Heart and Crafty

Final Flourish

2010-05-30T23:01:00.000-07:00

So these are my last new creations.... sounds ominous doesn't it... I entered into a local art festival here, part of which included a fashion show, and decided to create a larger, more booty-ful version of my chunky-link necklaces; i wanted bigger, better, more ostentatious, all part and parcel of fake bling. And I guess I wanted to further blur the lines between craft and fashion and jewelery and sewing.... So these are my monster-chunky-super-luxe necklaces. They are available for sale on heartncrafty.felt.co.nz or through personal contact with me. The 'smaller'(relatively-speaking) versions cost $140 NZD, and the 'larger'(which double as scarves) $210 NZD.
Of course, if these turn out to be wildly popular, and in turn their smaller more-wearable counterparts, then I will take up the needle and thread, and enter the 'fray'(har har) once more: Ultimately this is where I would have like/would like to take heartandcrafty, into the realm of mixed-media jewelery to the extent where it is impossible to name something as purely jewelery or purely clothing/fashion. So here's to the future, and to really really big things!

Temporary Closure

2010-05-22T23:48:00.000-07:00

So just to update y'all, personal circumstances have changed in the last few months, and I will no longer have the time or where-with-all to design and create new things of wearability. So it's with a bit of sadness that I announce the closure(hopefully temporarily) of all things Heart & Crafty. The good news? Everything will be at clearance prices, so keep an eye out for bargains! Unfortunately nothing good lasts forever, and the combination of family matters with the bad luck that most of the things I make now no longer form part of a niche market but a heavily competitive and increasingly 'commercialised' 'craft-scene', I have decided that I really can't keep up with the crowd, and with the copy-catters. All is not lost! I still have ideas in my head, but will focus instead on becoming so extremely talented and original in my area that when I do release my new goodies, the world will not know what hit it! Tis called a pipedream... I'll keep you in the loop...

Thailand Twenty Ten

2010-03-17T23:43:00.001-07:00

So at the moment, in the world of Heart&Crafty, I’m planning a trip to Thailand in July(for personal reasons – I grew up there and haven’t been back for 10 years), but I’m going to use the opportunity to scout out some great supplies and findings in the land of gold! So at the moment all my profits are going towards that trip. thus,

Twenty-necklaces-for-Thailand…

I’m going to create 20 of my huge chunky link necklaces, between now and May/June – some regular size, some heaps bigger, some fabric, some knitted. And I’ll pop them up on here, as well as on Felt and my Facebook page. That way you, my lovely customers, can see how we’re going, and count down with me!

Here are the First Four chunky-link necklaces, which are either on sale now on www.heartncrafty.felt.co.nz, or will be very shortly.

Also in the mad month of April, if you host a jewellery party, you’ll get a special super-duper VIP $20 credit as a thank you gift for supporting Heart&Crafty – well done you! So get in touch with me on Facebook or via my gmail account, heartandcrafty@gmail.com, to book your party in now!

Happy Thursday and Felicitous Friday to you!

I Heart Chunky Links

2010-02-21T23:23:00.001-08:00

So my two newest ‘chunky links’ fabric necklaces are online on felt, and should be available to the public to purchase within 24 hours… but I thought I’d pop their pics up here, so if any of you are clever enough to check my wee blog, you might get to reserve them before they are even on sale!!!!

Lilac & Lemon is deliciously summery, but will jazz up our dreary winter blacks beautifully…

Apple & Rose is a bit spicy despite her vintage tones, and the tomato red is so luscious it looks like it’s about to pop!

Also, keep your eyes peeled, currently I’m working on Black & Gold and Sage Green Vintage.

hurrah.

www.heartncrafty.felt.co.nz

Acorn Love: get it while it’s hot!

2010-01-27T03:30:00.001-08:00

Right, so it’s competition give-away freebie woot woot party time at heart&crafty!!! Up for grabs: One perfect little acorn friend, with the face of a cherub, he will brighten the greyest day. How to enter? Simply upload a comment on this blog(or if you ‘can’t’ then a comment on the facebook post about this) telling me what you’d like to see more of/what you want me to try and create… What I really want is lots of juicy ideas and inspiration, plus hopefully drawing more readers and ‘followers’ into my fold. Here are some glamour shots of acorn:

Don’t forget that February is when I’m hoping to line up some awesome jewellery parties – with a portion of the proceeds going towards aid for Haiti.

Someone will be receiving this little treasure in the post soon, entries close on Saturday midday, and the winner announced Saturday afternoon.

BONUS: SCORE EXTRA ENTRIES EVERY TIME YOU SHARE THIS ON FACEBOOK/RETWEET IT ON TWITTER/BECOME A FOLLOWER ON THE BLOG OR ON TWITTER: rachelredshoe.

It’s the small things in life…

2010-01-19T02:42:00.001-08:00

Now I know that I have always been into big chunky jewellery that makes a ridiculous statement simply how strong your neck is to support such things … I always thought small little pendants and earrings were too dainty, too middle-aged, and disappeared in an overall outfit. But something about small things is turning me on…. Thus my latest greatest range is entitled ‘Petite’, and it’s got your name all over it baby! Using all second hand and pre-loved pieces of jewellery, even recycled findings where possible, this range is all about re-loving and resurrecting, and reconstructing. Everything is small and sweet, as light as a whisper on your skin: perfect for the filthy hot weather we’ve been having. Check it out:

This last little beauty is an example of the minute details and intricate design: vintage chain, with a glorious little vintage button (mother-of-pearl/gold) from my grandmothers collection(of course!)

The other thing I have also been creating, and experimenting with, is cake stands! Not big, plate size ones, but small, petite vintage saucers and cognac glasses, fixed securely into towers. Perfect for wrapped lollies, chocolates or the best: strawberries!!! A tea-cup placed on the top would be the perfect thing to pour warm chocolate into….

And here’s a glimpse of me making them – by candlelight! It actually worked out really well because the candle flames were flickering, so I constantly had a gentle moving glow to highlight different bits and pieces, I think I just need more candles!

Now, don’t forget the possibility of throwing a jewellery(and cake-stand!) party, the cause for the next couple of months is Haiti, so anything purchased at a party between now and the end of March will have 30% of it’s price going towards a donation to Haiti.

