Exciting news...

I recently learned that my friend Kasia and I have been successful in our application to volunteer with the charity Akosia, to work with them on a 4-week project in Accra, Ghana in August this year.  Akosia brings creative projects to working and street children in Ghana, Mexico and Mongolia, nurturing creativity and encouraging the learning of new skills and the development of self-confidence and self-expression.  I think this is such an amazing idea and I'm so excited to have the opportunity to be involved!

To cover our expenses we'll be doing a lot of fundraising so please watch this space :)  In the first instance, 100% of all sales in my Etsy shop between now and August will go towards the cause.

So exciting!!!

Istanbul

The Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey.

Holiday...

Just back from a fabulous holiday on the Mediterranean coast in Turkey.  Made some new sketches using my new watercolours! (thanks Kasia :D)

The pool

TheTemple of Apollo at Side, at sunset.

New earrings...

I recently went on a very inspiring trip to Kraków, Poland.  Whilst there I fell in love with the work of artist Stanisław Wyspiański, particularly his incredible stained glass.

The colours are just amazing!

And then, for the first time in months and months, I felt inspiration creeping back, and the desire to try out some new jewellery ideas.

Apollo I

influenced by the colours in this wonderful glass:

I also experimented with some other Wyspiański-inspired colours:

Olea

and smaller pieces of embroidered and beaded felt:

Hydro

Berie

I like how these turned out - a little more delicate and feminine than my previous designs, and they all swing pleasingly from the ear when worn!

Now available in my Etsy shop :D

Etsy shop name change...

I have changed my Etsy shop name!  

It felt like putting my own, real, name to my work was the right thing to do.

The 'tastykaeru' address will still work, but from now on my official Etsy shop address is:

www.katetoft.etsy.com

:D

Happy New Year...

I'm not sure where my making will take me in 2012... .

One thing I have decided though is to change my Etsy shop name, so in preparation for this, and in celebration of the new year, I am having a sale in my Etsy shop throughout January: using coupon code HAPPYNEWYEAR2012 at the checkout will give 20% off all items.

Happy New Year!

Second chances...

On the 31st October I finally finished my second album of solo music.  I wrote, recorded and produced the whole project myself, and it took 2 years of (very) hard work and not a little frustration and struggle but also elation and fulfilment.

This album feels more like more of a risk than 'Human', my first CD, partly because I set myself the challenge of including more songs - which means lyrics and singing: both of which feel more personal somehow than instrumental pieces. The lyrics and music chart my journey through the last few years of my life, and the project is called 'Second chances'.

'Second chances '  is freely available to download or to stream online at my music website, here.