WNW: Advent Calendar Bracelets

What's new today is my advent calendar bracelets. You'll need to get in quick with an order for these as my order books close on Friday

I love how these look on!

They're a cute charm bracelet with 24 links in it, and a charm to add onto each link (with a lobster clasp so you can add the charm in yourself) - so each day you get to open up a new charm and add it to your bracelet.

The charms are on clips so they're easy for you to add

You have the option of ordering these either wrapped individually in tissue paper - so there's a parcel to open every day, or in a traditional style advent calendar with windows to open. These are also made by me and are super cute!

Look at this adorable box!

The charms are half Christmas themed charms, half generic charms. You have a choice of colours, red, blue, purple, pink, turquoise, mint green, black, white, grey.

If you want any charms in particular - you just have to let me know

Don't forget to order these ASAP! It's nearly December! 

TBT Spoonie Bracelets

It's throwback Thursday time folks!

Today, we're going to be looking at my spoonie bracelets. I freakin love these bracelets, because they mean so much to me. As you'll know if you're a regular reader, I suffer from various chronic illnesses, and as such, declare myself to be a spoonie. (If you're unfamiliar with the term, check out  Christine Miserandino’s post about ‘spoons’ in her blog about having Lupus.)

One of the things that really helps with chronic illness is knowing that there are people out there who understand you. I have a smile on my face every time I post out one of these bracelets, because I know they're going out to someone just like me. As such, I designed these bracelets to be super comfortable, and easy to wear, even on a high-pain day, or a day when you're struggling with sensation. If you want to find out more about how these are made, check out this blog post I did a while back.

They come in a range of different colours, with different meaning behind each colour. Although of course, you can just choose a colour because it makes you feel special.

• You can get a cute blue bracelet, if you suffer from chronic fatigue (or M.E.) as it's also known - like I do! #spooniebuddies
• Fibromyalgia sufferers can get this funky purple version.
• Have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome? I've even got a zebra stripe to fly your flag with!
• Pink is famously the colour for breast cancer awareness, it's also the colour for breastfeeding awareness - so if nursing is the thing that's sucking all of your spoons, this is the one for you.
• Mental illness can also be really draining (again, I know first hand on this one) - and this bright green bracelet represents that.
• Or perhaps you'd like one to represent anxiety or OCD? Then it's the turquoise bracelet that you need
• Last but not least, there's this gorgeous glitter version available too!

Of course, if you want a colour which is not readily available in stock, please don't hesitate to get in touch via my etsy shop or my facebook page - it may take longer than my usual 2-3 day turn around, because I'll have to order the elastic in, but I'm always more than happy to make customised designs.

You also have the option to purchase matching earrings with these. Although these don't have the 'comfort' value of the bracelet, they're a great way to make a statement on one of your good days.

What helps you remember to always keep a spoon in the bank?

MIM - Wish Jars

Today's made it monday is going to let you in on a magical little secret. I'm talking about my little wish jars, full of magic and sparkles.

My Angel Wing wish jar 

Each wish jar is a small glass jar with a few bits of glitter in the bottom - in the future I'm hoping to move to biodegradable glitter.

My mermaid wish jar contains a real shell

The charm inside the bottle is suspended by invisible thread which is held in place by the cork stopper in the bottle.

This cute little fairy promises to grant your wishes

I love making these, knowing that they're going to bring a little bit of magic into someone's life. Each of them comes with a card and poem attached - each of the poems written by me.

This is my best seller, my fairy godmother wish jar

Stay tuned on the blog for a sneak peek of some brand new wish jars on Wednesday

TBT - Princess Bracelets

Today's throw back Thursday is a throw back all the way to my first product for Katy Page Designs. My princess charm bangles. Each charm bangle has three charms, carefully chosen and influenced by different fairytales.

Rapunzel is a purple wrapped bangle with a frying pan, a tiara and of course, a hairbrush!

Snow white is a red wrapped bangle with an apple, a hunter’s bow and arrow and that infamous mirror.

Cinderella is a blue wrapped bangle with a pumpkin, her fairy godmother’s wand, and a beautiful glass slipper.

Sleeping Beauty is a pink wrapped bangle with a castle, a crown and a spinning wheel – don’t worry, it doesn’t have a real spindle for you to prick your finger on though!

Belle is a yellow wrapped bracelet with a rose, a book and a cute little teapot!

