Happy Holidays! or The Importance of Putting Lids on- A Cautionary Tale

Hello , Linzi of MagPie In The Sky here!
I hope you have all had a lovely festive break and some time to relax and enjoyed some gifts and probably (way too much) yummy nosh.
One of my challenges this Christmas was to clear the kitchen table so we could sit and eat there -I like to sit and work there usually as the light is good.  
This year I have 3 furry helpers- now I think they must have known I wanted to clear the table as when I went in kitchen the other morning I was ,Like, UH Oh I can SEE the table- in fact there are clear patches- something untoward has occurred! An avalanche!!

The floor :(

 

OH . NO .

They had knocked SO much stuff onto the floor- all the boxes with no lids on that my OH has been saying for weeks to "put the lids on , then if the cats knock them off they won't spill"
Yeah well- THAT.
 SO many things on the floor all  mixed up - loose beads, jump rings.
 Let this act as a warning to others of a messy/lazy/procrastinating  "I -will-put-lids-on-tomorrow" disposition!   My wrecking crew have well and truly sorted me out.
 Now a huge tidy is in order before I can resume work. Tomorrow!

Sookie- this WAS meant to be my table centrepiece but she would not vacate it!

Mia and Merida up to mischief

Holly -the-Collie 

But- LOOK! My table is clear and all ready to resume work. once the small matter of sorting all my supplies out is done that is !

Happy Holidays to you all !
Love Linzi

It's been a while...........

Well, my resolutions to write more often  kind of went by the wayside..... but I am back now, and I really REALLY will write more often.
There has been a LOT of water under the bridge, it has been TWO years since I last wrote.
In that time I have written many magazine projects for UK magazine Making Jewellery, and written some tutorials for B'sue Boutiques  -you can see those here.

  Also I have written my first ever book! It was published on 24th February 2014.  Title is "Jewelry for all Seasons" published by GMC Publications, and it is available from Amazon and many other online sellers and bookshops.
Please do have a look at my website  www.magpieinthesky.co.uk and also come and find me on Facebook or on Twitter
Other exciting news- I have my own studio/workshop space- now this IS a recent event - I moved in the week before Easter this year so am still settling in and getting everything "just and so".
My next post will be all about my studio space , I can share the fantastic place it is within. it is all really rather exciting!

Messy Workshop Blog Hop Party- In celebration of disarray

Welcome to my "Messy Workshop" blog posting. I hope no one will be too traumatised by the following evidence of mess, sloth , untidiness, procrastination , laziness  and general chaos. I blame my artistic  temperament.. That and the fact I dislike tidying - I can't find ANYTHING if I  clean up. And that's my excuse and I am sticking to it.
 So along with approx 50 others we are celebrating our messy working spaces - we are CELEBRATING and embracing that   mess from which creativity blossoms.
 Neat freaks -look away now......
My name is Linzi and I am a hoarder. There -I said it out loud. My spoil heap is the ever increasing pile of my latest favourite things that grows on what was formerly my kitchen table. The table does make guest appearances -at Christmas and birthday parties- luckily my daughters birthday is near Christmas so for the rest of the year it's free reign. Some things are just too pretty to  consign to boxes and cupboards, and I like to be surrounded by my "stuff" , it inspires me.

As a creative I think I suffer from "butterfly brain " , am easily distracted- look a bird

OOH A Goldfinch..

 or OOH CHOCOLATE    

                                                    

 But mostly I am  messy because I spend my time doing other stuff. Cleaning up is such a waste of time - you do it and then it needs doing AGAIN?! How pointless is that.

The wonderful spoil heap extends to most areas of my home, I have a kitchen spoil heap , a bedroom heap , a landing heap and  things that are actually put away - an entire ex -airing cupboard full.

No surface is safe....

When I attempt to tidy -with brand new storage-it sits sadly next to the items- waiting for me to  organise. I fear if I put them away I might not remember where they are!

This is where I do the majority of my work

 Though it can quickly degenerate  to 

 when work is in progress.

 I have been known to stack bead mats on top of each other  when there are several projects on the go at once .

I DO think that being surrounded by pretty things does help my creativity and imagination. No really , that's not an excuse... :D

 I hope you enjoyed this little peek into my world! 

Please come visit  me at MagPie In The Sky on Facebook - I have some fantastic makes in the pipeline!

Coming soon... Dragonfly II:Water

And also The Garden

Now  please go and check out the other blog hop participants - Happy Hopping  :)

 Be sure to leave  a comment to say you "hopped"

Messy Workshop Blog Hop Links

Brenda Sue Lansdowne, B'sue Boutiques

http://www.bsueboutiques.typepad.com/

Robin Delargy, LooLoo's Box

http://looloosbox.blogspot.com/

Kim at CianciBlue

http://cianciblue.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Jazwick-Smith, Hudathots

http://hudathoughts-jennifer.blogspot.com/

Mary Shannon Hicks

http://www.uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com/

Tracy Swartz

http://tracyswartz.com/category/blog

Jacqueline Marchant

http://jaacquelinesjewels.blogspot.com/

Lynnea Perry Bennett

http://designsbylynnea.blogspot.com/

Terry Matusyk

http://pinkchapeau.wordpress.com/

Laurel Steven

http://laurelsteven.blogspot.com/

Dr. Brassy Steamington

http://drbrassysteampunk.blogspot.com/

Pamela Takeshige

http://www.crittersandthings.blogspot.com/

Kris Lanae Binsfeld

http://www.cherishdesigns.wordpress.com/

Outre Art

http://theartistspaintbox.wordpress.com/

Linzi Alford- You ARE  HERE !

