Christmas is coming! 

DIY animal toy christmas decorations - Easy!

This year I told myself I would try out some new christmas crafts and write more diy and tutorial blog posts, so here is my first festive tutorial!

I originally brought these plastic toy animals online for a different DIY but I stupidly didn't look at the size and they are way too small for what I intended. But thanks to the wonder of the internet, I got
some inspiration to make them into christmas tree decorations.

All you'll need is:

• toy plastic animals or dinosaurs
• Jewellery eye hook 
• a little bit of superglue
• Nail varnish (colours of your choice!)
• Ribbon or string. 

I brought a pack of 12 wild animal toys of Ebay for £2! 

I added a hook into the animal using a small drill, but the plastic was fairly easy to puncture so I reckon you could do it with some elbow grease and a pin. Before I put the hook in I dipped it into superglue to ensure it would stay. 

I decided I wanted some of the animals gold, so I just used this Barry M nail varnish to coat them. There are loads of different patterns and colours you could try!

You could try two tones...

or glitter or polka dots! 

Once the animals are dry all you need to do it tie string or ribbon through the hook and whey, you're done!

They'll be more christmas DIY tutorials coming soon! 

x

Pop up shop - 'WE ARE' 9th-15th Nov

I've always loved the idea of a pop up shop! Its such a great way to sell handmade goods, without the commitment of a long term lease. I ran one just over a year ago.  I'd asked a few friends if they wanted to exhibit some work as it was a large space and I didn't think I could fill it on my own.

I wouldn't say that it was a total success, but I know where I went wrong and what changes I'll make for next time.

So recently I heard about a community project called 'Somewhere to _' which helps 16-25 years olds get a creative space for whatever their medium is (I've put the contact info below). I contacted them about a pop up shop they were offering people, and a few weeks later I had to pitch my idea to them and the shop owners. Needless to say I was bricking it! But fortunately I was offered to share a pop up shop with Monster Pie Inclusive Arts, a scope associated art group.

 We have the shop called 'It is what it is' for a week starting the 9th Nov. Each day we're planning a free workshop as well as being open to customers.

Here are some things I've made to sell...

Handmade necklace using one of my photographs

As well as my photography I'll be selling my jewellery too.

All the items sold in the shop will be handmade and include works from the below artists

- Lisa Buttery - Illustration
- Anna Dunne  - Handmade bags and purses
-Artists from Monster Pie Inclusive Arts

On friday the 13th of Nov I'll be running a photo up photobooth with polaroid pics! Here I am testing out the props I made!

So if you're around Brighton between the 9th -15th of Nov pop by @
'It is what it is' 102 Gloucester Rd, brighton lanes.
we'll be open 10am-6pm Tuesday-saturday
and 11am-5pm Sunday

For more information please see our facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/460609517456693/

Somewhere to_ info:
https://somewhereto.com

Making earrings with a glue gun!

I simply love making jewellery, and last week I took a trip to my favourite shop, Hobbycraft! Of course I probably spent a little too much, but I did get quite a few pieces for my jewellery making, which I see as an investment! ;)

I watched a few youtube tutorials on how to make charms using a glue gun, it was difficult at first but once you get the hang of it, it's an easy way to make some lovely earrings! 

The glue gun was from Hobbycraft (£5 I think) and the glue sticks were £1 from Tiger (bargain!)
Glue guns are so useful if you're a keen crafter,  and if you can even get different coloured glue sticks! 

For the most recent earrings I've made, I've been using a silicone mould by Gedeo, which I bought from Hobbycraft. It comes with small moulds of hearts, circles and squares, and they're the perfect size for earrings. The larger moulds are great for necklace pendants. 

Once your glue gun is heated up, just squeeze some glue into which ever mould you fancy. Leave it to dry for a few mins and then it should easierly pop out of the mould. Trim around any excess glue and now you're ready to decorate /colour! 

To colour the earrings I use a few coats of nail varnish, and then a clear one to add an extra shine!

Once coloured I use super glue to attach the earring backs to the charm I've made. 

Red rose stud earrings.

Other ideas:

While the glue is still wet in the mould, add a small nail art design, these are some little fruit ones I found. They were from the pound shop but are available online. Make sure you push the fruit down so it's visible through the glue.

  

Here are some sweet little strawberry earrings I made. 

Use glitter to add some sparkle to your earrings! This can be done by using glitter nail varnish or by adding glitter while the glue is still wet.

Use vintage pictures of flowers! Push them into the glue while it's still wet. (Make sure the flowers are the same size/shape!) 
Thanks for checking this tutorial out! Keep up to date with me via my instagram @beckynetleyphotography 

DIY bucket list book

Being a little low on money I decided to make my boyfriends anniversary present. We're always spending time googling what films to watch and where to eat so I made a bucket list type book of all the place we can go and things we can watch. 

The time spent making the book was in the research for films and restaurants and stamping the lettering! 

The book would make a great present for a family member or partner but why not make one for yourself?! 

Ideas for making your own bucket list book:

• Create sections in the book for different things, such as 'places to visit' or 'Foods to try'
• Add a section where you can review or make notes on the thing you've done. I used 5 hearts, and once we've completed something we colour how many hearts we think the experience should get. 
• Use stamps to write or decorate the book. I got most of my rubber stamps from hobbycraft and tiger, super cheap and I've had tonnes of use out of them!
• Add stickers at the back of the book to mark when you've completed something. 
• Leave space for future ideas!
• If you want to travel a lot, add a map to mark off the places you've been! 
• Add easy things to do as well, maybe even just films you've always wanted to see

These are the stickers we'll use to mark what experiences we've done!

Good luck in making your own!

By the way, my boyfriend loved the present and we've already tricked some things off!

Holly & Alan wedding - Royal Pavilion

5 years ago I photographed Holly's mums wedding to her stepdad. I was honoured that she had remembered me and chosen me to photograph her own wedding, and in one of Brighton's most beautiful locations - The royal pavilion. 

Holly arrived in a lovely vintage convertible car then made her way to room which holds the ceremony.  This room is sectioned off from the public but has the same feel as the rest of the building. 

Photos in the music room

After the ceremony the bride and groom were allowed some photos in the largest and most beautiful part of the pavilion, the music room. With such low lighting to preserve the original wall paper and hardly any natural light, this shoot proved to be tricky! In addition to that difficulty, this room was open to the public, so it was difficult to get shots without tourists in the way. Here are my favs..

Photos outside the pavilion

After shots of just the Bride and groom, we made our way outside to include everyone in the photos. 

Holly and Alan with their best women!

The reception

Still within the pavilion grounds, the reception was held in a beautifully decorated room, with teapot centres pieces filled with flowers. Good old fashioned tea and cake was served while an acoustic band played covers of love songs.

It was a beautiful day and I'm so thankful to have been a part of it! 

I wish Holly and Alan a world of happiness. 

Becky x