Roses and Castles

February 17, 2016February 17, 2016 | Tiddleyworks

Bit battered but still lovely – painted storage stool from the boat

I sold my lovely narrowboat recently, after 10 years or so of living afloat and longer as a boater. Most of the furniture was built-in so there was little to bring away to the house with me apart from ornaments and rugs. Here’s the stool from my daughter’s room which acted both as a step, a seat and also storage (things on a boat should always have more than one use!). It was actually the old bathroom stool I’d salvaged from my father’s house which I sanded down and wreaked my “roses and castles” passion on. The doors and side hatch panels on the boat were all painted like this. I obviously couldn’t bring them away with me but this stool I could.

The spring is coming and flowers are starting to appear, so I’m thinking why not try and incorporate florals into the leatherworking?

This is the first of the canal style rose corsages. The centre is a vintage leather golf-ball button and the flower is fastened with a good sized brooch pin so it doesn’t droop when you pin it on your lapel, hat or whatever.

I think I’ll be making some more of these for sale in my shops at Tiddleyworks on Etsy and Folksy, so as they say, watch this space!

Whilst I’m missing my boat I am very happy that she’s gone to a super person who I know will look after her, and that’s really all that matters. Now I have space to have a workroom which I never had before! So I can sit in my “castle”, paint roses and watch the boats sail past my window. Not bad eh?

Valentine’s Day at Middleton

February 15, 2016 | Tiddleyworks

Leather Ladies’ pop-up 14th February 2016

The Leather Ladies “popped up” again this Sunday for Valentine’s Day at Brown’s Upholstery at Middleton Hall Courtyard, displaying and selling our wares. It was the day of Middleton’s Snowdrop Walk. A beautiful sunny day and plenty of visitors calling in to see us, very enjoyable.

Tiddleyworks leather accessories on display

Hazel ran a “have a go” workshop for children (of all ages!) making leather heart keyrings using the wonderful Sizzix machine.

Leather heart keyrings using the Sizzix machine

And yes, we put the flags out! We’ll be popping up again on Sunday the 28th February, in Brown’s and also as part of the monthly Food and Craft Fair.

Putting the flags out

February 13, 2016February 13, 2016 | Tiddleyworks

Holidays when I was a child were usually at my grandparents’ holiday flat in North Wales. Our arrival was eagerly awaited by Nana and Grandpa – “We’ll put the flags out for you”. I remember our excitement on finally arriving at the flat after a long drive up the A5 to find the gateway and house festooned with all sorts of flags. (Knowing my Grandpa he would have popped down to the Post Office in the village and stocked up with sandcastle flags!)

My favourite flags were the little triangles strung together on a long tape. “It’s called bunting”, they said.

The other day I was mulling and moodling over various ideas/things I ought to do and two ideas combined themselves. I think they call it “synchronicity” or something. The ideas were “something useful to do with the leather scrap pieces” and “how to decorate the pop-up shop”. So now, folks, we have leather bunting!

I think I may change the shape of the triangles to be more pointy for the next string I make – what do you think? In the meantime I found some old happy holiday photo memories to go with the flags.

News from the Workroom

February 12, 2016 | Tiddleyworks

I finished this little bag some time ago and was wondering whether to leave it as a simple clutch or to add handles to it. I sat and thought about it and then my friend came over for the day. She studied it and then announced that a bag this special deserved a handle. So that was settled.

Last night I carefully prepared the leather strip for the chain handle and then spent ages threading it through the links of the chain. This photo shows the interior of the bag. It has a leather patch pocket and is lined with wine coloured heavyweight velvet, mmm! (I try to make my bags as nice inside as outside). Now it’s ready for our pop-up stall at Middleton Hall Courtyard Centre this Sunday 14th February.

More Works in Progress

February 3, 2016 | Tiddleyworks

I finished a commission for a glasses case a couple of days ago. The customer collected it this morning and was very pleased with it. I am too, and will be making some more like it for my Folksy and Etsy shops. Here it is.

I’ve also been using up the very last of my stock of Absolutely Gorgeous Leather to make one of the smaller bags. I have one in stock in this leather already but decided the new one would have a bow on it, (surprise, surprise).

As you can see, I haven’t added any eyelets for the strap yet. I’m mulling over this one as it feels and looks cute just as a basic clutch. If I add eyelets and a leather padded chain strap it will look similar to this “one I made earlier”.

