Friday, 22 November 2013

Christmas Gift Guide

 
 
Christmas Gift Ideas
 
 
 

 
It's that time of year when you look at the calendar and think 'yikes', I need to start looking for gifts for everyone for Christmas. If your struggling with ideas, you can't go wrong in buying a handmade item this Christmas and in particular handmade jewellery and accessories
 
 I know how hard it can be deciding what gifts to choose, so I've rounded a selection of handmade jewellery and accessories that might be ideal Christmas gifts. 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Gifts for Her
 
 
Bracelets, Necklaces, Earrings, Wine Glass Charms
 



Accessories

 
 
 Bookmarks, Key Rings, Bag Charms, Kilt Pin Brooches
 
 
 
 
Gifts for Him
 
 
 One Shilling Coin Cufflinks, Unakite Gemstone Bracelet, Black and White Zebra Jasper Bracelet, Lucky Sixpence Coin Cufflinks.

 

 All the above and much more, are available to purchase from my website at www.michelleshandcraftedjewellery.com



Happy Christmas Shopping.  x
 
 
 
 

 
 
 


Monday, 14 October 2013

Diagonal Stitch Bracelet

In February of this year I tried a couple of jewellery projects that involved using seed beads. I made a cross weave bracelet and a pair of bead woven earrings.

Pearl Cross Weave Bracelet 
 
 
Bead Weave Earrings
 
Both of these creations were first attempts and I really enjoyed the time I spent making them. To be honest when I use to come across projects like these, I use to think 'yikes', there is now way I can make something soo complicated, involving thread, needles and tiny beads that look pretty, but are a nightmare to pick up if you drop them on the floor and I'm speaking from experience!
 
Last weekend I made another bracelet, this one was a diagonal stitch bracelet, using red crystals, white pearls and light grey seed beads.
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Once I completed the bracelet, I felt such a sense of achievement that now I want to try some more new projects involving seed beads. At the moment I'm making some new jewellery for the Christmas season, so I think I'll wait till the new year before I try another bead weaving project.
 
Bye for now.
 
Michelle x
 
 
 
 
 

Wednesday, 2 October 2013

Jewellery of the Day!

 
 

 
I don't normally do two blog posts in one week, but I thought what is the best way in getting a message across,  I then had a light bulb moment and thought why don't I just put it on my blog!
 
I have decided to create a daily promotion called 'Jewellery of the Day' on my website. Each day will be picking an item of jewellery or accessory from my website, which I will be offering at a discount of upto 50% off,  for that day only!
 
 
Don't forget to check out my website daily, to see which jewellery or accessory is on offer that day. I'll also mention it daily on my Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram pages. I'll pop my links down below.
 
Bye for now

Michelle  x
 
 
 
 

Monday, 30 September 2013

Autumn Jewellery




Which is your favourite season? I always look forward to the spring, because the evenings start to get lighter and I know that summer is not far behind. Last year our summer was a complete wash out, it literally did not stop raining the whole summer. This year we had a glorious summer, I hope we have the same next year.

Now that were easing out of summer and heading for the cool autumn/winter months, not only will we will be changing the type of clothes we will be wearing,  I like to wear big chunky jumpers, I always feel the cold, lol, some of us will switch to a different colour palette for our jewellery, like warm browns, reds, oranges and greens. To compliment the autumn colours,  I have created some new jewellery pieces and also incorporated some of my existing creations into a new section on my website called 'Autumn Inspired Jewellery'. You only have to look outside your window to see the changing colour of the leaves on the trees and on the ground, which signal that autumn is on it's way.
 
 
 
Autumn Jewellery


 
If you would like to see some more of my autumn jewellery, then please click the link below to my website.  
 
Before I forget, there is 50% off clearance sale on all the ankle bracelets on my website. If you would like to see the various designs and purchase one for next summer, please click here on this link.
 
Bye for now.
 
Michelle. x

Wednesday, 4 September 2013

Wrapped up and loving it!


Back in October 2012, I posted a blog about my first attempt at wire wrapping. I wire wrapped a necklace, my efforts were very amateurish to say the least, but I still tried it and I enjoyed the freedom of using the wire.
Fast forward to August 2013, I decided to try wire wrapping again, this time I wanted to make a ring. I'd seen some beautiful wire wrapped rings on Pinterest and I wanted to see if I could make a ring myself. I love Pinterest, I can be over there for hours and hours, if you would like to see what I've been pinning, my Pinterest details are www.pinterest.com/michelleshand  

So I bought a ring mandrel and a reel of 20 gauge silver plated craft wire.  After several attempts, I came up with this ring.  
 


 

  As you can see here, I have not stopped making rings, using different designs and coloured beads.

  
 
 
I made these rings for myself,  but will be creating and adding similar designs to my website very soon, I'll most probably do another blog, letting you all have a sneek peak at them.
 
If you would like to see my handmade jewellery and accessories, head over to www.michelleshandcraftedjewellery.com
 
Bye for now.
x

Friday, 16 August 2013

Summer Sale

*SUMMER SALE*

 
I know it's half way through the month of August, but I forgot to mention that I'm having a summer sale in my Etsy shop, oops! The past couple of weeks have been hectic, the twins are off school for the summer holidays and we've had family and friends come to stay with us, for the past couple of weekends. I've also been busy running my Etsy shop and website and dare I say it, planning my new jewellery designs for Christmas.
 
 
If you enter coupon code SUMMERSALE20 at the checkout, you will receive 20% off your order and the sale lasts till the 31st August 2013.
Click on the link to my shop  www.etsy.com/shop/michelleshandcrafted If you've had your eye on something there, now is the time to get it, happy shopping!

Bye for now. x
 
 
 
  

Friday, 2 August 2013

Summer, Summer Time

 

I love the sun and here in England we've been having glorious sunshine, I just don't want it to end. My summer  jewellery usually includes ankle bracelets, which I love wearing with my summer outfits, for me, wearing an ankle bracelet, is just like wearing any other piece of jewellery.

Before I show you the new ones that I have made, I though I'd share with you my homemade body scrub treatment, that I like to use to get my skin in tip top condition for the summer.
When it comes to skin care products, I do try to use natural ingredients, I've been using this mixture for several years now and it always leaves my skin feeling amazing. My body scrub is simply made from extra virgin olive oil and sugar! I pour half a cup of sugar in a small bowl and add one table spoon of extra virgin olive oil, then mix it, then add another till the consistency is not too runny and not too thick.

I apply the scrub after a shower or bath, rubbing it gently into the skin, then rinsing it off and I have to say, it will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth

Ok, after a long introduction, lol,  here is a collage of the new ankle bracelets that I've added to my website, this year, one of which is not shown here, as it was sold within 30 minutes of me listing it on the site, after posting a picture of it on my Twitter account, yay!

 
Summer Ankle Bracelets 2013
 
 
 
 
To get a closer look at them and all my other handmade jewellery, visit my website at www.michelleshandcraftedjewellery.com
 
Enjoy your summer.
 
x