The Blue Brick | Inspired Yarns

Tito and I had an amazing time at the Frogpond farm this weekend. We are happy and tired, with a much-diminished collection of jewellery. Here are some of our highlights!

Apparently we had a twister touchdown briefly not far from Barrie. I took this photo on my way into karate, learning along the way that you if must stop to instagram how cool the sky looks, you will get wet. It was one of those beautiful…

A few weeks ago I received this email from one of my readers: “Hi Shireen. I made some lovely spheres with your instructions but would really like to make a full dandelion seed head with the sphere . How is this done so it stays…

After a long break, I’m thrilled to announce a jewellery sale in my Etsy store, starting this Friday at noon! Tito and I have been working hard on a new set of jewellery–and I honestly believe it’s some of the best work I’ve ever done.…

I bought this bracelet in Bath, England a few years ago. Originally, those silver frames held mother of pearl inserts. I wore the bracelet to a Tragically Hip concert (they rocked the house, btw) and somewhere in there the mother of pearl fell out. I…

It’s tough to blog about crafts when you don’t want to give away your Christmas gifts! Instead, here’s an update on my polymer clay adventures. I started by switching from Sculpey to Fimo because it’s apparently harder… harder to work with that is! This stuff…

Today I wanted to preview a new design that I’ll be offering at the Etsy sale starting this Sunday–wearable photography. These pieces are created using my own photographs (I’ve been showing off the autumn-themed pieces but there will be other options) printed to transparent acrylics…

The last of the Brickworks pieces is a familiar site, but one I never get tired of. This is my signature ‘I ♥ Autumn’ design, using white birch back and deep red sumach leaves. The piece is contained in a copper bezel, antiqued by hand.…

My second brickworks piece for the Etsy Holiday Sale is a similar treatment to yesterdays beauty, but minus the steampunk factor. Instead of being contained in an antique copper bezel this one is in a large, round, silver plated bezel. The Queen Anne’s lace is…

I’ve been experimenting with a new direction in resin – combining it with prints (specifically, transparent prints) to create transparent pendants with inlayed graphics. The results have been very cool. In this case I’m printing the graphics with gradients that I’ve already prepared, rather than…

A few weeks ago I threw my largest plate yet on the wheel. It was lovely, and I had plans for it. I painted the middle in a denim blue underglaze and painstakingly carefully freehanded in the filigree. Alas, something happened between then and when…

Every time I start thinking that I might just be getting bored of resin, I remember that it’s not the resin that thrills me – it’s the stuff that goes into it. My personal projects have always been focused on preserving and using organic material…