Friday Folksy Finds - A French Fancy

My french fancy, this week's finds, comes about with a current interest in the French court particularly Marie Antoinette and her ladies.  I am giving myself this weekend to make a doll as a court lady, dressed in my attempt at the period.  So, naturally my Folksy finds this week have turned francophile.  It was a really interesting search and it turned up some lovely pieces, from reproduction and restored furniture to lavender soaps and scrubs. Toile de Jouy and french lace was what came to my mind and I found some intriguing examples.  I hope you enjoy.

Planet Event Direct Trimming and Accessories

 Planet Event Direct Trimming and Accessories while being a mouthful have some delightful laces and trims.  This charming lace shown draped of the gold edged porcelain was just so french to me.  I am a real sucker for lace, ribbons and especially buttons, this shop is worth a look, particularly for interesting lace.

By ClaireCaulfield

 Elegant piece from ClaireCaulfield, really evocative of those Parisienne galleries and market spaces.  Beautifully done and very individual.  She had some great prints inspired by Paris, Venice and New York.  Check her out her work is excellent.

By Crafty Crocs Card Shop

Thought these pretty cards were so french, reminiscent of those amazing printed and woven fabrics that dominated fashion in the eighteenth century.  This shop has all sorts of cards and period postcards, wonderful for gifts and as scrapbooking textures.

By Ginger Pickle

Just had to have a french bulldog, there are many to choose from but I liked the sweetness of this little wooden brooch.  Not expensive, Ginger Pickle have unusual pieces that would make wonderful and unique gifts.

By Rags to Bags

There are all kinds of 'toiles' fabric pieces, aprons, sleep masks and cushions but I just love this very elegant peg bag.  Who says the laundry can't be stylish, I also really like the way the piece is displayed - so very french with the rustic chair and basket.  This simple peg bag is so enhanced by its setting.

Have loved looking at this weeks finds, there are so many french inspired pieces to look at. The setting of some of the items I found were very lovely, it is something I need to address - maybe try something other than a simple white backdrop.  I think my problem is that my dolls are so busy, anything but simple becomes cluttered.  Please enjoy looking at this week's finds and visit the shops for more of their wonderful wares.

A Marie Antoinette Moment

 I find myself having a Marie Antoinette moment! It started with the 2006 film adaption of her story staring Kirsten Dunst, which lacks authenticity but has so much style and is very pretty.  The costumes alone make it worth a look and Miss Dunst does a good job.

This led on to rereading Lady Antonia Fraser's wonderful Marie Antoinette: a Journey, which I am thoroughly enjoying and on to this little sweetie.  I am getting a lot of satisfaction from making these little girls and they have gone down quite well.  This tiny person is just four and a half inches from stand to feather and it is lovely to work so small, tiny bows and tiny beads and feathers.  To make her hair I glued a thread to her head, glued a base of tops and then sewed the rest onto the head, getting a fair amount of height.




A Hamster Marie Antoinette

Now I am wandering the internet looking at other cloth Maries and finding some wonderful and interesting interpretations.  I am giving myself this weekend to make a larger doll and have had a good old rummage around to find suitable fabric. I am going for a day dress in period florals, light and frothy. Truly excited and looking forward to further Marie dolls.  Of all the dolls I saw in my searches my favourite find is this crazy, amazing piece by Mythillogical to be found on Etsy. I think a hamster Marie Antoinette, with accompanying strawberry tart and a pink feather is just fabulous and it works so brilliantly. This Marie Moment may lead to Dangerous Liaisons, with Glenn Close this evening so I can soak up more of the atmosphere.  When you start looking, this iconic figure has inspired many artists and makers to make not only dolls but all kinds of interesting takes, worth a peek.  Well, bonsoir from me and I hope you all have a good evening.

Friday Folksy Finds - Fabulous Felt

Have been busy today making witchy felt doll hats for later in the year and have been inspired to see what crafts are available on Folksy using this wonderful process.  Making bread or rolling wet felt are both good for relieving tension when you are feeling heavy, the kneading/rolling process is comforting and repetitive easing stress and providing a useful product.  Their is a lot of felt available on Folksy, some good and some not so good, I have had a trawl around and these are some of my favourites.

