Athena Makes

Shrooms! Shrooms, Shrooms, Shrooms!

You can never have too many shrooms! Or you can’t in Zoe world anyway! Hand stitched using silk threads o to a fabulous dyed silk base, and framed in a six inch hoop.

I’m continuing with my endeavours to clear my lampwork glass stash! I got these fabulous moons a long time ago, and could never decide quite what to do with them. So, I finally decided – keep it simple! When you have focal pieces as special as these, they really don’t need too much faffing with!

Which is your favourite? Pink or cream?

There's sneak peeks, and an explanation all about embroidery

Just for fun.........If you could travel back in time, where and when would you go?

As a big history geek, this is a tough one for me! I think I would say 1215, to witness the signing of the Magna Carta.

I'm posting early tonight, because I'm actually going out! As in out, out! With food, and socialising and everything!

So I thought I would just quickly show you some earrings! These peacock dagger drops are just fab - they've been in my stash for a gazbillion years as I couldn't bear to part with them, but needs must!

Small business friends - would you like to join the absolute best (in my humble opinion) online Emporiums? Follow the link and comment for more info (or DM me)

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/stZHmvDXZ971dten/

We’re looking for new UK sellers for the Emporium, an online craft fair where you’ll be pitching your wares to over 10,000 people and shared by this very page. We’re looking for something different, is this you?
Please pop a link to your goodies in the comments below 💗

Ongoing!

This months birthstone is the beautiful Peridot. Peridot is sometimes known as chrysolite, it is a beautiful, brilliant green. Peridot is one of a few gemstones that only
occur in one colour. Peridot has a fascinating history stretching back over 4,000 years, and it has been found in meteorites, on Mars and on the Moon - in Stardust!

For the whole month of August, there is 20% off all Peridot jewellery on my Etsy - no code needed!

Sunday stitching!

I fancied doing a cutesy hoop, and what's cuter than a unicorn? Although I might have to have a break later - it's too hot for stitching. Sweaty hands and white silk don't go together!

What are you all doing on this lovely day?

These fiddle pendants were massively popular in the last PP Emporium, so I thought I should do more!

The lampwork glass balls come from Ukraine, and take about 5 weeks to get here - that's if they get through customs!

They are suspended from 20mm sterling silver rings, and the smooth glass is incredibly tactile. I paired the centre black ball with either purple, or teal.

It's International Cat Day!

I've only ever had dogs, but I've always wanted a cat - my neighbours used to have lots, and I loved playing with the kittens!

I've always had a thing for big cats too - they are so majestic!

To honour the day, there is 15% off these hoops on my Etsy - today only! No code needed.

This is a little bit different!

I have manipulated the snake skin textured sterling silver into a swirling pattern, which has a sterling silver snake chain threaded through. It is a very tactile piece - great for those who like to fiddle with jewellery!

What do you think? Do you like this style? I would really love your thoughts.

New Earrings!

A new style for me! I came across these amazing silvered amethyst lampwork glass washers, and thought they would be amazing for earrings! I've added them to sterling silver earwires, with a short chain drop, so they swing fabulously! They really catch the light as they move. What do you think? Do you like this style?

🌿 Just finished this delicate 3D embroidery of a robin, complete with a three-dimensional wing. Each stitch is hand-sewn with silk thread on a white silk background, and the twig is genuine. It was a joy to bring this little piece of nature to life! ❤️

What do you do on your afternoon off when it's sweltering hot????

Start making Halloween jewellery obviously🍄🎃

The eagle eyed amongst you might see that I've managed to get hold of more glass balls for fiddle pendants! More on those soon....

I am a member of a fabulous business support group, where all the members genuinely help, support and encourage each other. Part of the Ethos of the group is Community over Competition – meaning there is room for everyone at the table, and by supporting each other, it helps everyone.

To this end, once a month I will be posting this, so that all small business can comment here and introduce themselves. Drop your social links, Etsy shops, or your own websites – Let us know what it is you do. Then anyone who is genuinely interested in what you offer can follow/support you, and hopefully you will do the same. Please only like, or follow people/organisations you are genuinely interested in – dead likes don’t do anyone any good! Let’s lift each other up, so we can all succeed!

Pinch, punch, start of the month!

