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.

New Felt Bundles

I spent the afternoon yesterday making up these felt bundles for the website.  Just got to add the Pinks and the Earthy Tones then I'll be happy.

This morning I have spent most of my time updating the website and Etsy shop, checking stock levels, and adding new items.  After lunch I made more bath melts so the house smells amazing now...and I'm very calm ;o)

Another feature...

After the fishy tales yesterday I'm now featured on the lovely blog of Natalie over at Mostly Fabric :o).

I've been busy on a couple of new commissions which I'll show you once the customers have received them. I also spent yesterday updating my Etsy shop where I added some notebooks, pencil cases and the range of felt.  Thought I might as well try it out on there :o).  If you fancy taking a look it's here.

MmmMmm

Soaps ready to take to a group.

Christmas cake finally made.

Hubby's work Christmas party attended (selling a few bars of soap while I'm there ;o) ).

Panto this weekend.

Nephews birthday party this weekend.

Putting up, painting and filling our new retro wall units in the kitchen.

Envelopes to fill and send out for customers.

Heck....I think I may need to order a few more hours in the day...do you think I'll get my order fulfilled?!

Joy

 Soap ready for parcelling up and sending out.

Another wreath colourway - I sat making this at home ed group yesterday while teaching some of the non-sewing Mum's how to make one....wonderful :o)

Back to it

Trying to get back into it after having and passing my driving test, having a weekend away then going to see Sarah Millican.  I've had a few days catching up with washing and driving round, today is home ed group then tomorrow I shall get back to making stuff ;o).  A couple of soaps need adding to the shops too, so it looks like I shall be having another busy weekend.



(Today is my Dad's birthday)

Plans?!?

Well, things just haven't gone to plan at all this week.  I've not made anything new for the shop which is not good!  I have been to see a business advisor though...whoop-de-do ;o).

Anyway, here's the new card that I've had made for a while.  It was for a lovely customer who was expecting a baby, but she didn't know what sex it was.  I wanted something bright as well as unisex, so I hope that the rainbow baby words work.

Patience is not my strong point!

I should have taken photos yesterday when the rain had actually stopped and the sun was shining, but I had a horrid headache (migraine, probably but I'm not sure!) and had no energy for anything.  Today I am out to see my Nan but I wanted to get some pictures on here but the sun isn't high enough so the pictures are not good.  Also, the make-up bags and other tins are still in the storeroom, AKA the bedroom, where the other half is sleeping!!  I may be back later when I've taken some decent pictures.



PS I did get my first batch of shaving soap made a couple of days ago - mandarin.  Ready 9th November.

Quick update

I have got lots of things to show you - tins, make-up bags, mandarin shaving soap, cards - but the light here has been terrible for the last 3 days so I've not been able to get any decent pictures.  Hopefully we shall have some sunshine in the next few days...lets keep our fingers crossed ;o).

At last

 The new ingredients for the soap arrived.  I shall get started on the new 'flavours' on Monday.

Making the make-up bags (you'll see them in a couple of days) I thought I'd sew one of my labels into the lining.  I've never done that before...looks really good.

I've also been making new tins, a birthday card (for the hubby) and a baby gift (for a lovely customer).

Not much housework listed there!

A Busy Week



I've spent a good few evenings sorting out the website, trying to make it look more professional, adding more information on certain things, removing things I didn't like, and (on the advice of some lovely friends) added an 'about me' page so you lovely customers can see who's making the items.  I've still got a couple more things on my list that I want to add to the website, but I'm yearning to do some sewing, so they will have to wait. 

See up there?  They're going to be make-up bags that will be new items in the shop.  There will also be pencil cases, and tins with names on (why didn't I think of those before!).  With all the sunshine gone, and autumn definitely getting a grip, I know what I'll be doing over the weekend :o)

Solving a problem

 Remember my swatch card I made last week, with the two little mistakes on it?  Well, I thought I'd rectify that by adding all the colours that my supplier had :o) 

 The delivery arrived this afternoon, so I set to work cutting and sticking.

 This is the swatch with the new colours on.

And this is the swatch card all done.  I now have 52 gorgeous colours to play with.  This will be added to the website later on this evening, meaning that customers can choose any of the colours for many of the felt items I have for sale.

So...

...after a really rubbish night's sleep I thought I'd do some of the paperwork for the shop.  I've now added an information page for the soap.  Go take a peak and see what you think.  I also posted some gorgeous tins this morning for an order but forgot to photograph them!  I need to update the photos for tins so this seems like the perfect excuse to make some more ;o). 

Quickie

No piccie but just to say I got some more soap made this afternoon..lavender this time.  This will be ready 30th October.

Making some more tins and cards this evening, including a new card which I can't actually show you yet as the very first one is destined for something special :o)

Hope your all having a lovely weekend in this wonderful mini-summer we're having.

Soap

Patchouli and orange now setting on my shelf - ready 29th October.  Hopefully I'll get another batch done tomorrow of one of my usuals, then the ingredients for the new ones will be here next week...yipee.

Hits and Misses

 One draft swatch card...note how I added a colour I don't stock and missed off a colour I do ;o)

 A commissioned 40th birthday card...I love the champagne flute with the bubbles.



I don't like this one as much though.  As this card is on a smaller scale I need to draw a better, smaller glass so I get the same effect as the bigger (A5), commissioned card. 

 Yippeee...coconut oil actually in stock from my supplier so I can get on with the soap making too....

...just after I've finished another tin order :o)

Possible new additions?!



Pencil cases!  What do you think?  I could even make these deeper so they could be used for make-up.

They are lined and padded to give a good, sturdy pencil case.  I may have to make up a batch with some of my vintage fabrics too....oooh, head going into overdrive ;o).

(Two of these were for an order and one has been pilfered by my littliest child).

A Parliament in 'da house!

See...not only do I provide gorgeous eye candy, but I also give a mini lesson too (although I did have to go and look up what you called a group of owls ;o) ).  More card toppers for orders.

Back again...

...to show you these.  Not quite as many as I had originally planned (maybe if I get some spare time) but here's the Christmas cards.  They'll be in the shop by tomorrow :o)

WIP

Work in progress - 2 pen pot covers for the tins.

Hopefully this week I shall have the christmas cards in the shop and I'm going to make some personalised tins and some swatch cards so people can choose their own colours...just got to fit it round decorating the newly plastered kitchen and my driving lessons ;o).

Don't forget you get some free soap when you spend over £10 in the shop or with a custom order.