By Betty Shek

 Betty Shek is a prolific artist using ready made wool felt to make wonderful, vibrant brooches and badges.  They are all different, all feature embroidery and felt shapes and are beautifully put together and a very good price.  The use of beads and buttons just adds another dimension to them - well worth a look.

By Twee Things

 I think this is anything but twee, it is beautiful.  A wet felted wall hanging using super subtle shades of grey with the shadows in each segment make a deep black centre.  This has something of the sea, maybe thinking of the limpets and whelks that cling to the rocks, it has a real organic feel to it.  Really like this.

By Penny Jane Designs

 This lady makes wonderful wistful scarves, like this one which is nuno felted using wet felt onto an existing soft fabric such as silk.  The felt then adheres to the silk and creates undulating soft folds and tantalising shapes.  The whole thing is less solid than simple wet felt and has a softness to it that is very appealing.  Have a look at her other pieces, she has a lovely use of colour.

By Made with Love

 If you are looking for a wild conversation piece, a brooch or belt or wrap this lady's wet felt will answer that need.  She is so confident in her colour use and form that you can only enjoy the vibrant nature of her pieces.   Her shop is a shocking riot of colour  and well worth a peep.

By Buttercup Boutique

This lady makes very pretty, dainty pieces using ready made wool felt.  The have a delicacy of form that is simply charming.  All her pieces have beads, button, embroidery and touches of ribbon. They come in all kinds of shapes and sizes but I particularly like this barn owl.

Well I have a few days between orders to have a another look at the peg dolls that have been so successful.  I love working so wee, it is a challenge but so rewarding. Hopefully I can share them with everyone later this week.  Keep warm and well on these frosty nights.

Friday Folksy Finds - Sea Glass

I have a thing for stones, I like to put a little piece of stone or crystal into all my cloth dolls. Kind of like a little piece of heart or spirit. I am always on the look out for tiny pieces of rose quartz or turquoise even a tiny piece of stone I find in the river or on a walk. Sea glass is also a favourite, I think it is utterly lovely. A crude piece of broken glass made beautiful by the sea, what more could you ask for.So this week I am finding sea glass, I hope you like them.

By Washed and Found

 If I had a neck these are just the sort of earrings I would like to wear!  I love dangle earrings but cannot wear them they just look silly but these pretty glass and silver pair are so lovely.  I think there is nothing like the softness of sea glass, it is just amazing.

By Helen Smith

 Really like this idea, this delicate mixed media card by Helen Smith is so textural and layered.  I have never seen sea glass used with a card before and it works so well in this lady's hands.  It is more like a tiny piece of art and I would love to receive one.  Have a look at her other cards they are truly unusual.

By Washed and Found

 Again by Washed and Found, they are a real find for the gift that is just that bit different.  This is so pretty, the colours are just wonderful and I really enjoy how this company display their wares, the driftwood and sea glass together are sublime.

By Sunny Crystals

 Very, very tempted by this enchanting little collection but I do try to find my own pieces.  The best place I ever found was on the south west coast of Scotland - a much loved holiday destination.  Galloway is delightful and you find all sorts on the beaches there.

By Washed and Found

This final piece is also by Washed and Found, I have discovered a real favourite here.  All their pieces are so delicate and the colours just blow me away.  The combination of this frosty day and the subtle sea glass are very satisfactory, its like ice held for more than the moment - oh listen to me!  Really enjoyed this collection and I now want to make a doll in these wistful winter hues - most pleasing.

Can I just apologise for the late posting of this Friday find it is almost a Saturday find but had endless problems uploading photos- couldn't do it all day.  If anyone else has experienced the 'resumable' problem the only way I could solve it is was to change my browser to chrome from IE9.  Would be interested in any one else's solution.  Warmest wishes on this winter's night.

