Change of mind!

You may remember a couple of weeks ago in my last blog post I said I was thinking or re-opening my Folksy shop that I started in 2010 when I was first diagnosed with womb cancer.
Well, after thinking long and hard about it I've changed my mind and won't be re-opening it.

Since being maliciously reported to the DWP last year I have cut back on selling my items online. I have always been open about my fundraising and always show records of my sales publicly and show receipts when I have donated to the various charities and good causes I support. I donate 100% of sales and even cover paypal fees myself so that every penny that someone pays for an item goes to the charity/good cause concerned.

I was extremely upset and angry that someone could be so nasty and report me. Sadly I have no idea who it was as it was anonymous. The investigating official accepted my explanation but said that if I was reported again they (DWP) would have to investigate again and it may not be the same official who did so and they might come to a different conclusion.

Which is why I have decided against re-opening my Folksy shop. However, that doesn't mean that I won't be supporting my favourite charities and good causes.
Instead of selling my handmade items and donating the proceeds from sales I shall instead be sending items direct to them to either sell of use for their fundraising efforts.

I have done this before on several occasions aswell as selling items myself and donating the proceeds but this will now be how I support my fav charities and good causes.

I am already in the process of sorting out and packing up a couple of parcels for Animal Free Research UK (formerly Dr Hadwen Trust) They have 2 vegan charity shops, one in Hove and the other in Hitchen. I sent a parcel of goodies to the shop in Hove before Christmas which was well received.

Most of the items will be Valentine themed so hopefully it will help raise a few £££'s for the good work they do in keeping animals out of medical research.

I found a stash of these lovely resin hearts and have been using up some of stash of beads to make these lovely necklaces. Really pleased with how they have turned out.

So, although slightly disappointed at not being able to re-open my Folksy shop (it's just not worth all the hassle and stress of being reported again by some nasty little low-life!!) I know that my items are appreciated and are still helping to raise funds for the charities and good causes I support.
 
So if you live near either Hitchin or Hove then please check out the Animal Free Research UK shops - you can find details here.

All that remains is for me to wish you a Happy New Year & I'll see you in 2018.

Kaz  xx

Back on Folksy - well maybe!!

When I was first diagnosed with cancer I started a shop on Folksy selling my handmade creations (mostly jewellery) and donated the proceeds to Macmillan.
However after a couple of years I closed the shop and began donating the proceeds from sales to our local fundraising group here on the island. That way it helped push up their totals every year and it also meant that I was allowed to have a small stall at their coffee mornings to sell my items.

Since then I started to raise funds for other good causes and charities mostly via Facebook. I have raised funds for various charities over the years - you can read more on our website

I am thinking about re-opening my Folksy shop for 2018. My craft work is something I do for therapeautic reasons but I'm running out of space for it all. I do occasionally post off boxes of goodies to various charities for them to either sell or use for raffles and tombolas etc but sometimes its not always practicable to do so. 

I haven't decided which good causes to support through 2018 and there is a chance that I might not even go ahead with the re-opening but if I do then I'll let you know!!

This will probably be my last post now until the New Year so I hope you have a nice festive season and that you get lots of lovely handmade goodies as gifts.

Disheartened and depressed!!

Well, we did the Christmas craft event on 25th Nov and to be totally honest I wished I hadn't bothered. It didn't appear to have been very well publicised and therefore it wasn't very attended. Many of the people who did turn up said they were not aware it was on and only found out because someone had told them that day.
So after 5 hours we had made the grand sum of £20 (after deducting the £10 table cost) Still every penny counts as I am helping to raise funds for our local dialysis unit campaign.

This was my table display

 

My Christmas tree display with hand-sewn felt decorations

I was supposed to be having another table at the same event this past Saturday but cancelled due to the bad weather. I can't risk going out in the ice and snow due to mobility issues so we stayed at home in the warm.

Anyway, glad to say that I've raised the sum of £78 from the sale of my handmade items for the dialysis unit so will sending off a cheque to them shortly.

Bit depressed that I couldn't have raised more for them but as I said every penny counts and I know they are grateful for every thing that is raised for them.