Monday 22 October 2012

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"!

Saturday 20 October 2012

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!

Friday 19 October 2012

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*

Sunday 7 October 2012

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!
 
 

Thursday 4 October 2012

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.