My new designs and Enterprise Nation

Well life’s been really busy and I haven’t blogged for ages. Sorry! However I have been designing and creating and have lots to tell you!!

It’s quite a story really and goes back a few months….I am an avid reader and follower of Enterprise Nation (http://www.enterprisenation.com/), which if you have yet to discover is a website which focuses on running your business from home.

It has loads of good advice and articles to help you as you work from home and is a great resource…. Anyway, some months back I entered a competition on the Enterprise Nation site to win a printer. I filled out my details and stated why me and my little framing business would benefit from a wonderful new printer and then forgot about the whole thing.

To my surprise, I was contacted and informed that I had been selected to receive a new printer – YIPPEE!!- I was amazed and very happy. My new printer arrived and it’s fabulous. It’s a fax machine, a scanner, a copier and a printer and I love it (it’s also the same size as my lounge and very stylish!)

Anyway, as I can now print anything on glorious colour and with great resolution, I thought I’d see if I could produce some new frame designs which would incorporate my new toy. So I have just started a new range, still used the reclaimed frames currently, but using different printed fronts, which are all hand-finished, to give a new feel to my collection.

I am going to list this frames for sale on MyEhive.com (http://emeraldreclaimedframes.myehive.com/ ) in the next couple of days and hope they sell like hot cakes :)

Let me know what you think….

I have been featured in Handm@de fairs blog......

OMG! I have been chosen for the "Meet the Maker " feature in Handm@de Oxford's blog... So pleased and happy!

Here's an extract from the article:

SATURDAY, 5 SEPTEMBER 2009
Meet the Maker - Emerald Frames
Welcome to the latest in the series of Meet the Maker posts. This week, we've spoken to Cath Friend of Emerald Frames. Cath also joined us in July at Handm@de Winchester where her frames really went down a storm!

What is your favourite piece? My favourite piece changes on a daily basis, however as all my frames are unique and individual, the are often quite different too. By using reclaimed and recycled products, I have to design around what materials I have available, which drives my designs and each completed frame.

The fair is being held at Oxford Town Hall on 29th November, and will be full to the seams of fabulous goodies handmade by young and contemporary designers. If you have the opportunity, call in for some great unique Christmas presents:)

Please check out the link below for the full article and more information about the handm@de craft fairs.....Let me know what you think:)

http://handmadeoxford.blogspot.com/

Things have been a bit crazy!!

Hi there, Crikey, it's been ages since I last blogged hasn't it? Terribly sorry, it's just things have been a bit crazy and I have just been trying to keep up!!

Anyway, I'm back now and have lots of say! I have been making some more little frames to sell and have been trying my hand at wirework art!!! Yes okay, I'm a framer, but hey, there's nothing to stop me being creative too now is there?

Anyhow, I'm having a bit of a love theme at the moment, so I made a couple of little simple frames and then made some little wirework hearts from brass wire and sealed them all up - full of love!!

I also made LOVE from brass wire and have listed them all for sale on MyEhive and Etsy, to see how they go.....

Well to my surprise, the little heart in the white frame sold within 24 hours of being listed...So pleased with myself!! I am going to try and made some more similar love tokens and list them for sale too. I guess they will always be a nice item to give for a wedding, anniversary or just as a

token of love :)

Remember: All You Need Is Love!

Foxy Loxy Art

Okay, time for something a bit different. I was creating at home and have finished the first textile Foxy Loxy art ;)

Foxy Loxy is made using pen and ink on heavy linen canvas and all his socks and trimmings are made of deep wine coloured leather.
He's very busy and obviously on his way somewhere very important!

I have stretched the Foxy Loxy picture and made a complimentary frame to keep him safe (frame measures 22 x 30 cms). As this is textile art, I haven't added glass to this frame, so you can see foxy in all is glory (and so he can get out to eat and sunbathe if he wants to :))

So always wanted your very own fox? ....Now's your chance!

All, as ever handmade and unique.

Sometimes its nice to look at flowers....

Hi folks,

I know I'm aways rabbiting on about framing and my online shops, so today I thought I'd blog about something else.Now don't collapse in shock!!!

We went for a lazy Sunday afternoon walk along the river Thames this weekend and just relaxed. It was lovely!

We fed ducks and moorhens, stopped at a riverside pub for a glass of Pimms (evidence below!)and walked along the banks of the river, saying hello to people and dogs we met and enjoying mother nature's creations.

Here's some of the nice things we found along our way;
And to top it off, when we got home our lovely neighbours give us some home grown carrots to add to our roast dinner!! I love Sundays :)

Addition of more reclaimed frames on Etsy.com

Okay, I am going a little crazy and listing more of my little reclaimed frames for sale online.

I have listed a further six on my Etsy site today and have included a little visual guide for you below. I find it takes me so long, from making each frame to finally getting them listed for sale, and as each one is unique, I need to list each one separately.

I would be really grateful if anyone has any ideas or tips to enable me to list them quicker:) Anyway let me know what you think ;)