http://www.magpieintheskyspoilheaptales.blogspot.com/

Deb Davis

http://naturaltreasuresbydeb.blogspot.com/

Tamara Jones

http://irrysistablejewels.wordpress.com/

Harry Wood

http://www.oscarcrow.blogspot.com/

Gerry Nickerson

http://gersgems1.blogspot.com/

Elizabeth Owens-Dwy

http://www.thepolymergeek.blogspot.com/

Georgene Lockwood

http://sylvanavintagedesigns.wordpress.com/

Charisa Sloper

http://www.blog.obsidiansoda.com/

Jennifer Justman

http://soulsfiredesigns.blogspot.com/

Beanzie

http://the-vintage-heart.blogspot.com/

Mary Deis

http://mdeis.blogspot.com/

Cheri Reed

http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com/

Sondra Kolner

http://scrappybydesign.weebly.com/index.html

Sonya Ingersoll-Stille

http://www.dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com/

Lori Anderson

http://www.prettythingsblog.com/

Sandra McGriff

http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.ca/

Shelly Joyce

http://www.aujourlejour-shelly.blogspot.com/

Joan Williams

http://www.lilrubyjewelry.wordpress.com/

Kashmira Patel

http://sadafulee.blogspot.com/

Deb Beechy

http://beetique56.blogspot.com/

Ginger Bishop

http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com/

Kelli Jacobson

http://creativemoonjewelryandthings.com/

Natalie McKenna

http://www.grubbi.co.uk/

Andrew Thornton

http://andrew-thornton.blogspot.com/

Mary Govaars

http://mlhjewelrydesigns.com/

Kate Mulligan

http://mulliganstewjewelry.blogspot.com/

Lisa Lodge

http://pineridgetreasures.blogspot.com/

Tami Luchini

http://ssprocketsmetal.blogspot.com/

Monique Lula

http://www.moniquelula.com/blog/

Lee Koopman

http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com/

Jayne Capps 

http://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com/ 

Susan Lloyd

http://designsbysusan-dbs.blogspot.com/

Cynthia Wainscott

http://www.exoticperujewelry.blogspot.com/

Stephanie Amanti

http://www.stephaniesjewelrybox.blogspot.com/

Alicia Marinache

http://www.allprettythings.ca/

Sam Hamp

http://hampgirl59.blogspot.com/

Lennis Carrier

http://www.windbent.net/

Spring

Spring in the woods

Forsythia

So Spring has finally sprung here  . With a whole week of "faux summer" too -with temps way up above what we usually get. Shame that was last week though and now we are back to standard Bank Holiday weather. That's cold and rainy to anyone outside the UK !

 Thought I would post some lovely spring photos as an excuse to write a blog post -as  anyone who follows will know-I am not the most regular of  bloggers.  Slight understatement there. But this is about to change as it is my intention to write  bore you all  MUCH more often. I will blog about  my jewellery , the weather ( I AM British after all!) and anything else that takes my fancy . I did think I may chart the flora and fauna throughout the year too - I hope you will  join me on the journey? 

Willow catkin

Silversense-Supplies for the Creative Soul

 Hello, just a short post to tell you about a fab new jewellery  components supplier a friend had suggested to me on Facebook.  Her shop on Etsy  is http://www.silversense.biz/ and it is full of gorgeous and unusual   things.

From left to right- chrysolite  celsian coated melons,topaz/emerald leaf shaped czech glass,
Green mix donut czech firepolished,  Copper hearts pressed czech glass, Picasso 3 petal flowers in turquoise , bronze lustre and peacock metallic.

 The shop owner , Rossi , is lovely and helpful and was kind enough to send me some samples for me  to look at. I can't wait to get on and use them , check back soon to see what I made! I have also ordered  and  delivery is very quick-great service.

Turtles!

Freshwater pearl nuggets brushed circle links in copper and silver , Picasso red 3 petal flowers,
czech glass coffee beans, czech glass turtles-these are fab!

Go and take a look- and if you find some goodies that take your fancy use this code LA10OFF for a 10% discount if used  within 2 weeks of this posting - as if you needed an excuse to go shopping !
 There are some  lovely semi precious stones at bargain 50% off prices, a great selection of Czech glass beads, Picasso beads and  also some cute fruit beads. Must also mention the Turtles!

Here is my order of semi precious stones- lovely labradorite :), moonstone and amethyst.

