Jet Designs

More Handbag Patterns off to the USA

Wooo Hoo - Another Wholesale order to be sent to the USA over the next week of my three handbag patterns.

These patterns are also available on my etsy site ( link of the side bar of my blog) and also on my website

I also opened a box of new release books today and look what was inside - I want to do them all - I just have to find the time

Australian Knitting Vol 1 No 2 - Out Now

For those of you that enjoy your knitting and crochet in this cooler weather - you will be engrossed in the new edition of Australian Knitting Magazine.  This is the second issue of the new publication and well worth the read and great Australian content.  My friend Henrietta Dups from Biggan Design is the Fashion Editor and I supply the books for review.  There are 27 patterns to get your needles into. So why not start now - The magazine is available on my website and is $9.95.

I think I should learn the Japanese Language

When I was in Melbourne last month I visited Kanga Kanga (Japanese magazine store).  I spent a fair bit of time there flicking through the craft magazines.  The guy who runs it was so lovely - he pulled me up a chair and found all the mags that he thought I would be interested in  I just wish I could actually read them - but I had to look at the pictures and pick the ones with the best diagrams.

Today I decided to tackle a handbag pattern from the Cotton Time mag that I bought.

 

I really don't like that materials or lace in the picture but I liked the shape of it.

Reading back to front and trying to work out which pattern is for what bag - has taken me ages - thank god for the diagrams. I think there is about 12 patterns all printed on one page!!

 

So I have started cutting out and sewing some sections up - I took it for granted that I would have to add seam allowances (wasn't totally sure) but I did and it seems to be working out.  I am using a stash of Heather Bailey fabric that I bought some time ago. - I haven't got any magnetic buttons at home so I can't go to much further -  I really don't want to go down to my shop to get them. So I will go as far as I can, which is probably a good thing, as I have 3 custom bead orders that were supposed to be made by tomorrow and I haven't even started them yet - that will be tonight's assignment.

Anyway back to the family - Ella has just jumped on Jim and hit him somewhere unexpected so there is a bit of swearing and crying happening at the moment, I better go sort it out! :P

Beautiful Retro Beaded Rings

Over the past week I have been trying out some on the beaded ring pattern in Bead Fantasies II by Takako Samejima - This book is a translation of her Japanese Issue.  I have admired her beading designs for years but only now have I decided to take the plunge to give the patterns a go.  The diagrams are great and the instructions for the two I have completed were fairly easy to follow.

The only downside is finding the beads that she uses.  I have been searching bead supplies for the sizes and types of beads and have hit many brick walls.  She uses fantastic and hard to find supplies.  I have tried to find the closest match for these two designs I can - and I will be offering them in kits on my website for those who purchases the book or who already have the book.  As you can appreciate I can not replicate the patterns for sale, so you will have to use the book for the instructions.  

Here are some photos of the finished objects - I will be making more that will be available for sale on my website in the near future - I plan on making matching necklaces and bracelets for the rings as well.

For this first ring I have used , pink lepidolite and brown snow jasper.

I think it has a real old world charm about it.

 

This ring is made from mother of pearl coins - This was a bit of a practice ring - it is not supposed to be this large but I made it from supplies I already had.  I am waiting on some mother of pearl round beads to make it up in the original combination of Brown mother of pearl coins and a natural cream mother of pearl bead in the centre. 

Yes - I am doing another craft - Soldered Jewellery

Just to add to the ever growing list of crafts that I do - I have now also embarked on soldered Jewellery.  I have seen it in a couple of books over the past year or two, but I have just sparked on it as I am interested in using the design technique with my lampwork beads.  Here are a few items that I made on the weekend - I will be listing them on my websites and etsy in the next couple of days.  I have my computer back now but we are still dealing with a few residual problems left by the massive virus attack so I will be posting alot in the next few days to catch up on my whereabouts and going ons.

Butterfly Pendant Necklace $25.00

Love Pendant Necklace $25.00

Bracelet with soldered charms and orphan lampwork beads $40.00 SOLD

If you are interested in doing jewellery like this I have a book on my website call Soldered Jewelry - it is quite informative and has some great ideas.

If you are interested in purchasing any of these one of a kind jewellery pieces give me a yell!!

Amy Butler's New Book - Discount for my Readers

Well - what can i say about the new Amy Butler Book -- Yummy, Scrummy, Gorgeous, Adorable - Fantastic - Just Got it Have It!!!!

Even if you haven't got little ones - just think of all the presents you can make for friends or family

This book is just divine - I just had to take one home straight away and have a good look.

