece. Work on the arrangement of pom-poms before you glue them on.
 
 
Once satisfied with the arrangement, glue them on. Also mind to glue between pom-poms to prevent them from spreading open.

When done, attach a metal chain / ribbon at the upper edges and the necklace is done!

 
 
 

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Farina's Handmade Interview






Scrolling through my FB feed, I came upon a pendant necklace showing a girl - but that was not an ordinary girl that captured my heart - it was the girl of my childhood - the girl that resembled my Marikas and Sarah Kays. Of course -  my heart could not resist the cuteness. I had to know who is the creator of that captivating image and that is how I discovered Farina's Handmade. I cannot tell you how happy we are to work together and now proper introduction is in order I believe.

Hello and welcome! Please tell us more about Farina's.
Farina's Handmade is a team composed of four people: Marina, Nadica, Maryan and Elena. Marina and Nadica make the clay jewelry that they shape, sand, paint and cover with resin; Maryan makes resin jewelry that he pours into unique molds he makes himself and combines the resin with wood, beads, etc., while Elena is the person behind all sewn and embroidered bags and rucksacks. When it comes to obligations that are as important as the effort we put into making Farina's a brand, we do not have strict rules who is going to photograph the jewelry, tackle social media, send out deliveries .... we mutually get things done.
 

 
 
How did you come up with the name for your brand?
Farina is the name of the small mischievous boy from the children's show "Our Gang" (or "Little Rascals") which is at the same time Marina's nickname. Since the very beginning Marina worked alone, while the other members joined in later, the name stuck as a synonym for the spirit of our creations.
 
 

 
 
 
What were your beginnings in creating jewelry like and how did you introduce to the public first?
As a team we probed several areas in the frames of handmade jewelry. First we started making jewelry using beads, wire, natural stones, etc. Our first appearance in front of the public was with our Christmas cards and decorations that we sold on the streets. Later, searching for new materials we discovered the modeling clay that opened up numerous possibilities for us to express our ideas through. Through the work process we realized it was highly compatible with acrylic paints so we started painting it, while much later we also discovered the resin that perfectly protects and preserves the drawings and at the same time gives a wonderful glazed effect that opened up endless possibilities for us to express our creativity.
 

 
 
Tell us more about the image of the girl that is a kind of  trademark for your brand.
That was one of the first illustrated accessories and yes, in a way we became recognizable by the striking and captivating image of that girl. We don't know why our buyers love her so much, but we guess it wakes up the inner child, also because the illustration is minimal and the color scheme intensive.
 
 
 
 
What materials you use the most and what motifs can be found in your offer?
As we already mentioned, for the jewelry we use clay, resin, acrylic paints, wood and other additions with which we spice up their appearance, while for the bags we used a variery of fabric, raw canvas, synthetic and cotton, broadcloth...
 
 
 
What are the most wanted products?
The products that sell the most are the ones with the girl, the houses, the clean geometric resin shapes combined with various materials, and from the bags, the ones being hand embroidered and containing ethnic elements.
 

 
 
Is there anything new we should look forward to?
Ideas spontaneously sprout with us, through realization of some former ideas and we rarely start working having a definite goal in the end, except the one that it should be an accessory. We wouldn't announce anything because plans often fail and it is more interesting when things happen for themselves.
 

 
 


Thank you for being with us today guys and for sharing a piece of your creative world. You can find more about Farina's Handmade clicking the links below.



 
 

Monday, March 13, 2017

Insta Feel: Croise Birds

 
 
 

We haven't had instagram inspiration here for a while now. IG is still one of my favourite social media and although I take breaks at posting updates, I follow my tribe regularly.
One of the newest members whose work captured me at first glance is croisebirds. Her work is incredible and unique. She adorns her bird brooches with beads and sequins making them paradise birds.






 

Friday, March 10, 2017

Nursing Necklace DIY



I love when there is an occasion for making baby things and I am able to get out of my routine crochet projects / plans, so today I am going to show you how to make an easy nursing necklace. This could also be a wonderful gift for a small girl. Or maybe a big one. If she is quirky like me :)

This time I made it with just wooden beads, but next time, I am going to show you another nursing necklace but with crochet accents.

Supplies:
To make this necklace you need beads in three colors - red, blue and beige (plain wooden ones).
Wooden:1 ring, 2 big cylindrical ribbed beads  and 2 small ones, 2 discs beads and 3 ribbed round beads
In red: 4 oval beads, 3 round polka dot beads
In blue: 3 round beads
Crochet yarn.

Or this doesn't matter - just pick whatever suits your fancy.




 First work on the design. Take a picture or draw it by hand so you know what comes first and what next.



Cut about 1.50 of yarn and double it. Put it under the ring and pull it through the loop to tighten it around the ring.


Using a  tapestry needle, bead the composition you designed. When you come to the last bead, make a knot. Take a hook and insert it below the knot, yarn it over and start chaining. Chain to almost the end. Work the other side.



When both sides are finished tie the yarn as before at the center of the ring, bead the three beads. Tie a big knot and insert the needle through the last one again up to the first one where you'll cut it as close as you can to the opening of that first bead. As easy as cake, you must agree.

The merrier the colors, the varied the shapes, the more beautiful and eye catching the necklace.


 

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Reviving Childhood Memories: Sarah Kay




Meet Sarah Kay, lover of sunshine, springtime and floppy straw hats. A country girl at heart, she’ll choose gardening gloves over sparkly accessories any day of the week. Her favorite jeans are well worn-in, and her ideal footwear is none at all. Friend of animals, grower of flowers and fruits, her place of preference is anywhere outdoors – but especially in her garden. Little sister and big dreamer, she cares deeply for family, friends and the world in which they live. Kind in spirit and full of heart, she believes that we can make that world a better, more beautiful place, starting right in our own backyards.




The Sarah Kay collection was started by Valentine Publishing in the early 1970s and quickly became popular among girls throughout Australia, New Zealand, most of Europe and Latin America. Sarah Kay illustrations were featured mostly on greeting cards, swap cards and postcards. The illustrator is Vivien Kubbos who does not desire any fame hence she doesn't have a website of her own. However Valentine Publishing eventually became John Sands (Australia) Ltd, and they still manage the brand today.


At the very mention of that cute name, there is a tide of wonderful, warm, heartfelt memories unleashed. I got my Sarah Kay sticker album when I was third or fourth grade and filled it full to my and my sister's delight. We used to sit for hours, and leaf through it, savouring every single image, learning the rhymes by heart - for there were rhymes accompanying every picture, pretending we can join the little characters in their play and chores.

What I still love most about it is the set of values praised through the illustrations: love and respect of all living things, nurturing friendship, encouraging acceptance of rights and especially responsibilities, enjoying nature and the world, respecting traditions.

I still have the album stored somewhere, but couldn't find it in time for this post. Has any of you had the Sarah Kay experience :) ?
I also wrote about Marika who is another of my wonderful childhood memories.

Monday, March 6, 2017

Inspiration Monday: Anarina Anar

 
 
 
 

 
Angeliki Anar is a polymer clay jewelry designer who creates amazing colorful and whimsical jewelry. Using striking color combinations and characteristic techniques, she manages to transform the clay into wondrous, visually rich stories. The ones that will make you stop at first sight.

Find more about her on Instagram, Etsy and Facebook
.