Welcome to the World Wide Web ! iheartcart.com is live.

Hooray! I’ve finally done it.

I’m so excited to announce the launch of the brand new designer , build-a-bag, wearable art, handbag art extravaganza website , iheartcart.com.

It’s been an  interesting process, as in the search for relevant key words for SEO ( search engine optimisation) I’ve realised that maybe I’ve created a product that is fairly unique. There aren’t any keywords that pop up in the key word finder that can possibly describe what I’ve created. It seems that turning paintings into handbags may be a fairly unusual concept. Maybe for a reason… maybe I’m crazy ? Who knows. All I know is I’m so excited to follow my passion. I’m going with the flow and making these bags feels so right. Whether it is a small evening purse that has poetry embroidered into it like the Lady of Shalott bag and an image on the front

or a Harris Tweed evening clutch purse with a vintage postcard image crafted in graffiti style or another evening purse bag , this time with the fearful Medusa image from Caravaggio.

Or if it is a large bag that you are after, a big statement , well there is no bigger statement than a tote. Especially a tote bag with a Gustav Klimt image on the front.

So if you are a fan of art, are looking for something completely unique to make a unique statement, looking for a bag like no other, then pop over and see the new website www.iheartcart.com

 

Bags more bags

It’s been a long time blogging , I’ve been busy in my spare time when I’m done with puppets, establishing a brand new venture. It’s called c.Art  , the concept being artworks that you carry around with you in the form of bags. Here’s my latest creations:

 

“Babies”

 

This one is called ‘Babies’.  It is a clutch bag , again painted canvas with top stitching details and embroidered text. This bag is painted in a beautiful shade of soft grey to compliment the drawing .

The text reads: Father asked us , ” What was God’s noblest work? Anna said, ” Men,” but I said “Babies”. Men are often bad, but babies never are. A wonderful quote from the classic novel , Little Women , by Louisa May Alcott. This quote perfectly sums up my thoughts on the ‘empty vessel’ theory that I believe children are. We hold so much responsibility for filling them with the right stuff.The image is drawn from a silverpoint engraving of an infant by the great Leonardo Da Vinci.

 

The inside of the bag is lined with baby pink , and the bag is fastened with a magnetic snap. There are two compartments inside the bag to organise your things nicely.

 

“Kiss”

The next bag is a handsome beast. It is a ‘man bag’. ( I’m not sure what else to call it) although of course, it isn’t restricted to men. It is designed to be worn across the body, the wide canvas adjustable strap with it’s smart satin bronzed buckle, holding it nice and secure. It has a flap front, featuring a beautifully distressed and deliberately drippy image of two lovers kissing, just emerging from the shadows.

The gender of the couple is not at first clear, but on closer inspection , the two lovers are both male.

 

The quote : “Make me immortal with a kiss” is from Christopher Marlowe.

 

I wanted to invoke the beauty found in decay , the accidental masterpiece found on a subway wall, the dark excitement and freedom and tolerance found in the urban sprawl in this piece. The bag is in muted shades of grey/sepia and is selectively over sewn to emphasise elements of the design.

The inside of the bag is equally handsome. I’ve lined it with the most beautifully sumptuous wine coloured satin. It has a lined front pocket under the flap and a zippered pocket in the lining. The bag is fastened with two magnetic snaps .

 

“The Eye “Make up Ba

 

For something a little different, here I’ve made a make up bag in pale flesh tones with a big detailed embroidered eye .

 

It’s lined in pink pearly pvc and is fastened with a chocolate brown zipper.

 

 

 

So, what do you think?

 

 

 

I’ve been working on the website, hopefully it will be up and running soon.

 

 

 

In the meantime, to keep up with all things c.Art, head over to my facebook page for regular updates.

 

c.Art on Facebook

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c.Art: where craft meets Art.

The Mona Lisa. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I know. I’ve not blogged for ages. I’m not going to apologise, I’ve been busy, very busy. Now don’t fall over with shock, but my latest project has nothing to do with crochet. I know, shocking, isn’t it? I thought I’d give my hands a break and go back to my roots of painting . I studied Fine Art ( painting)at art college way back when.

