A return to sewn pictures

About 20 years ago I used to sell my sewn pictures in a number of shops and at a local indoor market-they always sold well and thankfully they were a favorite thing to make.
One picture I sold had hundreds of teeny tiny bees see on-depicting a huge beehive. I loved it, I was pleased to sell, but remember the emotional wrench of letting it go.
I tend do that with every picture I make, so much love and time goes in to them.

I have very much returned to this style of imagery again and have sold a few lately.
I've recently begun a series of sewn pictures that are based around my adorable god daughter. I had such a lovely day visiting her today, taking photos to use for the sewn image...and eating cake!

a whirlwind of a year

 

On one the last days of the year, I decided to look through how far I have come in relauncing myself full time back into the creative craft world and in such a short space of time.


Over 18 years ago I was selling items that were handmade through markets and fayres and for a long time it was put on a back burner, done on a much smaller scale...But in May, after feeling quite lost and unsure of the next direction- thought long and hard about what I was good at and what I loved.

High up on that list was design-and considering that was what I trained in, it was a perfect place to start. Very quickly I also became aware that the need for workshops delivering skills such as sewing and crafts.



It was thanks to Cafe Create and Joanne Land that these begun in September and the new workshops planned for the upcoming spring are so exciting. The felt making workshop was popular and such fun, and will be delivered again in the new year.

Attending the Darlington Sunday Peoples Market was another high moment, going back to a platform that I love-There is nothing finer than talking to the public about what I am passionate about-introducing lost skills such as sewing to adults who have never tried but always wanted too is such a wonderful feeling!

 

 

Over the last five months the products sold have evolved and I'm so much happier with the quality and content-I have such pride in every item created, knowing it will bring joy to the person who will own it.

 And I'm astounded as to how well my internet sales have been-through Etsy and receiving emails via the internet, so much so that in the new year there will be E-Commerce added for ease of both selling and for they buyer.









In October I could have burst with Joy at being included in the magazine Craftseller in their 'Ask The Expert' section on the Q&A Page.
I'm very much looking forward to more features in the up coming months as well as having features in two other magazines this spring.













So to sum up-this year begun feeling a little lost and in need of emotional, professionals happiness. I returned full time to a creative platform and so much thanks goes to my family. They have been, as they always are amazing!, Simple amazing!

And not forgetting my very close friends who never once doubted for a second

that I could do what I set out to. It might now seem like much,

but for someone take the time to say "well done" is heart warming.

Next year is going to be so exciting-I cant wait for it to begin!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/DrawnThreads

Drawnthreads.uk@gmail.com

www.Drawnthreads.co.uk

December and Christmas time

Drawn threads has had a wonderful December-from attending the Darlington Sunday people's markets to madly getting a multitude if orders together to post out to customers-I haven't stopped but have loved every minute if it.
From a wonderful event at Carmel college to one of the nicest markets I attended, the 'turning if the lights' event, we had some wonderful customers and despite being very chilly we had an amazing night. My two wonderful Christmas elves were a huge support and I couldn't have done with out them.

Santa bags are all you need!

Drawn threads will be on the Darlington People's Sunday market tomorrow and selling our 'Santa bags'-theses include everything need for his arrival such as a felt mice pie for the big guy himself and a carrot for Rudolph too. There is also a letter to write your list and a decoration for your tree.

Helping old ladies on busses

I got together with my now husband 22 years ago yesterday. We had been 'best friends' for a number of years and he always gave me the encouragement that I needed to believe in my self.
At the time, I was studying at art college and then went on to study Graphic Design. All the while he would show up to exhibitions of my work, giving me encouragement and confidence in my talent.

He was, and still is one of the kindest individuals I have the pleasure of being around and on a daily basis I 'loose' him whist he helping to get things off a shelf for someone in the super market, help neighbours if they needed it-without a second thought or as the title says 'helps old ladies onto busses'.

When it became apparent that I wanted to formally set up my business, blog and web site, yet again his unfailing support was there. What ever I do, whether it be a craft fair, market stall or popping to the post office, he always does it without a second though-and never moans too much, even on the coldest market days.

My business wouldn't be a success without him silently there in the background and anyone who comes to the Darlington Peoples Sunday Market every first Sunday of each month would say "He looks better in the pink money pinny that I ever could"!

