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Welcome to my blog, random stuff about me and where I live, plus some bits about my jewellery.

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Tuesday 21 September 2010

The Highlander


The Highlander, originally uploaded by indri the second.

I love this unusual picture, I used to sell books on quilling, among others, in a gift shop I never saw the appeal 'till now. It's great to see an old craft being brough up to date with a really original twist.

Wednesday 1 September 2010

Dads in the 21st century

I've just read an article in the Autumn UK Handmade magazine, have a look, it's about the experiences of a modern Dad, dealing with, ocasionally, badly behaved kids in a positive and sensible way in the face of disapproval and suspicion from 'well meaning' nosy parkers.
I work in a library part time and we see all forms of the family in there, from the tired, frazzled and frankly impatient mother to the slightly bemused grandparent being dragged into the picture book corner by an enthusiastic toddler. Some of the worst parenting I've seen has been from mothers whose uncaring and selfish behaviour towards their kids has frequently appalled me, using the library as somewhere where they can let their kids run riot while they chat.




On the other hand when a Dad comes in alone with his kids he is usually the opposite, really focused on them and making sure they behave while enjoying themselves. Not all mothers are good and not all fathers are useless. I suppose the good fathers I see are the ones who have made a conscious decision to be the carer, wether on a permanent basis or just for a day, whereas the 'bad' mothers have perhaps been lumbered with kids they didn't really want at all.
The article talks about the portrayal of 'modern dad' on TV, I've often thought that the media has a huge responsibility towards the society they operate in, comedy particularly. It's easy, and lazy, to pick on a particular section of society and portray them as useless and bumbling or some other amusing characteristic, but people take that stuff in unconsciously and it becomes an established attitude if we are not careful. Racist comedy is, thankfully, a thing of the past but lazy comedy is still out there picking on other people and making their lives difficult. Librarians for one!

vintage beadery: what I've been doing

vintage beadery: what I've been doing: "Life is a bit full on at the moment. I've been asked to create a range of jewellery based on vintage lace for a new craft gallery. I've got ..."

what I've been doing

Life is a bit full on at the moment. I've been asked to create a range of jewellery based on vintage lace for a new craft gallery. I've got one piece finished already and another almost done. I've got loads of ideas buzzing around my head but no time to get on with them. I should have lots more time soon as from today there is no overtime at all at my part time job. Now if I could guarantee loads of sales of this jewellery then great but............
I don't have any photos yet as I'm keeping it under wraps until the launch. It will be a bit like this piece but without the moon face.




This is a section from a bracelet which is the first finished piece. I had to change it slightly to satisfy the gallery owner but it's looking good now I think.

I've just added some items with an autumnal feel to UK Handmade
check them out if you like I've got to start thinking along Christmas lines I suppose. I have a vague idea about ponytail bands, I've bought some, just have to do something with them now.

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