Alice is a blue wrapped bangle with a mushroom, a teapot and a watch. Alice is a limited edition bangle - there are only two of these available, so if you want one, pop on over to my etsy shop

SIS Spoonie Bracelets

Hi and welcome to Style It Sunday

This is going to be a super chilled SIS - you know, my favourite kind of sunday!

Today's Style It is all about what you could wear with one of my spoonie bracelets. Now, the whole idea behind spoonie bracelets is that they're designed to be super comfortable, so you can wear them even on your worst days.

My purple (fibro awarness) spoonie bracelet

If you want more details on my spoonie bracelets check out this post.

So to start with I'd style it with pajamas! I love flannel pajamas, and I'd adore a cute floral pair like these ones. 

Floral Flannel Pajamas

You can't be comfy in PJs without a dressing gown. My must-haves for a dressing gown is huge and fluffy. White is also a bonus, because it's such a classic. I love this super fluffy one from The White Company.

Fluffy White Dressing Gown

Don't forget to add one of my adorable spoonie keyrings into the look. If you're going to go spoonie, go big or go home. Each of the spoon charms has the option of ordering with matching spoon earrings too. How cute would that look?

And to top of the style, I'd finish it off with a pair of slippers. I love these crochet slippers and I'm tempted to make a pair in super chunky yarn - how comfortable would that be?

Crochet Ballet Slippers

Top it all off with a mug of steaming hot chocolate and marshmallows.... could there be a better way to spend a Sunday?

WNW: Charm Earrings

Hi - and welcome to What's New Wednesday. This weeks what's new is going to focus on some cute charm earrings. I've already got my ballerina charm earrings, (both ballet shoes, and ballet dresses) up on my etsy shop - but I've made a few others as well. Each of these are one of a kind - so if you want them, speak up! Charm earrings in this style are £3.00 for the pair

Turtle Earrings

 How cute are those turtles? Anyone a discworld fan? If you don't get that reference, you clearly aren't as nerdy as I am.

Crown earrings

 Well, it wouldn't be Katy Page designs if we didn't do something at least a little bit princessy would it?

Sausage Dog Earrings

 I felt like these cute daschund charms needed more than one bead to balance them out - but aren't they just adorable?

Cat Charm Earrings

And these little kitties, have a cute black bead - super witchy and goth huh? As I said before, each of these are totally unique so if you want a pair of these get in touch. Alternatively, if you've something else in mind, you all know I love making new designs.

MIM Cluster Bead Earrings

Hi, and welcome to another Made-It-Monday. These cluster bead earrings are super cute and super fun to make too! All you need is some beads, spacer beads, flat head pins, a couple of jump rings and some fish hook style earrings.

I've tried this with various sizes of beads and I find sizes between 2mm and 4mm work best. For each earring I use 7 flat head pins (so 14 in total for a pair). The longest strand of beads has 3 beads, seperated by spacer beads, and then I use my needle nose pliers to make a loop in the end. I repeat this with 2 flat head pins with 2 beads on each, and then 4 pins with one bead each.

Then I open up one of the jump rings, and put the 7 loops of the pins onto the jump ring in the following order 1-2-1-3-1-2-1. I slide an earring wire on and close up the jump ring.

I've made a few different colours of these - white and blue are both up on my etsy shop. But if there's a colour you'd really like, please do get in touch. I've made up a hot pink pair too, but I've not put them up on the shop yet, so if you'd like them get in touch. What do you think would look great in these? (I may have to try a rainbow version soon!)

TBT: Wish Jars

Hi Everyone and welcome to another throwback Thursday. This weeks throwback is going to be about my wish jars. Now I absolutely adore these little beauties, and they're one of the best sellers in my shop. Whether they're going to be a stocking filler, or just a little gift to remind someone how much you care. Currently I have 4 different wish jars available through my shop, but there's another one or two (or four) in the works, so keep your eyes peeled.

The fairy godmother wish jar is without a doubt my most popular out of all of them - with a magic wand suspended by magic, and full of glitter - it's the perfect gift for any godchildren you might have.

My Fairy Godmother Wish Jar

This cute little fairy in a shower of fairy dust I actually made nearly 20 of for party bags for a fairy themed birthday party (it was awesome, the kids were totally convinced the entertainer was a real life fairy).

My Fairy Wish Jar

The mermaid version only has gold glitter in - it makes me think of golden sandy beaches. It's got a real shell suspended in it, and the poem talks of mermaid kisses.

