Penny

I've got these lovely little buttons in at the shop and have been pondering over a way to use them in my jewellery for a while. They are very playful and cute so I knew I had to use them to make something for lil princesses.

So in the end, I just strung them together and decided not to faff with them too much and here's what we got:

Off to watch According to Jim now. x

A pledge

It occurs to me that for all my good intentions and list writing, my plans just don't come to fruition. It continues to be a source of frustration and defeatism. I'm one of those people that will write lists and lists, and lists of lists of all the things that I need to do and want to do. I plan for years ahead and if you asked me what I'll be doing on 5 June 2013, I could probably give you a vague idea of what I'd like to be doing then at this point in time. Makes no sense? Didn't think so.

Anyway, it all comes down to the fact that I am a really, really, really bad procrastinator. It's not that I don't intend to do things, I really do, it's just that most of the time...I just can't be bothered, or I can think of way more fun things to be doing. I know, naughty naughty. Now that I'm self-employed and control how I spend my days and what tasks I complete and ignore, I really should be better with myself and exercise some self-control and discipline but nooooooo. If anything, I'm probably worse than ever!

Well no more! Today I pledge to no longer procrastinate. I will no longer write meaningless lists. I will no longer waste time looking at other people's lives and wondering why it is that my life is nothing like it at all. I pledge to be more productive, more efficient, more not tired so much and more betterer than everer.

Anyway, this has been a bit word heavy. And since a picture is worth a thousand words, I will leave you with a picture representation of the life that I aspire to:

Off to write a list of what I need to do now...just joking, off to bed really (much more productive)! x

Little Time Wasters

I just wanted to tell you about this talented lil lady who I amazingly found in one of Etsy Forum's 5 letter challenges. She's a local gal from Sheffield and she make the most amazing little fimo clay food miniatures. I'm stocking her jewellery at the shop at the moment and they are very popular and received very good responses! Come by Jam Jar Beads one day to have a look at it in person, or go to her Etsy shop to see what other tasty mini treats she has to tempt you!

Off to raid the fridge now. x

Organising my craft space

I'm not a very tidy person. In fact, I'm a very untidy person. I think it all comes from laziness. I do what's easiest and quickest over what will save me time later. Then later when I need to spend time fixing what I did easily and quickly earlier, I tend not to want to, then it all just builds and builds.

Anyway, in an attempt to inspire me into clearing up and creating some semblance of a workspace, I treated myself to a pretty crafty book all about other people's inspiring workspaces.

I love the jars of cotton and the way the rolls of paper are stored in vases here.

It's always in the last one I look in so these parcel tags to label drawers are a great idea.

Love the colours in these buckets.

I love jam jars. They're a great (and free!) way to store bits and bobs, especially for bits like beads and buttons. If you've ever been to Jam Jar Beads, you'll see that I've made great use of this, in fact, that's what the shop was named after.

Off to tidy now. x

Craft Candy mini fair - Saturday 14 August

Yay, this will be Paper Halo's first outing at a fair! A friend of mine is organising Craft Candy's monthly mini fairs which happen at Bungalows & Bears on Division Street in Sheffield. It's a very cool bar which does the best mac & cheese! I will be amongst 8 other crafty talents showcasing, and hopefully selling, their wares to the good people of Sheffield, and of course welcome visitors too!

Hopefully it'll be a nice day so the doors will all be opened up and I can enjoy a nice cold glass of cider in a pretty summer dress that never gets the proper use that it so deserves.

So if you're around, please come show your support to the local indie crafters who have poured their hearts and souls into producing some beautiful and unique things, just for you.

Off to make some stock now. x