Back in the day when I was a young lady, I worked as a scenic artist for the Cape Performing Arts Board in South Africa. I spent my time tacking down massive canvases in warehouses and sloshing around horse glue size with a sweeping brush , preparing the backdrops for various operatic and theatrical productions.
Sometimes I would have the honours of actually painting the massive canvases too.  After all, my audition to get the job in the first place was having to paint a replica of the Mona Lisa, in poster paints for a production of Annie. The painting was a success, so much so that it was stolen by someone on tour. I learned to spatter with 8 ” decorating brushes like a pro, often having to ‘break down’ a copy of a Rococco painting  on the instructions of the set designer , as it read too well from the audience. Breaking down involved spattering great gobs of paint over a beautifully detailed painting- heartbreaking thing to do.

Fast forward 20 odd years and I’m back spattering on canvas and painting replicas of gorgeous pieces of art , except this time, instead of being on a huge scale, these canvas are tiny. And they are being turned into bags.

My new venture is c.Art.

The name stands for craft meets Art, or carry Art. Also you cart your stuff around in your bag.

The basic concept is turning paintings on canvas into bags . Most bags feature an image or two combined with appropriate embroidered text.  But words are not enough to describe the bags. You need pictures . So here they are:

This bag was made for a huge Aaliyah fan. It’s not terribly representative of the c.Art style but it was a commission.

Another commission, this bag truly showcases the c.Art style. Here we have a grafitti inspired image with words chosen by the client embroidered on to the bag.

Note the drippy, spattered canvas over written with text: that’s the c.Art style. All the bags are lined in luscious satin and fastened with magnetic snaps.

Here’s a bag made for my muse as a gift, the brilliant, creative, performance artist Marnie Scarlet. This is the back of the bag featuring appliqued flowers and a portrait of her in one of her costumes. This was based on a photo by the wonderful ML Imagery.

Here’s the front of the bag featuring a portrait of the great lady herself , based on a photograph this time by Helene Jaspers.

Detail of the stitching and glitter .

This bag is a tribute to a legend, the late, great Bruce Lee. Here’s the inside of the bag showing one of his wonderful quotes:

And here’s the front of the bag, with another one of his quotes. Image based on the famous cracked mirror scene of Enter the Dragon.

This next bag is a clutch bag , an adaptation of one of my other bags, this time featuring a cat rather than a dog. The bag is lined with satin , with a zippered inner pocket and magnetic clasp.

Sometimes I make from other materials, this time from a beautiful pearly pink pvc. This is based on a graffiti version of Frieda Kahlo.

This clutch bag made from the same pvc, this time with a very graphic image .

This drawing , by my eldest daughter, inspired  all of the bags. I transferred this drawing onto a bag made from some old oil paintings of mine , cut up to make a tote bag for her 21st birthday.

This was how it worked out.

She was very happy with her gift.

Here’s a small evening bag based on the famous painting of the Lady of Shalott.

Painted on canvas and lavishly oversewn, edged with red satin, lined with black satin.

The back of the bag features a verse from the poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson of the Lady of Shalott. The bag features a crystal topped frame and  a red silk cord.

Here is the Medusa shopper. This bag was my fastest seller, purchased only minutes of it’s completion. It was sold to the wonderful artist Sue Kreitzman.

I call this one the Mercury clutch, featuring the God Mercury and words by the God Freddie Mercury.

Another bespoke  bag , this time for a gentleman who chose this rather lovely quote to be featured inside his bag:

and this one on the back :

This is the front of the bag, a composite image of all of his passions: capoeira , architecture, jazz and the sea.

I think it came out rather well. I also unwittingly created ‘Debrixton’, the blue canvas fabric  , similar to Denim but not created in Nimes ( De Nimes) hence Debrixton.  Get it?

