Moxi Market- Valentines Special!

Moxie Market is back again next Friday with a Valentines Special!

I will be there with a stall full of goodies, including badges, bows, purses, cards and maybe even tote bags.

 I've had a great time in Nelson and have sourced lots of great fabrics and books that I will be transforming into beautiful bell.n.whistle's for my stall :)

The fabric pictured above is my new favourite- I can't wait to get sewing!

Nelson!

I am holidaying in Nelson for the next week, and have been delighted to explore new op shops in search of the perfect picture books, fabrics and maps to upcycle into bell.n.whistle's.

Yesterday I found the gorgeous map pictured above. Its of Moscow and Northern Europe, printed in a bold red and peppermint green that work really well together. I am also amazed at the web of roads that become a pattern as they are so evenly spaced.

I think this may become a poster for my wall however, I cant bring myself to cut it up...

My other find was a gorgeous old annual, some of my favourite pictures shown below:

It has small pictures bordering some of the pages as shown below which I would like to make into stickers, along with the other illustrations that wont quite work as badges.

I love how warm it is up here!

bell.n.whistle at Java Hair Studio in Dunedin!

Java Hair Studio is now stocking bell.n.whistle upcycled embellishments, including badges, bows and the new coin purses! head along for the perfect gift or treat for yourself from their beautiful selection

The fabric "plastic" bag

So I seem to have an obsession with making bags at the moment.

This design is inspired by the shape of plastic shopping bags, but made from a lightweight fabric instead. Like a plastic bag it scrunches up small until you need it, unlike most eco friendly shopping bags.

And who wouldn't love to use floral shopping bags!

clutches, totes and purses...

 

So I have a few things to update you on, the first being that I have completed the clutch purse made from my 2010 diary! Here it is, featured alonside my 2011 Frankie Magazine Diary, which I don't think i'll be able to upcycle into a clutch come 2012 but I still think its beautiful :)

The next bit of news is I've been developing a pattern for tote bags, this being the prototype made from upcycled upholstery fabric with beautiful florals. The only thing thats missing is some smaller pockets which I'll be sure to put in the next ones I make! I also think it could be possible to make them reversible, which i'll be investigating further :)

And finally I've got my coin purses and cards listed on felt alongside some of the matching bows- the perfect gift finished off with a bell.n.whistle bunting card.

bon voyage

A friend is leaving for the states today, so I have created for her this wee farewell card from upcycled envelope patterns. Hope she likes it, I wish I was going too!

new bell.n.whistles!

New designs are finally on the horizon, including bunting cards made from upcycled papers and these charming coin purses with bow detailing.

Each comes in a range of gorgeous colours soon to be for sale on my online shop early next week.

The other project I currently have on the go is upcycling my 2010 diary cover into a darling wee clutch purse. I have an old frame found while op shopping, and screenprinted a bell.n.whistle label on the what was the placeholder ribbon...

I'll let you know how I get on!