Made With Love by Kat

I get asked to make commissions a lot. Often it's by people who have some jewellery that has been passed down in the family that they don't wear but that they don't want to give away - so they bring it to me to see if I can make something new for them. Recently, a friend of mine brought me a whole lot of stuff that she wants transforming. I'm slowly working my way through it - I'm going to post some before and after shots in the next few days, but for now here are the two pieces that I've completed. The "leaves" on these earrings are actually made from the petals on a flower-shaped brooch. The central flower is still in one piece - I'm not sure what I'm going to make with it yet. I turned the metal stems of each of these petals over using needle-nose pliers to form a loop through which I could wrap the wire, then I carefully attached them to 14ct gold-filled chain. The stone at the top is a garnet. I must admit, when I first saw this chunky sil...

According to this week's Sunday Times Style magazine, "vintage costume jewellery is hot this party season", and who am I to argue? Everyone loves a bit of vintage as it means you're less likely to see someone else wearing the same thing - and with one of my one-of-a-kind creations I can make that a guarantee. That's why I think it's a bit of a shame that there are so many high street shops now offering the sort of jewellery I and my fellow Folksy folk make. But remember - for every shop-bought "vintage inspired" bracelet or "fabric corsage" necklace bought for three quid from P*****k there are ten thousand more round the necks and wrists of other people. By buying handmade you are guaranteeing that you are wearing something which has had real love, thought and creativity poured into it. Each piece is unique - and personally that's the way I like it. Today, by the way, I am wearing this:

I've spent the evening doing lots and lots of photography so I can list some lovely new items later. But as it takes me so long to list stuff, I thought I would put a sneaky peek on here first. All items are, of course, available to be reserved if you just have to have it now! Vintage cloisonne beads with 14ct gold chain, hoops and garnet, hanging from freshwater pearl and kyanite Asymmetric 14ct gold chain, vintage bead, brass swallow, amazonite and coral earrings Asymmetric vintage marcasite, freshwater pearl and faceted rock crystal earrings Vintage earrings with amazonite drops and fine 14ct gold chain Vintage earrings with amethyst, labradorite and rock crystal

Ohhhhhhhhhhh it's too difficult a choice to make. I like the mobile functionality of WordPress, but when it comes to blogging on an actual computer I far prefer Blogger. What's a girl to do? Any advice would be very gratefully received. In the meantime, as I may have mentioned once or twice, I have been working on lots of new items. Some of them are in my Folksy shop now, and I'll be taking more photographs tonight so there'll be lots more over the next few days. Just to whet your appetite, here's a wee collage I made of some things that have been inspiring me... Clockwise from bottom left: Image by Heather James from her recent exhibition at Cornerhouse Manchester, an image from the ballet exhibition at The Lowry, Salford Quays, which finished last week, The King's Speech, Black Swan And here's a sneak peek of one of my new items which isn't on the website yet - I will be listing it tonight:

Here's a cheeky sneaky peek of a new necklace I haven't listed in my Folksy shop yet. It's made from a gorgeous turquoisey-blue vintage brooch teamed with rock crystal, labradorite and amazonite, along with one of the last of my tiny brass swallow charms (if anyone knows where I can restock on these for a reasonable price, can you let me know please? My old supplier has vanished). It is as yet nameless, all suggestions are very welcome: And here is a little look at a work still in progress. The brooch is one I found in a vintage shop in Harrogate (see my last post for more Yorkshire adventures). I'm going to team it with rock crystal, garnet, amethyst and gold filled wire, but beyond that I haven't really decided yet. I tend to work by making piles of things, messing about with them and waiting for inspiration to strike.

This month's Vogue magazine tells me that sorbet colours are going to be HUGE next season - particularly under John Galliano at Christian Dior. I was thrilled, obviously. Not only is Galliano a huge idol of mine but I have been working on lovely new items in shades of lavender, lilac, lemon, jade and pastel pink. My new favourites are these new Sparkling Sorbet earrings made from reworked vintage diamante earrings teamed with pale yellow jade and pretty pink rose quartz: You can buy them here Also new is a twist on the lace bracelets I've previously featured on this blog which sold less than a day after I'd listed them. Using the same lace, this time I've given it a sherbert twist with lavender and mint fabric and lace rosettes and a sparkling vintage earring. I've called it "Ruffled" and as lace is also a huge new trend I think it ticks all the boxes! You can buy it here

A while ago I posted a picture from a Flickr set called "Vintage Follies" that had inspired my new collection. I sent Lisa who created the pictures a message to tell her how she inspired me and she very kindly offered to put a link on her blog . And what a gorgeous blog it is! A definite must for all lovers of vintage craftiness! You can visit Lisa's blog, Faerie Enchantment, by clicking here . The Vintage Follies collection is, of course, available from my Folksy shop .

Happily no arsenic in these little beauties. A while ago I got some vintage lace in a destash swap. I was at a bit of a loss as to what to do with it until a couple of days ago when just messing around a lightbulb pinged on - here are the results! Of Love and Shadows bracelet: The First Dance necklace

The Fairytale Boat Follies! My Tinsel Workshop! 2 Originally uploaded by Lisa Kettell This is one of my absolute favourite Flickr finds,and the picture that's really inspiring the jewellery I'm making at the moment, which I'm calling the "Vintage Follies" collection.

