At long last I have been able to get out and take the photos of my new stock. Although the days are getting gradually longer and brighter here in Scotland, it is hard to get a decent photo in doors (I am longing to upgrade to a professional quality camera, but that is a big purchase which is a few months away at the moment), so I have been longing to get out in some dry weather to take them instead. Yesterday I got my chance and managed to get my photos on the banks of the River Ness in Inverness. The River Ness flows out of Loch Ness - world renowned for it's mythical and legendary inhabitant Nessie. The weather was very cold and frosty and my hands had gone numb by the end, but here is a sneak preview at some of the goodies that will be listed in my store in the next couple of days (you can click on all the photos to enlarge them):
One of a kind, 'Woodland Treasures' bag:
I had a lot of fun making this lovely 'Woodland Treasures' bag, that has a strap long enough for going over your head/cross-ways over your body. It features an acorn, an oak leaf and a little owl on a branch charms and matching beads on the draw closure. A head-turner of a bag that is perfect for afternoon walks in the woods and treasure collecting. I may make another similar one, but it will not be exactly the same, because I do not have all the same yarns left - some of the ones included in this bag, were remnants of one-of-a-kind hand spun yarns. It also has a gorgeous wool smell!
Next up is my one of a kind 'Seaside Treasures' bag, which features 2 beautiful seashell charms, a star fish and a very shy mermaid (she is made from Tibetan silver). Another stunning head-turner of a bag that is perfect for beach combing and long lazy walks along the shore-line:
Like the 'Woodland Treasures' bag, this bag also includes remnants of one of a kind, hand spun yarn, of which I have none left, so although I may make another one similar, it cannot be exactly the same. I have other themed bags in progress, all using unique, hand spun yarn remnants and with charms.
And who is this little fellow peeking out from a little hole in this tree?
This gorgeous little 'Owl on a Branch Brooch' found a perfect hole to perch in, on this tree, right beside the river - this cute little fellow has two olive wood buttons for eyes and a silver brooch clasp on his back, so that he can be pinned to your jacket, coat, hat, scarf or bag and join you wherever you go on your adventures. He is a friendly little character and loves to quote words of wisdom that he has learnt. Here is something he imparted to me yesterday:
To find what you seek in the road of life,
the best proverb of all, is that which says:
"Leave no stone unturned."
~ Edward Bulwer Lytton
Which I think was probably said in response to all the stones, river glass and old pieces of pottery that my children and I collected from the little river-side beach we were on, photographing! We quite filled our pockets and when we got home, we had a lot of fun trying to work out where all the little pieces of pottery might have come from. Here is some that my youngest son found, such pretty and subtle colours:
Next up is this lilac, knitted scarf, which would look gorgeous, dressed up with one of the rose brooches from my son's Etsy store, The Wylde Woods, which you can visit here: http://www.etsy.com/people/TheWyldeWoods
This gorgeous piece of river driftwood was just perfect for photographing everything against. It was very smooth and had lovely textures and colours in it and gorgeous pieces of dried river weeds dangling from it's branches. I hope it will be there next time we go.
That isn't the whole width of the river if you were wondering - at the place where we were, there are a small group of islands in the middle, known as Ness Islands, where there are beautiful trees and rhodedendrons growing, gorgeous paths for walking, little bridges between the islands, where mini rapids and waterfalls flow beneath. It is a very popular spot for dog walkers too and even has a tiny dog cemetery in one corner, where those who once enjoyed this beautiful spot for 'walkies', remain lovingly for always.
