Artisans in Action

This weekend is the 4th Annual Artisans in Action Event at Forest Pines, Broughton.  There'll be some amazing artists and crafters there with their goodies, many of whom will be demonstrating how things are done.

I'll be there with my Soaps and Bath Goodies, so I hope to see you there.

A break..

Hellooooo.  I've been taking a short break over the Easter Holidays, so the shops have been shut, and the family and I have been having lots of jam packed days.  I also had a fair and two soap demos to squeeze in, so not entirely work free ;)  

I've increased my bias selection, so there are now all these to choose from when purchasing a face cloth.

I've also been having a play around with the wash mitts, as I was never entirely happy with the thick seams on my first ones.  I love these now.  I making a couple more before I change them over in the shop.

 

I've also changed the Lemon and Ginger soap to include these fab poppy seeds instead of the lemon peel.  I love, love, love how it looks now!

Busy busy!

Lots of making going on...lots of organising...lots of preparing for future events...and also lots of cleaning (not sure what's going on there!)

I also managed to finish a hat I started for myself after Yarndale last September ;)

Celebration Give-Away

 I reached 1500 sales in my Etsy Felt-y shop last week so I'm having a little give-away on my Facebook page to celebrate.  Why not pop over and leave a comment for your chance to win £15 to spend in the shop.  Good luck.

Kes

Trying to sneak on holiday with us

I'm slightly later than I intended to be this week as one of the family decided she needed more attention than she usually gets.  Kes, our nearly 20 year old cat, has been at the vets with a swollen face.  She went in on Wednesday to have the teeth cleaned and the offending teeth removed, with me being slightly anxious because of her age and the anaesthetic risk.  That was ok but they also found a tumour in the bone L

This is as good as anywhere!

There is nothing to be done except keep her pain free and happy.  This cat is permanently happy, and relatively trouble free so happy she shall be.

Makers and Sellers - Shazronnie Makes Stuff

Over the coming months I want to share with you some fabulous crafty folk who I admire.  First up we have the lovely Shazronnie, who dares to say on her cards things I would never say publicly ;)  I've had a few pieces and they are always fab.

Facebook Page

Etsy Shop

Essential Oils - Baldwins

I've tried a few different essential oil suppliers over the years as my range of soaps has expanded.  Many soap makers add artificial scents to boost the smells to the soaps as some essential oils can fade over time.  I don't find that with Baldwins.  They have amazing oils that have fabulous scents that hold well.  The therapeutic benefits are amazing too...many a time I've driven home from a soap making demonstration thinking I probably shouldn't have made the soap with the Ylang Ylang oil ;)  

The prices are good, if you pay cheap prices for oils, you will get cheap oils ;)  The website if full of information, and the staff are very helpful if you ring.

Ready for Valentines Day?

Just a few goodies that are available in the Etsy shop :)

Fun For The Grown-Ups

Who says the grown-ups can't have fun too ;)  These cheeky little hearts are available in the shop..

Old Socks...a re-purposing tale.

I love my woolly socks, and usually darn them when they have holes in.  These ones got to the point where they were a bit more darned than actual sock so I cut the tops off, gave them a cut, so they were no longer a tube, then stitched them into 2 long strips.

Once that was done, I stitched the two strips together, stitched down the sides and voila..a cushion cover was born ;)  I have three wooden buttons set aside but I'm still undecided as to whether it needs them.

Soap Demos

This week has been about Soap Making Demos that have been booked with various local WI groups.  Nerves aplenty, but once I get talking there's no stopping me ;)  I've had really good feedback too - enthusiastic is what they said ;) - so if you'd like to book your own then please get in touch...mail@handmadehaven.co.uk

Button Sale! 20% Off

I'm having a little button sale over in the Etsy shop.  Includes bags and singles....grab them while they last :)

We have a Winner!

                                     

The winner of the lovely soap gift set is San T.  If you send your details to mail@handmadehaven.co.uk I can get it sent out to you :)

Kraft Cards

I do love brown paper, kraft card and tags!  I have now added the choice of having your card made with kraft card to the Etsy shop :)

Don't forget to enter the give-away.

Something Lovely...(A Give-away)

I'm dropping back into this space after what has been an amazing year for Handmade Haven.  After all the hard work and effort that goes in, sometimes it still feels like a dream.  People actually like MY things...MY soaps...and they come back for more.  MY things!  

So, I'm making the time for the blog..and maybe a newsletter once a month.  I won't be attending as many fairs, as I really can't split myself into several people unfortunately, so this seems like the best way of keeping in touch with everyone.

To kick things off  I thought I would have a little give-away...start the new year with something lovely.  For your chance to win the gorgeous soap gift set just leave a comment below.  You may share if you wish, but I won't hold you to it ;)  I'm happy to post overseas too.

I shall draw a winner on 10th January 2015.

Leisure

I was asked by the Artisans In Action if I would like to enter a piece into their exhibition entitled ''Words and Music, Rhymes and Reasons''.  I chose to do one of my favourite poems by W H Davies. 

The exhibition will run from Saturday 28th June to Sunday 6th July in the Lakeside Room at Waters Edge Visitors Centre, Barton upon Humber.  There will be a good selection of pieces by local artisans for you to look through...I can't wait to see what else there is.  Some of the artisans will be there during that week too (I'll be there Tuesday-Friday 10-1).

So much going on...

There is so much going on right now I think I shall meet myself coming backwards one of these days ;)  I'm trying to fill up my new, and very exciting shop, on a new website which will be officially launched on 31st March.  Eco-Create is full of lovely things that are all gentle on the Earth.  Make sure you take a look.

I've also got some new stock, including this gorgeous Jute which is so fine and delicate.

These fabulous pieces are my new soap dishes which will be in the shop soon.  They are made by a lovely lady from Pentangle Pottery and they will be exclusive to Handmade Haven.  Can't wait to receive the first 'proper' batch :)

A little Sale

I'm having a little sale on the ribbons in the shop.  Use the code RIBBONS60 when you spend over £5 to get 20% off :)

A hard decision to make

After much deliberation, the decision was taken to transfer all the stock into the shop one Etsy.  This shall be done over the coming weeks, so if you desperately need ribbons or bias please contact me at mail@handmadehaven.co.uk or through the facebook page.  The website shall be a hive of wonderful information regarding Handmade Haven and it's products and stocks.

2012 - Wow!

At the start of the year was my first ever craft fair - 3 months after learning to drive.  

I'm now stocking the felt that I love to use, as well as ribbons, buttons, bias, card and trimmings.

I've been to my first trade fair...as Handmade Haven.

I've sent parcels all round the world  (and now have a map to stick pins in).  I've made things that I never would have attempted unless someone said "Can you just make me....."

I've worked with/I'm working with some amazing businesses - both local and international.

By the end of the year I've done numerous fairs and events and now, now I have my very own workshop!

I feel slightly overwhelmed and rather humbled to think of all my goodies spread across the world, to think of everything I've achieved this year.  This would not have been possible without my fabulous Hubby who encourages me continually, who put up the workshop and made it perfect, who is the perfect soul mate.  I've also met some fabulous people doing the craft fairs..many whom I think I can now call a friend, as with many of my online customers, who return for more things - I must be doing something right ;)

So, to 2013.  I have already got my first Soap Making Demo booked for the beginning of January!  Ooh, I can't wait to see what the rest of the year is going to bring :)