Meet up with Fellow Irish Craft Workers

On Saturday I went along to a small meet up of fellow Irish craft workers in Dublin for a good chin wag and exchange of ideas. We also traded a few surplus supplies with each other, which was fun. I just thought I'd introduce the shop of each member who attended by showing off my favourite item from each one.

Valentines day egg cosies

 Mo of Huggle Knits kindly organised the meeting.  Though she can turn her hand to several crafts, Mo mainly knits and crochets gorgeous, handmade accessories for children and adults. Her latest range of cute egg cosies are simply adorable.

Patchwork ball with rattle

 Fi of  Patchwork Delights also attended. I have bought at least two of these patchwork balls as gifts for my friends' babies over the last couple of years. I can vouch that the hand stitching is tiny and so neat!

 

I was very pleased to make a new acquaintance in Margarita, of Linen Artisan, who hails from Spain. I spent over 7 happy years in Spain in the 90s and it was refreshing to chat (in my rusty Spanish) with her about her country. Margarita makes beautiful linen accessories for the home and also bags. I love the colours of this cottage chic lampshade.

Plum ribbed shrug

 Hazel Donnelly's soft hand knits are available in Hazel Donnelly and she also sells some great supplies at The Irish Knitting Room.  Though I have my eye on the unusual buttons available in the latter, I prefer to highlight her handwork.

Lastly there was lil' ol' me. I was going to post something typical of my work to illustrate my shop, perhaps something in Connemara marble. But then it occurred to me to actually ask myself what my favourite item from my current stock was, something I'd never really considered before. Hard to know when you have a large inventory of 60 items or so and you are biased about your own work...gotta love all your creations equally, right?? 

And yet the answer was staring at me within seconds of looking at my home page:

Irish Copper & Sea pottery Pendant

 This Sea pottery and Copper piece is currently my favourite as it brings together my love of Celtic motifs and the joy of beach combing for treasure. Added to that, this design was inspired by a wonderful day out at the National Botanic Gardens with two of my Etsy friends, Mo, mentioned above and Heli of Heli Creations. So for me it also symbolises some of the things that matter to me; good friends, creativity and appreciation of nature.

More January Treasuries

A few more recent treasuries to share and say  

A BIG THANK YOU 

for.

I am always grateful and honoured to be included:

Ahhh garnets, the birthstone for January, and a stunning gem! Thank you Roxanne of WatercolorsNmore for including my garnet pendant 'Strawberry Wine' with all these luscious lovelies in your treasury, 'Inspired by GARNET - birthstone for January.' 

(To read my previous post about garnets CLICK HERE)

 Thanks also to Fiona of Patchwork Delights for this cheerful treasury titled 'January Sales in Ireland.' I appreciate that you included my blue pendant 'Temptress'.

 Petra of Petra's Creations has made a very timely treasury with Valentines Day around the corner.  Thank you for including my pink heart ornament in this feminine collection 'Love is in the Air.'  

And my pink heart ornament has just been featured once again in this pretty treasury, 'Crafty Irish Love' by Mary of Queen of Cuffs. Much appreciated Mary!

 and today also, the Queen of Treasuries herself, Lynn of Lynn's Creative Crochet has included my garnet pendant in this romantic list 'The days of Wine and Roses.' Thanks so much Lynn for all the treasuries to date. 

The Difference is in the Detail. Last One.

I've just posted the last in the series, The Difference is in the Detail on the Etsy Ireland Blog:

Click on the photo above to see the blog post (this will take you away to the Etsy Ireland Blog. Don't forget to come back to me please :-)

Inspirations. The National Botanic Gardens, Dublin

It's been a while since I've posted about any inspiring rambles or hiking trails around Dublin. That would be because I haven't been on one in months! I've had the misfortune to suffer a bad case of Plantar Fasciitis that has hobbled me for at least the winter, but I'm working on getting back on my feet, so to speak, by mid Spring.

However, I am not letting it coop me up entirely and still manage to get out in the fresh air even though I can't walk very far. I need to get close to nature to breathe and generate some creativity.

A couple of weeks ago I met up with Mo of Huggleknits and Heli of Heli Creations for one of our 'inspirational' days out. We took the number 9 bus from O'Connell Street, northwards to one of my favourite places in the city, the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland

Tap by Alan Corrigan & Finbar O'Neill

We thought it would help us tap into new creative energies (sorry, couldn't resist that pun if you paid me). The tap was part of the exhibition 'Sculpture in Context' held in the gardens in October. 

a glass house at the Botanic Gardens

 It was a stunning October day, perfect for taking photos...if only I were any good at taking them! 

