Men's Jewellery

Two posts in one day, what is going on!! Anyway I just popped back to make an announcement!!

I have decided to branch out and do a range of men's jewellery after being asked about it on a number of occasions recently!

Ideas I have are:

Tooth shaped beads on leather thong
Surfer style necklaces
Rings set with gemstone cabochons
Bracelets - woven leather with beads, stretch wooden bracelets etc etc
Cufflinks - different designs set with cabochons of your choice

and...........anything else that is required!!

If there is something specific you would like, please don't hesitate to contact me!!

jwalters@uniquebeadedgems.co.uk

Jo x

Folksy Friday

I wanted to get involved with Folksy Friday for the first time but struggled to come up with ideas of what to feature. I am quite into horoscopes etc so decided to make my topic the star sign of Leo (July 23 to August 23) and all things associated with it!

Here are some of the gorgeous items I found (http://www.folksy.com/)

Wee Lion has joined the Wild Beasties range! He stands approximately 4cm high and is entirely from polymer clay, with black onyx beads for eyes. Because Wee Lions are individually handmade, each one is a little different.
http://www.folksy.com/shops/QuernusCrafts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
This beautiful clock is hand-painted and features a friendly little lion. The clock is made from a high quality wood and contains a Quartz mechanism. The clock requires one AA batteries. Clock measures approximately 23 cm / 9 inches.
http://www.folksy.com/shops/Withhugsandkisses

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
A 5x7 inch card with an appliqued felt lion design. The lion's mane is padded for a lovely 3D effect.
http://www.folksy.com/shops/traceychorley
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Leo Traditional Birthstone - Peridot
Sparkly green Peridot Chips, White Jade Chips and smooth marbled Chrysoprase ovals in shades of yellow and pale green are threaded on memory wire. The bracelet is tipped with two faceted Opalite beads; at one end is a handmade Sterling Silver 'button' and at the other a Chrysoprase bead and White Jade Chip 'dangle'.
http://www.folksy.com/shops/Jewelchipps
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Hand made sterling silver earrings with 3mm peridot beads and karen hill tribe square beads.
http://www.folksy.com/shops/KinsbourneBeads
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This is just a small taster of the gorgeous handmade items that you can find created by many talented crafters! Have a great Friday!! See you again I hope!!

Handmade Wedding!!

The wedding season is upon us and this got me thinking about how, in these difficult financial times can we still have a fabulous wedding without having to spend a fortune? I got married eighteen months ago and couldn't believe the price I had to pay for some of the things I really wanted as part of my day! If only I had known then what I know now!!

There are so many craftspeople around who make fabulous, handmade items that are so much less expensive than going for mass produced wedding items. Many of us try to reduce the cost of our wedding but without cutting out the things that make our day special to us. Instead of going to your high street to buy the things you want, why not spend just a  bit more time looking for items that will make your day that little bit more special....and unique?!?

Here are just a few of the items that you could buy from many talented people out there! Not only will you have something that no one else has, but you will also be supporting a hardworking craftperson who is spending their precious time making items with love and care just for you!!

Your wedding cake could be made completely unique by having a custom made cake topper. Imagine having miniature versions of you and your partner decorating your cake. These gorgeous designs have been made by Pauline Christiansen of www.wedding-toppers.com

These gorgeous headbands would be perfect for bridesmaids or brides of any age. They are also a lot less expensive than buying from a huge wedding chain store. Check other these and other lovely designs by Amy Hook at http://cirenscall.misi.co.uk

These handmade tiaras are a brand new design made by Tracey from Aunt Trace's Emporium. I could just imagine feeling like a real princess wearing one of these!! You can find them at  http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Auntie-Traces-Emporium/118788391476167?ref=ts

How perfect as a bridesmaid's gift? These beautiful necklaces made by Fiona Littlewood of Little Dragon Jewellery can be found at http://www.folksy.com/shops/littledragonjewellery?page=1

All of these lovely things would go towards making your day unique and more special!! There are so many more items out there to choose from, this is just a taster of some of the gorgeous goodies you could purchase!!

