December has been month of ups and downs. There were two festivals – Karthigai and Christmas, a couple of trips and a few days off. I have a jewellery sale going on for which I made several new pieces. I was on both sides of different examination jury panels. There has been sickness, sadness, confusion and frustration as well on the personal front. In between all of this we had a mega Christmas at work. We partnered with an organisation that collects and supplies refurbished clothing to the under privileged. We spend the afternoon with 30 kids from a home and gave them a shopping experience along with gifts and an afternoon of entertainment. The week was spent budgeting, buying gifts, and making posters. While it wasn’t exactly a handmade Christmas, it took a lot of effort. In an attempt to follow the red and white theme as the compere of the event, I ended up looking like Ms. Santa.
Handmade Christmas Decor
Pinecone reindeer
I was traveling for 2 days and stayed with one of my close friends. Knowing that she celebrates a Handmade Christmas every year with her daughter, I made ornaments for their tree. Using pine cones, woodcut embellishments, rhinestone chain, pompom, and wire I made pine cone reindeer. I used beads – a disc spacer and seed beads to create the eyes. Initially, I made only the heads, but then I added the painted woodcuts and embellished them with mirrors and rhinestones. I think then look like musicians in a band. What do you think?
Very Berry Wreath
While shopping for the event, I found some berries, pine cones and a plastic tinsel wreath at a pop-up. I added some ribbon bows, a tiny birdie, and beads to the mix and made myself a Christmas wreath. I hung it outside my office cubicle and one of my students, added tiny lights to it. It was a nice surprise for me when I came back from a trip. Later, I took the lights out and rearranged them to hide the wire and let the lights sparkle better.
I took pictures of it at work but my (borrowed) phone ate my photos. I am not lying, they disappeared. So I tried to take pictures once again this afternoon and here is my best effort. I have never had trouble shooting LED lights before. Strange month, I say!
Red and green Jewellery
Can Christmas be complete without some bling? I made 6 necklaces this month of which the three that you see here are Christmassy. In the mirror necklace, I think that the stack of silver and red beads looks like Santa Claus or a snow man. Can you see it too?
The second piece is a traditional Indian version of the Red and green combo. I have used kalamkari fabric with silver dolki beads for a simple yet rustic piece. Both pieces are part of the End of Decade sale that I have running till 31st December.
The Third red and green necklace uses an UFO of a pendant and some beads. This necklace is sold. Despite my busy schedule, these necklaces came together pretty quickly as I had organised my beads colour wise during the cleanup for the recent Annual leftovers earrings challenge.
With that, I come to the end of this post. Thank you for being patient with me as I was late in posting.
Here’s wishing you a Very very happy New Year 2020. Have a wonderful new decade that showers you with blessings of a pain free, prosperous, and happy life.
This month’s Participants
This is a blog hop reveal for Art Elements’ December challenge. Please visit the other participants to see what goodies each of them have created to celebrate a handmade Christmas.
Guest Artists Divya (me) Kathy Mary Hope Sarah Tammy Merja Sarajo Beth and Evie
22 responses to “Handmade Christmas”
Divya, you were one busy busy bee this month! And you had time to get a few things done for this challenge … well done! And they are all beautiful, love the Indian colors & styles you always manage to do. Have a great New Year (if you celebrate that?). Alysen
Yup, it was busy month. But crafting is a great stress buster. Thank you for the New year wishes and I wish you safe journey and peace of mind as your head back home to France.
It seems this time of year is always hectic for everyone. I am looking forward to things settling down a bit after the holidays! I really love the pinecone reindeer. They are adorable. Your wreath is festive and I love that it lights up. All your necklaces are beautiful and in keeping with the colors of Christmas. The muted shades of the one with fabric really is special.
I guess its hectic because we realise that the year is coming to an end and we have lots more left to do. Thank you so much for taking time and commenting on the post. Happy New year to you.
The pinecone reindeer ornaments are so cute. I love the added embellishments at the bottom!
The wreath is cool – love the lights that were added to it.
I think the beads look like a snowman in the first necklace 🙂
Your necklaces are gorgeous!
Thank you. I thought that I was the only one who saw Santa/snow man in the necklace 🙂 Happy New year to both of you.
Such gorgeous jewelry Divya!! And such kind effort and generosity to give to others, especially young women. Thank you for sharing pics of the beautiful
Christmas trees you found in your travels. Wishing you a joyful and meaningful 12020
Thanks Mary, Happy New year to you and yours as well.
Fabulous makes for the holiday and you look great in your christmas hat! Those reindeer ornaments are awesome, as is the wreath. The jewelry designs are, as always, gorgeous. Best Wishes for your New Year.
Thanks Tammy. The reindeer are my first ever pine cone craft and I had fun making them.
There is so much to see!
The wreath is my favorite, it has such a classic beauty. Great job!
Thanks Cat, I wondered if I hadnt done enough!
Such a festive post! I am glad you could join us! And I sincerely hope that the turmoil/sickness/sadness has abated! I love the wreath! Id happily display that all winter here in the Mid Atlantic region of the US! Lovely bling as always… I hope you have a fantastic New Year!
I am thrilled that you like the wreath Jenny. I haven’t made a Christmas wreath in years and really enjoyed making it. In fact it came together very quickly.
Lots of very pretty work. I am most drawn to your jewelry. Love the design of the shapes and colors. Have a wonderful 2020!
Thank you Karen, wishing you and yours a great year ahead.
Divya, I hope for the new year you get some more time for yourself, but am so admiring of your giving to other! I love your ornaments and wreath, and the necklaces are gorgeous! Happy New Year!
Thank you so much – time for myself to improve my skills, my fitness, and my attitude – I would love that. Thank you so much for wishing that for me.
I hate to hear that it’s been such a rough month for you, but I do hope that you were able to find some joy in it. Your contributions for this challenge are great! I’m intrigued by the last two necklaces that have the fiber at the back. That’s some really interesting stuff. Did you make that portion of it? Very cool either way.
Thanks Hope. Yarns that you are talking about is referred to as Cotton cord closure or “dori.” No I did not make these but bought them readymade as these pieces were made for a sale and now snapped up.
What a crazy busy month you’ve had! Yet, you made and posted your Christmas-y activities and creations! Love the pine cone reindeer ornaments are so clever and the sparkles are such a good idea! I love that you made jewelry in the colors of the season but it can be worn year round and look good any time! Wishing you a Happy New Year 2020 with lots of exciting moments!
The most interesting part about making the reindeer was making the antlers. It was such a simple idea to twist wire but it gave such an impact. Thank you so much for your wishes and I wish for a great year for your too.