Small Project Challenge- Lining Vintage Suitcases!

For my Small Project Challenge in May I spent a really fun morning lining two vintage suitcases to use to display my jewellery at craft fairs! If you're a new reader, find out about the Small Project Challenge here- it's one way I'm working towards my goal of being more organised this year!

Quite some time ago I decopatched these display stands, but I felt that it was time for a new look (it's funny how our ideas evolve). Having used a vintage suitcase as a prop for a jewellery photoshoot, I have had this idea in mind for some time, so it was the perfect project as part of the Small Project Challenge!

I bought the suitcases on ebay- they are a bit battered in places but I think this adds to the vintage look! I find it fascinating to think of the stories these cases could tell- who they might have belonged to and the places they have been

I picked up this remnant of vintage style fabric that I thought would make a pretty backdrop for display

I cut a piece of fabric for each side and set to work gluing them into the case, over the top of the existing paper lining, letting the edges overlap to trim when dry. I used an all purpose strong craft glue for one of the cases and when this ran out I used PVA for the other case- both worked equally as well

I allowed the glue to dry completely and then trimmed away the excess fabric, before attaching grosgrain ribbon around the top of the case to hide the raw fabric edges. I started off using my glue gun to attach the ribbon, but I didn't think this was giving a neat enough finish, so I changed to using double sided tape

My cases had their first outing at The Warner Textile Archive Textile Fair last weekend and I was pleased to receive many complements on the cases!

I lined the whole of the case to give me more display options but I also made a fabric covered cardboard "shelf" to give some height to the display. I used pegs and bakers twine to hang some brooches on the lids of the cases

I'm so pleased with the look of the revamped cases and also to have given these vintage pieces a new lease of life!

On Instagram in August

I can't believe we've reached the end of another month and it's time to share with you some Instagram photos from August. I have mixed feelings at this time of year- I'm sad that Summer is coming to an end, but looking forward to all that Autumn brings. I'm planning a Hot Chocolate themed post at the moment, hopefully that'll set the mood for Autumn! Until then, here's a few things I got up to in August as told through Instagram...

I was really lucky to visit The Cornershop in Bethnal Green, which is a full sized cornershop filled entirely with groceries handmade in felt! Find out more in my blog post. It was quite amazing, so clever and such a lot of work. My friends and I made a day of it, visiting Spitalfields, where this bottle top mosaic man caught my eye. I always save bottle tops as one day I'd like to make something with them, I'm told it's strange but I think they're too nice to throw away! We visited Colombia road flower market too, which is just round the corner from The Cornershop. I'd never been there before but I loved the bustling market atmosphere

August has been a month for hunting for vintage treasures. Last month, having followed the Channel 4 programme This Old Thing, where presenter Dawn O'Porter encouraged viewers to forgo the mass produced high street buys in favour of original vintage finds, I made a rule for myself that I wouldn't buy anymore brand new clothes for the rest of the year ( blog post on this coming soon) and instead I would seek out more vintage finds. So this month I bought this great vintage top from a vintage shop in Brick Lane and (applying my new rule to home ware shopping too!) also a mirror with a pretty metal frame that I'm probably going to spray paint.

I love love love A Beautiful Mess blog, written by sisters Elsie and Emma and this recipe for Peaches, Whisky and Ice Cream Float cocktails can be found on their blog here. They were yummy! Do check out their blog if you haven't before, it's the ultimate go-to blog place for handmade lifestyle inspiration

On a very Autumnal feeling August day, a good friend and I climbed the 52 metres onto the roof of the o2! There are great panoramic views up there and it was something fun and different to try, I'd definitely recommend it! 

I'm currently running a giveaway on Instagram to win one of my handmade knitted brooches. If you'd like to enter, head on over to my Instagram page to find out more!

I hope you've all had a good August, what did you get up to?

The London Vintage Wedding Fayre

On Sunday my Mum and I took the train to London to visit York Hall in Bethnal Green, which was playing host to the London Vintage Wedding Fayre for the day. I had been really looking forward to Sunday to get inspired with wedding ideas and I wasn't disappointed!

All aspects of the wedding were catered for, from the wedding dress, bridesmaids dresses, cake, photography, flowers, accessories, hair and make up and entertainment. Basically a dream for anyone looking to have a more quirky and individual wedding! All the stall holders my Mum and I chatted to were super friendly took and took the time to chat to us about wedding themes and ideas. I just wanted to share a few of my favourites from the day...

                                                                                                                  

These handmade, vintage inspired dresses by Ears and Whiskers were absolutely beautiful and are custom made to fit each bride. Completely in love with the dress in the foreground!

Hand crafted veils, embellished belts and garters and head pieces from With Love From Bobbin caught my eye

Another dress I fell in love with! This vintage wedding dress from Story of My Dress really tempted me and the ladies were so friendly and helpful, I'll definitely be keeping them in mind. They are opening a bridal boutique in Kent in September so I'll definitely be going along!

I was struck by this beautiful display by Rosie Weisencrantz 

Rosie creates her unique pieces using vintage beads, brooches and trinkets, meaning no two are the same.

I left the fayre feeling really inspired with wedding ideas, and my Mum and I were both very impressed with the event. So, a vintage themed wedding it is then!

Christmas Fair festivities!

I can't believe there are only two weeks left until Christmas day! I've been getting in the spirit and had a very festive weekend! On Saturday I had a thoroughly enjoyable (and unseasonably warm) day taking part in The Minories Christmas Art and Design Fair in Colchester. I enjoyed chatting to lots of new people as well as catching up with some familiar faces! There was such a lovely atmosphere and The Minories is a beautiful building for events like this- my table was in the Ballroom.

My Bookmarks 

 My neighbor at The Minories fair was the lovely Lindsay from Slumbermonkey Designs. check out her lovely handbag mirrors- they feature Lindsay's own designs. I also loved her shrink plastic jewellery created using her own illustrations- check out her Etsy Shop here

Clare Sams quirky knitted pieces are right up my street! What a talented lady, check out her website to see more of her brilliantly subversive knitted pieces

Mary Lu had taken over the Garden Room with their vintage clothing and homewares- all very tempting! Both Mary and Lucy taught me at college so it was nice to chat to them

On Sunday, I wrapped up warm and traveled to London to share a stand at Spitalfields with my frien Louisa Dash who makes beautiful accessories.

A Christmassy Spitalfields Market

Louisa makes these beautiful statement leather flower brooches, i-pad cases,  key chains and bags. We had a lovely busy day and we did treat ourselves to some nice food from the market- it's very hard to resist!

Thank you if you came to say hi over the weekend. I'm happy to think that Louise Dawson Design pieces will be wrapped under some Christmas Trees :o) Merry Christmas to you all!