Paper Halo Designs

Halloween

2010-10-31T18:00:00.001Z

Happy Halloween! Hope you had a great day whatever you did and got more treats than tricks.

Just wanted to show off what Nick's been up to:

Cath Kidston

2010-10-17T21:28:00.005+01:00

As it was a rare dry and bright Sunday today, me and Nick went for a mooch around Leeds. We both studied there and lived for for a few years after graduating before coming back to Sheffield so we like to go back from time to time and see how things have changed.

Well, one new addition to the city centre which pleased me greatly was the new Cath Kidston shop! I have very split feelings towards Cath Kidston. On the one hand I love everything about it - the patterns, the products, the vintage-ness, but on the other, I kind of think of her as the huge international brand that has taken the credit (and success) for the chintzy handmade movement and the many talented crafters out there who also design their own patterns and make equally, if not more, beautiful products. Hmm, maybe it's just sour grapes though.

I can't be that bitter though because I did end up putting quite a bit of cash into dear Ms Kidston's pockets with the purchase of some pretty fabric and paper.

I also managed to get a few snaps before one of the shop assistants came and told me off, so feast your eyes on this my loves:

Love these crates in their pretty coloured cubbyholes.

Lovely teacups.

Lots of gorgeous vintage furniture.

Yummy fabrics.

Loving this vintage frame wall.

Off to go play with the new fabric now. x

New

2010-10-15T11:32:00.004+01:00

I have finally managed to get some of my new things made, photographed and listed so figured I should document this on here too. Of course, I was a couple of days later than the anticipated "re-launch" date was meant to happen but ah well.

So the new products that I'll be focusing on are a range bags, pouches, pencil cases and that kind of thing. So far I've not made too many but I'm really enjoying making them and getting new fabrics and ideas. It's really great and I'm having a lot of fun.

I'll still be making magnets and accessories, and probably some jewellery here and there so not a total abandonment of old ways.

So, this is what I've been up to:

Ahoy! pencil case - my favourite! I absolutely adore this fabric, and love the lining fabric too. And it has curved bottom corners - just like a boat!!

Pretty flowers pencil case - very girly. I saw this lace trim and had to have it, didn't know what I was going to do with it but it looked lovely with these fabrics so that worked out nicely.

Envelope pouch type thingy. Could be used for a variety of things I suppose but I thought make-up bag was a good idea.

Scotty zip pouch. Cute.

There's more coming, but I hope you like so far!

Off to put the heating on now. x

Changes

2010-10-01T21:49:00.006+01:00

Paper Halo Designs will be going through some changes over the next few weeks. Nothing too exciting, though I'm quite excited by it. Just a slight shift of product.

I've decided that I'm not going to focus on jewellery anymore. Funny, considering I opened a bead shop. It's something that I do enjoy and that I'm sure I'll keep going back to but I think it's time to try something new and different and I'm very excited about it.

Nothing to really tell yet so I'll be back soon with more info and updates, and hopefully some photos!

No pics to post on this one so I'm going to just post some stuff I've been hearting this week:

"Northern Skies" - I am Kloot.

Beautiful photo by LolasRoom.

Looks just like Chowder! By TrafalgarSquare

Pretty shoes from Monsoon.

Yum.

Off to do some work now. x

DK General Store

2010-09-26T21:29:00.005+01:00

Sorry for the lack of postage folks. I've been busy working on stuff for the shop and generally trying to get myself organised, as pledged. I had hoped that I would be posting more regularly but I am trying to spend less time on the computer, where I am distracted by pretty things and end up wasting many an hour that would otherwise be well spent doing other stuff.

Anyway, today I have allowed myself to be distracted so here I am. No real new news from me but I did find this amazing shop recently, DK General Store, on Etsy that sells all sorts of beautiful old stuff. I love old stuff so I'm having a hard time resisting but the fact that the postage from them in the USA to us in the UK is costly is both a good and a bad thing.

Some of my favourites:

Makes me hanker for the next car boot.

