Rubbish.com!

Has it really been that long since I've been on here. Yikes! I'm very sorry. How rubbish am I!?

I clearly am not a very good multi-tasker!

I've just come on to let you all know that I'm feeling a tad generous today and so I'm having a sale in one of my Folksy shops...

50% off everything! Yes everything, until midnight tomorrow!

The difference will be refunded via paypal once an item is bought.

So all you need to do is visit...

http://www.beth.folksy.com/

Happy Shopping!

Poppies...

Just a quick blog post to let you know that I've listed some organza poppy brooches over on my Folksy shop.

So if you fancy a handmade poppy this year head on over for a look.

http://www.bethany.folksy.com

£1 from each poppy sold will go to the British Legion

Lots to tell...

... I really am rubbish at keeping this blog up to date.

From now on I will try my very best to keep on top of it!

Well where do I start...

Back in July we went on an amazing holiday to France the weather was fab, the scenery beautiful and the wine too easy to drink! We spent two weeks chilling out and didn't want to return home. The time came though when we had to pack our bags and head back to rainy England.

On my return I was told that the part time job I had to support my own business was to close.

AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGG.

What do I do! I didn't want an office job I'd worked in a pub for 7 years so really didn't want to go back.

I had two options:

1. I search for a job that I would be happy with full or part time.

2. I really push my own business and see how it goes.

I wanted to go for option 2 but with a house to keep running etc there was a part of me that said I really shouldn't...

The searching continued but I wasn't getting anywhere.

The end on July was approaching, I only had 3 weeks left to find a job! Panic set in.

Whilst still searching a friend told me they had a space above their hair salon that was empty and would I like to have a look at it? Ok I thought know harm in looking...

Four weeks later I opened a shop!

Handmade by...

I sell my own jewellery and accessories as well as other handmade items.

It's brilliant, so glad I did it! Ok so I have quiet days and I don't really get days off but it's what I've always wanted to do and now I'm doing it!

I'm in Congleton, Cheshire. If you're in the area do pop in!

http://www.handmade-by.com/

Open Studios & Craft Fair

Victoria Mill Arts Centre is a brilliant new venture for Congleton.
The Mill has been open for a while now but with the climate how it was a few of the businesses within the mill unfortunatly had to go. Leaving three huge spaces to fill.

Stella from Colours & Crafts and Bob from Weavercraft framers (both businesses still in the mill) came up with the idea of creating a creative space for artists and crafts people to work.
From there the VMA was born! The mill now houses 17 artists in individual studios and has an amazing room upstairs for exhibitions, craft fairs and workshops.

The project is still in it's early stages but is showing great potentional.
Most of the mill is open to the public all the time but the studios by appointment only.
Once at month we have started to hold open days, the studios are open for the public to wonder round and there is a craft fair upstairs.

This months takes place next weekend, Sunday June 27th 11am - 4pm, and this time we are trying something new. We are having a craft buffet! Suitable for all ages, you can come along and be creative yourself.

As well as our open days the room upstairs is also avaliable to rent out for all sorts of different activities.

The mill is definitly worth a visit and with a cafe in there too you can come for a morning coffee or lunch.

If you are interested in any of the events at the mill why not get in touch.
If you go to the website the contact details are on there.

http://www.victoriamillartcentre.com

You can find us here:

Victoria Mill Arts Centre
Foundry Bank
Congleton
Cheshire
CW12 1EE

I've Shabby Blogged my blog!

I've been admiring various blog templates and backgrounds for a while but me being as dizzy as I am never realised that I could also have a fabulous blog background by clicking on the 'shabby blog' link in the top left of the blog page!
After getting rather excited about the idea of 'tarting' up my very plain blog I set out to explore the delights of Shabby Blogs.
Well I was like a kid in a sweet shop! Why had I not discovered this sooner!

I had a play around, and it's not quite finished yet but here is my new look blog, courtesy of ShabbyBlogs.com.

Where to find me...

I've got a few craft fairs coming up in May so thought I'd list them here.

If anyone's free and in the area please pop in and say hello!

Saturday May 15th: Astbury May Day, Astbury Village Hall, Nr. Congleton. 12.30pm-4.30pm

Wednesday May 19th: Marton Ladies Evening, Marton School, Marton, Nr. Congleton

Sunday May 23rd: Arts and Crafts at The Mill, Victoria Mill, Congleton. 11am-4pm

If you want to find me at any other time I have a studio in Victoria Mill, Congleton.

Address: Studio J

Victoria Mill Arts Centre,

Foundry Bank

Congleton

CW12 1EE

Recent work...

... Again I'm sorry it's been ages! Time just flies!!

In my last post I mentioned about a big wedding commission I'd been working on.

Well here it is...

Organza flower cake topper

Brides fascinator and birdcage

Above: Bridesmaids hair band

Below: Bridesmaids dress accessory

Brides bouquet close up

I added a brooch given to the bride as her something old and blue lace for her something blue.

Brides and Bridesmaids bouquet

As well as the above I made four button holes for the ladies of the wedding party and an earring and necklace set for the bridesmaid.

I had the most amazing time making these. It was a challenge but a really fun one! Loved every minute of it.

If you would like anymore information about commissions please do not hesitate to get in touch.

It's been far too long...

... I do apologise! It's been over a month since I've been here! So much has been happening the time has just flown by.

Where do I start...

Well I now have my own studio in an Arts Centre in Congleton. Very exciting stuff, it's only small but for what I need it for it's perfect! The launch was on Saturday night and was a great success.

Above are photos of my little studio and below are some shots from the launch exhibition...

Take a look at the Arts Centre Facebook Page . Here you'll find a link to the website and much more!

