Tiny silver cotton reel
LIke a fair few of us I was fascinated with tiny things as a child. I wanted the accessories for dolls’ houses more than I wanted the houses or the dolls. Teeny candlesticks and chairs had me sighing. The cutlery was the most exciting though - the miniature spoons especially. When eldest P has a session with her Sylvanian families I secretly covet the little scissors and plastic pastel ice lollies.
Tiny antique flower basket embroidery - each flower is around 1cm across
My parents were huge fans of junk shops when I was little. Lots of rummaging went on. I soon discovered that I could enjoy them myself - there was usually a ‘bits basket’ with discarded items that were either given away for free or sold for a few pocket money pennies. I have a box of childhood treasures from bits baskets round the country. The tiny flower basket embroidery was free from a Pembrokeshire antique shop in about 1982. I’m not sure how old it is but the stitching is minute.
The little glass dice (5mm across) and measuring cylinder were found on the same holiday and the tiny silver compass was given to me by my Granny’s best friend, Aunty Mabel. She carried it around in her purse along with other tantalising treasures - buttons, beads and charms.
A neighbour gave me this wonderful silver sewing machine charm to make a necklace with. It is 2cm long and has sentimental value for her. The wheel moves around and the needle shuttles up and down. It’s the stuff of little girl dreams really. I wanted to make a little silver charm to pair with it on the necklace.
This is what I came up with - a little silver cotton reel around 7mm high. It’s not quite perfect but it looks OK once I’ve wound the cotton onto it. The forget-me-nots give an idea of scale. I’ve been making charms to launch the design-your-own jewellery page on my website or perhaps in a silverpebble etsy shop. I might offer tiny cotton reel charms - what do you think?
EDIT: I have been incredibly lucky to receive two bloggers’ stunning work this week. I’ll blog them soon. Also hop over to Kirsty’s blog, Sixty One A - she’s giving away a wonderful birdcage.
May 9th, 2010 at 10:44 am
WOW!!!!
WOW… wow. wow. wow. I love it.
Really really delighted that a little bit of something new will bring new life and new sentiment to something old. xxx
May 9th, 2010 at 10:45 am
I think I love it!
May 9th, 2010 at 11:18 am
So gorgeous! can’t believe the wheel and needle move! love the cotton reel also, Kate xxx
May 9th, 2010 at 11:24 am
Need, Want, Must have. Go for it
May 9th, 2010 at 11:38 am
I’m echoing ‘The Madhouse’. What a wonderful idea-sure to be a great success. A pair to make tiny earrings with thread to match your outfit!!!! Sorry, getting carried away here! Love the post.
Z xx
May 9th, 2010 at 11:48 am
I still love small things, the tiny clutterbug things like Wade whimsies, charms and tiny terrier ornaments. Love the little reel and sewing machine charms!
May 9th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
That cotton reel is just the best. So darling.
May 9th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
Oh, cute! Very, very cute!
My mum used to have a charm bracelet with magic moving charms, and I always coveted it. I haven’t seen it for years - I must ask her if she still has it as I bet the Smalls would be just as enchanted as I was.
May 9th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
love it, love it, love it - i would definitely love to have one!!! please put me on your list, as i\’m sure you will get lots of orders for it!! I will email you later.
xxxx
May 9th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
I love it all!!
How wonderful that you were able to visit junk shops
from an early age!!
May 9th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
I love tiny things also, the little dice are divine and so is everything you showed us on your post. Love the little spool of thread.
May 9th, 2010 at 7:03 pm
That is the cutest thing I’ve seen in ages! I love things in miniature - I’m a sucker for the tiny cakes that are made for dolls houses
May 9th, 2010 at 7:26 pm
What a beautiful pair of charms! That sewing machine is amazing and I love the little cotton reel you made! x
May 9th, 2010 at 8:00 pm
Little tiny silver charms … I can’t think of anything more perfect! I would love a little silver cotton reel and may even make my first ever charm bracelet along with the beautiful little silver heart you made for me earlier. Lovely post Emma
Hope you have a lovely week ahead
Carolyn ♥
May 9th, 2010 at 8:01 pm
We must have been looking at each other’s blogs at the same time!
You are one very talented lady…absolutely gorgeous.
May 9th, 2010 at 11:03 pm
It\’s the perfect idea Emma. Tiny Sylvanian bits and bobs do it for me too, so grown up silver versions are perfect to my mind.
Lisa x
May 10th, 2010 at 3:15 am
Oh, magical treasures ALL. But your little spool of thread is the best of them all!
May 10th, 2010 at 7:53 am
That is sooooooo delightful. The teeny tinyness of it is just so appealing. Ah, Sylvanian Familes…. that took me back. My daughter had masses of it and it was such a great toy. :O)
May 10th, 2010 at 8:13 am
I absolutely love that cotton reel and the fact that is is slightly wonky makes it all the more charming! Can I place an order? In fact I love all your little treasures and feel the same way about dolls house accessories.
May 10th, 2010 at 10:03 am
What teeny-tiny gorgeousness Emma! You definitely, definitely need to add the cotton reel to your build-your-own section - and will there be any other little crafty items??? Lucy xx
May 10th, 2010 at 10:55 am
How incredibly dainty! I think the cotton wrapped around the spool finishes it perfectly!
May 10th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
Very very cute Emma! I also have a fascination with things that are tiny - I have a little clock collection and a little print collection. It is great to have little treasures that take up so little room
May 10th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
The dinky cotton reel is lovely, so delicate. Bet it was fiddly to make but oh so worth it!x
May 10th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
I completely agree with you with the love for small things. Ive just stumbled upon your blog and it’s lovely! You make such pretty jewellery, so very nice to meet you
Hugs
Gem
xxx
May 10th, 2010 at 8:09 pm
Those are incredible miniatures, which such lovely stories behind them.
Hoopoe news - just more flying overhead, not any on the lawn or anything like that. Can\’t wait to see them up close! (But not as close as last year, when I found a dead one hit by a car.)
May 10th, 2010 at 9:05 pm
That cotton reel is so cute!!
Victoria x
May 11th, 2010 at 10:14 am
Just beautiful little treasures!
May 11th, 2010 at 10:21 am
I\’ve loved looking at your treasures in miniature Emma, and your neighbour\’s sewing machine charm is amazing, with its moving parts. Hope you\’ll publish a pic of the finished necklace with your delightful cotton reel charm. x
May 12th, 2010 at 3:40 am
Oh, Mrs. Pebble! That little spool is just adorable. You always make THE most beautiful things. It’s perfect to go with the little sewing machine too!
May 12th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Oh that cotton reel is lovely. i love miniature worlds, they are completely enchanting.
x
May 12th, 2010 at 11:58 pm
Absolutely lovely.
May 13th, 2010 at 12:03 am
I think the cotton reel may be my favourite bit of your silvery goodness yet…it\’s gorgeous! x
May 14th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
Hi emma
How on earth did you make that cotton real it is so small.