Carmel quality fayre

Last nights fayre at Carmel College in Darlington was just lovely.
The delightful carols sung by the choir set the tone for the evening and the festive stalls looked amazing!!!!
Well done kids!

I had some surprising sellers such as the needle books and pin cushions and the IPad cases went down like hot cakes.
The "I love ...." Bags were also a huge hit and I'll look forward to seeing them around town.
And it's left me thinking "why have I never done the Carmel fayre before"?
especially when I have attended many other school fayres and craft fairs around the region over the years.

Now it had left me with a hectic few weeks re-making the stock for the next markets at the end if November.
And its all smiles from me!

A whirl wind couple of weeks

Crikey...what a mad few weeks and I've had to put blogging to one side and concentrate on the orders and stock.
It's an exciting time of year and I love the buzz of the up coming Christmas season and I love being busy, but I will be so pleased when Christmas is finally here!

I've been at a number of events, last week was the November Darlington People Sunday Market last week, meeting new customers and new stall holders but my goodness, it was SO cold!
This week I'm at Carmel Collage Christmas Fayre, I'm really looking forward to it. I volunteered Reuben to help clear up afterwards, well, it is school!

So now I've got all my stock complete, all ready for the Carmel College Quality Christmas Fayre on Thursday and I've just finished an order for a 11 year olds girly birthday party for felt rose corsage' to be worn on the wrist-I'm looking forward to hearing all about it soon.
I can now breath and take in all the joys of the festive season.

Now I can announce...

Today I received the PDF of a small article that I was asked to do a few months ago.
A wonderful magazine called Craftseller that has great articles and such interesting people contributing in a wide variety of ways.
It was all about 'my favourite crafting tool'. It was quite difficult as I'm a bit of gadget freak. But after thinking about which was the most practical, which one I used most and one that might be useful to other crafters out there, I chose my stitch un-picker! Nothing big or fancy but as they say "it does what it says on the tin"!

Creativity, communication and play.

A number of years back in a past life I was working as the play project co-ordination of the northgate community partnership.
As part of my job I was offered training, on a new course that had never been delivered in darlington. Receiving an NVQ in play work was rewarding and important to continue professional development.
Little did I know how much it improved my job then....and now.
It is hugely important for children (and even adults) to learn through play and creativity is classed as a form of play.
Being creative, sewing and collage is vital for a child's development, improve their personal skills through achievement and more importantly, communication.
Communication with our children, being creative with them and even learning with them is the best gift we can give them, we don't need to keep them quiet-we should be encouraging them to talk, to ask questions and most if all learn through every experience we give them.
And if all else fails...give them a sheet and let them make a den under the dinning table!

Santa kit and not forgetting Rudolph

I'm loving my 'santa kits' and I'm so so pleased that customers are happy about my 'Santa bags' that they have purchased.
The kit include a felt mince pie as a treat for Santa, a felt carrot for Rudolph, a letter that children can write about all their good deeds this year and a Christmas decoration.
These can be per chased through Etsy and also if you prefer contact me via the email address and payment through PayPal etc.

"Quiet but confident"

Any one who knows me would say I'm a quiet but confident person and that just what an acquaintance said to me today- and it stems from knowing my 'stuff'.

Having trained as a designer many years ago, I still apply all that I learned to my business today.
It's about having the skills to just know, without thinking to hard, about what good design is.
Knowing that presentation is everything in this business and knowledge that a good product, right down to the very small design detail is key.
When training, we were taught to look at our work objectively, as a customer would see it and that meant accepting the negative things we might hear as well as the positives.

I don't find it difficult to 'big' my self or the business up but I just don't need to-I can see that all our customers are happy when they ooze about the quality of the items, they are enthusiastic to try new skills and more importantly, they appreciate that respect and passion for the product and customer alike goes in to every item we sell.

*AMENDED DATES FOR WORKSHOPS*

A great people's market

WoW! What a wonderful day

I was at the Darlington Sunday Peoples Market.

 

I was touched by all the lovely comments from member of the public about the products that I had on sale today.

All the items had been chosen to have a vintage sewing, hand made or make your self feel especially with the "Bits and Piece it Together" Kits and the vintage filled sewing baskets.

 

I have had so many requests for "Make it Kits" and I have plans to add a "Button Garland Kit" for christmas, a "Christmas Angel Kit" for young ones and a "Cushion Making Kit".