 Though the gardens were still very green, they were also awash with seasonal golds, coppers, rusts and reds.

Inspired by the warm tones, the next day I was lured away from silver and instead, made this rich, autumnal brown sea glass and copper wire pendant, 'Sunset in Dublin.'  ...

Cork Red Marble pendant

...and this warm, Cork Red marble pendant, Love & Truth. I've been working on various other pieces and ideas inspired by our visit. In the meantime,  here are few more photos from the day:

spooky Halloween tree?

The wild Irish garden section looked like an impressionist painting. 

 

click here to see inspiring walks and Irish scenery 

October Treasuries

A few more recent treasuries to share and say A BIG THANK YOU for:

Feast your eyes on beautiful artwork by Irish artists and artestans in Seascape Inspiration by Rosemary of Selke Crochet. Thanks for including my wire wrapped pendant, 'Waves'.

 Treasury Queen, Lynn of Lynn's Creative Crochet has featured me in multiple collections lately. I absolutely adore this purple list, titled 'Plum Palette.' Thank you so much for including my dark purple amethyst earrins 'Damson,'

Anna Victoria of Carillion Collectibles was feeling nostalic for Ireland and so created this treasury titled 'Irish Moss.'  A big thanks for inluding my Connemara marble ornament. Sending a massive Irish Ireland hug to you!

And here is one I put together myself to promote fellow members of the Top Treasury Team: 'Mild October', inspired by the current weather in Dublin - cool and crisp yet dry and bright.

Focus on Detail

Wire work detail on chyrsocolla jasper pendant listed in my store

I've just posted THE DIFFERENCE IS IN THE DETAIL 6 on the Crafty Ireland Team Blog.  It's the latest in this fortnightly series that highlights those special details in craft work, art, photography and also supplies or vintage items listed by fellow team mates. Why not go check it out, but don't forget to come back :-)

End of Summer Etsy Treasuries

A few more recent treasuries to share and say thank you for:

Don't you just love the soft, aqua shades in 'Turquoise Treasures' by Rachel of Rachel Corcoran Illustrates?  Thank you for including my Irish seaglass pendant among all these beautifully made items.

 Brigitte of Purls of Colour put together this striking treasury, 'Once in a Blue Moon' to mark the occasion of an actual blue moon on August 31st, 2012. I did not know that a 'blue moon' refers to the rare occasion that the moon rises for the 2nd time in the same month. Thanks for featuring my sapphire glass pendant.

 

And a huge thank you to Lynn of Lynn's Creative Crochet for yet again featuring me in not one but THREE wonderful treasuries. I very much appreciate all the support and thank you for including my Irish seaglass pendant in 'Peaceful Greens II'..

 ...and then for featuring my purple jasper pendant in 'I Shall Wear Purple.' This is a stunning collection  Lynn! Love the colours!!

And if that weren't enough Lynn featured me a third time!!!:

'Orange Marmalade' heralds the coming of Autumn. Thanks for including my fiery necklace in this zesty collection Lynn.

...And I've made a couple of treasuries myself to promote the Crafty Irleand Team:

'Colour Pop', shows off fellow, Irish artists in a celebration of colour.

Irish Autumn includes several shades from the Pantone Fashion Colours for the second half of 2012. (Honey Gold, Tangerine Tango and French Roast.) This treasury also feautures fellow Irish / Irish resident artists and suppliers.

Crafty Co-operation

They've arrived! 

I've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of some new handmade supplies: 18 inch, cotton crochet chains to hang my seaglass and sea pottery pendants. 

 Last month I mentioned I was experimenting with samples my Etsy colleague and friend, Mo of Huggle Knits had made up for me. I wore one of the chains with various pendants for a couple of weeks to see how it felt and if it would stretch. It is really comfortable and lightweight and has kept its shape, though I have only tried it on seaglass and also button pendants, not heavier gemstones.

I used one of the samples to hang this pretty, teal seaglass pendant. The seaglass necklace sold very quickly to a lovely lady in the USA. 

 

The samples worked well so I decided to order a bunch of brown and black in hypoallergenic cotton. They arrived on Tuesday, all wrapped up in a little red crochet rose. Thanks Mo!