Some of my bags verge on the ridiculous, but splendidly so. Another bag for the fabulously adventurous Marnie Scarlet. This one is called Nell. E. Phant and features a detachable elephant trunk. The images are based on photographs by the splendidly creative Tigz Rice Studios.

Trunk on and trunk off.

This bag is made in soft pink pvc with velvet straps , canvas portrait applique and artificial flowers.

This bag was another commission . I call this one Optimism.

Another bespoke bag, this one features a stylised portrait of the client.

This next bag was specially made as a gift for my partner. He’s crazy about a certain character…

On the back is a quote from Bruce Lee. ( elaborated by Royce Da 59)

Here are two clutch bags. The first with the dog is my own personal bag, the second a version for another client, featuring her cat, Bowie.

Close up of the original tea party bag, based on a wonderful piece of graffiti.

So that’s it for now. I’ve got so many ideas in store, I almost don’t know where to begin.

I’ll be back to show you more.

Oh, if you’d like to follow my progress with the bags, do head over to my facebook page www.facebook.com/c.Artbags

There will be a website soon. I’m still working on it.

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Batcat, Robin and the Crochet Caped Crusaders

I’ve been so busy making stuff for shops and my upcoming Xmas stall at Brixton Station Road Market that I’ve sadly neglected the bloggosphere, for that I apologise.

 

To cheer y’all up I decided to show you two of my little kittens I’ve made.

Introducing Batcat

 

and Robin

Don’t they make a cute superhero cat couple? The Batcat was inspired by an image going around the Internet that I stumbled upon and I thought I just had to reacreate this little black kitten with black bat wings in crochet. So I did.

Then I made this little Sealpoint Siamese kitten and realised that she was the cat equivalent of Robin, with her lovely facial mask.

It didn’t take much of a leap of imagination to link Batcat to Robin.

I’ve also recently made a set of Batman and Robin dollies for a very lovely client and Facebook friend. They were based on the original 1960 Kapow! Adam West version of Batman and Robin. Here’s a few pics.

Batman Kapow!

Robin. Kersplat!

Off to save the day.

Well, I’ve not got much more time to write so I’ll leave you with more pics of little Batcat and Robin.

She’s so sweet

 

Batcat from the side

 

So fluffy!

 

 

Back to the hook.
If you’d like to keep up with everything I’m making, and are on Facebook, here are links to  my  Facebook pages : (remember to click that ‘LIKE’ button)

Crochet Bright and Beautiful

Crochet Dark and Decadent

I have a shop too, over at Makerhood if you are interested in purchasing , gifts maybe?

Here’s the link anyhow: Angel and Devil on my Shoulder

 

 

 

 

 

Stepping through the looking glass

This gallery contains 9 photos.

    Things have been really exciting recently. My crochet work has taken a brand new direction. Complimenting the bright and beautiful crochet goods I  have been making over at CrochetBrightandBeautiful  I have stepped through the looking glass that I … Continue reading →

Serendipity? Oh yes! Oh yes!

 

It’s been an interesting few days, full of coincidences and chance meetings.

I’m the sort of person who believes that if you are on the right path, then things go right and coincidences happen as part of that confirmation.

( Just as I wrote that line, Dynamo the magician playing on the telly in the background said : My grandfather always told me that there was no such thing as coincidences, just things that were waiting to happen… )

Spooky that.
Well back to my true story.

Last time I held my market stall in Brixton Station Road

The collectible section of my market stall.

( a very seldom affair) , a very lovely man spent an awful long time pouring over my stock , clearly deep in thought. I’m quite a shy sort, and I’m not quick to offer help so waited for the inevitable inquiry.

” Could you make a dog to order? I’ve got a Jack Russel that I’d love to have made as a gift for a friend who looks after her for me.”
Well I love a challenge so I gave him my card and waited for the contact.

One one side of my business card I have my crochet business details.

