Open books now for sale

I've added a bunch of new books to my Etsy shop. Each of these books is OOAK as each one is different and special in it's own way. There are three new ranges of open books:

Burnt Bat Book Range

Burnt Mushroom Book Range

Burnt Owl Book Range

These are now all available in my Etsy shop. 

Well, until next time!

*Poof*

Burnt Owl Book range

Well, I managed to finish another book range. This one is about owls.

Again these books are made completely from scratch by me. Pages cut and assembled individually, covers fitted with fabric and everything assembled. The last thing I do is burn them so they look like they were picked from a fire.

The whole pile. These are absolutely perfect for a witch who has to get a new familiar and wants to read up on different types of owls and other birds.

I like how they turned out. These will also be going to my Etsy shop, as soon as I finish the last burnt book range, which will feature mushrooms. Probably not tomorrow since we finally have warm and sunny weather and our garden has been neglected far too long. I'm hoping I'll finish them on Friday though.

Until next time!

*Poof*

New batch of Burnt Bat Books

Ok, so one down two to go.... books that is. I finished the first range today, which are the bat books. I still have the owl books and the mushroom books to finish. Although I'm more than half way done with them there are quite a few so I probably won't be able to finish them tomorrow. Or perhaps if I have a quiet morning and some time in the afternoon... hmmm...

Well, here are is the Burnt Bat Books range. These will be going to my Etsy shop when the other two ranges are finished, but these can be reserved here too, prior to going to Etsy, and I can make a private listing.

Each book has hand cut pages. The covers are made of black fabric and then hand burnt to look like they've been pulled out of a fire. I like to think of these as being saved from a large bonfire made of books, like the ones from the middle ages.

The whole pile that I finished today. I still have to add the ones I already finished the other day.

Every book is different and is OOAK. They all vary in thickness, burn marks and most importantly, the page design.

The second batch... I can just imagine one or more of these in a witch's lair.

And the final set. These will all be available for sale separately.

Seeing as I've had so many distractions today I'm glad I managed to finish these. Now on to new ones tomorrow.

On a side note, I'm so glad that Game of Thrones is back with another season! It's giving me lots of inspiration. Plus The Borgias too! And I've discovered a new series.... Da Vinci's Demons. That one is going to provide mountains of inspiration if the first part is any indication. If anyone needs some fantasy/medieval inspiration, then those series are for you

Until next time!

*Poof*

Book Bash

I can't believe it's been almost two weeks since my last post! A lot of things happened: the holidays, I had my French exam (which I aced :D), we were putting the kitchen together,.... 

But I did have time for minis too. I made a lot of new books. Whenever we go visit the in-laws I always bring some minis to make. Usually I cut pages and assemble the blank books, since I always need those. I've also made some new designs for open books. A few more variations for bat books and two new ranges - owls and mushrooms! The three things no respectable witch could be without!

Here is the first pile. A few bat books, one mushroom and one owl book. Lots more to come, all with different page variations.

Here's a pic of work in progress. I love using clothespins for making books. They're just the right size for a lot of different mini projects.

Here is the first bat book, I was trying something different with this one. I decided to add a leather cover. From the front it doesn't look at all bad.

Although from the back it's a different story. When I was burning the book the leather shrunk and this is how it looks like finished. I think I'll just stick with a simple black fabric.

And here is the first batch. I already have all the covers made for the bat range and the only thing left is to glue them to the pages and add the finishing touches (aka burn them).

The first of the mushroom range. Also burnt pages.

And the first of the owl range. This one will also be part of the burnt pages set.

I love how these books turned out. And there's still a lot more to make!

I also wanted to show you these hydrangeas I made last summer. I've never found the right pot to put them in until now. I still have to make the leaves but I just love them even without them.

 They're my favourite flowers, we used to have two very large bushes next to our house and I remember admiring them when I was a child. On one bush were blue ones and on the other light pink ones.

Now if only the other book about mini furniture would arrive I can start on another furniture project. Although I already have a few in mind without the book so I'm starting to wonder when I'll be able to make everything....

And just a reminder, there's still time to enter my giveaway. Just scroll down to the previous post or click on the giveaway picture on the left. And good luck to everyone!

Until next time!

*Poof*

Illyria's Miniatures Shop Open!

Remember I told you a few weeks ago that I have a surprise.....

I've just opened my own Etsy shop, where you'll be able to purchase my creations. I've listed a few items and you can expect more in the coming weeks. I'm very excited and I hope that you will have a great time browsing the shop.

As you can see I've also added a link to the right so you'll be able to access my shop through this blog any time you want. Or if you want to bookmark it, just follow this link.

For this special occasion I've decided to offer free shipping until my birthday, which is Monday, the 25th of March - so you have the whole weekend extended weekend plus Monday for free shipping. Just use the coupon code: NOSHIPPING1 and you will get free shipping to anywhere in the world!

Well, this was exciting news! Now, I also wanted to show you the gift I got from my boyfriend. I was looking at mica powders online, since I can't buy any here, and he surprised me by buying them on eBay and they arrived on the 8th, which was international women's day :) It's such a treat to have a partner that understands and supports your need to create things.

Of course I had to try them on some dragon eggs from air dry clay. They're wonderful!

I think they work best on paper. I'm going to have to think of some uses for these.

I haven't been able to create anything new since I last posted. I've been studying for my exam, I can't wait till next week so it'll be over and I can get back to minis. Plus we just got our real life kitchen - finally - and we've had a lot of work with that too. 

I do have one great piece of mini news left. I treated myself to a miniature book, it's by John Davenport - Making Miniature Furniture. I'm sure many of you know it, but of course I had to order it from UK. Hopefully it's going to arrive by next Friday. This was a treat to myself for my birthday. 

Well, as I said I hope to get back to making minis by the end of next week. Have a happy Easter and I'll see you back here after the holidays! 

Oh, and Conny over at It's A Mini Life has a wonderful giveaway, you should take a look!

Until next time!

*Poof*