♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Vintage and Handmade Xmas ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Butterflies ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

This piece was created for one of my favourite returning clients. She always has an idea, provides me with inspirational imagery and then leaves me to create with the freedom I often don’t get.

Her dress... orange, black and burgundy. A little unsure how I was going to make these colours work although I knew I would. Her other request was that butterflies, net and lots of spine feathers were included in the design. I knew I had some butterflies that I picked up off a market in Kota Kinabulu, Borneo back in August 2010. I have used the odd one in designs before but not on this scale. I knew they would be perfect and had a design in my head early on. Burgundy and black netting were added beneath the piece to add texture. Lots of feathers were cut, shaped and curled.

Here are the results...

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ My new favourite place, it would be hard to beat this ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

About to embark on an adventure to Mongolia for three weeks. When I return I plan to get a little more up to date and get some pics of my latest creations on here. Until then I thought I would share some pictures from my new favourite place. Jane’s Teas. Hidden away in Oxfordshire this quaint little place is cake heaven. She makes everything herself and is only open one afternoon a week. I loved it there. You an probably see why, it is full of vintage bits and pieces or should I say crammed full of stuff. I absolutely loved wandering around and seeing what was hidden in the bushes. One of the most relaxing and welcoming places I have ever been to. Much better than sitting in Starbucks!

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

Busy preparing for the Windsor Fair on Monday 4th June. Lots of red, white and blue creations are currently being made. However, at this rate I am going to sell out before I get there. More information and prices can be found here.

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ BEST OF BRITISH ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

Just listed a new topper in my Etsy shop. I have been creating some Union Jack, British themed hats as part of a collaboration with Winchester based artist/designer Emma Clifton-Brown who is creating some pieces to showcase during Winchester Fashion Week. Emma invited me to work with her creating hats for her beautifully illustrated feathers to be mounted on. The two pictured were the first to be made (pictured without Emma’s feathers) and I am in the process of attaching her feathers to two top hats, one tartan. I can’t wait to get pics of the others up, they are quite special. I am hoping to create a few more designs in this range ready for the Windsor Royal Vintage Market. 

    

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Ahoy there ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

Lou at Vintagenie shared this with me the other day. I love it. I don’t know where she found it. I keep staring at it and asking myself what was it for? Pirate party? Boat show? Did she know it was there? Surely she did, maybe she didn’t. How is it held on? hmmmmm

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Vintage Sellers Needed ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