........................but how could I resist when tempted with scraps of sari silk? What am I going to do with it? Who cares! Anyway, my latest parcel from Jewellery Maker arrived a few days ago (and, I have to admit, containing not only the silk, but even more gemstones - more later). The sari silk was in long, narrow lengths, one length sewn to the next, then twisted tightly, ending up like a tight ball of colour - not that easy to untwist either. At first it looked a bit of a mess and rather disappointing, but as I was about to do my ironing, I decided to ignore the bedding and t-shirts, and to start on the silk. It's a pity I didn't think of taking a photo of the bundle before I started to iron, but in a sort of OCD way I began by picking out one colour at a time, separating each strip from its adjoining one by cutting out the join (well, I hadn't the time to unpick them all). Just look how beautiful it all looked, once ironed flat.
Along with the narrow strips I had ordered some similar scraps, which are a little wider and in both parcels there were a few patterned scraps. On the Jewellery Maker channel there were a few suggestions as to how to use the scraps, such as kumihimo, macrame etc, and for making rosette type flowers, perhaps with added gemstones, for fascinators, and even for decorating cushions, t-shirts etc. I'm afraid I'm easily tempted by beautiful crafting materials and these silks, particularly as they are so colourful will, with a little imagination, inspire me to make something beautiful - and different.
So, along with the silks came more gemstones, including jasper ovals, red tigers eye and serpentine flowers in some lovely, autumnal shades.
I've been enjoying using the wire twister producing the two gold plated wire bracelets, one with turquoise and the other with shell pearls, which can be moved up, down or central as shown.
Here are a few friendship bracelets, the small photo showing two of satin cord made with a knotting technique, and the central hemp cord, using the kumihimo plate. The lower bracelet was my first attempt using the knotting method, the upper one I used more knots between each cross -over. I'm quite pleased with the results and am thinking of having a go with some of the sari silk. I'm thinking that the frayed edges will add a certain something (hopefully, good) to the finished item. To end, and to admit that I did have an earlier order of shell stars and crosses, here are some shell earrings. The small shells are white and the larger ones a lovely creamy colour.
