Pay it Forward with a Brooch

Earlier this year I signed up to a "game" on facebook and twitter, someone promised to send the first 5 people to comment on their post something handmade.  In turn you then had to do the same - a great way to receive some lovely handmade items!

I played the game on twitter with Anne Murray, an artist who works in ceramics.  She sent me this gorgeous brooch, which is very "me", she seems to have worked out my style well even though we have never met.

You can see more of her work on her website www.anne-murray.com , I particularly like her design journal on the "my work" page, it's a really novel and quirky way to show off her products and ideas.

In the meantime, anyone who is waiting for something handmade from me - it is coming, sometime in 2011!

My work and my Mam

You might have noticed that I haven't been online for a few weeks now.  Lately my personal life has overtaken and there has been little time for blogging, twittering and the like.
My dear Mam, Betty, passed away a few weeks ago after a long battle with cancer and I took time off work to be with her both at home and at the hospital.  She was a big inspiration in my work, and worked for me occassionally a few years ago before she became ill.  She spent many hour herself designing and making her own clothes.

Here she is a couple of years ago, standing in my stall at the Shetland Arts and Craft Christmas Fair, wearing a jacket she had designed and knitted.  Many people asked her if I had made it, much to her annoyance and my amusement!

When I made my first felt bag Mam told me what she would like, so we designed it together. 

I named the bag the "Ursula Bag" which was her middle name.  When I came up with a new design I would usually ask her what she thought and would take it from there - she would very often even "aquire" many of the pieces!

 She will be a huge miss but I have to concentrate on the good memories and there are many of them. 

On a more positive note I am expecting my first baby, due on the 6th August.  I am on maternity leave now so my website is now closed and the last couple of orders for galleries will be sent out on Monday.  I am hoping to have some time to relax, get things ready, cook meals for the freezer etc.

I also have so many projects (for myself for a change!) going round in my head that I would like to do so I will see if I can get them fitted in.....

I will be back making and selling soon, but not sure when, I will keep in touch with news of new designs, I hope to have a new range of work when I get back into making.