Let Me Introduce You To...

This week I'd like to introduce you to somebody I know. Usually I find gorgeous shops online and share my finds, however this time (as it's their 2nd birthday this week!) I'm going to show you some beautiful jewellery I discovered right here in Sheffield.

This post is in no way sponsored or influenced. All opinions are my own and any quotes are taken directly from the people I'm writing about.

This week I'd like to introduce you to...

Mia Peony is a range of jewellery designed by the talented Magdalena. They feature a range of vintage images, artworks, local scenes, flower fairies, hot air balloons... and whatever else Magdalena finds inspiration from!

Magdalena - the designer behind Mia Peony

Magdalena is from Vienna, Austria where she was involved in 'different art and performance projects' before she decided to come to the UK as it's somewhere she'd always wanted to visit and live. Luckily for Sheffield this is where she chose to stay and started her jewellery design business in the city in 2012. At first her creations were for her or gifts for friends, but their popularity spread and she was soon selling them in various outlets around Sheffield and now in her native Vienna too.

The name Mia Peony was chosen as peonies have 'soft and dainty blossoms as well as its opulent appearance' which I think describes the jewellery perfectly. The images Magdalena chooses are often delicate but they're given a twist with a burst of colour and glossy finish to create eye catching pieces - just like their name sake flowers. 

The first range of Mia Peony's I saw were the vintage hot air balloons which are a core range which are instantly recognisable. As well as the images, I also love how the jewellery is available as separate parts so you can choose exactly what you'd like - you can choose a chain to go with your pendant, charms to fit on your bracelet and, an exciting new addition, rings and bracelets that you can 'pop' the image off and replace it with another!

Mia Peony's jewellery is made with either glass cabochons over the images chosen or with resin for 'a lighter look and wearing experience' which is particularly good for some of the chunkier bracelets which are surprisingly light and easy to wear. Some of the images are also works which are based on collaborations with other artists from the UK, Austria, Germany and Poland to create a fresh and continually developing feel to the jewellery. One of the latest of these was with Sheffield photographer Charlotte Newton who Magdalena worked with to turn her local photos into jewellery which has proved very popular - especially this Henderson's Relish factory image with the blue background below!

Mia Peony's new display at Étagère in Vienna

If you'd like to find out more about Mia Peony then visit Magdalena on Facebook.

Some of my Sheffield Inspirations

Maps are something I can't bear to throw away. No matter how tatty, torn or drawn on they've become I'm happy to spend the time pouring over them to rescue the good bits.

I've been making use of my old maps for a few months by creating cards of Sheffield, the city where I've lived all my life. Lately I've also found some new uses for them by turning them into keyrings, magnets and book marks too.

When I'm looking through the maps I like to choose recognisable places that are familiar to people in the city and hold good memories too.

Here are some of my 'familiar places' and favourite areas in photo form to match the 'I Love This Place...' Sheffield range:

Hillsborough

Hillsborough is an area to the North West of the city centre and is near to where I grew up. The park in the picture below was always a nice place to visit for the playground, feeding the ducks and visiting the library.

Hillsborough Park - photo courtesy of geograph.org.uk

And in keyring form:

Damflask reservoir

Damflask is a reservoir on the outskirts of Sheffield on the way to Bradfield. It's been in use for nearly 120 years. It's a lovely place to take a walk around on a sunny day!

Damflask reservoir - photo courtesy of geograph.org.uk

And in magnet form:

Sheffield city centre

There's always something to find in the city centre. The Peace Gardens next to the town hall is a lovely green space right in the heart of the city, complete with water features. I love to sit and each lunch here on a warm sunny day.

 Peace Gardens, Sheffield - photo courtesy of geograph.org.uk

And you can find it on a keyring too:

Broomhill

Broomhill is an area to the west of the city centre and is full of lovely shops and cafes that are always nice to have a look around. It's also home to Sheffield Country Markets on Saturday mornings where some weeks you'll find Pink Flamingo's Sheffield items!

Broomhill - photo courtesy of geograph.org.uk

And it can be found on this keyring too:

You can buy the I Love This Place ... Sheffield range by Pink Flamingo Handcrafting from:

Bird's Yard, Chapel Walk, Sheffield

Frankly My Deer, Vintedge, Sheffield

or directly from Pink Flamingo on Etsy

Let Me Introduce You To...

Vintage, handmade, upcycled. Three words that I love to hear! To me it suggests unique and thoughtful and that's exactly what I've found with these two shops from the same person.

This post is in no way sponsored or influenced. All opinions are my own and any quotes are taken directly from the people I'm writing about.

This week I'd like to introduce you to...

 

and...

