Josara Design

Thursday, 21 February 2013

Ditsy Daisy Mug and Flower Pot Set

Blue and Yellow Ditsy Daisy Mug and Plant Pot Set

I had the idea for this Ditsy Daisy set after I wanted to put together a set as a gift for a gardener which would include a handpainted mug. Actually, this set could be used by anyone, anywhere. You could put the pot on the kitchen table with a house plant in it, and drink your tea at the table with the paper. Or you could put something like a geranium, or a small strawberry plant in the pot and use it outdoors on a garden table where you can sip your tea in the sunshine.

Purple and Orange Ditsy Daisy Mug and Plant Pot Set

It would still make a great gift for a gardener, with it's daisy flower design that I designed to have the look of a stylised flower border. The set currently comes in two colour versions. One with blue, yellow, mint, and lime flowers. The other has magenta, orange, purple, and mint daisies. The design has a vintage feel to it with it's ditsy flowers, but it's also got a very contemporary look with the design being restricted to a band of colour. It would suit lovers of traditional. or modern. So, everyone.

Friday, 15 February 2013

National Nest Box Week

Mosaic Bird Box

Did you know we are in National Nest Box Week? 14th - 21st Feb. Time to put up a nest box to help the birds out, if you can. Here's the official NNBW page - apparently last year was the worst breeding season on record. Probably because of the odd weather we had. Putting up a nest box, and providing food and water during the breeding season, and beyond, are all going to help. If you haven't got room for a bird box, a bird bath or feeder are going to help keep the breeding birds in top condition when they are busy collectiong food for the young.

Mosaic Bird Box

I'm not an obsessive bird watcher, by any means. In fact if the weather's no good I'm not going out anywhere. But I like that I can help my garden birds by just putting a nail up and hanging a box up. Filling a saucer for water. And popping a few fat balls, and peanuts in a feeder will see them alright if times get a bit tough. It's very easy. And a free wild bird display to watch out of the kitchen window while I'm washing up. Win win.

Pop over to my website to see the latest bird bath designs I have in stock, as well as the mosaic bird boxes. They are great in a garden because they are decorative as well as practical. So you can enjoy looking at them as well the birds enjoying using them

Purple Chrysanthemum Flower Mosaic Bird Bath

Purple Chrysanthemum Bird Bath

This is the latest addition to my bird bath range. The Purple Chrysanthemum Flower Mosaic Bird Bath. It's a design I've made before, but this time I've used graduating colours in the petals going from dark plum inner petals, to lilac outer ones. I really like the effect that it gives.

Ditsy Daisy Suncatcher Cards

Blue and Yellow Ditsy Suncatcher

Blue and Yellow Daisy Card

Pink and Orange Ditsy Suncatcher

Pink and Orange Ditsy Daisy Suncatcher Card

Back in stock for Spring, these suncatcher cards are designed to let the sun shine through the handpainted ditsy daisy design, making it light up and spread colourful shadows.The design has a vintage fabric look, and is available in Pink and Orange, or Blue and Yellow versions. Something a bit different and perfect for brightening the recipients day.

Folksy Handmade - Green

Mosaic Daisy Pot Cane Toppers
JoSara

Today's Folksy Friday is a simple one, celebrating the colour green. I don't think anyone can dislike green as a colour because there are so many shades to choose from. The yellowy end, to the dark nearly black end, with all the bluey, and pastel, and bright shades in between. Lime, fern, moss, bright, spring, jade, sea, forest, emerald, pistachio, mint, willow, apple........ What's your favourite?

Click on the pic to go to the shops for more details and pics on any of the fab items included below -

