The fabulous Grey Goat

I just had to post a picture of the wonderful new top I just got through the mail. It's by Grey Goat on Etsy and is just so amazingly gorgeous it's not true.

Why not get one for yourself from her Etsy shop.

I wore it to work today and was the envy of all. It also goes perfectly with my new Harlot shoes posted a few days ago.

Look what I got!!!

My UK Etsy Secret Swap goodie
Originally uploaded by bexybeads

I was the lucky recipient of this awesome handmade bag in the recent UK Etsy Secret Swap. It was made for me by LoveALittle - and I love it a lot.

She tells me that the main fabric has been recycled from a skirt which was washed in Timotei shampoo and a conditioning rinse before being made into the bag. It's definitely worked as this is the softest bag I've ever had. None of this Botox injected snakeskin rubbish!!

The design is made from rag rugged fabric samples which have then been surface embroidered by hand. The handles are sewn on using a gorgeous rainbow thread and add to the glory of this little gem.

I've already paraded it round the local supermarket and out to dinner with friends. Safe to say, I love it and am a very proud owner.

And this is what I swapped for it - which now belong to the very talented TheDominoEffect.

In case you're interested, these little beauties are another example of my Celtic Connections range and have been knotted from dyed leather. The pendant is hung from an antique copper chain to complement the warm tones of the leather.

The earrings and pendant both feature the Turk's Head knot. There are other examples of different styles available to buy in my shop.

Stop and smell the flowers

Crystal flower necklace (detail)
Originally uploaded by bexybeads

This is my latest craft creation, made for the great UK Etsy monthly challenge.

This month's challenge was on the theme of flowers. Closing date is 31st May and already there are some awesome entries.

I'll do a full round up after judging, but meanwhile you can revel in the beauty that is my entry.

Made from swarovski crystal briolettes and bicones plus two absolutely gorgeous spotty heart shaped pottery buttons from Woodlane Crafts in Doune.

Moving up

As those who know me in real life will know, I was recently lucky enough to get a promotion at work. Not only does this mean I get a scarily senior job, it also means that I have inherited a beautiful corner office - with high ceilings, original cornices and immensely huge (and very empty!) walls.

I do have a few small prints from my previous office, but they are seriously lost on the vast swathes of empty wall that I now have.

So this weekend, rather than worry about whether I can actually do the job they've appointed me to, I've entertained myself by picking out some art work that I might just get to hang on the walls of my luscious corner suite!

To set the scene, imagine yourself in the top corner of a late 19th Century house. Original cornice work is still to be seen around the edge of the white ceiling. The walls have been painted a delicate shade of primrose yellow and a (new) blue-green carpet graces the floor. From late morning onwards, sunshine bursts through the large sash windows on two walls of the room. A functional desk sits in one corner, while a pair of brown leather couches are angled to form an informal meeting area. Two large green palms sit in corners of the room.

And to this haven of light and space, I'm thinking about adding some of the following:

Last Light by BudanART.
A Canadian artist, Mandy, based in Pickering, Ontario and working alongside her photographer husband, Steve.

One Tree Hill by LittleArty
A New Zealand based artist with a real passion for her art

Atlantis Underwater CityScape by TheDevilsWallpaper
An artist and writer based in Southampton, UK - and a bona fide Dr to boot!

Darling Garden by WhimsicalNature
A New York based artist currently exploring the use of nature in abstract forms and bold colours

Captive Audience by Pinwheel
A professional and entirely self taught artist born in England, raised in Scotland and currently living in Wales
Always making the wrong choices by Gorjuss
Also known as Scottish painter, Suzanne Woolcott

Secret Prism by Scheri
Boston, Massachusetts based artist who uses art as an escape from the everyday grind (and joy) of child rearing.

Tourmaline by BettyCBowen
A lifelong artist living and working in the town of Cushing, Oklahoma. Betty took the inspiration for this picture from a ring she bought in Italy

I'm sure you'll agree there are some great choices there. Anyone want to give me a helping hand in deciding which one(s) I should choose - feel free to leave me comments to help me decide!

I'm already lucky enough to own this original artwork, Down to the Sea, by MaeveW. Maeve is based in Nottingham, teaches art in school and has been drawing since she was a child. I love this painting because it looks a little bit like the road down to the beach in the village I grew up in.

I have a strong suspicion that this will be making it into my office before too long.



Along with these cute little prints from Bunny , a London based artist and artisan, who as well as producing gorgeous prints, makes the most beautiful to-die-for customised shoes that you have ever seen.











All this amazing art work is available to buy on Etsy - but if you buy the one I want before I do, there'll be trouble!!!

Challenges and opportunities

Let me introduce you to some of the other UK Etsy crafters and what we get up to in our spare time and in the name of craft!

We have been challenging ourselves for the last couple of months to come up with handcrafted items on a theme. Mistress of the suggestions box is the awesome Kezzaroo

She makes a variety of things but in particular some fantastic little 80's TV stars like this one - the dreamy (if you like that kind of thing!) Hoff from Baywatch


Information on our challenges can be found in our Flickr photo pool.

The first challenge coincided with UK Red Nose Day and our challenge was to create 'pants' in our various crafting media. And that's pants in the UK knickers sense, not pants in the US trousers sense. We had lots of entries but the winning one was from Bunny. And here it is - a beautiful print full of knickers!

The next challenge was on Ninjas. Again, lots of entries with the winning one from Kezzaroo. And here it is - a fluffy pink ninja - not something you see everyday!


The third challenge was to create something inspired by a Movie Star. And the winner of that challenge was Memake. And here's her winning entry - a Cary Grant carry bag - truly masterful.


Our next 2 challenge titles are flowers (in May) and fairy tales (in June). So watch out for more inspired creativity from the UK Etsy crafters.

And just for the record, these were my attempts

Red Wire crocheted pants
Red coated copper wire crocheted using a normal crochet hook with beads added to the wire before crocheting and then finished off with a pink satin ribbon cord around the waist. Not to be recommended for wearing - except by people who like scratchy pain and draughts!!


Beadwoven Ninja cuff bracelet
Hundreds and hundreds of tiny tiny seed beads have been woven together in a pattern to pick out the staring eyes of a ninja warrior. Not sure about the ninja's staring eyes, but mine were just about crossed by the time I finished this.


Brangelina copper initial necklace - unisex on a braided leather thong.
Two different coloured pieces of leather thong have been braided or plaited together to make up the necklace part of this jewellery. Then a handshaped letter 'A' was made from copper wire and attached to the necklace.

Not quite as dramatic as a vial of blood but a much more romantic way for Brad to show his love for Angelina.