and it’s a wrap, folks

I happened upon this bracelet in a recent purchase of a random bag of beads from someone on Facebook. In between the silver bands it had a big horrible metal sticky-up thing with a plastic pearl stuck on top. I asked Andrew to remove it, knowing he’d have some sort of tool perfect for the job (his double garage is more of a workshop, it’s fabulous).

The cream fake-snake stuff was coming apart on the inside but I liked the shape and I really liked the metal clasp. I decided Something Could Be Done With It.

And so – after some wrapping using craft glue, strands of DMC embroidery cotton and some silver Madeira ribbon, and with the clever manipulation of a toothpick (so as not to get glue all over my hands and the desk – I have something rather attractive and wearable. I’m quite pleased with how it turned out. #colourmehappy
Stay safe and sane out there, everyone :)

Advertisement

How to make crocheted bangles

I love bangles.  I made some recently using a plastic ring (made from cutting up cheap belts and glueing at one side) and sticking buttons on, but the buttons started to fall off so I had to think of something else.

These are very simple to make, and you can use up left-over bits of yarn. And you can add embellishments if you want.  I sewed a button onto the last one I made, and dabbed it with a bit of clear nail polish for reinforcement.

I think the pics are self-explanatory?  I made enough chains to go round the bangle and then did 1 extra. I used Vinni’s DK cotton Nikkim and a 3mm hook, and worked in rows of dc or htr until the length was sufficient to wrap over the bangle and stitch together.   I did a sort of mini puff stitch in the turquoise one in the top picture.

I’d love to see your versions of this, if you make some. Send me a pic :-)

To be continued…

Marmalade Angel

This is Susan’s shop in its new improved premises in Tulbagh, my favourite town away from home. The photos really don’t capture the atmosphere of the place and, although it’s slightly off the beaten track of Church Street, there was a steady flow of customers during the time I was there. And they all had cash on them. (Yip, cash, I tell you – love that stuff!

    

And if you go to the Marmalade Angel now, you’ll be able to find the unique Jam Tarts lamps for sale. Hoo ha.

And … some of my crocheted bracelets and button bangles:

Obvious enough to say, but it is enormously reassuring when someone else actually likes your stuff enough to give it shop room. Self-doubt can be a real creativity killer!

Right, enough of that — I have two markets this weekend (tomorrow is the Harfield Carnival and Sunday is Kirstenbosch), so I need to have me a power breakfast with extra caffeine, and get cracking.

Have a great weekend, everyone.

To be continued…