I took part in the Folksy Heart Swap for Valentines Day. I recieved a fab pin cushion heart from Monstermash . I'll post a photo asap!

I sent my heart to Sharon aka Bliss Knits , who kindly blogged about them...

http://blissknits13.blogspot.com

I've also been featured on the Folksy Weddings Blog. Under the 'Something' tab you'll find my something blue bracelets. Anna is doing an amazing job, this blog is just fab!

http://folksyweddings.blogspot.com

On Saturday I had my first craft fair of the year. It was a Vintage and Craft Fair in Didsbury. Brilliant do! An amazing mix of old and new. I met some lovely people and made a few contacts for some more fairs coming up. So i'll keep you posted of my where abouts!

As well as all this I've had a few wedding orders too.
I've done some flowers for a brides hair.

The Bride had her dress made for her so I used the same fabric to make the flowers.

Photography by www.3poppiesphotography.co.uk

I'm also working on a bit order for some fabric bouquets and a birdcage veil fascinator so i'll keep you updated with how that goes.

Right, I think that's everything! I need to make a big big effort to keep you all up to date now.

NEW YEAR SALE...

...Yup as promised I have 25% off selected items in both my Folksy shops. Including craft kits and button bracelets.

Oh and of course A HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all. Lets hope 2010 is a fabulous year for all things hand made.

It's Christmas time...

So my craft fairs are over. I've got a bit of stock left which next year I will put in a January sale.

For now though I've listed some Christmas Baubles on Folksy with FREE P&P :)

http://www.folksy.com/items/139470--Tangled-Christmas-Bauble?shop=yes

My goodness it's been a while!

I can't believe it was September the last time I blogged! Bad me!

Well life if good, busy making. I've had three craft fairs this week, one more to go on Tuesday night and then that's me done for the year, at least for the moment! Just orders to contend with :)

I've listed a few more goodies in my shops since we last spoke and there is still free shipping on my craft kits a perfect present for that crafty so and so!

I'll be doing a Christmasy give away after Tuesday, so watch this space.

I also plan to have a January sale in the new year, so that's something to look forward to!

For now it's back to making for Tuesday Night's fair.

Ta ta for now :)

Craft Kits...

I've just added some Craft Kits to my Folksy Shop...

They contain everything you need to make a button brooch or of course you could let your creativity take over and create what ever you like!

http://www.bethany.folksy.com

Moved in, Married and back to normal...

... Last month was a busy one! We moved into our new house :) Then two weeks later we got married :)

We had the most amazing day, despite the car taking me to church breaking down on the way!! After the initial shock and panic it was all fine, I arrived to church in a Volvo Estate but hey it was better than walking! lol

Apart from the bumpy start everything else was amazing and the weather was kind to us too!

Now though it's life as normal, back to work we go :(

Feather panic...

... I've done quite well really, all the orders I've had for fascinators I've managed to find the right colour feathers with ease. Then my luck run out, and panic set in as I knew the time had come where I was going to have to dye my own. For some this may not have been a problem but knowing how bad I was at dying material at uni I was a tad nervous! I ordered the dye and the plain white feathers, they arrived, it was D-Day. Printed some instructions off the internet set out all materials needed. Heart beating wildly I began.... the verdict.... actually it was quite easy and the results were good. The only problem was the colour wasn't vibrant enough because I wasn't brave enough to put enough powder in, but one more dunk in some fresh dye and wa-la :) I was pretty pleased with the results, and here they are...

I didn't think to take any pictures of the process as I was faffing too much, but I'm about to dye my second lot so I will take some photos of that :)

Wedding favours...

... With 7 weeks to go I set out on a mission this week to get a big chunk of weddingy bits out of the way.

Monday was spent making little tags for all the cups, sorting out place names and the like. Here's what I got up to in picture form...

We have spent about a year going to car boot sales and charity shops collecting cups and saucers.

The little tags are calico and I just used t-shirt transfer paper to apply the image and text.

Then I've made some card heart to slot on the side of the tea cups to remind guest that they are welcome to take them home :)

Yup I was very pleased with my days work! Just got to sort out the seating plan now!

Something new...

... I thought I'd try something new, so here they are. Two handmade felt bags...

This one is a petrol and purple mix with a detachable flower corsage...

... and this one brown with a detachable corsage in rusts, greens and brown.

The brown one is currently listed in my Folksy shop http://www.bethany.folksy.com

I may add the petrol one later.

Folksy Favourites... Summer...

It's been a while since I've picked out some of my favourites from Folksy and as the weather is so bad at the moment I thought I'd cheer myself up with a 'summer' search. So here is what I found...

This beautiful Summer Collage Brooch by Zoe-est is the perfect accessory for a summer outfit.

 A Alicia's shop is full of gorgeous felt accessories, this Summer Love Hair accessory is scrumptious! 

 

I love this cute skirt by Milk and Jam, it's a shame they are only in diddy sizes.

This Summer Pudding Bracelet by Ruby Spirit Designs 
 is amazing and bound to add a bit of sparkle to any outfit this summer, rain or shine!

New pieces...

... Today I've been working on some more chunky pieces of jewellery, here's a necklace and bracelet which I may add to my Folksy shop...

Front page!

:) I got all excited when I saw my earrings on the front page of Folksy. My new shop is just over a day old and one of my items is on the front page already :). yipeeeee...

 

New Collection in my new shop...

... Well I'm starting to list more items in my new Folksy shop now. Today I've listed some of my new collection 'Daisy'...

This is my blue daisy necklace, finished with pearls...

... and this a cameo brooch.

I'd love to know what you think of my new shop and creations, all comments welcome :)

 Cheers, Beth x