Louise Lewis

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2010-04-26T10:18:00.001+02:00

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Ahhh

2010-04-24T12:28:00.002+02:00

Oh, my goodness, i just checked my blog and there are snowy pictures. Its now well over a month later and the weather is beautiful. Roll on the summer!
I haven't created anything in ages, I have been too busy next door trying to get finished. We are aiming to have it all finished by June. Still loads of decorating and tiling to do. I'll post some pictures soon!

Bit snowy again

2010-03-09T17:09:00.002+01:00

I woke up yesterday to some more snow! This meant it was too cold for painting interior walls so i have been in my basement. Making/trying to throw pots. This afternoon has not been so productive as i got distracted by You tube and simon leach with his pots. And now, ha ha just had a phone call to go for tea and cakey. Byeee...
My snowy back garden.

Happy Valentines Day

2010-02-13T18:28:00.003+01:00

Happy Valentines day.

I've been experimenting with needle felting. A bit of winter sofa craft! The bear idea came from etsy how tuesday Its supposed to be two bears hugging but i havent got round to making the second so this one will have to remain lonely for now. Both are made with alpaca rovings ( i think this is the correct word) from Abravo Alpacas. So soft.

I have been making hearts and nick nacks for a few weeks now in anticipation of a little craft selling event for today but it was cancelled due to the weather. Its bit of a shame, however it has been moved to the 20th March instead.
A photo of the bottom shelf of my kiln just before a glaze firing.

My hols

2010-02-03T11:33:00.002+01:00

Hi, just thought I'd post a few pics of my hols. We escaped to the north of Tenerife for 10 days. Much warmer than home, although the sun is shining brightly here today.

The street where our house was in San Juan de la Rambla.

Andy and I on a rocky beach nearby.

Loadsa bananas

Coastline along the north of Tenerife.

Andy outside our house where we stayed.

Happy New Year

2010-01-06T13:45:00.003+01:00

Oh, i'm sorry. Its been so long. Ive had loads to blog but havent got round to actually doing it! Hope you all had a lovely Christmas.
Happy New Year!
Random chicken photo, we fed them at christmas and stole their eggs!
This morning i got out of decorating next door and went to Parchemin (not sure of spelling, its a second hand place) in Quillan in the hope of picking up some crockery for my brother. It was a successful trip and i even got some stuff for me, knitting needles and some old magazines from the 70's 80's and 90's. So exciting, well it is for me! I love looking at the old pictures and there are loads of patterns.
I have recently got into knitting, i cant believe im writing about this, if my boyfriend reads this he is going to laugh at me so much. Shh, dont tell him. Knitting is really good though, you can do it in front of the telly at night. I have to put a picture up of a scarf i made (yes a scarf, i am a beginner!) just to show my aunty Fran that i have started a knitting project and finished it. I am now making another scarf and i am even following a pattern using the alpaca wool that my aunty Fran sent me for christmas. Its soooo soft and lovely. Ill put up a picture when its done. I know you are all excited too! By the way if anyone would like some lovely alpaca yarn i know where to get some!

Before Christmas i did a few little craft fair events which were lovely, involving some lovely people. I was selling my jewellery. I must list the pieces that are remaining. Ive been putting it off because ive got to photograph it all.
This year i really want to focus on getting more things made. Im itching to get going on my wheel and start throwing some good pots and jugs and big open bowls. Got to tidy my basement a bit first!

First though, I'm going to make a cuppa and have a look though my new/old mags.

Jewellery and drinks party chez moi!

2009-11-28T09:46:00.002+01:00

I'm having a little jewellery party at my house on sunday night. Hopefully you will all come! From 6pm. Drinks will be served!

Beads and christmas decorations

2009-10-27T10:28:00.002+01:00

A few photos of beads and christmas decorations.
Beads in my kiln, biscuit fired
Beads being glazed! It takes ages!

Bit of a mess eh?! I was frantically glazing beads to get them in the kiln. I was getting ready for the little rouvenac craft fair for Fa school. Which actually turned out rather well in the end. Well it made my Sunday afternoon worthwhile! I hope the school raised the money it was aiming for.

