Making Sweet (Handmade) Music...

On this day...
... way back in 1871, The Royal Albert Hall was officially opened by Queen Victoria, and was one of a number of memorial tributes to the late, much loved and lamented Prince Albert.  The building has become a  beloved national monument, and is probably most famed for hosting the wonderful annual 'Proms' concerts.
Although the uses for this wonderful building are diverse and range from classical concerts to ballet, pop concerts to banquets and award ceremonies to tennis tournaments; the enduring image that springs to my mind would have to be madly passionate conductors in a flying frenzy of batons and sheet music!

So, to commemorate the opening of this amazing and beautiful landmark, and with this image in mind, here are my selection of music manuscript themed items that I have 'Found on Folksy' this week...

Sheet Music Bangle by Temporal Flux

'Songbird Patrick' Collage by Lauriepunzzle Land

Manuscript Corsage by Nellie and Elsie

ACEO 'If Music Be The Food of Love' by Steampunkstorm

Luxury Menu/Order of Service by Craftypagan Designs

Sheet Music Bird Necklace by Penny Masquerade

Vintage Music Print by Inkmeup

Music Decoupaged Mini Wooden Tray by Flutterbug Interiors

Magical Music Wallet by Shabby Cow

Roll over Beethoven! ;-)

Ringing the Changes

I've been looking at rings a lot lately - I'm hoping to make a purchase very soon (when my Paypal account is healthier).  Folksy has a great range of rings and things for any taste/pocket/style.

Cutlery Rings from Make It Sew

Plectrum Rings from A T Nice

Fabric Rings from Lady Geek

Yummy Cupcake & Icecream Rings from Kirstoir

Love Heart Candy Rings from Fiction Candy Jewellery

Silver Hammered Stacking Rings with Sapphire from Mila Jewellery

Double Lyrics Stacking Rings from Spots and Stripes

Amber Faceted claw set ring from Gimme That Thing

Swarovski Crystal Cluster ring from Buttonz and Beads

Stacking Rings from Mia Scintilla

Glassprimitif

Beware the Ides of March

This week we're having a bit of a history lesson, courtesy of all you erudite people at Folksy!

The Ides of March is 15th March in the Roman calendar, and was originally a festive day dedicated to the god Mars. It is also the day in 44 BC that Julius Caesar was stabbed 23 times in the Roman Senate, which gave rise to Shakespeare's famous quotation "Beware the Ides of March" in his eponymous play. Today, the Ides of March is celebrated in Rome with a toga run. Sounds like much more fun to me.

So we're taking a stroll through ancient history this week, focusing on the Roman empire. Prepare to be educated!

Olive branch - upcycled antique saucer - candlestick by Loglike

Roman Numeral Bracelet by Jupiter Rocks™

Roman Print Clutch Bag by Grown-Up Gladrags

Handmade Roman Necklace by Beaux Bijoux Handmade Jewellery

"Marble, The Colosseum" - Ltd Ed A4 Photo Print by Lemonade & Lamingtons ART

Latin manuscript pendant by Artifex Jewellery

Colourful Roman Ruins Photograph, Croatia by Kate Seaton Photography

Roman style metallic button necklace by made by kate d

Roman Mosaic Stained Glass Suncatcher by JOYSofGLASS

Armadillo Leather Cuff by Alpha Prime

Tree Hugging

Government plans to sell off Britain's national forests have been met with huge public uproar. Show your love for our country's woodland with these fabulous Folksy finds, & be sure to enjoy our forests while you can...

Embroidered Tree Badge by Stitch City

Veins by Emma Ledder

Forest Nymph by The Seven Seas

Forest Earrings by Lazy Giraffe

Tree Hug Notelets by Snow Queen Trinkets

Toadstool Coin Purse by Jo Fulham

Walnut Bird on Branch Necklace by Lost at Sea

Resting Place Print by Lucy's Happy Place

Frankie Says Protest hand printed T-shirt by Laheff Apparel

Hand Printed Forest Gift Tags by Lou Peajoux Illustration

- Jane.x

Lions, Lambs & Hares...

Well hey, here we are, it's 1st of March already! But instead of bemoaning the fast 'march' (!) of time, we should be heralding the start of spring - the season of hopefulness and new beginnings!

When I was a child my mother was always coming out with old sayings - "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush" (I never did really understand that one) or "rain before 7, gone by 11", that kind of thing.  And two of her little gems that have stuck in my mind for this month are "mad as a march hare" (which was often applied to me for some strange reason!) and the fable inspired "March: comes in like a lion, goes out like a lamb" So I have taken inspiration from these for my very first posting on this wonderful blog...
Hello to you all... (and Thank You Mum)!

I hope you like these as much as I do:

The Hare A4 Print by Gwen Davies Art & Jewellery

The Hare Cushion by Ruby Ruby

Hare Brooch by Alison Moore Designs

Embroidered Lion Notebook Cover by Fiona T

Loin "King of the Jungle" by Stone Art

My Mother Was A Lion Tamer by Shop of Navarone

And So The Lion Fell In Love With The Lamb Scrabble Pendant

by Pendant Pixie

Sheep Butter Dish by Laura Lee Designs

Felt Landscape Necklace with Sheep by Aileen Clarke Crafts

Sheep Soap by Bits N Bobs