The Art of Avoiding

Crafty Christmas tree2
Originally uploaded by steen ink

Tonight I started the task of clearing out the guest room in order to make space for a place to work and keep all my supplies handy...a 'studio' I guess if I wanted to sound really fancy.

We've been jokingly calling the guest room our 'walk in wardrobe' because for a long time now you couldn't see the floor for the clothes lying everywhere. So I began and wasn't long into the job before my little mind had figured out a way to become completely distracted from the task at hand.

"A creative Christmas tree! That's what my 'studio' needs!". I had already stumbled across this craft project online, a Christmas tree made out of a magazine. So tonight's productivity is dedicated to the art of avoiding .

Buy handmade, because these people look both cool and nice :o)

Buy Handmade Video from Etsy on Vimeo.

Fashion Friday (1)

I'm introducing a new feature to the Steen Ink Blog, you excited?

A wee while ago I stumbled across the crafty blog of Klay Dough, she came up with the idea of 'fashion thursday' for those of us who make interesting fashion choices.' So I'm taking up the challenge, but I'm making it 'fashion friday', because I like alliteration (is that the right term?) and because I can't sleep and It's kinda still friday and I want something to do that isn't knitting.

I must confess, I am addicted to fashion, I'm a total fashion snob. I often (though not always) hate it when I see someone else with the same piece/style on, outside of Elle and Vogue* that is. I love experimenting, often I will open up a fashion magazine and point to a picture I like and say to myself 'tonight I'm gonna look like this'. I know that must sound totally vain, but, after spending over a decade absolutely hating the way I look (and I can't stress that enough), I am finally taking pleasure in my appearance. The pendulum has swung. **though 'bad hair days', 'bad skin days' and 'does my bum look big in this' days still prevail :o) **

People often say to me 'I wish i could wear that, but I just can't pull it of', to this i reply "nonsense!". Because it is all about confidence, it's all about having big balls. Throw your head up high, Don't slouch and walk tall! And when I lose confidence myself, I usually have Shane to rehearse my speech back at me. Of course there are unwritten rules and tricks, but the most important thing is to have fun with your clothes and take risks.

So my first ever fashion friday is dedicated to me wonderful ol' Doc Martens, oh how i love thee. They are, chunky, old, beat up and barely ever laced the whole way but somehow they always make me feel dainty! I especially love wearing them with pretty summer dresses, which may look and sound odd but I suppose it puts on a bit of 'edge' so i don't look like too much of a 'girly girl' , we wouldn't want that.

These pictures were taken by the budding photographer that is Shane Magee, husband o' mine. He got a fancy camera (Nikon D70) for his birthday and since then every walk turns into a photo shoot.

* Now that I'm in Canada I am lamenting the loss of British Vogue, Canadian/American Vogue is SO safe and conventional, I have given up on it all together.

Today is International Human Rights Day

It's 11pm and I only just now bothered to open the email I got today from Amnesty International. It turns out its International Human Rights Day.

This September I was enrolled to go to the College of Law, London, and begin my training in law. I want/ed to become a human rights lawyer. Why? Because often I feel so overwhelmed at the oppression and injustice in the world and I thought that having a background in law would help me change it.

Well I made other choices, and good ones, i think. Yet I don't want to stop wanting to make the world more just, to look out for those on the underbelly of what we call 'civilisation'.

Take some time today (be it the 10th of December or not) to think about what you think are the fundamental rights of humans.

What can we do? What can I do?

Maybe this is a small start.

Introducing The Man Brooch :o)

man brooch2
Originally uploaded by steen ink

The other night my partner and I were going out to a Christmas banquet with friends. It is one of the rare occassions when Shane sports a shirt and jacket. Feeling that he might look 'boring' and 'normal' he commissioned me to make a 'man brooch' for him. this is the design that emerged!

The body of the brooch is made out of handknit felt in a deep marbly purple. It is ordained with a handmade button in a pinstripe cotton, some bright green embroidery and some golden woolen tassles. And it attached safely to your garment of choice with a safety brooch pin.


I think it looks a little bit like a badge of honour.

Go on, get in touch with your metrosexual side.
otherwise you might be normal and boring.

my first capelet

Made with suuuuper soft acrylic coffee-coloured wool. She fastens together with a lovely handmade flower broach, made with handknit felt and a bright green handknit leaf.

She will be up for sale on etsy this next week.

You like her?

In the bleak mid winter...