Super Aldrich Crafts

Thought I'd try something a bit different - sewn Christmas cards.

All set up in front of .stneots next to the lovely ladies of the country market. We're only able to trade until 1pm, so pop down soon.

I'm going to say the 'C' word - colds🤧. It's that time of year and if you want to keep your handkerchiefs or tissues easily at hand and not getting fuzzed up in your pocket or bag, my handmade tissue holders will suit. Available tomorrow on my stall at St Neots Farm & Craft Market 8am-1pm. Great for 'get well soon' gifts or even for school staff presents for the other 'C' word.

Back in stock, handmade birthday cards suitable for all. On my stall St Neots Farm & Craft Market tomorrow morning.

When I was little, everything stopped for family movies. One of my favourites was Clash of the Titans and as a little one, I absolutely adored Bubo, the mechanical owl given to Perseus by Athena. So for Halloween, here's my tribute to Bubo, an owl necklace handmade by myself with the usual magnetic clasp.

At Saturday's St Neots Farm & Craft Market I had a previous customer pop by to say she loving her lava bracelet. Sadly, she's got a bit of a cold at the moment, but has found putting some eucalyptus essential oil on her bracelet has helped her.
I love the ingenuity of this idea to help with a blocked nose, much more chic than nose sticks and sprays.
As well as Lava beads, the bracelets are made with Jade and Howlite beads along with my signature magnetic clasp.
I'll be back at the market next month, or you can message me in the meantime.

All set up to the side of the entertainment stand St Neots Farm & Craft Market . I'll be here selling my handmade goods until 1pm today.

Save your bags and pockets from holes by using a padded key cover.
On my stall at St Neots Farm & Craft Market tomorrow.

Lots of people have to wear lanyards and clothes don't always have suitable pockets, so for those always in need of a pen to hand, I've made lanyard pen holders as well.

I've been busy making pen holders, in between rethreading the overlocker (my least favourite job) and tootling to MK to see Baldrick in person (yay!).
These were inspired by my old GCSE syllabus, Celeb Race Across the World (current required watching here) and my favourite time of year. They are made to fit A5, but other sizes are to follow along with different fabrics, so let me know if you have any preferences.

Little One's organic lavender has gone crackers this year. They've grown so much that any spare place is being used for drying it. The next stage is the removal of flowers from stems before they can be sewn into lavender bags. It's a nice job (although hard on the fingers) and the scent from working with the lavender is calming after busy days now school is back open.

A recent commission for a gent who wanted a lava bracelet for his special anniversary. Made with 35 beads, one for each year of marriage, with bamboo coral, purple jade, white howlite, lava beads and magnetic clasp to celebrate their individual likes and marriage longevity. Wrapped up in a handmade gift box, it was a pleasure to help provide such a thoughtful gift.

I've received a few commissions lately, so I'll post about each when I won't spoil any celebrations.
These earrings came into being as a lovely customer wanted to wear a necklace she'd bought from me as a set. Luckily, I'd got a few of the Hematite beads left over from making the necklace (which I'd chosen because of their uniqueness, but sadly haven't been able to source any more since) so I was happy to oblige.

I've taken a break to properly rest and recuperate (which I wasn't managing to do); and travelled to see family to help with jobs around their homes etc. All lovely, but the long distance traveling has itself been quite exhausting.

Anyhow, one recent visit made me think about a point that comes up quite often -silver jewellery.

One of the 'little jobs' that I was asked to do for Nanna was fix a pair of sterling silver earrings, as she was having trouble getting them in her ears. The earrings were only worn occasionally, put in by Nanna (who's proud to be 93 years old and independent) but as you can see, the fishhooks were squished completely out of shape and tarnished.

I often get asked if my jewellery is made from sterling silver, or not, in the case of those with an allergy, so bare with me as explain my opinion on it. Sterling silver is an alloy (a mixture of metals) as silver on its own is too soft and unsuitable for jewellery. It's made of 92.5% silver (hence it's normally found with the mark of 925 on it) and 7.5% copper. It is, as you can see from the photo, still quite malleable (even by a 93 year old who has arthritis and without the use of tools) and naturally tarnishes.

There are other metals stronger; less likely to tarnish; and less likely to cause a reaction that have a silver colour. Hence, I use non-tarnish gold or silver plated metal and (my favourite) surgical steel in my jewellery. They are still beautiful and less hassle without the issues mentioned above, so they're my preferred metals to work with.

FYI I replaced the bent fishhooks with surgical steel ones, that are easier for Nanna to see/pick up; won't bend as she puts them in; and won't tarnish. She's very happy, apart from the fact I didn't take enough to replace all her earrings' fishhooks for her. Next time, I'll put a bigger toolbox in the car.

Little One is poorly in bed so set up took a bit longer today without my favourite helper (don't tell the Hubster 🤭) but we managed it! All set up at St Neots Farm & Craft Market. I'm opposite Caffè Nero today so pop down before 1pm to get some great handmade gifts and cards.

I've been making a new design of earrings lately.
Available on my stall at St Neots Farm & Craft Market tomorrow for £10 per pair

New handmade bookmarks will be on my stall at St Neots Farm & Craft Market tomorrow. Perfect at £3 each for a little thank you gift for book loving school staff.

Another throwback to when we still had our Celtic Queen. Hubster and I make our own beer and wine, so a beer card was appropriate, being as he has no interest in golf; I like doing the DIY; and our love of different football teams mean most shop bought cards are not suitable for us. It's actually why I started making cards decades ago, the lack of suitable card options, but I digress.
The frame is hung up at home, in pride of place and a proud smile crosses his face if you mention it to the Hubster, because neither of them liked getting messy at that point, but they got paint on themselves just to make him a declaration of love 🥰