Off to see what other beauties catch my eye now. x

Car bootin'

2010-09-14T14:31:00.000+01:00

I am loving the return of car boot season here in the grim north of dear Blighty. And in true spirit, the drizzly and dull August has not put us off one bit. I have been sacrificing my Sunday mornings snuggling in my warm cozy and very comfy bed and have been dragging myself through fields and cars to rummage around other people's junk.

I don't know that I have a particular aim when I head out for these things but I love all things retro and vintage and I especially love all things cheap and recycled. I have been collecting things for the shop and am always on the lookout for pretty vintage things to deck the place out. So here we have lots of nice cups and saucer sets that I've managed to get my mitts on:

And this really awesome Disney annual from 1981 (for 10p!!!!):

Off to make take afternoon tea now. x

Nina, Coco and Bess

2010-09-06T15:29:00.002+01:00

A few newbies to introduce you to:

This is Nina.

Then we have Coco.

And last but not least, Bess.

These all happened in a phase of inspired, motivated, post-pledge activity which is nowhere to be found today so here I am blogging about it instead. Hopefully all I need is an evening of vegging out and crap TV and I'll be back on track tomorrow.

Pledge update: I tidied! The shop is now sporting a clutter-free counter for the first time since its opening back in January. The next step is to tidy the desk and bookcase and area behind it so I can get back to making. I said that I wouldn't make anything until the area was tidy. I don't think it could handle any more stuff as it is.

Anyway, you know where to go for these lovelies if you'd like them. I can't be bothered to link so just go over there (---->) and click on a shop link. :o) Sorry, that's not very pledgey of me is it?!

Off to make a half-arsed attempt at clearing my desk now. x

Penny

2010-08-25T22:07:00.003+01:00

I've got these lovely little buttons in at the shop and have been pondering over a way to use them in my jewellery for a while. They are very playful and cute so I knew I had to use them to make something for lil princesses.

So in the end, I just strung them together and decided not to faff with them too much and here's what we got:

Off to watch According to Jim now. x

A pledge

2010-08-21T23:04:00.004+01:00

It occurs to me that for all my good intentions and list writing, my plans just don't come to fruition. It continues to be a source of frustration and defeatism. I'm one of those people that will write lists and lists, and lists of lists of all the things that I need to do and want to do. I plan for years ahead and if you asked me what I'll be doing on 5 June 2013, I could probably give you a vague idea of what I'd like to be doing then at this point in time. Makes no sense? Didn't think so.

Anyway, it all comes down to the fact that I am a really, really, really bad procrastinator. It's not that I don't intend to do things, I really do, it's just that most of the time...I just can't be bothered, or I can think of way more fun things to be doing. I know, naughty naughty. Now that I'm self-employed and control how I spend my days and what tasks I complete and ignore, I really should be better with myself and exercise some self-control and discipline but nooooooo. If anything, I'm probably worse than ever!

Well no more! Today I pledge to no longer procrastinate. I will no longer write meaningless lists. I will no longer waste time looking at other people's lives and wondering why it is that my life is nothing like it at all. I pledge to be more productive, more efficient, more not tired so much and more betterer than everer.

Anyway, this has been a bit word heavy. And since a picture is worth a thousand words, I will leave you with a picture representation of the life that I aspire to:

Off to write a list of what I need to do now...just joking, off to bed really (much more productive)! x

Little Time Wasters

2010-08-21T22:52:00.003+01:00

I just wanted to tell you about this talented lil lady who I amazingly found in one of Etsy Forum's 5 letter challenges. She's a local gal from Sheffield and she make the most amazing little fimo clay food miniatures. I'm stocking her jewellery at the shop at the moment and they are very popular and received very good responses! Come by Jam Jar Beads one day to have a look at it in person, or go to her Etsy shop to see what other tasty mini treats she has to tempt you!

Off to raid the fridge now. x

Organising my craft space

2010-08-08T11:00:00.004+01:00

I'm not a very tidy person. In fact, I'm a very untidy person. I think it all comes from laziness. I do what's easiest and quickest over what will save me time later. Then later when I need to spend time fixing what I did easily and quickly earlier, I tend not to want to, then it all just builds and builds.

