A return to necklace making...

I've spent today in the studio working on some new necklaces which will have fabric embellishment. I haven't made any necklaces for a while because I've been mainly focusing on the brooches, but I thought it would be good to include a couple that tie in with the new collection.

The basic necklace is made from a strip of knit that I make on my knitting machine and then stitch around ribbon strung wooden beads. These necklaces were my starting point in jewellery making, having organically developed from their origins as parts of huge conceptual knitted hanging pieces (I will make a post on those at a later date, all will be revealed!) and they are something I like to return to and continue to adapt in different ways. Here is the navy one taking shape!

Stitching the knit around ribbon strung wooden beads

The base necklace ready to go, alongside the brooch that I would like it to match

I've spent the evening cutting out hundreds of tiny circles of  scrap fabric!

I coat the fabric "sequins" in fabric stiffener to prevent fraying

I'll hand stitch the fabric pieces onto the necklace over the weekend and post a pic of the results!

Sneak preview

Here's a sneak peak at how the new collection is coming together... Here are the brooches that I finished today (helped along by the lovely sun!)

Latest work

Just a little update- thank you everyone who has liked my Facebook page so far. On Tuesday I drew a name at random to win one of my handmade necklaces- please like my page for more competitions and offers coming soon!

The new collection is gradually coming together and I'm hoping to have another photo shoot soon and then an update of my online shop. Tomorrow I'm going to start work on the knitted brooches and I'm hoping it's going to be another lovely sunny day- sun shining into the studio always helps me work!

New coloured Tweed brooches in progress!

I'm also hoping to get the chance tomorrow to have a bit of an experiment with some old papers (more on those soon) and varnish, with the hope that I can incorporate the results into some future work

Baking!

I love making (and eating!) cake and my ultimate favourite is the classic Victoria Sponge. I made this one over the Easter weekend. Looking forward to the summer when I can add fresh strawberries and cream!

While we're on the cake theme, just wanted to update you on what became of the Blackberry and Apple Gin I made in early October last year- I have decanted the Gin, stewed the fruit and made a kind of upside down cake!

Competition, win a necklace!

I'm currently running a competition on my Louise Dawson Design Facebook page to win one of my unique handmade necklaces, pictured below! All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning is visit my Facebook page like my page and share my link!

I will draw a name at random in two weeks time on 9th April- best of luck!

New collection in progress!

I'm currently making a new collection with a focus on my recycled fabric "sequin" idea as the main focus. I firstly came to the idea after having a move around in the studio and realizing how many materials I have that I never use, and forging a new determination to use them! I'm lucky that people know me as a bit of an avid recycling fan/hoarder (!) of wool and fabrics, so I get given lots of things and in that respect I'm never short of something "new."

The basis for the badge brooch is a self-cover button with the wire loop removed, and which I then cover with Tweed, Felt or Knit (I've tried using recycled Sari silk pieces, lace and other light weight fabrics but I find the heavier weight fabrics give a more substantial backing to be stitched onto).  I then hand cut all my little fabric sequins from any type of fabric that suits my colour way for that particular brooch, then coat them in fabric stiffener to prevent fraying. Once dry I can then stitch them onto the button.

It only makes a tiny dent in my fabric collection but I'm glad that I'm making good use of what I have, turning unwanted materials into something new to be kept and treasured! It's also been a good way to introduce more colour into my work- I'll always love and return to my white and cream but I'm pleased I've found a way I'm happy to use colour!

Some new colour ways (pre-stitching) using Harris Tweed off-cuts as the backing fabric

I do like to be beside the seaside...

I've just come back from a stay in Suffolk and I wanted to share with you some seaside views! I love being by the sea whatever the weather and we certainly had it all this week, sun, rain and snow!

Southwold Pier

Views from the pier

This was the view from our lodge on Monday! Luckily we got there ok in the Blizzards