Remember the little things in life…

Footnotes: A love affair with Fugly footwear

2010-01-12T03:36:00.001-08:00

So I have not been creating much recently, but lots of ideas have been blossoming, including: making shoes!!! I am trying to simplify my life as much as possible at the moment(www.lifes-a-bach.blogspot.com) and suddenly this evening the thought crept on me that as obsessed as I am about shoes, secretly I actually want to wear hippy-dippy little soft leather moccasins in bright earthy colours. I hate to think about what this says about my personality and or sexuality…. but here are some hot little slippers I have been looking up on www.Etsy.com and I have some ideas forming in my head for making my own…..

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34675589&ref=cat3_list_3

Since it’s summer at the moment, I would probably like a pair of these cuties…. from ‘JackHandmake’ on Etsy, they look comfy and soft but would allow some air to flow.

My sensible town shoes would look like this:

From ‘FlipandFly’: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=36079847&ref=cat3_list_1

They look sturdy and practical, just like nanna would wear to church, but with a bit of native-american hippy dippy flair.

For padding around the house and shops I would want these babies:

The little golden plaids on the left are from ‘infusion’ ; http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=37913655

The grey felt slippers from ‘aikafeltworks’; http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35387123&ref=cat3_list_14

This next etsy find is exciting: not shoes, but a PATTERN for crocheting boots – i have a very very limited knowledge of crocheting, but it does say they are easy…

Ok, so I probably couldn’t crochet these, but very inspiring in terms of knitting etc, and i adore the mis-matched vintage buttons..

From furbabiesboutique: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=38201845

And last but not least, every girl needs a pair of good running shoes that make you feel like high stepping it, even early in the morning, and these are my pick:

From ‘sugarplummer’; http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=34646270&ref=cat3_list_6

What more can I say… i heart moccasins.

The ideas are buzzing round my head, so I need to put pen to paper. Question for the interwebverse:

What fugly thing do you secretly adore?

PS: Have finally listed some stuff on www.felt.co.nz, have a look at my store:

http://www.felt.co.nz/browse/user/heartncrafty

On the 10th Day of Craftmas

2009-12-20T13:30:00.000-08:00

My True Love and I eloped....

Unfortunately, an unforeseen and not entirely pleasant family issue has arisen for me over Christmas, and I need to cut out all unnecessary bits in order to prepare for the day.... which regrettably includes this.
To all those who have contributed, a HUGE thanks, you are wonderful and I hope you enjoy your goodies... To those who didn't get anything, but wanted to, feel free to text or message me about something you saw and liked. However I will not be able to make anything new for you before the holidays.
I will be arranging the money for our OxFam donation to hopefully go out on the 23rd, which is Wednesday, and once that's done I will be sending you contributors a little thank you note.
Feliz Navidad, and I genuinely hope that your Christmas's are calm, peaceful and full of love...

On the Seventh Day of Craftmas:

2009-12-16T12:10:00.000-08:00

my true love gave to me...

Rags to Riches: This stunning three-strand ensemble started life as various left-over scraps of fabric and remnants. Thanks to a little love and care, the rags have been transformed to riches; a delectable necklace that hangs lightly on your neck. These fabric necklaces are perfect for summer because they're incredibly easy on the skin, and won't rub or stain like chains tend to do. Treat yourself or someone else this craftmas and embrace the shabby chic within you.

Remember that $10 from the $30 sale price is going towards an OxFam donation. Call or text me if you want to be the first to claim these awesome treats, 027 386 6520. Or email me on rachelredshoe@gmail.com PRONTO!

On Day-eth 6-eth:

2009-12-15T17:45:00.000-08:00

My True Loveth Gaveth to me(eth):

Nautical Neck-Lace.. This little beauty is one of my favourites, will be hard to part with! The soft fabric tube is stuffed with lightweight poly-fill, and the pattern resembles tapa cloth - but in nautical blue and white. A jaunty, off-centre black bow completes the ensemble. As you can see from the pic, it looks absolutely stunning on, (but may look a bit funny when it arrives) and will draw lots of comments. Perfect for a summer afternoon on the yacht darling!

Remember that $10 from the $30 sale price is going towards an OxFam donation. Call or text me if you want to be the first to claim these awesome treats, 027 386 6520. Or email me on rachelredshoe@gmail.com PRONTO!

On the 5th Day of Christmas...

2009-12-14T20:42:00.000-08:00

Someone I barely know gave me:

Save the Rainforests: This one-of-a-kind pendant is the penultimate in this design, so it needs snapping up ... The image of trees shrouded in mist and cloud sits behind an acrylic disc of about 4mm thick. The pendant is encased in soft brown leatherette, and hangs on a delicate brass chain.

AND/OR

Georgie Boy: This sweet little softie still needs a home, can't you hear him call your name? A word or phrase of your choice can be embroidered on his belly(under local anesthesia of course).

Remember that $10 from the $30 sale price is going towards an OxFam donation. Call or text me if you want to be the first to claim these awesome treats, 027 386 6520. Or email me on rachelredshoe@gmail.com PRONTO!

Day Quattro

2009-12-13T16:54:00.000-08:00

Rings for my ears and, well, rings for my ears...

To cheer us all up on a Monday, it's cheap bargain day here at the 12 days of Craftmas! EVERYTHING IS ONLY $15, $5 OF WHICH GOES TO OXFAM, so see how many bits and pieces you can snap up for prezzies!
So hold on to your pants, here we go...
Pumpkin Pie Earrings: these danglies are dramatic, heavy, crazy, unique, and really really orange! A ceramic bead paired with mis-matching vintage buttons, a length of chain, ta da! Approx 8 cm long...
Mermaids & Fairies Earrings: Soft blue line drawings from a classic Peter Pan book show a mermaid's tail, and a wee fairy, possibly Tinkerbell herself but this is unconfirmed. The image is behind an acrylic disc of about 4mm thickness, wrapped and brown leatherette, these are truly precious.
Little Boy Blue Ring: A sweet little profile, complete with a ski-jump nose. The base is a bright blue button, the image has been resined for a dome effect and the ring is adjustable.
Softly Softly: A slumbering babe, with curls to spare. The base is a red glass tile, the image has been resined for a dome effect and the ring is adjustable.
Merry Boy-Child: last but not least, your very own yoghurt-smeared toddler. What could be more festive? He is merry, has rosy cheeks, a cheeky glint, small rosebud lips and a cute button nose, and he can be yours for two hours, for the low price of $15. Renting this little bundle of fun is not only helping to raise funds for OxFam, but will help a desperate mother have a couple of quiet hours to achieve things. :P

On the Third Day of Craftmas..

