Custom Made Projects this Month!

Hello all, hope you are all enjoying the Easter weekend. We have not got anything special planned just chilling at home which is sometimes the nicest thing you can do lol! I think the kids may disagree a bit. Other than trying to make grumpy babies happy this holiday I have had a few lovely custom made projects.

One which I posted a picture of on my facebook page the other day.

Two teardrop (pear drops) necklaces. They are Swarovski crystals and the bail is also Swarovski, with a sterling silver chain, I actually changed the chain at the last minute as I felt they needed a longer chain but will upload the new pics when they are ready. I love this particular project as the two necklaces are for two ladies who are twins. Two amazing lovable ladies I can just eat to bits :D and it is so cute that they even when both are mothers still like to get things that are similar. Each got to choose her own color though :).

It seems that I am not the only one that loves these paired necklaces as another two young ladies who are cousins have also ordered them, and again two different colors. Pictures will be available soon. This is a great gift to treat yourself and share it with the person closest to you, whether a friend, sister, mother, cousin it is just a great personal gift.

Final project that I wanted to tell you guys about is something that looks like this item from my shop,

One of my friends has ordered it for her mother as her mother loves pearls, however, I like to add a different touch of character to each piece I make and so instead of choosing the same pendant I have gone for something a little different .. Keep following this space for picture updates ..

Follow my next blog post as you will get to see lots of lots of my pics :) .. one final note I have been working on a project that I mentioned previously that is still going ahead however it has just been paused due to finalising orders, I would just like to throw a question out there .. for a formal occasion that you are wearing a beaded tiara/headband with your dress would you choose a matching necklace or bracelet or maybe both ?? mmm .. let me know what you prefer! 

New Projects Coming your way

Hi lovlies :)

Missed you guys a lot this past week... A lot has been happening here at Hana Handmade, still buzzing from launching my new "Headband and Tiara" line which you can check out by clicking on the link <<

I have made a few more designs that still need to be added to my shop, I am not working on a new project which is basically making a full set that I bring to you with ideas of clothing and everything :).. so sit back relax and enjoy the show :D ..

Has anyone been finding problems with leaving comments? Something has been reported so was just wondering if anyone else is having the same problem just drop me a shout on my email hana.handmade@gmail.com.

Will try not to say too much about my new project but we are going for pastel and elegant colors :). Also been booking a few events so will update you once everything is confirmed.. Spring is coming and everything looks wonderful, okay it is still snowing in Manchester! But it's not bringing me down, I am all flower and sunshine inside, and I hope you all get the same feeling once you see my new designs.

H over and out! :D

Mummy Time :)

Hiya Beauties ..
I hope you all had a brilliant Tuesday, I know that I mostly talk about my jewellery and new interests. But this is a bit different. For those who don't know me, I am a mother of two year old twins. As any other two year olds they are starting to figure out that they can actually say no and choose things. This is very frustrating, as I am sure every mother has experienced. I actually don't mind them choosing or expressing their opinion, I get frustrated when they just don't like anything for the sake of not liking anything. Or so it seems.

Okay lets talk food, and please bear with me, as I do need advice. They wont eat anything! And I don't mean they like crisps and not vegetables (although crisps is sometimes the only winner), they just wont eat. Thank God they are a good weight not too thin so sometimes I feel that I'm worrying to much. But am I? Let me give you an example so you get a picture, this is a list of things I offered them today:

Breakfast time:
- Cheese Sandwich (Not interested)
- Porridge (Nope!)
- Cake (Had a tiny bit)
Then I gave up and just offered milk and made sure they drank it.

Dinner time:
- Rice and vegetables (Not interested)
- Tuna Sandwich (Which they used  to like but no not anymore)
- Oven cooked fish and rice (Nope)
- Cheese and Onion Pate (Yup they had that with juice)

Supper time:
- Yogurt (No)
- Custard (No)
- Cookie (No)
- Muffin (No)
- Anything!!!!!!!! They went to the kitchen in the end and chose crisps and they have milk before bed.

So everyday it's the same process, I don't offer the same things as we have different things or leftovers, whatever is available. But is this normal for this age? I tried new recipes and it seemed they didn't like things that look different to what they are used to. They like pastry things like instead of cheese and onion it could be chicken or vegetable, they will like it. I even tried peanut butter today but that didn't go well down too well.