Each has its own cute mini button, easy to use and very secure.

I found the button sits snugly on the nape of my neck. I forgot it was there in fact.

Irish Sea Pottery Necklace

I used one of the chocolate brown chains to hang this sea pottery pendant, 'Storm in a Teacup,' which I listed in my Etsy Store today. I hope it finds a happy home somewhere.

.

Recent Etsy Treasuries

 

I haven't made a treasury in a few weeks so I put together this list of items by the Crafty Ireland Team and called it Blowing Hot and Cold. I guess I was thinking of the Irish summer.

Thank you to fellow Etsy peeps for featuring my work in their recent Etsy treasuries:

I love this nautical theme! Thank you Puffin Patchwork for featuring my unisex seaglass pendant in your beautiful list, 'Seawashed'.

Thankyou Meynenz from Turkey for this beautiful collection, 'Pines on the River.' I am honoured to see my brown gemstone necklace in there with all these chic items.

Simon the Gecko goes Beach Combing

Simon the travelling gecko is the ward of Carrie. He has spent the last year or so visiting Etsy people to see what they are up to. Most recently, he has been a guest at my home. Here is the second installment of his stay with me. Click Here to jump to Carrie's blog post about Simon's beach combing trip:

Simon goes beach combing

More July Treasuries

Thank you so much to fellow Etsy members who made these recent treasuries and for featuring one of my items:

Don't you wish it could be Christmas every day? Thanks Lynn of Lynn's Creative Crochet for feauturing my Connemara marble star in this Christmas in July collection, 'Christmas Ornaments from Around the World.'

 Thank you Nancenet Designs for this ecclectic mix of Irish art and handcrafts, Ireland's Got Everything. (And it has!) I'm honoured to see my button pendant in there with all these wonderful goodies.

I love the atmosphere in Storm Crows by Puffin Patchwork. Thanks for including my Irish seaglass pendant in this Crafty Ireland team treasury.

Simon the Traveling Gecko

Yay he's here! Simon has finally arrived!

If you are not already acquainted, allow me to introduce Simon, the travelling gecko. Simon is the 'ward' of the wonderfully talented, Carrie of Cherry Blossom Tattoo. However, he set out from her home last year and has been travelling around Ireland and further afield, for several months, visiting Etsy artisans and artists to see what they are up to. Among the places he's visited are London, Finland and the USA. And now he's back in Dublin, visiting Handmade by Amo'r (eh, I guess that would be me so.) Here he is crawling out of his comfy sleeping bag, a bit jet lagged and shell shocked after his long trip. I hope he enjoys his stay and maybe he will pick up the basics of wire wrapping while he's here.

Relax, Recharge with Crafty Ireland

 Yesterday evening I came back from overnight power break at a spa hotel just outside Dublin. I use the term 'power break' as I view this type of mini break much like a very extended power nap.  It's a chance to empty my head, relax tense muscles and clear out the ol' cobwebs. It's also an opportunity to spend quality time with close friends - an increasingly difficult thing to do as we get older and our lives get busier and busier.

Relax and enjoy this collection from Irish crafters that I put together on my return, wishing I could  have stayed for longer:

Relax, Destination Spa

The Mystery Guest

Time to reveal my not-so-mysterious, expected guest...

If you are not already acquainted, allow me to introduce Simon, the travelling gecko. Simon is the 'ward' of the wonderfully talented, Carrie of Cherry Blossom Tattoo. However, he set out from her home and has been travelling around Ireland and further afield, for several months, visiting Etsy artisans and artists to see what they are up to. Among the places he's visited are London, Finland and the USA.

Yes, I hear you. He's made of cloth and filled with who knows what. But that doesn't undermine his amazing ability to discover and promote artists, photographers and artisans. Think of him as the Simon Cowell of the handmade world...but a little gentler methinks.

And I'm the next lucky hostess, honoured with a visit from this crafty fellow. I await his arrival all the way from the USA. He will be observing my work while enjoying a stay in Dublin, and reporting back to Carrie's blog. Watch this space....

Have You Guessed Who's Coming to Visit?

A crafty visitor 

is coming to stay

On his journey so far

He's come a long way

From Ireland to the States

and now back again

He checks out our crafts

and sleeps in the den

 

Who is this being?

 You'll find a big clue

 on the arty blog of

 Cherry Blossom Tattoo