Craft Fairs

I've got a very busy weekend with two craft fairs booked. 

• Saturday 27th - The Moseley Exchange .
• Sunday 28th - Highbury Hall, also in Moseley.

I've got quiet a bit to sell including jewellery, bags, Scottie dogs, handbag shape doorstops, handbag shape cushions, scarves,  and a little bit more.

Door stops or cushions

Pocket tissue covers

Spotty Scottie

African print Scottie - small dog

More Scottie Dogs - Tuesday sewing class

As my regular Tuesday evening ladies turn up for their weekly sewing class there was cries of delight when they saw the few Scotties I had made. It didn't take very long before a couple of them decided they wanted to make their own.

This lovely black one was made by Eve, she also made it a removable tartan dog coat and will also have a little bell. Eve will be creating a range of coats so you can dress your dog up.

Antje had just recently purchased this herringbone fabric which she used some off to make her dog. The ribbon dog collar also features a little bell.

Finally I made this little tartan one - makes me want to eat Walkers shortbread biscuits.

Group photo - we will be name all the dogs. The tartan one will be called Quincy.

Finally this beautiful flower was made by Elaine sing 100% dupion silk.

Don't forget to add your comments I would love to know what you think of their work.

Scottie Dogs and Swarovski

In the search to create some wonderful gifts for the upcoming Christmas fairs I decided to make these little Scottie dogs.

My favourite is the little ruby one which is made from 100% dupion silk and has got Swarovski crystals for the eyes. Sporting a wonderful dog collar made from Swarovski crystals and a Swarovski heart. This will make a wonderful gift for that special somone.

To be honest I love them all it will be hard to part with them.

Spiral scarf

I have been very busy recently crocheting and made these fabulous spiral crochet scarves in a variety of yarns.

You can purchase them from my website click here they will make a great Christmas present.

Let me know what you think.........

New Studio - new workshops

I've finally moved into my new studio workroom, and I've already delivered 2 workshops. Brand new offices in a great location just above The Zen Shop,
Digbeth Court
2nd Floor
162 - 164 High Street Deritend
Digbeth
Birmingham
B12 0LD

The move was very exhausting and to top things the lifts was not working and I'm on the 2nd floor :(. Luckily I had great help with all the heavy stuff. It stills need a bit of fine tuning and rearranging but I will get there in time.

The workshops that I ran was an all day jewellery making for beginners, where I covered all the basic techniques needed to create beaded jewellery. This includes making the loops on headpins, opening and closing jump rings, crimping, right angle weave (crossover weave). We then put these into real jewellery and made a beaded charm bracelet, a necklace, a bracelet, earrings plus we did a few little takeaway samples and an elasticated bracelet plus more.

The other workshop was the Basic Sewing for beginners - covering how to thread up your sewing machine, how to wind a bobbin, how to sew a straight line. Then after choosing their fabric they learnt a little on how to lay it out and to cut out a little shopping tote bag using dressmakers shears. The techniques used to sew the bag was pressing, sewing french seams and very important how to sew with pins in the fabric. Again a very successful workshop and lovely bags made.

Other workshops for this week includes the following:

• Complete Dressmaking Course
• Crochet for beginners
• Wired rings
• 3 week jewellery making course
• Saturday 11th a Chain Maille workshop

If you would like to attend any of my workshops please visit my website http://www.elliebjewels.com/  If you would like me run a particular workshop just drop me an email ellieb_jewels@hotmail.co.uk

Psychedelic fabric - make up bag

I was doing my normal little bit of fabric shopping when I spotted this alluring psychedelic fabric and thought how nice it would look made up as a bag. As this is something I do so often I now only buy the minimum that I need to do a sample test, then if I like it I go back and buy more.

This is my sample bag - little make up bag or just a small handy bag.

I will be using the fabric for a few other little designs.

Thank you

Ellie

I'm back.......

Hi all, well I can't believe how long it has been since I wrote anything here, time really has flown by. Ive done so much I've been on holiday with the family to Portugal. Such a lovely place and will definitely be going back. I've been looking for a unit/studio to run my workshops from and after a few viewings I've finally found one that I hope will be suitable and should have the keys in a couple of weeks.

I've also written some new workshops and will be running these from September which includes an all day basic jewellery making workshop, a complete bag making course, a 10 week dressmaking course with a presentation on the last day, make your own fascinator workshop, plus more jewellery making workshops. I will have daytime, evening and weekend classes. Details are on my website http://www.elliebjewels.com/

Fingers cross I will be back tomorrow with more updates.

Fascinator number 2

Yes number 2 is finish. This one has been attached to a metal teeth hair comb that has been covered with satin ribbon. The flower, black bow and the leaves have been handmade by myself and stitched onto the comb. Pearls have been hand stitched to the centre of the flower.  Glue has only been used to attach the feathers.

My daughter has already bagged this one for a wedding she is attending this Saturday.

My First Fascinator - Millinery 2010

Wow! at last I have made my first fascinator for the Millinery course I am on. It is made from black and cherise sinamay with feathers on a black "widows veil net" attached to a black sinamay fascinator base.

I handmade the three flowers a calla lily and 2 roses. It has all been hand stitched into place with only the feathers attached with glue.  On this course we have to keep visual evidence of our work and the process that we went through to completing our project. Well I am so glad I did as this final version is very different to how it originally started out. I will go back to my original concept and develop that one. But I never just stop I have already started my 2nd fascinator and some more flowers.