If anyone has any advice? or faced the same thing? Are they going to grow out of it? I was never a picky child with my food so this is very strange for me, and sometimes I just feel I run out of ideas very quickly and then patience. Help!

We all have our own experiences in life, sharing is great so others can learn and help. Sharing is caring :) x

Launch of New Collection .. Be the First to Know

Hello lovelies :)
I have been away from the blog for a few days, I have truly missed you. I have a few things to discuss, so lets start. :D

Lets talk business! I am super excited this week as I am launching my new headband collection. They have not yet reached my shop so you are the first to know about them .. Here is a little preview of one of them.

This is the first headband from my new collection. I have aimed to make them simply elegant and most importantly affordable for all. We all deserve a treat once in a while. In this design I have used white glass pearls and peach crystals, I have also matched some earrings with the headband. This is a bit different for me as I do not use glass pearls much but I put them next to the crystals and just couldn't resist. It was meant to be. For all the lovely ladies out there that wear the headscarf (Hijab), no I have not forgotten you. This is a little preview of how you can use this headband as a hijab accessory.

I love these headband as they can be used in so many ways and so many styles. I will be sharing with you some of my favorite styles as the rest of the collection is revealed.

I mentioned before that it seems that every week I pick up a different piece of jewellery or accessory that I get excited about, last week was all about earrings, by the looks of it this week is all about headbands and tiaras. I still have many many designs that I was to try out so keep an eye out as they will be coming your way soon .. I would like to know what you guys think of this new collection so please share your views below.

As I said at the start of the topic there are a few other things that I would like to talk about, but unfortunately Mummy has to run! lol! But I will get there :) .. Please remember me in your thoughts as I am in the process of moving my twins into their own room, or actually I am moving out of theirs lol! .. So expecting some sleepless nights ahead of me. If you have any tips please share them, as you can see I am in need of all the help I can get. :D

Nite nite :)

Four Jade Teardrops ..

A while ago while I was shopping for other things I came across a pack of blue jade teardrops. Now, you all know by now I am a fanatic about semi precious gems and anything to do with Swarovski elements. This pack had only four large teardrop, at the time I had nothing planned for them but well .. they just had to come home with me :D. So I bought them and put them to one side...

Since then I have made many projects but recently I came back to them and just started to imagine what they could become. They have now been turned into three different projects that I just love. Here are the three projects.

1- Jade and Swarovski Crystal Earrings - Blue and Orange

2- Jade and Swarovski Crystals Pendant Necklace

3- Wire Wrapped Jade Pendant Necklace

It is just amazing how to see that they were once all in the same plastic pack, and now they are different items and that have come to life and have the chance to have a different owner. If you click on the name of each item it will take you to my shop page where you will find them. I was just thinking how great it is to see complete projects and think that now they are ready to be shipped off to their future owners, and wanted to share my thoughts with you.

These are each a one off item that will not be repeated to uniqueness is 100% guaranteed. Enjoy! :D

A Trip Down Memory Lane

I was looking through some old pictures, of when the twins were first born and they were so little, and it just made me stop an reflect on all the precious and lovely moments that we have and life makes us go past them without stopping and savoring those moments. This was the picture that made me tear up and realise that I have such a blessing Alhamdulilah, I just don't give thanks or appreciate it enough.

This is my little baby Hana and this is one of the very first smiles that I got from her. Life goes so fast and you want to move on to catch up with what's happening we don't stop and look at what we are actually missing. During this picture the twins were only 8 months old and barely crawling (which I was supper worried about) now that I see this picture all I remember is how tiered I was lol!! But now just looking at her smile makes me forget all that.. You know that during that time when I wasn't sleeping or eating or drinking and was crying all the time, people used to say it's all worth it, it will all be worth it. I used to think emmm no! haha! But it truly is! Subhana Allah.

Life is so strange, I was once this small, with my mother looking down at me thinking what a pretty baby lol!! If I say so myself ehem! I think however much the hardship is that we go through in life, there is always something that God gives us that brightens up the darkest of days. Our problem is sometimes we don't see this "something" or take it as a burden on top of everything else. 

Take a moment and pretend that you are standing outside your window and looking in at yourself and your life, how many things would you see that you could be thankful for and that would make you feel lucky. I'm sure there would be lots if you honestly thought about everything. Totally in a reflective mood today .. Oh Allah! Whatever blessings I or any of Your creatures rose up with, is only from You. You have no partner, so all grace and thanks are due to You.

