Creative Crafting August 2013

7/27/2019 Creative Crafting August 2013

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PUBLISHING CRAFTERS SINCE 2009!


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2 www.creative-crafting.com

Summer is HERE!

Tell us what you have been up

to on our Facebook Pagewww.facebook.com.CreativeCraftingMagazine

or tweet us @CreativeCraftin


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EDITORIALEditor - Anna-Marie Miles

Technical Editor - Avril WhiteProof Reading - Sally-Jo Drinkel

CONTRIBUTORSTina

Tracey - WowThankYouPat - Starlight Gifts by Pat

Jane - Jane CameronSally-Jo - The Bead Bounty

Leanne - Small Surprises BoutiqueClaire - Elderberry Arts

Rachael - Martha StewartTina - ShinyiesNat - Thrasion

Louise - Elsie May & BerthaClare- Raggedy Lils

Elen - Dameselle DesignsGill - Personal Space Interiors

INTERVIEWS withSonia - Styles of Sonia

Claire - Rowanberry Designs

ADVERTISINGAnna-Marie Miles

[email protected]: 07763 566636

ARTICLE SUBMISSIONTo: [email protected]

PURCHASE IN PRINTwww.creative-crafting.com/buy_your-copy.html

www.creative-crafting.com

Creative Crafting publishes articles, features andprojects provided to us by crafters and suppliers.By submitting articles to be published the authorgrants Creative Crafting copyright of each piece.

Hello again and welcome to all of our readers!

If you are a regular of our issues you will notice a very big change for this one. Creative Crafting is no longer free.We have been creating magazines and publishing as many budding writers as we can for the last four years since2009. During this time we have met some fabulous people and learnt lots of new things, many of these we have alldiscovered together. But there comes a time when we all have to take that next step.

We hope that you will agree when we say that over the years we have perfected our product so that you can relyon a good quality read and know that you are getting something special each time. Weve been here some timenow and you know us well.

We want to keep bringing you fabulous features, projects, interviews, tutorials and introduce you to yet more newwriters who we know that you respect. Help us to take our magazines to the next level, its time to play with the

big boys and see if we can get our (and your) work noticed on some large news stands. Are you with us?

Now before I leave you to enjoy our next issue I just want to shout about a couple of fabulous things within ourpages. Did you see that gorgeous purple and silver chair on our cover? Well that is available for one lucky winnerto WIN! Yes it is! So make sure you enter for that one as it is worth 140!

We also welcome Rachael from Martha Stewart who is joining us for this issue and hopefully many more to comealong with many, many more regulars and new writers.

Dont forget that our back issues up to and including issue 23 are available free of charge on our website.If you are currently reading our digital version you can also order a luscious printed copy fromwww.magcloud.com/user/creativecrafting

And on that note, I will leave you to relax and have a good read.

Anna

CreativeCraftingMagazine

CreativeCraftin

WIN!
http://www.creative-crafting.com/buy_your-copy.htmlhttp://www.magcloud.com/user/creativecraftinghttp://www.facebook.com/CreativeCraftingMagazinehttps://twitter.com/CreativeCraftinhttps://twitter.com/CreativeCraftinhttp://www.facebook.com/CreativeCraftingMagazinehttp://www.magcloud.com/user/creativecraftinghttp://www.creative-crafting.com/buy_your-copy.html


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CONTENTS

6

6 WINHome Kandi are offering thisfabulous 140 Louis chair coveredin soft purple velvet with metallicsilver trim and finished withsparkling diamante button back.

Welcome to the latest issue of Creative Crafting Magazine.

7 INTERVIEWDiscover the beautiful creations of

Claire from Rowanberry Designs.(Formally known as RowanberryGlass Art)

10 SKATEBOARDS!Recycled Skateboard Jewellery andbeautiful handmade pieces of

jewellery, accessories andhomeware created from old,broken and recycled skateboards

by Thrasion .

12 BLOG TOURSJoin us for our first Summer BlogTour! Visit each of our Blog Stopsto see the fabulous things that thewriters have set up for you.Giveaways, projects, features etc.

13 TIME FOR TEATwo great Time for Tea projects,

created by Elsie May & Bertha andShinyies

17 CRAFT FAIRSMeet three Craft Fair stall-holderswho can give you the low down

23 GONE FISHINGOur regular Lampwork artist shareswith us her latest addiction.

24 KIDS CRAFTSRachael Woodham from Martha

Stewart has a fun Summer Projectfor you.

26 LAMPWORKWe have been browsing the webfor beautiful lampwork. This is whatwe have found.

23

10


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COMPETITION

WIN this fabulous Purple DiamanteLouis Chair worth 140!

This louis chair is covered in soft purple velvet withmetallic silver trim and finished with sparkling dia-mante button back.

Home Kandi is a Welsh furniture store offering

quality reproduction furniture and home accesso-ries at prices affordable to any home.

To be in with a chance to win this gorgeous creationvisit the Home Kandi website at:www.homekandi.comand find the answer to this question:

Name two of Home Kandi's Furniture Collections.