You can find Silversense facebook page at  www.facebook.com/silversenselondon  . Also if you haven't already visited- come see me at  my facebook jewellery page www.facebook.com/magpieinthesky

Sari Ribbon party Blog Hop Today !! Friday 14th October 2011

Today is the day where all participants of the Sari  Ribbon Party Blog Hop unleash their creations for the world to see! Please visit as many Blogs (listed below) to see what everyone came up with and leave your comments :)
 The criteria was - make a piece of  jewellery- but it must incorporate sari ribbon in the design. Sari ribbon is the gorgeous jewel-like coloured remnants  from the Indian factories where sari silks are  woven. I love the eclectic mix of colours and the  distressed edging to it.

 Here is what I made: Frozen Charlotte pendant on sari ribbon and  doubl link brass chain. I am afraid I rushed to make her , so I may well add more- I thought maybe some large blue crystals interpersed along the chain . I LOVED the electric blue colour  on this piece of ribbon and the eyelash fringing. Frozen Charlotte  dolly moulded in polymer  clay , with brass wings  set on  a Black Onyx Round. Brass snowflake stamping as a nod to her demise!

Frozen Charlotte- now at peace -warm at last !

Thanks as ever to Brenda Sue for organising this event and for being inspiring on a daily basis!

I also  made these Indian Summer  Bracelets, sari ribbon, brass wire and Carnelian in fab autumn shades (Have 2 sets available one in larger size 8.5" wrist size)

 Please come and visit my Facebook page   MagPie In The Sky DesignerJewellery and say hello.

Sari Ribbon Party Blog Hop Participants- Go Visit and see  what everyone else made !

Sari Ribbon Party Blog Hop

Vickie Wills
http://www.jewelrybyvee.blogspot.com/

Susan Kennedy
http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com/

Michelle Mach
http://www.michellemach.com/blog/


Michelle Lee Hardy
http://fireflyvisions.blogspot.com/

Ruth Crawford
http://www.home-with-ruth.blogspot.com/


Hilary Frye, FryeStyle
http://fryestyle.blogspot.com/


Diana P.
http://www.suburbangirlstudio.com/

Brenda Sue Lansdowne, B'sue Boutiques
http://www.bsueboutiques.typepad.com/

Elizabeth Owens-Dwy
http://www.clarityofpurplesage.blogspot.com/

Connie Rios-Relyea
http://www.jewelsdesignscreativecorner.wordpress.com/

Jennifer Justman
http://soulsfiredesigns.blogspot.com/   

Deb Davis
http://www.naturaltreasuresbydeb.blogspot.com/

Beanzie
http://www.thevintageheartcharmbracelets.com/the-vintage-heart-charm-b/
             
Cathie Carroll
http://www.cathiecarroll.com/

Rosemary Cowit
http://www.gemrosedesigns.blogspot.com/

Georgene Lockwood
http://sylvanavintagedesigns.wordpress.com/

Cathy Buckley
http://cathybuckleycatsmeow.blogspot.com/

Harry Wood
http://www.oscarcrow.blogspot.com/

Sonya Stille
http://dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com/

Mary Deis
http://mdeis.blogspot.com/

Heather Goldsmith
http://asibeadit.blogspot.com/

Susan Rouleau
http://mountainshadowstudio.blogspot.com/

Terry Matusyk
http://pinkchapeau.wordpress.com/

Pam Chesbro
http://afortunatesoul.blogspot.com/

Mary Shannon Hicks
http://uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com/

Janice Everett
http://jlynnjewels.blogspot.com/

Davinia
http://www.daviniadesign.com/

Kristina Johansson, Maneki
http://wildrosesandblackberries.blogspot.com/

Kris Binsfeld
http://www.cherishdesigns.wordpress.com/


Mandy
http://www.beadsforbrains.blogspot.com/

Charlene
http://thebeaddreamer.com/blog/

Catherine Jeltes
http://www.galleryzooart.com/

Jackie
http://kydojewellery.blogspot.com/

Sharon Palac
http://www.sharonsjewelrygarden.blogspot.com/

Deb Beechy
http://beetique56.blogspot.com/

Jean Yates
http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/

Patrice Pfeiffer
http://treeseatreasures.blogspot.com/

Dorcas Midkiff
http://wondrousstrangedesigns.blogspot.com/

Lynn Perry Bennett
http://designsbylynnea.blogspot.com/

Linzi Alford
http://www.magpieintheskyspoilheaptales.blogspot.com/

Deb
http://greenshoot.blogspot.com/

Cynthia Wainscott
http://www.exoticperujewelry.blogspot.com/
Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp
http://skyejewels.blogspot.com/
Alice Craddick
http://alicesbeadsandbaubles.blogspot.com/
B'sue Boutiques Creative Group
http://www.flickr.com/groups/bsueboutiques/

It is so long since I wrote a blog post , my apologies. I have  been ill/busy and many other excuses but it is my intention to write often- harrass me me if I go quiet again!
 I will break my long silence with some pics of lovely goodies that will be featuring soon in my "makes"



Gorgeous sari ribbon in sumptuous jewel colours



I am  participating in a Sari Ribbon Party blog Hop on 14th October, at present there are 43 Blog-hoppers taking part - should be fun- that will be my next blog post :)