Foire artisanale a Rouvenac

2009-10-25T10:03:00.002+01:00

I'm selling at a little craft fair/teas n cakes at Rouvenac today.
Ahhh, bit scarey!
Starts at 14.00 till 18.00
I hope people come!

Scottish wedding

2009-10-09T17:47:00.003+02:00

Just got back from Scotland. I was a bridesmaid at a fabulous wedding at Balgonie castle in Fife.
A little photo of Me Elle and Jo. Back to normal for a week and then off to Germany, yeay.

I want to sell something!

2009-09-26T17:59:00.003+02:00

Ive just added some more jewellery to my etsy shop. I so wish someone would see it and buy something!
Had a good day today, havent made anything, but added some stuff to etsy and then played tennis. Going for paella at our friends house tonight. Yum!

Monday morning

2009-09-21T10:23:00.002+02:00

I'm not creating this morning. I must get away from this computer and go and paint some walls!

Thursday

2009-09-17T15:45:00.003+02:00

Yesterday i took part in a little craft fair with cream teas at Limoux.
It was fun, i met some really nice people, didnt sell much! I forgot my camera so i do not have any photos.
The event was to help Lara, a young girl who from 21 months old has suffered from the condition Osteomyelitis (1 in 1million) and Septic Arthritis in her right leg. This condition means that her leg is not growing and she and her family are faced with years of difficult treatment. I think about 300 euros were raised for Lara.
A well spent afternoon!

Time's flying

2009-09-12T09:37:00.002+02:00

I just checked my blog and i havent written for ages, time is flying. It'll be Christmas before i know it. I need to get making!
I sold my first item on etsy yesterday! Yeay.
It was this pair of earrings. I was tempted to keep them myself!My etsy account is this if you want to have a look and be my second buyer!!
www.louisel.etsy.com

Few new bits of jewellery for my etsy shop

2009-08-29T10:54:00.003+02:00

Added a few new bracelets and a necklace to my etsy shop yesterday.

Monday morning

2009-08-24T09:05:00.002+02:00

Lovely monday morning. I was going to add some more items for sale in my etsy shop but the site is down again. :( I suppose i could go straight down to my basement and make something.
Everything is quieting down here in France. The B and B season has quietened almost over night. All the workers are returning to work and the kids are getting ready to go back to school, enjoying their last week off. It does mean that A and i will now have time to go back and do some more decorating and tiling in the new house. Its been great having august off.

By the way the stuff in the kiln came out well. Haven't taken any pictures yet but everything was fab, was able to make the necklace for my friends birthday and ive already made up some other jewellery aswell. So when i have worked out how to get rid of a smudged camera lense i'll take sme pictures and list some new stuff.

Kiln cooling

2009-08-21T19:06:00.004+02:00

I'm waiting for my kiln to cool down. So impatient.... Its not going to be ready until tomorrow. I've hopefully got some beads to be made into a birthday present and maybe some bowls and a leaf thing and the kids solitaire. Fingers crossed its all ok.

All the Scottish have gone home

2009-08-15T11:54:00.005+02:00

All our Scottish friends have gone home back to scotland. All is calm!
Here's a few pics of Calum and Emma making a solitaire game with me. Ive got to fire it and send it up to them in Scotland.

Nearly August

2009-07-30T09:12:00.004+02:00

Everything going swimmingly, the b and b is busy and everyone is happy. A lovely lady just bought some earrings and a bracelet from me.
I've been making more beads. I fired a new batch the other day and they are fab. Can't wait to string them all up. Ill let you know when they go on my website and etsy. I have to confess i have made up one bracelet that i dont think is going to leave my wrist. I'll have to make another for my shop!
I bought a great print the other day from Vanilla, i love it, just need to get my brother to make a frame for it.

Trying out Etsy

2009-07-24T09:54:00.002+02:00

Just to say I'm trying Etsy again, have put some items up for sale. I will probably put a few new items up each day. Please check me out. Louise at Etsy

Addicted

2009-07-23T08:10:00.003+02:00

In the last few days like my boyf I'm addicted to the internet. I was surfing etsy. com and found the How-tuesdays. They are fun, ive already made some little boxes. The how tuesdays in turn led me to Burda style, an open source for patterns. I cant wait to tell my friend. Its going into our favourites I think! Ive already downloaded my grocery bag pattern. Just need to prise myself away from the computer to make it! I think i might have to get on with some other things first!