2009-12-12T18:54:00.000-08:00

My True Love gave to me:

Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh: This stunning little pendant is entirely original, and quite unique. Featuring an image of three precious looking bottles, you will be sure to get comments on this baby! Perfect for that very-hard-to-be lady friend/relative or to treat yourself in crazy season!

AND/OR:

Georgie Boy softie: Lulu's younger brother doesn't have very good role models in his life but he has a heart of gold, and deep down is just a softie! Take him home and give him some guidelines, or just snuggles. A word or phrase of your choice can be stitched on his belly.

Remember that $10 from the $30 sale price is going towards an OxFam donation. Call or text me if you want to be the first to claim these awesome treats, 027 386 6520. Or email me on rachelredshoe@gmail.com PRONTO!

On the Second Day...

2009-12-11T03:34:00.000-08:00

my true love gave to me:

Razzle Dazzle: a pack of 5 distinct, unusual and original christmas decorations for your own tree or as a prezzie - or split them up and tie one to each present... There are two fabric hearts, stuffed, hand-sewn, a bit of ribbon and a button, and voila! The three 'globes' are an unusual grassy green with a shake of glitter and some contrasting ribbon pinned around the centre. Probably not child-proof unlike the hearts. The gift that keeps on giving...

AND/OR

Ring-A-Ding-Ding! Two beautiful and distinct rings, maybe one for you and one for a friend... or a great gift idea for anyone who has children, grandchildren, or even vaguely likes children! Both images are from an old edition of Peter Pan, both rings are set on an adjustable base, and both are stunning! Have yourself a blinging little Christmas with these babies!

Remember that $10 from the $30 sale price is going towards an OxFam donation. Call or text me if you want to be the first to claim these awesome treats, 027 386 6520. Or email me on rachelredshoe@gmail.com PRONTO!

On the First Day of Christmas...

2009-12-10T01:21:00.000-08:00

My true love gave to me....

LULU is looking for LOVE: adapted from a pattern in a Frankie issue(yes I heart Frankie!), Lulu has been looking for love in all the wrong places. Take her home and teach her some manners!(Georgie Boy of the same genre will follow in a few days, watch this space...) The purchaser of Lulu will have whatever he/she likes embroidered on Lulu's soft belly, up to 3 words.

AND/OR

THE original fabric-chain-link necklace: lovingly handstitched and stuffed vintage and scrap fabrics link to make an exquisitely light-weight yet chunky piece. It will draw soooo many comments when you wear this baby with a simple LBD or layered over t-shirts and jeans. Ideal gift for that hard-to-buy-for lady, or something you are coveting for yourself..... The purchaser of this necklace can have a word/name or phrase embroidered onto some of the links, please specify.

Remember that $10 from the $30 sale price is going towards an OxFam donation. Call or text me if you want to be the first to claim these awesome treats, 027 386 6520. Or email me on rachelredshoe@gmail.com PRONTO!

12 Days of Craftmas

2009-12-09T19:04:00.000-08:00

Ok so.... tis the season to not only be jolly, but remember those around the world who have less than us, who will not be gathered under a sparkling pine-scented tree, who will not sip mulled wine or sparkling grapetise, and who will not be tearing shiny paper off packages. We all know this, and it's always a challenge to think of new and interesting ways of giving or contributing... My official 12 Days of Craftmas will kick off tomorrow, featuring a new item(soft-toy/jewellery etc, made by moi) for sale every day. The item will always cost $30, and will be personalised to your request, eg a toy will have a name of your choice stitched onto its funky belly. This is the important bit:
$10 OF EACH $30 SALE WILL GO TOWARDS AN OXFAM DONATION to be made on Christmas Eve, the 24th.
Each day will provide two options for example tomorrow as day number one will feature a soft toy called Lulu, and a fabulous fabric necklace. Either of these can be purchased when you contact me, and they will then be packaged up in a lovely box or package yet to be decided, and then delivered to the address of your choice(within the Auckland area - outside of it and I shall have to post; I'm not Santa Claus!). You may choose to have the item sent to yourself or to a person of your choice, there are infinite options!
The aim is to raise at least $120 for Oxfam by Christmas: this may not seem like a large amount, but believe me, in bags of rice or the standard 'goat' currency, $120 will go far.
So.... keep checking everyday from tomorrow, for 12 days, to see if something takes your fancy. I will post the new item on facebook daily, as well as 'inviting' buttloads of people on facebook to this 12 day 'event'. Feliz Navidad!

12 Days of Christmas

2009-12-09T19:02:00.000-08:00

new stuff

2009-09-06T19:18:00.000-07:00

spring photos

2009-08-28T23:39:00.000-07:00

and here is what spring looks like in my garden...

spring springeth

2009-08-23T22:15:00.000-07:00

So I was just scoping the broad interwebs and looking at some great blogs which I am going to follow(thank you Megan and others for suggestions: please tell me anyone if you think you know a blog I would like!), and squeezing my toddler, Lewis, who is the incarnation of spring: His cheeks are just slightly rouged with a touch of the softest rose, his sugary curls invoking images of swirls of creamy icing, and his little red lips the perfect bow shape, slightly open to show small pearls of calcium proudly poking through. And his eyes are looking particularly blue, not a dark deep ocean blue, but the lightest, flirtiest duck-egg blue. And in my garden the citrus trees are heavy-laden with vibrant fruits; I am still amazed that anything survives in my 'garden of death', but the brave oranges, and so-cheery daffodils and freesias carpeting the banks - also a weed of some variety with sweet purple blooms that I will not destroy - yet ...
so Spring springeth, and my inspiration is soft creamy girly lacy cupcake joy. Photos coming soon!
Don't forget, The Party Initiative, you can host a night of jewellery happiness in your own neck of the woods: see below!

