Sunday 4 November 2012

Hand Painted Porcelain Heart Christmas Decorations For Handmade Monday



It may still officially be Autumn, but its jingle bells all the way at Free Spirit Designs HQ... I read somewhere yesterday that Christmas is only eight weeks away... and this morning i woke up to heavy snow tumbling down outside my window!





Peace And Love Porcelain Christmas Decorations


Peace and love... two of my favourite sentiments at any time of year and certainly a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas time. These little porcelain hearts are a simple design but i have to say i love them (especially photographed in the snow for added wintery wonderlandness!)





They are a beautiful mat white porcelain and i've used my favourite ruby red enamel used for the freehand lettering.



Personalised Peace Dove And Reindeer Stag Christmas Heart Decorations




My next porcelain heart designs feature two classic Christmas images from the animal world - a reindeer and a dove. Animal inspired symbolism always touches my heart and these simple designs were a real joy to create. They are freehand painted which i always enjoy, although it is a little trickier with unglazed porcelain which doesn't allow for slip ups to be wiped away!






These are designed to be personalised with a message. I'm still umming and ahhhing about whether to...

a) Give customers the option of having their message either written on the front alongside the image or on the reverse (leaving the space beside the image blank)

Or...

b) Writing something on the front myself as part of the design (i'm thinking the first line of Silent Night for the stag and 'peace, love and good will to all men' for the dove) and writing personalised customer messages on the reverse only...

Or...

c) Offering all options... which could get complicated!

Any input welcome!!! (if this dilemma even makes sense :))



Black Cat In Santa Hat Personalised Message Heart Decoration




I couldn't resist showing you this little cutie too... matching doggie to follow shortly! :)

All of these hearts will be available soon from my Etsy shop and other online outlets. They are a little on he heavy side for tree decorations although would do well on a stronger branch. Equally, they would make gorgeous luxury gift tags and keepsakes that will last for years to come.




Rustic Christmas Angel Decorations




On the fabric front this week i've made this set of three Christmas angel decorations. I've used scraps of organic and fairtrade sample fabrics so this particular set is a one off (although this design will return with other fabrics). They are made more substantial with a layer of cotton wadding and have a rustic/primitive style - i have handmade the buttons (from fimo) deliberately a bit uneven and the angels have been finished with frayed edges. I've also used white thread so the stitching shows through on the red linen reverse.




I rather like their rustic charm.... i hope you do too :)

That's all on the creative front from me this week... now i just need to get all these lovelies listed!


In other News

Remembrance Day Poppies


I've already bought a regular paper poppy this year, but that was before i saw these beautifully handmade felt poppies by Graces Favours...




... aren't they just gorgeous! I just had to share :) All profits go to charity so not only can you look super stylish but its all for a good cause!

Handmade Monday


If you are a regular Handmade Monday reader you will know all about how to join in with Wendy's super crafty linky party over at Handmade Harbour (which is what i'm off to do now). If you're new to Handmade Monday, why not come along too! You will be made very welcome and there is always some fantastic crafting on the go :)

p.s. Thank you very much to all those who left lovely comments on my HM post last week - they are all greatly appreciated x

Have a great week!


47 comments:

  1. Your hearts are absolutely beautiful, and I can't believe you have snow!

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    1. thank you Penny :)

      i know! it was such a surprise and not in the forecast! x

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  2. Nooo to snow. It's too early! I do like the hearts with the black decorations on them. Especially the puddy cat's paw prints!

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    1. thank you!!

      it is early isn't it... i have to say i've quite enjoyed it though! x

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  3. oo, love the peace heart....no, the reindeer and over... oooo, no the cat is nay favourite. OK i confess, i love them all!

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  4. The hearts are great. as to my opinion on your dilemma, I think that the space needs to be left on the front, otherwise it would more than likely get hidden when displayed. Just a thought. Great makes as always this week.

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    1. thank you!

      yes, display is a good point.... i guess it depends on whether people want their message displayed or not... its so hard to second guess other's thinking!! x

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  5. Oh my word - so many lovely, lovely things. I was liking everything...then more came along!! Wow! I think it's a good idea to give customers a choice to begin with and see what turns out to be the most popular choices, then narrow it down to keep life easier for you. I love the dove in particular. Just gorgeous x

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    1. awww thank you very much Wendy!! :)

      good advice as always, thank you :) x

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  6. like the dove + reindeer silhouettes, they are lovely. I would think go with your own message on the hearts, will save complications. The rustic angels also look fabulous!

