Tuesday 27 April 2010

WIP


wip
Originally uploaded by fraggierocks
I'm not sure why I even started this because its not the direction I saw myself going in when I started design work. I want lasers and sci-fi gun battles but instead ive got spikes lol

I'm struggling with the technical aspect of my designs. When working in clear materials you have to be aware of things being neat and tidy. I had the idea to use rhinstones on the spikes but the glued side would be seen from behind and look very messy.

Saturday 24 April 2010

Galactic Inspiration

I found a couple Sci-Fi magazines at my fav book shop yesterday and instantly felt inspired. I purchased some plastic materials and some glue and intend to make something amazingly other-worldly (well thats the general idea)

Ascot isn't all that far away so I could try and get a few of my creations out there.


This one shows some of my basic early sketches.

Tuesday 20 April 2010

What If's?

I seem to be on one of my what now seem to be weekly downers. I thought that writing out my problems would help... I dunno. Thankfully I don’t have many readers lol

Every day I wake up with the best of intentions - to crack on, design and make and plot making a name for myself. I see things and think 'I could do that' and despair that it’s not me and think how lucky they are to have made it. It's not the end of the world though because today is the day i'm going to be become them... until I hear the first whinge or splutter or 'have I got any clean boxers' echoing in my ear. I come back down to reality with a THUMP and realise that it will never be me. How silly am I to think I could be anything other than a housewife? Of course I could sell the odd thing here and there but its not the same (its not a dig but I wanted to be more) Then I realise why would any of the cool people out there take a second glance at a youngish mother of two with a glaringly obvious chocolate obsession and who has the personality of wet dish cloth and a massive chip on her shoulder?

My mind then moves on to the idea that I had my chance and I chose motherhood, a worthy job but not the same as filling your mind with colour and ideas and culture. Who am I to be so greedy when I have two gorgeous, loving children and a partner that loves me, for who I am and doesn’t run because of that. If only he could understand the churning in my belly to succeed, the sadness I feel everyday. Alas his idea of art starts and ends with the go faster strips he wishes he could but on his car.

If only I had the guts to do something about it, I probably wont have the guts to publish this post. If I had someone, who wasn’t my mum and dad telling me how great I am just to tell me if this heartbreak and 'what ifs' are worth it. I can take that... I can’t take this...

Monday 19 April 2010

Plump Swallow

I decided to give my swallow some colour albeit brown lol. I am pleased with some parts the head for example but the wings looks a little over-worked. I defo need more practice, if only I had the time to spend doing it.


Saturday 17 April 2010

Shooting Stars -

This hat was inspired by a Florence and the Machine song called Cosmic Love (I've already blogged about this). Although I like to think I have the voice of an angel I know that in reality I am tone deaf.

However I always seem to find my inspiration in song or words. Of course a picture can evoke an idea but the sounds and feelings you get from listening to an amazing track work best for me.

To make this I took a straw fascinator and covered it in black velvet. I then individually sewed each bead and sequin to the base and finished it with perspex rods. I used sequins, seed beads and bicones to create the effect of a starry night. In the sun this really catched the light well.

I dare not add up how many hours this has taken me but its been weeks of picking up sewing a few and putting down just so I dont lose the will to live with it. I hope its paid off and people like it.
 

Thursday 15 April 2010

Mr Swallow


Plump Swallow
Originally uploaded by fraggierocks
He lives at the bottom of my garden along with many other hanging baskets thieves! I've used reference books to try and get an accurate drawing. The finished artwork will probably be pen and ink and then if im happy it will hang somewhere in my home.

Get Me Selling on Folksy

I finally after months of twiddling my thumbs, plucked up the courage to list something on Folksy I used to sell handmade jewellery on the dark side many moons ago but after falling pregnant with my second child and his early months I really was knocked for six. It was tough and I lost my crafting mojo along with my self confidence (not that I had bucket loads in the first place).

Anyways here I am I after logging in this morning... fraggierocks

Ok yes the image is tiny and quite possibly irrelevent, its too early to be taxing my brain like this!

As for today I shall mostly be staring at my inbox waiting for that SOLD notification! Teehee

Wednesday 14 April 2010

Charlie Dimmock I am Not!

I'm trying to get in touch with my inner 'Titchmarsh' this week by going all green fingered. Not so easy when the previous owners let it slip and everytime I go to dig a hole there is a tonne of gravel underneath. Looks like the buggers just put bark over the top of everything to hide what’s underneath.

I was particulary impressed with my hanging basket. After getting over the initial annoyance at paying £3 more for a basket I could have got from the 99p shop I carefully planned, planted and watered my new little basket of loveliness... only for the birds to come along and use my seedlings as nesting materials. Oh yes those cute little fluff balls are EVIL, they may look harmless but they swoop in faster than you can say "Bird Pie"!

I also seemed to attract every waif and stray this week, I had little people helping me in exchange for cakes. Yes I was shocked about my moment of weakness by not being the streets token scary woman and let the little bundles of joy help weed the gravel. Again this would have been lovely IF they hadn’t annihilated the plants I wanted to keep whilst leaving the boring weeds in the gravel.

Never mind there is still hope for me yet, I am currently reading front to back a gardening book that although tells me i've been planting everything too late and in the wrong place, i'm still doing a couple things right...ish!

Friday 9 April 2010

WIP


WIP
Originally uploaded by fraggierocks
This is taking forever to complete as I am trying to fill in with seed beads as much as possible. I'm not sure whether to have it as a stand alone piece or incorporate it into another design I have.

It's inspired by my Cosmic Love/Swan Nebula collection im working on. Tbh my initial gusto to create the collection has wained of late as real life commitments take over. I am also not sure of the benefits of doing such a way out collection when ultimately it wont make me any money or catapult me into the world of fashion... who'd buy a hat from an overwieght frumpy housewife anyway!

Oh dear cue another bout of self loathing lol

Monday 5 April 2010

Bertie (couldnt think of a decent name)


Bertie
Originally uploaded by fraggierocks
And here it is the big reveal lol Here is what I have been working on!

This fascinator took a few hours on and off to complete I can tell you. I took an old yellow t-shirt with skull detailing and covered a sinamy base. To be honest you can't really see the fabric that well but it looks nicer under the more transparent beads.

I then loaded it with as many beads and charms I could find using invisible thead to limit the stitch marks. I decided to keep the colours bright and cute. It is lined with the same fabric and is finished with a wide comb.

Even if you hate it could have to admit looking at it puts a smile on your face... well it does on mine. :)

I did stupidly think that I could make a matching bib necklace but that went horribly wrong... shame I didnt realise that until after i'd spent hours sewing the beads on lol

Sunday 4 April 2010

Saturday 3 April 2010

Organza and Rose Flower Fascinator


Originally uploaded by fraggierocks
I made this pretty fascinator by attaching a large pink organza flower with swarovski bead detailing to a small cream fascinator base. I then attached vintage style roses to the base.

The organza flower was made by cutting basic flower shapes and singeing the edges with a tealight flame.

Friday 2 April 2010

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to you all! We have all had a relaxing day and I have made the family a delicious curry. Its my first ever attempt and i'm pleased to say both my five year and 11 month old enjoyed it. It's my mums recipe she makes amazing food.
I hope everyone has a fun and relaxing Easter weekend. :)