Talking Beads

Summer is on it's way (apparently) which means an excuse to buy lots of lovely, feminine sundresses and wander barefoot along the beach.
And buying a new dress naturally means that you should also treat yourself to some new jewellery.

Wiltshire based friends Jean and Janice, aka Talking Beads create beautiful handcrafted jewellery, perfect for weddings, formal occasions or just a day at the beach.


This colourful Mixed Pebbles necklace caught my eye as it reminds me of the beach, which was the inspiration behind it. It consists of two strands of intertwined sweetie-like glass beads and is £55.



I am also very taken with this colourful glass leaves bracelet, which is also available in silvery black.
The multi-coloured version is £26 and the grey tone is £27



What is more reminiscent of the British summer that strawberries and cream (which reminds me, I forgot to get Wimbledon tickets again)
If you're not a big fan of the real thing-strawberries, not tennis- then how about these delicious looking lampwork strawberry earrings for just £8?
Very pretty and guaranteed to get you loads of compliments!



If you fancy having a go at making your own jewellery, Talking Beads have a couple of kits available to make to make the bracelet shown below, in a choice of either pink or purple.



The ladies also run jewellery making workshop with their friend Jackie, under the monkier Three Jays.
Annual membership is £20 and lessons are £5, but they offer 2 free 'try-out' sessions.
They are usually held once a month at the Scouts Hall in Devizes, Wiltshire.

Talking beads jewellery is available to buy through their website- www.talkingbeads.co.uk or via Folksy.

Ji Ji Kiki jewellery winner!

Thank you to everyone who entered the competition to win a piece of Ji Ji Kiki jewellery.
I have put all (308 in total!) entries into the hat and the winner is....




Well done! If you email me on emma@jijikiki.com with your address I can get the necklace and some other goodies in the post for you :)


I'm really sorry to everyone who didn't win. I will be running more competitions soon to win prizes kindly donated by other very talented artists and designers, so make sure you check back soon and enter!

Also, if you are not already a Ji Ji Kiki fan on then go over and become a fan as you'll get a 10% discount to use on the site!


Make sure you are also signed up to the newsletter to be entered into our monthly draw to win £20 to spend on the site.

I am adding lots of gorgeous new vintage jewellery pieces to the site this week, and Lacey the Octopus will be back in stock too. Yay!

Rubi Rocket

I thought that today I would cover an Australian site for my Antipodean readers.

Rubi Rocket is an online shop who's influences range from 80s childhood, tattoos, rock n' roll and pin up girls through to cult icons.

Their main line is laser cut jewellery, but they also sell hair clips, t-shirts (guys only) and kitsch and retro and coasters.

The prices are pretty reasonable too-is little black and white panda is really sweet and is only $25 AU (about £12).



I really like this Tiki inspired hibiscus flower necklace ($34 AU) available in a choice of red or yellow. It's just so summery and makes me wish I was sat on a tropical beach with a cold cocktail.



My boyfriend and I are obsessed with Mario Karts Wii at the moment, so I couldn't resist adding this Donkey Kong style gorilla necklace as well, which is also available with a mirror finish! From $22 AU



Continuing with the retro game theme: Pac Man coasters! Set of 4 with three ghosts and Pac Man himself. From $36 AU.



There is loads more cool and kitschy stuff on the site, so go check it out! As items are sent international as parcels postage is just over $10 AU, about £5, which is pretty good considering you would pay that for delivery from most shops based in your own country!

Plus, if you sign up to their newsletter, you'll receive exclusive discounts, product updates and sale info.

Lolo's

Today's featured shop is Lolo's, selling a beautiful mix of handmade purses, bags, jewellery and scarves.

Lolo uses a mix of sewing, knitting and beading to create her gorgeous, usually one-off creations, which range from clutch bags and neck warmers to fabric brooches and beaded necklaces.


I love this pretty blue flower clutch bag. It is a one off piece and on sale for just $22!



The picture below is an example of one of her hand sewn brooches, created using layers of fabrics with a button and seed bead centre. Purple fabric circle brooch, $10.00.





As well as sewing Lolo also makes knitted creations such as this skinny pink scarf which is perfect for this time of year!
Small enough to pop it in your bag so if the weather changes and it gets cold and blustery like it is today, you still have something cosy and stylish to keep you warm :)



My favourite piece of jewellery in the shop has to be 'The Black Sea' necklace made from black seed beads and striking turquoise Czech glass beads. It is elegant yet eye-catching and I think it would look fantastic with a simple black or ivory cocktail dress to really make it stand out and do it justice.



Lolo is currently offering free shipping on some of her items, though sadly within the USA only.

If you would like to see more of her work, visit her Flickr account (which has this really colourful and summery bag)


and check out her blog to see all of her latest creations, including some really pretty rings and pin cushions.

