The winner is........

Angela of Bags of Angels!   Well done to Angela, your bracelet will be winging it's way to you very soon.   Thank you to everyone who took part, we've had a great time reading all of your captions.   I'll be posting updates on the maiden voyage of the kayak in  a few weeks with the possibility of some even more awful photos!    Hx

Anchors Away for the first Ivy Dean Designs Give Away!!!

We all do it - those impulse purchases that you cannot resist, they seem like such a good idea at the time.  This is probably my most impulsive purchase to date (let's forget about the Jimmy Choo shoes bought years ago and never worn).  The idea started as "let's get a little boat to enjoy the river on" - I had in mind something with an engine at least.  Seems my boyfriend had a very different idea...............

This is probably the worst photo ever taken of me, (looking like I have my own built in bouancy aid) and I can't quite believe that I'm going public with it but, dear reader, there is a reason.  To launch (no pun intended) my new range of wire wrapped bracelets I've come up with a little competition.  Simply post a humorous caption to the photo above on this blog with a chance to win one of my new wire wrapped bracelets.   Remember to post which bracelet you'd like to win and the winner with the most amusing caption will be announced here (and on the Folksy forums) on Sunday March 13th.   You can view all of the bracelets on my Folksy shop here  http://www.ivydeandesigns.folksy.com/

I look forward to reading your captions - Good Luck!!!

Poor neglected blog - but look at what I've been making..........

Eventually I have perfected the design of these wire wrapped bracelets.  It's taken every spare minute I've had (not a lot of those at the minute), many,many yards of wire and all my finger nails but here are just two of them for now.   Visit my Folksy store to see the others! 

Long overdue update!

Blimey, I can't believe that it's the middle of February already.  Where is the year going to?   I spent two days last week on a wire wrapping course and learnt some great new techniques.   Here's a selection of the items I made.........

I am especially proud of the bangle, made with square and half round Sterling Silver wire.  I will be practising the stone wrapping and hope to have some items ready for sale in the near future.   In the meantime, I've made and listed some bracelets and bag charms/keyrings using my handmade wire spirals in my Folksy shop - http://www.folksy.com/shops/IvyDeanDesigns

Favourite Folksy Buys

I bought one of these fabulous Flower Loom kits from ffflowers http://www.folksy.com/shops/ffflowers for my Mum at Christmas.  She loved the kit and started making ffflowers straight away.   These looms and other lovely things from ffflowers can also be found on Etsy - http://www.etsy.com/listing/63406141/flower-loom-kit-makes-3-ribbon-ffflowers

                                               

She was inspired to make this pretty wool brooch using the loom and I stitched the beads on to it.   



Lynda from SimJaTa http://www.folksy.com/shops/SimJaTa was lucky enough to convince her OH to buy her these wonderful penguin earrings from Leopard Print Bee. http://www.folksy.com/users/LeopardPrintBee Lynda loves penguins, earrings and things out of the ordinary and she just loves these - who wouldn't, they are adorable!   

Sarah from Suger Mice http://www.folksy.com/shops/sugarmice bought this stunning necklace for her wedding from 

 Huiyi at Studio59.  http://www.folksy.com/shops/studio59 Sarah say of her purchase - "My wedding dress is dark blue and I’m getting married somewhere very cold lol so this was perfect! She even made one ‘specially for me as it had sold on etsy a couple of days before and kept me updated at every step of the process. It’s absolutely beautifully made, looks stunning on and I am so happy with it :)"   I agree with you Sarah,  it is beautiful.  All the very best for your special day.

CheeryMishMashhttp://www.folksy.com/shops/cheerymishmash  just had to have these beautiful earrings when she saw them for sale in Deborah Jones Jewellery  http://www.folksy.com/shops/DeborahJonesJewellery   I can see why you wear them all the time, they are gorgeous.

That's just a few of the items for now - there are lots more so look out for another "Favourite Folksy Buys" feature soon!  When, hopefully I will have mastered the art of placing the photos where I want them and not where this clever blog decides they should go! Hx

Links to Shops - here we go!

Just practising how to insert "clickable links" so you can click on the image and go straight to the makers shop!    This is one of my "In Orbit" wire wrapped rings which are proving to be very popular!  I love making these rings and until the final wrap is made I never know quite how the design is going to turn out.  

Looks like the clickable link works! 

Folksy Features

It's Sunday, it's January, it's cold outside so have a look at these gorgeous things I've selected from a few of my favourite Folksy shops. Nothing like a bit of retail therapy to warm you up!  

I love the colours in this fab beret from Uniquely Yours. 

This beautiful brooch from The Crafty Little Bead Box would warm up any winter outfit.

I love this polymer clay tea-light holder from Victoria's Polymer Art - just beautiful!

I can only knit in straight lines but may have to give this pattern from Lynnes Pattern Parlour a go - if only to save me from eating the real thing! 

There's lots and lots more lovely items that I'd love to show you but time is running on and I've got ironing to do!  Please come back soon to see more.  Hx

Welcome!

Welcome to my very first blog!  This is all very new to me so please bear with me while I find my way around the wonderful world of blogging.   I hope to feature lots of wonderful handmade items here and updates on my latest projects.  Helen.