The Gold in the Mermaid Jar makes me think of sunny beaches

Last but not least is the tiniest little angel wing - a perfect gift for someone who's having a tough time or who needs cheering up.

A beautiful Angel wing finishes off the quartet

Style It Sunday: Cinderella

So, for today’s Style It Sunday, we’re going full on princess again. Let’s talk about my Cinderella charm bangle! With a cute pale blue colour, and charms of a pumpkin coach, a shoe, and a magic wand – it’s instantly recognisable as Cinderella.

Cinderella Charm Bracelet

Now, of COURSE with this infamous princess, we’ve got to start from the feet up. I’m not going to recommend glass slippers to anyone, we all know I’m such a clutz that it won’t end well for me! (Besides, there’s one theory that the original story had Cinderella in fur boots, and it’s an odd mistranslation.) However, fantastic shoes have got to be a go-to for Cinderella, and when I want to feel like I have truly fabulous feet, I look no further than Irregular Choice. I’ve been wearing IC shoes for the past 10 years (good lord, I feel old) and I love seeing what the company produces. You can get great deals on these second hand if you can’t afford full price!

Irregular Choice Cinderella Shoes

Next for cinders, it’s got to be a blue dress right? I'd be looking at a blue skater dress for an everyday cinderella look. Skater dresses are super comfortable, but they give that girly look - and everything about cinderella is innocence and girlishness. I'd love something simple like this wrap over pale blue skater dress - isn't it just adorable?

Pale blue skater dress

 Finally, for accessories - the bracelet itself makes enough of a statement, so for the rest of the jewellery, I'd be going subtle. Cinders is often pictured wearing a pale blue choker, like this one I've got in my shop ;-). You could totally pair it with the matching rose earrings, however as I’ve been writing this, I’m struck with a desire to make some pumpkin earrings – not dangle drop ones, although I could do that with the pumpkin coach, but studs, with tiny little pumpkin embellishments – I’ll have to check out the craft stores round about Halloween I think.

Pale blue rose choker

WNW: Floral Chokers

What's New today!

I'm super excited about this post. I've been putting off uploading these to my etsy shop, because frankly, I want to keep them all to myself! So today's what's new wednesday is these gorgeous floral chokers. I'll make sure they're up on the shop in the next couple of days, so keep an eye out!

Rose floral choker

They're going to cost you £5 for just the choker, and £7 for the choker and matching earrings. What a bargain huh? There's the floral rose option, or the daisy option which comes in grey or blue.

Blue daisy floral choker

As soon as I saw these gorgeous fabrics I knew I needed to make them into chokers. I absolutely adore them. I'll also be popping some into the shop that don't have the rose embellishment on the front, if that's more your thing

Grey daisy floral choker

Alternatively, if you’re not such a fan of the floral fabric as me, I’ve got some chokers on plainer backgrounds with that cute rose embellishment. Frankly, I think these would make an incredible gift for someone – so if there’s someone in your life that you think needs a treat – pop on over to the etsy shop, and grab one of these – there’s limited stock, so I can’t guarantee how long they will last!

Floral Rose choker

EDIT: These are now up here, here and here.

MIM Spoonie Bracelets

SPOONIE BRACELETS! So this is going to be a long post, and probably quite a heartfelt one too. One thing you may not know about me, is I’m a chronic illness sufferer. The invention of the internet has been AMAZING for sufferers of chronic illnesses, as socialisation over the internet is much less energy intensive than in real life, but is so great for keeping your spirits up against adversity. One of the most famous posts on the internet about chronic illness is Christine Miserandino’s post about ‘spoons’ in her blog about having Lupus. It’s been so useful in explaining chronic illness and chronic pain to non-sufferers that Chronic Illness sufferers online often refer to themselves as “spoonies.”

To this end, when I spotted these adorable little spoon charms* I knew I had to make something with them. However I also knew straight away that it wasn’t going to be one of my charm bangles. “Why?” you ask – because we all know how much I love charm bangles. One reason and one reason alone: comfort. Chronic illness often comes hand in hand with chronic pain, and I struggle to wear jewellery on many days because I can’t cope with the increased sensation, so I designed these bracelets to be made out of soft backed elastic. This means they can be worn even on the worst days.

Initially I just made these bracelets in colours I thought would look cute, but then I realised that I could tie these in with the awareness colours for various chronic illnesses - and so I've made quite a wide selection. 