Deliciously Trivial

2009-08-20T16:28:00.000-07:00

So to completely jump away from the dark and gloomy, let's focus on what Heart&Crafty is actually supposed to be about: Jewellery! Yes, deliciously trivial, a way to lift your spirits on a gray day, to show people who you really are: by simply placing something around your neck or on your finger that was made lovingly by hand, that says: I'm a little bit crazy, and a whole lot beautiful because of it!
So: Introducing the official pre-apre-launch of The Party Initiative, or TPI as I'll be calling it from now on. TPI, on a very basic level, is about seeing the goods before you buy them, but it's really so much more; as the blossoming of internet sales starts to mature do you feel like it's a slightly impersonal procedure, perhaps clinical, not meeting those other needs that us jewellery-lovers(be they man or wo-man) tend to have? As someone who sells her 'babies' online, it can be somewhat an uninspiring process, and I miss the heady days of actually seeing customers faces as they fall in love with a piece that they will never be able to live without.
And as global recession grips everyones fevered imaginations, it has been noted across the board that people are turning, slowly but surely, to the HOME life. In our fear of losing the monies that we love, we are tending to stay home, to seek relationship, and to meet together in informal gatherings to bolster each others spirits, reminding each other that all we need is what we already have. So with this all in mind, TPI is anti-the internet process, anti-elitism, anti-high.speed visa transations. It's like tupperware, but less globalisation and pyramid scheming, and more hands-on, friendly customer service.
This is what it entails: You choose to join up as TPI host. This is not a long-term commitment, but a jump into the pond. Together with me, your friendly jewellery-designer/crafter, you create a date for your Par-tay. All the details will be easily taken care of - who to invite, what to provide etc. Now, read carefully my friends: There are NO minimums, or lower limits. NO minimum numbers of guest, it could be just you and your nanna. NO minimum sales: your host-credit is $25 H&C, whether anyone buys anything or not. You deserve this, and I would pay at least that in commission or in fees on a website. NO minimum of location(this may not make sense): if it's at YOUR house, and you are inviting YOUR buddies, no one will care what it looks like, how clean the carpet is or whether you offer instant coffee or a full cheese board. ALl I need is some space for my tables & a mirror for people to check their fancy selves out in.
There ARE bonuses however: firstly, if you have more than 10 people in attendance, your host-credit will jump to $35: more than 15 = $45 and so on. Also, if you are one of the first people to sign up to host a party, you will automatically recieve a complimentary pair of earrings, as a little thanks from me for believing in this crazy scheme.
So - are you interested? All you need to do is email me, post a comment with your details, or text me, or of course use Ye Olde Tele-phone.
And remember this: TPI is not an elitist scheme. In keeping with the principles of Heart&Crafty, there will always be an option to bargain, haggle or trade goods. And there will always, ALWAYS be a bargain table. Everyone deserves to feel gorgeous in some of my goods. Bake me a cake, make me an offer.
TPI: join now!

dark baby dark

2009-06-18T01:29:00.000-07:00

WARNING: COMPLETELY OVER-DRAMATIC UNREASONABLE AND OVERWROUGHT THOUGHTS FOLLOW:
I am really probably ok at the moment, though I sometimes, like tonight, sense an edge, as though standing at the brink of the precipice, and the thought of having to pull myself back yet again, by sheer might seems too exhausting; perhaps not worth it this time? The frustration lies in seeing myself make the same mistakes, or reacting in the same ways as I used to, as if all I have been through, all I have been taught and all I have done, counts for nothing. When I react to a disappointing situation in a typically emotionally unstable, pessimistic fashion, I question whether I have really come that far? Or am I still the girl who over-reacts, who is over-sensitive, who is unreasonable in her hopes and expectations, and by extension, her disappointments.
Recently an opportunity was presented to me: unexpected, it fell out of the blue into my line of sight, and I believed it was for me. I was surprised, it seemed to fit me, I tried it on; not too bad, a bit of adjustment needed, but what a chance! Subtly, on a very minute level, I started to imagine . . . life became a what-if, which is a slightly lighter shade than average. Challenges presented themselves: I was able to solve them, to dissect them and to move on in my tiny, timorous imaginings . . . what if.
There-in lies the mistake. The fatal flaw. The costly error of judgement.
For probably about 10 months now, I(and those closest to me eg husband and friends) have held my breath, and climbed, ever-so-slowly towards the light. The 4th of July, independance day, marks my second birthday, when for some reason it was decided that I should not fade away, not yet, not now, but try again. I hate the word try. 'try' denotes optimism, trusting-ness, belief in luck, chance or a greater good. But, for whatever reason, despite my seeming reluctance, life was given back to me. And I was glad. And since then I have climbed upwards. Stronger, stronger, taller, taller. Some spiritual growth, perhaps. Some new social confidence, completely foreign to me yet strangely easy. Friends grew up around me like tangles of glorious plant-life, and my children flourished, grew stronger, rounder, sweeter. And I held my breath. It is not till now, as I slowly exhale, that I realise it was held at all. The way that I was fighting the dark, was by living the now, completely in-the-moment, and the times when I slipped back a bit was the times when I looked up, at the horizon: for just a second, and sensed the longevity of motherhood. Of dependance, and needs, and demands, and belittling, of becoming the side-lined, anti-intellectual etc etc that I have always dreaded. And so I would dive back down again into the murky present, and revel in the short-ness of time, how it passes, how to encourage and even enjoy the passage of time.
And so this opportunity presented itself, and I lifted my head up to the horizon, and opened my eyes, and let out my breath, heard it fall and rise, and began to imagine.
I saw myself as a useful member of society, reaching outside of the household and the oh so vital work of day to day mothering, and into the community at large. Things that I have learnt, and been taught, suddenly seemed to be required, asked for! I saw myself as an adult, on my own two feet, being involved in important and vital work in ministry, with a chance to 'make an impact' in the church, and not only all of this, but a contributor of finance, which let's face it, ultimately equals some measure of status or success. Perhaps not the bread-winner, but definitely a small goods and deli-items earner. Perhaps dairy and grain-winner? You get the picture.
And I saw its possible longevity. Perhaps to expand. To become a vocation. The opportunity did, after all, tie my passions, my loves, and my experience/training into one bundle with the added spiritual dimension - is this not the beginnings of a vocation? When it is written on the screen, you can see its obvious flaws a mile off. Too large an opportunity. Too grandiose. Overly positive. And I let myself really have some dreams. Which honestly, is probably the first time in about four years.
So the world looked a little more exciting for a week or two. The children were sweeter than usual. And my little stony heart, the wee timorous cowerin' beastie that it is, was all up and down. Without its usual blanket, hedge and moat, it quivered with possibility. For the first time in a while, what I live, my day to day life, was not quite enough. I had, perhaps, been called to higher things. I had, perhaps, more to me than people thought.
And then, the short sharp wind. A little draft under the door. Nothing major. No one turned to look at me on the street. No rumbles were felt. It really was just a normal day. A normal occurence. An obvious choice was made - could there have been any doubt in anyones mind? And yet there had been, just for a few days, a little belief in something bigger for me just around the corner, and the flaw was in believing that it was possibly for me. And so the opportunity passed by. Like a still small breeze ... and I was left a little the worse for it.
The usual condolences. Promises of greater things in the future. Sincere compliments of my potential unlimited. Beauty and talent unparalleled. People talk of my youth - as always, such a stumbling block for me - that I have forever, and do they really mean that perhaps in ten or fifteen years, I may have an actual chance? Once youth has finally left me, reluctantly, I will at last be respected, worthy of such chances? Such talk is nothing but belittling of me - yes I am young, and people look down on me because of it. I think the most grating comfort that people offer me is to say that there is something better out there. More suited to me etc. Do people not realise what it means to me to have hope? If you are not a person who understands my mind and my heart, this will be frustrating, but the truth is that I live best and happiest when I do not hope for better things. Hope is the flaw, the chink in my armour.
So what now? Now that I wake up and see the truth of the world around me. Nothing dramatic. Nothing major. While some of my reactions to life remain the same, others have changed, and so there is nothing to fear in my actions, in my safety. That path was closed to me, and I am still here. I hold my breath again, steady myself. I talk to myself in a matronly tone - loving but strict. As if on my rarely-used mat of joseph pilates, I curl into myself, focus my stength on the stable core, slowly slowly roll out to stand, not quite relaxed, but not tense. My shoulders fall back, my head lifts up. Slowly slowly. This is not depression. I was depressed for an afternoon, but even as I write, my back is straightening. A minor setback, that's all. A temporary glitch in the matrix. And a note of caution to myself, as I face tomorrow. I will face each day, as its own creature, nothing more. The days cannot string together in monotony, as if there is hope ahead, as yet unreached chances. No. Baby steps. Not the horizon, but not gazing at my feet either. Looking at other people, friends, loved ones, small daily activites, some mundanity of duty. This HAS to be enough. This is enough.
Again, I apologise for the over-wrought drama of it all.