Green Butterfly Cuff Bracelet
Urbandaisydesign

Green Elephant Cushion
Hunkydory Home

Pastel Green Clock
JML Pottery

Lime Shaped Coasters
Spiralshe

Pistachio Green Clutch Bag
Emma England

Alphabet Green Linocut Print
Stripedpebble

24 Bright Green Vintage Buttons
Ultimoclump

Bead String Emerald Mix
WorldofRainbows

Apple
Different Shades

Green Twin Book
Sollas Bookbinding

Green Apple
Wooly Duck

Slim Teardrop Pendant in Kiwi
DesignE Jewellery by Norman Eames

Tuesday, 12 February 2013

Grow Your Own Accessories

Mosaic Daisy Plant Pot Cane Toppers

Mosaic Daisy Plant Pot Cane Topper

I'm going daisy mad this year with my new items. Following in from my new daisy bird bath colour version, I've now got these decorative daisy plant pots that can also be used as cane toppers. I have always wanted to try and glam up the veg bed a bit. It looks nice when all the plants are in flower, but sometimes it all goes a bit green and flat looking. So this year I am making a proper effort to get some decorative items that can be used to add colour and interest in the veg bed. But, if you haven't got a veg bed, they can always be used as cane toppers in the flower border. Or just left empty and put in amongst other pots as a feature. There are loads of uses for them. And you're getting a pair, so twice the fun of deciding what to do with them.

Friday, 8 February 2013

Folksy Handmade - Mother's Day Custom Makes

Pastel Daisy Mosaic Bird Bath
JoSara

Did you know that Mother's Day is a full 2 weeks earlier this year than last year? 10th March this year, 25th last year. I know a lot of people like to wait for the actual month that an event falls in to buy their present, but as it's so early this year, it may need planning a bit earlier than usual. A lot of my designs are Custom Makes and they are quite popular Mother's Day gifts. There are a lot more Folksy shops who Custom Make too. So for this week's Folksy Friday I have a selection of possible Mother's Day gifts that are Custom Makes. The sooner you order, the longer the seller will have to make and send, and you'll receive the perfect Mother's Day gift in plenty of time to make your mum's day.

Click on the pics for all the details and more pictures.

Vintage Fabric Retro Bag
Audrey's Cat

Ladies Mohair Scarf
Minerva

Single Butterfly Necklace
Contemporary Jewellery Jane Douglas

Hand Painted Glass Photo Frame
ARP Glass Designs

Wool Yarn Hand Thrown Bowl
Littlewrenpottery

Porcelain 'Birdy' Mug
Caroline Nash Crafts

Custom 3 Bars Handmade Soap Set
Zesty Soap

Unique Wirework Cuff Bracelet
Kian Designs

Mothers Day Card
Lizzie Loves

Thursday, 7 February 2013

Daisies and Ripples

Bespoke Ripple Bird Bath

Bespoke Blue Stone Bird Bath

I've been busy over the last couple of weeks coming up with new designs and working on a couple of bespoke bird baths for a very lovely customer who wanted to use two of her own stones in the designs. She sent me the stones and let me come up with the colours to use with them. The cream/purple bird bath is for her, and uses a lovely striped marble stone that, when it was wet, had these same colours in it. The other bird bath with the blue stone is for her to give as a gift, and the recipient has a special connection with the colour orange, so a terracotta ring was added in amongst the blues. I think it works because of the terracotta rim of the saucer, so it's like a reflection of that.

Purple Daisy Mosaic Garden Bird Bath

One new design I've made up and listed in my shops now is a new colour version of my Daisy Bird Bath. I already have a white daisy and blue/green pastel background, but I wanted to use a dark flower this time. I chose the plum purple because I wanted to use cream and sand in the background colours, and purple matches them really well. The overall design reminds me of vintage fabric and has a lovely aged feel to it.

More new designs to come over the next few weeks. Keep an eye on my shop or website, or follow me on Twitter or Facebook to get the updates when they are listed.

White Pastel Daisy Mosaic Garden Bird Bath

Friday, 1 February 2013

Folksy Handmade - Practical Hearts

Last year I did an alternative Valentine gift guide with roses that were practical, just as an option instead of getting flowers that wouldn't last long. So for this year I've gathered a list of Practical Hearts. They're like the card and gift in one. The heart design is the sentiment, and then the item can be used all year without it looking out of place.

I haven't included jewellery because I think that's an obvious one. Heart jewellery is always going to be practical all year. Some people don't wear jewellery though, so these might be good instead. And some people aren't really into 'in your face' hearts and flowers valentine gifts (like me) and I think these would be a good alternative for them too. The piggie purse is the most subtle of all. The hearts are on the lining.

I've gone for a range of prices and styles, so hopefully there's something here for all tastes, and budgets. If you see anything you like, click on the pic to visit the shop for more details, and to get the link to send as a hint to the other half. You know it's easiest. : )