The Necklace Tree

Well I am VERY proud to say that this empty old brain of mine has finally had some new product ideas. Whoo hoo!

I'm not really a super idea-generating crafter, you see. I get an idea, I execute it in an infinite number of ways, I get bored with it and then ..... nothing. I wait. For another idea. Which takes for-EV-er to come along, ordinarily.

I've been wondering (for some time now, poor brain) about what items I could add to my markets in 2010. Inspired by the complete lack of a yellow necklace in my jewellery drawer, I finally hit on the notion of constructing fabric necklaces - I thought: how cool would it be to actually wear some of the amazing material I work with?

And so I am proud to present my latest product range of fabric-covered necklaces. Behold the necklace tree!

Isn't that display stand great? I happened to be wandering past a shop last week thinking Hm, I really need something I can festoon with my new fabric-covered necklaces ... and lo, I looked randomly in through the  window of a shop I haven't been into for months, and there was the perfect thing. I love it when the universe provides like that.

And it helps that I am totally in love with these new necklaces, too. Such an infinite variety of colour possibilities! I could make one to go with every outfit! I've made some that just loop around your neck, and others that have ribbon ties so that you can change the length of them. My heart is ablaze with excitement.

Many of the ones you see here are constructed using Anna Maria Horner's latest line of voile, Little Folks, which is the most divine fabric around right now. It's been specially treated to be oh-so-soft, and it's a delight to work with - it'll be a delight to wear, too. I long for bedsheets made out of the stuff, but then I would be afraid to sleep in them because they'd be so fine and delicate.

Necklaces though, that's a great way of putting it to use - use that you can enjoy every day. I'm taking this lot with me to the Northside Makers Market on Saturday 6 February - we'll be at the Northcote Uniting Church on High Street between 9.30 and 2.30pm. Why not come along and pick up one of these babies for your jewellery drawer - before I steal them all for myself!

And then there were seven ....

.... markets left to go in the next three weeks, that is.

How on earth did that happen?? I think it's because I book them so far in advance, and then fail to remember what I've booked. I go Okay, I'll do the Kris Kringle markets because they're close to home and I love them. That's four.

And I booked for the Made N Thornbury market in February, because it has such a lovely friendly vibe, and I thought, Oh, it's only one in December, that'll be fine. That's five.

And I booked for the Northside Makers Market because it is filled with so many wonderful friends and amazing crafters, and how could I NOT be part of that? Plus it is even closer to home than the Kris Kringle market. That's six.

And I booked for the extra Christmas Shirt and Skirt Market - seven - and the December Shirt and Skirt as well - that's eight.

EIGHT!  One down, seven to go.

My Creative Space

..... I'm a little bit late joining in with My Creative Space today - there are about a hundred people ahead of me who all got their acts into gear much quicker than I did.

But seeing as how I haven't joined in for weeks now (weeks! maybe months!) I'm forging ahead anyway.

To your left, Exhibit A: a whole pile of embryonic Hoots.

I'm taking the "production line" tactic at the moment, as I don't have any markets for a fortnight and then in the space of seven days, I have three. Three! The Shirt and Skirt market on Sunday 22 November, then a kindergarten market in Kew on Wednesday 25 November, then the Kris Kringle Market at Northcote Town Hall on Thursday 26 November, then the wondrous Northside Makers Market on Saturday 28 November.

Holy mother of god, that's four, isn't it? Four markets instead of three. Four - in a week!!

What am I doing here blogging, I've got to get back to work!