i hate suvs

2009-05-28T20:56:00.000-07:00

So I will not be blogging about crafts for a while, but about my life. The reason: at the moment crafting is a luxury, that does not fit around the various details of my life. So, while awaiting inspiration, I will just blog in general. SO today I will rant about people in ridiculously large cars. But first: turn away if you are easily offended, I am not politically correct. . .
So, today I parked my nifty little pyzar into a carpark, straightening up so as to sit easily in the center of the white lines. Jauntily we set off to St Lukes mall to meet my lovely sister. A few hours later, we dragged ourselves back to the car, only to find a large black Nissan Xtrail parked diagonally in the park to the left, with its fat rear end drifting across our space. To put maddy into her seat, I had to open the door 30 cm, hold her facing the side of the car, and push her into the car from about a meter back. I told her to keep her arms in the vehicle and then slammed the door shut, and climbed through the other door to do up her seat belts.
It took a lot of positive self-talk to convince myself that I was a good person, and not the kind given to KEYING strange peoples BLOODY big cars.
Thankfully Maddy, at 3 and a half, is old enough to be gently shoved into the car

- imagine if she had been a little baby, to be held with two hands, neck fully supported?
- imagine if I was hugely pregnant?

I have actually been in this position once, where at 8 and a half months pregnant(and yes, I had my own weather system) I came back from shopping with my heavy 2 yr old daughter, only to find that we had been blocked in by a huge SUV parked diagonally. I actually couldn't get her into the car, huge as I was, and we hung around for about an hour until someone came to take their precious car away.

I have always had my suspicions about people who choose to drive seemingly unnecessarily massive vehicles - compensating for something??? So some questions spring to mind, in order to soften my prejudiced heart.
Firstly, if one was to buy a large vehicle, or currently owned a large vehicle, would one not automatically be aware of one's size? And therefore make a conscious effort to park and drive carefully? Just because the occupants of these larger cars are safer in crashes, is this a reasonable excuse to go looking for accidents with smaller cars? Or is the visibility in a larger vehicle restricted, resulting in difficulty driving and parking with car, 'colouring within the lines' if you will. If us small car drivers are driving carefully, checking our mirrors and our boundaries, and parking as considerately as possible, how much more should big car drivers do the same?
Secondly, why do we buy these big cars, that drink small countries worth of gas and foul up the environment with their massive engines? What are the worthy reasons? Here are some reasons I think deserve large cars:
- you not ONLY have TWO children(yes more than one), but you have TWO large dogs - dobermans, rottweilers, great danes perhaps. (in this case, consider a station wagon first)
- you do NOT have a house but live entirely out of your car, while researching in the field, as you try to rescue the environment, and Gods good green earth singlehandedly. Perhaps even, you did not need to buy this car, because the car manufacturers sought you out as their green posterboy, and offered you this car to drive/live in as you continue your heroic work. good on you, you do deserve it. And probably will actually use the huge four-wheel drive motor and tyres as you gently glide across the savanna, unlike the rest of the cars owners.
- You are on kidney dialysis, and take your machine with you wherever you go. You do need the space, I'll grant you that.
So why then, does having ONE child, with perhaps one pram and a bulging nappy bag, give us the right to own these urban monsters? Even TWO children, who are older, sporty and require more equipment than I wish to imagine, still DO NOT require a vehicle that is at least half a metre higher off the ground, half a meter wider and half a metre longer!!! Try a station wagon, or if pressed, a 4 door RAV4, or of course a 'vanette' if you continue to multiply.
My suspicion, which of course is as politically sensitive as my rant has been(!), is that we women are compensating for something. Let's make some grand sweeping statements, shall we? Mothers of young children are about 10 years older(at least) than mothers 10 years ago. If that is the case, we can assume that these new mothers had built up successful careers, fighting to the top of corporate bodies and cynical boards, and I am incredibly proud of these women. Despite all the efforts of rampantly hairy, sweaty, and courageous feminists, it is still VERY TOUGH to succeed as a woman out there. So to get to the top, especially in something you love, is an achievement not to be belittled, and worthy of some semi-macho female pride. Go us.
HOWEVER when you go from top dog to a new mother, it is a different story. Even for those of us who didn't have an exciting career pre-children, it is a blow in the stomach. All of a sudden, you know nothing. You are wrong, you are tired, you are covered in the bodily fluids of another person and you have ZERO status. So, we compensate. we COMPENSATE. The prams get bigger, the tyres get bigger, the babies are compared brutally to each other as we seek total domination in this new field of our life. And some of us buy a new car. And continue to dominate, over roads, carparks and kindy drop-offs. And over those of us who have chosen the road of the 'little' car, with fuel efficiency and visibility and a great lock. Please be considerate. Please remember that those of us with little cars may be just as tired as you. May be just as frantic and stressed and late as you. May be just as concerned for our childrens safety while on the road, but not to the point of endangering others. Please be nice. Ta

