Coming Soon!

As a native Brit living in the US, I take advantage of the very long American summer school holiday and head back across the pond for a little time with family and friends.

This time is always wonderful, but it’s also a great opportunity to both take a break and to allow the creative juices to flow.

The UK seems to get fashion trends ahead of the US and it’s always lovely to see what the colours of the upcoming season are going to be. I’ve noticed lots of ochre and camel so far this year and it’s always good to have complimentary pieces in stock.

I also have a bunch of larger events this fall, which I’m super excited about, but it means I have a lot of work to do in order to have sufficient variety and stock levels, in addition to my Etsy-listed items.

One of my events has specifically asked for me to bring additional stained glass pieces in order to add this as an offering to their fair and I have some great ideas for small wall hanging pieces. I’m excited to get started on these and it will give me an opportunity to try out my glass saw that I bought a while ago and am yet to use. As I work on them, they’ll be posted to Instagram.

I’ve created a selection of small pendant necklaces. Sometimes a larger pendant might not work with a neckline and in this case, a smaller one works perfectly – giving just the right amount of sparkle to an outfit.

I also want to expand my offerings beyond pendant necklaces and the couple of chainmaille necklaces with glass accents that I have done to date. My sister particularly always has lovely layered necklaces, so I am going to try and create some that incorporate some glass pieces. I also love natural beads and this seems a great opportunity to create unique longer pieces and diversify from pendants.

I’ve had great feedback about the little heart keyrings I started making this spring, so these will also feature in the fall and winter selections available. I’ve also made a new little display just for them!

Also available this fall, which weren’t last, are an expanded selection of earrings with sterling silver findings. My dichroic studs in particular have sold very well with sterling silver posts and I want to be able to offer these in person at my events.

As always, my in person events are a great opportunity to connect with some of the local customers I’ve met in the past few years and show the new items in person. Dichroic glass is one of those materials that is very difficult to photograph well and although I feel I’ve made great strides in this, I still regularly get feedback and reviews that the items look so much nicer in person versus in a photograph. This of course is great for a customer, when their purchase is even better than they thought, but, it’s lovely to be able to show the full lovely, sparkliness in all its glory in person!

The Colorado Springs Craft Scene

I'm sure when people think about Colorado and Crafts in the same sentence, they likely think of places like Boulder, which are thought to be more 'hip' and liberal and therefore more likely to have arts co-ops and the likes. Colorado Springs however has some amazing handmade artisans too!

One thing I particularly love about getting involved with the craft scene here is making new friends. If you're at a craft show selling there are all kinds of great reasons to get to know your neighbour. Firstly, crafters are often great people! They have all kinds of interests! They also love to share their knowledge of the local scene - which shows are good, which are not so good.

Meeting other craft fair sellers though also gives you the opportunity to check out the amazing things they make! There are few things better than being able to give a gift that was handmade, locally and that is not likely to be given to the same person by anyone else.

Here are a few of my personal favourites.

Shelly Homemaker

https://www.etsy.com/listing/221967176/coral-cheetah-infinity-scarf-animal?ref=shop_home_active_17

Michelle is a mum to 4(!) kiddos and makes all kinds of lovely things for gifting. My faves are her infinity scarves. They're made with lovely knit fabrics, so they're super soft and sit 'just right'. My mum loves the one I gave her for Christmas too. She also makes cute little dresses, the most beautiful cushions (which can be customized) and wreaths. She's also a little bit of a local crafting celeb, having been on TV recently doing a tutorial on how to make wreaths.

Made With a Twist

https://www.etsy.com/listing/210096829/sassenach-style-outlander-inspired-cowl?ref=shop_home_active_5

Pam is so talented I hardly know where to start. She also makes patterns, so, if you can crochet (not me sadly), you can recreate her designs for yourself! I love the Outlander-inspired items she comes up with and her great choice of quality yarns.

Makings From Mommyland

https://www.etsy.com/listing/121042035/made-to-order-elizabeth-bennett-and-mr?ref=shop_home_active_13

Katie makes the most amazing peg people you will ever clap your eyes on. She creates perfect reproductions of your favourite TV or literary characters, but, not just that - she can create personalized cake toppers and pays such amazing attention to detail. You can have her paint military uniforms, dress designs, you name it, she does it. She also creates family sets and nativity scenes. Go and check out her shop!

EvaLine Jewelry

https://www.etsy.com/listing/175202444/flower-silver-necklace-pure-silver?ref=shop_home_active_11

If glass jewelry isn't your thing, then check out my friend Evelina's beautiful fine silver creations. She works with precious metal clay, which when fired becomes .999 fine silver. She makes wonderful pendants that make super gifts.

As you can see, some really wonderful sellers right here on our doorstep. Not in Colorado Springs? You're in luck! They ship all over the country and in some cases the world!

New For Spring!

I love to try and add new products. Some are big hits quickly, like the studs I now sell more of on Etsy than anything else, and some are more of a niche item, like the glass buttons. I love them all though!
This fall I will be having a lot more stained glass items available, but, for Spring, I have been making new things including key rings and bracelets.
I found a super cute heart mould and thought it would be perfect for a Valentine's teacher gift, but made a few more, and also added some other colours into the mix, making them ideal for friendship gifts, end of year teacher gifts as well as cute tokens for mums from small children.

The bracelets I just love. They feel super romantic and have little flecks of dichroic glass in them, so the white ones particularly look like opals. I also created a rosy hint one too. These would make wonderful bridal jewelry or great bridesmaid gifts.

I also did another variation on bobby pins - I now have a selection of single pins. I had a few singles at Christmas and they sold very quickly - people liked being able to have a couple of different colours, so, I have a bunch that are singles. Some of them have 'friends' available, but, most are one offs. Perfect for those who just pin one side up and are looking for a touch of sparkle :)

The best part? I get to bring them all to a craft fair I'm participating in this weekend at Cordera! If you're in the area, stop by!