Millinery Course

I've always loved hats and always wanted to make one, not just the flat pattern ones but the ones that you have to block. Well last year I came across a NCFE course being run at South Birmingham College, very local to me, in Millinery. I instantly signed up for it. The 12 week course didn't actually start until March this year (I was so excited).
So far we have covered creating mood boards, colour theory, loads on hats and fashion, even a visit to Bridget Rilley exhibition at Birmingham Art Museum, all of which has been great. On a practical level we have created a variety of fabric flowers in all shapes, sizes, colours and different fabrics and with ribbons.

Yesterday we had a drawing lesson on how to draw a face, then how to draw hats then the combination of both. We also looked at creating images by ripping up newspapers and magazines, this was very interesting.

More Fabric Party bags

I've had a very busy day today. I was house sitting this morning, then I went fabric shopping (over spent again), then this evening I made a few more pary bags.

I love the pink gingham with the embroidery stitching. I think I will out together an all girlie set. I just need to buy some boyish fabrics now.

Angelina Ballerina apron

I was out and about today when I came across some Angelina Ballerina fabric. I made it into this little girls apron. Ellie B Crafts

All things girlie keyring or bagcharm

All the favourite things that we love put together to make this keyring or bagcharm fun to have. Made up of 7 individual plated or enamel charms taken from the following items.

• Pink enamel heart
• Little dress
• Hat
• Plated bag
• Plated shoe
• Enamel shoe
• Flip flop
• Cosmetic bag
• Enamel bag

 Available to buy from ElliebCrafts and from my Folksy

I'm back

Sorry everyone for the long break, I've been very busy with this and that.  Mainly the jewellery workshops with Lordswood Girls School and the Sewing & Craft Club plus I am also doing a millinery course on a Saturday where we have just started to create a range of flowers made from fabric and ribbons.  It's always a challenge trying to find something new to do.

Well as promise I have a few things to give away. The first thing that I am putting in the pot is these "Make your own butterfly mobile phone charm kit" I have ten kits to give away (bead colour may differ).

All you have to do is become a follower of this blog then email me at ellieb_crafts@hotmail.com

More things to come.......

Free Give Aways

Coming soon.... just a few give aways

Wonder Woman Costume - 1-2-1 sewing lesson

I have been teaching 1-2-1 dressmaking lessons for a little while now, and one of the things that I always ask my new students is "what is their goal and what item would they like to make as their main project". This then gives me something to plan my tuition around and a plan that they can work up to.  One of my latest students, Vicky, had one thing that she wanted to make and that was a Wonder Woman costume for her fancy dress birthday party.  At the time my initial thoughts were BIG project (but like any large project you break it down into small manageable chunks)

Iceland's volcanic ash and my holiday

Well what can I say what a disaster, I was suppose to be on holiday in Marrakesh from Thursday morning. But on arrival at Manchester airport at 04:30 to be told that our flights have been cancelled due to volcanic ash from Iceland. Not giving up so easily we decided to transfer to a flight from Gatwick due to depart on Friday. But again no joy. So we just made our way back home, had dinner then just relaxed.

Nshae's Party Bags - Scottie dogs and Clowns with Balloons

These are the bags that I made for Nshae's birthday tea. I spotted the clown and balloons fabric first and fell in love with it. I then saw the little pink polka dot Scottie dog with it lovely blue ribbon, so just had to buy some. The trouble I then encountered was where I was shopping not many of the shops sold ribbon (would you believe it). I was just lucky enough to find a bit of blue and some pink ribbon in one of the shops.

Clown fabric party bags

Scottie dog fabric party bags

I also made this little shopping tote bag with some of the Scottie dog fabric.

As you can guess I brought enough materials to add them to my Etsy shop and my Ebay shop they should be available to buy later today or from tomorrow.

Due to a persistent 5 year old I am off to bake a cake now so have a good day.

Fabric Party Bags

Woke up this morning to such a beautiful bright sunny day, I really have to get out and about soon. After a light breakfast and the usual household stuff and personal stuff I am ready for a great day.

Firstly I need to buy some more fabric to make a few party bags for Nshae's 5th birthday tea tomorrow. I will take her with me so she can chose which fabric she likes. The bags are like the ones below which I am currently selling in my Etsy shop Ellie's Craft Shop

Cupcakes bag

Then I need to sort out some food and goodies for the birthday tea and tomorrow we will bake a cake.

My love for Coffee

Coffee, how much do I love it, I would make a mug first thing in the morning and even drink it last thing at night. I could only drink it black with no sugar. A friend of mine brought me back some Jamaican Blue Mountain which was so delicious. I also had some coffee from Mexico and even coffee beans, which I had to grind, given to me from Kenya. All of which was so delicious.

This year, the same as previous years, I gave it up for Lent which started from Ash Wednesday on 17th February and should of last 40 days. But 52 days later I still have not had my cup, correction, mug of coffee. I have to say I've not missed it so I am going to continue for a bit longer.

I was out shopping the other day looking for some new fabrics and came across a coffee print tablecloth fabric. I instantly brought half a metre - still not sure what I was making. After getting home, cooking dinner and a bit of housework my sewing head was back in action, and I created the little messenger bag.

Side viewfront

backpockets

I might have tempoary given up drinking the stuff but so couldn't resist making this bag. I also made a few ipod & mobile phone cases with some of the left over pieces.

These will be available to buy from my Etsy shop Ellie's craft store or just email me for more details ellieb_crafts@hotmail.com