Email your answers to: [email protected]

Entries close at midnight on 20th September 2013

www.homekandi.com

Due to the size of the chair and delivery methods this competition is only open to UK residents.

Please note that all competition entries go directly to Home KandiCreative Crafting have no direct involvement with the competition.
http://www.homekandi.com/http://www.homekandi.com/http://www.homekandi.com/http://www.homekandi.com/


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We love your beautiful creations but tell us a bit about the ladybehind them.Im Claire and I live in Staffordshire with my lovely husband Tony and myfantastic (and very demanding) cats, aka Fur kids. I'm lucky enough to be afull time glass artist and jewellery designer. I'm currently living in a built uparea at the moment but I am country girl at heart, being brought up in Kent,then onto live in Wales before I came to Staffordshire. I love getting out andabout in the UK and experiencing and connecting to the landscape. It maybe hard doing this living in an urban setting, but we are at least very lucky tolive only a short trip from the Peak District, Cheshire and North Wales, so wetry to get out there as much as we practically can. I'm also a Pagan andenvironmentalist and this is central to my creativity as well as my everydaylife. My spirituality, pantheist beliefs, and love of nature and the earth play abig part in my inspiration.

INTERVIEW

Have you always been creative or did yourtalent evolve over time?I've always been involved with arts and crafts, and asa child I was always drawing pictures or doingsomething creative. This carried on through my wholeeducation and after school I went on to study Fine

Arts along with English at university.

I became a full time jewellery designer 10 years ago,including designing jewellery for a high street store fora while. I got into making glass beads in 2006 so Icould use them in my handmade jewellery, howeverthe love for making them overtook my life so I justfocused on glass and that is when Rowanberry Glass

Art was born. In the past 2 years my love for makingjewellery has been rekindled, this time using etchedcopper and metal clays, so I changed my name toRowanberry Designs to reflect this new direction. Mystyle has always been pretty much the same whatevermedium I have worked with, mixing a love for naturewith a love for figurative detail. My biggest change in

my creativity was the change from making glass beadspurely for people to make jewellery with towardsmaking a bead as a collectable piece of art as itself.Now I approach each bead as if it was a wearablepainting or sculpture.

What is it that you enjoy most about your work?I love being my own boss. Ive suffered with some health problems for well over 18 years now, which has meantthat regular employment is not an option for me and working at your own pace is important to me as regularresting is a must. As for glass there's always something new to learn and always something new and exciting to tryout. Glass is a mesmerising medium to work and always presents a challenge to you in one way or another. Using itis an ever evolving skill and I find that exhilarating.


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INTERVIEW

Have you achieved anything in your crafting life that you are particularly proud of?I think I am most proud at being asked both by a kiln manufacturer and a glass manufacturer to test and advise ontheir products. KilnCare in Stoke-on-Trent asked me to test their glass bead annealing kiln and I was able to advisethem on some developments to the design. I get such a big smile over my face when I see it being sold to the glassworld knowing that I had a part in its development. I also use this kiln myself and it sits proudly on my workspace. Iwas also asked by Creation is Messy glass to test their glass rods for lampworkers and I am proud that they put mypictures up on their website as examples of what has been made with their glass.

Other than your crafting, what else do you like to do?As well as crafting for a living I also craft for pleasure, though these are very different crafts and are more fibre basedsuch as needle felting. I have recently bought a rigid heddle loom and am looking forward to start weaving on thatand I'd also love to learn spinning and dyeing techniques. So many crafts to learn, such little time. I am also interestedin astronomy and when I can I like to look at the night sky with my telescope. I'm also a great fan of folk music andlove listening to it and researching it. I'd like to take up singing folk music at some point in my life as well.

If you had to choose your favourite from yourcreations which one would it be?I think at the moment it would be either my newrange of Snowdonia mountain range beads, or mypoppy and wheat beads. Though I do absolutely still

adore making my tree beads, I am rather tree madand this is the design I am most known for.

What advice would you offer to someone newstarting out in the craft world?Be yourself. Be unique. Work from your owninspiration and follow your own spark of creativity. Ipersonally really do enjoy the artistic progress,following the flow from inspiration to creation tocompletion I get such a buzz! If you get too workedup by what other people are doing you will miss outon this pleasure. I also think that following whatothers do is also a poor business decision as you willbe trying to compete in a flooded market already. Butin essence, just be yourself as life is to short to spendit trying to be like someone else. Be the followed, notthe follower.

If you could change one thing about what you do, whatwould it be?In an ideal world glass wouldn't crack. I don't like the sudden

ping sound you get when you have been working on a beadfor 90 minutes and you realised it has just cracked and isntrepairable. It is so utterly heartbreaking when that happens.

Also I'd like it all to be less hot as it isn't pleasant if youaccidentally burn yourself with molten glass, it really hurts andthe dressings they put on you aren't pretty.


