Bracelets and Spoon Dollies

It's been such a busy year so far and I have been learning so much and adding to my collection. I have been learning to make super cute bracelets which I am absolutely in LOVE with! Pouring over my collection of cutlery and matching up pairs of the same design is such a lovely process. I then get to work on cutting and filing, drilling and shaping and then sitting down with trusty tin of Brasso to make the pieces super shiny. Finally I love looking through my box of charms to see if there is one that looks just right for the design or deciding if its better just as it is simple and unadorned.

The bracelets have been proving super popular at my most recent markets and I am now busy getting more ready for the season that shall remain nameless because it is only August! However, the blackberries are already very much in evidence in the lanes and hedges around my home and before we know it the season will be upon us.

I love working in my old dad's little workshop and part of the joy of that is the visitors that pop by to say hello when I am in there. My mum's lovely neighbours come in to see what I am up to and have come up with some ingenious ideas and ways to help me out. I am now the owner of a fabulous bending machine made by Tony and Dave who put their engineering and construction minds together to make a fabulous piece of kit for me, all from upcycled pieces from broken machines and welded attachments from discarded off cuts of metal. I'm so chuffed to think that not only am I upcycling beautiful old cutlery but I'm also able to do it using tools and machinery that have been recycled and repurposed too. The chaps are currently working on a rolling tool for me which hopefully means I'll be able to make super smooth and flat pieces that shine so much you can almost see your face in them. I am very grateful to them for helping me.

In my mission to waste as little as possible I've also been experimenting with spoon dollies. I love these tinkly dancing trinkets - I sold my first one this week to a lady who was as excited by them as me. Ah wonderful! I hope she enjoys watching her dolly dance in her kitchen window where she was off to take up permanent residence.

Hopefully I'll have lots more of these cuties very soon! x