Supporting Indie Sellers - Part 5

 Welcome back. Well, so far we've covered crochet, glass, fabric and ceramics in my quest to showcase independent crafters & creatives. What shall be talk about this week?

How about soap? Guess we've all been using a lot more it over recent months due to covid so time to share some folks who handmake it - and some of it looks good enough to eat!!

First up is a local Bute based creative called Tweazle's Soapery  who can be found on FB and  Twitter Her soaps are vegan and produced in small batches here on Isle of Bute.

Don't they look amazing? Almost good enoiugh to eat - although I wouldn't recomend you try it!!

Next up is Soap & Pamper who are on Twitter Their soaps are also vegan.

Another maker of fine artisan soaps is Saponista She can be found on FB and Twitter

Well, I think you'll agree that these are some fab looking soaps and as it's getting to "that" time of year, they would make ideal gifts so why not start your festive shopping early and place some orders. 

Of course, you could always keep them for yourself, I won't tell anyone!

See you next Sunday for another round up of independent sellers.

Until then.....😍

Supporting Indie Sellers - Part 4

 Hello again, hope you've all had a nice week. I'm back again to showcase a few more fab indie creatives so grab yourself a cuppa and have a sit down and check out some of these wonderful creations.

This week we are focussing on pottery & ceramics and first up is Thrown in Stone Pottery who hail from Leeds. They make a range of items from lovely yarn bowls to candle holders and lots of other useful items.

They can be found on Twitter and Instagram and also have and Etsy shop so go check them out.

The next one for you to check out is a little bit more local to me. Sea Tree are based in Dunoon, Argyll.

They can be found on Facebook  and Instagram 

Next up is Rosie from Angels Unaware. She can be found over on Facebook 

The final one for you to check out this week is Awen Alive Ceramics who can be found over on Facebook

Well, I hope you have enjoyed this weeks post and that you will pop over and check out the artists mentioned. 

Until next week. 😊

Supporting Indie Sellers - Part 3

 Hello again, welcome to the third of my series of blog posts aimed at helping promote some of the wonderful independent makers & sellers that I come across on social media.

As we all know things are tough for many small businesses due to covid so I'm just trying to do my bit to help out and showcase some lovely makers.

Over the past 2 weeks we've covered some fab crocheters and last week it was those who used glass in their creations. 

This week I've decided to showcase some who use fabric to create wonderful creations so if you are ready then we will begin.

First up is a lady who, amongst other things makes what I regard as old fashioned aprons using some lovely fabric. I remember my Nan wearing aprons like this many moons ago and its great to think that people still want to wear them. You can find her on FB as Linnie's Pinnies and Bags

Another lovely lady I have come across recently is Scarlett who is on Instagram and also has a shop on Etsy She upcycles and makes the most funky & amazing creations.

Another recycler of fabric is Jacqui who is on Instagram and FB She makes purses, bags and other accessories.

Another fab maker, who also uses recycled fabrics in her designs is Samm Designs of Ventnor  She uses some lovely fabrics make fab bags so make sure to check her out.

Another fab account I follow on Twitter is called shopkambia They use the most amazing african print fabrics to make clothing and accessories. Such bright colours and patterns. They also have an Etsy shop.

Well, thats all for now. Until next week.......😃

Supporting Indie Sellers - Part 2

 I'm back. Hope you liked last weeks post featuring some fab & funky crocheters.

This week I am focussing on glass so hope to be sharing some equally fab indie sellers so get yourself comfy and read on.

First up is a lady I have know for a good few years. She is an amazing lampwork glass bead maker (amongst other things) called Claire who trades as Rowanberry Designs She can be found on Instagram and Facebook Her work is much sought after and when she lists new items they sell out faster than the hottest of hot cakes!!!!

Another couple for you to check out are Samphireglass who is also on Instagram and Twitter and Tom at Iced Rainbow who has recently added glass jewellery to his reportoire of lovely handmade items, He can be found on Twitter,  Facebook and Instagram

 

The next one I want to share with you is a local creative called Mike. He makes some unique abstract glass art and can be found on Facebook and also on Instagram.

Well, I hope you like these wonderful creations. Please check out the makers and follow them on social media.

