♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Teacup Fascinator & Matching Buttonhole♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

The latest creations for a tea party themed wedding...

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ It's nice to hear what people think ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

So, I created a Salvador Dali inspired headpiece for a client that discovered me on Etsy.

As soon as a package leaves my house the panic sets in. Will it get there, will it survive the journey, will they like it, does it fit... I could go on. To receive such thorough and complimentary feedback was a real ego boost so wanted to share it...

Dear Sue,

Hope this finds you really really well. I'm so sorry for writing so late but it's been such a hectic time for me and I really wanted to take my time in writing you.

Firstly, your packaging was amazing! The coolest packaging I have ever seen. I didn't even want to open the box!!

The actual fascinator was beyond my expectations! It is so so beautiful. I felt amazing wearing it and so comfy.

I can't tell you how many people complimented me on it and asked me where I had it made. You've got quite a following in Dubai now!

Thank you so so much for making this beautiful creation. Thank you for making it in such a short time! Thank you for everything....really....

I will definitely keep in touch and let you know of any future parties or ideas that we may need!

Thank you and all the very best,

Azza

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

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ 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.

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Vintage Sellers Needed ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Vintage and Handmade Fair, 21st April 2012, UK♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

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On Saturday 21st April Vintagenie and I will be hosting a Vintage and Handmade Fair in Newbury, Berkshire, UK (10am - 4pm). For more information and a full outline of what the day will hold visit this link, or email lou@vintagenie.com or mail@soobird.com

Stalls are being snapped up so if you are interested in joining us here’s a quick price list.

♥ Vintage and Craft - £25 - two tables and two chairs. Maximum two rails.
♥ Food stalls - 10% of takings due to goods being perishable.
♥ Young Traders (under 18s) - £15 - two tables and two chairs.

♥ Exhibit in the Gallery - free, email mail@soobird.com for info.

♥ CoCo Crafts - Bag Workshops - £30 all materials included. Workshops will last for approx 2 hours.
Email me mail@soobird.com for more info as there is limited space for these workshops.

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Treasure Hunting ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

Yesterday I ventured out in temperatures of -7 (nothing compared to some places I know but it was cold) to go to Nettlebed, Henley to see what all the fuss is about. Lou of Vintagenie and White Rabbit Bakery had mentioned this place full of stuff that I would love. Tempted by the sound of filling my shoppers with materials for hats it was an opportunity not to be missed.

We went to the Sue Ryder Sale at Nettle bed Hospice. It happens around twice a month and is located a at a house crammed to the rafters full of donated goods. We trawled through boxes of books and maps, rummaged through fabrics both for my hats and for Lou’s new venture and purchased items at very low prices. Lou’s deck of cards priced at 5p were the bargain of the day, sadly missing the all important Ace of Spades though.

Pots, cake stands, hideous tea pots... I know at least 10 people that would love this part of the sale.

Toys. I tried to look for a few bits for Darren but I hadn’t a clue what to look for. I am sure one day he will experience the pushing and shoving.

Even though it was only at half capacity, it was still pretty busy. There were queues to enter the garden shed full of tools and the women’s clothing area. We did go into the mens room and had a look at the rails of some rather nice jackets and some hideous shirts! I managed to purchase a knitted tie pictured below. It is quite special.

Some of my purchases included a stack of fake flowers perfect for Easter bonnet season! Some picture cards, Thunderbirds and a set of Platnik Animals. I could have easily purchased a stack of maps but I had to restrain myself. Although mostly priced at 25p each, at one point I couldn’t carry the pile. It was time to edit. 

You can’t quite appreciate the fabric in my dodgy picture. I wish I had taken my decent camera. 4 yards of tweed, 3-4 yards of houndstooth, brown velvet and a black wool fur type fabric all for £6. Beats the high street any day. There were plenty more fabrics to choose from mostly at £1 a yard. I couldn’t leave these 4 behind.

Middle left is a little boat. I have to search high and low for the perfect vessels for hats. The galleon I created a while back is so heavy. Hopefully I can transform this mini one into something spectacular soon and get it in my Etsy shop. The hat was kindly donated to Soobird by Lou. It had been sat on her Vintagenie stall for some time now. She even gave me some tubs of feathers. I think I am going to save them and create something unique as part of a White Rabbit Bakery/Soobird collaborative project. So many ideas!

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Another Etsy Listing ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

Very black and white at the moment. Hoping to add a splash of colour with a new hat soon inspired by a painting. However until then here is the latest addition to the collection a hair piece and brooch in one. It has a strong hair clip and a brooch back attached to it so it doubles up. I found some double clips recently and they are the perfect addition to the pieces. This was something that was suggested to me at a fair last year. I have been using seperate clips up until now. ButI think they look a little clumpy and heavy with two seperate clips. These are attached to a single metal disc and are designed for the job. Perfect. They look much neater.

 To purchase this piece visit my Etsy shop.

The button I made using some spare fabric that I had printed by the wonderful Capsule39. They print t-shirts, hoodies you name it they do it. I was desperate to to get a Maltese Cross on a button and they leapt to the rescue. This was a spare so I thought it would suit the centre of the flower.

I am hoping to get quite a few more made before my first fair of the year happening in February. More details soon.

♦ ♣ ♥ ♠ Finally, a new Etsy Listing ♦ ♣ ♥ ♠

Available in my Etsy shop or at Charming Magpies, Winchester.