2009-07-21T12:09:00.002+02:00

My pots since however have been a little more challenging. As in they have all failed. Oh, well nevermind, i'll just have to keep trying!!
My boyfriend laughs at me actually, says i'm geekier than him, for being hooked to utube. And in particular clips of Simon Leach throwing pots in his studio in Spain. I think they are good and quite funny. If you want any pottery tips search for Simon Leach pottery on utube. This is one of his clips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2APmEV5CHY&feature=related
I actually quite fancy going down there for a course and maybe i would become more successful with my pot making!!

I reclaimed a big load of jewellery from somewhere where it was displayed this morning. I'm actually pleased to see all the jewellery that i had made, I had forgotten what i had! Some things sold but not enough! So I think I am going to try again with Etsy. I had a half hearted attempt some time ago, so time to try again! Any tips or hints?

Oh, i love the picture of Vanilla on her Blog. Summer sunflowers.

So exciting

2009-07-16T09:14:00.002+02:00

I'm so excited. I'm throwing pots again on my wheel. They are not turning out too bad either if i do say so myself. I'll put up some photos when they are done.

Just sold two of my favourite necklaces

2009-07-13T18:41:00.002+02:00

I just sold two of my favourite necklaces. I'm going to have to make some new ones just for me! Thank you for buying them Barbara. Hope you enjoy them!

2009-06-30T15:58:00.004+02:00

Have had a fab weekend. A little cocktail party which i think went down well. I had my photo taken and put up on vanilla's blog.
I've sold some pieces aswell so am excited to get making some more. Ive got some beads on the go waiting to be fired.
Luckily my basement is lovely and cool.

My birthday

2009-06-22T09:04:00.002+02:00

It was my birthday at the weekend so we all went for a bike ride along the canal du midi starting at Trebes. It was a really great day. Thanks everyone.

Un apres midi magnifique

2009-06-14T22:57:00.002+02:00

Just wanted to share a blog of a friend i know locally who makes book marks and keyrings out of polymer clay. I met Bernadette today at a birthday party of a friend. Had a fab time, even though my shoulders have turned out a little pink from the hot sun. Lovely bar b and great game of rounders with the kids.

So, the blog is http://nad2703.eklablog.fr/article-93815-454079-marque-pages.html

Busy painting and playing with alpaca wool

2009-06-12T15:59:00.005+02:00

I haven't been creating very much lately. I'm busy painting huge rooms. Check out my ceiling heights!

Had a quick go at felting with alpaca fleece. It was a real experiment with no previous experience. I reckon i need another go at it. I even tried to make a beret but its turned out quite big and floppy, thin in places and not much cop really. I already know i need to lay it out differently. Maybe i need to get a book!
My alpaca wool came from my my aunties alapaca farm in Cambridgeshire www.abravoalpacas.com
A picture of a Nina alpaca and her baby.

Plastering

2009-04-21T09:14:00.001+02:00

No creating lately! Been a bit busy helping to plaster.

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T22:46:00.002+02:00

Happy Easter everyone.

Lovely day

2009-04-09T22:22:00.002+02:00

I have had a fab day today. Made lunch for some ladies, we ate it, had some lovely chocolate brownies. Then played tennis with scottish Elle, finished off a necklace of which i will post a picture and mowed the lawn. Topped off with dinner at Jon's. Lovely. Pretty perfect day. Was sunny too!

Rainy day

2009-04-02T22:32:00.002+02:00

Its raining loads here at the moment. Took the opportunity to do a bit of a re-organise in my basement/workshop. Ive nicked Andys Jam cupboard for my glazes and stuff. I think i'm ready for a bit of potting tomorrow....

Im back

2009-03-24T09:08:00.002+01:00

Have been in sunny Wiltshire for 5 days seeing my family which was really lovely. Good to see them. Have now got to settle back in and make something! Mmmm...

