Yes, it has been a long time coming, but the re:makeables shop is FINALLY updated with specially chosen retro-themed fabrics, a ton of adorable one-off fabric buttons and a specially put together color themed craft pack!

Silly me forgot to put in the scale of the buttons that are now for bid on eBay. And it’s only a few hours until they get snapped up… or maybe not! ;D

The enchanted forest
Bid ends on 31st October 07, at 00:41:06 PDT

A clover & two ladybirds
Bid ends on 31st October 07, at 01:18:44 PDT

I’m slowly putting up these handmade buttons that I’ve commissioned from Ms Sakiko of Japan up for bids in eBay. I really think that it will be a fair move, as I know there are quite a few people that are interested in them (I find it hard to part with them too!)

They’re excellent collectibles for your collection, and I just admire her handiwork so much. It’s full of tiny details and it’s just so beautiful (even more so when you factor in the size!).

You have about 10 days to bid for them, and the links are as below:

The enchanted forest

A clover & two ladybirds

So, happy bidding, and feel free to email me at info@remakeables.com if you have any questions! :D

After a few restful days, my urge to sew came about again. Since my tissue is almost always gone to shreds whenever I leave them in my bag for extended periods of time (no thanks to its flimsy plastic encasing), I thought it would be a good bet to make a tissue holder — a simple project that takes me around an hour to make.

I used the Green Ducks Linen and the Brown Lace from my shop, while the striped green fabric is from my fabric stash.

A close up of the button and inside fabric detail. The buttons are a vintage buy — I love how matte it is.

It’s rather simple to make. If anyone is interested, here’s a brief round-up:

1. Measure out your travel tissue case (mine is a thin plastic that measures approximately 12cm x 7.5cm.)
2. Double the width of the pattern, so that both sides can fold into the center.
3. Cut out two fabric squares from the pattern, and allow 1cm seam allowance on all sides.
4. Sew on the trim of your choice, and any other embellishments.
5. Sew around the edges, leaving about a 5 cm gap in the middle edges of the width of the fabric. Turn inside out and press.
6. Fold the tissue holder in half and press in the middle to mark it (you can choose not to, but it’s more accurate this way). Fold both edges into the middle. Sew on wrong side (You should be sewing on the inside fabric).
7. Turn inside out. Press again.
8. I sewed the edges where the two covers meet to make it extra sturdy, and voila all done!

My love for patterns transcends all backgrounds—Japanese, Scandinavian, American, British, etc. To me it’s a language much like music to those I know (the latter is more alien to me, as I’ve always been a more visual person).

Salvia’s quarterly newsletter that details the process of using natural materials for their products. Image from Ping Mag

But looking at Salvia’s work by Yurio Seki, it is clear that designs are not tied nor owned by different contingents, or by race. Her patterns remind me of Lotta Jansdotter’s with a hint of Orla Kiely’s aesthetics.

Wooden brooches made in collaboration with Edo craftsmen. Image from Ping Mag

Yurio’s insight into her process is recently documented in Ping Mag, and is worth a read indeed.

Joy of Oh Joy also recently showed some lovely images of Salvia’s work as well here.

I love how craft materials and accessories can marry art and functionality, and thus have begun compiling lovely handmade craft materials which I’ll blog about.

I have been swooning a lot for Kup, Kup’s pincushions.

Picture courtesy of Kup Kup’s flickr pincushion collection

Kup Kup’s Kima is from Barcelona, and she also makes wonderful softies and felt buttons which are lovely—her felt art also holds a story behind each creation.

Picture courtesy of Kup Kup’s flickr button collection

Read her blog or head on over to her etsy shop for a look, and you’ll definitely fall head over heels in love. I know I did!