one sleep

2008-12-10T02:14:00.000-08:00

Hooooray! Just one more sleep till the fantastic craftwerk reoccurs! Isn't it wonderful that I have sold hardly anything recently so have lots of stock already and sorted out. Hopefully I won't suddenly stress tomorrow afternoon and decide to reinvent my price tags or anything ridiculous like that. Actually that's exactly what I plan on doing! So all two people who read this will be glad to hear that my order is finally done and dusted! What a relief. I made the pendants a la resin button style, and then wrapped them in the leatherette tonight when they had finished drying! Such a mission with the resin buttons because the width of the diameter strip is thinner, and the smooth curviness of the button and resin domes, which all combines to half an hour per pendant of sticky fumbly fingers trying desperately to gain some purchase as the glue dries, while attempting to position the wire loops around the diameter exactly in the centre of the strip and tighten them before the glue dries too much . . . eek! If reading that sentence made you tired, imagine how I feel!
So anyway, I am glad that I had some little difficulties that sent me up the wall, because it answered some questions I hadn't yet asked, and pushed me a little. I also have made some boundaries in what I do in orders, this one was always going to be tricky because the lovely woman who ordered it did so after seeing a special one off pendant that I did for Josh's mother, so I had to basically repeat that exactly. It was a challenge, which means it was difficult to get my mind round at the time, and I whinged a bit, as you all know, but now I have come out the other side I have more craft-wifery to show for it all. Or something. Bleugh. I know how to spell that now after reading Stephen Fry's blog. What a brilliant mind that man has.
So now, to craftwerk - yippee! I don't even mind if I don't make much, heck I'd be happy to give stuff away, I just want all of this stock OUT! So I can start all my new ideas.
one sleep to go.

pressure

2008-12-01T22:18:00.000-08:00

Yay! a new Christmas craft thanks to Glenys. So much fun, and you get to use a knife! Phwaor!
This is Madeline's artistic expression of her deeply felt social values. Or something.
This is Madeline looking innocent about afore-mentioned art.
And this, so it may not look like it at first glance, is two pendants being convinced via gravity and some tough philosophical arguments, to conform to the demands of society(or me) and finish drying! Aargh! I am doing back-ups I think.

ice cubes and craft glue

2008-11-29T16:49:00.000-08:00

So apart from filling multiple ice block trays with colourful gook, I have been contemplating what to get my husband, father-in-law and brother-in-law for christmas. I've got josh about five presents so far, but it's his birthday as well, on the 23rd, and he always moans that his birthday isn't made a big deal of, so I guess I got some ways to go yet. And as for John and Matt . . . . aargh!
Anyway, in the craft side of life, I have been doing some experimenting for a client - my first personal order from someone - with photos. Usually I have an image that is cut out from a book or poster or card etc, that is on card or paper, which is quite absorbant. However, what I am realizing(I should have known) is that photo paper is NOT absorbent, and as a result I have two half finished pendants which are NOT drying. Usually the paper absorbs whatever doesn't get air-dried, but because it's sandwiched between leatherette and perspex, not much air gets in anyway, so I have a bit of a crisis. I am not sure whether to abandon them and just get a couple of images resined and then wrap those in leather(a bigger pain-in-the-butt than wrapping the perspex) or to persist and hope that they will dry completely. They have definitely come a long way, but am not sure whether I can gamble on them coming all the way. If there wasn't a time pressure, I would be fine, but they are christmas gifts and so need to be finished for my lovely client soon! I have placed them out on a window sill in the sun and am praying that they don't yellow or wrinkle! Eek! Will update you as to the fate of these two poor pendants. In the mean time I will pulverise some more pumkpin for the beautiful Lewis.

aftermath

2008-11-23T22:52:00.000-08:00

Well I have to say that I had a great and truly enjoyable birthday weekend! Thanks to everyone who sent me wee texts and love, and the beautiful gifts and flowers, you are all darlings. And yes, people gave me jewellery! Hurray!
In my craft-life, I am impatiently waiting for a huge amount of chain(for pendants etc) to arrive, it's never entirely certain how things you order online will actually turn out in your hand. Anyway, hopefully this means that I can hang the bazillion (not brazilian) pendants I have made!
It really means a lot when people comment on my work, and although I haven't posted anything comment-worthy today, I'm always happy to hear from you! I need to somehow publicize this blog more, so far I have only one person following it, and had only three responses to my effort last week! EEk! Any ideas are welcome - I need people to see my stuff! happy times.

