2 days to Christmas

If all this talk of Buying Handmade for Christmas has inspired you, there are lots of places on the web now where you can purchase direct from the maker all year round for birthdays, anniversarys, thank yous, or just to treat yourself.  If you have a creative hand, you can even set up your own shop!

Handmade Pledge Badge from buyhandmade.org

• You know about Folksy already (all UK makers, some selling worldwide, in £ GB pounds)
• there is also Etsy (worldwide makers, some selling worldwide, in $ US dollars)
• and Zibbet (in $ US dollars)
• and Misi (mostly UK sellers, some selling worldwide, in £ GB pounds)
• and MyEhive (mostly UK sellers, in £ GB pounds, $ US dollars, and Euros)
• and of course you can buy direct from the maker face to face at local Craft Markets and Fairs
• and more…

If you have any recommendations of where to find quality handmade, please let us know and leave a comment…

(Original Minnie is not responsible for the content of other websites).

15 days to Christmas

How cute and festive are these?  Some more handmade gifts I found at Belton House Christmas Market last month, made by Heart and Country.

 

What I found handmade at Belton Xmas Market - Decorations by Heart and Country

Their new website is due to be up and running any day now, so if you are quick you may be able to order in time for Christmas…

(Original Minnie is not responsible for the content of other websites).

19 days to Christmas

Finding Handmade Gifts for Christmas

If you are rushing round for last minute inspiration, you could check out these blogs:

• The Official Folksy Blog Christmas Gift Guide
• Found on Folksy

All items are handmade in the UK by independent designer/makers, and are for sale in each designers shop on Folksy.  Don’t forget, I will also be posting handmade gift ideas every day on my Christmas Countdown, plus I have my own Original Minnie online Folksy shop .

Happy browsing!

Last POSTAGE dates for Christmas

Once you’ve found a great gift, you need to make sure it will get there in time for Christmas Day, especially if you are sending cards/gifts abroad.  If you live in the UK, you could check out the Royal Mail website for their official information.

Original Minnie © Last Order dates for Christmas 2010

 

Last ORDER dates for Christmas

If you would like to order any cards or gifts from the Original Minnie Folksy SHOP in time for Christmas, the last dates for you to order and pay by are:

• posting to UK & Channel Islands: 12 noon on Tuesday 21st December 2010
• posting to Europe: 12 noon on Monday 13th December 2010 (that’s only a week away!)
  

Any orders made or paid for after these times may not arrive in time for Christmas Day.

(PLEASE NOTE: Original Minnie is not responsible for the content of other websites).

23 days to Christmas

Just a quick reminder to let you know that I will be at my final Festive event of 2010 this weekend at the Fineshade Wood Festive Fair.

Fineshade Wood Festive Fair 2010 leaflet

Located in the beautiful Rockingham Forest, just outside the stunning town of Stamford, it will be a two day event of quality local crafters/makers, local food stalls, Christmas trees for sale, a few festive tipples, and of course the Fineshade Cafe for a warming cuppa.

Come long for some festive spirit and gift hunting – if you have signed up to the handmade pledge for Christmas, this is the perfect opportunity to find some quality handmade gifts, made by local makers/artisans.

Hope to see you there…

For more info, check out my Events page, or email me.

Belton House Christmas Market review

OK, I know it was a couple of weeks ago now, but better late than never!

Even though I was nervous beforehand about it being outside (and cold!), I really enjoyed the weekend, and met some lovely people (public and other sellers), and there was a festive spirit in the air.

YUM! What I found Handmade at Belton Xmas Market - cakes by Kate Elizabeth's Cupcakes

On the stall next to me were the friendly duo of Kate and Kate – one bakes yummy cupcakes using local organic flour, and one is a designer/dressmaker making textile goodies including pretty aprons, belts and corsages.  Take a look at their websites at KateElizabeth’sCupcakes and ThePartyFrock.

The organisers and volunteers did a great job, especially the plentiful cups of tea were very welcome!  With just a bit of rain on the Sunday, I think we were really lucky with the elements too – especially looking out of the window now at the snow!

I also did some shopping myself over the weekend, finding some great handmade gifts for Christmas – more of that to come next month…

Belton House Christmas Market

Find some Festive Spirit and Gifts

Don’t forget you can come and see Original Minnie at the Christmas Food and Craft Market this weekend at the stunning National Trust property “Belton House“, near Grantham in Lincolnshire.

There will be lots going on with many independent craft, artisan, and food stalls, plus festive music and a traditional Mummers’ play.   The Belton House restaurant, gift shop, and attractive grounds will also be open.

Open on Saturday AND Sunday, 11am – 4pm.  Come along!

For more info, get in touch or take a look at my Events page.

I’ve been Folksy Friday featured!

ON THE FOLKSY BLOG

© Original Minnie Ahoy There range Seaside Necklace

How exciting – I’ve been featured for the first time on a Folksy Friday!

For those of you who don’t know, Folksy Friday’s are blogs that Folksy peeps post on Fridays (hence the name!), showcasing handcrafted items found on Folksy, with a theme of their choice.

I’ve been featured on the Folksy blog FF, with summer themed items chosen by this weeks special guest – Stars and Scars.  Thanks for including my “Oh I do like to be beside…” necklace in your Summer Lovin’ collection!

Many Folksy shop owners post Folksy Fridays every week – have a look on the Folksy Forums each week to find more…

Crafty Competition watch

THROUGH THE ROUND WINDOW

This is a fab giveaway, with a very generous prize on offer…!

All you need to do is take a look at ThroughTheRoundWindow’s Folksy Shop, decide which item is your favourite, and then go to their ThroughTheRoundWindow blog and follow the instructions – easy peasy!  One lucky person will be picked at random to win their favourite piece of glass from the shop!

You choose the prize – how great is that?!

Good luck…

(Original Minnie is not responsible for the content of other websites)

I’ve been sewing and stamping

NEW CREATIONS

Getting ready for the double event weekend thats just gone, I was manically sewing new ‘felt bib’ necklaces – using reclaimed felt for their backings, and vintage/reclaimed buttons to embelish, finished with co-ordinating new ribbon. They are a new experiment for me – what do you think?

Grey felt bib necklace © Original Minnie

Pink felt bib necklace © Original Minnie

I also want to expand my stationery range, so have sourced some simple, cute little notepads (made from recycled paper/card of course) which I’ve then embellished with tags (also recycled), and then hand stamped little messages onto them.  Simple but effective.

I’m also developing a ‘basic’ range of cards which are simpler to make and don’t have inserts (unlike my other cards), so will be that bit more affordable – I will update my Folksy shop, so keep checking to see the new designs…

'HOPE' Notepad © Original Minnie

I’ve been featured …

in the NEW ISSUE of UK Handmade

©  UK Handmade

This is very exciting news!  I have been featured in the new online issue of UK Handmade!

In the Autumn 2009 edition I have been featured as a ‘new talent’ – you can read the interview, and see some pics of my previous degree work in the magazine. On their website, just click on the cover of the Autumn 2009 issue, and you will find me and Original Minnie between pages  54 – 61.

UK Handmade is an online magazine which promotes and supports a ‘handmade’ ethos, as well as having recipes and ‘do-it-yourself’ instructions for crafts and cooking that you can try yourself.  The autumn fruit recipes in this issue look very tempting! Yum

(Original Minnie is not responsible for the content of other websites.)