Story stones... the return!

I have been working hard on my story stones recently and those of you who follow my page will see plenty of posts showcasing my new designs.

So why the revamp? Well I pretty much stopped creating my stones when I discovered it was actually illegal to remove pebbles from beaches.  I was aware there were some beaches that you couldn't do it and I avoided those I knew about but apparently it is all beaches in the UK!  Oh my, that really changed things.  I couldn't find any pebbles to buy in the UK that were exactly what I needed and I didn't want to add to the cost even more.  I needed to rethink.

This is an image of my original stones.  I used to draw and colour the illustrations onto media paper and then cut them out, glue them and then cover in varnish!  It was a very long process and only worked successfully on flat surfaces. 

I am very keen on not using materials unnecessarily and looking after the environment and of course upcycling. So I needed a rethink! 

I found some small 4cm square tiles.  Perfect!  not too costly.  So on testing they were great for manufacture but on the drop test.... OOOOPS!  smash!

Back to the drawing board again.  How can I make responsibly sourced story stones??

I had lots of wood left over from a project so thought I would have an experiment!

I created these slithers of wood, perfect size to hold and I love the texture.  Now can I get away with calling them story stones?  I did wonder about changing the word to tiles instead of stones, but you know what?  I love the way story stones sound!

So that's how the revamp started.

Here is a set of my finished tiles stones.  Each is double sided and sealed and varnished in toy grade varnish.

I have also created add on packs.  These contain 6 double sided tiles all in a theme.  So far these include mini beast, on the farm, fantasy, emotions and woodland.  There are lots more on their way tho!!! If you'd like to see the full range do click here 

 

I am also close to releasing these roll a story cubes.  These contain 5 images and one title and will be sold in sets of 6, 4 or singularly.

I also needed to revamp my logo!  So here is my new sparkly logo.  I really wanted to get over the feeling of telling a story. 

If you would like to follow my story stone journey then feel free to join my dedicated facebook page or my webpage.

I have also created a Youtube playlist showcasing all my story stones.  Do pop by and say hi. 

I can also create custom stones so if you have any particular ideas feel free to give me a shout. 

I will be sharing my post over at Handmade Monday if you fancy popping by to find some fab new blogs to read or even to take part.

Jen xx

Once upon a story stone - teachers packs

Well the last few weeks have been slightly crazy! I have been finishing off an order for 3 teacher sets of story stones, that's 90 pebbles, 180 images, 3 instruction booklets and 15 bags!

Here is one of the sets, all labelled and ready to go!

I am thrilled with the results but it has been quite the task!  I usually sew my own drawstring bags from fabric scraps but the thought of doing 15 was...well...very stressful! I decided to buy in some plain bags and then dye them myself.  Have you tried using the handwash dylon dyes???? Little tip...when they say wear gloves...do! and wear them all the time!  I had multi coloured hands as I only wore mine for parts of the process.  After creating my bags I ironed on my logo and the class names so the bags didn't get all muddled.

I draw each image myself, then colour and cut out before attaching to each pebble.  It has take some time to get to this technique with many a failed pebble to prove it!  I even tried stream lining the production by scanning completed images and printing off copies but they never looked as good.

Anyhow, after great lengths they are finally done and ready to go to their new homes.

I have found these school holidays to have been soooooo long!  It has been quite the juggling act to manage kids, work and crafting but I think I may have made it...just...and with a few grey hairs too I expect!  Here are a few of my recent makes.

As always I will be popping round to Handmade harbour for a peek  at some wonderful blogs!

xxx

I am also popping round to sewlicioushomedecor.

Jennysis.com ...It's here!

Well I have just got to the point where I can not keep it under wraps any longer!!!! My website is now live! 

There has been so much to get ready but thought I would give my lovely blog readers a sneaky peak at some of the wonderful things available!  (big trumpet blowing here!)

I didn't want my website to just be about me... in fact I wanted it to be far more than that!  