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INTERVIEW

What do you think has helped your business themost?In terms of promotion I think it has to be Facebook, it hasallowed me to interact directly with my customers and fansof my work. I can show them what I have been making andlet them know when work is up for sale. It allows others to

share pictures of my work to their friends very easily whichcan then bring more people to the page. As for helping medevelop my glass skills then it has to be the variety of glassbooks that I have on my shelf, most of all Kimberley Adams's

Complete Book of Glass Beadmaking and Corina Tettinger'sPassing the Flame. I wouldnt have been able to startmaking beads without them.

Has any person helped or supported you morethan any other?It has to be my husband, he has been so supportivethroughout the development of my creative business. As,due to health problems, I only have a limited amount ofenergy he does most of the cooking and cleaning so Ican use the energy that I have on my business instead.He puts up with me working weekends and eveningswhen I have to and never moans. I also create a lot ofmess and chaos in the house as I work at home and hehas been so very patient with this.

Tell us a random fact about yourself!I have a phobia of circular staircases.

How would our readers find you?I tend to mainly use Facebook for interacting with customers,and also have a website and Etsy shop for selling. Howeverthe Etsy shop is often quite empty, as I am very lucky thatmy work can sell soon after listing it for sale, though I always

let people know when the next batch of listings will be. Idon't take on special orders or commissions as I prefer towork from the heart and not to order.My website is www.rowanberrydesigns.co.ukI have 2 Facebook pages, for the glasswork:www.facebook.com/rowanberryglassartand for non-glass work:www.facebook.com/rowanberrydesignsI sell my work via my Etsy shop which iswww.etsy.com/shop/rowanberryglass
http://www.rowanberrydesigns.co.uk/http://www.facebook.com/rowanberryglassarthttp://www.facebook.com/rowanberrydesignshttp://www.etsy.com/shop/rowanberryglasshttp://www.etsy.com/shop/rowanberryglasshttp://www.facebook.com/rowanberrydesignshttp://www.facebook.com/rowanberryglassarthttp://www.rowanberrydesigns.co.uk/


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Ever since the late 80's I have beensaving our skateboard decks. Beinga skater I know that a skateboard isnot just a toy, it holds history and ahuge amount of meaning to a skaterfrom the start of the relationshipuntil it breaks. The beauty of my

jewellery and accessories is in thethrashed state of the board as everyscratch or ding is important.

I am currently supplied with ourskateboard decks from skateshops,

skateparks, skate companies, proskaters and friends and family. Ionly use broken or used skateboardsand where the board has come fromis part of each product. The decksand wheels are used in their originalstate and apart from being cut,sanded and finished materials andwaste is kept to a minimum.

Each item is handmade in my little'Greenhouse' recycled studio inCornwall. I am always looking at

new ways to recycle the boards andam constantly expanding ourproduct range so you'll always findsomething new.

See the full range athttp://www.thrashion.com

At Thrashion Ltd, where we push theboundaries of what can be createdout of an old recycled skateboarddeck, we are constantly looking atinnovative ways to push theboundaries of existing but discardedresources.Recycling has always been at thecore of what we do, and being anadvocate of the punk rockmovement I am always inspired bythe DIY ethic that was createdduring the anarchic era of the lateseventies and beyond.

The Punk movement which waspioneered by Malcolm Maclaren and

RECYCLING

Thrashion RecycledSkateboard Jewellery

and beautiful

handmade pieces ofjewellery, accessories

and homewarecreated from old,

broken and recycledskateboards.

classic British Punk band the SexPistols were central to this DIY ethicthat not only encompassed the styleof music but also influenced fashionthrough to today.

Teenagers of the time started toexperiment with their clothes,incorporating the make do and mendideology. They were embracing theirtired and worn garments and re-creating them into something moreexciting which expressed somethingmore about their personality.

Vivienne Westwood, credits JohnnyRotten as the first British punk to riphis shirt, and Sex Pistols bassist Sid

Vicious as the first to use safety pins.Siouxsie Sioux famously wore binbags and safety pins as earrings.

The skateboard graphic seen on thebottom of skateboard decks hasalways used striking and innovativeimagery to define skateboardbranding. Every skateboarder willalways remember the Vision

Psychostick or Santa CruzsScreaming hand graphic, Skatecompanies always adopt simple logosand imagery to represent their brandand more recently we have the Enjoipanda, Toy Machines devil and theZero skull.

It is this element of theskateboarding industry that I find soinspiring, and being able to recycleold unwanted skateboard decks toprolong their life is a crucial elementof Thrashion. Cutting sections fromthe designs create amazing minipicture postcards of the original deckdesign and the coloured layers ofmaple in a skateboard give so manymore options of making things.

Skateboarders rarely want to lose a

board that they have spent yearsriding and grinding. Every scratchand mark on a deck is important as itmarks each new trick youve learntand really documents your history asa skater. Being able to wear yourfavourite board on your arm or as abuckle around your waist is a farbetter option than throwing yourboard in the landfill.

