Where It All Happens!

I thought you might be interested to see the space where I make many of the items on Hijab Sparkle.  This is where I spend long nights, often until 2 or 3 in the morning, making handmade jewellery and hijab pins. 

I use hundreds of small jewellery components called 'findings' which I source from a variety of locations, and use them to create all sorts of designs.  People often ask where I get my beads and components from.  I order them from the internet from local and international websites, and the beads come from as far away as Asia, North America, and Africa.  You can see in these photos some of the tools that I use, in particular the long nosed pliers which are used to close the tiny 'jump rings' which connect the different components.

As you can see I am a bit of a hoarder, collecting anything I can find that I can use in jewellery making.  I have a bit of a thing for storage boxes and organisers, which I always keep a lookout for.  Everything fits nicely in the shelves like a big jigsaw puzzle.  Move one thing out of its place, and...well...let's just say it is not the best place to stand next to if there is an earthquake! hehe.

My 'studio' as I like to call it, is just a simple computer desk with a book case placed on top of  it.  Not very fancy, but it does the job!  Many of the storage boxes and containers you see I found in second hand shops around Wellington.  I also find the most beautiful vintage beads and findings which I incorporate into my designs from time to time.  I'm sure the second hand shop owners are curious about this strange Muslim lady who comes in once a week to gaze for hours at the jewellery diaplay, and leaves with bags of broken jewellery and armfuls of organiser boxes!!

If you look carefully you can see some really beautiful filigree 'drops' on the desk.  These are some new sitck pin designs I am working on in time for Ramadan, and I will show you a close up in the next post.  The finished designs will be posted very soon, so make sure you subscribe to my blog and facebook page so that you don't miss them.

Well that's all for now, I'm off to make some more sparklies!
Hope you are having a day full of sparkles :)
Wassalam

A Brand New Look!

Salam and Hi everyone.  Hope you are somewhere warm and toasty in this cold weather...in front of a fireplace, or tucked up in bed with your hot water bottle.  Or perhaps you are reading this from somewhere warm and tropical?  I hope you are having  a great day whatever the weather. 

I have been busy creating a new look for my Hijab Sparkle products.  I have added a label to the top with the HS logo.  What do you think?  Let me know your thoughts in the comments below, I love to hear your feedback :)

I have also decided to make a new batch of stick pins.  I feel inspired, as Eid will be here soon insha Allah, and many people like to have new pins to go with their Eid Hijab.  They also make great inexpensive gifts to give to people here in New Zealand, or to send overseas.  They are very light and fit nicely into a normal sized envelope.  Stay tuned, and make sure you are following on Facebook, or subscribe to this blog, so you don't miss out on the new designs which I will be bringing out very soon insha Allah.

Im just going to throw another log on the fire.
Keep sparkling!