I'll be back next week with some more fab indie sellers for you to check out so until then.......😉

Supporting Indie Sellers - Part 1

As promised last week here is the first of a regular (I promise, honestly) series of blog posts aimed at promoting small independent craft businesses that I follow on social media.

As I explained in last weeks blog, so many of them are struggling due to covid and I want to try and do my bit to give them some exposure.

So this week we start, where else with crochet!! As you know its something I love doing and over the past couple of years I have been making lots of scarves, wrist warmers & beanie hats and donating them to homeless outreach projects around the UK.

Now, I've been crocheting since I was around 14 years old, so thats over 40 years and I am amazed at the number of  younger people who are doing this craft and making some amazing creations.

First up is a lovely lady called Tanya who I follow on Twitter (@Tanyawarren) She has a lovely shop on Etsy and makes the most amazing crochet animals as well as baby clothes.

Another amazingly talented young lady is the daughter of a friend who lives here on Bute. Hazel also has an Etsy shop and makes the most stunning crochet clothing and accessories. You can follow her on Instagram too.

Another couple for you to follow on Instagram is the lovely Lisa at Hooked on Rainbows and Claire at Creative Crochet by Claire.

The last one to share with you is a fab maker who goes by the name of @LittleConkers on Twitter. She has a lovely website full of lovely gift ideas.

So there we go, some lovely crafty crocheters for you to check out. Please follow them on social media and show them your support and check in again next Sunday when I will share some more fab crafters with you.

Oh, before I forget, if you are a crocheter yourself then why not pop over and join the new FB group I recently set up. Only a few in there at the moment so we could do with some more hookers!!! Share your projects and WIP's and have a general chat. All skill levels welcome so we look forward to you joining us.

Until next week. 😄

It's me again!!

Hello, how is everyone coping with lockdown? I know that its kind of oficially over now and things are supposed to be returning to "normal - whatever that is but we are still isolating here voluntarily due to serious long term health issues so we are now at 145 days since I had any face to face contact with another human being other than my husband!!

I'm still crocheting away making beanies, scarves & wristwarmers for the homeless but am not able to post out parcels so they are all being stored away ready to go out when hubby can get into town to the PO for me.

So there isn't really much for me to blog about really but I don't want to get into the habit of not doing regular (or semi-regular!!) posts so thought I'd do some posts promoting some of the wonderful small independent craft businesses that I follow on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook etc. 

Many of them are struggling at the moment so any exposure that helps generate sales for them will be great. I run a FB page called The Handmade Revolution which does the same sort of thing. I just love seeing all the wonderful handmade items out there and this is my way of supporting the people who make stuff seeing as I can't afford to buy all the lovely things I come across!!!

So look out for the first post next Sunday - I am aiming on doing this weekly (fingers crossed!!) so keep any eye out for new posts on a Sunday afternoon.

To wet your appetite go check out Isle20 which was set up at the beginning of the covid19 pandemic to support & promote small businesses that were based on the Scottish Islands. It's a fab website and there are loads of great artisna crafters on there.

So, I'll see you next Sunday for the first round up of lovely art & craft businesses for you to check out.

We're back making wristwarmers

Not made any wristwarmers this year as we've been busy doing beanies & scarves ready to post out when all this covid19 stuff is over with.

But since I've been doing the new style beanies with the ribbed cuff I've been meaning to try the same thing with the beanies and last week I did.

Must say, they are much nicer than the ones I was doing before and they fit better too. I guess we learn as we progress and I'm really pleased that I gave it a try.

Made 7 pairs so farand I'm hoping to get a good stast of them ready to post out when hubby is able to get into town to the PO. We are both currently isolating as we have long term health issues so getting to the PO is a no no at the moment.

This was one of the very first pair of wristwarmers I made in 2018

and these are the latest ones!!

I am making them longer and the cuff means they have a better fit around the wrist so hopefully they will be ok for the guys who receive them.

So beanie & scarf production is on hold for the moment as I have run out of space to store them, Who would believe that the finished articles take up more space than the balls of yarn!!!

Anyway, doing the wristwarmers makes a nice change.

That's all from me for now.

Take care.