In art, the Situationist-influenced

graphics of Sex Pistols artist JamieReid embraced anarchist imagerymainly for its shock and with atongue in cheek undertone. Iconicimages were collaged over the topwith newspaper print ransom styleripped letters. Also at this point a newstyle of Comic art was emergingembracing the anti hero. A wholenew breed of imagery was emergingthrough art, clothing, style, music,but also skateboarding.
http://www.thrashion.com/http://www.thrashion.com/


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RECYCLING


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ALL ABOARD!

Welcome to the first Creative

Join us every day to visit

a different Crafty Blogwho has organised aspecial Blog Stop post

just for you. Learn newthings, enter

competitions, giveawaysand much more.

Mind the doors, grab your seat and well be off to our first stop!

Dont forget that our special Blog Post will not be live until the due date for the stop.

Below you will find the dates and where you can find each blog post.

1st August - Sharon from The Old Button www.theoldbutton.blogspot.co.uk

2nd August - Jane from Loopys Place www.loopysplace.co.uk/blog.html3rd August - Susanne from Sussesspindehyrne www.sussesspindehjrne.blogspot.dk

4th August - Vicky fromVicky Myers Creations www.vickymyerscreations.wordpress.com

5th August - Gaynor from Stitchers Anon www.stitchersanon.blogspot.ie

6th August - Tracy from Glasspirations www.glasspirations.co.uk/glasspirations-blog.php

7th August - Arlene fromArlene's Crafts www.arlenes-crafts.blogspot.com

8th August - Gill from Personal Space Interiors www.personal-space-interiors.blogspot.co.uk

9th August - Joy from Beaded Bazaar www.beadedbazaar.weebly.com/blog.html

10th August - Lilian from Berry Bakewell www.berrybakewell.blogspot.co.uk

11th August - Kristin from Pastelesta www.pastelesta.wordpress.com

12th

August - Patricia from Lilly My Cat www.lillymycat.blogspot.com13th August - Amanda fromAmanda Addison www.amandaaddison.com/creative-crafting-blog-stop-2013.html

14th August - Cassie from Cassie Fairy www.cassiefairy.com

15thAugust - Karen from Bridgit's Bell www.bridgitsbell.blogspot.com

16thAugust - Kirsty from Silent Companions www.silentcompanions.blogspot.co.uk

You can find a full list of Blog Stops on our website during the event.www.creative-crafting.com

Dont forget that you will need to visit each blog on the specified BlogStop Day to see the official Creative Crafting Blog Tour Post.

Look out for theBlog Stop Badges

BLOGGING

BLOG TOUR!
http://www.theoldbutton.blogspot.co.uk/http://www.loopysplace.co.uk/blog.htmlhttp://www.sussesspindehjrne.blogspot.dk/http://www.vickymyerscreations.wordpress.com/http://www.stitchersanon.blogspot.ie/http://www.glasspirations.co.uk/glasspirations-blog.phphttp://www.arlenes-crafts.blogspot.com/http://personal-space-interiors.blogspot.co.uk/http://www.beadedbazaar.weebly.com/blog.htmlhttp://www.berrybakewell.blogspot.co.uk/http://www.pastelesta.wordpress.com/http://www.lillymycat.blogspot.com/http://www.amandaaddison.com/creative-crafting-blog-stop-2013.htmlhttp://www.cassiefairy.com/http://bridgitsbell.blogspot.com/http://silentcompanions.blogspot.co.uk/http://www.creative-crafting.com/http://www.creative-crafting.com/http://silentcompanions.blogspot.co.uk/http://bridgitsbell.blogspot.com/http://www.cassiefairy.com/http://www.amandaaddison.com/creative-crafting-blog-stop-2013.htmlhttp://www.amandaaddison.com/creative-crafting-blog-stop-2013.htmlhttp://www.lillymycat.blogspot.com/http://www.pastelesta.wordpress.com/http://www.berrybakewell.blogspot.co.uk/http://www.beadedbazaar.weebly.com/blog.htmlhttp://personal-space-interiors.blogspot.co.uk/http://www.arlenes-crafts.blogspot.com/http://www.glasspirations.co.uk/glasspirations-blog.phphttp://www.stitchersanon.blogspot.ie/http://www.vickymyerscreations.wordpress.com/http://www.sussesspindehjrne.blogspot.dk/http://www.loopysplace.co.uk/blog.htmlhttp://www.theoldbutton.blogspot.co.uk/


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TIME FOR TEA

Time forTwo great Time for Tea

projects, created by Elsie May

& Bertha and Shinyies


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TEA BAG CARRIER

Finished size when open is 20cm x 10cm, with the pockets measuring8cm x 9cm.

Materials From fabrics of your own choice, you will need 2 pieces 22cm x12cm (one for the outside and one for the inside). 2 pieces 11cm x 10cm (for the pockets) 1 piece 5cm x 4cm (to embroider tea on) and another piece 7cm x5cm (to go underneath)

1 larger button (for the front to wrap the ribbon around)

Small button (to hide the end of the ribbon)

Piece of narrow (about 5cm) ribbon 16cm long.

1. The first thing to do is to embroider the word tea onto your label.Then sew the label onto the contrasting fabric and attach this to theright-hand side of your outside fabric.