Both Camp Wilder and May Tree Ark are the work of Catherine. It started with her handmade bags which are made with 'fabrics (which) are local and collected from great sources over time' and grew into other vintage finds which can be found in Camp Wilder. 

 

I love looking at vintage items and discovering lots of unique finds. What I particularly like about Camp Wilder is the sense of fun that goes with them (Catherine calls herself the 'Camp Director'!) and the beautiful way the items are photographed to show their personality. The shop is a place for an eclectic mix of finds as Catherine says, 'I can't chose between lace, melted steel or rugged military, so I don't. I let myself enjoy it all...' Although there is a wide range of finds, they have a similar feeling of nostalgia mixed with a modern taste to create a well curated collection; you can dress yourself and your home to match!

May Tree Ark is where it started for Catherine designing and making one of a kind bags. She had a problem that needed to be solved - where to keep her ID. She made a 'little fabric pouch that fit only my ID which I tied around my hips' meaning it was kept safe and she had her hands free too. Catherine says she's always been a 'practical organizer' and so as her needs changed so did the shape of her bag to store her phone and other items. This practical creation grew into her Hipshack, 'an ergonomic, useful utilitarian hip pack' as well as other beautifully created and unique bags. 

So if you're looking for vintage finds or vintage inspired accessories, you have two places to look!

Find out more

Shop on Etsy at Camp Wilder

Shop on Etsy at May Tree Ark

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Let Me Introduce You To...

This week I'm going to do something a little different with this post. Instead of introducing you to just one creator, I'd like to show you a range of talented people all under one roof in one shop. That shop is Bird's Yard in Sheffield city centre and is a collection of local designers and unique handpicked items.

There are lots of small businesses based in the shop, and obviously there isn't room in one post to feature all of them, so this is just a small selection. Obviously if you visit the shop you'll be able to discover them all! You'll find it on Chapel Walk in the city centre or click the logo below to go to their Facebook page.

This post is in no way sponsored or influenced. All opinions are my own and any quotes are taken directly from the people I'm writing about.

 

Little Denim

Little Denim, as the name suggests, is a range of pieces created using 'discarded clothing' that 'is still beautiful and very useable'. The aim is to 'transform it into other interesting things' and that's certainly what happens! On the shelves in Bird's Yard you'll find lots of interesting and often unique pieces.

Imogen's Imagination

Imogen's Imagination 'originated with burlesque roots' with the talented owner and maker Sophie's 'desire to have a new hat to wear to every burlesque night I attended and not having the funds to do so!'. The range has since developed to include a whole array of headwear and hair accessories 'to meet your needs whatever the occasion'.

You Earth Ash

You Earth Ash is a range of stunning jewellery made using 'ethically sourced semi-precious stones from Southern Brazil'. As well as making each piece unique and individual, the stones also have 'healing qualities' associated with them which are labeled next to the jewellery and add to the fun when choosing the piece you want!

Our Tiny Bees

Our Tiny Bees is a range of delicious smelling skincare made with British honey. They create 'effective skin care using the beneficial qualities of honey and beeswax' that's 'both good for you and good for British bees'. There's a whole range of their lovely products to try in Bird's Yards with information about each product to help you decide which to buy. Their honey lip balm is a favourite of mine for soothing sore lips, and leaves a little taste of honey too!

A Place to Discover Sheffield Designers... Bird's Yard

If you wander down Chapel Walk in Sheffield city centre you will find a shop like no other in the city. It's full of Sheffield designers and unique picks all waiting to be discovered!

I sell some items there and I love going in to discover all the new offerings from other local designers, makers, crafters, vintage sellers and foodies. It's a great way for small businesses to make a start in retail and have a city centre place to sell.

You'll find a range of tempting items and here are some that have caught my eye lately...

Original sketch by Inkling £35

A sample of the range of chutneys from Just Preserves £3.50 each

Fish romper suit from Poco Nido £13

Gemstone necklaces by You Earth Ash various prices

Earrings by Shapeshifter Designs £8

Fabric covered notebook from Crafted by Charisma £9.99

 

Rings made with antique cutlery by Tea Wear various prices

 

Heart earrings by Fantasy Trinkets

A range of beauty products made with local honey from Our Tiny Bees

 

Sheffield designers, makers and sellers you'll find in Bird's Yard

• Handpicked Books
• Just Preserves
• Birdshell
• Vertiline in Love
• Little Denim
• Mellor Ware
• Shadowcrafts
• Character Shop
• Pink Flamingo Handcrafting
• Chep Art
• Fantasy Trinkets
• Lovely Cosmetics
• The Bears The Bears
• Gertie's Teas
• The Elegant Baking Co.
• Crafted by Charisma
• Inkling
• Loretta Keenan
• Photographs by Charlotte
• Goo Designs
• Poco Nido
• Shapeshifter Design
• Atelier Raniera
• A&D
• Claudia Latini
• Happy Nut
• Crow and Dunnage
• Our Tiny Bees
• You Earth Ash
• Galabeer and the Dog
• Imogen's Imagination

Find Bird's Yard here... 