...and I haven't made anywhere near enough stock! The Royal exchange have requested more earrings, and I know the Wench and Trinkets needs more too, but I've been busy trying to get my Folksy shop back up to reasonable levels. Phew! I have managed to get some new pieces in my shop, and make sure you keep checking as I have more to list as soon as I get a minute - but with items selling sometimes just hours after they're listed you'd better be quick if there's something you've got your eye on! Here's a quick peek at three of the new necklaces... The Paradise Garden reworked vintage necklace A Garland of Dewdrops reworked vintage necklace Antoinette reworked vintage necklace

Some time ago I compiled my top 10 tips for junk shop shopping for Craftier magazine's "Frugal Crafting" issue. For those of you who haven't had a chance to see them, here they are: 1. Get up early Most car boot sales “officially” start at 8am, but traders get there from 6am (or earlier!) to set up - and professional bargain hunters get there at the same time to make sure they get the best bargains as soon as they are unwrapped. 2. Don’t rush Charity shops, thrift stores, junk shops and car boots all have one thing in common - if you’re going to find a bargain you have to be patient. Set aside a good amount of time so you can have a proper dig around without feeling you have to rush back to your desk. 3. Learn to haggle Just because there is a price on a tag doesn’t mean that’s what you have to pay. Go lower than you are willing to pay and hopefully they will meet you in the middle - or even agree to your first offer!>/p> 4. Befriend your charity shop mana...

I've been hard at work for the last few days making things to go off to the Royal Exchange theatre in Manchester as part of their Fairytale Christmas sale in their craft shop. I've gone a little bit out on a limb as I've been using some fabulous but not-at-all-cheap stones, along with some really beautiful handpicked pieces of vintage jewellery to rework. I've also wired everything together using 14 carat goldfill wire - much nicer than gold plated which I hate and never use. When I saw my bill when I'd finished filling my trolley on the semi precious beads website I nearly had a heart attack - I hope you all think it's worth it! As ever these are all one of a kind designs, and won't be available in my Folksy shop unless someone specially requests them before Monday. If there is a piece here you've fallen in love with and you want me to set up a listing for you email me at made_with_love@rocketmail.com Speaking of Christmas, I will also be at the Christm...

Fashionbite is currently the coolest fashion blog on the block. It was set up during London fashion Week by Emily Sears, fashion guru at Drapers magazine and guess what? She's featured me in her "Vintage Rocks" feature: You can read the full article, here

I've just done a lovely interview for UK Handmade's blog - you can read it here . I am also going to write a tutorial for the Christmas issue of their magazine. Initially I was going to do a step by step on reworking a brooch into something new, but as it's Christmas I'm thinking maybe I'll do a "how to" on making Christmas decorations out of vintage stuff instead - what do people think? What would you prefer? Or should I do something else altogether?

Woop! The thousands of press releases I've sent out over the last few weeks seem finally to be working - look at this lovely article on Greenmystyle.com: All through october anyone who makes a purchase will be entered into a prize draw to win a made With Love goody bag worth £50. Yep £50! What better excuse to start your Christmas shopping early and maybe bag a little pressie for yourself in the bargain! You can read the whole article, here Visit my shop here to buy and be in with a chance of winning the fabulous goody bag.

Yes, after lots of blood, sweat and the occasional tears I have finally officially launched my website - www.madewithlovebykat.com To celebrate, everyone who buys an item from made With Love in october will be entered into a draw to win a goody bag worth £50! Woohoo! It's also been a good few months in terms of press coverage - things seem to finally be really taking off. Below are just a few of the lovely articles I've been featured in recently. Manchester Evening News Make Jewellery magazine Lancashire Life

Lots of lovely press coverage in the last few weeks in Make Jewellery, the Manchester Evening News and Large Manchester. I've pasted a copy of the Large Manchester feature below - the others will follow when I've worked out how to get electronic copies of them. Unfortunately Large Manchester printed my website address as madewithlovebykat.co.uk, not madewithlovebykat.com but hopefully people will have the sense to Google me if they like what they read. The days are ticking down to the official website launch - hopefully it will all be finished by Saturday. Keep your eyes peeled for a special celebratory competition!

I can't believe I haven't blogged for a month! Slack of me I know but I've just been sooooooo busy! On Friday Made With Love was featured in the Greenlife section of the Manchester Evening News - you can read the article here . I've also been busy, busy, busy creating pieces for the Royal Exchange's Fairytale Christmas sale. They're absolutely lovely items - I'm not sure I can bear to part with them to be honest. And my jewellery is also going to be part of the Christmas market at The Met in Bury - phew! There's only 93 sleeps until Santa, so you'd best start thinking about your Christmas shopping - I already know what I'm getting my boyfriend (I'm not posting it here though in case he sees!), it's just everyone else I'm stuck on. Christmas has been on my mind because believe it or not we're already starting work on Christmas features for the newspaper. Ace for me, because I get really excited, but I think it might be starting t...

For those of you who I haven't crowed at about this yet, I am in this month's issue of Lancashire Life. The photo of me is a bit unfortunate though, as what was actually sunburn instead looks like I've got huge bags under my eyes. I much prefer this snap, from Camp Bestival last month. Yes, I am dressed as the Cheshire Cat, if the Cheshire Cat had to wear a cagoule and wellies... Anyhow, if you want to browse the new items I've listed to keep stock levels up (things have been flying out of the door thanks to Lancs Life), you can of course visit my shop here .

Folksy have a lovely new member of staff called Anne who has been working really hard to curate their front pages. She has been working to a theme every week or two and they are looking absolutely fantastic. So imagine my excitement when I looked today to find that my La Dolce Vita necklace had been featured! It's such an honour - all the featured items are so beautiful and I'm so proud that my jewellery has been chosen. You can see what the front page looks like below. And if you want to snap the necklace up (it's one of a kind, so once it's gone it's gone!) you can buy it here