Featured crafter - Pinky knits and crochets

This week I have been chatting to Bea from pinky knits and crochets. She learnt to knit when she was very small she took to knitting like a duck to water. She was taught by her Nan, who also taught her to crochet, but as she only learnt the basic granny square not the stitch names and how to read the patterns, The crochet slipped as knitting took over. Well that was until recently when she saw this wonderful "hippo" she decided she would teach herself the stitches and how to read the patterns properly.

The first hippo was promptly adopted. So she made this lovely grey and pink one also quickly adopted.

As you can see below she rose to the challenge and isn't she gorgeous. 

The sunflower blanket was my first commision piece for a friends baby boy entrusted with such an important task . "I had no pattern but accepted the challenge!" Completely undaunted she sprung into action and produced the delightful blanket below. 

"Afterward suddenly becoming the 'collectible' animal maker I decided I needed to try something smaller and then began the mouse craze!  They've been very popular and I've still got loads of ideas for more!  The little mouse in the pic was my first, so is another favourite!"

And as she says "I will make anything and everything, not  just stuffed animals! and I do love a challenge" ☺️

And I had to add this extra picture as I absolutely love the mice. They are delightful and I can imagine there will be many more to come. So I shall be keeping my eyes peeled Pop over to her Facebook page to see more of the mice taking over. https://www.facebook.com/PinkyKnits

Current exhibit - The Devil's Porridge Eastriggs

Currently I'm exhibiting at the Devils porridge which is in Eastriggs. The museum is really quite interesting it covers the story of making munitions and is worth a good look round too. While I was writing a post to my page I thought I'd share with you guys my thoughts on the talented artisans of the exhibit and why we should buy handmade gifts for Christmas this year.

The picture above is My display at The Devils porridge Exhibition with Scotia crafters it's on until Sunday 25th there are some wonderful things available. 

One example is there is a gentlemen who prints and makes some absolutely delightful tiny books he must be so patient and skilled. There is Galloway Fudge and their amazing flavoured marshmallows just what you need in your Hot Chocolate it turns the whole hot chocolate into a luxurious flavoured drink to savour. Some beautiful handmade soaps and lavender sleep pillows just what you need to unwind after a hard days work. Gorgeous Cards and some excellent photography which has been turned into magnets prints more some of the skill involved takes your breath away you feel at any minute you could step into the picture. Not forgetting beautiful tartan purses with Scottie dogs for souvenirs or the amazing quilts that could become a family heirloom. Then there are bespoke bags and matching ones for mum and daughter you know that's what little girls love and I saw one pair I'm assuming we're mum and daughter last week and boy how cute it was. There are handmade toys which are built to last you can see the quality just staring you in the face. There are scarves made from hand spun yarn that has been taken from fleece right through to finished scarf or delicate silk that has been dyed vibrant shades yet feels so soft and luxurious There are cute little crochet bears one wearing a pumpkin he's oh so sweet. Also the Clocks that have been hand painted and have such a cute character about them along with match holders handy if you have one of those log burners which have made such a comeback. There is jewellery that looks so elegant and classy, unique designs too just what you need to wear to that Christmas party after all you need something to go with that little black dress. So many talents in one place there is a gift for everyone all ages why not buy handmade this Christmas? That way all the  presents will be unique just like the people that receive them. After all when you buy handmade you support these talented artisans but you also get something that is special.

Why buy handmade ? It supports the local economy, it's not like buying off a big company who mass produce abroad it's helping your local community it's ensuring that old skills don't die out, it's making sure those skills get passed on. But my favourite reason is you are getting something unique something special something someone has lovingly made. These are not machine produced for pennies they are created with love and skill. Get them a gift as unique as they are 

This year I have only bought handmade gifts for presents and do you know what everyone has lived their gifts more than usual. 