There are all sorts of craft supplies

               

Many 1st Edition paper pads

The latest range of La De Dah accessories

                                                                                                                                                                              

         

Embellishments

Zutter bind it all and accessories

A market place full of wonderful shops selling their unique and handmade gifts

        

                           ReJenisis - Upcycled Jewellery               Once Upon a Story Stone

         

                 
                                                                       Jennysis Gifts

There are even links to many of the tutorials to be found in this blog with shopping lists so you can buy all the items I used to create them!

I thought as a treat to all my lovely followers that I would have a 10% launch sale throughout July.  Use code 'jennysisblog' at the checkout to get 10% off your order, that includes everything on the site from story stones to paper, foam pads to jewellery!

If you would be interested in a free stall in the marketplace please don't hesitate to contact me on jenny@jennysis.com.  I am looking for 5 crafts people who would like to showcase 5 of their items in their own mini shop and best of all it will be free!!!!

Big creative hugs to one and all and hope you like my site!  If you are after anything in particular then don't hesitate to give me a shout, there is so much I have yet to put in my shop!

Jen xx

Once upon a story stone

This week I have been so busy!  Trying to finish website, creating story stones and doing even more papercuts... not to mention looking after my two girls!  Oh and work! 

I thought I would share my new story stones with you.  I created a new set (creatively called set 3!) also two add on packs, construction and fairy tale.  Every stone is double sided so there are photos for each side. Anyhow, enough chat, bring on the photos!

Fairytale add-on. 

Set 3

Construction add-on

What do you think of the location shots?  I need to crop the photos a bit but have been trying out different ways to display them.  I love the construction stones in the sand!

Oh and I eventually got round to that fishy papercut!

Well I hope you have all been super crafty this week!

xxx

Blog from the past

I thought maybe I should space out my tutorials!  Give you something different to look at.  I just made a sale through my Etsy shop for another bag of story stones!  I am soooooo excited!  So thought I would share some story stones I have created in the past!

I started creating story stones after watching a lovely friend of mine paint patterns on stones, a result of some serious Pinterest action I belive!  I thought it looked relaxing so with laptop in hand I searched for some inspiration!  I created a few stones, but this little pile really were the best of a bad bunch!

I thought in the spirit of reusing and recycling I would try to reuse these pebbles but the ink I had used seemed to go through every layer of paint I tried! quite amazing!   I used acrylics, which on the whole were great but it is worth buying good ones, these ones had some great colours and some not so great ones!  the yellows for example had to be mixed with white or they were impossible to see!

My budding pinterest/story stone friend spotted some Gruffalo stones that someone had created and wondered if I could do the same.  I gave it a go and was thrilled with the results! I have done 3 sets of these for friends now!

While on the fantastic journey with the Gruffalo I thought I would give another fav book a go....'Room on the Broom!'  I made these for my sister for her birthday.  I was soooooooooooooo pleased with them and thankfully so was she! 

There are 9 stones in all but if you turn the broomstick over you get a picture of the 'TRULY MAGNIFICENT BROOM!'  

I have also tried 'Sharing a shell' and a 'In the night Garden' set (sorry can't find pictures!)

As much as I loved doing the story stones I felt I couldn't sell them due to copyright issues.  I am still not sure where I stand on this front.   I noticed on Etsy and Folksy people sell items related to both these books, some very impressive, but really not certain on whether you can legally make money from someone elses designs in such a way.  

So thinking on these lines I decided the only way to really feel guilt free about selling my stones was to create my own illustrations!

This is set 1.  They are all double sided.  I also supply a book of ideas to get things going.  We have had a selection of stones of the table for ages and after family dinners we play all sorts of games with them! 

I really think Story stones are suitable or all ages and abilities!  My youngest likes to walk around the house with them while my oldest will create stories!

I am just about to launch set 2 as well as a teaching set for a whole class.  I will post here once I have done them so you can see.

Finally on the Story stone front I have created sing-a-long singing stones!  I took these for a test drive to a friendly childminder who let me sing to her group of children!  It is always good to give these things a go!  I have written an ideas book for these too and selling them in my Etsy shop.

Well I guess it is back to the day job after an extended lunch (slapped wrists) due to writing this!

Happy crafting out there! hope it brightens up your day!

  I am joining in with Serenity now's weekend bloggy reading!  do pop by and say hi to some fab bloggers!

xxx