New Baby

Don't get too excited...it's just a new card design!

I'm officially a great aunt!  This is for my great nephew, but I love the simplicity of it so there shall be more for the shop :o).

Brocklesby Country Fair, 2012

I am unbelievably excited (and just a little bit nervous) as I've just had my table at the Brocklesby Country Fair confirmed!!  This is amazing for me as it has over 10000 visitors on one day (if the weather is nice) so for me to get a table there is just amazing.  You have to apply to have a stall, and not everyone gets in as it's very popular.  It's also 3 miles up the road, so not such an early morning ;o).

Whoop whoop...off to try and calm down a bit!

Playing

 Playing with cardboard and papers...

 ..and with the shredder.

 Finding the boxes I ordered months ago...

 Then having a play!  Do you wanna see?

 Really?



Go on then :o).  What do you think? 

I've been wanting to get the soaps into gift boxes for ages but I've always put it off for some reason.  Well, today was the day to sort them out.  I really like how they look and I'm making a label to go on the front tonight too, then they'll be in the shop.



Artisans in Action

I thought I'd tell you a bit more about the Artisan in Action event which I've been invited to participate in.  The lovely ladies who are organising it wanted people to understand what goes into these handmade pieces.  As veterans to the craft fairs, they've had there fair share of people commenting about prices, etc so they've organised this wonderful event over 2 days.  There will be demonstrations by approx 30 crafters throughout the course of the weekend, plus the chance to buy some wonderful items too.

I'm so thrilled to be involved.  For someone who started making things because I loved doing it, to creating Handmade Haven to sell some of those things, it's a huge boost to my confidence.  It's spurring me on to expand the things I make and sell, and to hopefully introduce some supplies to the shop too.

If you'd like any further info on the event you can contact Lorraine at chrisj.eyre@mypostoffice.co.uk or Linda at laurelcottagecrafts@gmail.com.

Happily busy

 Wow, it's been a busy few weeks.  I had my first craft fair this last weekend, after being away at Center Parcs for a few days.  I had a lovely spot where I could watch the ducks and geese slipping on the frozen water when it wasn't very busy...which was quite often because of the bad weather.  Visitor numbers were greatly reduced unfortunately, but I still had a fab time.  I met some lovely other crafters, I've been invited to have a stand at a demo/fair in a very presitigious hotel (in this area) at the end of April which is absolutely amazing for me.  I also found out details about other fairs so I've applied for those too.  All details will be added into the sidebar on the left when I have anything new confirmed.

Now though, I'm still trying to catch up on a mountian of housework, which will have to wait as I'm stitching some custom bunting for an order :o)

Heck..

 I think I'm going to meet myself coming backwards over the next few days....I've certainly been extremely busy and I can't see that ending for the next few weeks!  The above soap is Lemon and Ginger.  It smells gorgeous...lovely and zingy. 

 This is Organic Geranium Rose, which also smells lovely.  I admit I'm rather biased as I don't think I could make a soap that I didn't like the scent of myself.  Also ready is the Eucalyptus, Rosemary and Pine, but I didn't put a picture up as it looks just like the above soaps ;o).  This one smells really fresh...definitely clear those sinuses for you!

The family and I are away for a few days next week, then I come back with no spare time to get ready for my first craft fair.  Poor planning or what :o).  Anyway, as everything has to be ready this weekend I was trying out different ways to display the samples.  I love the simplicity of these small glass fruit bowls.  What do you think?



This pile is pencil cases ready for sewing.  I'm happy to report they are all stitched up now..just got the finishing touches to add then there should be a piccie tomorrow.  So, I've just got a social network course to attend, the craft fair to get ready for and the packing to do before Sunday evening...no pressure at all.

Excited...Moi?!

I've just had my application to join the Guild of Craft Soap & Toiletry Makers accepted....whoop whoop :o)

The Guild has two very specific aims:
(1) To raise awareness of the legislative standards that are in place that apply to craft soap and toiletry products

(2) To register as members of the Guild crafters who work in compliance with this legislation and who hold relevant public liability insurance