A List As Long As My Arm

You know that feeling when you have so many things to do - so many different things - that you swing between running around like the proverbial headless chicken, trying to do seven things at once or being so overwhelmed you just want to curl up on the sofa and do nothing at all.

Well, THAT!

I'm rebranding which involves new logo design, new look, new photos, new layout and new website and having to do that all on my own, two days a week plus evenings and weekends, as well as working on a new range of beaded and resin necklaces, plus having to make a lot of things again from scratch so I can properly time them for repricing (for example, I now know that an otter takes three hours and 24 minutes to sew by hand) and adding a few new ideas to existing ranges.

And all this before The Handmade Fair in September!  Needless to say, I have a to-do list as long as my arm.

This was why there was no blog-post last week.  And the reason why this one will be a challenge.

It's hard to know what to say here - I'm so desperate to share all the exciting new things, but also feel I should try and exhibit a little restraint until it's all done and ready to go.

So I'm just going to share some pictures of work in progress, jobs still to do and a few new things that I've actually finished.  Then get back on with it!

DONE - Owl Stamp Pendant

DONE - Brainstorming rebranding ideas (but STILL TO DO - design logo, take product photos, design and plan website layout, choose website format)

STILL TO DO - Cover mannequin in brown paper collage and photograph necklaces

DONE - Started new necklaces (but STILL TO DO - more necklaces.  Maybe some earrings)

DONE - Timed and correctly priced resin animal brooches

DONE - Brand new bird stamp resin ring

DONE - Brand new animal-themed resin stamp pendants

Wish me luck.  I'm really looking forward to sharing the fruits of all these labours with you very soon.

In Praise Of Brooches

"BUT . . . I DON'T REALLY WEAR BROOCHES!"

Clockwise: unknown; Shark Alley Toucan brooch, Leaf brooches by Odile Gova /Woolly Fabulous on Flickr; Art Nouveau brooch; Joan Holloway from Mad Men; Shark Alley Brighton Cat brooch; Chickadee brooch by StudioLiscious on Etsy; Fox brooch by Beauty Spot on Etsy; Vivianna Torun Bulow-Hube, Swedish silversmith

Clockwise: Fox brooch by Little Nemo on Flickr; Shark Alley Puffin brooches; VOGUE cover; unknown from Instagram via Pinterest; Elizabeth Taylor; Shark Alley Bird brooches; 1920's style; jewelled mouse brooch; Egyptian scarab brooch

This is something I hear a lot when people browse the Shark Alley stall (which is full of brooches).  "But brooches are so versatile!" I say.  Take a step outside the box and consider the different ways you can display your beautiful brooch art in your wardrobe gallery.


A BIT ON THE SIDE

L-R: Lea Stein via Susan Caplan on asos; Shark Alley Indigo Batik Bird Brooch; the Duchess of Cambridge

I think of this as the 'traditional' way of wearing a brooch.  I tend to favour the right hand side.  How about you?


ON YER 'EAD

Clockwise: Shark Alley Toucan brooch;  Iris Apfel collection ethnic brooch from 'Rare Bird Of Fashion' by Eric Boman; 1920's style; Shark Alley resin Fox brooch

I love a brooch on a hat!  It's out of the way, won't catch on anything and, like a good pair of earrings, sets off your face too.


SCARF ACE

Clockwise: Shark Alley Puffin brooch; Shark Alley Owl brooch; Lea Stein Cat brooch; Sarah Jessica Parker

Another favourite.  Love the SJP take on it -  a brooch fastening a slender tie-like scarf.


IT'S NECK AND NECK

Clockwise: Shark Alley squirrel brooch; Blake Lively; Shark alley resin Hare brooch; turquoise brooch from the Iris Apfel collection (see credit above)

Give the brooch the same focus as a necklace and wear it centrally at the neckline.  You could also pin one to a length of velvet ribbon and wear it as a choker.


ON THE DOWN-LOW

L-R: from shabbychicks.blogspot.com ; from the Iris Apfel collection (see credit above); unknown via Pinterest

I must confess, I'd never thought of this one! Love it.

ALL TOGETHER NOW

L-R: unknown via Pinterest; Shark Alley brooches; from Marie Claire via Pinterest

As a big fan of more is more, I can really get behind this look.  The group of brooches around the collar is a really lovely idea.


FREESTYLING

L-R: Unknown via Pinterest; brooch on turn-ups from modernkiddo.com

And why not?


I hope this inspires you to experiment!  I feel like going to my brooch drawer and having a good old root around, as well as maybe raiding the Shark Alley brooch stash.  I love designing brooches because they can be just about the shape without having to worry about attaching hooks or chains to them and where to do it.  They make great gifts too. Choosing jewellery for someone else is often tricky as it is such a personal thing, but brooches are are slightly more detached from the wearer than, say, earrings or necklaces, which I think makes them a really safe bet.

 
There's also a great blog post on similar theme for more ideas here.

Browse the Shark Alley collection of brooches here and here.

No Post Today!

A combination of a weekend camping trip, the Wimbledon Men's Singles Final and my birthday have conspired to overwhelm!  No post this weekend, but here's a few pics of the countryside where we camped.