2. You can decorate the front and back of your carrier however youwant at this stage. As I have used a busy Liberty print I just added abutton to the label. I have also hand sewn everything as I preferhand sewing to machine sewing. You do what you prefer too.

3. The pockets on the inside are next. You first need to fold in theedges of the two long sides and one short side of each pocket piece.

The folded short side is the top of the pocket and you need to sewthis side down before you pin the two pockets in position. Theunfolded bottom should reach the bottom of the inside fabric (so thatthis seam will be sewn when you sew the inside and outside pieces

together). Now sew the sides of the pockets to the inside fabric.

4. Next, pin the inside and the outside pieces right sides together.Sew the two pieces together, but leave a gap on each of the shortsides. This will allow you to turn the carrier the right way round andto add the button and ribbon fastener.

Once you have turned your carrier the right way round, give yourcarrier a quick iron. Next attach a button about halfway down thefront and then sew closed the gap on this side.

This case is fairly straight

forward to make.


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TEA BAG POT

5. On the back sew your piece of ribbon halfway down and coverthe end of the ribbon with a small button, now sew up the gap onthis side. To keep your carrier closed, wrap your ribbon around thebutton. Now you never need to miss your favourite tea and theymake great presents too.

Written by Elise May and Bertha

http://www.elsiemayandbertha.co.uk

MaterialsTub Newspapers White paper PVA glue Scissors, Pencil Paintbrushes Sellotape Acrylic paint.

1. First of all I needed to turn my not very teabagshaped tub into something that more resembled ateapot.

Leaving the lid on so that I didn't cover the tub too high,I began wrapping rolled up sheets of newspaper aroundthe tub, sticking them with sellotape. I made rollsaround the centre larger as that would be the widestpart of the teapot.
http://www.elsiemayandbertha.co.uk/http://www.elsiemayandbertha.co.uk/


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TEA BAG POT

2. With pieces of newspaper and PVA glue I began covering over therolls and sellotape, until I reached a shape that closely resembled ateapot.

3. Then it was time to make the spout and handle.The spout was made by rolling a sheet of paper into a cone and tapingit. I cut the smallest end at an angle, so (in theory) tea could bepoured, and I cut down the larger end.

I shortened the length of the cone, leaving enough extra so that Icould make cuts all the way around and not effect the length Iwanted. The newly created flaps were then folded outwards so that Icould tape the spout to the body of the teapot.Then I moved onto the handle. This I made simply by rollingnewspaper, manipulating it's shape with my hands and thensellotaping it into place.

4. I built up the thickness of the handle with more newspaper, andonce I was happy, I gave the spout and handle a covering of PVA glueand newspaper.

5. Whilst the teapot was drying it was time to make the lid.

I scrunched newspaper to the same size as the lid and then sellotapedit on. Making a ball of newspaper I attached that to the top, creatingthe lid knob. I then covered the lid with pieces of newspapers and PVAglue.

All together it had the traditional teapot shape I wanted and I wasquite pleased with my handywork.

All that was left to do was paint it. As my teapot was a not perfectlyround (I call this "rustic style") I decided to paint my teapot in a

manner that would embrace it's rustic look.

6. I gave the teapot and lid a couple of base coats of white acrylicpaint. Once dry, I drew round the handle and spout in pencil and drewmy design into the body of the teapot before giving it the final coat ofpaint.

Very pleased with how my teapot turned out, I started using it straightaway (once the paint had dried).

Written by Shinyies - Contemporary Jewellery Boutiquehttp://shinyies.co.uk/
http://shinyies.co.uk/http://shinyies.co.uk/


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Do you fancy taking part

in a Craft Fair?

But you arent sure how it

would go!

Meet three Craft Fair stall-holders who can give you the low down

Starlight Gifts by Pat, Raggedy Lils and Jane Cameron

CRAFT FAIRS


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Hi, my name is Pat Wilkes. I run my part time craft businessfrom home and have been attending craft fairs for the lastcouple of years. Some have been good, some not so good. Fromlarge fairs to smaller ones and charity events. No two are ever thesame. I started with gemstone jewellery and cards, and lookingback my stall looked quite bare. I soon discovered that lots ofcrafters were making jewellery so competition was high and

organisers wanted a variety of stalls. I started by attending Mind,Body and Spirit fairs as the crystal jewellery fitted with the type ofvisitors to these events quite well.Over time I realised that I needed to diversify and now I make avariety of unique items using methods and skills that I havedeveloped to reuse and recycle items and materials.There are some things that the new seller should take intoconsideration when they book their first fair. Firstly - decide onwhat sort of fair your stock fits into, then decide on the type ofcustomer that will be attracted to the fair so that you can displaythe goods more suited for that event.Social media groups are ideal to promote discussion on upcomingfairs and to find out about forthcoming events. The Internet site

www.stallfinder.com is another useful resource for locating eventsin your area.Before booking a stall at a fair ask the right questions;

Is the venue easy to find and has the organiser given youa contact number should you get lost?

Is there free parking?

How much advertising has the organiser done?

