Summer jewellery

I've been gathering some really pretty buttons and beads in the past few weeks to make new Summer pieces for my Etsy shop. I love floral patterns at the moment so I've used them many of the designs. Purples seem to be featuring alot too - it can be such a Summer colour.

< Peony Button Necklace

I like to put purple with greens and blues, it's such a soft and natural combination of colours. In this button bracelet I've also included some silvery mussel shell charms as the colours of the buttons reminded me of the sea.


Shoreline Button Bracelet >

Many recent additions to my shop have been nautically themed, as it's a style I've admired in fashion lately. I've used alot of navy, white and red in other pieces, but with this necklace I've kept things simple and stuck with silver and grey. I love the cute anchor charm!

< Anchors Away Button Necklace

Button rings are some of my best sellers, and since they were the first pieces of jewellery I ever made (though the design has changed alot in 17 years since the first ones!) I love to see that people still enjoy them. They always seem to draw compliments as they're just a little bit quirky :)

Sweetpea Button Ring >


These items are all available at magpieandbutton.etsy.com right now!
Of course if you'd prefer to see some jewellery 'in person', I'm having my third Magpie and Button jewellery night on Friday June 18th at Jacob's Island.

I'd love to see you there for a glass of wine and to have a browse through the jewellery. As always, bring a friend or two with you if you like. Just contact me for more details!

Lovely lace

During my week in Paris I went to an amazing flea market in Montmartre, where among 1950s telephones, 1900s opera glasses and gorgeous Art Deco furniture I also saw some beautiful examples of vintage French lace. It was being sold in the form of collars, lengths of lace ribbon and of course as an embellishment on gorgeous dresses from the 1900s. I didn't buy any, a decision I now regret as I'm already thinking of ideas to use it to spice up some items in my wardrobe and around the house, or to make something completely new.

Here are some absolutely beautiful items from Etsy sellers who've used lovely lace, both old and new, in their handmade homewares, jewellery and accessories. Don't they all look so romantic?

Featured items:

Pretty Cream Heart Corsage by rubensribbons
Pearls and Lace Earrings by LaCamelot
To Wake the Soul Necklace by sparrowsalvage
French Grain Sack Clutch Bag by BagNoir
Film Noir Crazy Quilt Pincushion by homespunireland
The Big Lavender Bag Herbal Cushion by lapomme
Black and White Wrist Cuffs by LadyLamb

Yesterday's news

This week I've really been thinking alot about recycling and repurposing things. I always try to keep and reuse what I can, especially paper and card, so I have drawers and boxes full of all sorts of scraps and wrapping paper. I'd love to say I'll use them all eventually but in reality I probably won't!

However, here are some wonderful Etsy sellers who have used old newspapers and books in lots of different ways to create some amazing things. Isn't JustLiv's headband so cute? And I love love LOVE the idea of the paper wreath, like this romantic one from SimpleJoysPaperie. It's so great to see such imaginative repurposing of paper to make beautiful craft items.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on how we can make use of the papers many of us have been hoarding... any ideas?

Featured items:
Origami Newspaper Crane Garland by arawlins
Custom Initial Necklace by EsmeDodsworthDesign
Recycled Bow Headband by JustLiv
Big News Notebook by cucumbersoup
Present Topper Kit by InklingPaper
Romantic Vintage French Book Paper Wreath by SimpleJoysPaperie
Recycled Paper Bead Earrings by hippiekingdom
Vintage Dictionary Bird Cutouts by mommyholly

Cinco de Mayo

Oh I just love the idea of a Mexican barbecue party. Thinking about margaritas, burritos and bunting make me want to put a flower (or even better, TanyaMac's happy hairband!) in my hair and dance around! Anyone know a good Mariachi band?

These are some of my favourite Etsy picks on the Mexican fiesta theme. Aren't those crochet cacti by acrudele the cutest things ever?! I'd love these for my sun room. We put up some bunting like aymujer's in there last week, and it feels so bright and festive. I think propeller's cheery little gift tags would be gorgeous on party favours, or even strung together as a garland.

Now all we need is a sunny day!

Featured items:
1. Remington Rae's Fiesta Earrings by octaviabloom
2. Papel Picado Banners by aymujer
3. Green Lampwork Bracelet by lightkeeping
4. Green, Turquoise and Red Crochet Applique Circles by AnnieDesign
5. Handbuilt Porcelain Trays by clayswan
6. Day Glo Flo Happy Hairband by TanyaMac
7. Puffball Ocean Blue Gift Tags by propeller
8. Ah Fiesta Necklace by VOimpressions
9. Cacti Trio by acrudele