Folksy Friday - Birthstones

I was pondering a birthday gift this week, for a very lovely friend - but she is soooo difficult to buy for! And then someone asked what her birthstone was... and it solved the problem!  So I thought I would pass this little "gem" (full pun intended!) on to my blog readers, so that you are all fully armed and equipped with ideas when you to are faced with a similarly troublesome present problem....

I have picked out some beautiful jewellery pieces, some from the modern birthstones, and some from the traditional ones - there are several stones for each month, apparently, so hopefully you should find something to suit your pocket, even if you are not on a "crown jewels" budget!

As usual, click on the label below each item picture for more details from Folksy.com

January : Garnet or Rose Quartz

Garnet and Gold Crocheted Necklace

by Vanda Handmade Jewellery

 February : Amethyst or Onyx

Amethyst Heart Set

by Damselfly Jewels

March : Aquamarine or Bloodstone 

Aquamarine and Fine Silver Bracelet

by CeeGee Jewellery Design

April : Quartz or Diamond 

Frosted Clear Quartz Wire Wrapped Ring

by You Nique You

May : Emeral or Chrysoprase 

Emerald Crystal Studs

by LouLy

June : Pearl or Moonstone 

White Freshwater Pearl Necklace

by ZM Designs

July : Ruby or Carnelian 

Silver Hammered Stacking Rings with Ruby

by Mila Jewellery

August : Peridot or Sardonyx

Peridot Earrings

by Kara Gems

September : Lapis Lazuli or Sapphire 

Seaside Necklace with Lapis Lazuli Fish

by Halcyon Jewellery

October : Opal or Tourmaline 

Moongazing Hare Opal Brooch in Pewter

by The Owl and the Pussycat

November : Topaz or Citrine 

Topaz and Silver Leaf Studs

by S B Jewellery

December : Tanzanite or Turquoise

Labradorite Tanzanite and Moonstone Silver Earrings

by Corinna2Designs

Aren't they all gorgeous - have you made your birthday wishlist yet???

Folksy Friday - Mum's the Word...

With just over two weeks to go until Mother's Day, have you done your shopping yet?? Me neither!

Forget those last minute chocs, or sending a bunch of flowers, because you can get some truly beautiful handmade gifts on the fabulous Folksy.com.  To prove it, I have made a selection of my favourites, and I am sure that any mum, young or old, whatever her tastes, would appreciate something just a little bit different, unique, quirky, hand crafted or just plain lovely.  I have tried to pick out a good number of the cheaper products too, so they are within the budget for little peoples' purses, so you needn't spend a fortune...

Click on the tag below each picture to find out more about each item...

'Love You Mum' Ceramic Gift Tag

by Charlotte Hupfield Ceramics

Mum ceramic heart decoration

by Dottery Pottery

Mum does DIY Poster

by LJG Art & Illustration

Mother's Day Russian Dolls

by Helen McCartney Designs

Mother Bookmark

by Lej Jewellery

Rosali MUM Lavender Heart

by Polka Dots and Posies

The heart of a home is a Mother

by LoveMaisy

Mum Key Ring

by Muddy Puddle Crafts

Mum Scrabble Magnet Set

by ATNice

my mother was a marksman...

by shop of navarone

'Mum's Mug!' Coaster

by Quite Contrary Crafts

Mother's Day Gift Pack

by Vintage Gardener

Appliqued Mum Cushion

by The Quited Teacup

Personalised Mother's Day Print

by Sioned ap Gareth

Tea Cup and Spoon Mum Key Ring

by supercutetilly

And, don't forget, there are dozens of beautiful handmade cards on Folksy too!

Folksy Friday - Daffodil Yellow...

I found myself amazed this week that my daffodils were out already... but then it's nearly the middle of March already, so perhaps that's normal... But I thought, brave little blighters, showing their sunny little faces when all the rest of the world is still so dark and dreary.

There is something about that intense daffodil yellow that is so uplifting and cheering, that I just had to search on Folksy for some more gorgeous yellowness...

Click on the label below each item to find out more...

Yellow Dandelions

by ialbert

Funky Yellow Fur Shopper

by West London Style

Quartz Flower and Bee Earrings

by Blue Forest Jewellery

Yellow Wooden Cameo Necklace

by Lauras Jewellery

"Yellow and Blue Bird" Card

by Laura Makes Pictures

Mellow Yellow Hand Felted Bracelet

by The Rainbow Room

Yellow Flower Card

by Crafts By Pegs

iPod Touch Case

by Pins and Needles

Jelly Baby Handbag/Keyring Charm

by Purple Petals Jewellery Box

Yellow Lamb Cushion Cover

by Emily Moir

Fluffy Mug Cosy

by Creative Knits

Yellow Necklace

by Jewellery Drops By Laura

Oriental Kitty Adjustable Ring

by Fluffs Stuffs

Stained Glass Suncatcher

by JOYSofGLASS

Tape Measure Brooch

by Rachael's Special Lil Bits

I hope these have made you smile, and you now feel just a little bit warmer!

Folksy Friday - Amigurumi Zoo Part 2...

...CREATE YOUR OWN LITTLE CRITTERS!

Following my FF post two weeks ago, introducing you to some fantastic wee creatures, I had loads of positive feedback - and it seems lots of you are interested in giving the art of Amigurumi a go yourself!

(I have been giving it a go myself - with mixed results - and have been asked to write a guest post all about it on a very well regarded craft blog  - but more of that another time...!!)

So this week I thought I would showcase a selection of Amigurumi Patterns available to buy on Folksy... there are plenty more available from each of the sellers I have chosen, so please click the link under each picture and see what other gorgeous little animals you could make.

Arthur the Alien

by Oliver Boliver

Cheshire Cat

by K and J Dolls

Baby Caterpillar with Leaf

by ButterflyLove

Bloomsbury Elephant and Sticky Buns

by fluff and fuzz

Giraffe

by Claire Sibley

Harry and Harriet Hippo Twins

by Lynne's Pattern Parlour

Marlion

by Fiona Kelly

Harry the Badger

by Limecat Crafts

Bob and Daisy, The Sheep

by Irene Strange

Stanley the Stegosaurs

by Pink Tree Studios

So, come on now, get those needles out and give it a go!

(If I can do it, really, anyone can - and it's VERY addictive!)