I have listed them on - my website - under Amy Butler Patterns & Fabrics but if you contact me through this post I will give you the discounted price of $39.95 (normally $44.95) plus $6.50 post - so get in quick - or you can order on the website and if your order is over $100.00 postage is free within Australia.

 

I have been not able to post for a week days due to our home computer attracting a large nasty virus - which has rendered our computer useless - we have a friend hopefully fixing it this weekend - I feel like my left arm has been chopped off with out having the computer at home!. - So I am blogging from the shop in between serving customers.

When I get the computer back I will update you on how we went at the first Handmade Expo in Ipswich and my weekend at home when I saw my good friend Maree - pictures included!! - watch out Maree!

Bucket Loads Of Books

Today I recieved two cartons of books - Mostly all New Releases to Australia - So I have been busily loading them on my website and adding them to my inventory - but I have wasted some time (or should I say it is staff training) by looking through the majority of them wishing I could add a few hours to my day so I could complete some of the projects.

Anyway - I though I would give you a sneak at what is new in store today - as I have no completed craft projects to show you.  If you click on the pictures it will give you the full description of the books.

Rosalie Quinlan's Book   "Gift" is nearly ready for release and I have these on pre order if anyone is interested email me.

A is for Apron - $24.95 ( I have been eagerly waiting this one - It looks fantastic) might have to steal one for me!!

Sew Pretty Homestyle - Not new - but I always sell out as soon as it comes in - $29.95 - Oh and she has a new Christmas one coming out soon - I have already pre-ordered it!!

Sweet Needle Felts - $24.95 - Really Cute Projects!!

Yarn Yarn and More Yarn - and I am not telling stories

For the Australians reading this you will understand the title ( Yarn - Aussie Slang - telling a story - usually a higly embellished one!)

Today I got mail - some 4ply cotton from Bendigo wool mills - I am planning to knit some facewashers and soapholders from it -

Also to let you know that from next month our store will be starting to stock yarn - I am going to be stocking some of the Naturally range from NZ - and hopefully some of the Nundle Wool Mill from Australia  so if there is anything particular that you are chasing let me know and I may be able to help you - I will send all over Australia and some overseas countries - and for Australian customers it is free postage for orders of $100 and over.

That is a big plug for the shop isn't it - I took a photo of the shop this morning the "Craft Book Side" - so you can see where I spend my days!!

Have a good weekend everyone - Craft ON!!!

My attempt to crochet

This is my second attempt at crochet - my first was about a year ago - a scarf with flowers - I have finished it but I haven't put the flowers on the scarf yet (better do it for this winter) - At the shop I see so many new crochet books ( well all kinds of craft books) and I have been amazed at the crochet toys, mostly the Japanese inspired ones.  I wanted to have another go at crochet but didn't want to make a scarf or blanket - I wanted to make a toy.  So I found a pattern in a beginners book for a bunny - I did think to myself that there is no way in hell that I could do this without some help from someone who knows their stuff, but I don't have anyone around to help me, so the book is going to have to have some awfully good instructions and photos.  Well I have started -  I have made the arms, legs and started on the body of the rabbit.  I am pretty impressed with myself - I know that there are a few mistakes, and I'm not sure if I am doing the right thing with the yarn when I turn at the end of the round, but here it is.

The poor thing has already had a stressfull life this afternoon.  Jim has gone fishing with some of the neighbours, and Ella was home with me.  Well I thought I would mow the lawn, and Ella was with me outside (for most of the time). She freaked me out when I couldn't

see her in the yard, so I went looking (lawn mower still running outside).  I found Ella on the couch with the legs of this creation and a pair of scissors - she had cut the yarn to the ball off, also little pieces of yarn where all over the place.  Luckily she had just cut up some leftover bits and not the legs. Phew!!.  So tonight I am going to try to get the body finished.  I really want to get it done for Easter to put in Ella's Easter Basket.

Also I want to show you one of the new release Crochet Books that came in this month.  Looks very exciting for all you crochet lovers.

Crochet Me - Designs to fuel the crochet revolution $34.95

On more exciting news - both of my patterns "Oriental Bloom & Ella Clutch " have been wholesaled to the United States and are on there way over there now.  Look out for them soon at Henrietta's Handbags

Art to Heart Christmas Quilting Patterns

I have now in stock the Art to Heart range of books - they are selling really well and I feel are great for the new quilter or sewer. - with basic bold designs these pattern books will transform your home into a Christmas Wonderland.

If you are after a particular title that is not on my website - please let me know as I will order it in for you!!