• You can get a cute blue bracelet, if you suffer from chronic fatigue (or M.E.) as it's also known - like I do! #spooniebuddies
• Fibromyalgia sufferers can get this funky purple version.
• Have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome? I've even got a zebra stripe to fly your flag with!
• Pink is famously the colour for breast cancer awareness, it's also the colour for breastfeeding awareness - so if nursing is the thing that's sucking all of your spoons, this is the one for you.
• Mental illness can also be really draining (again, I know first hand on this one) - and this bright green bracelet represents that.
• Or perhaps you'd like one to represent anxiety or OCD? Then it's the turquoise bracelet that you need
• Last but not least, there's this gorgeous glitter version available too!

Of course, if you want a colour which is not readily available in stock, please don't hesitate to get in touch via my etsy shop or my facebook page - it may take longer than my usual 2-3 day turn around, because I'll have to order the elastic in, but I'm always more than happy to make customised designs.

So on to the 'made it' portion of the blog

As I mentioned earlier, these are made of 'fold over' elastic. It's something you should be able to get in a well stocked haberdashers, I get mine off ebay. I stitch it into a bracelet sized loop, with about a half inch overlap. Then I get a jump ring, and thread it through the elastic. Before I close up the jump ring I add a super cute spoon charm* (also from ebay). 

It's not a tricky make, hence the price tag ;-) however I do love making these, as I know each and every one of these bracelets is going to go to someone like me. They can also be purchased with matching earrings, which will make a fantastic statement on a good day! 

(*as usual, Links which have an asterisk after them are affiliate links, and may provide me with income)

TBT Cluster Earrings

Happy Thursday Folks

Todays throwback is to these cluster bead earrings - how lush are they? I made the white version first, and I've made some other versions including these adorable baby blue ones and a pair in hot pink.

White Cluster Bead Earrings

Let me know what colours you'd like to see? As I write this I'm thinking about maybe a rainbow version, or a couple of different colours tied together? What do we think?

Blue Cluster Bead Earrings

Does anyone have any pictures of these in action? I'd love to see them

Top Tip Tuesday - Feeling like a Princess

Hi everyone! Welcome to my first ever Top Tip's Tuesday. For Tuesdays on my blog I'm going to be sharing some tips with you, and trust me, they're going to be random. They might be about jewellery making, about sewing or crochet, or some other craft I do - or they may be about housework, about family life and everything and anything in between.

However to kick things off, I'm going to start with the idea which is the underlying principle behind Katy Page Designs... How to feel like a Princess.

My 21st Birthday - yep, I'm a princess

(And yes, I'm going to intersperse this with various photos of me, feeling like a princess). I have to say, Littlest princess has it easiest - she's two, and when she wakes up in the morning and decides she needs to be a princess, on goes the princess dress and the crown. Usually Snow White (that's her favourite) but her godmother Luthaisea has made her a whole variety of fabulous princesses dresses - you can check them out on her blog here. She's also currently running around in a pair of fairy wings.... I can't get away with that shit!

LRP is a great opportunity to be a princess

As an adult, it isn't so easy - you put on a ballgown and people look at you funny in the street (unless you're at a LRP, but that's a story for another day). However there are some days when you just need to feel like a princess. So I've got a few tips to make you feel a little bit more special.

1. Start from the bottom up... literally. I always feel WAY more glamourous when I'm wearing matching undies - there's no way not to! And whilst a satin balconette is sure cute, it isn't practical. I love love LOVE Molke bras - they're made here in the UK, (in scotland) and there is no way you CAN'T feel fabulous wearing a pair of matching Molke  undies. They're super comfortable too. And no, I'm not being paid to say that, I'm a super molkevangelist (which is a word I totally invented) - they've changed my life for the better, and I love them!

This bra is sure to make you feel like a superhero

2. Dresses. I stopped wearing school uniform at 15, and by the time I was 18 I realised I went to school every day in jeans and a hoody. Not that there's anything wrong with jeans and a hoody - but it's very... same-y. So when I hit Uni I came up with the rule that I could only wear trousers once a week... and since then, it's dropped even more - I actually find dresses are WAY more comfortable than trousers... but put on a floaty maxi dress and you'll look like a princess. I made a super easy one which you can find on my old blog here.

Totally Princessy, and totally comfortable.

3. Accessories. I only got my ears pierced in the last couple of years, but trust me, having a pair of dangle drop earrings makes anyone feel like a princess. These cluster beads are a particular favourite of mine for the glamorous look, or if you're a fan of charms I have various different charm earrings like these ballet themed ones. 

Autumnal Earrings