Anyway, in an attempt to inspire me into clearing up and creating some semblance of a workspace, I treated myself to a pretty crafty book all about other people's inspiring workspaces.

I love the jars of cotton and the way the rolls of paper are stored in vases here.

It's always in the last one I look in so these parcel tags to label drawers are a great idea.

Love the colours in these buckets.

I love jam jars. They're a great (and free!) way to store bits and bobs, especially for bits like beads and buttons. If you've ever been to Jam Jar Beads, you'll see that I've made great use of this, in fact, that's what the shop was named after.

Off to tidy now. x

Craft Candy mini fair - Saturday 14 August

2010-08-02T22:02:00.005+01:00

Yay, this will be Paper Halo's first outing at a fair! A friend of mine is organising Craft Candy's monthly mini fairs which happen at Bungalows & Bears on Division Street in Sheffield. It's a very cool bar which does the best mac & cheese! I will be amongst 8 other crafty talents showcasing, and hopefully selling, their wares to the good people of Sheffield, and of course welcome visitors too!

Hopefully it'll be a nice day so the doors will all be opened up and I can enjoy a nice cold glass of cider in a pretty summer dress that never gets the proper use that it so deserves.

So if you're around, please come show your support to the local indie crafters who have poured their hearts and souls into producing some beautiful and unique things, just for you.

Off to make some stock now. x

Chowder's fault

2010-07-23T11:33:00.001+01:00

I'm finally back online now that our new laptop charger has arrived. We were forced to buy a new one after the old one finally died after Chowder got to it and started chewing her way through it. We also found out she has done the same to Nick's Wii and DS cables so she's not in the good books at the moment.

So now that we're back online, we once again have lots to catch up on. Since I've had lots of time to not surf, I've been making lots of stuff instead.

First we have the Davina bracelet. I bought this lovely brass keyhole and thought it'd be a beautiful focal point in a piece of jewellery. So here it is with wood, freshwater pearl and opal aqua glass beads.

Then we have the Molly bracelet for lil princesses.

It's a selection of different beads in lovely bright rainbow colours.

This is the Leah necklace in pastels. Beautiful glass, wood and filigree beads
wire wrapped on a gold filled chain.

Leah again, this time in clears, lilacs and a striking black and pink lampwork bead.
All wire wrapped to a sterling chain.

And lastly, Frida earrings. Amethyst chips and aqua chalcedony quartz
wire wrapped to sterling silver hooks.

So, blah blah blah: Paper Halo, Folksy, Coriandr, Etsy & Dawanda.

Off to make a cuppa now. x

Blog neglect catch up

2010-07-07T11:44:00.000+01:00

Apologies for the blog neglect. I've been moving things around between home and shop this week and it's meant that many jobs couldn't be completed because things were in other locations. Today I have finally managed to get the camera and the cable and the laptop in the same place at the same time so we have some catching up to do.

First there's my first accessory! The Darcy kilt pin brooch. Again, predictably, in some soft romantic shades of ivory, grey and pink.

Loads of different types of beads including glass pearls, crackled glass beads, silver plated filigree and Czech fire-polished glass, all attached to a kilt pin with silver plated pins. Together they create a really pretty little cluster of beads and the brooch looks so lovely on.

Then there are the Audrey earrings:

These are silver foil lined glass and crackled glass beads with a gold plated Swarovski rhinestone rondelle, on gold filled hooks.

Then the Esme earrings:

Wood, glass and gold plated filigree wire wrapped to gold filled hooks.

And finally the Sadie earrings:

Nice and simple, these are faceted aqua quartz briolettes wrapped in gold filled wire and hung off gold filled hooks.

So I've been a busy bee. It's been getting quieter at the shop in the past week or so, maybe people are going off on their jollies? But I'm using the time to get some Paper Halo things made and am really enjoying it.

Anyway, all the above are available in the usual shops: Paper Halo, Etsy, Dawanda and Folksy. And now also Coriandr!

