Link love digest: week 9

Looking back over last week's daily link love shares.

Julia Horberry
Julia's Driftwood Furniture and Lighting

Julia's Driftwood Furniture and Lighting

My passion for Driftwood was born when I discovered and fell in love with Cornwall.

Walking along the beautiful beaches provide me with, what I can only describe as ‘Treasure’. The moment that I pick up that piece of wood I know exactly what it’s going to be, the climb back up the cliff with a heavy backpack full of wood is all part of the fun.

Having an outlet for my creations is more of a relief than a job; I have so many ideas constantly filling my head.

I am self taught with only a background in creative den building, Born in East Yorkshire and moving (escaping) to Cornwall in 1994. Yorkshire made me practical and Cornwall give me the freedom to create; the two together make a good combination.

I make a wide range of furniture, lighting and home accessories from Driftwood and other recycled materials.

I've been doing this for 22 years (half my life), but I turned it into a business back in 2008.
All my driftwood is hand picked in Cornwall and sometimes Devon if I am brave enough to cross the Border :-).

Lesley Jane Nixon

Maid on the Moors

Maid on the Moors

After spending 12 years as a hot glass artist, making beads for artisan jewellery designers, I have been somewhat seduced by the beauty of semi precious gemstones.

I used to collect pretty stones as a child ... still do ... now I make pretty things with them too.

All of my jewellery is hand created using copper and sterling silver wire and beautiful gemstones.

Kate Cook
Vandalised with Love

At Vandalised with Love, we love to bring you something different. Creative Acts of Vandalisation, be it from elegant flower hair clips or sophisticated fascinators and crowns, to crazy fun hatinators, accessories and unique and interesting pieces for your home.
We can also custom re-design ('vandalise with love') your own shoes -  you buy the shoes or send us your old, scuffed shoes and send them to us.

Vandalised with Love

 Perfect to revamp your old but comfortable shoes and make them match your outfit.  Prices start from £35 when you send us your shoes. We will 'vandalise' them with love and return free of charge. All of our shoes are handcrafted to order, ensuring each piece is unique.

We also make shoe clips, clutch bags and fascinators to enhance and match your shoes. Take a look through our pages for inspiration and feel free to contact us with any questions.

We cover shoes using the French art known as decoupage. Thin layers of beautiful specialist paper, sealed and varnished with high quality materials; surfaces are therefore not entirely smooth but have a lovely unique finish.

All our treasures are one-offs and 'vandalised with love' just for you.

Christianna
Mes Amies Soaps

Mes Amies

I discovered my passion for making my own vegan soaps after I tried a delightful handmade bar of soap from a Wiccan store in New Orleans, Louisiana.

I am committed to using all natural, high quality ingredients, sourced from around the globe. Charity is also a very important aspect of my business vision: one bar of soap is donated to a local homeless shelter for every 10 bars purchased.

I'm happy to be sharing my passion for soapmaking with you and I hope you love my soaps just as much as I do! 

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Turquoise kilim

Turquoise Kilim

I have been unable to fins out anything about this person, other than that he lives in Turkey. I can't even find a name. But his beautiful kilims deserve a mention, just the same.








Emma Louise Corry
Emma Corry Designs

Emma Corry Designs

Emma Louise Corry is a textile designer and maker, who lives in Marcham, Oxfordshire, with her husband, daughter, two cats and a hamster. Emma creates beautiful pieces using carefully chosen new and upcycled fabric with attention to detail, colour and design.

Emma remembers the first time she borrowed her mother’s Elna sewing machine, she was about 8 years old. Emma spent a long time teaching herself to thread it and sew with it. Recently Emma bought the same model, as it evokes so many lovely memories. Emma has always been creative – her mother tells stories of handmade paper being made in her blender and printing wrapping paper on the kitchen floor – but Emma's love of textiles really began when she started her two-year diploma at Worthing College for Art and Design in 1984.

