More Friends of Handmade Haven

 First up is Pippa of Pippa Dore - her shop may be shut for a little while but you can still keep up with her adventures on her blog.

Next is Shaz - she has a shop but you will probably find her on facebook.  She also has a blog.

Now we have Claire of Aisling Designs.  She also has a blog and a facebook page.

Here's Natalie of Roseberry Cottage.  You can also find her on facebook and through her blog.

And last, but by no means least, here's Claire of Sweet Traditions.  You can also find her on her facebook page or through her blog.

These are all wonderful women who I've known online for years, and have had the huge privilege to meet.  So if you want handcrafted goodness, or just have a sweet tooth, then why not pop over and say hi to these amazing ladies.

Friends of Handmade Haven - Local Talent

Now, you could say I'm slightly biased with this first one as he's my brother, but I promise you he is the most amazing artist!  That piccie of John Lydon is just outstanding.  Why not pop over to his facebook page and have a browse.  He's happy to take commissions :o)

This lovely lady is Sue Hawkmoon of Hawkmoon Crafts.  She makes beautiful felted pictures and jewellery.  I first met Sue when I attended a Wet Felting Workshop a couple of years ago, now we see each other regularly at craft fairs.  She has also done a few workshops at our Home Ed group with the kids (and adults ;o) ).   You can pop over to her facebook page too.

I have added a link list to the right hand side of the blog so you can find The Friends more easily.  Make sure you come back for more Friends later in the week :o)

Mud glorious mud...

This is how the majority of vehicles were getting in and out of the Brocklesby Country Fair today!  Rain for most of the last week meant that the ground was very wet, then add in three of these giant tractors, and you get a very muddy, very wet, very churned up field and not that many visitors.



I managed to cover my costs which was the main thing I aim for when visitor numbers are very low.  I think I'd still give this one a go next year though.

I have managed to book a couple more events, which I shall add to my list in the sidebar once they are confirmed :o)



One down...

Two fairs - one Craft Fair, one Country Fair.

Wilderspin National School fair done today.  Not so many visitors but my best fair for sales by a long way.  Such a fab feeling after all the hard work of the last month.  Now onto the Brocklesby Country Fair tomorrow.  Not sure how this will turn out as the ground is not good (they've already been towing lorries out of the mud!!).  Anyway, I shall be back to report once I've got through it :o)



Make Your Own Felt Flower Brooch - Review

In Rosie's own words.....

It was great fun to make and the instructions were very clear and easy to follow. I really liked the quality of the felt, I like using felt in sewing projects as it is easy to sew with and doesn't need any hemming. There was a generous amount of contents too, with plenty of little scraps left over which would be useful for other small projects. I liked the fact that there was plenty of room for extra embellishments, the colours were pretty and the whole kit was packaged nicely. I really enjoyed making my brooch and would like to make the other one soon!

Pink Pig Farm

I'm very excited to be able to tell you about my trip to the Pink Pig Farm at Holme, North Lincolnshire.  I went with a bag of goodies to show them, and we've decided to trial some of my salt scrubs in the shop :o).  I shall be back there on Tuesday as the lady in charge is testing them out over the weekend, so..very exciting times indeedy.

Taking over...

Boxes of felt, paper carrier bags (2 sizes), paper bags, new postcards and return labels, cellophane bags, a wooden stool (bootsale bargain for using at the fairs)...this is just a small selection of stuff that is taking over the kitchen.  I daren't show you the living room, bedroom, bathroom or laundry room.  We shall be having the plasterer in here in a couple of weeks too, so I shall have no sink, cooker or hob for 4 days.  This is just after the craft fair/country fair weekend!  I don't do things by half do I? ;o)

To try and deflect from the rising stress levels I'm busy making as much stock as I possibly can.  Next week shall be focused on leaflets, wrapping soaps, make your own kits and generally getting ready for one busy weekend.

Last few days

Just a little reminder about the CRAFTfest event that is taking place until tomorrow.  My stall has a few things on that take you back to the website, where you can browse everything to your hearts content :o).

"The Soap Lady"

It seems I have a new name around these parts - The Soap Lady!  I was hunted by one of the ladies who is running the East Halton Gymkhana this year, so I shall be having a stall in the craft tent.  I've never been to a Gymkhana before...and it's lovely knowing that my name (in whatever form that takes) is getting around :o)



Make Your Own...nearly ready!!

I'm so excited!  Prototypes on their way to the testers, then the Make Your Own Felt Flower Brooch will be available in the shop.  I can't wait :oD

Owl!

I'm very excited about showing you this.  A friend asked if I could make her an owl cushion and showed me a picture of the sort of thing she wanted.  I asked for a colour scheme - black, white and silver grey - and this is what I ended up with.  I love it!  She loved it so much she ordered two more :oD  Hopefully I'll get some more made for the shop/fairs.

Rose soap is ready!

The gorgeous Rose soap is ready and in the shop.  Also re-stocking the shop is the Lemon and Ginger and the Bare with Oatmeal.

CRAFTfest

I'm very excited to be taking part in my first ever CRAFTfest.  175 stalls will be selling from their virtual stalls from tomorrow, 9th until 16th June.  It's should be great fun, and absolutely stuffed with very talented people selling their wares.  Why not pop along and have a browse and support this fabulous event.  My own stall has a small selection of items including pencil cases, cards, badges and craft supplies.

Stocking up...

..on cards. 

 

I've added a couple more variations to the wedding/engagement cards.  I love the simplicity of these.

I've made the cat cards smaller (haven't made cat cards in ages, so that was good fun),

 I added a blue to the tall bird cards...got some small ones of these to make too.

I also had an order for some more birds.  I don't usually go for pink but I love this one...think I may have to make one for myself ;o)



And just to celebrate today, the customer also wanted a jubilee one.  Got more cards to make ready for the fairs and I've also got an order for an owl cushion.  Today though, we are going to a jubilee party, so lets hope the rain holds off :o)

Getting nearer...

I received the final lot of paperwork in the post for the Brocklesby Fair, which can only mean there's not long to go now!  I'm quite excited but rather nervous too, as this is a big event in this area.  Must get making more stock :o)

Handmade Haven and A Thrifty Mrs

I decided that this month I would try out one of the sponsership deals on a blog with thousands of followers...there are a few to choose from as you may imagine but I went with A Thrifty Mrs.  Her sense of humour makes me laugh, she has great tips for saving cash and I love the look of her blog.  See my ad down there?  I was quite excited when I saw it yesterday :o)