Happy Easter!

Easter centrepiece

Hope everyone is enjoying a relaxing Easter weekend.

I had to work today but have the next two days off to spend with my family. Mum is visiting from Namibia and my sister is here from Canberra. It's so seldom that we all get together so I treasure these times.

My Easter Tree

Let's Go Shopping!

It's been a while since I've played along on 'Let's go Shopping'.

Been too busy playing 'I have to go to work'.

So without further ado I present to you another four of my Etsy favourites:

 First up is this Cantaloupe Bowl by Vegetabowls. So well made, so much fun!

 Their other bowls are pretty cool too.

Next is the Refuge / Home Sterling Silver necklace by TheAngryWeather,

with all proceeds of the sale going to the Red Cross to assist Japan.

 BipolarBetty's Secret Admirer Stalker Notes make we wish I was single just so that I could leave these on someone's windscreen.



And finally, if you can get past the price, this Down the Rabbit Hole necklace would certainly be a talking piece. I'm guessing that BijouxOdalisque loves it too much to want it sold!

Beading is not just for jewellery

I adore African craft! I don't think I appreciated it enough when I lived there. Now, whenever we go back for a visit, we come back loaded with unique treasures, like these cute miniature animals.

 The detail is amazing considering that only wire and beads are used, and no fancy tools.

 This 'framed' 3D picture hangs in our kitchen - it's one of my favourites! We bought it in Cape Town while we were stopping at the traffic lights - literally through the car window - for A$20-00.

The creativity blows me away and as a beader, I can really appreciate the effort that went into making it. The frame is made from coat-hanger wire and the background is chicken-wire.

Recycling, upcycling, re-using is all the rage in Australia but in Africa the locals have been doing it for years. In a future post I think I will have to share some ingenious recycled gems from Africa!

Rings for little girls

I have a niece. She's only 5, so I can't show you her face.

Everytime she comes to visit she makes a beeline for the dining room table (oh how I wish I could say 'studio') where all my beads are laid out in their various containers, packets and tubes. Unfortunately the beads I work with are so tiny (and so precious) that they don't make good toys for 5-year olds, and I always feel like the mean aunty for not letting her get her sticky fingers into them!

For months she's been asking me to make her a ring but even my smallest ring bases are too big for her. So I used some elastic cord and my biggest beads (almost) and put together this little ring for her.

I couldn't really tell if she loved it but she did wear it all day at her birthday party. Definitely the youngest supporter of Afrikitten so far.

Let's Go Shopping!

Today I want...



 ... a seed pod textile choker by Pirilamporiscado,

 a vintage magazine rack by HousingAuthority,

 a patterned notebook by Jessgonacha,

and the prettiest lace cake stand ever, by Vesselsandwares.

See more shopping ideas at the BrisStyle Blog.

Craft swap

One of the best things about belonging to groups like BrisStyle is that you get to meet lots and lots of like-minded people who make lots and lots of cool stuff. And sometimes it may even happen that someone wants something of yours and you want something of theirs! In that case a swap is most definitely in order.

 So I made this...

...and got this!

This very cute and funky owl brooch is part of a new laser cut range by Kellie Christie. Rumour has it that she is about to add some more animal shapes very soon. I just know that I will not be able to resist a cat...

Let's Go Shopping!

Today's fabulous finds include:

 This sweet crocheted blanket by Atelier Afra.

I think it will look beautiful as a throw over my red

leather chaise and I can see myself curled up there

in winter cuddled in this blanket with a book and a cup of tea.

 This Bamboo Print by MollysMuses.

 I LOVE the colours!

 And for your feet, this pair of Apple Green Guillerminas 

by Lepiedleger. Not sure about their durablity but

I still think they're fun.

Finishing off with this feminine Floral Skirt by Kaylim.

So pretty, just wish it was my size!

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For more Saturday shopping ideas head over to the BrisStyle Blog .