On the flip side I have my Diane’s Puppets business details. I thought I’d combine the two in a multi purpose card. After all the target audience is virtually the same.
Well, a few months past and I totally forgot about this lovely man. That is until I received an email regarding making the dog for him. He had sent these lovely two pictures of Betty the dog

Lovely Betty the Jack Russel

She’s a sweetie

and asked if I could make her before the beginning of September.

That gave me loads of time, I’d surely get it done long before the deadline.

At the end of the email, he wrote this:

“Yes, I did check out your website as I was fascinated by the reverse side of your business card.
By a curious co-incidence you might like to check out my website : www.simonbuckley.co.uk “

My curiosity prickled, I clicked on the link to find that the man who operated the Churchill Dog on the adverts

who had operated Margaret Thatcher’s puppet in Spitting Image and who was the legend that was Nobby the Sheep from Children’s telly had commissioned little ole me to make him something. Talk about a puppets connection… how strange. He lived locally too, in Brixton.
Here is his showreel.

Seriously Simon, I’m not worthy.

But I took the job on and within two days Betty the little puppy was finished. Here is the finished result:

Isn’t she cute? She even has a little ladybird on her nose as an added cute touch.
I’m delighted to report that Simon loved her . We spent a very lovely morning chatting puppets and crochet over a coffee in Brixton as I presented Betty to her owner.

 

I’m still sitting here smiling at the serendipity of it all. I think I must be doing something right.

 

A bespoke crochet your pet service soon to be launched here at Crochet Bright and Beautiful for just £30 you can have your own pet made young forever translated into crochet.  If you’re interested, leave a comment or email me on

thebabyfairyfifi@hotmail.com and make the subject line : Bespoke Pet and I’ll get back to you straight away.

 

 

 

 

 

Mr Lonely Boy : Pug number three

I’ve made a few collectibles over the past year but none so popular as the pug.

So far I’ve made three versions of this oh so cute puppy.

Here they are all together:

The first pug with his big doleful eyes

Poppy Pug number 2. She’s found a new owner already.

And this is my latest pug, Mr Lonely boy.

I think he is really cute with his chunky body, big head and low set eyes for added cute factor.

He sits so patiently

Back view

He just wants someone to love him.

Sitting back so you can see his paddy paws

I love that all the pugs are individuals, just as in real life. Isn’t that the beauty of hand made?

I’m sure this little lonely boy won’t be lonely for long. They’re usually the first puppies in the home to find a new loving owner.

Like all my collectibles, he is approximately 9 inches high , comes packed his own dinky white box and costs £20. ( plus p+p).

You can find him on my facebook page CROCHET BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL

or he will soon be added to my Folksy shop 

if he doesn’t go first.

I make all my puppies and kitties up as I go along, I’m not great with patterns. Now I’ve had some experience with crochet, I love the freedom of freeform crochet.

But if you are looking for inspiration and great patterns for dolls and cats and dogs, look no further than the wonderful Beth Webber who’s blog By Hook By Hand is an absolute treasure trove of patterns and who is my first inspiration on my journey for making my collectibles.

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Crochet Brooches, Badges and Sugar Skullduggery

When I meet the public when I have the opportunity to bring Crochet Bright and Beautiful to a market stall ( usually Brixton Station Road) I like to listen to suggestions. The public know what they want. I want to make things that the public like. It’s  a simple exchange.

The last time I held my stall I had a few bits and pieces of jewelry as well as my crochet. Some of the pieces featured crochet elements as well, like this rainbow necklace.

Although it was much admired, the lady was really looking for crochet brooches.

So with this in mind, I went home with the bee in my bonnet to make a few crochet brooches.

I first made rainbows.

They’re all different.

Then I made beautiful blowsy cotton roses with beading:

Then I made more folksy cabbage roses with a tiny ladybird detail.

I remembered the dinky 50′s style cherry brooch I had made with a vintage lady in mind:

So pretty: cherries and cherry blossom made with pure cotton and felted leaves

Keeping the vintage feel in mind, I made this pansy brooch

Pretty purple pansy

with lurex purple , beading embroidery and felt leaves. The little ladybird is a cute detail.

