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

“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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I’m intermittently working on the website too, it’s not ready yet, but soon, dear friends, soon.

Here are the most recent completed bags.

First here is a clutch bag made on the theme of Mercury.
The image is painted from a detail of a painting by Tiepolo of the Roman God Mercury . Words across the bag are from that god amongst rock gods, Freddie Mercury. I think it came out beautifully. But I’ll let you be the judge of that.

Next is a bag especially created for a singing goddess, the wonderful Miss Baby Sol. I first came upon her spectacular self when she was guesting with the amazing Lazy Habits.

Here she is singing with the Lazy Habits boys.

She is currently supplying splendid backing vocals for the lovely British Diva Paloma Faith. She won’t be long in the background, I’m sure , as she is destined to shine like the star that she is. Here’s her bag, based on an image by Steve Coleman of Three Images. I can’t wait to hand it over to her.

Next bag is another version of the ever popular Tea Party clutch. This one is version number 3 and features a white chihuahua and a lady wearing a wonderful ship fascinator created by the lovely Bink of the wonderful Pearls and Swine. If you like pretty things , do yourself a favour and pop over and see her work. You will thank me.

Oh I’ve got so many more, I think I’ll save them for another blog post. Don’t want to spoil you .

Would love to hear your thoughts. If you were to have a bag represent you, what would it look like?

To keep up with my progress do head over to my facebook page.

c.Art on Facebook

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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Crocheting. Lots of it. Why have I been crocheting? For fun? Well, yes crocheting is an endless source of amusement for me but it’s not that.

I’ve been selling crochet goods in a few shops and have had quite a busy time just keeping up with restocking.

I’ve sold the original Batcat to a lovely lady called Dee in the USA .

I’ve since made two more versions: this one for Alex in Australia and his girlfriend Sophie

and this one for a man called Dan in Canada. But Batcat’s aside, it’s been rather busy for another reason.

I’m crocheting lots because of a cat. Not just any old cat, but a miracle cat called Anakin. Anakin the Miracle Cat is a beautiful cat who lives in the USA.  He is rather a popular boy, not just because he has remarkably handsome features  and a personality to match, but also because he is rather special, being born with no pelvis or back legs. But don’t feel sorry for him, here he is climbing a Kitty Condo tower quite happily.

Isn’t he remarkable?

Well it all started for me when Anakin’s ‘grandma’ contacted me on my Facebook page ( www.facebook.com/CrochetBrightandBeautiful) to ask if I’d create a crochet version of her little kitty for her daughter. How could I say no? So I did.

And here is how he turned out. and this is how Anakin responded to his crochet doppelganger.Well, he poses so well next to him don’t you think?

Well since Anakin, I’ve been flat out hooking, making pet portraits for people all over the world, from Norway and Denmark, to Australia , Canada , USA and of course, right here in the UK.

Here are a few of the lovely kitties ( and puppies) that I’ve had the pleasure of recreating.

As you can see, I’ve been a busy bunny. I’ve come quite a long way since I wrote this first post about my ambivalence towards making cats…

http://dianespuppetsproducts.wordpress.com/2012/01/16/cute-kitty-crochet-cat/

So, if you know anyone who is looking to have a dear pet immortalised in crochet or you are looking for that purrfect gift for a pet lover, pop over to either my Etsy shop (outside the UK) or for my UK people, my Folksy shop. There are links there to order either a cat , dog or a Diva Dolly. If you have other pet critters you’d like me to make, just drop me a line. I love a challenge!

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

I’ve been really neglecting blogging of late.

I’ve been so busy what with Diane’s Puppets  
and making all things crochet, I’ve hardly had time to think, let alone write.
But I’m not complaining, not a bit of it!

Since learning to crochet just over a year ago now I’m now have my crochet being stocked in three shops, one in my local area, Brixton in a brand new gift shop in Market Row, right next door to the best pizza place in the UK , Franca Manca’s . If you haven’t had a pizza at Franca Manca’s you’ve not eaten pizza, trust me. And it’s really reasonably priced too. (You can tell I’m hungry can’t you? ) Well while you are there, pop into the gift shop next door called 20 Storey and check out Crochet Bright and Beautiful and also some Crochet Dark and Decadent.

One of my pugs in the window at 20 Storey.

Cute crochet for cool kids .

I’ve also got stock in a lovely new boutique : Harriet Jade Boutique  in the Derbyshire town of Wirksworth. Have a look at the facebook page here .