Will you be in direct competition with someone elsemaking the same items? There should only be one of eachcraft at any fair.

How much is the stall going to cost? It is not always themost expensive stall that will be the best.

How big is the table you are being offered or do you have

to provide your own?

So - you have asked all the right questions and have all the rightanswers. The big day arrives for your first fair - dont be nervous,look at it as an adventure. It is a time to meet other like-minded,crafters, and prospective customers. Always dress your stall sothat its looks appealing and tidy. Dont forget to display yourbusiness cards.I usually find that once Im there and set up its nice to go roundand say hello to fellow stall-holders. Exchange business cards sothat you can look at other peoples business pages on social mediasites. It is also great to network and chat about the positives and

the negatives in running a business.Always take a packed lunch and maybe a drink so all yourproceeds do not go on refreshments, and any sales are realmoney in your pocket.Take a small float in your cash box so that you have some changeif customers offer you large value bank notes. It really does makelife a little easier.Once the fair opens and customers appear it can be reallydaunting. Do you jump up and try and do the whole sales pitch, ordo you sit quietly? Please do not sit with your head in a book,looking bored. No one wants to buy from someone who does notlook remotely interested in what they are selling.

CRAFT FAIRS

New to craftfairs?


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If you want to keep yourself occupied when its quiet, takesomething along to create. That in it self, can be a conversationstarter.In my experience I find that it is best to just say hello to browsers,and if they pick up one of my creations, I try to explain how it ismade, or what it is made from, and that can spark conversationtoo.

Usually the organiser will say that they would prefer stall-holdersnot to pack away until the finish time. It looks really rude to startpacking away before the event has finished just because you arenot selling. It can give the whole room a feeling that customersare getting in the way of packing away.I have had events where very little has been sold, there has beena very low footfall at the fair and I used to be very disillusioned,and even feel that maybe my gifts were not up to standard. Thatis not usually the case, it just means that your stock is not whatcustomers were looking for on the day. I have now changed myoutlook on these times, and instead, I try to look at the positives.

You may get future orders from giving out your cards. You havenetworked with other crafters, who may pass your name onto

others. Just because in money terms it has not been a success,does not mean it has been a failure.

All crafters and artists have low days and question their work, butdo not let it stop you getting out there and showing people whatyou have. Build and learn from your experience and look forwardto the next event. It gets easier.

Written by Pat Wilkes from Starlight Gifts by Pat

www.starlightgiftsbypat.co.uk

www.facebook.com/pages/Starlight-Gifts-by-Pat/192201657484308

CRAFT FAIRS
http://www.starlightgiftsbypat.co.uk/https://www.facebook.com/pages/Starlight-Gifts-by-Pat/192201657484308https://www.facebook.com/pages/Starlight-Gifts-by-Pat/192201657484308https://www.facebook.com/pages/Starlight-Gifts-by-Pat/192201657484308https://www.facebook.com/pages/Starlight-Gifts-by-Pat/192201657484308http://www.starlightgiftsbypat.co.uk/


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CRAFT FAIRS

There is nothing more satisfying than selling your products to customersthat appreciate and enjoy them as much as you. Here at Raggedy Lilsusing a craft fair to showcase my products is just as important as an onlinepresence. It gives your customers the chance to touch and see yourproducts as a 3d item rather than a 2d image on a computer screen. It canbe a daunting step to arrive at a craft fair to see other sellers all set up,looking professional and accomplished.My first stall was at a church fair and did not look the most professional. Iknow my products and display have improved massively since then. Butwith these following tips it should make your experience more enjoyableand organised as I have found.

Raggedy Lils Guide

to Craft Fairs

1- ResearchLooking into the details of a craft fair you may want to attend is one ofthe first steps. I look at the area, cost, whether there will be passingcustomers, how established the fair is and feedback from other craftsellers that have attended. Going along beforehand is also a good tacticand from there I make my decision. Although even the most well thought

out event does not always work out as planned, as I have experience.

2-Organise stockMost craft fair organisers will give you the dimensions of the tablesavailable for hire, or you will have your own which you can measure.Once you have this information it is a lot easier to decide what productsyou are going to take along with you. I take a small selection of each ofmy ranges which includes cushions, wreaths, canvasses and cards. Thesealso come in different price ranges to suit all types of customersspending habits. If you are attending the same fair regularly try to rotateyour stock and introduce something new each time to hold customers

interest especially those that return to repeat purchase.

3-PricingThere are two options to pricing displays and which you feel is the best.I personally like to display my products with prices so as the customercan see at an instant how much they are and can make a decisionthemselves as to whether they are within their price range. Or you canleave it to the customer to be able to ask you your prices, which canspur on a conversation and hopefully lead to that all important sale.

4-Setting up displayYour display of products needs to be interesting and innovative tostand out amongst the other stall holders. Products laid flat on a tablecannot be seen from across the room, maybe use boxes or stands toprop them up, something appropriate to your products. For example Ihave used a garden obelisk to show my wreaths as they would behung inside your house. I also use a large sheet to cover the table andalong the front of this I have bunting with my business name. Not onlydoes it look pretty and attractive, but it shows who you are andidentifies the brand. Colour co-ordination, not only in your items but inthe props you use, gives a put together look and shows you havethought and cared about your display.


