Story Time was made at the same time as Blossom and Dewdrops; I photographed them together but had not intended them as a pair; however, I did think I might list them both on Etsy at the same time. Then Tom said “if they’re not a pair, no hurry, list one on today and the other tomorrow”. So, we listed Blossom and Dewdrops on Monday night. Why do I listen to him?

Story Time

Blossom and Dewdrops was bought shortly after she was listed and, as you might have guessed, the buyer immediately asked if Story Time would be for sale soon.  We listed Story Time last night and, yes, she was bought by the same person who bought of Blossom and Dewdrops.

Story Time

It’s great to have such enthusiastic buyers, but thanks to Tom they’ve now paid two full amounts of P&P when they didn’t have to. It’s not a big problem I can easily refund the difference.  Tom is a great help but sometimes…………

I found a beautiful vintage cotton tablecloth with lovely pastel coloured flowers embroidered on, so was inspired to make these two little dresses.  I’d read the words blossoms and dewdrops together somewhere and knew I wanted to use them on something,  when I saw these beautiful embroidered flowers I knew this was the piece as they were so spring time. I’ve also sewn little silk and muslin inserts into the dress which remind me of hanky style dresses from the twenties.  This  got me to thinking of the new ”Great Gatsby” film that is coming out and I have an old copy of the book, so am thinking that will be on the cards after I’ve finished a few other little pieces.

Blossoms and Dewdrops

Small 25cm long, 19cm wide, paper fabric assemblage.

One small, three dimensional, simple, white cotton dress with a book paper stitched bodice. The skirt of the dress is formed from gathered strips of differing white cottons, one is from a vintage embroidered tablecloth another is from the cuff of a cotton shirt – which has the words Blossoms and Dewdrops embroidered on. The dress is decorated front and back with buttons and some smaller pieces of ruched fabric. Hanging from the hem of the dress is a small teapot.

Blossom and Dewdrops

To purchase this item, please, visit Our Etsy Shop for further details.

Another fairy tale inspired piece, this time from the brothers Grimm.  This is my twist on Red Riding Hood – the wolf is her companion.

Red Riding Hood walks through the night time forest

This wire and papier mache sculpture stands 28cm wide, 33cm high and 22cm deep.

Red Riding Hood with her companion

The figure is made from wire and papier mache, accompanied by the trees and her wolf she rises out of the book from which they are formed. Her hair is made from a soft viscose material which is gathered and ruched, then falls into a long plait. Her dress is 100% cream silk, with three buttons down the side. Flowing behind her, the vibrant red cloak is also 100% silk.

To find out more about the authors – the brothers Grimm and the fairy tale, try these Wikipedia pages – the authors or the fairy tale. If you would like to read the fairy tale, you’ll find it along with other fairy tales freely available in Kindle format and many more, here at the wonderful Project Gutenberg .  If you’ve lost your copy of the fairy tale and want to replace it or would like to buy a hard copy, try Amazon – Little Red Riding Hood

To purchase this item, please, visit Our Etsy Shop for further details.

The Swan Princess

Latest addition to the Etsy shop, is this assemblage comprised of a wire an papier mache figurine accompanied by a cast metal swan on the stage of a mock theater.

The Swan Princess

Inspired by the mythical creature of many tales and legends, who shape-shifts from human form to swan form, this piece owes its origins to the story of the Swan Maiden.  Folktales usually adhere to the following basic plot. A young, unmarried man steals a magic robe made of swan feathers from a swan maiden so that she will not fly away, and winds up marrying her.

To find out more about the fairy tale, try these Wikipedia pages -the fairy tale. If you would like to read the fairy tale, you’ll find it along with other fairy tales, freely available in Kindle format and many more, here at the wonderful Project Gutenberg . If you’ve lost your copy of the fairy tale and want to replace it or would like to buy a hard copy, try this list at Amazon The Swan Maiden

To purchase this item, please, visit Our Etsy Shop for further details.

Some time ago I made another art dress entitled The Swan. This one was made as a commission piece, you would have had to be quick to spot this one on Etsy, she was only up for a few hours.

The Swan - Art Dress Assemblage.

