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).

May???

Well, I'm not quite sure where the month of May went!  I've been super busy, am still super busy, but I have not vanished ;)  

Above is a new flower brooch that a customer requested.  These will be available in the shop asap.

Inspiration

 A new style of brooch, inspired by the wreath I made for our bathroom...

...which then turned into a hair clip (as per a customer's request).  I love my job ;)

First..

The last two weekends have seen my first two events of the year.  The first was the Easter Fayre at Waters Edge in Barton upon Humber over the bank holiday weekend.  I had a fabulous weekend, in a different room to where I normally am, with lovely people.

The next weekend was the Artisans In Action Event.  This was the first time I only had my soaps and bath products with me.  You could even make yourself a bath salt sachet :)  I had a fabulous time here too, with great feedback from people, some of whom turned into customers.  My smile grew wider a couple of days later when I'd had a customer from the event purchase more soap from my Etsy shop as she'd loved the bar she bought originally so much that she had to try some more!  

Update - New Felt

The last two, bringing my normal range up to 80 wonderful colours!  

I'm also introducing these new 'Painters' felts.  Hand-painted using colours typical of famous painters (hence the name).  They are a little bit different to anything else out there, so I thought I'd give them a go.  Here's the first six out of eleven.  If they are popular I'll get the others in the shops too.