Brooches and cards! Cards and brooches!!

Brooches on a coat and ............

A Christmas card!

All by yours truly.

Evangeline stars on the Christmas card, and on the back of each card is written "Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house, not a creature was stirring .............. except Evangeline the mouse".

It might seem early to be bringing out these festive things, but some people like to think about cards around this time of year.

And the brooches I made link to the card. The wreath on the card is made of holly leaves and berries all made by me. Some of the leaves and berries are paper mache, some are crocheted, and others are made from old blankets and fabric.

They've been time consuming to make, there are so many stages that go in to the construction of them. All the berries and holly leaves are wired so they can be moved. I've even signed and dated the back of each brooch. Like they're miniature sculptures.

There is a mix of paper mache, fabric, crochet, construction and embroidery in these brooches, like my sculptures, though on a smaller scale.

When it came to the presentation, I hand painted each card, so that they would look nice when the brooch was attached. Lots more work, but so enjoyable!

I didn't make many brooches, though it felt like I'd made hundreds. And some have already sold. I do have a few listed in my etsy shop here, if you care to have a look.

I have put some packs of my Christmas card in on etsy too.

I've been able to put together a pack of ten cards for the same price as my packs of five cards, because they're smaller, and, they all have the same image on them, so it has cost me less to get them printed, and I'm passing on the saving to you.

It had to be Evangeline the mouse on the front of the Christmas card. Here she is, holding a candle holder with a candle in it, and a heart shaped flame, in one paw, and a beautifully gift wrapped present in the other paw. She's sporting her good cheer apron. The cards are all blank inside for your own message.

Phew! This has felt like a mammoth undertaking, making everything for the Christmas card, staging and photographing it, getting it printed, sourcing the envelopes and bags, putting the packs of cards together, and then whilst all this was going on spending hours and hours and hours making the brooches. Then came the photographing of the brooches and card for my etsy shop, and the listing of it all in my etsy shop, a big job. It all looks so small and simple and easy, but it's not. Even so, despite the long hours, it's all been made with lots of love and enjoyment, and that's the key thing really isn't it? Good cheer, good will, and love.

Vanessa xxx

Comments

[Susan]

I've just begun to put my work in Etsy, and I could not believe how long it took just to photograph everything, and to get the words just right, and two weeks on I'm still tweaking things.

And that does not touch on how long it takes to make!

[Annie]

Wow! You have been busy!! The brooches are lovely and the cards are a must have. Especially as Evangeline is my favourite mouse!

[Faith]

These are lovely, both the cards and the brooches.......you've done an amazing job!

[Becky]

GORGEOUS!

[Magic Cochin]

Gosh! you've been a busy girl!

I feel very lazy as I'm in a panic about getting wares ready for my stall at the end of this month EEEK!!!

But your brooches are utterly fab and wonderful - I'm popping over to your Etsy shop right away.

Celia
x

[karen]

Beautiful work, love the brooches, so seasonal. Gosh i need to get cracking with christmas makes :)
Have a lovely day
Karen x

[Pipany]

Gorgeous brooches Vanessa. I know exactly what you mean about the amount of work involved in uploading them onto websites. My least favourite job! x

[Stephanie]

No Vanessa, it doesn't seem easy at all but absolutely GLORIOUS!!! My heart is skipping and jumping and dancing a jig. I love your mixed media approach. Honestly, Vanessa I am in awe. I adore the attention to detail and I congratulate you for bring this project to successful fruition with everything else you have going.

I'm off to Etsy right now. The only two things which would stop me from purchasing right now are first, you have sold out, and second, my new debit card is valid from today but will Paypal slow things donw?

Well done, Vanessa; you are certainly spreading good cheer and joy all the way to France.

[Alessandra]

Your work is great; as usual!!!
xxxx

[Hen]

Fabulous, really fabulous, Vanessa, and I indeed understand just how time consuming all that boring but essential behind-the-scenes work is. Your cards and brooches are very worth it.
Hen x

[Kate]

Lovely stuff Vanessa, and goodness, yes, doesn't it take TIME in huge amounts and patience and persistence-quite apart from your inventiveness and skill and talent- really lovely,lovely stuff!