The Swan - Art Dress Assemblage.

Small 18cm long, 21cm wide, paper fabric assemblage.

One small three dimensional ballet style dress. Tailored and stitched together from old pleated book pages and white cotton remnants. White feathers and small beads decorate the dress with the edges being touched with silver leaf. The inside of the bodice is also covered in silver leaf.

I’ve been working on the “The Princess and the Pea” for what seems like ages but, she’s finally here.

The Princess and the Pea - Papier Mache, Wire and Fabric Sculpture.

Of course, she’s inspired by the well known Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale “The Princess and the Pea”. In the fairy tale, a young girl is revealed as a princess after claiming to have had a restless night, caused by a pea being placed under the multitude of matresses and featherbeds upon which she slept (the actual number was 20 matresses and 20 featherbeds – I stopped at 15 ).

The Princess and the Pea - Papier Mache, Wire and Fabric Sculpture

23cm wide, 33cm high and 16cm deep, the piece depicts a small princess wearing a billowing silk nightdress, awakeing from her restless slumber, yawning and streching as morning approaches.

The figure is made from wire and papire mache. Her hair is made from soft viscose, gathered and ruched, which falls in a lomg plait to the floor. Her nightdress is 100% silk – after all, she is a princess! On the rug are her discarded slippers, patiently made form little pieces of paper.

Now to the bed, it’s also made form wire and papier mache and sits atop a book as if coming alive from the story. A ladder sweeps in a curve to the top of the bed. Whilst her mattresses, each one individually handmade, come from all over the world - Indian cottons, Chinese silk and satins, beautiful cottons, linens and 100% cashmere. The sheets under which she lay, like her nightdress are made from 100% silk, overlayed with warm luxurious blankest made form vintage lace and cahmere.

The photos shown here, unlike the ones on Etsy, were taken against a dark background. I’m  not to sure which I like best, what do you think?

To find out more about the author – Hans Christian Andersen and the fairy tale, try these Wikipedia pages – the author or the fairy tale. If you would like to read the fairy tale, you’ll find it along with other Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales freely available in Kindle format and many more, here at the wonderful Project Gutenberg .  If you’ve lost your copy of the fairy tale and want to replace it or would like to buy a hard copy, try Amazon – The Princess and the Pea

To purchase this item, please, visit Our Etsy Shop for further details.

Well, as mentioned last week, Tabby and I went to the local car boot sale as planned.  It was a good day, Tabby managed to find some plates and has already made a beautiful cake stand to sell in her Etsy Shop.

Vintage cake stand

Since our last visit they introduced a new idea – the sellers can now hire a transport container to host their shop. Here’s Tabby searching for her treasures and some of the things that were on offer.

Inside a container shop Tabby goes hunting.

I don't recall it being a cold day.

Lovely reels and bobbins.

Had it been cold, these might have come in handy.

Found some!

Just the thing.

If you live near us and fancy a visit to the Valley car boot sale its open as follows:

Valley Market & Car Boot, Field Street, Valley, Anglesey, LL65 3EE

Held on	Tuesdays, Thursdays
Seller start time	05.30am
Buyer arrival time	06.00am
From/To	05:30 to 15:00
Frequency	Regular
Seller fee	£?8 for cars, ?10 for vans £
Entry fee	£None
Refreshments	Yes
Toilets	Yes
Disabled access	No details
Disabled parking	No details
Disabled toilets	No details
Average no. of sellers	No details
Operators name	Bob Parry & Co Limited
Contact telephone	07803 894 888
Contact email	Email Valley General Retail Market &
Website	Valley General Retail Market & website

I’ve made a dress with a similar title before but, this one is a slightly bigger, has a different underskirt and more beading.

Dress For A "Mid-Summer's Night Dream"

Now I think about it, this dress is similar mostly due to the colour.

Dress For A "Mid-Summer's Night Dream"

She is 18cm long, 23cm wide. Tailored and stitched together from old pleated book pages, and fabric remnants. Differing colored decorative glass and enameled beads glint and sparkle at the waist and bodice. A dreamy dress ready for a moon lit midnight ball.

Please visit   Our Etsy Shop for further details.