Mixed Media Lavender Dolls

These lovely little dolls were inspired by some enchantic paper little doll pendents in Belle Armoir.
Originally they were simply going to be art dolls small enough to go on a dressing table or to decorate a mantle but my original sketches turned out so sweetly I thought it was a shame for them to be simply decorative.
I know you can buy expensive, scented washing treatments but they tend to involve chemicals and frankly unless you want to waft around smelling of the unlikely combination of tropical plants and semi precious stones you're left with fresh air and chamomile which, nice as it is can become a little insipid. I'd been gifted with a load of dried lavender so I popped a couple of teaspoons into the lambswool stuffing so these enchanting little ladies can now be popped in your lingerie drawer to give you sweet scented linens and lace.

That is of course if you can bring yourself to shut them away out of sight.

Artweeks 2010- A Midsummer Nights Dream

Photographs from my Artweeks 2010 exhibition

Lace Scarves

A new selection of Art Scarves from RoseOak Studio

These beautiful pieces are made from machine lace fabric adorned with extra lace, hand cut lace flowers,vintage and retro buttons, organza and handmade flowers and gold printed insects.

Camera - Found!! and Selvedge Magazine

Thanks to the sages I have found my camera. It turns out that there is a split in the lining of the sofa underneath the cushion and it had slipped under there. The camera is undamaged and the batteries are still working so I was able to take a photograh of my latest commission, a Pale Knight top in bamboo yarn
On another subject an email arrived from Selvedge magazine informing that the handmade craft fairs that I am involved in running is just what they want for their new feature. They want photographs, dates and general information so that has been sent off and hopefully it will be n an upcoming edition

Fabric Angel Collages

I ran across this belightfull little blog. These beautiful little angel collages that the artists makes are really inspiring especially in the winter minths when we all need a little cheer
http://kcwillis.blogspot.com/2009/12/i-have-guardian-angel.html#comments

Disaster in the image department

The title says it all. I have managed to loose my camera. Not only is a it a royal inconvenience but it means I cannot upload any more pictures of new products onto my website.
I last saw it the monday before last when I was preparing to go out. I saw it on the bookshelf and was considering taking it and decided against it. I needed it a couple of days later but it was no longer where I had left it. I have taken the house and studio inside out and emptied every box and bag I can find but it remains undiscovered.
I have some dress designs that I hope to start on in the new year and I cannot even post up sketchbook work unless I recreate it using my computers software.

back from the depths of the workshop

Goodness me it seems a long time since I last posted on here. The craft fair in Horsath was a wonderful success, everyone who had a stand sold and we had a steady stream of customers throughout the day.
I sold Pheonix a wonderful ribbon yarn jumper knitted from cherry tree yarn and several other smaller pieces.

Our second fair in Milton was not as successful and our side trip to Ray Montblanc's next door resturant to advertise the fact that we had the fair next door ended up in us nearly being throw out by the receptionest for daring to suggest some of the customers might like t ocome and see what we had to offer.





Hre are some pics from the second Milton fair

custom order and craft fayre

I'm currently working ona custom piece that I had ordered via a craft fair that I was attending. Its a long sleeved shrug with a fringe. The original colour my client wanted was khaki but I was unable to get the exact colour so we settled on a nice rich chocolate brown.

Don't forget the Craft Fayre tomorrow inHorspath Village Hall

10 - 4

Themed Restaurant Competition - “Crazy, Wacky Theme Restaurants: Tokyo by La Carmina

La Carmina has opened a competition on her blog to coincide with her book about the themed restaurants in Tokyo. To enter you have to post your chosen theme on her blog . Its quite an amazing book, I'm impressed by the Alice in Wonderland theme at the local Mal Maison but the stuff she has is simply amazing.


Link to her book page
http://www.lacarmina.com/tokyorestaurants.php

I think my favourite theme would be

The Victorian Circus underneath Versailles.

You'd be led through a hall of mirrors to a spiral staircase and when you got down you'd be taken into gilded birdcages around a sand stage and sat side saddle (or astride dependant on your sex) on carousel horses decorated with striped cushions. You'd eat off hanging silver trays and be waited on by corsetted ladies in wigs, full skirts,tutus, boots, masks and feathers, gentlemen in wigs and lace and the head waiter would be dressed in a ringasters outfit. Whilst you eat your meal of delicate fancies and elaberate cocktails acrobats, dancers, jugglers and white horses would entertain you.

Steampunk silhouette

It was a 45 min wait but well worth it. Turns out I know more about steampunk then the museum people.

Whohub Interview

I've been invited by Whohub to do an interview about my work and inspiration. You can find the interview via this link.
http://www.whohub.com/roseoakstudio#

New Neck Pieces:Winter Ruffs and Rose Garlands

For those who want something a bit more unusual I have a selecion of Winter Ruffs.
Crochet from cotton and wool mixes these come in a selection f colours and styles some single coloured, some multi, some plain and some decorated with buttons and ribbon corset ties.
As usual Commission pieces are available.
I have a small selection of these in recycled silk and specialist yarns

The Vampire Hunter
This is one of those pieces that named itself.
Crochet in red, grey and lilac this is sumptous and sexy with a corset lace front in lilac or black

Sweet Woodruff Victorian Corset Neck Ruff
A long title but certainly worth it.
This is crochet in a light green with ruffles on the top and even longer ruffles at the bottom with a duck egg greeny corset lace up at the front

The Time Travelers Mistress
Now this is utterly delectible, a Violet Creme crochet piece with top and bottom ruffles decorated with pearl effect studs, crochet lace dasies and a vintage necklace clasp in brass effect metal.
This piece has hints of Victorian and Steampunk in original RoseOak Style

Green Grow the Rushes at the side of the stream, gently bowing in the breeze as you wander along wearing this enchanting green ruffled neck piece with three layers in rich and light shades.

This is caught at the front with a vintage plastic button in soft warm browny green,

Pink Pagoda
Add a touch of sauciness to your evening with this enchanting pink neck ruff entwined with pearl effect beads and caught in the front with a vintage chocolate button

Rose Garland Neck Pieces
These are frivalous and utterly captivating pieces made from felted and non felted cords with pure cotton flowers and decorated with glass beads, pearls, felt thorns and handpainted buttons.

Harlequin
This is a darkly enchanting piece made from a felted cord with red and black pure cotton roses and red and black seed beads

Barbra Allen
This is a sweet lovers set comprising of a neck piece and bracelet made from a green wool cord and handmade roses in a deep english pink. These are decorated with glass beads,handpainted button, freshwater pearl and brown felt thorns.