birthday

2008-11-19T19:32:00.000-08:00

Birthday birthday birthday. . . people don't tend to give me jewellery for gifts because they assume that because I make my own, my yen for all things dangly and wearable has been satisfied. It has not!!! Attention all, jewellery is still a great present to give to a jewellery designer. :) Anyway, I am going to spend the day trawling shops in Ponsonby and K' rd, with my two angels(I hope) in tow. And because I can't spend any more money on myself(is it just me or does it just feel bad to buy stuff for yourself on your birthday - unless it was given to me for that purpose) I will be looking for christmas presents. And perhaps a birthday present for my own sweet man who is turning 27 on December 23, and always complains that his birthday gets squished into Christmas. Maybe he needs an early celebration.
On the business side of things, there is only one day left to comment on the previous post(you can comment on this one too - please!) and recieve your own wholesale price catalogue - ONE MORE DAY. And more importantly, only one sleep left till my birthday. OOh, and a wee shoutout to my new fave jewellery girl, 'Annie Blackberry', a Tauranga bling maker whose stuff sells on trademe - go and search for her, she has several special necklaces on sale which I luuuuurve! So if you need to buy me a present(I've heard some people do), go there. Ok. And one last thing(promise), in case you hadn't noticed, I'm really desperate for people to read my blog - and comment! So if you know someone who might enjoy it, please please send them my address.
shalom.

opportunity knocking

2008-11-13T23:59:00.000-08:00

so if you got an email from me about my great special, yay! If you are here of your own doing, than YAY! So the offer is: Have a look at my blogspot, have a look at my jewellery, and leave a comment . . . and if I know your email address(if I don't then leave that there too) I will email you an order sheet with WHOLESALE prices, which you can order off ONCE ONLY, and then we can do some business! Cheap as chips. cool. love

reading list

2008-11-13T23:28:00.000-08:00

I was just looking at my blog 'dashboard' and noticed the 'reading list' option - the phrase 'reading list' conjures up long summer afternoons, lying in a hammock with a pile of books I'm dying to read, with hot sticky children curled up asleep in my lap. Who thought I would be able to fit two? Ssh its just a fantasy. . .the luxurious connotations of a 'reading list' do not apply to real life: I have five books beside my bed, a month old magazine only half read(one that I absolutely love and used to devour in an afternoon), a week old magazine about a quarter read, and a brand new one that arrived in the mail a few days ago, still in it's plastic sleeve! If you knew me and my obsessions with glossy magazines full of lustrous photos of all things art, you would know how unusual and sad a tale this pile of un-read beauties tells about me.
I have no time. capital N capital O.
Anyway, on the crafty side, I have had two horrendous markets, one rejection from a market that I actually WANTED to be a part of(so sad- kraftbomb), and several other rejections in the past couple of months. Markets SUCK!!!! So attention everyone, I am downscaling my market involvements, and UPscaling my shop involvements. We are working on a flash catalogue(as in fancy looking, not the website thingy), josh and I, and hopefully business cards and professional looking tags for my jewellery(although I do so love the little leatherette heart-shaped tags. All of this means actually being PROACTIVE(a word that I loathe) and starting to pound the streets for viable selling points. Watch out, quirky-unique-and-gorgous design shops, I'm on my wa!. So far I have 9 shops interested, so let's see what we can do. . .
And somehow I still have to do several loads of washing, some vacuuming and dishes and a whole load of bums to change. . .and READ SOMETHING. Wish me luck.

oops

2008-10-15T03:05:00.001-07:00

and also down below here is a pic of my new animal pendants, bring on the circus! Great for mummies, my kids love to sit on my lap and have a cuddle and kiss the mighty and beautiful hippo of luck and happiness(or just 'hippo' to his friends!)

all the bits

2008-10-15T02:43:00.000-07:00

Hi all, sorry for being such a slack slack blogger, what can I say? Every time I sit down at the computer I have either a baby starting crying, or someone climbing over me requesting that we look up cats on trade me! So everything including emails and banking, oops, is neglected. Now, down to some business. I am going to list a bunch of upcoming events that I am lucky enough to be attending, most of them in the north of auckland, but maybe worth a trip? I am especially excited about the Artisan markets being held in Helensville, run by the very new Art Centre up there, go Sarah! so here they are:
Saturday 18th October, 8pm, My House: Ring-making Party!: Entry $5, come and get crafty in good company. Email me at heartandcrafty@gmail.com if you're interested in coming - or in hosting your own!
Thursday 6th November, 7.30pm, Silverdale School Hall: Silverdale Kindergarten Shopping Night: $5 entry fee, fundraising for the kindy, with lots of goodies on display - this when everyone in silverdale does their christmas shopping.
Saturdays 8th November & 6th December, 9.30am, Helensville Art Centre: The Art Centre Artisan Markets: lots of new and arty goodies, everything is original work!
Okay, that's all for now, hopefully a craftwerk too soon! Here are my latest bits and pieces:

here is a selection of rings, and a sneaky peek into the creation of a ring "shank" or base.
Note please: The little yummy button stack ring in the front row(white, green and red) was designed by my great friend Joy Patterson, who played around with some buttons in various combinations and then passed them on to me! Full credit Joy, and of course 50% profit on sale! The pictures at the top(still haven't figured out quite how to work the layout here) are of a finished ring base, one of my new perspex/leatherette/collage pendants(do not be afraid, they come as earrings also!) and a close up of some little rings, button stack included.
Please leave a comment so I know someone out there is reading this thing!

party

2008-09-17T21:58:00.000-07:00

Do you know what? I actually wasn't updating my blog because I didn't have any photos to upload. How silly. So I have repented of that, and here I am. Exciting things in my craft life at the mo: have finally figured out a design for comfy easy-to-make ring shanks, so that is sorted, I just have to start making quantities! Also have done a bunch of new pendants on chain, they look so great and am really excited about them. My themes at the mo are Peter Pan and his fairy kingdom, and of course animals all shapes and sizes. I can't wait to show them off! Also, very exciting, I am throwing a ring-making party. . . I had so many ring bases that I ordered off the magnificent etsy, and seeing as I am moving onto making my own ring bases, I didn't know what to do with them! The first(I foresee - hopefully - that they will become a regular part of the service I provide) will be on Saturday the 18th, so if you're interested, email me at heartandcrafty.gmail.com and I will send you a copy of the invite. If you're really interested but won't be free that night, then please email me anyway, and we can set up another one - maybe at your house - like tupperware but without the scary plastic branding! Also if you are in the auckland area and would be interested in being added to an emailing list - no spam I promise - so that you can recieve regular updates of where and when I am selling my goods, then email me. And if you're none of the above, still email me! also also also . . . that is it for now, I am running away to Matamata for a church camp this weekend, with my husband and two delicious offspring, and we're catching the bus! I foresee drama. Hope your weekend wherever you are, ios slightly less harrowing. love.

