Saturday 8 June 2013

Mad Mum Knits

Good morning.  Hope that where ever you are and what ever you are doing you are having a great time.

Today's post is about a fellow Craft Britannia team member called Liz.  Liz knits.  That is not her name it is what she does!  LOL.  She runs an Etsy shop called "Mad Mum Knits".

I wish I could knit. Well, knit complicated, gorgeous stuff anyway.  I can do plain and purl stitches but nothing fancy. In my entire life I think I have knitted just 7 things.  My first was a jumper for Simon when I first knew him.  It was very basic and if I remember correctly it came out quite large! I never got the hang of holding the needles properly. I have the right hand needle propped up vertically in my lap and use the left hand one to kind of knit around it.  The right needle never moves.   Normally both needles would be sticking out and both moving.

It's odd really that I never learnt properly.  I grew up in a house where everything was hand knitted.  My Mum was never without her knitting.  My sister is an excellent knitter.   I probably could do better if only I had the time to give it another go.  For now, if I want hand knitted then I have to go to someone who can do it properly.

Liz can most definitely do it properly!

Liz lives in Cornwall and not only does she knit tea cosies, gloves, scarves and household accessories but she designs patterns too.  Now that is a talent I really admire.  It is one thing to follow a pattern but to be able to write one is pretty clever.

Here are some examples of some of Liz's current stock. All items are of course for sale just click HERE.



At Craft Britannia we like to start our Christmas preparations early.  Yes, I did say Christmas!  Etsy actually run a Christmas in July promotion!  Really!

Liz has been very busy the last few weeks designing her own range of knitted Christmas tree decorations. How cool is that?  She assures me that they are easy enough to do.


Aren't they just so cute?  All of the above can be purchased from Liz's shop "Mad Mum Knits".  Just click on the link.

You can also find Liz here:
Facebook: http://www.etsy.com/uk/people/madmumknits
Twitter: https://twitter.com/madmumknits1

Jilly

Friday 7 June 2013

Here we go Loubilou

I think I have explained previously that when I started my journey into online selling I began with Etsy.  I like Etsy, but it does have a few drawbacks, firstly it isn’t British and secondly it is so huge it is very easy to get lost there.  

So it wasn’t many weeks before I began to look around to see what else was out there.  I found 2 Companies that I wanted to try.  First was Wow Thank You and the second was Loubilou.  I will talk about WTY another day but today I want to showcase Loubilou.



Loubilou is a new British company specialising in original children’s clothing, toys and accessories from around the world.  Their goal is “to showcase the most delightful and most unique children’s ware on the planet”.

It has the most amazing stuff. Everything from Burp Cloths (shameless promotion there) to bedroom furniture and everything in between.  In fact anything you could possible need for your growing child.  The items are really unique and different.   You can’t buy these items on the high street. You can’t even buy them at NOTH!  Only at Loubilou.

The website has a very clean, uncluttered and fresh feel to it. It all looks very modern and inspires confidence.  It is very easy to use and to find what you are looking for. I haven’t made any purchases yet so have no idea about that experience.  It will obviously be variable as the goods are coming from sellers around the world. 

I have also yet to make a sale with Loubilou so I can’t tell you how that works.  It is early days though and fingers crossed it will happen soon.

I like Loubilou because it is different.   Specialising in just one area makes it stand out from the crowd.  As yet it is still just a baby itself but I am convinced that it will take off and grow into a global brand.  I want to be a part of that.

Why don’t you see for yourself and let me know what you think.  All the information you need is here:






Oh and they also run a competition each week.  Here is the link for this weeks. Comp

Jilly

Thursday 6 June 2013

Craft Britannia - Shop of the week. - Belle Cards and Gifts

Craft Britannia or team CB as we like to be known, promote a different team member’s shop each week.  This week it is the turn of Fiona’s shop Belle Cards and Gifts”.

Fiona specialises in Shabby chic, Parisian, Steampunk, Romantic designs. These include luxury, handmade, home décor, trinket boxes, coasters, jewellery and cards. Everything is handmade in a glamorous vintage style.

This is what Fiona herself says:

I love to make pretty items to dot around your home...be it unusual coasters, boxes or journals as well as unique cards and decorations. I find inspiration all around me, but am particularly drawn to bygone times of glamour and decadence!!   I also love to create a range of jewellery that is fun, whimsical and romantic.”

There are a few photos here of my favourite items from Fiona’s shop but please go and check out her shop by clicking Here.


You can also read an interview with Fiona here:  CBSOTW

Jilly

Memory cushions.

Thought I would let you see what I made yesterday.  It's a memory cushion!


So what is a memory cushion?  I know you are all dying to know!  Well it is a patchwork cushion made from fabric, upcyled from old clothing.   OK, so the memory part?  Well the chosen clothing must hold special memories.

So as an example;  I could make you a memory cushion from your little ones special outfits that have been outgrown. Or do you have dresses, skirts and blouses that you are no longer wear because they no longer fit or are out of fashion?  You don't want to get rid of that dress because you wore it on your first date?  That skirt and blouse you wore to the interview that got you your dream job?  Send them all to me and have them upcycled into a memory cushion.

It clears out your wardrobe and gives you a functional item which every time you see will bring back those special memories.

This one is actually made from school shirts of my husband and they don't actually hold any memories. However they were all that I had to hand and I think they still make an attractive cushion. The design is called a disappearing 4 patch and is a favourite of mine.



If you are interested in having your very own memory cushion made then you can purchase one from Fabrilushus.

If you would like to have a go at making your own then you can see how to make a disappearing 4 patch here.  It is a Missouri Star Quilt Company tutorial video and I can't recommend them highly enough.

Hope you enjoyed reading about my memory cushions.



Wednesday 5 June 2013

The Navigatrix

Oh dear.  I haven't managed to update my blog for a few weeks.  That isn't good when I am supposedly trying to get it off the ground.

I have a few excuses.

1.  Last week was the school half term break and that meant my husband was at home.
2. We had my Dad staying with us.
3. We both had stinking colds which are still lingering.
4. We had very bad news regarding our dog Alfie.

All valid excuses I am sure you will agree.

Anyway.  For today's post I would like to promote another Etsy shop.  The shop is called The Navigatrix and it is run by Sally-Ann.  I found Sally-Ann via Twitter on something called the UK Etsy Hour.  (I'll do another post about that).

The Navigatrix which you can find by clicking here sells upcycled Steampunk fashion, jewellery and accessories. I have only recently come across the term "Steampunk" and when I did I had to Google it!   This is the definition that I first found: Hmmm.. OK!

" sub genre of science fiction and fantasy that includes social or technological aspects of the 19th century (the steam) usually with some deconstruction of, reimagining of, or rebellion against parts of it (the punk). "

Hmmm......OK! To try and explain better and in the context of arts and crafts, I would say that Steampunk is anything made from old, recycled mechanical bits and pieces!  Is that right Sally-Ann?

To give you some idea I shall show you some lovely examples which you can purchase from The Navigatrix.



Aren't they all just lovely? If you would like to know more about Sally-Ann and how it all began then you can read about it here.


Jilly