Grained leather small bag (with cloth storage bag)

If anyone’s got any helpful suggestions about adding a strap or not, I’d be pleased to hear them. Thankyou!

“Sandwich making” and the Importance of Enthusiasm

January 31, 2016 | Tiddleyworks

In between meeting our customers at Middleton Hall today, the Leather Ladies (Hazel and I) were discussing the possibility of offering workshops using the wonderful Sizzix machine. This is a die cutter which is very easy and safe to use. Hazel suggested that I should be her guinea pig and she got her camera out, which was worrying….

Jane demonstrating the ease of operation of the Sizzix machine (and Looking Enthusiastic)

“Look enthusiastic”, she said. “It’s like making a sandwich, a sandwich with a leather filling”. I chose to cut out some heart shapes from red leather, which I wanted to decorate some little leather needlecases I’m making.

Enthusiastic Sizzix machine operator with little red heart shape

It worked! I am now very enthusiastic indeed and have begun decorating the little needlecases. Watch this space for news of Hazel’s forthcoming workshops at Middleton Hall Courtyard Centre.

Here’s a little needlecase for you.

Middleton Hall – 31st January 2016

January 30, 2016January 30, 2016 | Tiddleyworks

Middleton’s first food and craft market of the year – Sunday 31st January 2016

Hazel and I are busy packing our crafting bags today ready to “pop-up” at Brown’s Upholstery tomorrow, Sunday 31st, in the beautiful Middleton Hall Courtyard Centre. This is one of our very favourite venues and there is an added bonus as the first of the monthly Food and Craft Markets of 2016 will be taking place in and around the Hall as well. Superb shops, stalls, foods, crafts plus a gorgeous historical house to explore, not to mention the amazing gardens and grounds which are an RSPB reserve.

Middleton Hall (picture from Middleton Hall’s facebook page)

It will be so good to be out meeting people again now the Spring is starting. Can’t wait to visit the craft and food stalls as well – there’ll be mouthwatering breads, chocolates, cakes and cheeses to name but a few. Ideal to pick up those Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day gifts. Check out Middleton Hall’s page on facebook for more details, you won’t be disappointed.

The Leather Ladies pop-up shop in Middleton Hall Courtyard Centre

So come and visit us at Middleton. The Hall is well signposted on the A4091 road from Fazeley, Tamworth, Staffordshire, between Drayton Manor Theme Park and The Belfry Golf Centre – postcode is B78 2AE. A great day out!

Middleton Hall Courtyard Centre (photo from facebook)

A New (to me!) Machine

January 27, 2016January 27, 2016 | Tiddleyworks

My lovely Singer 15K has been helping me with the Tiddleyworks leather creations for some time now and the quality of her stitching is superb. However as she’s basically a domestic machine (albeit a tough old cookie!) it’s not practical to try and sew more than a couple of thicknesses of leather together. Hazel has already upgraded to a semi industrial machine and I have been mulling over the choice of an industrial machine for a couple of months now.

Photo from Hartley Sewing Machine’s website

So today we returned to Hartley Sewing Machines in Butts Road, Walsall to check over and try out a second-hand but good machine. I was amazed at how powerful this Adler is, compared to the machines I’m used to. Yet it will still stitch slowly, which of course is what I need.

The new to me machine will be arriving at the weekend and I’m busy clearing the space in the workroom to accommodate it and the table. Very excited! Thanks to Hazel for the pictures.

New Carpet Bag Finished!

January 23, 2016 | Tiddleyworks

It’s done! I’ve been finishing the stitching and eyeletting this morning. (The eyeletting is an hilarious process – involves a very heavy duty wooden bread board, metal dies, a Brummagem screwdriver (hammer) and not hitting thumbs etc. Talk about kitchen table enterprise!

What I love about these bags, and why I’ve been making and using this design for 18 months or so now, is the SPACE.

Red and tan tapestry carpet bag interior

Loads of room for all the creative clutter I tend to carry around with me. The materials used and the fact that the tough leather strap has 8 support points through the eyelets, means it takes a lot of weight. Not good for my shoulders in the long term but handy when needed.

Just got the leather strap to finish tidying up and then it’s good to go!

New red and tan tapestry and leather carpet bag

Tiddleyworking

Handmade leather goods

Author: Tiddleyworks