Wellington. . .

2008-08-30T23:29:00.001-07:00

so we went to wellington for the weekend, my husband and I, for our FIVE YEAR anniversary!!!, and basically wanted to live there!. It is such an inspiring city, and so great to walk around, we went everywhere by foot. The city is so compact, and for some reason we feel more at home there then we do in Auckland. Something to think about maybe. . . but anyway, we went to a few different funk-ay shops and a couple of shop staff asked about the jewellery I was wearing(in particular my ring, with a picture of a child's face - you can see it on the slideshow), and ended up exchanging details, with them wanting to see more of my craftiness! Which was very exciting, and as I already have a couple of places in Auckland who are interested, I need to get my act together and start acting like a grown up.
Then last week I went to Devonport and went into a fantastic little shop called georgiescarlett Jewellery - it was the greatest little room, with her workshop in the back, so she was working and talking over the partition to customers, and very friendly sooo we started chatting about jewellery and she was so positive and encouraged me to bring some in to show her, and gave me her details to get in touch about anything. She had a lot of helpful practical advice about the craft itself and also the marketing etc of it, and I came away so inspired and excited! People don't usually let you in on trade secrets and the like, and can be quite catty, but she was really interested and informative. So that's another little contact to follow up on! And I came away with a great little pair of owl earrings which I don't want to take off.
I just made a huge batch of rings, so will get some photos done soon - lots of new stuff, yay! But am really struggling with designs for woven rings - all my rings used to be woven or braided out of wire, and I stopped doing it because it was very time consuming, and not very comfortable on the finger always. So I ordered a large batch of ring bases from etsy, and while they do what I want them to do, they are tiny, smaller than I imagined, and so I extend them all and wrap wire round the extension - less than ideal! I have been playing round with my trusty pliers and galvanised wire, trying to make some prototypes, but am at a real roadblock! So despite all the good feedback I have been getting, I am not satisfied, and probably won't get a restful sleep till I have figured out this little puzzle. I was buoyed up last night though, taking my jewellery round to my friends house for a girls night, and got some really happy customers who were so delighted with their new bits of pretty, so that is a bit of a perk - for the spirit and the pocket!
What an essay! I know I should do less, more often, but so hard to fit in sitting down at a computer. Thanks everyone for looking, and I can't wait to show off my new range of goodies! Here are a few pics of my children and husband, just for those who like cute baby pics. My children are delicious!

Crafty Crafting at Craftwerk!

2008-08-15T21:45:00.000-07:00

well craftwerk was an absolute blast! Literally it was freezing, but warming to the heart to see so many aucklanders troop out midwinter to seek out the best in handmade goodies! It is fantastic to realise that there are so many people out there, who, like me, believe that recycling and handcrafting is the way to go! Among the inspiring stallkeepers was a girl who made tiny stuffed owls - as pendants! So beautiful and delicate, I traded one for some goods(go trading!), and it is almost too good to wear, I am obssessed with it. Also among my trades list - a stuffed heart, with a sweet sweet smile to wear as a brooch, and some cards and a collage block from my fantastic friend Kirsten Turnbull, and some new booties for my boy - I ordered them from talented crafties 'Anemone' after my first pair grew too small - they are the best darned booties, styley and practical - these babies don't come off! And they are so hot on. Below are some photos of my new goodies - sadly I did not take my camera to craftwerk - and anyway was too busy busy busy profiteering off the locals! I'll definitely take it to my next market - Silverdale town hall tomorrow, the 17th of August, from about 9 till about 2. Yay!

well come

2008-08-10T00:24:00.000-07:00

HI! First blog ever - about me and the things that inspire me. . . in my mid twenties, living in mediocre suburbia(how I long for the country - or the seaside - anywhere but urban), with my beautiful children - Madeline is almost three and looks like an angel(looks can be deceiving), Lewis is 5 months, round and squat with a smile for anyone who even looks at him - and my amazing husband Joshua who puts up with my highest highs and my lowest lows, and keeps our madhouse together. We also have a cat, Dostoyevsky, named of course for the brilliant philosopher but to be honest is madder than all of us put together! At the moment he is the bane of my life, and I have to control my temper - very difficult.
In the craft side of my life, I am half-way between packaging and price tags(must look great but be functional - is it possible?) and knitting millions of funky baby mittens(not very functional but definitely looking hot), and my head is imploding with ideas! There are not enough hours in the day. ever. I have three possible sales opportunities in the next week - it doesn't rain but it pours. Can anyone sympathise? Had a bit of a creative drought while pregnant - with both children, then after a few months of un-pregnant state it starts to leak back, and then all systems go! Here is a little blurb from my recent application for a market, to give you an idea of what's going on:
"Alt. art jewellery using a combination of vintage, found and new materials; juicy baubles to satisfy the magpie within. This includes a range of resined buttons with collage art, as rings and necklaces, as well as a range combining deliciously bright china beads and vintage buttons, with chain, as earrings, bracelets and necklaces. Heart and Crafty also produces 'bebe' accessories, for example 'binky bling' to keep your dummy close in style, and 'funky fingers', knitted fingerless mittens for children from 1 to 5ish( I take commissions for big kids too!!!) In the pipeline at the moment, Heart and Crafty is working on a range of knitted bags, which are not yet ready for holding yet!!!"
Anyway, the knitted bag idea, as mentioned above, is still only in my head and I am panicking that I will forget my brilliant design before I get a chance to create a prototype! Of course I could always sketch it out, but I always hate when an art tutor makes you draw pages and pages of nothing before you can do the final product - too long a process for me, I get bored too easily!
Enough for today - this blogspot is still very much a work in process, but there should be pics soon, and also on the horizon a spot on the wonderful Etsy(always a source of inspiration). For now though, the local markets: Craftwerk in 4 days, and Silverdale market - so fun, in 'ye olde townhall' with the jars of preserves and dolls clothes, but also great handbags and a wonderful ceramics 'artiste' - and a 'flaunt' of my wares for the girls in a group that I have been attending - our last meeting, what will I do without my fellow 'crazy mums'? Feel free to contact me! xo