WOYWW flower power

What's on your workbench Wednesday.
Some time ago I wrote about Tranhumance crafting. I'm sure you work in the same manner - as winter approaches the crafting table moves closer and closer to the fire.

This week has seen me working back in the house (not in the studio at the bottom of the garden).  It was because I was trying to juggle too many things, I needed to fit my crafting around the children, but I must admit that crossing the garden in the wind and rain has not been attractive.

So here is my workbench - the kitchen work surface, and a tray to take it away in between working.

I have been making flower brooches for my Polly Polkadot cabinet in The Emporium, Machynlleth.  I had planned to deliver them personally (which may have required me calling into Wheelers Fabrics once more), but clearly my plan was spotted and the car broke down.  So OH dropped them off on his way to work.  However I decided to make some more, so that I can visit next week instead!

Using a glue gun and buttons has attracted my assistant (aged 2 and half), half my buttons are now on his necklace.  He is very disappointed that the glue gun does not squirt water, and he has offered rather too frequently to plug it in, in the hope that it might start working.  So the glue gun is definately going back to its box in the studio.

Take a trip over to stamping ground to see how the weather has affected everyone elses work bench this week.

Handmade Monday - To craft fair or not to craft fair?

I have just returned from a few days in Cornwall.  So a refreshed and rejuvenated blogger is typing this.

On Mondays I partake in Handmade Monday, hosted by Wendy of 1st unique gifts.  HM is a way of seeing what people have been up to during the week, but it also helps me realise what I've achieved (or not).

In April I arranged to rent a cabinet in a shop, in Machynlleth.

By May I decided that I was not going to another craft fair (OH let me down twice for childcare, and attendances were very poor).

So in June I kept my jewellery stock at a limited level.

And on Friday 1st July, The Emporium, Machynlleth opened its doors. (read all about it here - well my cabinet anyway!).

So back on my workbench, there sat my earring rack, empty.

But then the voices in my head began:
What NO more craft fairs?
Not even at Christmas?
What about Dolgellau farmers market?
What about the Dolgellau Country Market?

By Saturday 2nd July I was back in the studio filling the earring rack!  I concentrated my efforts on glass bead earrings, but my real joy is wirework jewellery so roll on next week!

 So I guess I'll be going to a few more craft fairs!

Ding Ding, Shop's Open!

(Title is a reference to under 5's TV - if you don't do Groovy Moves, then don't worry about it!!)

After a few delays by the builder (totaling 30 days, so not bad really)
The Emporium in Machynlleth is now open.

The building was converted from offices back to retail and a brand new shop has set up business. As you may or may not know, I have rented a space in this shop.

I had a panic in May that the shop might open for the Spring Bank Holiday weekend so I went into mega production mode.  I continued making things throughout June, until I read a blog by Ros Made Me, where she wisely wrote - no one but the cupcake seller ever actually sells out!

When the opening date was finally set for 1st July, I had to sheepishly say I was on holiday, and passed all responsibility to Sue, the owner of the shop!

To cut a long story short, I persuaded OH I would take him out for lunch and we would finish off the display.  (I had handed Sue a basic display to fill each shelf).

There I was tying a few price labels on to a few extra items and OH sudden showed his true colours.  He dived into the cabinet and began rearranging everything - he was brilliant!

None of this 'what do you think?' 'How about this?' that I would have done, dragging it out for hours.  No, he dived in, re-arranged, instructed me what he wanted. And finished the job in half the time.  Obviously it remains to be seen whether he would be quite so efficient if his stomach wasn't rumble-ing!

shelves 1 and 2 are similar

The shop is vintage and craft - so there is quite a bit of costume jewellery, but I am the only handmade jewellery cabinet.

I was concerned about lighting on the lower shelves so I wanted lots of colour to encourage people to look at my jewellery.  So I made some of Dreamstar's flowers to accompany my glass bead jewellery.

The shop is very light and airy and there was a really good footfall whilst we were there.  Machynlleth has an excellent market along the main street every Wednesday and coach trips stop off at it.  So here's hoping some of them want to buy from my cabinet!

Bracelets and teeny tiny gift bags

A day out

By Dimitra Blana, Flickr.

Today, whilst juggling several other tasks, I treated myself to a visit to Wheelers Fabrics in Machynlleth.

I should have taken my wirework jewellery to a charity craft fair - but my childminder (otherwise known as my other half), let me down.

As I would now have 3 and 1/2 days at home I thought I'd embark on potty training the younger child.  However I had forgotten that the children had been invited to a birthday party, (getting the hang of juggling yet?).

The party was 17 miles away, so I felt I could allow myself the luxury of dropping off the older child and continuing 3 more miles to Machynlleth (with the nappy-less child).

By Kelp, Flickr.

Now Wheelers Fabrics is a treasurer trove to anyone, but to me it is very near perfection and the only improvement I could suggest is adding coffee and chocolate cake!

 I don't think I have managed a trip to this wonderful emporium since July, so you can imagine my joy when I realised that my nappyless child, had stubbornly refused to wake, despite being transferred from the car to his pushchair.  Three floors of fabric, friendly staff, and now, no children - heaven (except for the coffee and chocolate cake).

So what did I buy?  Well I would like to boast that I exercised huge self-restraint, and bought only what I went in for (well OK, I did buy one extra item).  As ever my tight budget kept me in control, but my head is buzzing with fabrics that I desperately want to buy!

I am hoping to show my purchases in their new form, shortly.