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    1. thank you!

      it certainly would save complications :) great advice, thank you! x

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  7. You've been so busy. I love all your Christmas decorations. We always buy our children a new christmas decoration each year so maybe allowing customers to pick their own wording would be nice, I'd would put the year on mine. When our children leave home they'll take the decorations and we'll have a bare tree, :( Thanks for sharing your lovely decorations.
    Ali x

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    1. thank you!

      that's a good point, i always wonder about whether to add the year...

      awww, that's a lovely tradition :) there's nothing wrong with a bare tree - its the perfect opportunity to buy a whole heap of new lovely decorations!! x

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  8. Loving the reindeer - it's my favourite Christmas image. I would suggest letting the customer decide on the words, just in case people don't know the carol or aren't religious. Can't wait to see the dog in a Santa hat - secretly hoping it might be a labrador!

    Have a great week,
    Alison

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    1. thank you!

      that is a good point... i might use those words with the option to change to something different.... oooh its so complicated!

      perhaps i should offer to do a dog silhouette of the customers choice...! x

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  9. I love the silhouette hearts, they are so elegant with the white background and a hint of colour

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    1. thank you! yes, i like the splash of colour too :) x

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  10. Your porcelain hearts are really lovely - especially the one with the cat on. Yes, the snow was very surprising. Hope you have a good week

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  11. What a gorgeous blog post - I love all the ceramic decorations, but I think my favourite is the stag - I think the gold stars set him off so well! Thank you also for your lovely words about my poppy brooch... I love making them & have raised quite a bit already for the British Legion :-) Simmi xx

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    1. thanks Simmi!

      i can imagine your lovely brooches being really popular, they are just gorgeous :) x

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  12. You have always been so busy. Your ceramic decorations are lovely, particularly the dove and deer. I had not realised it had snowed so far south, but at least you had a nice background for your photos.

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    1. thank you! i never feel like i've got much done at all until i come to writing it all down :)

      it isn't often is snows down here so early in the season, but yes, i was a photo op not to be missed!! x

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  13. The hearts look fab! It has been cold enough for snow here (the midlands), but none..yet :)

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    1. thank you!

      maybe you'll wake up to snow tomorrow :) x

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  14. Lovely decorations, red and with is a Christmas favourite of mine too. The one with the cat is my favourite :-)

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    1. thank you!!

      red and white is gorgeous for Christmas isn't it :) x

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  15. I love that you took the opportunity for photography in the snow - they look great! As for your dilemma, I agree with Wendy - do a selection of both then go with whatever sells the best :)
    Sarah x

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    1. thanks Sarah! the snow's all gone today so i'm glad i did :)

      great advice, thank you! x

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  16. I really love the hearts and especially like that they are simple and classic! I was about to say the the stag was my favourite but then I saw the cat...so cute!

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  17. Everything is wonderful. I bet the kitty is going to be a real best seller. I understand your dilemma, I would vote (if it isn't too much craziness for you) for the greatest options for the customers. However, if they don't know there are options, whatever works for you is best. :)

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    1. thank you very much Susie!!

      great advice, thank you for taking the time to think about it :) x

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  18. Love the hearts. I quite like them blank so would prefer a message on the back I think. thye look so stylish with just the design on the front. I can't wait to see the dog one (being a dog person).
    The angels are beautiful, the contrasting stitching works really well. xx

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    1. thank you!

      i like the simplicity too... perhaps it is best not to over complicate, tempting as that is sometimes!!! :)

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  19. Your hearts looke beautiful. I don't think I would have been brave enough to go outside to photograph them in the snow.

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    1. thank you!!

      i love the snow! until i get too cold and want to go back inside that is :) x

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  20. They are all lovely, I particularly like the Peace dove

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  21. The hearts are so gorgeous! And snow already!

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  22. I love your decorations, the hearts are lovely.
    I love your snowy photo, I think it always looks better than it feels:)

    Jan x

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    1. thank you Jan!

      snow is a bit on the cold side... :) beautiful though! x

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  23. Omg where do I start, always such gorgeous work and you've got Xmas well and truly sorted, I've only got so far as ordering my red tablecloth. I was going say I love the dove and stag decorations but then I saw the Cat! Cats for the win

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    1. thanks Clare! i do seem to have gone a bit mad with Christmas decorations, i just love making them! don't think i'm organised on the home front though...! :)

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  24. Those decorations are fantastic, I especially love the reindeer one. x

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Your lovely comments are much appreciated x