Friday Folksy Finds - Vintage

I've gone all vintage this week, we are off to a Vintage Fair this afternoon and I am greatly looking forward to it.  I am always on the look out for buttons, particularly mother of pearl buttons and lace for custom dolls.  I have taken to looking for Polish Wooden Dolls too, the rougher the better.  I've remade one or two and they have come up great so maybe I will put one on the shop.  The ones I buy are usually without clothes and sometimes without hair if they are too neat I can't touch them and just keep them - I now have quite a few!  Any how I digress - please enjoy my vintage collection of finds.

By Retro68

 The only word to describe this is 'groovy'.  In the right place this lamp shade would look great, but it would have to be the right place.  I really love it but would have no where in my home to display it.  I've never been brave enought to do the whole retro thing but I do so enjoy it and collect little bits to satisfy my love of fabric.

By Witty Dawn

 You cannot look on Folksy for vintage and not come across Witty Dawn.  Where she finds all these wonderful fabrics I haven't a clue but she has some gorgeous items all made with seventies fabric.  This little mouse is such a sweetie but she does a whole range of fabrics, characters, cushions and lamp shades.  She is a wonderful source for all things seventies.

By Brighton Beautiful

 Couldn't resist this glowing pattern on this lovely bag by Brighton Beautiful.  It is just so cheery and bright, it would be a pleasure to use.  This is the sort of bag I like when taking oodles of bits and bobs to classes, big and roomy but a pleasure to look at.

By Wychbury Designs

What a wonderful idea, I could see this being really useful as well pretty to look at.  It would save me sticking pins in my mouth when dealing with a particularly difficult seam.  The vintage buttons and fabric make it extra special.

By Witty Dawn

I am so tempted by this cushion, it is just my colours and I love this large seventies print.  Again this is by Witty Dawn but with so many vintage peices to choose from I couldn't have just one could I.  If you are at all interested in fabrics or love that seventies look please take a peak at her shop, it is a veritable treasure trove.

Well I really enjoyed that, I just love anything vintage, I really go for the fifties look of Heal's prints and Lucienne Day.  Hope you find my selection interesting and that it inpires you to take a peak at the vintage world on Folksy.  Have a great week and warmest wishes.

Friday Folksy Finds - Fairy Tale

A Very Happy New Year to all and I hope 2015 is going to be a great year for everyone.  This week I am turning my eye to fairy stories.  I am just about to start a series of fairy tale girls for a shop order and I am very excited about it.  Red riding hood is my very favourite, I just love the styling that goes with the character and all the interpretations that she has inspired.  So here is Red, Goldilocks and Snow White.


By Sarah Young

This neat idea by Sarah Young is a tea towel that you can assemble into the big bad wolf, granny and Red.  It is a really cute idea and she has a whole panoply of designs to choose from, well worth a look.  Red riding hood caught my fancy, I just love the colours and the rather gruesome innerds of the wolf!

By Snapdragon Designs Limited

This is such an interesting idea, three acrylic rings all representing aspects of Snow White.  You have the bitten apple, the dwarves pick axe and the crown.  It is such a subtle idea and a must for all fairy tale fans.  There are other designs, each as idividual and worth taking a peak.

By Kekekaka

I have liked this shop for some time, they make such unusual designs that are ideal as a little gift, even if the gift is to yourself.  They are tiny little printed dolls that come in a printed recycled box complete with a little leaflet about all the mini friends.  If you get hooked there is a wolf to go with Red as well a whole series of attractive brooches and more mini friends.

By Small Stories

I only found this wonderful company when I was looking for inspiration for this post and what a find.  Their brooches are beautiful and so unusual, this little gem is Goldilocks in bed with the three bears peeping at her.  Well finished and presented, just lovely.

By Chasing the Crayon

I cannot resist Chasing the Crayon, all their images and prints are so sublime.  This is a little print and takes a very interesting and quite lovely twist on the story.  I love the details and the texture of the paint is so subtle yet revealing all kinds of details.  The moon on his waistcoat and the wolves on her cloak.  One of my favourites.

Well these are my finds for this week, I hope you enjoy taking a peek.  All the very best for the coming year and warmest wishes.