Competition time!

I've been thinking that it's nice to read about and look at the lovely things I feature, but I thought it would be lovely to run competitions to win some of these beautiful pieces.

So...I have decided to hold (ir)regular competitions. Yay!


I have some gorgeous pieces up for grabs over the next few months, but thought I would start by running a competition to win a piece of jewellery from my website, Ji Ji Kiki.


I sell my own handmade kitsch and vintage jewellery alongside pretty things for you and your home including bags, bath and beauty products and kitsch and retro homewares.


All of have to do to enter is go to my site and pick the piece of jewellery that you would like to win and put a comment here. Simples! I will also send the lucky winner some extra surprises :)


I have noticed that a lot of blog running competitions/giveaways give multiple entries depending on how much 'effort' you want to put it ;)


I thought this was a nice idea, so I am offering extra entries of your name in the proverbial hat if you...

- Subscribe to or follow this blog (3 entries)
- Blog about this giveaway (5 entries)
- Sign up to receive the Ji Ji Kiki newsletter (5 entries - I also run monthly draws to win £20 to spend on the site for newsletter subscribers!)
- Tweet about this giveaway (2 entries)

If you Tweet/blog about the comp, please put a link with your comment (blog) or username (Twitter) otherwise I won't know about it!


The competition is open to everyone worldwide and the closing date is Friday 8th May (next week). The winner will be announced on Saturday 9th May, so check back then to see if you've won!

Good luck everybody. x




P.S
As someone has kindly just pointed out, I should also really be promoting Ji Ji Kiki's Facebook page here as well! Hopefully the image/text link will work, otherwise search for 'Ji Ji Kiki'. I have just put up an exclusive discount, so make sure you check it out and become a fan to receive other exclusive goodies :)

In memory of a gerbil

Today's post is not a very happy one as my little black and white gerbil, Jake, died today. I've had him about 3 1/2 years, which apparently is pretty good going for a gerb.
He had a very happy life and was a bit of a character so we will miss his noisy paper/card munching (as demonstrated!)


So I thought I would feature a handmade gerbil related find, and have just come across this black and white silhouette pendant from Noisy Bird Studio



The store is run by a husband and wife team and they have some really pretty pieces for sale.

Hedgehog in the flowers pendant



As well as a large range of pendants they also create pocket mirrors such as this 'Bird in swirly tree' design. They are a great price at just $5.50. Who said looking good (or at least checking you do) had to be expensive?





Robot pal pocket mirror


Each item from Noisy Bird comes in a gift bag, so is perfect to give as a present. They can also create custom pieces for you.


I also have to mention a website I came across last night called Tween Bots


Creator Kacie explains on the website...

'Tweenbots are human-dependent robots that navigate the city (of NY) with the help of pedestrians they encounter. Rolling at a constant speed, in a straight line, Tweenbots have a destination displayed on a flag, and rely on people they meet to read this flag and to aim them in the right direction to reach their goal.'

There is a brilliant video on the site of one of the little robots trying to get from one side of Washington Park to the other with the help of human intervention. It's amazing to see how many people want to stop and help this happy looking inanimate object on his mission.

Stix N Stone

Recycling (or 'upcycling' is the posh word I believe) is very popular in the crafty world at the moment and understandably with good reason.

I have inherited a trait from my grandmother (and my dad come to think of it) where I don't like to throw things out 'just incase...'.
Most of the things I keep are for sentimental reasons, but I have to admit I do keep a lot of junk.

I do believe that good can come from using old things to create something new. I am launching my new jewellery line soon using broken, vintage jewellery pieces (little plug there!) and creating lovely, new jewellery pieces from old, unloved things is what today's featured artist Stix N Stone does. And very beautifully as well.

This Bird tree top vinyl set is probably the piece of jewellery that best suits me. It is made from recycled records (my favourite music 'medium'), has a painting of a bird and is girly but in a rock/indie way. What more could I want from a jewellery set?! Oh yes, maybe the fact it's only $13 (about £9!)



If you prefer your jewellery a little more delicate, how about this pretty swallow necklace $18.


Stix N Stone also create 'eco friendly' jewellery such as this 'Sweetly Sophisticated' cuff. Created from an old black leather belt and decorated with contrasting pink ribbon and two silver squares $22.


Stix N Stone has only joined Etsy this month, so will be adding more items over time. If you have an idea for a custom item, just sent her a message through her shop.
You can also follow her on her blog.

Tea Party for Girls

I joined Folksy this week (click on the image on the right to visit my shop) and am really loving it so far. It's so nice to be able to talk to other UK crafters (who talk about things happening in the UK, and therefore things I understand!) and everyone is so friendly and helpful.
On top of that I have even had a few sales already. Yay!