Chapel Walk, Sheffield city centre
Website
On Facebook
On Twitter

Pink Flamingo's New Sheffield Range

I love finding new things to make and sell. I also love vintage maps; any excuse to combine the two has me very excited! And that's exactly what I've done with my new I Love This Place - Sheffield range.

I've been making greeting cards with old maps for a few months and I'm amazed how popular they've been. They were just a little idea one day so I made a few and took them into Bird's Yard in Sheffield - and they sold out! So I've kept taking them and now these cards have inspired this new range.

Anyone who knows Sheffield (or Sheffielders) will know what a proud city it is so I knew my cards would get some interest - it just surprised me how much! Customers have bought them from Bird's Yard, Frankly My Deer and at markets and they've been sent all around the world.

So, to match the cards I decided to make some matching items. I've been gathering supplies:

And then I've turned them into my new range!

I Love This Place Sheffield by Pink Flamingo Handcrafting

Heart keyring £5.49; Oblong keyring £3.99; Greeting card £3.50; Magnet £3.99; Bookmark £3.99

 

Available from:

Bird's Yard, Chapel Walk, Sheffield city centre (from 28th February)

Cards and magnets can be found at Frankly My Deer (part of Vintedge) on Abbeydale Road, Sheffield

Or contact Pink Flamingo at pinkflamingohandcrafting@gmail.com to order.

They'll also be making an appearance at the Sheffield Up Market on 13th March in the University of Sheffield's student union building and the Millennium Galleries Craft Fair on 29th March in the city centre.

Let Me Introduce You To...

There are two things I find it difficult to resist buying (okay, there's more than two, but these are the top two): old paper and jewellery. So when I find them combined I just can't help taking a closer look.

This post is in no way sponsored or influenced. All opinions are my own and any quotes are taken directly from the people I'm writing about.

This week I'd like to introduce you to...





Left Brain Right Brain (as the name suggests) is an interesting mix of styles, concepts and ideas. It's based on the notion that 'people are predominantly, left brained or right brained, organized thinkers, or free spirits' but combines the two to mix science (left) and art (right) to create wonderful pieces of jewellery.

This interesting and unique jewellery is the work of Heidi who herself has combined both her scientific and artistic sides to create 'scientific artwork that (she) would be proud to wear'. She has a background in science and education, with a PhD in neuroscience, and has taken this love of the details and textbooks and combined it with jewellery making to create pieces 'for the science geek or guru'.

Anyone who's seen my own work will know that I love to salvage and rescue old books saving the vintage images to reuse in interesting ways, and that's something that's definitely appealing about Left Brain Right Brain's jewellery. The thought of a text that has had it's place in social history still being used today, for me, keeps the past alive and is a glimpse into past ideas and thinking; sometimes it's amazing to see what has (and hasn't) changed!

Heidi likes to think of her creations as 'conversation starters' and they'll certainly be useful if you want to chat to someone 'whose life revolves around pi'. They're a statement of intellect as well as a fashion item and show that geek chic is something that can be done in a stylish way. Luckily as she lives in a little town which 'is flourishing with vintage and antique shops', Heidi will be able to keep creating these unique pieces.

Striking up a conversation about your jewellery can also make you sound very educated as many pieces have a mini science lesson attached to them (which are much more interesting than the ones I remember from school) to entertain your friends with. The story behind this pendant in particular is an interesting read!

Pendant £8.67 Left Brain Right Brain

So whether you're dominated by your scientific left brain or your creative right brain, you'll find something to satisfy it in Heidi's jewellery!

Find out more:

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Let Me Introduce You To...

Bags and purses are something I believe it's impossible to have too many of... unless you have so many that you literally can't get into your house, but I don't have that many...yet.

I particularly like the classic purse frame and the satisfying 'snap' it gives when you close it. I also love modern, colourful fabrics and with this week's shop I get to see both.

This post is in no way sponsored or influenced. All opinions are my own and any quotes are taken directly from the people I'm writing about.

This week I'd like to introduce you to...



Octopurse is the wonderful creation of Daphne and is based in Belgium. She designs and makes all her items herself and is involved in every aspect of the process, as this fantastic photo proves!

In Octopurse's shop you can find all kinds of fun accessories made with some 'colorful japanese and US fabrics' in a whole range of colours (so you can have an excuse to get one to go with every outfit!). Daphne first made some purses a few years ago as teacher gifts but as she says her 'fingers have never stopped moving' since and her hobby has turned into a business.