 

 

The next market is Sunday 4th November-and I cant wait!

 

 

Fabric bags with buttons

Drawn threads now has a range or cotton bags in different sizes with a variety of designs.
These are in a design depicting buttons and allow you to use your own choice of buttons sewn on top of the design.
I have sewn my own choice, including a pottery button, hearts and a beautiful pearly pink one that I adore.

Turning my hand to anything crafty

Having started being craft from a very early age on a miniature (child's) singer hand sewing machine, I soon discovered that not only did I enjoy it, I wasn't too bad at it.

From being very young I would give my self 'project', making sure I finished them. I once made my self slippers out of wool that I knitted my self then cutting and sewing into a slipper shape. As you can imagine, they didn't last long but this never disheartened me to begin something new.

Over the years I have learned and honed a few different skill such as painting/sketching (a passion I don't get enough time for these days) knitting, the obligatory sewing, felting, curtain making (which I love, it feels like a huge finished canvas on a window!) and the many different craft we all do with our kids with card, paper, string-anything that comes to hand for that...there are to many to mention.

I love the idea that through my workshops, I'm passing on old and sometimes forgotten skills to others.
And when I hear someone say "I wish I could sew", I want to say so ardently that they can, that we all learn, through trial and error...and we're back to those wool slippers again!

A self confessed hoarder of sewing things....

I always have been-I always will be someone who gets such a thrill from fabrics, sewing notions and buttons!
I can't help it-I see something I like, be it buttons from a junk shop, a box of old threads wound onto manufactures cards of a bag of unknown fabrics.
In the last few weeks I have been sorting out old bags and boxes and discovered things i made as a child.
I found an old needle book with cut out flowers from fabric that was an old and well loved duvet and a half made garment of liberty fabric, cut out for someone much slimmer (I don't think I'll be that girl again!)
I also found a pin cushion that I cut out of some Victorian linen and remember getting scolded for the 'crime', but I still have it and have started to use it again, so it was worth the scolding.

My one love of hoarding is buttons and Victorian adornments, and rather than keeping them to my self, I use them in my work-so that others may love them too.
I very pleased that my children also love collecting. My son Reuben likes his collections displayed in an organized and tidy fashion-like mother like son!

Upcycling my junk shop furniture

Over the years I have bought lots of junk shop or antique furniture.
I come from a thrifty family who if you needed a chair, a wardrobe etc, you didn't go any buy new, you went to an auction house. And I spent many an hour watching my dad or my beloved uncle Arthur woodworking on such project in their workshops/garage.

I have purchased a few pieces over the last few years/months that I didn't find the time to renovate but it's one hobby I love-so I'm setting aside a few hours a week to re-new something old and beautiful.

I bought a chair from a junk shop the other day, Georgian I've been told with a beautiful bow back. It it's now stripped down and very naked all ready for me to cut the wooden supports next weekend.
And of course it will need upholstering, well a friend recently gave me some stunning curtain fabric that was left over-so I'll be using that! Sustainability in the making!

Canceled workshop next week

I know it will be a disappointment but the workshop at Cafe Create held next Friday is cancelled as I've been asked to attend at the Macmillan big coffee morning on Friday morning. It was something I couldn't turn down especially as i have has cancer with in my own family, its a very important cause for me to support especially as I volunteer for Macmillan in Darlington.
I'm sure you understand.
I'm lookin forward to the next focused workshop making phone of gadget cases.

Vintage shopping bags

I've been making shopping bags this week with found, vintage and reusable fabrics.
One of the old table clothes, probably from the 1960's is so adorable that is was truly painful to make the first cut. But when I had made it up in to four shopping bags, that look terrific if I do say so my self, I knew I had made the right decision.

Agatha and me

As a maker of all things beautiful, it can be a solitary business. But I do have one constant happy companion that is always around. She is not known for her advice or inspiration but her undivided attention and devotion is always welcomed.
Agatha is my kitty cat. I was there when she was born and when there's no distraction such as food or toys she follows me every where I go throughout the house, sitting at my desk where I work and talking to me on regular intervals.

She now copies the other kitty cats by sitting when asked, for her treats or dinner and is nearly on the way to rolling over on command too!
The 5am "I love you, I need you cuddles" can be a teeny weeny bit frustrating but I always give in to her. I adore my loyal friend!