Christmas Celebrations!

It has been ages since I was on here again!  I seem to be saying that at the beginning of each post recently! I shouldn't complain as the only reason I don't get to do regular updates is because I am too busy making cards and gift frames that have sold!

It has been a week of celebrations for Spotty N Stripy! Today I have found out that one of the card designs I submitted to Dreamaid, (to be sent out from them and their sponsers this year) has been selected! Hooray ... that's an unexpected order of 50 to be getting on with this week once I receive all their info! This is the design they chose.

I also had my first international order for one of my heart gift frames to be sent to Italy!

My Christmas Cards have been very popular over the last few weeks, in particular my Rudolf red button nose design (I have been frantically sewing buttons on as fast as I can go!). All the designs are now available in my shops at Folksy and notonthehighstreet

and I have also sold my first personalised Christmas tree frame. I'm hoping, the first of many for the festive season .....

Back soon!

Welcome Emma's Planet!

I just wanted to introduce a fab new seller to Folksy - Emma's Planet! http://www.folksy.com/shops/EmmasPlanet

She makes really funky monsters and gorgeous button jewellery which are a must for anyone with a button obsession - like me!

She's just getting started, but I'm certain it won't be long before the monster's will be finding fantastic new homes to live in. Here's a couple of her little helpers below, but head on over to her shop to see them all!



Click on the images above to be taken straight to the Folksy shop.

To find out more about her and the fantastic greyhound charity she supports visit www.emmasplanet.com

All the best with the new shop Em! :)

Time for a catch-up!

It has been weeks since I last managed a blog post so here I am ready to try and give you a bit of a catch up with what I've been up to! One very positive reason for my lack of time to update on here has been the amazing sales I have been getting on my new www.notonthehighstreet.com/spottynstripy store. The orders have been rolling in and I have been trotting off the the post box regularly to keep up to date with them. It is reassuring to be getting such a steady flow of orders and I am pleased I decided to take the plunge and join the site. I have also been working on new designs and now have a few 'exclusive to the site' items and also my first range of wedding stationery.

Folksy has been ticking over too but I am unfortunately not getting enough time on there to keep an eye on the forums and see what everyone else is up to!

I have visited my first supplier to see my recent order from them in situ'. So exciting to see them alongside the other designs. I have also now produced a trade brochure to send out to interested suppliers - I have had some interest, so hopefully there will be more news to follow soon! :)

The Grange , Asfordby Hill, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, LE14 3QU
http://www.houghtys.co.uk/

I've also managed a week away on the sunny south coast in Devon - sleeping under canvas and paddling in the sea, it doesn't get much better!!

It would seem however, from the recent weather, that summer is over ... so time to start thinking about CHRISTMAS - new items in my shops coming soon, I may well be busy for a couple more weeks!

Back soon ....

A spin on the new wheel

So, I finally got the potters wheel out this weekend after receiving it as a fab surprise 30th birthday pressie last month! I had a great couple of hours getting completely covered in splattered clay in 'my studio' (aka, the garage!).

I have perfected my wedging technique but still need plenty of practice on the wheel itself! See below for the three piece's worthy of a photograph ... not perfect, not even round ... but a lot of fun!

The July Jesters

The July Jester's are almost half way through the month so I thought I'd stop by today (I did promise I would at the end of the June Loons) and find a few favourites for my blog . So here they are, some ravishing reds.

All of these items are handmade and are available from www.folksy.com.
Click on the pictures to be taken directly to the individual Folksy Shops.

The sales tally is looking amazing everyone, you are doing so well - all the best for the second half of the month!

A Busy Weekend!

I have had an enjoyable but busy weekend! It started on Friday with a trip out to Rufford park for a picnic, walk, football game and wander around the craft shops with my son.

I then had to drop off all my cards for a charity coffee morning event locally, ready for Saturday! Unfortunately I couldn't attend the event as I was already booked onto a morning course to glaze the pots I had thrown on the wheel a few weeks ago! A great couple of hours followed experimenting with different glazes and effects - no idea what the final pieces will be like once fired though!

Then Sunday was onto the Tempo Promotes craft fair in Lincoln. A lovely but very hot venue and my arms are still aching now from carrying my card boxes to and from the car - must get a trolley organised!

So I'm quite pleased it is Monday morning and I can just sit comfortably with a coffee and update my blog!

Folksy Friday July 9th

I embarked on a pottery throwing day's tuition a month or so ago and tomorrow it is time to return to glaze the 'bowls' I created. So my Folksy Friday theme this week is lovely ceramics.


Unfortunately mine will look nothing like any of these - I'll just have to stick to the day job! :) Click on the images to be taken straight to the fabulous Folksy Shops.

Not On The High Street

My notonthehighstreet.com shop has gone live today and I'm sooo very excited. I'm pretty pleased with how it's looking so far too, after much re-photographing and re-jigging of descriptions both they and I are now happy.

Please wander over for a look around and let me know what you think.

http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/spottynstripy

Arts and Crafts for Summer - Lincoln

Come and see the Spotty N Stripy stand at Arts and Crafts for Summer Sunday 11th July, 10:30am to 4:30pm In The County Assembly Rooms, Lincoln, LN1 3AR. Over 40 of the very best artists and designer-makers from the East Midlands region, all under one elegant roof! A great opportunity for treating yourself or a friend to a high quality, unique gift or treat. Free admission, mouth-watering refreshments available.

Folksy Friday July 2nd - What's in a name?

This week's Folksy Friday is all about spots and stripes!

All of these items are handmade and are available from www.folksy.com.
Click on the pictures to be taken directly to the individual Folksy Shops.

We've made it to the 30th! I've made 27 sales, which I still can not believe, and quite a few of those are thanks to the loons themselves for purchasing - so thank you!

Having joined Folksy in April and therefore having only a small selection of items available in my shop, I decided to undertake the monthly listing challenge that was to be known as the ‘June Loons’, and I’m so glad I did! My initial reason for doing so was just to ‘stock up’ my shop, I had not anticipated the fun I would have, the friends I would make and the fantastic number of sales I would achieve. It has been a great month for so many reasons – sales and my own creativeness are near the top of the list but number one has to be getting to know so many helpful, friendly and supportive fellow Folksy sellers. I am certain that most, if not all of my sales this month have been down to listing with the loons! The only downside has been seeing so many fabulous items on a daily basis and continually having to restrain myself from buying everything in sight! I admit though, I have ‘allowed’ myself a few treat’s along the way! :)

Well done everyone! My last few choices from the Loons for today.

Maxine Veronica



Imogen's Imagination


HeloiseV



And my final one



All on Folksy.com - Click on the images to go straight to the shops!

Hope July proves to be as successful for everyone!

So here we are at the penultimate day of the Loon challenge! It has gone so quickly!The sales list has continued to grow with the highest sellers total nearly reaching 100 items!! Well done Liz!

A few favourites below from the listings today.
All items available from Folksy, click the images to go straight to the shops.

My latest item was this

I have had a surge of sales during the last couple of days - mostly down to Liz aka 'The Little Bead Box' - so a HUGE thank you to her! :)

Take a look at her Folksy Shop http://www.folksy.com/shops/lizdyson