Sunday, May 17, 2009

tree bird sun

I have finally found some blog time and as luck would have it, I don't know where or how to start. I know that I want to tell you about the necklace I made for my friend's birthday but I don't know where I should begin? Should I just go straight into a dump of information or should I ease my way in with a bit of a story? Hmmm. I think I'll create a 3rd option and start by posting a picture! Here it is...

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I have been thinking about making this necklace all week and have even drawn up a simple design to make sure that what I was imagining translated well visually.  To give you an idea of the size of things the tree measures 5cm in length and the bird and sun are about 1.5-2cm in width.

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I first drew up the shape of the tree onto interfacing and ironed it onto some fabric.  The trunk is made out of a cotton/calico type of fabric and the leaf part of the tree is grey suiting fabric.  I then cut out the shape of the tree as a whole in felt so I could sew the trunk and leaf area onto a firmer backing.  This also gave it a bit of texture as it acted like wadding.  I then got a fabric texta and drew on the bark design and leaves.  I then repeated the process for the sun and bird and then attached them to the neckband which I made out of the same grey suiting fabric that I used on the tree.  It attaches at the back with a hook and eye.  This is what it looks like on (me).

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The birthday girl said she loved it and it received a lot of positive interest from others at her party (we went 10 pin bowling!).  I somehow ended up saying that I would make them and sell them on my etsy shop which I haven't yet established but have every intention to (I think it might have had something to do with the fruit punch and beer...).  Of course, I now feel I have created an expectation and feel compelled to deliver it but I did (thankfully!) say that this was a number of months away.  Phew!

So that's my bit of crafty-ness for the weekend.  I'd really love to hear what you all think.  I enjoyed making the necklace although there are a couple of things I'd do differently next time but that's all par for the course.  It has also seeded some other design ideas so I guess the next step for me is working out a schedule so that I can actually start making things to sell...

11 comments:

Gina said...

I think this is a great concept and has lots of scope too, so a great thing to sell when you eventually set up shop! I love your imagination. So many possibilities for textures and fibres - you could do bits of crochet, or fabric stamping, embroidery... hurrah!

Blossomnbird said...

oh i love it like a little 'mixed media' story on a necklace...And yes please do!! set up an etsy shop :)

Lucy Bowler said...

It looks like the world's your oyster with this design and the offshoots it's having. It is just fantastic and I'm so glad you've shared it with us! Good luck with making more and the move towards an Etsy shop! Very exciting!

Mel said...

bloody gorgeous with a capital G! I love your trees. Did you have a similar tree on the skirt you made a while back? And yeah, you should TOTALLY have an Etsy store!

Lucys Lounge said...

what a nice necklace, can i be your friend too!?

Kirsty said...

This is absolutely beautiful. I love it.

Michelle said...

love it...
great combination...
the tree is so cute...
great work...

M* (Melanie) said...

Thanks guys =)

Nycole said...

Go for it with the etsy store! I really like this necklace - gorgeous! How would make one that could vary the size - would you sew on a couple of hooks, or something else?

angelique said...

It is very cute. I can understand why your friend really liked it. There is an endless amount of shapes and things you can create to hang off the band. Go for the shop. I'm trying to decide to open one as well but do you go Etsy, made it or big cartel. So many decisions:(

M* (Melanie) said...

@ Nycole - yes you can sew on a couple of eyes so you can have an adjustable neck which is handy.

@ angelique - yes it's quite a big decision! I wish there was an easy answer!