If you'd like to see some pictures of the talented exhibitors pop over to their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scotia-Crafters/560911967364737

And when your buying your gifts for Christmas remember the hand makers who give their all to bring joy to others. #buyhandmade #supportsmallbusiness

Featured Crafter - Creative Flair

Jean has alway been the arty crafty type, especially when through art lessons in high school. Back in 2003 ,when a friend who made cards introduced the idea to her, her arty side once again unleashed. She started to make cards for family and friends, personalising them and while her children were young often encouraging them to join in. She is now often entrusted with the task of creating unique and bespoke wedding invites, as any Bride know finding the right stationary is very important and finding someone to entrust with the task can be a hard job. With excellent feedback, a growing reputation for excellent cards and much encouragement from friends and family, Jean started her Facebook page and the business was born, she is now expanding into bespoke wedding stationary. Creating "is in her blood" as she's not the first in her family to make cards or to delve in to the creative world . She loves to give each card the personal touch and she loves seeing the joy it brings people, the reactions and smiles make all the hard work worthwhile. From creating her own daughter wedding invites to a special celebratory card she always rises to the challenge, Here are some examples of Jeans work. Her lovely Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/pages/Creative-Flair/905896986133297

This is special as its the first wedding invite made and was for her daughters wedding. 

"This was made for my daughter/son in law when there son charlie was born,my first grandson"

As you can see each card is unique and special. 

Featured Crafter -Little Miss Goody Tutu's

The first dress Clare ever made was a themed one for her daughter on a trip to Disneyland Paris. She wanted a nice cool dress based on her daughters favourite character which was Jessie so the whole cowgirl get up would have been a bit too warm. So she made a tutu version it being nice and cool but still reminiscent of the character. 

She enjoyed making it and got so many compliments so she tried a couple of other ideas, which was when someone suggested she tried selling them. These are great not only for wee girls go play dress up but they make fab party dresses too. We all remember wanting to look like a princess.

 She often gets asked for ones based on a character from a story book or fairy tale which she adds her own twist to she recently got asked to make a short version (pictured below) which she added an embroidered patch and flowers. Fulfilling little girls dreams and making each feel special with their tutu dresses they can come with a coordinating wand too. 

There is so much detail put into each dress and Clare carefully embellishes each one here are her favourite 3. Which is yours ?? https://www.facebook.com/littlemissgoodytutus

New things and jazzing up old s

I'm super excited this week, as I ordered new packaging monday. It arrived yesterday and what a difference. I suddenly have looked at my work and thought what do I look for when I shop.
Presentation is way more important than you think. I am going to be trying several new things including new business cards and I will have a logo. All my fairies and figurines some of my other pieces like pictures too will come with wee certificates of authenticity. I'm hoping my photos are a lot better too 😊Much lighter in the example below no extra lights needed barely any editing just cropped.

Hopefully all types new things will make my page,blog and shop the places I'd like them to be :)

Enjoy Autumn

I was sat last night and I saw lots of Christmas ideas and makes and I'm bad for it myself I've been making Christmas things since July. Yesterday we walked the dogs it was a beautiful autumn day, sunny and warm in fact better than most of our summer days. I was looking to find acorns for a project t and highly disappointed as I didn't find one but what I did see was very few of the trees had actually started to shed their leaves some were starting to get the tinge on them. You know that glorious colour change where they are green, orange through to russet. That's what got me thinking was I so focuses on being organised I was missing all the best parts the lead up through Autumn relishing the changing colours, and what I love the most days like yesterday where it's still warm when your moving around but there's that little nip on a morning.

To celebrate Autumn I'm going to make several Autumn themed makes here's one.

I'm also going to make a spiced squash and sweet potato soup for lunch today yum yum!

Don't forget to look up and enjoy the world we live in so much to be inspired by :) 

Bye for now from fairy hollow.

Featured crafter - Spider and Fly

Good evening I'm sat writing the post this evening in my newly repurposed craft room while the other half and his friend remove our laminate flooring any ways enough about me.

Our featured crafter this week is the lovely Spider and fly.

Who makes specialised baby and toddler clothing, she's looking into expanding into bigger sizes for older children too. What started it all off was having a hard time finding clothes with a bigger bum (until recently I never knew that natural nappies/cloth ones are bulkier a friend of our uses them for her wee girl). With most shop bought clothes not lasting as long due to the bigger bum :(

Having always enjoyed making things and wanting to craft, Rachael started making the circle bum trousers. Thinking there'd never be a better time she started her business and got stuck in. Although she did think she'd have loads of time (her son used to have 2 long naps what a lucky lady😊) now she has an active and busy todler but there's nothing much that beats seeing children wearing the clothes she's made. Her favorite being the dinosaur dress, the reason behind that is "- I didn't like dresses when I was a girl but I loved dinosaurs - so I think I would have been convinced to wear one"

It is fab isn't it ?

The back of the fab circle bum trousers 

And the front of another pair 

And I couldn't miss this with the toadstools as you know I'm partial too them