Hello! How has your May been so far? I can’t believe how fast this month is going by ... the sunshine has called me outside and I have been working on new stock and new displays, Billy has broken his arm and we have had a few very long games of UNO -Show ‘em no mercy (If you like UNO, you will love this!) I have managed to fit in some embroidery and even had some days when my laptop hasn’t even been turned on!

If you are local and looking for something to do next weekend, we have our school Summer Fair and would love to see you there! I have a table and Billy will be joining me with his goodies too!

Do you like making jewellery? Diffuser necklaces are so easy to make and you can enjoy the support and scent of your favourite essential oil all day!

Lava beads can be bought on eBay or Amazon in a large choice of colours, sizes and shapes. Lava Rock beads are, as their name suggests, a type of igneous rock.
Felt or wool balls or pads can be used.
Unvarnished or polished wooded beads ... bits of drift wood.
Suede either in thong strips which could be plaited or as a tassel are great absorbent areas for essential oils to be applied.
Unglazed clay beads and pendants.

I popped into town for the first time in weeks last week and I was on a mission ... I have been making my stand and looking for display items for some craft fairs I have coming up and was looking for something for my jewellery ... I spied this box in one of the antique shops in town ...


it was really filthy, but full of rustic charm and only £10 ... mum and I carried it all the way home ... it only just fit under our arms!


I brushed it out and wiped it down and while I was painting my tree for my little owl display, I gave the box a wash of grey too ... it perfectly fits in with the rest of my display now and all I have to do is add some little tiny cup hooks to hang jewellery from.

I bought this bracelet (or is it an anklet as its a weird length) a few weeks ago from the YMCA charity shop for 99p. It managed to get buried on my very *cough* tidy desk but I just found it again ...


I think I will take it apart and use the flowers to make something else.

Please pop over to MissieLizzie's blog to see more great bargains and links to other MagpieMonday's.


and todays Christmas tea ...

I made some jewellery last night ... that involved moving a lot of things (junk) off my beading chest which is basicly my dumping ground by my desk ...


I used magnetic and silver beads
being magnetic, this one can just wrap around my wrist ....




I like wearing them together too!


It has been so lovely making jewellery, it feels like ages since I made something.


and today's cuppa tea ...

Here are some of my favourite things from this week ...

1. I have been buying some barginous jewellery over the last few months ... the bangle is my total favourite ... it was only 99p on eBay with free p&p!! The watch is from Avon and reduced down to £12. The fox ring is sooooo cute ...


£2.50 with free p&p from eBay, and the little mouse was only 99p ... again free p&p! The toe ring is so sweet actually came as a pack of 2 ... I wear toe rings all the time and don't think I had taken my last one off for a couple of years! this one is elasticated though, so very comfortable :)

2. I have been using this great eye liner for about 6 months now ... rather than a brush it has a hard long pointed sponge pad thing ... like a brush but without the bristles that stick out when you don't want them too! I use the brown, but it is available in black, blue, brown and waterproof.

3. I am 'almost' ashamed to admit this but I am hooked ... The Real House Wives Of Orange County ... I have watched a few episodes of some of the other real house wives series, but this series of the Orange County girls has been great viewing !!!

4. I have had a KILLER of a sore throat for the last few days ... KILLER ... felt really lousy ... the only good thing is the elderberry cordial that I drink when I get a bad cough or throat ... made from elderberries picked during September, it is the best cure!

5. These great bangles and bracelets made by Alisa Burke ... she has a tutorial for them on her blog too ... I really want to get one of those cool wood-burning tools!

What are you lovin' this week?

I have some jersey material that I have been wondering what to do with for a while ... so I started playing around with it and came up with this ...
a pretty jersey bracelet with a ruffle flower
and plaited band
I love it ... and think I will have to make some more :)
I think I want to make a necklace next time ... just need some jersey long enough.

Here are some of my favourite things from this week ...

1. This gorgeous corset ring is made by SecretAura ... I am totally in love with it ... available on Etsy.

2. Picture frame head board .... LOVE this idea ... its so pretty and you could change the fabric on it it if you change your room decor.
found via pinterest.

3. PLASTIC BULLET App ... I got this app a month or so ago, and love the effects it make ... it can totally change the feel of the photo.

4. this pattern for a bag in The Ultimate Knitting Style Book ... gonna have to give it a go sometime! There are also lots of other patterns in it too that are tempting ;)

5. Leaving notes and pictures for people at work! ....... yep thats meant to be me, chillin' after a long week ;)

What are you lovin' this week?

I made a special order for someone today ... a bit of jewellery ... I am quite pleased with how its worked out ... its sterling silver, garnet, shell and swarovski crystal.
I think I have a bug or something ... dodgy tummy and no energy, so I have been relaxing during my day off today.

I managed to do a few squares of the blanket I am making for my brothers new baby due at the end of August. I haven't done any for a while, but if I do a square a day for the next couple of weeks I should be able to finish it!

I would like to introduce you to ...

Whats with all this weather?? Isn't it miserable! To cheer everyone up I am having a giveaway ...
This sweet sterling silver bangle has a pretty silver lined glass star, freshwater pearl and silver flower cluster on it.
It has been made by me and the bangle measures 5cm x 6cm (inside measurements) and the R.R.P. is £25.00
To enter my giveaway, just follow this blog and comment on this post, telling me what you do when its rainy to cheer yourself up. Please remember to let me know of a way to contact you, blog address, twitter name or email etc. thanks :)
This giveaway is open to everyone, world wide.
I will do the draw using a random generator when I reach 60 followers.
For an extra entry, tweet a link to this giveaway and don't forget to mention my twitter name @mariaslittleowl
Good luck!

Like Dorcus Lane from Lark Rise To Candleford, I have one weakness ... just the one, but it does change every week or so ;)

My 'one weaknesses' include:
Earrings
Rings
Christmas Decorations
Stationery
Cheese
Wool
Good Cup Of Tea

apart from my 'one weakness' I am very strong willed! hehe

Something SPARKLY, something GLITTERY, something to bring light to a dull January .... this is what I made ....

 ... a crystal cluster bangle ... perfect for a wedding or a little black dress:)

I hope you link up anything you have made or photos you have taken.

I have always loved Christmas lights and seeing Christmas trees in people windows, there is something magical about it ... this year my tree spying started last week, I saw one family decorating a huge tree in their bay window :) So last night I snapped a few on my phone on the way home ... (I know they are not great photos)
I know some people go crazy, and its something I wouldn't do myself, but I do love to see it ... it always makes me smile and definitely brightens up a cold walk home after a day at work!


I have done many many many craft fairs in my time, so I know the amazing amount of organizing that goes in to putting one on and being a stall holder, so it has been lovely this year to go as a buyer. On Saturday there were a couple in town, but as I only have a 15 min break for lunch, I was only able to get to one. It was very small with only a few stall, but they were all lovely, and I managed to make the most of my 15 mins and bought a few little treasures.

First I bought this pretty ceramic and button ring, and rings are my one weakness after all ;)


... and I have never been able to resist a ball of wool and this stall was FULL of lovely mohair balls of wool, all beautiful shades ... so I bought this one ... not sure what I will make with it ... they also gave me instructions for a snood, but not sure I need another scarf ... I am wondering if I can use it to make some sort of Christmas decoration.


I also have a huge weakness for Christmas decoration and so treated myself to this sweet little beaded snowflake ... its already up on my tree looking very sparkly.


I hope, if any of you are doing Christmas fairs this year, have a really great day.


and to add to todays Christmas blog post ...

please click on the door for some lovely Christmas-ness.