A lovely day to all xx

A Quick Catch Up ..

Starting from where I left off before, I had told you guys that I started some earrings which I finally finished :). Here are some pics that I wanted to share with you, hope you like them.

It took me a bit of time to finish these as there is a lot of wire wrapping and a lot of small crystals to work with, but I love them, if I say so myself. Blue is totally my favorite color and I am actually thinking of making some more this style for myself. So if you like these watch out they may just disappear from my shop and make an appearance in my jewellery box. lol!

This week it's all about earrings in my crafts room. I have some weeks where I'm just in the mood to make something in particular and this week it's earrings. I finished these earrings and have already started working on some other earrings, again Swarovski Crystals but won't say too much .. it's a surprise!!

On a different note, today I have been researching on new and healthy recipes for toddlers as my twins are 26 months now and have all of a sudden become extremely picky about food. I will share with you if I find anything interesting but please let me know if you have come across this with your kids, how did you go about it? and just if you have any other thought? Please, also let me know what you think of my new earrings in the comments section below, they will be available in my shop very soon.

Nite nite lovelies xx

How was your weekend? :)

Hello everyone, hope you all had a great weekend. For anyone who was stuck on the M1, I feel your pain I was there too :(. The waiting was not the problem however, the problem were the two, two year olds in the back seat lol!

Alhamdulilah it was a great weekend, my family and me went down to Nottingham to see most of my uni friends, ladies I lived with and others that I saw nearly every day for three years. It's just great to see everyone and have a chance to catch up with all and see where life has taken everyone after uni. Of course chatting was interrupted but the sudden leap of running after one of the twins lol!

I had made some jewellery especially for the occasion. We had all decided to get together to see one of our friends who recently had a baby, who is super cute mashaa Allah :). I wanted to make something special for her. I decided to use a semi precious stone, marble, because this just makes the set unique as you rarely see anything made with marble, or not enough I think. It has a great color and feel, you can see a pic of the set below.

Also I wanted to make some earrings for me to wear, with some blue jade teardrops, but I only managed to make on side of the earrings. I think my twins secretly know I'm busy with something else and wake up to get my attention back :D. I think it must be a super power that all kids have. So in the end I wore some earring that I had made previously these are the ones I wore.

They are also on my shop, you can find them at: Swarovski Teardrop Earrings

I will also be sharing with you the other wire wrapped jade earrings when they are complete. So keep an eye out for that. All in all it was great weekend, it great to just take time out to see friends and remember great memories that you all share. Hope you all have a great day today, and to any new mothers out there want to say a massive congrats and cherish every moment because it is truly precious. 

Love Semi Precious Gems?

I love working with semi precious gems, like agate, aquamarine, quartz, topaz, turquoise and many more. I think that jewelry looks so much better when you use real and authentic material. You can feel and tell that the quality is different and you can appreciate it a lot more. I have dedicated a treasury on my etsy page especially for these special gems.

https://www.etsy.com/treasury/MjMyMzI1OTN8MjcyNDA5MDczNg/semi-precious-gems

My choices were mainly based on designs and beads that I thought were different and interesting. Items that I would like to complement their owners on as I love all of them. I hope that you love this treasury as I have loved collecting all its items.

Will be sending updates soon on a new set I made for a friend as a present, I used marble gems which gave it an outstanding look. Stay tuned!! x

Blue Jade Pendant with Swarovski Crystal Clusters

I have had a few productive days, first I finished the earrings that I told you guys about in my previous post. Then yesterday I finished yet another project that I had started a while ago but didn't finish. I usually carry some of my tools, beads and wire around wherever I go, as sometimes I like to try things see what they look like, or get some time to myself where I can try out new designs. This is why some projects I would start but then I would have to stop, there are many reasons that would lead me to stop, but mostly because I need something that I didn't pack so when I get home that is what I need to do.

This is a picture of the new necklace:

I have not yet uploaded this to my shop but will post the website for you when I do. To tell you a bit more about this necklace it is a wire wrapped pendant necklace. The large teardrop in the middle is a blue jade drop. The small cluster crystals and the crystals wrapped in the chain are all Swarovski crystals. I love working with semi precious stones and Swarovski crystals, it just gives the whole design so much more elegance and great quality.

