Koko & Beau

A friend of mine runs the wonderful Koko & Beau, selling beautiful handmade jewellery!

My favourite pieces are all the braided faux suede bracelets, they have such lovely texture and come in gorgeous colours! Available with charms, like seen below 'Fairy Charm Bracelets' and simple 'Braided Faux Suede Bracelet'

 

Koko & Beau currently have a 50% off everything sale so use the code: SALE50 on the site to get some beautiful pieces at bargin prices!

I have had my eye on these beautiful bracelets and decided to buy some as Christmas presents during the sale, and a few sneaky ones for myself and I ADORE them! So go check out the site!

Images copyright Koko & Beau 2012

New designs - Beaded

Today I'm sharing with you some new designs I've been working on. The designs were inspired by a beaded bracelet I made years ago from tiny beads.

The first piece is quite a realistic representation of the beads but I liked the shapes and enjoyed playing with scale and colour to create more abstracted pieces. I'm currently developing the collection further with complimentary pieces and new shapes, so I will share the finished items soon!

All images copyright Rosie Simons 2012

Lately..

It's been a little while since I posted so I thought I'd better update on all my recent goings on and makings!

October is birthday time in my family, my dad and sister have their birthdays 10 days apart so at the weekend we had a family day to celebrate their birthdays. I wanted to make some birthday bunting items so I made some cake bunting with matching cupcake flags and a personalised scrapbook for my sister as it is her 21st, and I just think it is wonderful to have a keepsake from big birthdays!

(Sorry if the photos look like they need cropping and editing.. they do.. but I can't get photoshop to work properly to do it, so unedited photos will have to do!)

In other news, I'm back at LCC doing my final year of my degree.. so you will probably be seeing a lot of sketchbooks like this one!

I'm just starting work on my first project, I have chosen to do a self initiated project first and I am looking at the logo, identity and branding of the dance school I used to dance at. I am working with dancers, teachers, ex-dancers and anyone who wants to get involved with the project to try and come up with the outcomes right for the school. I have created a blog for the project so it is easy to share ideas and interact with everyone. To keep up to date with this project visit vgdancedesign.blogspot.com

I'm also still going crazy with the making!

New styles now available in my Etsy shop iheartrosie

Braided fabric bracelet with heart charm

Braided fabric headbands - single or double

I've been making..

Bracelets!

It all started when I read this tutorial on making friendship bracelets by Honestly WTF DIY. I loved making friendship bracelets when I was young, but this particular pattern was one I'd always wanted to make but had never managed to get my head around, so I really wanted to try it.

The tutorial was simple and easy to follow, and although I didn't have quite the right thread to do this, I decided to substitute for a different thread and try it anyway. Getting started was a bit tricky and I think the different thread being too thin didn't help, but here are some photos of the finished bracelets. I am going to give them another try when I get hold of the right thread.

The other pattern is one that I loved making when I was younger and made ALL the time! It's very quick and easy (the chevron one takes quite a long time, let me warn you!) and gives wonderful results! Here is a video of how to make the twisted bracelet, or if you prefer a written tutorial click here.

After making friendship bracelets I decided to try something I have wanted to try for a while now, plaited/braided fabric bracelets. I didn't follow a tutorial for this, but I just used approx 1.5cm wide strips of fabric and plaited them together. I finished it off with a button on one end and a loop on the other to make a simple clasp.

I started experimenting with different colours and lengths, I've only stopped so that I can get on with some dissertation and packing!

Also experimented using denim, which gives a large knot at one end and a rough chunky texture through the plait. The denim was too thick to sew a button onto and make a loop, so the knot at one end and an added cord at the other make up the clasp.

You can now buy the single or double wrap braided fabric bracelet from my Etsy store iheartrosie!