Archives for posts with tag: hand made

My birthday was a couple weeks ago and I was overwhelmed with beautiful local gifts. Here are a few pics –

Our dear Annie made me a beautiful wrap top from gorgeous Indian print cotton. There was also a beautiful stitched small placemat and some other fabric gifts (plus some candy, which didn't last long enough to make it into the photo!).

Our dear Annie made me a beautiful wrap top from gorgeous Indian print cotton. There was also a beautiful stitched small placemat and some other fabric gifts (plus some candy, which didn’t last long enough to make it into the photo!).

Annie makes most of her own clothes, a talent which is awe-inspiring to me!

Annie makes most of her own clothes, a talent which is awe-inspiring to me!

And, she made us a lovely meal and delicious gin and rosewater cocktails!

And, she made us a lovely meal and delicious gin and rosewater cocktails!

Oh yummy! Preserves by our dear friend Rebecca. She sells from the Moss Street Market on Saturdays. The apple pear mince is amazing on ice cream.

Oh yummy! Preserves by our dear friend Rebecca. She sells from the Moss Street Market on Saturdays. The apple pear mince is amazing on ice cream.

Friends J and M gave me a beautiful wooden box, lovingly adorned with raffia and rosemary.  It was emanating a delicate smell.

Friends J and M gave me a beautiful wooden box, lovingly adorned with raffia and rosemary. It was emanating a delicate smell.

When I peeked inside…

When I peeked inside…

Ta da! No, not a box of fruit, but hand-carved soaps made to look like fruit. The maker, Laura-Victoria Handmilled Soaps, has been making beautiful soap for more than 30 years. The scents are gentle – like lemon and herbs – not necessarily the fruit they represent.

Ta da! No, not a box of fruit, but hand-carved soaps made to look like fruit. The maker, Laura-Victoria Handmilled Soaps, has been making beautiful soap for more than 30 years. The scents are gentle – like lemon and herbs – not necessarily the fruit they represent.

And the second layer – vegetables – also in the same lovely scents as the fruits.

And the second layer – vegetables – also in the same lovely scents as the fruits.

Haven't been able to use them yet; they are just too pretty!

Haven’t been able to use them yet; they are just too pretty!

Abundance from friends who grow and raise much of their own food. Eggs, vegetables, herbs and jam – yum, yum, yum!

Abundance from friends who grow and raise much of their own food. Eggs, vegetables, herbs and jam – yum, yum, yum!

Oh my! I’ve been designing and making many things! I am participating in a two-day Artisan Market at the University of Victoria next week. I will be representing our online store, so as well as my own work, I will have art from GJ and our guest artists. Today was all about adding hang tags; so much still to do! But it’s been fun. Here are some pics of new work, plus the flyer for the event, in case you’re in the Victoria BC area.

ArtisansMarket_Flyers_2014lrger

 

New felted items, flower pins and little acorns. © Firehorse Designs, 2014.

New felted items, flower pins and little acorns. © Firehorse Designs, 2014.

New festive greeting cards. © Firehorse Designs 2014.

New festive greeting cards. © Firehorse Designs 2014.

Four new necklaces. © Firehorse Designs, 2014.

Four new necklaces. © Firehorse Designs, 2014.

Here are a few of the things I’ve been working on in the last month. These seven went to Eclectic Gallery in Oak Bay.

Firehorse_GreyWhiteLabradorite

Firehorse_MauveOrangeCopper

Firehorse_OrangePearlsCopper

Firehorse_PinksBrass

Firehorse_PinksSilverDrops

Firehorse_TourquiseJade

Firehorse_WhitePearlsRedBrownJade

Today I was working with fresh-water pearls and a casting of GJ’s.

The finished piece from a few days ago; glass faux pearls, freshwater pearls, miscellaneous glass, crystal and metal pieces.

The finished piece from a few days ago; glass faux pearls, freshwater pearls, miscellaneous glass, crystal and metal pieces.

Eight-millimetre freshwater pearls, black agate, labradorite and a lead-free pewter male torso casting by GJ Pearson.

Eight-millimetre freshwater pearls, black agate, labradorite and a lead-free pewter male torso casting by GJ Pearson.

Today's finished piece.

Today’s finished piece.

I’ve been photographing like mad and finally have what feels like a nice full Etsy shop. More items will be added over the next few weeks as well, including more jewelry and Christmas cards. Here’s a sampling:

A new beaded necklace of lepedolite, pearls and dyed jade.

Hair clip of two needle felted flowers and leaves with glass bead embellishment.

Hair clip of fine needle-felted wool with white organza petals and glass bead embellishments.

Little Cardinal on a branch in the snow Christmas cards. Three hand-cut stamps make up the little images.

Here are pics of four of the new items I added to our Etsy shop:

Brown cultured fresh water pearls, pink vintage glass and mother of pearl; it’s like Neapolitan ice cream!

Another pink and brown combo, just can’t help myself!

Inspired by our neighbourhood, brass coin and carnelian.

Love this boxwood Ojime bead with a dragon fly.