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CRAFT FAIRS

5-Be organised!I always make sure I am packed up the day before so I can relax andknow that everything is ready for the morning. All products packagedsafely for transporting, a float of change, business cards andpromotional material to display, a fix it kit in case of any breakages anda packed lunch of course! If the fair is quiet maybe some crafts to dowhile you are waiting, which is also good for passers-by to ask questions

about your creations.

6-Have fun!Lastly enjoy your time at the craft fair. Talk to other crafters and yourcustomers as they can always be new contacts for future business andeven if you dont make many sales it is always a learning curve and ashowcase of your work.Good luck and hope you have many a successful craft fair!

Written by Clare Nicholls from Raggedy Lils

www.raggedylils.weebly.com

I hear you say Why do I need to think about this now?

Well, with less than 150 days till Christmas (yes, really!), you should be contemplating howyou are going to be able to make the most of the festive season to promote and sell yourfabulous work.

Magazine deadlines for September and beyond are looming, and if your work isnt out there itwill miss the opportunity to be featured in the coming months.

The last international posting dates (especially forheavier parcels) are a lot earlier than you expect, andmay catch you by surprise! Check outwww.postoffice.co.ukfor the latest information.

Are you going to do any craft fairs, open studios,popup shops or just have an open house evening soyour friends can come and buy? Now is the time tohave a look at your diary and work out when they are so

you can put your applications in as some types of stalls,(especially jewellery, cards and soap) will run out of spacesfaster than others.

Did you do fairs last year? What did you learn? Did you haveenough stock, the right stock, do you need to order somemore packaging? Do you still know what stock you have?Now is a great time to take stock (yes, do a stocktake!)so you have time to fill any gaps before your first fair.

Preparing for Christmas!
http://www.raggedylils.weebly.com/http://www.postoffice.co.uk/http://www.postoffice.co.uk/http://www.raggedylils.weebly.com/


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If you sell online, start making links with other makers. There are some great networking pages out there but nothingis better than personal recommendation and why not apply to the PCGs Partners in Craft scheme if you are amember and want to find a little team of your own membership of the Professional Crafters Guild is just 10 andlasts for life! www.procraftersguild.com

Have you got a mailing list? It may be worth sending your subscribers a little note about where you will be showing /selling for the rest of the year, so that people can make plans to come and visit you or check out your online shop /

facebook page / twitter if you only sell online. Update your website make sure the events page is up to date, or putthem all in a note on your Facebook page so people can refer to it there.

What does your display look like? Do you need a new tablecloth (or do you need to wash your tablecloth!), howabout that clothes rail that is unexpectedly missing a wheel, or that really basic but useful thing you left behindsomewhere? Get yourself sorted now so you dont have to panic later.

A useful thing to take to fairs is an emergency box Ive written a blog post about this over onwww.janecameron.co.ukand would love it if you would pop over and add a comment about what you keep in yours!

With best wishes for a fabulous and successful festive season!

Jane.

Jane Cameronwww.janecameron.co.ukSilk Painting Courses and Parties, Handmade Accessories and Homewares

Other helpful links:www.ukcraftblog.com/2011/08/craft-fair-display-tips-and-ideas.htmlwww.ukcraftfairs.com/guide-to-selling-work-at-a-craft-fairhttp://blog.folksy.com/2010/07/05/craft-fair-secrets-how-to-make-a-great-craft-fair-display

CRAFT FAIRS

Creative Crafting have been publishing articles,projects and features by people like yourself for four

years.

It is your time to shine!

Send your work and ideas to us at:[email protected]

We will publish as many of you as we can in ourmagazines and on our blog and mobile apps.
http://www.procraftersguild.com/http://www.janecameron.co.uk/http://www.janecameron.co.uk/http://www.ukcraftblog.com/2011/08/craft-fair-display-tips-and-ideas.htmlhttps://www.ukcraftfairs.com/guide-to-selling-work-at-a-craft-fairhttp://blog.folksy.com/2010/07/05/craft-fair-secrets-how-to-make-a-great-craft-fair-displayhttp://blog.folksy.com/2010/07/05/craft-fair-secrets-how-to-make-a-great-craft-fair-displayhttps://www.ukcraftfairs.com/guide-to-selling-work-at-a-craft-fairhttp://www.ukcraftblog.com/2011/08/craft-fair-display-tips-and-ideas.htmlhttp://www.janecameron.co.uk/http://www.janecameron.co.uk/http://www.procraftersguild.com/http://www.procraftersguild.com/partners_in_crafts.html


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LAMPWORK

We often hear people say it when they want to get away from it all. Tosit quietly by a riverbank, flask of coffee by your side, sandwiches,crisps and maggots at hand. Birds singing their sweet songs and

dragonflies, dipping and diving across the surface of the water, bliss!Well, just recently, I have taken up a bit of fishing too. Not quite the fishingas described above but certainly a kind of fishing.