After Emma's diploma, she completed a three-year degree course in Fashion and Textiles at Leicester Polytechnic, followed by a two-year MA in Woven Textile Design at the Royal College of Art in London. Graduating in 1991 – Emma was only 20 years old! After leaving the RCA, Emma worked as a freelance textile designer for a short period, then for Monsoon, followed by a job designing window displays for a family run business. Emma started her own greetings card company, specialising in handmade cards. Now that has grown into Emma Corry Designs, which Emma runs from her studio at home, whilst also organising ‘Stitch and Sew’ clubs for primary school children and giving textile support to ‘A’ level students.

Little make

Becky Berry
Little Make

I live and work in our little home in Salisbury, England with my family.

My inspiration at the moment is coming from nature and the animal kingdom. My biggest inspiration is bears and not forgetting my two little girls who help spark my imagination.

Link love digest: week 8

In what has proved to be a fairly hectic week, here are the makers and crafters I promoted. Almosty all this week's crafter's have chosen to keep a low profile, sharing little about themselves online, preferring to let their work to speak for them.

Sue Harold
La Costurera

Unique bridal couture, mothers of the bride/groom, proms and casual clothing

La Costurera

Nikki Meara
Nikelcards

Nikki has shared nothing of her personal story that I can find, but her cards are lovely, so she gets a mention.

Nikelcards

Paul Bentley
Bentley Bespoke Wooden Items

Handmade bespoke wooden items to suit the needs of the buyer.

Bentley Bespoke

Maxine Pring
Max Pring Jewellery

I have been making jewellery for several years gradually learning my trade since 2009.

Max Pring Jewellery

I am primarily self taught and started out making classic designs using beads and string developing my skills through practice and gradually progressed into metalsmithing in the past year.

I usually start with basic metal sheet in either copper or silver and then cut, sand, hammer, drill and polish my work to create unusual designs. I often draw my designs on my i-pad first then sit down with my tools to turn the sketch into a piece of jewellery.

I also love to work with unusual gemstones and try to incorporate my own metal components or wire wire wrapping, these tend to be organic with the design built up around the stones.

Most of my work is one of a kind and rarely repeated. As well as jewellery I also love to paint and create mixed media work and scrapbooks. You can find these in my other Folksy Shop Paper, Chains & Beads. 

Heather Veach
I Dream of Jane

Unique, handmade dream catchers from the Pacific Northwest.

I dream of Jane

Julie Maginn
Dewdrop Cards and Crafts

Handmade on and inspired by the beautiful Isle of Wight.

Dewdrop

Gintare Kersiene
GK Natural Creations

Pure natural handmade soaps and bath products.

GK Natural Creations

Link love digest: week 7

Here is the summary of the makers and crafters I promoted this week. Several of them have display space in Grace and Favours in Northampton. So you have two ways to support them: visit their online spaces or pop in to the shop. 


Remember: when you buy from an independent maker, a real live person does a little happy dance.

Laura and Carly
Butter Bee Creative
Handmade cards and other small craft items in aid of the refurbishment of the chemotherapy suite at Northampton General Hospital.

Butter Bee Creative

Laura and Carly began raising money for the Chemotherapy Suite after Carly lost her Nan to cancer in August 2014. Andrea was very keen to raise money herself for the new unit and began stitching items when she was in hospital. 

Leading on from this, we'd really like to raise as much money as possible for such a great cause.

Deema
Deema Delights

Real petal confetti, accessories, decor, scented petals, wedding favours, bath bombs, cards.

Deema Delights

Deema started collecting petals for confetti in 2016 when she fell in love with the fluttery nature of Cherry Blossom in the Spring! Her business has now grown to include a co-operative of pickers and stylists who help to create vibrant petal mixes, favours, cards, gifts and accessories, all hand-made, seasonal and to order, perfect for any celebration!

Take some of the stress and decision making out of planning a wedding by letting me help with those finishing touches. Together, we can create beautiful memories that will last you a life time! What better way to start your married life together?

Beautifully Bespoke Confetti, gifts, cards and accessories taken care of just for you. Memorable, unique, colourful and fun!