Off to eat cake now. x

Heart magnets

2010-06-28T10:53:00.001+01:00

Did I ever mention how much I love love love stationery? Well I do, I adore the stuff, and I want to fill my house with cute and totally not practical stationery, not because I need it or want to use it or because it serves a purpose, just because it looks so darn pretty.

So, one step further to my appreciation of the world of stationery, I thought I would actually contribute to it too. So I have introduced a new stationery section to the Paper Halo brand, and to kick things off we have the Hearts magnets:

I really enjoyed making them and have loads of ideas for new designs. Hopefully it's the start of something big, but for now these are available on Etsy, Folksy, Dawanda, Paper Halo and now Coriandr!

Off to weigh out semi-precious gemstone chips now. x

Coriandr

2010-06-27T22:32:00.006+01:00

I'm just in the process of opening (yet another) online shop for Paper Halo. It's on Coriandr, which I first heard about a while ago but never got round to investigating. It's not as big as Folksy but I love the layout and listing process and I figure it's another way to get my things out there and seen (and hopefully bought) so why not. Plus they have a little brown bunny as their logo/mascot so how could I resist?! Or at least that's what I think it is...

Anyway, go check it out sometime:

Off to list some items now. x

Strawberry love

2010-06-21T17:02:00.006+01:00

Now that Wimbledon has officially kicked off and the weather is finally starting to warm, my mind starts drifting to strawberries. I'm a lover of all things strawberry: picking, jam, eton mess, shortcake. It always conjures images of sunny days spent lounging around in the sun in the park. Or sneakily eating a punnet (or two) of strawberries at the field before going to pay for them... naughty naughty!

Anyway, take a look at these yummy strawberry edibles I found on Etsy:

This beauty is from The Tiny Kitchen

These strawberry cupcakes are from The Groovy Baker

Butterball cookies by Zugarhaus

Unfortunately, all these sellers are across the pond and won't deliver to us here in the UK :_(

But fret not! My dear friend Lucy has opened her very own bakery, Apple Tree Bakery, and she makes the yummiest things. She doesn't live in Sheffield any more now but when she did she used to come in all the time and bring in lots of home baked goodies for me. Probably best she moved away....

Please go and have a look at her website or become a fan (or like or whatever it is these days) her facebook page.

Off to cut up felt now. x

Paloma

2010-06-20T19:16:00.001+01:00

These are soooo cute! Tiny silver plated nests with three freshwater pearl "eggs". Finished with sterling silver earring hooks. I really enjoyed making them and will hopefully be playing around with some more different coloured eggs in the future so keep checking the shops, or just get in touch if you want to request a particular colour!

Off to feed Chowder her din dins now. x

Eden, Brooke and Bonnie

2010-06-17T11:23:00.001+01:00

A few newbies to introduce you to.

Eden - raw brass leaf connector charm with cracked glass beads, Swarovski crystal and gold plated filigree all wrapped in gold filled wire:

Brooke - aqua quartz faceted briolette and chips with sterling silver chain and white gold plated textured leaf charms:

Bonnie - amazonite chips wire wrapped on fine silver pins with a pretty white gold plated swirly charm connector. Finished with fine silver hooks:

Last week I forgot to take the laptop charger with me to the shop and after the battery ran out I wasn't able to do the usual surfing for inspiration and ideas and getting all depressed about how everyone else is so productive and talented and the lovely houses on sale that I will never ever buy. I had nothing to do but to do stuff that I'd been putting off. So I tidied up and knocked out about 4 pieces of jewellery in an afternoon.

Since then I've been charging up the laptop the night before and not bringing in the charger so it stops me from procrastinating so much and actually getting stuff done.

Anyway, these are on the usual online shops: Etsy, Dawanda and Folksy, and now on Paper Halo's very own website too!

Off to get on with some surfing before the 67% of battery left runs out. x

Whoop - off the mark!