[Siobhan]

I can quite believe how long everything took! It is all quite magical, Christmassy and lovely. The colours are lovely and I do think Evangeline is the perfect choice to front the cards. I love the different media you have used for the holly brooches and I love the hand painted cards with your signature patterns on.

All the details that are so time consuming are what makes a difference, Sometimes things are photographed so badly on etsy that you just can't see them properly. All the glorious details of your work can all be seen in your pictures, so definitely worth it. I cannot imagine where you found the time for this major project though.

I love that artists can now take control and manage their own ranges like this. The quality of your greeting cards is fabulous. In the shops we get the same old same old, year after year. It is so good that we can now sidestep those unimaginative people! The more independent ranges that get put out there, the more that might change.

[greenrabbitdesigns]

Gorgeous Vanessa, gorgeous (as always).
So much work but worth it, listing on Etsy is a very time consuming thing!
I do love Evangeline. :)
Vivienne x

[Penelope]

I can see what hard work and effort these have been Vanessa but it certainly has paid off and they are all too beautiful. I love love love little Miss Evangeline, she is the mousiest mouse ever xox Thanks for sharing your stunning handmade creations with us, a treat for the eyes!

[Crafted by Carly]

Wow! You HAVE been busy! But all the work was clearly worth it - what AMAZING things (as always). The brooches are gorgeous - so special with all the individual little pieces and different materials. And the cards are cute Cute CUTE!!! :-)
x

[Tessa]

The brooches look amazing all pinned together on the grey coat! Really eye-catching. I can see a lot of work has gone into them. Have just nipped over to Etsy and bought one - as a Christmas present - so thank you, I'm happy to have ticked one present off my list!

[Archie the wonder dog]

The cards and brooches look amazing - well worth all your hard work!

[The Muse of The Day]

I turn into a child at Christmas. Your lovely cards and brooches just jump start me. Carolina

[Frances]

Oh Vanessa, what you've created seemed like a mammoth undertaking, because you are so attentive to all the beautiful details that define your work!

I am very tired tonight, and short of time to properly appreciate what I have just seen on your site, but just wanted to send off a quick comment to say...Wow! You do know that Christmas is all about. xo

[Becky]

I just recieved my parcel and am delighted with the brooch and cards. I am wondering if 2 November is too early to start wearing the brooch, I hope not! Thanks Vanessa. Bx

[Liz in Missouri (with Lucy)]

I'm so happy I waited. I've just put in my order for a set of both cards. Miss Evangeline looks so sweet. You will have to thank her for dressing up in the spirit of the season for her Christmas Card photo session. (We spoke on the phone and she was very excited about it.) She certainly IS the one to spread good cheer with her happy face and personality. The brooches are charming and are sure to brighten up a winter day. Goodness. Are you ready for a cup of tea yet?

[Kentish Keg-Meg]

Beautiful! Lovely cards and brooches.

[Helen]

Such adorable holly brooches and Evangeline cards, Vanessa! You are an amazingly creative talented lady and it's always so lovely to see what delights you conjure up next! I am off to your shop now...hope there are still some left! Have a wonderful weekend.
Helen x

[Barbara]

Oh Vanessa, they are just delightful(cards and brooches)made with oodles of talent and love ... you have made so many people happy with your creations!
take care, put your feet up with some lace knitting perhaps?!
love Barbara x :)

[Jeanne]

Too cute!!! You are so creative!

[jooles]

wow..what a beautiful blog you have :o)
i adore both your brooches and your cards and you have the sweetest little mouse friend.
i am off to have a look in your etsy shop.
love jooles x

[moriko]

dear Vanessa

i was just in time to purchase the last brooch in your shop :) they have obviously been selling like hotcakes!
i've left you a convo over on Etsy

warmest hugs xxx
hope you and your dear doggies are snuggly warm xxx

[moriko]

thank you for visiting dear Vanessa

i think you will enjoy the little animation and i am sure that your two little furry friends will like it very much too :)

[The Curious Cat]

Gosh! I love your work! xxx