Pebble Crafts

Becky
Pebblecrafts

Beautiful hand-crafted decorations and gifts. Any quotes on slate hearts for very reasonable prices gifts and favours. Bespoke orders accepted.

Emma Wootton
The Velvet Company
A collection of beautiful Room Scents in a simple yet elegant English style.

The Velvet Company

Hand poured, using the finest scents and soya wax at our location in Northamptonshire, England, we offer a indulgent and sophisticated choice of candles and room scents .  We pride ourselves in every detail with each candle and room scent, we believe that every product should arrived beautifully wrapped in its own gift box, so treat yourself or someone special to a gorgeous scent which will give your room the most beautiful scent, with the added effect of our crackle wick candles giving the soothingly crackle when lit  of a relaxing ambiance of an open fire.

In addition to our our gorgeous candles,we also offer gift boxes for those who are looking for something extra to go with their candle.

TLC

Theresa Meen
TLC (Theresa's Lovely Crafts)
Mixed media artist.
A small selection of my art is based in Grace & Favour shop.
Also able to do commissions too.












Janette
Iddy Biddy Boutique

Iddy Biddy Boutique

I used to have a sensible job . . . then a house bunny, oh and two children came along! I needed a job I could do at home. As I had been bending wire, making and selling earrings since I was 18 (oh so many moons ago!) and I adore Jewellery, it seemed a natural progression to further develop my silversmithing skills and start my own jewellery making business.
Iddy Biddy Boutique was born!

I like to think my designs are fresh & funky, with an organic yet modern twist! I create jewellery in mostly silver and copper. I like to oxidise the metals, adding spirals and swirls where I get the chance . . . love them! More recently, I am working with gemstones in my designs . . . ooh so many lush ones to choose from!

All of my designs are original. I get my inspiration and ideas from absolutely everywhere! My head is constantly bombarded with ideas for my next creation.

After all these years, my favourite place to be is still in my workshop (kitchen!) with my tools and bunny by my feet! I absolutely love what I do and I think that is evident in every piece I make.

I sell online, at local Craft Fairs around the North Devon area and my work can also be found at the following venues:
Willows in Braunton & Barnstaple
ID Fashion in The Royal William Yard, Plymouth
Traditsia in Totnes
Dream Jewellery in Tavistock Market.

Link love digest: week 6

Here's my round up of the link love shares I've posted in my various spaces this week. As it happens, they all have Etsy Shops, which I encourage you to visit.

Jacky Tang
Jacky Style

Jacky Style

My name is Jacky! I am used to be an accountant at the first time, but now I am a shopkeeper on ETSY, JackyStyle is a hand-crafted collection of corset for women.

An accidental opportunity, when I browse on google, pop up a page at this time, this page was introduced some sexy corset and there are many stars wear it, they are looked very sexy, beautiful and confident. I was deeply attracted by them.

So I was keep collecting information about corset, the corset was firmly cemented in dress history as one of the most important garments across the world, constantly evolving with the times whilst retaining its unique premise of shaping the human silhouette. I think the garment will be accepted and loved by women.

Then I plan to start a business on Etsy, I consult with my brother Jianhui, he is a designer and paper pattern maker, And we are sure the style of the CORSET in my shop. Sexy, punk, retro style is my leading direction.

Eimee GB

Sofie Bukari
Eimee GB

Custom-made clothing may sound like something only possible in the world of celebrities but I will make it happen for you at affordable price. Every item is handmade by me in my little studio! I custom make each item - just for you!

I live in the UK, London.

Etsy has been a great success for my friend, encouraging me to offer my services and items around the world,

I design, produce and make sure items are perfect and strive to please. Your business is my pleasure!

Noelia Alonso and Laura Alonso
Ayalga

Noelia and Laura, both co-founders of "Los Tesoros de la Ayalga" We share our surname but luckily we also share a project. Someone could say that since we were just little girls we loved to create, imagine and of course break in to various devices just to check "what was inside" and so we did, but what we would really like to transmit with this is that over the years we still enjoy the urge that arises from an idea that becomes into reality.