2010-06-16T11:05:00.005+01:00

Yesterday I got my first three hearts on Etsy, which I know isn't much at all because there are people with thousands and thousands, but it is me now off the mark so hopefully it will continue to grow.

Off to package up earring hooks now. x

Warm fuzzy photography

2010-06-15T10:06:00.000+01:00

I'm on the hunt for some pretty photos to decorate the walls at Jam Jar Beads and wanted some nice romantic images with warm fuzzy edges (if you get what I mean). I've been following a few photographers on Etsy who I feel get the warm fuzziness just right.

Alicia Bock:

"Swimming at the grand"

"Jubilant"

Susannah Tucker:

"Rainbow swings"

"Apples"

Irene Suchocki:

"Looking for love"

"1000 lanterns"

Yvette Inufio:

"Moments"

"Able to love"

Just beautiful. See what I mean by the warm and fuzzy thing yet?

Off to hunt eBay for some cheap frames now. x

Lola

2010-06-13T17:34:00.001+01:00

These pretty brass feather charms were part of a recent online shopping spree and they were so pretty I had to use them up straightaway. So here they are with a deep purple Swarovski crystal, ivory freshwater pearl and a silver foil lined teal glass bead:

But I wondered whether maybe these rich colours were a bit more autumnal (I like that word) or wintery so I decided to make another pair in a fruity pink Swarovski crystal, salmon coloured freshwater pearl and a silver foil lined glass bead in sugary lilac:

For now I'll only be making 2 pairs of each of these. May make more later but I don't have any more charms at the mo.

As usual, they will be available on Etsy, Folksy and Dawanda. And now also available at Paper Halo Designs online!

Off to unload the dishwasher now. x

Brand spanking new website!

2010-06-11T20:38:00.001+01:00

Yay! The lovely and talented Pan of Applebox Designs has been working hard on my new website and we have finally set it live today! There's not a whole lot of stuff in the shop at the moment, but hopefully it will continue to grow so please check back often.

I love what she's done with it and I feel bad that I'm not able to put more stuff on there just so there's more to it, but one day at a time. Anyway, please go and have a nosey around and let me know what you think: www.paperhalodesigns.co.uk

No pics in this post so here is a pic of a yummy cupcake from my friend Lucy's bakery, Appletree Bakery:

Off to make some stock for the website now. x

Tethys

2010-06-09T12:13:00.001+01:00

Another excuse for me to use of one of my favouritest things in the world: seaglass. Keeping with the nautical theme the necklace has a ships wheel and anchor charm and small ivory freshwater pearls wrapped in sterling silver wire.

I hope you like. Available in £ounds, US dollar$ or €uro!

Off to eat my sammich now. x

Juliette

2010-06-05T14:43:00.001+01:00

Sorry, another quiet week. This time because I lost the cable that connects my camera and my laptop so my photos were destined to be imprisoned in my camera forever and ever and ever. And then I lifted up a pile of magazines and there was the cable! So we're back on track apart from some catching up to do.

So first we have a pretty pretty bracelet in pretty pretty colours, all happened serendipitously really when I had lots of beads to put away in the shop and these were the last lot of beads at the bottom of the bowl. I thought the colours were so lovely together so I kept them to one side until inspiration hit. And the Juliette is what happened when it did.

It's made up of lots of different materials - freshwater pearl, Swarovski crystal, silver plated filigree, wood, rose quartz and Czech fire polished glass - all twisted together. Lovely soft colours offset by the darker wooden beads. Finished with simple sterling silver toggle clasp.

I'll be putting it on the online shops: Etsy, Folksy, Dawanda. I hope you like.

Off to have some lunch now. x

Chowder bum

2010-05-28T15:37:00.002+01:00

Sorry I've been a bit quiet this week. I've been spending a lot of time with Chowder, our little Netherland Dwarf house bunny. It occurs to me that I've not introduced you to Chowder on here. She's also known as Chowdie, Chowder bum or just bum bum. She has a big bottom, with a cute white fluffy tail.