This months birthstone is the beautiful Peridot. Peridot is sometimes known as chrysolite, it is a beautiful, brilliant green. Peridot is one of a few gemstones that only
occur in one colour. Peridot has a fascinating history stretching back over 4,000 years, and it has been found in meteorites, on Mars and on the Moon - in Stardust!

For the whole month of August, there is 20% off all Peridot jewellery on my Etsy - no code needed!

I have these lovely hare earrings left over from the Paper Panda Emporium at the weekend. They are the only pair left in this style. If you would like them they are now reduced to just £12 plus postage.

When you are trying to plan future makes, but your mojo is on strike.........its time for experimentation

How amazingly beautiful is this dress? Total goldwork goals!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/f57wyEySucmzFiDU/

It's World Embroidery Day!

Embroidery really is the most amazing art form. There are so many different types and styles of embroidery, from traditional, to ribbon embroidery, Stumpwork and Goldwork.

Embroidery is rife throughout history - Archaeologists have found fossils dating back to 30,000 B.C. of heavily hand-stitched clothes and boots. Other ancient works have been prominently found in China and India, consisting of chain stitch on silk.

To commemorate the day I have put together a collage of some of my favourite designs - some of these may not be the most fancy or technical, but they all mean something to me. Which is your favourite? Or do you have another favourite piece of embroidery work? I'd love to see.

To celebrate I have set up a very quick sale on my Etsy for 20% off all my embroidery hoops for today only. Just use the code EMBROIDERYDAY at checkout

I finished my floral hoop! I loved one of the suggestions I received for a dragonfly to be added, but went for a variegated flower instead - I have ideas for dragonfly hoops though!

This hoop is completely hand stitched using silk threads, with 3D stumpwork elements -the yellow daisy petals are raised, the dandelions are fluffy, and the dog rose (?) is completely 3D - formed on wire slips, then added to the base design.

It is framed in a 6" hoop, and is available now.

Only a few more days left on this offer!!

Happy July!

To celebrate the month of July, I have a special offer of 20% off all ruby jewellery items in my Et*sy store. No code necessary, it's already deducted xx

Thank you everyone who joined us at the emporium yesterday. It really is so appreciated, and every like, comment or purchase really does mean the world to me.

I always like to share the highs with you, but sometimes there are lows too. Unfortunately the launch of my kits was a humongous flop! Nobody liked them! It's disappointing, and a bit embarrassing, but I've just got to pick myself up, brush myself off and carry on. I'll be dismantling the kits and hopefully re-using the materials so they're not wasted. My embroidery work as a whole at the moment doesn't seem popular, so it could just be that I'm going down the wrong route with my designs, patterns etc. If anyone has any thoughts, I'd love to hear.

I'm taking a break for a while now to try an plan what to do for the remainder of the year. If there is anything you would like to see, embroidery wise or jewellery wise, I would genuinely appreciate your input.

In the meantime, here's a bee pendant I made for myself a while ago!

It's today! The Paper Panda Emporium is open!

The next twelve hours will be full of lovely goodies from an array of wonderful artists.

Pop and have a look! https://www.facebook.com/groups/PPFEmporium

Here's a little peek at some of the goodies I will be listing

Do you have any plans for Friday?????????

Could I maybe suggest that you give the Paper Panda and Friends Emporium a glance?

A variety of sellers, listing a massive range of goodies, all in one place. What's not to like?

https://www.facebook.com/groups/PPFEmporium

I've been busy making some new earrings for the Paper Panda Emporium, and I got a little bit carried away!

So, I have these gorgeous sterling silver hoops, on the extra long drops available now!

Leave a comment, or pop me a DM if you would like them!

It’s the Paper Panda Emporium on Friday!

I am so excited about this one, because I am finally launching my very first embroidery kits.

There will be three different kits available – all are suitable for beginners.

There’s a sampler kit that teaches Back Stitch, Running Stitch, French Knots, Woven Roses, and Whip Stitch. The lavender design teaches Back Stitch, Stem Stitch and Detached Chain Stitch, and last but not least, the flowers design teaches Back Stitch, Stem Stitch, Woven Roses, Spider Web Stitch and French Knots.

The kits come with full instructions with colour photos, hoops, fabrics, base fabrics, needles and thread. They also have my tutorial on how to set up and finish a hoop, and my stitching top tips!

I really hope you like them! (I’m actually low key terrified!)