Fall is Here

I've been busier than ever trying to get the Fall line out. I do have more to add but I'm really happy about what's on the site now and I'm also in total love with these Jewel Necklaces. They are giant 1 1/2 diameter or so "jewels" on a long sterling silver chain. My favorite is the aqua necklace. They are faceted glass jewels and come in 5 different shapes and colors!

Bonnin Designs in a New Book

I am so excited to finally today, after over a year of wanting to spill the beads (I mean beans), announce the release of "Dazzling Beaded Jewelry (DIY): 50 great projects"by Lark Publishing. I have a project that was on the DIY show in this book. When I get ahold of a copy I can give more details as to which project they picked to feature. You can get a copy of it at any bookstore or online at Amazon.com . Yay, I'm published!

Bonnin Designs at the Irvine Barclay Theatre

my assistant (my daughter)
I was asked to be the jewelry vendor at the Flamenco Shop for the New World Flamenco Festival in Irvine. This is for 8 shows and I am selling my flamenco jewelry as well as my other jewelry. If you're there, stop by and say hi. I've always wanted to sell jewelry at a flamenco show, but I was always dancing at the ones I went to. Not this time. These are the quintessential Flamenco performers. It's awesome so far. Sales are great and so are all of the shows!
Link: http://www.thebarclay.org/

Notebooks at Chebang!

I've been working on these handbound notebooks for the shop. Each one features original, one-of-a-kind artwork and hold 24 blank pages inside.

So far I have made 12. I hope to sell these at Felt Club this weekend.

Chebang! News: Club Shrinky Freak

At Chebang!, the very 1st Club Shrinky Freak package is going out to its members. We are thrilled and can't wait for you to get this little bundle of goodness. In this package you'll recieve the Shrink Sheet newsletter with shrink related templates, articles and even poetry. You'll also get a handmade rollerskate charm, and your very own official Club Shrinky Freak pin.

If you haven't signed up for the club yet and you want to join in the fun, GO HERE.

speaking of skulls...

while we are on the subject of skulls, i will share a skull cap that i just finished for matt.

matt's head is on the small side so he has a really hard time finding beanies that fit well. luckily, i found a pattern in a book at the library (i am pretty sure the book was hollywood knits style) that fits him really well and knits up really quick.

i did modify the pattern a bit. i adapted it so it could be knit in the round rather than flat. at matt's request, i added a little extra length so the beanie covers his ears.

i used red heart acrylic yarn in the green camo color way which turned into neat-o stripes as i knit.

Skull Bag

It's funny that Shari posted about my love of skulls, because I've been working on a new bag with what else, but a skull applique. I can't seem to escape their somewhat scary and humorous faces. This one is not the final product, though I feel it's close to the actual design. I feel like it needs a few tweeks here and there. Let me know what you think.

I absolutely love working with wool felt. It's so versatile and strong. It takes lots of wear and tear and it holds is shape well. It's nice to work a bag like a sculpture. If you look through the handle you can glimpse the first attempt at making this new bag. It turned out a bit out of shape. I tried to keep the seams inside, but it just bunched up when I reversed it. The felt was too stiff. That is why all the seams are on the outside on this new one. I like the blanketstitch look anyway. It makes it look very finished and handcrafted.