Week 4 of the Craftpimp Blog Ring - featuring Jolene - Kitzbitz Glass

I had a week off last week from the craftpimp blog ring as it was my turn to be blogged about whoop, thank you ladies for all of your lovely words. :o) x

This week I would like to introduce Jolene of Kitzbitz Glass. I have been in awe of Jolene's blog for quite some time, not only is it full of glassy delights but the layout, picture quality and posts are all written so beautifully, it draws you in and makes you want to read more and more.

Jolene is the founder of the craftpimp forum a multi crafting community. Jolene is a very hard working mum of two who creates the most stunning glass beads amongst other things.

 I adore coloured glass I think it one of the most beautiful things you can look at. As a papercrafter though I don't come into contact with it as often as I'd like. Being a member of craftpimp means that I can easily get my regular fix when I look through the amazing galleries on there.

I also regularly visit Jolene's Etsy store for more glassy fixes. Jolene has beautiful beads available in her store, my favourite if I had to pick would be the aquarium beads. When you look at them they are multi layered with so many fabulous little elements to find within them quite extraordinary.

Aquarium bead - deep blue sea

Stunning

Lampwork Glass Bead set - Springtime

Wow just wow look at the colour of these beads.



Etched cobalt blue lampwork bead set



   Jolene isn't just a whizz with glass, she is also known for working with polymer clay, when I first saw this bead set I had no idea what they were made from, I thought they had been painted doh. The art of making polymer canes which are then sliced to make beads etc is a remarkeable thing to watch. It reminds me a bit of how they make rock only much more intricately done.

Tattoo beads scarab disc set

Jolene has another Etsy Store where she sells glass supplies. Again I'm not a glass artist but I sooo wish I was every time I look at the gorgeous colours of twistie canes, frit, murrini and glass shards. Jolene also runs a mini mo club from this store which is :-

A monthly collection of handmade lampwork bead making supplies, beautifully coordinated and packaged and delivered to your door at the beginning of each month (for however many months you've subscribed).

Twistie cane lampwork supplies

 Jolene is very well known for her mojo boxes, they are full of beautiful colour co-ordinated glassy bits for you to play with and if you're mojo is hiding away somewhere (naughty mojo) then all the hard work is already done for you.

Eternal spring mojo box

Jolene also has a jam packed website full of really useful information about the different types off glass used in lampworking. It also has a gallery with more stunning images. You can also connect with Jolene through Facebook .

I hope you enjoyed this post all about the multi talented Jolene, lampworker extrordinaire and friend.

Happy Crafting

Mel :o) xx

Challenge 19 - Jellypark Friends - What's the weather

It's been a beautiful Spring day here which is so appropriate for the new challenge over at Jellypark Friends Challenge as it's "What's the weather?"

We'd like to see any project which may depict the weather in some way.

For my card I went for a lovely summery scene as summer is hopefully not far away now whoopee, the digi is a brand new release over at the Jellypark Store and as I haven't made a digital card for a while I thought I'd make one. The ice-cream van is hand coloured, the sun, clouds, boy with kite, bucket, spade and starfish are all available as scrapbook elements over at the store.

There are 2 new release images available in the store from today so pop on over to the challenge blog to see what our fabulous design team have made with them. I get to have a sneak peak and they are pretty gorgeous :o)

Have a great weekend and Happy Crafting.

Mel :o) xx

entered into
Party time tuesdays - ptt60 - color challenge and or picture

A New Home card

Happy Mother's Day to all the mum's out there.

Just a quick post today as I've just finished my breakfast in bed yipee and now we are off out to a lovely craft place and then for lunch. Wish it was Mother's Day every Sunday, let's face it we deserve it lol :o).

On to the card, it's a good luck in your new home card.

The papers are from a gorgeous spring paper pack I bought (hoping to add to my paper collection today) The image is one from the Willow Designs, Polly Pickleberry cd which I coloured with my promarkers. I made the flower myself and the round sentiment. I'm really loving making my own sentiments at the moment.

See told you it was a quick post, have a great day whatever you are up to.

Happy Crafting

Mel :o)

Challenges entered are:-
Willow sketchie challenge - follow the sketch or use embellishments I used flowers, buttons and ribbon to embellish.

Cardmaking and Papercraft Magazine Feature

A couple of weeks ago I was approached by a journalist who asked whether she could interview me for a feature in Cardmaking and Papercraft Magazine. I sell my cards on Etsy and the article was about making money from your hobby. I did the interview and sent some photos of my cards, anyhoooo as I subscribe to that particular magazine it popped through my letterbox yesterday, whoop how exciting. So if you get the magazine then look out for me and my Jellypark cards.

a snapshot of the page

Happy Crafting

Mel :o) x

Week 2 of the Craft Pimp Blog Ring - introducing Kayleigh

It’s week 2 of the craft pimp blog ring and the featured artist this week is Kayleigh Sexton a.k.a. Dizzy Kitten.

Kayleigh is a 21 year old student who somehow manages to get on with her studies in between utilising her creative talents, now that's dedication for you.

Kayleigh's material of choice is polymer clay. It never ceases to amaze me how detailed and intricate her work is, not to mention her extrordinary eye for colour. Her choices are bold in design and she always makes real statement pieces.