Ayalga

Even if we cannot satisfy everybody's taste we want to be true to our own way of seeing things regardless the current trends, but at the same time we would like to offer the possibility to create something unique and special and customize it to your desire, so since we started this adventure in 2010 we have made an effort each day to ensure that everybody that trusts us and buys any of our creations can actually feel that they were made with love and care.

With the help of all of you that have supported us and the new ones that become part of this, we can keep working, improving and offering, after all, a piece of our dream. 

 ??
HATsanity

HATsanity

The owners of this Etsy shop have provided little information about themselves. I don't even know their names. However, their hats are beautiful, so they rate a share. As I've said several times before - I choose people based purely on their work. 

You can purchase many different type of HATs here.
ROCK IT NOW ~

Kelly
Petunias

Kelly, Married, WAHM. 4 Kids; Simon (11-05) and Sierra (01-07) and Alison (06-09) and Alexander (10-10).

Petunias

I started PETUNIAS after Simon was born but have really been sewing my entire life. I can remember sewing clothes and sleeping bags for all of my Pound Puppy stuffed animals when I was little. AND crafting and the entrepreneurial spirit run through most of my family lines so it was a pretty natural step for me to begin PETUNIAS!

I am totally addicted to all the wonderful fabric out there and really strive to keep my items fresh, fun, and modern for all of my customers. I also have a great love of designing fabric and more which you will see plenty of in my shop. I hope you love PETUNIAS fresh styles and patterns!

Dawn, my mom, helps me out with listing, shipping, packaging and sewing!

FIND me on FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/PETUNIASbyKelly

Gillian
PingWynny

I make handmade textiles, specialising in patchwork quilts. My quilts come in many colours & sizes so have a look to see if there's something to fit your needs.

PingWynny

 

I love patchwork and embroidery, well anything textiles based really. I started so long ago I’m not sure when and how anymore, I did a lot of cross stitch from about 9 maybe 10 (proper designs from magazines so there must have been previous years of sewing my name on binca) and there was an awful attempt at a scarf around the same time.

I have completed my City & Guilds parts 1 & 2 certificates in Creative Embroidery which was the most wonderful course.

All my items are handmade by myself in a smoke free home.

Theresa
TessWorld Designs

TessWorld Designs

After traveling in some parts of the world, I became fascinated by different culture and the art of colors. One thing I realized was that, colors had no boundaries. There came the name "Tess World Designs". It has been demonstrated through floral arrangements, room paintings, cars, make ups and most of all through clothing, to name a few.

Coming from Africa, vibrant colors are very much appreciated. One of Ghana's best known product is Kente Cloth, a hand woven cloth most often associated with wealth and cultural sophistication or royalty. We carry the widest variety of the factory version and the woven kente.

After working out of the home for many years, I am delighted to now open my shop and let out my God given creative talent and desire, that had been in me for all this years come to life.

I have been sewing since I was a little girl starting from dolls, my own clothes, other people, my kids and even my husband.

My love for colors, fabrics and sewing has come to life because of you. I could not have done it without your patronage! Thank you!

 

Giving a shout out to the independent businesses and crafters

As an independent crafter, I like to spread the 'link love' and share news of others who are in the same boat.

It was my birthday yesterday, and my friends and family took the trouble to give me gifts that supported small business and independent makers. I'd like to share their details with you. Perhaps you've already finished your Christmas shopping, but there are still birthdays, weddings, graduations, mother's/father's day and so on...

Jacaranda World Wooden Carvings

This beautiful giraffe carving was brought all the way from Cape Town when my son travelled there to attend a recent wedding. It is the work of Dennis Maguma at Jacaranda World Wooden Carvings, and is made from sustainable timber. He has a stall in the Watershed at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town and can be reached at dennismaguma75@gmail.com.

Steampunk buttons

These pewter buttons came from someone who knows of my weakness for all things steampunk and my love of sewing. They came from Alchemy England. I shall have to think of something fitting to do with them!

