Brooches, tags, cards, and busy life.

Gosh! Where do I start?!

I know.

With a big thank you, that's a good place to start.

Thank you so much for all your lovely comments on my last post, they are appreciated ENORMOUSLY, really, really, they are. Hugely gigantically appreciated, thank you so much.

And next, I wanted to do my usual blog post last Friday, but I had to just keep my head down and carry on stoically with the commission I was working on, the deadline was Monday, (yesterday), and it was a race against time. I'll show you that piece another time.

Now that's done, I can breath more easily, it feels quite luxurious, to breath a little more easily, I suddenly have the misguided notion that I have all the time in the world. I don't have all the time in the world, but it feels like it compared to last week.

Before we went away on our weekend break a week or so ago (which I still haven't talked about because other things have got in the way), I made these three broches above, to commission. I love making these brooches. They're time consuming, but ever so satisfying to create. And sort of more-ish. I've started making another brooch, and that might be followed by different kinds of brooches, but I'm not sure yet. That's probably me just thinking aloud.

I've been putting a few things in my etsy shop today.

Some more brooches, different to the holly and berry brooches.

These are all crocheted, all different to each other, and all presented on hand painted cards.

And talking about cards, I've listed some tags in my shop too.

They are just adorable!

A set of five Christmas tags, to go with the Christmas cards I'm selling (I've just listed a pack of five Christmas cards too, as well as the pack of ten Christmas cards I already have for sale in my shop). There are only six sets of the Christmas tags available, so not many.

And a small number of sets of five tags to go with the greetings cards I also sell in my shop.

I've had a few people asking if I would sell tags, because when they've received something they've bought from me, they've loved the tag I send with the parcel. So I've got a small number printed, just to see how it goes really.

There is something lovely about these tags, just tiny versions of the images on the greetings cards. There's something very wonderful and covetable about their small size. They're like teeny weeny postcards.

I had a fun old time punching the holes, then puncing in the eyelets on each tag, then putting the string through! Still, I like little touches like this, I feel it makes them a little more special, especially having an eyelet rather than a plain hole to thread the string through. I love detail.

I should have put this blog post up a few weeks ago, but you know how it is, other things got in the way, so I thought I should put it up pronto, before it's too late and Christmas has passed.

Is there something I've left out? I can't think. No. I think that's it for today.

Oh yes, my etsy shop link is here (!)

Righty-ho, I'd better be off, things to do, things to make, doggies to cuddle, and tea to drink.

Cheerio!

Vanessa xxx

Comments

[Magic Cochin]

I love my holly brooch :-) when I wear it I can feel how much careful work went into it... I'm going to wear it when I go to London to the Grayson Perry exhibition - I think he'd like it, don't you?

Those new brooches look like Hellebores :-)

Celia
x

[Bonnie]

Those brooches are stunning! I love them.

[Kate]

Great stuff! Best not to think how little time is left and how fast it will go-I'm trying very hard not to get my knickers in a twist....

[Liz in Missouri (with Lucy)]

I love the brooches - they are so pretty and the detail, of course, is wonderful.
The tags? Of course they will sell. In fact, one set of each JUST SOLD! LOL Love them. I'm always impressed with your talent and energy, and you know I adore Evangeline - so I'm really happy to see her wherever she turns up with her friends!

[Stephanie]

I totally get the 'I feel as if I have breathing space although I don't really' sensation. Relish it, dear Vanessa!

Well, Lady Fortune is clearly shining down on me (this you will see on my blog if/when you have the time) and NOW you have put your precious gift tags on sale. I am making a pearly grey sock yarn sweater for a special little boy who has arrived all the way from China into my French cousin's home after SEVEN years of waiting. I SO wanted a replica of the rabbit/hare tag you sent with your Christmas cards and NOW I can hop over to Etsy and purchase one!

It doesn't get much better, does it?

[Annie]

More gorgeousness!!! And all in your colourful inimitable style. It's a positive treasure trove in here tonight :D

Happy dachshund hugging x

[greenrabbitdesigns]

Beautiful work as always Vanessa! :)
Vivienne x

[Archie the wonder dog]

I love the brooches and have the wanties for some of your tags! Oh, and it's probably quite tragic to admit it but I love the stripy string!

[Kathleen]

Can't believe the brooches are gone already. Actually I can believe it. They are beautiful. I'll have to be faster next time. Congratulations on your well deserved sales Vanessa:-) And Happy Christmas to you and yours.

[Teresa Kasner]

Hi Vanessa.. you seem full of the Christmas spirit and excited about your work.. I love that. I'm off to see if there is anything left in your Etsy shop.... :-)
((hugs)), Teresa :-)

[Alessandra]

Love everithing in this post!!!!
you are really creative!
xxx Alessandra

[Jenni at Baa-me Kniits]

Beautiful Vanessa, and I adore those little gift tags! I also saw your commission for the Queen of Tea Cosies.....he is fabulous, and very covet-able :-)

[Carol]

Beautiful work, as always, Vanessa.
Such orginality but such variety too.
Carol xx

[Helen]

Wow...I so enjoyed this colourful and exciting post with your new makes, Vanessa! I love wearing my holly brooch and it's interesting to see the variations you create so beautifully. And the corsages are extremely yummy!!
Have a happy evening.
Helen x

[Lynne]

Ohhh... yes, those tags are a delight. But then all your work is.

[Heather L.]

I'm being driven mad by your holly brooches! I just love them!!! Oh, I found one of your books in the library this week so I was excited to check it out! Somehow I missed the book illustration part of your life until my sister clued me in just recently.

[Faeryfay]

My, you have been busy! Just gorgeous! All of them!

[harmony and rosie]

Absolutely stunning, Vanessa. Truly beautiful work.
Have a lovely day
Kate x

[Planet Penny]

I still have the Thank you card you sent me as an ornament on the mantlepiece so I think the gift cards are a great idea! I keep thinking I've got breathing space and then something else comes along and bites me on the bum! (and it's not Higgins!
lots of love,
Penny xxx

[Crafted by Carly]

What an absolutely gorgeous post! I was smiling and "aaah"-ing all the way, scrolling down the page. Those little flower brooches are adorable, and the tags are cute, cute, cute!!!
Clever you, Vanessa!!! :-)
Carly
x

[lori]

dear vanessa, i see your stunning broachs have all sold out! yea and well done. it's just as well right now as i am afraid i would go broke with wanting to collect one of everything you make. (maybe if i get a little christmas money...)
:)

i do love detail too and can appreciate every little bit of wonderfulness you do. love the eyelets and that stripy string, and those cards!! :)

[Wire Brooch]

Your knit brooches are delightful. I like all the patterns I saw.