Kayleigh has always loved to make things and one day hopes to own her own physical shop where she will sell her creations. I’m sure that dream will become reality one day, but in the meantime you can buy her wonderful makes via her online store.

A small selection of Kayleigh's Jewellery

 How stunning are these!!!!

Pop to her store for more.

 

Kayleigh also has a range of critters in her store :-

 How gorgeous is this blue frog? I just adore it, possibly my favourite piece :o)

or it could be this lizard :o)

 

Also available in the store are decorated clip frames, this must have been a real labour of love, it's so detailed. Love the red, white and black colour scheme.

 

Here is an amazing bespoke wedding cake topper which Kayleigh made for her school friend, it worked out beautifully. Kayleigh also offers this service over in her store so if you've booked your special day and you want something very personal for your wedding cake then you know where to go. 

Kayleigh also has her own blog and facebook page and you can see more photos of Kayleigh's makes over on flickr.

 

Happy Crafting

Mel :o) x

Challenge 18 over at Jellypark Friends

Whoopee this is my 100th post lol.

Hope you all enjoyed the Jellypark Charity Blog Hop last week, I know I did :o).

It's time for a new Jellypark Challenge and as this month is National Craft Month we want to know what are your favourite craft products/techniques?

I adore buttons, just love them so I have quite a few on my card in various forms and my favourite technique is cutting out with my craft knife. I find it very therapeutic especially with particularly intricate images.

 The digi was a Jellypark freebie for - World Card Making Day so I thought it was appropriate for my DT card it's also available as a freebie over on the challenge blog..

The button border die is new, for my birthday my best friend got me vouchers for Joanna Sheen's online shop - oh I've had so much fun spending them :o).

I picked up a spring themed  6x6 paper stack from Hobbycraft a couple of weeks ago and the papers are so gorgeous I've almost used them all up. This  floral one has lovely glittery flowers.

 

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There are new releases being showcased over in the store and the DT have made some gorgeous cards with them so pop on over for a look.

Don't forget to visit the store if you would like to support "Little Havens" charity, there are currently 3 stunning digi stamps which you can buy and every penny from the sale will go to the charity.

Happy Crafting!

Mel :o)

Challenges entered:-
Moving along with the times - buttons
Craft your passion - 100th challenge - anything goes

Mother's Day Card

I have been colouring this wee stamp image for some time now, I love her so much. I thought she would be the perfect adornment for a Mother's Day Card. The background is from a Serif kit and it works perfectly with her. I haven't embellished this card at all as quite frankly an image as beautiful as this one doesn't need anything else.

I coloured her with my favourite medium, promarkers it takes me around 2 hrs to colour this image. I added some crystal lacquer to the bell and the flowers in her hair and distressed the edges of each card layer.

Happy Crafting :o)
Mel

Challenges I would like to enter are:-
Promarker challenge - week 139 - For a female relative
Craft your passion challenges - 100th challenge - anything goes
Crafts and me challenges - challenge 74 - things with wings
Lollipop crafts - challenge 70 - clean and simple - I made Top 3 :o)

Congratulations Card

My mum asked me if I could make a special card for a newly engaged couple so I looked through my images and thought this one was really gorgeous and appropriate for the occasion.
I went for a Spring feel to my card as  it definately feels a bit warmer, I've even had some washing out on the line :o)

The papers are from First Edition their "Spring Drop" Paper Pad. The paper is glittery but hasn't photographed very well. I coloured the image with my promarkers and added some Crystal lacquer  to the little flowers to give them a sheen. I added pearls to each corner and a "Congratulations" sentiment. Mum loved the card and I hope the recipients did to.

Happy Crafting

Mel :o)
Challenges entered with this card:-
Craft your passion challenges - 100th challenge - anything goes 12/3
Pollycraft challenge blog - challenge 130 - spring has sprung I was thinking spring colours when I designed this card.
Lollipop crafts - challenge 70 - clean and simple (I only added 4 pearls to embellish)
Totally stampalicious - Spring is in the air to me spring is the season for love and what better way to celebrate that than to congratulate someone on their engagement.
Crafting when we can challenges - challenge 13 - animals
Deep ocean challenge - challenge 20 - Spring

Jellypark Blog Hop in aid of Little Havens Charity

Yipee the day is here for the Jellypark Blog Hop. I've never taken part in a hop before but I've visited plenty so hopefully that will stand me in good stead.

This hop is to showcase the charity images which Claire is selling in aid of the Little Havens Charity which is an amazing organisation you can read all about it over at the store. Every penny from the sale of the images goes to the charity. You can also donate directly here on the justgiving page.

If you arrived from Lisa then you're on the right track. If not then pop back to the Jellypark Challenge Blog to start from there.

I used the "thank you" girl image, I adore this one.

You can go and read about Little Havens here.

and buy the stamps from here , or simply donate direct here.

I hope that you're enjoying the hop, your next stop is Ruth.
The hop finishes 8pm Sunday 4th March.

Hoppy Crafting.

Mel :o)

Challenges entered:-
Pixie dust studio ~ challenge 116 ~ buttons