New creations

2009-03-15T20:35:00.004+01:00

Yeay, ive added some new creations to my website. I really like everything ive put up. I'm hoping i'm not the only one!

My favourite i think is this necklace. And these earrings are quite cute. Fab for summer.

There are a pair of earrings that i havent even bothered to put on my site because i decided to keep them myself. I want to keep everything! I love the blue glaze.

Im going to see my family in England tomorrow so i guess ill have to choose some jewellery gifts for the girls!

Hope you enjoy my new creations.

See more at www.louiselewis.net

The 'Harris Whirl'

2009-03-08T22:46:00.003+01:00

Hello, its Sunday night. I thought i'd quickly share a photo of an earring i finished today as a commision for a friend. Its a gold earring for a man. A design that was given to me to make. I hope he likes it!

Opening my kiln

2009-03-04T23:18:00.005+01:00

Opening my kiln after a glaze firing always feels like i'm opening presents on my birthday. Its so exciting. Everything turned out how i wanted it to. Ive now got loads of beads to play with and make some fab jewellery. You will soon be able to see the finished pieces on my site . Earrings and necklaces mainly.

http://www.louiselewis.net/

Peacock glaze beads

Left:

Midnight Mist beads. These turned out much better than i thought they would.
Below:

Garlic musher things that my friend wanted to make inside my kiln.

March already

2009-03-03T09:14:00.002+01:00

I know been a few days. Its March already!
I am going to fill and put on the kiln later, so i can post a pic of what my new glazes turn out like tomorrow...

Oh no

2009-02-23T16:47:00.002+01:00

After putting my kiln on this afternoon i decided to try and make a few glass beads with my new torch set up. I got as far as coating my mandrels and no further. I lit the torch but there was gas leaking. Arrhhh. Back to the DIY store for another hose capable of more pressure i think. So annoying. I get to play on the internet instead. It was rather cold down in my basement today!

Photo of beads in my kiln before the 1st firing.

Have made beads

2009-02-22T21:47:00.003+01:00

Ha Ha, got everything working and have made a few beads. Not great beads mind you. Bit steaky with grey and ive got to work on, well... everything. Think i need some practice. I'm very happy though that i can get on now.
I've got a firing of my ceramic beads to do this week so i can then get some glazing done. I've got some fab new colours.
I'll be able to make up loads of new jewellery.

Hot head

2009-02-20T09:10:00.002+01:00

Yesturday i got my adaptor for my Hot Head torch in the post (for making glass beads). I was so excited. I ran around to the next little town here and found all the necessary to connect. Came home and tried to put all the hose and stuff together...i was missing something, so popped out again.
So now i had everything but it still didnt work. So today i am trying something else.
Then maybe i can make beads....

Beads

2009-02-18T11:35:00.007+01:00

I forgot to put up the photos of what i got up to the other day, so here they are. In the end I made some clay beads which are drying before i fire them. And I glazed a light I made ages ago. Ill have to remember to post pictures of these when they are finished.
Yesterday, a friend wanted to make a stack of garlic musher things as presents for people at a dinner do. I think they should work out. They are round with a rough surface that you rub the garlic clove on to then put on bread or in food. Hope they work.
I'm not sure what to get up to today. Im waiting for the post for an attachment for my torch to connect to a gas bottle so that i can make glass beads. I cant wait.... Doesnt take much to get me excited!

Monday

2009-02-16T11:28:00.000+01:00

Hi, its monday morning, just. I'm actually on my way down to my basement to make something... Not sure what yet. Maybe clay beads. I'll show you later a picture of what i get up to....

Welcome to my blog

2009-02-10T23:03:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone.
I've been meaning to create a blog for some time now thats connected with my website www.louiselewis.net So here is is. I've seen so many fab blogs that have inspired me, to get on and do my own. I must admit my lovely boyfriend helped me to connect it up to my site. Thanks Andy. I hope that i can make my blog something worth having a little look at. Not that sure what im going to put on it. I suppose i can use it like an online diary. All a bit new for me, yes i know these things have been around for ages.
So... i'll have a little think and i'll be back soon...

hi

2009-02-10T22:25:00.000+01:00