Anyway, she went in to get spayed on Tuesday and she was in a bad state up until Wednesday afternoon. She also had the added trauma of being wee'd on by a tomcat at the vets after her operation so they had to give her a bath. When she got home she just sat under the table and refused to eat and every time I stroked her she would shiver, which was probably down to her being wet and cold from the bath. She also stinks now.

She still wasn't eating on Wednesday morning and if a rabbit doesn't eat for 24 hours it can become life threatening so I was getting really upset and felt so guilty for putting her through it all. Thankfully she did eventually start eating some paper and by that night she was back on carrots and pellets.

So I've been the doting "mum" this week and spending lots of time with her and feeding her her favourite foods. She's much happier now and is hopping around and licking our faces again :o)

Here she is digging into the Sky remote, one of her favourite snacks:Falling asleep on Nick:
Sniffing around my feet:
Asleep on her bean bag in the sun:
OK that's enough bunny pictures me thinks.

Off to count some beads now. x

Silverstone

2010-05-23T23:02:00.008+01:00

Today was a gorgeous day, so if I had to pick a day to go watch Nick drive around a racetrack in an F1 car (are they still called cars?), today would be a good one. It's been a beautiful week, weather wise, and I thought that sod's law would mean that today, on my one day off of the week, it would have to be raining but yay, it held off and is apparently due later this week.

So, like I said, Nick got an F1 driving experience for Christmas so we headed down to Silverstone today. As someone who is not remotely interested in cars or racing or any of that kind of thing, it was a bit boring to me, but I still really enjoyed the glorious sunshine and conveniently located ice cream van.

As it turns out, Silverstone Village is a beautiful little place full of old stone cottages and then quite a few newer buildings made to look like old stone cottages. But it all looked lovely.

And there was not a cloud in sight, apart from this one:

And some pictures of the cars:

and Nick in one of them:

He had a great time driving round and round at high speed and I had a lovely time sitting around in the sun.

Off to beddy byes now. x

Ariel

2010-05-21T22:29:00.001+01:00

These were actually the first design that started this romantic, feminine style that I like so much at the moment. It was about 2 years ago when I was trading under the name "mazama", which didn't last long and was followed by "mymiyel"...I wonder how long Paper Halo will last...

As you can see they feature my favourite colour combination - pale pink, light aqua and ivory. The earrings are made from seaglass picked from a beach in Hong Kong, salmon coloured freshwater pearls and natural shell daggers. Everything else is either sterling or fine silver.

I hope you like them. They'll be appearing on Etsy, Folksy and Dawanda in the coming days.

Off to write some to do lists now. x

Workspace

2010-05-19T20:49:00.010+01:00

I must admit it's lovely to be making things again after a 6 month or longer break. It's nice to be blogging about things that I do now instead of constantly working on things for the shop and not really feeling like I'm getting anywhere. Maybe the blog has made my daily productivity, although small, feel more tangible. Even since the re-making started about a week or so again I've been feeling generally more positive and optimistic about things, and I really need that because a lot of the time I just feel exhausted and overwhelmed.

So, the next step now that I'm making again is to create a inspiration space in which to make. At the shop I'm lucky enough to have an area for an office and a separate area for a studio/workspace. Nick wants to make the studio into his games room...maybe I'll give him a games corner. But I think, given my track record, it would be a good idea for me to have a place where I did paperwork and "official business" and another place where I could bead and cut and sew and not have to tidy up afterwards or have to balance the laptop on top of bags of beads and pliers. So I'm going to go ahead and keep the two things separate.

Anyway, enough words. I've been looking for some ideas and inspiration and have found these beauties:

Tamar of Nest Decorating's corner workspace.
Tamar has a beautiful home in the Vermont countryside. One of those blogs that makes you sigh and say "wouldn't it be nice?"

These are from Yvestown's beautiful blog.
She also has a stunning home. I'd love if my shelves and/or desk would look anything like this. I might have to post a pic of what kind of conditions I usually work in.

I found this wall hanging boot rack on NotontheHighStreet.
Except I'd probably use them to hang chains and wires rather than wellies.