Bath time goodies

This selection of handmade bath time goodies comes from FruFru. I'm a shower person 6 days a week. But on a Sunday night, when Mr Namasi is off playing ice hockey, I treat myself to a soak in the tub with my Sudoku. The friend who gave me these took account of my preferred colours and smells and my love of all things lime. As if that wasn't enough, the card that came with this gift was handmade, and included a watercolour portrait of me by an artist called Samantha Crowe.

Sammy's Scribbles

While not strictly a birthday gift, this also arrived today, so I'll include it: a lovely personalised Christmas bauble, hand painted by Henna Exquisite.

The last few months have been hellish for us. I lost my workshop under unpleasant circumstances (as you know), I had a cancer scare, my husband's company was closed down and he was made redundant. But thoughtful, handpicked gifts like this make a world of difference.

The emporium

Over the past few years, I have had first hand experience of the online 'emporium' in the form of both Etsy and Folksy. Drawing traffic to an online stall within these virtual shopping precincts isn't easy. Etsy does at least have an app, making it easier for potential shoppers to find you and buy from you. Folksy has yet to be persuaded that this is a good idea, in spite of repeated calls for this option from users. But more of these virtual marketplaces another day.

Woven bead cuff

If your items are small, like jewellery or baby clothes, you're probably okay storing them within your home. If your items are larger, like sculptures or furniture, having a virtual shop front doesn't solve the physical problem of warehousing. So you are likely to need a physical space to store your products. And if you're going to pay for that space, it might as well be a space from which you can sell, too.

Emporiums (emporia?) are becoming increasingly commonplace. There are several that I know of within a 10 mile radius of my home, and probably many more that I don't know of. The way it works is this: someone buys or leases a space - the quirkier, the better. They then rent out areas within that space to individual traders. X amount will get you a display cabinet, Y amount some wall mounted shelving and Z amount will secure you an area of floor and wall space to call your own.

Upcycled coffee table

Some of these require stall holders to put in time on the shop floor on a rotational basis. The larger your stall, the more time you're expected to put in.

Modern point of sale systems allow sales from each individual stall to be tracked. There may or may not be an additional per item commission to be paid.

Of course, it is on the emporium leaseholder's best interests to keep the stalls as varied and wide ranging as possible. Three makers/sellers of crocheted doilies under one roof is probably not the best way to go. So potential stall holders have to apply for a space. It is seldom 'first come, first served'. If an applicant offers a product that is different and exciting, it will attract a wider range of customers to the emporium per se, which the leaseholder will take into account.

These spaces are in hot demand, and there are usually several potential takers for any space that comes open. This tips the scales quite heavily in favour of the emporium owner, and allows them to pick and choose from among applicants to ensure that they get a wide range, minimal duplications and a harmonious blend. They may also choose not to stock a certain type of item based on a historical lack of customer interest in that type of product.

The rent paid for these spaces cover the overheads of the space itself and are used for promotion and advertising. It is, of course, also up to each stallholder to do their own advertising. The upside of keeping your pieces at home is that there are no additional overheads. Once you start renting a space to put them in, you need to make sure you're going to sell enough to earn that money back. You also need to factor in the time you're going to have to spend minding the store instead of making new products.

Because many of the items I produce are fairly sizable, I have been on the lookout for a physical space in which to store and sell my wares. I have approached a few of these emporiums, but have yet to be successful in securing a space. On one occasion, I was under the impression that we had agreed that I could have a space, only to discover that the emporium owner was under no such impression. On another occasion, the person I spoke to was so rude that I left feeling utterly crestfallen. Mostly, people are very kind and polite, but it doesn't change the fact that there are more applicants than spaces.

As the upcycling/re-use market grows, there will be more and more people like me, making stuff in their home workshops or studios. And presumably, there will be more and more emporiums being opened up to house them all.

So this is me, giving a shout out for your local emporium, populated by individuals who are making, remaking, upcycling or recycling pieces. They aren't likely to get rich off it, but their ethos is probably a lot better for the planet and the local economy than the behemoth mass production outlet in the posher premises. Can I challenge you to do more of your shopping there, and less from the mega-chains?