Crochet Bright and Beautiful hits Derbyshire! My stock in Harriet Jade Boutique

Then I’ve got five of my ‘scaries’ that I’ve made over at Crochet Dark and Decadent in a lovely toyshop Heelgoed Speelgoed 

Scary collectable dollies in Amsterdam toyshop Heelgoed Speelgoed

As if that isn’t enough, I’ve been asked to make some collectable dogs and cats for a lovely tea party shop in Putney. As soon as I’m finished that order, I’ll let you know the details.
I’m busy making new stock for my Xmas Eve market stall in Brixton for Crochet Bright and Beautiful. Here is a little taster of what I’ve been making:

Baby headbands

Cute soft ear hats

 

The ‘fluffy ears’ range of hats

Boy hats

Super luxurious newborn baby fox hat

Fish hat

Flower power hat

Girly hat

Daisy hat

The Quick Brown Fox hat

 

Red Admiral hat

So as you can see, I’ve been busy. Got lots more ideas to come, and lots more to make.
Oh, exciting news too, Crochet Dark and Decadent will be featured in two alternative magazines in the near future… I’ll keep you posted as soon as I get news.

 
Thanks for stopping by and I’ll see you all soon(ish).
Now where’s my hook?

I like to make individual pieces, I’ve realised. I’m not good at replicating. Some people enjoy the repetition thing but I find that the joy for me is in the creative process. The moment when something comes together that has never existed before is  a truly special moment and that is where my satisfaction lies.
So… that means that everything that I make will be unique.
Here are the latest bunch of little bits of uniqueness.

I’ve been making baby headbands since I came across some really special velvet trimmed soft elastic , it just had to be adorned with something pretty and made into headbands. So I did.

Here’s what I’ve made thus far:

Here is the full collection of baby headbands. All different and all special. Just like baby girls.

Red Diva sparkly bow

The velvet ladybird one

The daisy chain one

My personal favourite: the Blue hydrangea one

The pink and sparkly butterfly one

The double daisy one

The English Rose one

The Pink Sugar Bow one

All these headbands are completely hand made and hand finished. Every detail is hand sewn on securely and they are all backed in felt.

These delicious little morsels will make the most perfect gift and cost just £4.50 plus £1 p+p and can be purchased via my Facebook page:

Crochet Bright and Beautiful on Facebook

Just leave a comment under the relevant photo and I’ll get back to you straight away.

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

I’ve always had a soft spot for fairies.

My childhood ambition was to grow up to be a fairy. I almost achieved it ( read about that here)

I have a very scruffy looking gothic fairy sitting stiffly on a cloud tattooed on my left breast/upper chest. It was a moment of madness, literally.

I was a lady of a certain age going through a difficult emotional time when I stepped into that tattoo parlour on a whim.

Most people would look at it and think that I’d regret getting such a clumsy piece of skin art, but I don’t. Like many people’s tattoos , it symbolises a time that I like to remember to keep me grounded.

Not the best piece of skin art in the world but it works for me.

I think most people go through a period in life when things go dark : if you don’t, you’ve lived a charmed life. We can’t avoid darkness in our lives, be it bereavement, loss, relationship breakdown  and so on. As painful as those things are , I believe they still play a part in the rich tapestry of life and can sometimes be our making rather than our undoing; character building stuff.

So I suppose you might say my tattoo predicted how my love for fairies would also, in time, include my love for ‘scaries’. I have been walking around with a prediction marked into my skin for over 10 years.

This

My favourite flower fairy. She flew away some time ago now.

has managed to turn into this:

My L’il Devil. Now with a new owner.

I’m not saying the Scaries have replaced the fairies, not a bit of it! I’m saying they’ve balanced the world out a little.

I’ve got to shoot off and be a children’s entertainer now in my incarnation as Diane’s Puppets.

I’ll be back to show you what else has crawled out  of the shadowy dark side that is Crochet Dark and Decadent 
very soon.

Toodle pip.

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 found at the end of the crocheted rainbow into a world of darkness, excitement and a whole lot of decadence. I’ve launched the wonderful world of Crochet Dark and Decadent. For now it is just a Facebook page, but I have great plans ahead for exhibitions and happenings as well as an exciting range of one off creative artistic pieces celebrating the darker side of life.  I’ve been inspired by performance artists, latex costumes, drag queens and the wonderful Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations to creative a world of lush deep colours, shiny sparkly things and a little bit of pain every now and again.

Here’s a little gallery of the things I’ve been making:

It’s a very exciting time. I only wish I had another pair of hands.