I have spent more time on the forums that I have setting up my shop though :/


So, in support of Folksy and it's lovely people, I am featuring a Folksy seller today. Tea Party for Girls, run by student Sarah, sells the loveliest handmade accessories.

These pretty crocheted red flower hair grips are perfect for spring and at just £3.00 are a bargain!



This pretty Crochet flower brooch is on my favourites list


As well as crocheting, Sarah also sews and is currently selling this unusual asymmetric brown flower clutch bag. I love the contrast of the turquoise ribbon and flower buttons she has used.


These 'She sells sea shells' earrings are made using shells from Cornwall and are great if you are looking for something a little different. The packaging is perfect for giving them as presents as well :)


Sarah is also more than happy to make custom orders, so if you can't find something you like in her shop, drop her an email.
You can also follow Sarah on her blog

Meow Box

Today I have decided to feature a wonderful little online shop I came across a few months ago.
Meow Box Jewellery sells the most delicious looking hand crafted food jewellery alongside cute items from Japanese brands such as Decole, Cram Cream and Swimmer.

How amazing is this chocolate brownie necklace?!. It looks so realistic it's making me hungry!


In fact, everything on the site looks good enough to eat.

Mini donut earrings £7.00 (choice of 6 designs)


Waffle and ice-cream ring £10


And surely the best birthday gift ever, this amazing heart cake and faux pearl necklace


Designer Keynes states
'Making jewellery has been a hobby of mine for around 5 years. It all started with a few beads and charms and selling at Camden Market in London. Through time I have changed my designs and my latest products are miniature food charms including cakes and biscuits for Meow Box Jewellery.'

Alongside her line of miniature food jewellery, Meow Box also sells items from Japanese brands Swimmers, Cram Cream and Decole.

Swimmer bunny card holder


Cram Cream squirrel hand towel




Postage is £3.00 within the UK, £6.00 for International customers or free for orders over £20!

Meow Box jewellery can be bought online at Meow Box.co.uk in the US from Wizard Sleeve Toys or visit Keynes at London Bricklane’s Backyard market on Sundays from 10 am – 5 pm. Her stall is the third on the right hand side.

I'm off to make some brownies...

PrettyParis

There is a vintage inspired feel to today's featured shop.

PrettyParis sells gorgeous jewellery using vintage or vintage inspired findings.

These mini chrysanthemum flower earrings are just lovely. They are available in a choice of five colours and priced at only $5 so if you can't decide which colour to go for your purse will forgive you for buying more than one set.





I currently have a bit of an obsession with anything bird related and love this cream owl hair grip which is also available in green and the teeny tiny Sterling silver owl earrings shown below.





I don't tend to wear costume jewellery rings-I have three silver rings that I wear all the time (the same as with my watch, I feel naked without them!) but even I could be tempted by this black vintage star flower ring which is just so delicate and unusual.



As shown in the photograph below, all items come gift boxed so they are perfect to give as presents.
French charm necklace





Plus if you spend over $25.00 or more in one transaction you will and receive a free gift of a pair of the sweet rose flower earrings below.
These little lovelies are also available to buy for just $4.25





PrettyParis can be followed on Twitter and check out her blog to be kept up to date with the latest news.

Polarity jewellery

Today's scavenge comes in the form of old car parts. Etsy's Polarity take recycled steel auto parts and turn them into these lovely magnetic lockets.



Each set comes with 2 or 3 interchangeable lids, all beautifully designed so you can match your necklace to whatever your wearing. Who said fashion couldn't be functional and gorgeous?!

Polarity also sells bracelets, rings, earrings and magnetic boards. I am very tempted by these woodland earrings which are priced at a very reasonable $14.



Cat has also collaborated with a number of other Etsy artists to create some stunning pieces using original artwork. The locket below is the result of a collaboration with illustrator Amy Blackwell of Blackoutwell



Prices for Polarity's pieces start at $5; lockets are $16 and collaboration pieces are $18. Each piece comes in a tin, perfect to give as a gift.

Origami jewellery

I have just come across a site called Silver By Fire which sell the most gorgeous handmade jewellery.

The pieces are made from precious metal clay 'a relatively new innovation that allows for spontaneous creativity. It comes in several forms all of which have particles of silver suspended in a nontoxic binder which when fired, burns off leaving 99.9% pure silver!'.

The technique sounds very complex but the results are stunning. I particularly love the crane below, which is $69.



If your budget doesn't quite stretch that far, you could buy a charm such as this sweet little goldfish who is just $19.


I am also very taken the the leaf bracelet on the front page but sadly can't find it anywhere on the site.

I think some of these pieces will definitely be going on my birthday wish list!