I've been gathering up all the things I've made recently, making sure they've all had their photo taken so they can go up in the shop. They're all piled up on the desk right now, so this is what I'm looking at as I type...



I do wonder where all this colour came from. I'm a neutrals girl, and I'm trying to start a new bunch of wristcuffs and etc in darker colours- muddy greys, dirty blues and faded blacks (as in the last entry) . But it's still a pretty sight, this multi-coloured rag bag of things.

Is blue grey brown cream a colour?

Because if it is, it's my favourite.

1. Cycle, 2. amour, 3. -, 4. Drapes, 5. Maya - copper earrings, 6. leave, 7. bleed, 8. Hydrangeas Up Close, 9. nest closeup, 10. feb2008, 108753, 08-2, 11. Ewigkeit, 12. Foggy morning in the indian forest - Road from Dharamkot to McLeod Ganj - India, 13. ., 14. feb2008, 108753, 11-2, 15. 200 years of loss, 16. under glass

I had no idea I was so attracted to this colour combination, but after going through my favourites it's clear I am! That's one of the things I love about Flickr favourites pages, you can capture at a glance what your deeper subconscious attractions are. I was tipped off on this colour combo first though by my latest Etsy loves...

Jewels beads Supply

The Gingham Girl


E2SSupplies

Of course, it could all stem from the double-team of two of my deepest loves...

Trees in winter (these ones by Neil McChrystal)

And a certain, recently un-cursed Pirate Lord who finally has his ship back.
Funny ol' world, innit?

Shop Update- photographing the beauty is half the fun

The Sea Storm- salvage brooch ready for the shop.

The Stars in Winter- new addition to the shop.


Netted glory- two stocking beauties for the Magpie store.

From everywhere, all at once...

So many things have inspired me lately, from films to websites to clothes to people's way of seeing.

A lovely man from France spent a great deal of money in my shop this morning- not only a welcome drop of financial rain but also an inspiration to me. It always buoys me up and keeps me going when people buy things. I'm not so fussed about the money (though I certainly did a little dance!) but the mere fact that people want my things...it makes me feel good. Validation I suppose, and we all love that.

Yesterday's Daisies

When I moved house I did a huge clean-out of the craft stuff, but since being here I again feel the need to pare down further the things I kept. I'm really enjoying having the supply shop, and that's starting to pick up, so my plan is to now only make things I really want to make, and sell the rest of the materials as supplies.

Copper and silver metal buttons

I've also been doing a retail training course at the Education Centre- it's free and I might learn a thing or two which will help me develop my online business and -oh to dream!- perhaps even open my own bricks and mortar. It will be a tiny little place with original fittings, and be filled with a sort of earthy/gothic variation of Shabby Chic- there will be curious antiques, etchings and photographs both antique and local, my craftwork and various interesting books, trinkets and miscellany I happen upon. This is my retail goal.

Lady Swan- salvage brooch (sold)

Onto more frivolous pursuits- I recently discovered the distracting joy of Polyvore. We're all aware of (and each have) a website or two that we can guarantee will suck hours away like magic if we dare to log on. This is one of them.

Set created by zzz

It's a fashion building site- basically you have a canvas and you create a collage of your favourite things from the menu given. You can search via type, colour, keyword, etc. The most awesome part about it is that it tells you where the things come from and gives you a link straight to it! For someone like me who's looking to re-define her style, this kind of website is invaluable. I am in love.

Lace button up dress from Frock Online

Silt trim Jersey dress also from Frock Online

Fingerless white fishnets from Sock Dreams

Fashion photography by Eugenio Recuenco, a master at light and cinematics.

Ah me- there is just so much ragged beauty in the world.


oh ps- I started the sale in the shop- that will be on till the end of June. As a special deal for my blog readers- anyone who makes a purchase in either of my shops for the next week gets a free treasure! All you have to do is write 'sparrow blog' in the buyer comments box, and if you tell me your favourite colour or shape or if you like beads, buttons, ribbons or the like, I'll try to match your treasure to your words! Fun.

Modern rustic

Hanging out on my bed this morning, I couldn't help taking a snap of my bed linen to show you the pretty pattern combinations. I've fallen hard for neutral-toned retro lately. I love mid-century design, but I'm not really much of a colour fan, so it's often hard to find things. The thrift shops here in Warragul seem to churn out a steady stream of modern stuff (much to my wallet's despair). While most of what I find is rather colourful and ends up in the eBay pile, I do seem to hang on to more and more of it. Though my usual style is more rusticated, it's surprising just how well mid-century and ravaged go together, and look good!

from honeypieliving

from H is for Home

I can't remember where this came from!

From deep in the archives of the gorgeous bluelines blog

The Rag and Bone Clan

Stay tuned to the next few days- a big update for the shop including more brooches, chain jewellery, paper assemblage... and a sale. There will also be an update in the other shop.

How To Get What You Really Want

Watch for the Signs in the Pavement

These past couple of weeks have been stuffed to the brim with change, friendship, heartache, movement in all directions and the most edifying of all- questioning the path.

Look back and walk forward

I have been reading a wonderful book called Wishcraft by Barbara Sher. I recommend this book to anyone who has a dream, a desire or a goal- no matter how vague, how impossible, or even if it's just a feeling you want something more. The book gives practical step-by-step advice to help you get that goal.

You'll learn to throw out all the 'I can't afford it' excuses for both time and money, and get real help in getting what you really want in life. It's a self-help book of the truest sense, no wishy-washy affirmations to remember or any of that looking in the mirror and telling yourself that you love you. In my opinion if you're reading this book, you already love you!

Love and Lewis

I read this book two years ago, the last time I lived in Warragul. If I had followed it's advice I would now be living my dream- I am confident of that, everything fell into place like some kind of magic. I let it slide though, and didn't finish the book or continue to implement the stages after the initial, so it's my fault alone that things didn't turn out sparkly.

But here I am, trying again. Slightly different goals, different desires, but still the same touchstone- to live a life and make a living that centres around creativity and keeps me in touch with nature.

Flora and Fauna

I have a routine that I find great for starting the day- I get up, make a cup of tea, put some incense on and then get back into bed with my tea and write in my journal or read an inspiring book or magazine. I find it a brilliant way to collect my thoughts and get my enthusiasm pumping for the day. Just one hour on this sees me bouncing out of bed full of excitement for the day, as opposed to stumbling about the house wondering what I'm doing with myself or staring dejectedly at the morning news.

The universe in a Teacup.

My goal for the rest of this month is to concentrate on 'getting myself out there'- how to give my unique style a boost up, how to define my market and expose myself to that market in a non-confrontational way. When I've finalised my idea list and processes as per the book, I'll do another post here. I might try to post about Wishcraft more than I have- some of the exercises are so brilliant I just have to share them with you. If every person with a wish could read this book and implement the processes- ah, what a world it would be!