If you are getting married and have started to plan your "big day" all the best and I hope you enjoy your wedding day as I much as I did mine!! xx

Why Buy Handmade?

When we live in a world that is going through a financially difficult time why do we insist on remaining as a “throw away culture”? How often do we “grab a bargain” only to throw the item away in a few short months or even weeks? Does it not make more sense to invest our money wisely and buy things that are going to last? If your answer to the final question is “yes” then maybe you should think about buying handmade!!

This country is full of thousands of very talented crafters and artisans who are working hard to make a living from what they love doing. However, many struggle to do this as most of us would still rather go to our high streets and buy mass produced items, that probably thousands of others will also own, than spend just that little bit more on something that has been made with love, care and attention to detail!! Chances are the handmade item will also be completely unique!!

When you buy handmade:

• You are buying quality that will probably last a lot longer than most items that you buy on the High Street
• The product will have been checked and doubly-checked by the maker to ensure its quality, after all, it’s there reputation and livelihood on the line!
• You will get value for money as you are not paying for the “middle men” just the product
• You are demonstrating your own “unique style”, not copying thousands of others
• The artisan or crafter you are buying from will receive most of the money, it is not going to some huge, faceless company somewhere
• You will feel great as you are supporting the artisans and crafters directly

Here are just a few items that have been made by some very talented artisans and crafters that I have come across since starting my handmade jewellery business recently!!

A stunning notice-board made with vintage Laura Ashley material by Em Wallis of Sweet Cotton Threads. (http://www.sweetcottonthreads.co.uk/)

100% Cotton Shopper Tote Bag (approx. 40 x 40 cm) by Anna of Blackcactusinlondon (http://www.etsy.com/shop/blackcactusinlondon)
http://www.etsy.com/listing/49294566/etsy-hand-printed-cotton-shopper-tote)

Super cute tea cosy that is made from double yarn. It fits a medium sized pot (approximately 4 cups). It is hand knitted by Jacky Edwards of Jacksknits (http://www.folksy.com/items/322289-HAND-KNITTED-CUTE-OWL-TEA-COSY?shop=yes)

Gorgeous deep edge canvas painting of sunbathing beach huts. Several different mediums have been used including acrylic, textured paste and water colour, to name a few. Created by Penny Parkin from Christmas Cottage Crafts (http://www.folksy.com/items/613845-Beach-Huts-sunbathing?shop=yes)

Romantic capelet crocheted from 70% mohair yarn, perfect for keeping the chill off at a British summer wedding or for teaming up with a tshirt and jeans for a vintage casual look. It measures 84 x 28cms and has been hand crocheted by Zerin Safa of Candlefloss Created (http://www.folksy.com/items/465337--Misty-Mint-Angel-s-Whisper-Capelet-Mohair?shop=yes)

Hand painted dark pink and yellow batik baby vest to fit a 3 month old (vest length 34cm).This has been hand painted by Cheerymishmash from Cheerymishmash (http://www.folksy.com/items/607429-Little-sweetheart-batik-baby-vest-age-3-months)

This gorgeous chap is Benjamin Bear. There are no others like him!! He has been handcrafted from fleece with felt paw pads and is filled with hollow fibre filling. He is fully jointed and positionable with safety plastic joints. He is 40cms tall when standing and all his clothes have been handmade too. He has been created by Dawn Treacher from Treacher Creatures (http://www.folksy.com/items/614921-Teddy-Bear-Benjamin-Single-Edition)

oh……………….and one of my items too!

Agate, honey jade and tiger skin quartz necklace. The beads are strung on suede and the length can be adjusted by knotting. The total length is 34". All findings on this necklace are Sterling silver. Handcrafted by me, Jo Walters, from Unique Beaded Gems (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Unique-Beaded-Gems/263472909436?v=app_135607783795&ref=ts#!/pages/Unique-Beaded-Gems/263472909436?v=wall&ref=ts)