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I'm always drawn to bright and unique fabrics and I think Daphne matches the patterns and her designs really well to get the most out of them. Whether it's featuring a picture or element of the pattern in how she cuts the fabric or choosing the frame/fabric combination, all her items look fun, fresh and well designed. 

I also love an element of mixing old and new and some of Octopurses pieces do this too. The classic purse frame has a recognisably vintage style bringing associations of glamour and style, but the fabric choices bring it right up to date to make it fit with modern outfits too. Daphne has 'done many tests to find the best shapes and a great "puffy touch" which all adds to the charm of her pieces.

And it's not just purses you'll find, Octopurse also offers clutch bags, phone covers, card holders and magnets.

My favourite fabrics have to be animal patterns:

Find out more about Octopurse:

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Shop Sheffield

Regular readers will know that one place I sell my work is Bird's Yard in Sheffield city centre. For those of you who don't know, it's a collection of local independent designers all under one roof selling a variety of handmade, vintage and locally made items. There's a huge array of lovely things to buy including greeting cards, ceramics, baby clothes, preserves, books, accessories, clothes... basically lots of choice!

As well as being made in Sheffield, a lot of the designers like to make items with a Sheffield theme. There's a pride in the city for those who were born or have come to live here and people like to buy souvenirs, reminders or keepsakes.

Here's my Heart Sheffield card in the shop window

So I thought I'd share with you some of those wonderful Sheffield items. If you live around here call into the shop and pick up a treat; if you don't live near a lot of the designers have their own websites too and contact details can be found at Bird's Yard website and are always happy to hear from people!

Let Me Introduce You To...

Last year on this blog I had a weekly feature showing the work of one of my favourite UK crafters. I love to look through other people's work and creations and share the passion that goes into the pieces. While doing my research (it was research, not just window shopping!) I found lots of wonderful people who were either outside the UK or were vintage sellers rediscovering rather than creating treasures.

So, for a new year I'm having a new way of working this weekly feature. I'm broadening my searching and bringing you lots of new non-UK and/or vintage sellers to be introduce you to, and hopefully love their work as much as I do.

This post is in no way sponsored or influenced. All opinions are my own and quote are taken directly from the people I'm writing about.

This week I'd like to introduce you to....


 
Catwalk Creative Vintage
Catwalk Creative is a home for wonderful vintage pieces including quality, hand picked clothing, accessories and homewares dating from the 1920s - 1990s. There's a great range of pieces all kinds of tastes and budgets and it's wonderful looking through all the unique and retro pieces to find new favourites.

My favourite way to spend an afternoon is wondering around an antique centre or vintage shops looking at all the unusual and fun items for sale. However, I'm no expert when it comes to what pieces are or their history, so I love finding someone who does know and wants to share that knowledge. That's what I love most about Catwalk Creative Vintage's site, as well as buying items you can find out their story too as well as lots of additional information and suggestions - just like having a personal shopper!

Catwalk Creative Vintage is the idea and work of Louise who has been buying and selling vintage items for nearly 10 years. She established her own online emporium in 2008 selling a whole range of stylish items for you and your home. As well as running her own business, Louise is also a member of the Vintage Fashion Guild who are a great resource of information on and promotion of vintage items. She says of them 'we are committed to providing excellent customer service and accurate information' which, if like me you know little about vintage, is a reassurance that what you buy is genuine and good quality. 

Louise sources the items she sells from a range of countries and contacts so she can offer a varied and unique collection where you can 'be sure to find something special to add to your own collection'. The wealth of knowledge she has gained from her trading means Louise is also able to offer lots of useful advice about subjects such as caring for clothing and accessories, vintage clothing sizes and suggestions of outfits and collections from different decades. 

A piece of advice from Louise- In order to keep your precious clothes in good condition, wash them less...
a good airing can often work just as well for removing odour without damaging the garment.

 

(Any excuse to do less laundry is fine by me! I'll have to buy more vintage clothes as an excuse.)

For Louise vintage means items 'over 20 years' which have had a previous life and use. There are other shops I've seen who use this cut off point to sell anything and claim it as 'vintage' when it's just 'stuff' that was made a couple of decades ago. Catwalk Creative hand picks quality items to truly represent their era and give you a proper vintage piece. This commitment to offering the customer quality pieces means that Louise has established a 'sterling reputation in the vintage clothing industry' (and with over 150 five star reviews in her shop on Etsy.com it's clear others think so too!).

These are some of my favourite items from my favourite era from Catwalk Creative:

Find out more about Catwalk Creative here:

Catwalk Creative's website and shopping

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