It took me until 3am in the morning to finish this, so when my husband tried waking me up at 8am, that wasn't going to happen lol! He was trying to tell me that my alarm was ringing and he said I just looked at him took my phone and put it under my pillow and continued to sleep. I was reacting in my sleep honest I didn't do it on purpose lol!! 

This jade teardrop is from a pack of four beads that I purchased together, I just loved the color and the shape. Although I didn't have ideas for them at the time I have now made two of them into pendants for my necklaces, and have an idea already for the other two which I plan to make into earrings. So I am glad I bought them :). Usually when I see beads I like, I do buy them knowing that they will come in use some day lol!! 

I will go to sleep now it's like 2 am here in the UK, plus I was trying to get a soap episode online because I missed it, that's not happening so disappointed me :(. Other than that I am excited about some plans I am making for the weekend in shaa Allah will tell you all about them.. also might be making some jewellery especially for that occasion.. so yaaaaay!! :D

Good night everyone xx

Swarovski Long Earrings .. Spring Inspired

I have a new piece to talk to you about today, I made new earrings that you can now find on my Etsy page at:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/125262773/swarovski-crystal-wire-wrapped-earrings

I have been working on this project for some time and only had time to finish it last night. It was really nice working on it after the kids were sleeping and I had a bit of time to myself and my toys. :). These earrings look really nice and the colors are great together. I started by making the wire loops and then started to choose different Swarovski crystals from my beads, putting them together and wire wrapping each one by one.

After a lovely sunny weekend I was left inspired to make a colorful and springy piece of jewelry. The purple teardrop crystals are also wire wrapped with a little crystal attached to the front which made it blend in with the clusters to the side. I love working with Swarovski elements their color shines through amazingly and they always look great.

I hope you like this piece and you don't forget you can find it in my shop. Please press follow to the side >> as there will be some offers coming soon make sure you don't miss out.

Good night everyone :)

Wire Wrapped Pendant .. A result of noisy kids lol!!

I have added a few new items to my shop today .. If you still haven't seen it, it's:

www.hanahandmadedesigns.esty.com

One of them is a wire wrapped pendant necklace made with Jade semi precious stones  that I am super excited about and just couldn't wait to tell you guys about it too .. Here is a picture:

I especially love this wire wrapped piece as it was completely my design .. didn't cheat honest lol!! I have had this tear drop jade bead for a while and not really sure what to do with it so what I usually do is put it to one side and sleep on it. One afternoon I had just put the kids to sleep for their nap, they were being especially noisy that day and I had already started to get tiered. My husband was in the dining room working away on his laptop . . I opened my bead box got a piece of wire and started to work away. I had no idea what I wanted to make I was just making it.

I love designs that come to me just like that they end up so much prettier than anything I have planned before hand. Just spontaneous designs that talk about you and how you feel. The jade stone is known for its calming characteristics and purity it brings to those who wear it. That was exactly what happened, I was so tiered and just fed up and started wrapping and wrapping and wrapping and wrapping and an hour and a half later I looked at it and thought wait a minute I like this .. and felt so much better after and ready for when the kids got up. 

All my items are not just jewellery that you buy, there is a story behind each one, something to feel and communicate  I am so looking forward to selling this piece and I hope that it gives that same sense of happiness, contentment, and calmness to its owner as it did me making it.

So What's New

To start off by what is happening right now in the world of Hana Handmade :). At the moment I'm trying to figure out this blog design lol!! If you keep checking you are going to find a new look every time until I find one that I completely like. I like trying out new things to keep things interesting.

I have my Mother's Day offer now one which you can check on my Etsy shop at: 

www.hanahandmadedesigns.etsy.com

I have two offers for Mother's day, just because mothers are so great and they deserve the best. One is an amazing grey pearl necklace with a handmade wire connector with a rhinestone heart pendant that is in the picture below.

The other is a classic Swarovski Pearl set, necklace and bracelet, crystal white pearls are always an elegant and beautiful gift on any occasion.

Both are now half price so hurry while the offer lasts as this is only my Mother's Day special. 

Other than these offers I have just given away 5 of my new wire wrapped ring designs which I dispatched the last of them only the other day so that was great. It is always great to send off things at the post office it's nice being known there lol! Now I'm just finishing off a few new wire projects and trying to catch up on taking pictures of all the new items that are being made. 

So keep following for new pictures to come very soon .. :)