The *Marrakech* Cuff

It feels as though I've been working on this cuff for weeks...

...and then I realised that I HAVE been working on this cuff for weeks!

What a relief that it is finally finished...

and I'm so happy with the final result...

The *Marrakech* Cuff

It is exactly as I had envisaged... I love it when that happens!

The clasp is so pretty that it can be worn on top of the wrist...

I'm just crazy about the negative space...

Actually, that's what this cuff is ALL about...

...a beautiful balance of positive and negative space...

I wore it all day today, to see if it's a piece that I could include in my *Moroccan Odyssey* Collection...despite the fact that terracotta looks rather blah on my fair skin...

...and the verdict is a resounding 'yes'!  

It's comfy, it's lightweight (but packs a visual punch)...and it's just a little bit chic.

I think I can forgive this cuff for being so time consuming to create (did I mention each 'X' shape is stitched individually, then they are all stitched together?  Uh...yup)...

...because it's just begging to be made in vibrant cobalt, scintillating chocolate, and tempting turquoise...

What do you think?  

I'd love to hear your verdict on my cuff!

My creative space...

Inspiration comes in all shapes and forms...

And sometimes, when I'm really lucky, it comes home in the form of pretty books from my ever-thoughtful husband...

The magnificent carved wooden doorframe on the cover of this Morocco book inspired me...

...to start working on a wide, but lightweight, cuff...

I've tried numerous ways to make this cuff by taking short cuts, but it just doesn't drape well.  So each little "X" and "T" shape is stitched individually and then they're stitched together. 


Time consuming?  Ridiculously so!  


I enjoy a certain amount of monotony, but this is just crazy.  Let's hope it works out...


~*~


My workspace today is all about terracotta and tangerine...

I can't get enough of these colours at the moment.  They just speak to me of Morocco.

And somebody else finds it all very inspiring too...

~*~

Head on over to Kootoyoo to see what other creative people are up to today...and add your link if you'd like to play along!

Treasury Fun

Have you ever created a mood board?


A collection of images, textures, swatches, words and anything else that helps to create a 'mood' based on a theme, or for inspiration, when you are designing.  I enjoy creating mood boards when ideas pop into my head for a new creation, or a new collection.  They help keep me on track, because I have been known to lose my way and start travelling along a different path... ;-)


I have recently discovered how much fun it can be to create an Etsy treasury...it's just like creating a mood board, and just as much fun.

L'Absinthe

You can find this treasury here

Terracotta

You can find this treasury here

On The Spice Trail

You can find this treasury here

**Update - 'On The Spice Trail' made the front page of Etsy....wooooo!**


Every now and then, it is nice to take a step back from working on my own creations, and appreciate what other talented artisans are creating.  There is a wealth of beautiful, handcrafted goodies on Etsy, and in the not-too-distant future, my own creations will be available there too.


If there is one thing that I have learnt from compiling these treasuries, it is that quality photographs are essential!


Thanks for looking, and be well!