Then last but not least, I made some seriously funky sugar skulls, inspired by the wonderful Mexican Day of the Dead.

The skull collection so far.

I’ve really enjoyed making these fellows. Each one seems to have it’s own personality. The possibilities are endless with these crochet brooches. I’ve used various yarns, some with added lurex thread for added pizzazz. Sequins and beads add yet more sparkle to these audacious statement pieces. I shall be making more in still more colours. Every one guaranteed unique. ( I hate making the same thing twice!)

They measure 9cm /3.5 inches long and fasten with a pin at the back.
They cost just £6.50 each which I think is a bargain for such an original handmade piece of jewelry.

If you’d like one, ( or any of the other brooches above) please head over to my facebook page CROCHETBRIGHTANDBEAUTIFUL 

Like the page and just add a comment under the relevant picture and I shall get one to you . Payment via paypal. Don’t worry if you don’t have an account, I can send you an invoice which you can settle with any payment card.

If you don’t have Facebook, here they are in my Folksy Shop.

CROCHET BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL ON FOLKSY

So which is your favourite?

The white one on the bottom left is sold.

Hot off the hook!

The back of the brooches, felt backed, secure pinned.

Jolly skulls

If  you like what I do, please tell your friends and share my Facebook page with them. Thanks so much !

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Puppy Collectible : Roddy the Rottweiler

I’m trying to vary what I make just to keep things even and fresh. So after last weeks kittens and a very cute fairy , I decided to make another puppy.

I’ve just sold Desmond the Basset Hound

to a lovely lady in Sugarland, Texas via my Folksy shop. It’s so exciting when people buy things; amazing the power of the Internet to make  our huge globe so tiny! Well now I only have Boris the Bulldog

Woof!

and Lottie the Labrador

and Dotty the Dalmation

Woof!

left. I needed another puppy in my stock so I decided to make one of my favourite dogs: a Rottweiler.

Yes I know they have a bad reputation and can be terribly dangerous, but I firmly believe that dogs are as dangerous as their owners. I owned the most wonderful Labrador /Rotty cross a few years ago and he was a perfect dog. Sadly he had terrible epilepsy and we had to help him go to sleep after 9 fits in one evening took it out of him. He was only 3 years old. Sleep well Tiny dog.

So here is Roddy the Rottweiler Puppy. He is made from glossy black cotton yarn and rusty brown acrylic.

Roddy the cutest Rotty

I think he’s a darling. He’s 9 inches high like all my other puppy collectibles and comes packaged in his own dinky white box.

All my collectibles cost £20 ( plus p+p) and would make a very special unique gift for someone who has everything.

Please note these creations are not sold as toys due to their handmade nature and are suitable for decoration purposes/ older children only.

Find him here on my Facebook page and soon he will be listed in my Folksy shop.: Crochet Bright and Beautiful

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Sofa Art

Have you ever considered that your home could be your own personal gallery? Your sofa is an excellent place to showcase your taste and colour sense. I feel that you can tell a lot from the cushions on a person’s sofa.

With this in mind I’ve created what I believe to be little works of art for your sofa.

Inspired by some beautiful soft yarn that is the colour of heather and peacock tails and features tiny spangles of magenta sequins that catch the light in a magical way, I crocheted these cushions.

 

The snuggle of cushions.

I wanted to make a set that coordinated with each other but were individual compositions in their own right.  They are all 15″/39cm square , are backed and lined in cool black pure cotton and feature an envelope fastening plus button tops that keep the cushion pad nice and snug.

Showing the back of the cushions

 

The pad is fully removeable and the covers are washable but hand wash only as they are delicate. ( Like all crochet goods).

This cushion features a tassel

The cushions are for sale as  a set only. They come with pads and cost £65 for the 3. They are one of a kind , unique , original, handmade art for your home.

Available to purchase on my Facebook page Crochet bright and beautiful. If you don’t have Facebook , just leave a comment and I’ll get back to you.