These are from the dotcomgiftshop.
I feel that they're a must have to help me stay vaguely organised and tidy.

Off to smash the piggy bank now. x

Pretty gift boxing

2010-05-16T14:27:00.001+01:00

I'm still having way too much fun and spending way too much time playing around with branding and packaging options! The next project was the gift boxes. I'm really miffed that here in the UK we have a postal system that charges according to the size of what you're sending. This had always made me preferential to keeping packaging minimal and as flat as possible but you know what?! I like gift boxes and I want Paper Halo pretties to travel comfortably and arrive in style so I'm gonna do it!

I had so many different ideas for the boxes but I'm leaning towards this one:

What d'ya think? I had to really fight the urge to somehow incorporate ribbon into it because I do love me ribbons but I'm trying to stick to less is more for this.

Off to make s'more now. x

Rhian

2010-05-14T20:45:00.001+01:00

I got these brass swallow charms a while ago now and thought the colour would look lovely with some rich opulent type colours so, going once again towards me favourite greeny blues, I paired them with some beautiful deep teal glass beads and some ivory freshwater pearls and wire wrapped them to some gold filled earring hooks.

They're quite simple, but I like them that way. And the way the swallow dangles from the bottom gives it so much movement, just like birds should have! I've only made this pair for now. Am going to try and make some more in other colours. I'm sure I'll keep you posted though.

Available on Etsy, Folksy and Dawanda, of course.

Off to do some ironing now. x

Calla

2010-05-10T23:01:00.004+01:00

I just love the way light blue, ivory and gold go together so here they are together! An ivory freshwater pearl, faceted aqua quartz and gold plated filigree bead on a gold filled earring hoop. I love the delicate and intricate filigree bead and don't think it needs too much around it to distract from it so I kept the earrings quite simple. I hope you like.

I think I'll only be making 3 of these. So if you want a pair, make sure you hurry to Folksy, Etsy or Dawanda!

Off to get ready for bed now. x

Pelagia

2010-05-07T10:17:00.003+01:00

This is one of my favouritests! I'm a real blue girl and can't help but be drawn to the beautiful aqua shades of amazonite. So here it is together with ivory freshwater pearls and a pretty little silver branch charm. I finished it off with a Swarovski crystal and salmon pearl and a lovely silver plated rose bead.

So it's available in all my online shops: Etsy for $, Folksy for £ and Dawanda for €. I'm only making two or four of these (not quite decided yet...) so don't miss out!

Off to make up some bead mix boxes now. x

May Day continental market

2010-05-03T17:04:00.010+01:00

The continental market was back in town this weekend for the May Day holiday. It comes a few times a year and is always a happy event in my calendar - mainly because there are loads of food stalls from all over Europe. On the day I usually don't eat and then go and pig out on the various offerings. I usually then come home with tubs of olives, anchovies and several types of cheese.

Stalls along our main shopping street, Fargate:

The plant stall and some sunshine!:

Love the colours on the pick & mix stall:

Today's pick - Potatoes Provencal & garlic mushrooms (they were yummers):

And here's a pic of our beautiful Town Hall:

Ah continental market day, until next time...

Off to have a nap now. x

Hello and welcome!

2010-05-01T11:55:00.001+01:00

Hello out there. It's Yvonne here starting afresh with Paper Halo Designs. I'm hoping this blog will be a place for me to track my creative adventures and discoveries and tell you of any exciting news.

I spend my days in my little bead shop, Jam Jar Beads, surrounded by lots of colour and pretty things. I try to make things when I can, sometimes it's a bit busy and I can't but I'm always thinking about it.

It's all still early days at the mo so there's not actually anything to really blog about...but I can show you these little sneaky peeks of some bits and pieces I've been working on with the help of my mum's old Silver-Reed typewriter:

Strange to use a typewriter when you're so used to typing on a computer. Several minor injuries sustained from getting my fingers stuck in between the keys but it will (hopefully) be totally worth it. Don't worry, I will be revealing all soon enough...

Off to make a cuppa tea now. x