Countdown to MAYA & RUHI at Old Spitalfields

2 days to go to my first London fair at Old Spitalfields.  I am all crafted out and all packed up, ready to hit the train station early Saturday morning.

I am lucky to have the real Maya and Ruhi eager to help with setting up and selling.

I am going to assign them certain sections of the "shop", at either end of the 2-metre table.  We will be there 9.30am-6pm, so I cannot afford any conflict of interests or diva dramas regarding display, signage placement or call-to-sale.

Let's see if I'm all set for the fair. Here's my checklist:

Tablecloths - check. Display stands - check. Notebook and pen - check. Calculator - check.  Small foldable chairs - check.  Sticky tape - check.  Scissors and tools - check.  Packaging (boxes and stickers and tissue wrap) - check.  Cereal bars - check.  Business cards - check.  Signage - check.  Float money - check.  The Loot - check.

If I have forgotten anything, please let me know...

I guess all that's left to do is paint my nails (yes, I do that in my craft room),
and pray for good weather on Saturday.
In London, you just never know! 

Ready to Roll

Gosh, has it seriously been THAT long?

I have no idea what happened, but the time has just flown by.  I guess a month-long visit to Singapore, and coming back to Wimbledon, settling into routines, and now preparing MAYA & RUHI for the holiday season, just takes its toll.  On the blog.

I am otherwise very excited to report that I have put ink to paper with regards to setting up shop for a day at the historic Old Spitalfields Market on October 13th.  So right now, I am super busy getting enough stock crafted up, and getting ready the nitty-gritty, like having enough packaging, effective signage, earrings stands, mirors...  Really, you can never be too ready.

It's cold, wet and dark today.  But I feel so good about winter approaching, for some reason.  As nice as it is to enjoy a warm summer day picnicking in the park, I like a cold, wet autumn day for cosying up at home by the heater, and getting down to some housework and crafting. :)

Some of the new Klimts that will be at Old Spitalfields come October 13th!

New Stuff

These agate slices never cease to mesmerize me.  So raw yet so modern, and so uniquely beautiful, each a true one-of-a-kind piece.  Seriously, I might never ever tire of crafting these gorgeous beauties...

Sky Blue

Hot Pink and Ash

Black & Blue

New Stuff

I should have done this a long time ago, these teeny-tiny Chic and Unique hoops.  Coz they're SO cute!  And for some, a lot easier to wear. 

And I love how the huge ones are so funky and sexy, and these teeny-tiny ones are so modern and dainty...

... with Swarovski cream pearls...

... with faceted purple glass...

... with a chandelier of deep teal Swarovski crystals.

New Stuff

Fresh off the worktable and at the Etsy shop...

Agate geode slice with 14k gold plated chain and freshwater pearls

Jubilee earrings

I figured it would be a nice idea, to have something for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee up in the shop, now that I'm sitting here in London.  I've had this design up before, but not  in these colours.  And I do love how the sheen of the cream pearl, the facet of the red glass, and the matte of the navy blue sodalite stone, all come together so nicely. :)

Work Inspiration

Before I head off to the worktable (I really should start calling it "studio" - sounds so much more, erm, pretty), here are a few pics to get me going:

A couple of gorgeous workspaces I wish mine would look like...

... non-stop inspiro at marthastewart.com

via imgfave

Some amazing pieces of art to get the creative juices flowing...

"Hydra II"by Tobias Tovera

Underwater ink photographs by Alberto Seveso

And, finally, some lovely words of encouragement...

by RockTheCustardPrints

Now, I'm good to go. :)

New Stuff

I'm on a roll (at the worktable) with these gorgeous slices of banded agates.  They're literally slices of rock, so every one is absolutely one of a kind.  No chance of turning up at a do, and someone is wearing the exact same thing.  I hate when that happens.

Purple and Amber

Seafoam Green

Hot Pink

New Stuff!

Some in the shop, some not quite yet... so here's heads up! ;)

Do check at the store for more pics and prices.  And remember, the Mother's Day sale is now on!  See you at the shop! :)

Stormy Weather

Yes, it's been pretty much sloshing it down the past few days.

So we've been house-bound, save for the necessary trips to the supermarket and the library.

The weather is so dank, there isn't even enough natural light to photograph the new pieces I have cranked out.  In the meantime, I shall just crank out a few more, over hot chocolate and digestives.

Here's a good day to all, whatever the weather! :)

"All the Rain in London"by James Gulliver Hancock

Mother's Day Sale

It's weird. But for some reason, Mother's Day in the UK is somewhere in March.  Whereas I've grown up with the American version in May.  As such, I'm doing a Mother's Day Sale!

15% off the listed price, storewide.  All you have to do is use the Coupon Code MOM15 at checkout.  So go ahead and take your pick! :)



More in the store... Check it out!

New in the Shop!

Here are the completed works-in-progress, up and available at the MAYA & RUHI Etsy shop.  Two pairs of earrings perfect for Spring/Summer, and a drop-dead unique ring crafted from little wooden nuggets.

Wood nuggets ring

 I am loving the boho-glam feel, from the au naturel woodgrain against the gold-brass.  And how the wire-wrapping is rocking the organic shape of the nuggets.

SMITTEN Drop - agates, faceted glass

SUNKISSED Trio - howlite, carnelian, coral

And aren't these just perfect for the lovely weather we're having right now? :)

New Stuff in the Shop!

The BOHO Drop
Turquoise, Sandstone, Lavender Jade

The  SUNSHINE Drop
Fuchsia Agate, Carnelian, Faceted Glass

I call these my Drops...

The CLEOPATRA Drop
Turquoise, Sodalite, Faceted Glass

The REGALE Drop
Rutilated Quartz, Sodalite, Onyx

I love how the Drops are simple, delicate and elegant.  And depending on the colour/stone scheme, can exude and depict such strong character.  They also swing about ever so sweetly on the lobes.  Absolutely dah-ling!

Click on the links below each pic to head straight to the shop for more pics.

Gearing Up

My worktable has been woefully neglected for too long...

I need to get my arse in gear, and get down to creating some new pieces...

    

Don't be fooled by the look of industry in these pics.  Everything you see has been languishing in the same position for a few weeks now.  The pliers, the randomly strewn stones, the mangle of wires, all have been in situ since my last artisanal spurt.  Gosh, even my pet rock, sitting next to the table lamp that hasn't been flicked on, is stifling a yawn...

Truth be told, I have a wedding to attend come July.  And I need some fabulous jewelry.  I'm thinking one-shoulder grecian wrap dress, with some fancy chandeliers.  If I have the time, perhaps a matching cuff.  Well, if I start now, I will have the time.  So off I go.  But not before hanging out the laundry and vacuuming the downstairs... ;)

Poncho Production II

I know this looks nothing like a poncho right now.  But this is the one I am custom-ing up for a friend.

It's basically constructed from half-stitching together two almost-complete giant crocheted circles.  I say "almost" because I incorporate a nifty little boat-neckline for to slip the head through.

Sounds rudimentary, I know.  But, boy, does it look oh-so-smart!  The aran-wool blend that I'm using is soft yet sturdy, which makes the poncho quite warm, and gives it a very contemporary look with it's fairly structured drape.  With the rounded hem and a no-nonsense design, it is a really gorgeous updated poncho-style.

I can't wait to make one for myself!

Happy Simpliciti Customer #1

This is Georgia. See how she smiles... and how fabulous she's looking in a Simpliciti heartwarmer with matching beanie?

In fact, she's so happy with it, she shares it with her favourite Unicorn....

Thanks Khia May! :)