So here I will tell you about a typical lampwork fish production session in The Bead Bounty studio.Once the kiln is switched on, a cup of tea is the way forward (well the kiln doestake a while to reach full temperature).

As each fish is a one off work of art, I then start to choose the glass colours thattake my fancy (unless I am doing a bespoke piece and then I pick out the coloursthat the customer has requested, because it would be rude not to).

I usually make some frit (crushed glass) to give thefish a nice background and set that on a metal plate

by my torch, to use during the production process.Once the glass is chosen, the frit is ready and thetools are all present and correct, I switch the torchon and start the first part of the process.Choosing my base colour, I melt the glass in theflame and shape it into a dome of about 10mmacross.Once I am happy with the size and shape of thefootprint, I dip the molten dome in the frit and coat itall over. I then melt the frit into the dome and dosome reshaping.Now I encase the dome in transparent glass, eithercoloured or clear, depending on what my final design

is.Now the real fun begins. Giving the finished domesome features so that it looks like a fish.First the mouth is formed using a good blob of glassand thin blade.The eye is a really fun part to do too. I press the

eye glass flat after each addition of glass, as thismakes it look more fish like. I usually use 3 types ofglass for the eye but you can use more if you want.The fins and tail are then added, using swathes ofthe different colours of glass.

Once I have checked the whole thing over and I am happy with the design the fishis ready to go into the kiln.These fish are perfect for brooches or pendants and as they are individually made,no two are ever the same.So, to recap, when I leave a note on the door saying Gone Fishing you can betthat I will be having the best fun ever, creating some gorgeous, quirky little works of fishy art for my customers toenjoy.

GoneFishing!

Written by Sally-Jo from The Bead Bountywww.thebeadbounty.weebly.com
http://thebeadbounty.weebly.com/http://thebeadbounty.weebly.com/


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CHALK PAINT

Rachel Woodham has worked as an editor for a number of magazines sincegraduating with a degree in journalism. Now, a full-time mom and wife, Rachelspends her days as a finger-painter extraordinaire, impromptu casserole maker andtoy re-constructor.When life gives her a breather, Rachel works with the great team of people over at

Martha Stewarts, where you can find out everything from how to prepare the perfectSummer Corn to the perfect crafts for kids.

While traditional sidewalk chalk definitely had its time in the spot light, innovation hasgiven birth to several new ways for children to enjoy this same activity only with anew twist. Instead of struggling with those ever-breaking sticks try your hand at thisgreat recipe for sidewalk chalk paint! While you can of course head on down to your

Kid Crafts:arthastewartMaking Sidewalk Chalk Paint

local craft store and spend $15 (roughly 10) or more on a name brand variety, creating your own takes no morethan a few minutes and a lot less money.Ive personally used this recipe several times over the years and each time, my children and their friends continue tosurprise me with some of the creative and colorful creations that they paint out on the sidewalk and driveway. Ifyoure worried about mess dont be!

This recipe of sidewalk chalk paint washes off with a quick splash of water, a hose or a good rainstorm. So dropwhat youre doing, round up some ingredients and lets get started.

To begin you will need to locate the following items:Several small bowls (cheap Tupperware works great as do cupcake tins) a cup of regular old cornstarch (no need for anything fancy) a cup of cold water

A box of food coloringSeveral inexpensive brushes

Instructions:

Step 1. First thing you will want to do is place the cornstarch in the bowls, Tupperware or cupcake tin. Once eachbowl of tin has the appropriate amount of cornstarch in it, proceed to slowly stir in the cold water.

Step 2.As you begin to stir this water into the corn starch, the water will begin to thicken. A good rule of thumbfor thickness is a consistency that isnt quite as thick as paint but more viscous than water. Chalk paint that is toothin wont adhere to the sidewalk while chalk paint that is too thick has a difficult time being manipulated by littlehands.

Step 3.After you feel you have achieved the perfect level of thickness, go ahead and add in a little bit of foodcoloring to the mixture. Begin by adding about 4 drops for a lighter, color and about 6 or 7 a bolder tone.Once you have completed the first color, repeat the process for the remaining bowls, choosing a good color palettefor your children to experiment with.
http://www.marthastewart.com/275294/kids-accessorieshttp://www.marthastewart.com/275294/kids-accessories


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CHALK PAINT

Step 4. Upon mixing all of the colors, you will want to place a brush in each container and remind the painters touse one brush for one color as to avoid any blending and unsightly color combinations.

Step 5. Now, you are free to make your masterpieces. I like to give a little direction to my kids when we startpainting, I found that without a little prompt, the painting can quickly devolve into a hodge-podge of color and lines.Instead, suggest drawing their favorite fruit, animal or a picture of themselves.

When your artwork is complete, snap a picture show your DIY Rembrandts and Picassos off on your social media.Sidewalk chalk paint made this way can be saved for quite a while, just make sure to quickly stir the mixture before

using it again!

http://kindnessgirl.com/2011/08/23/guerrilla-goodness-back-to-school-chalk-love/

Creative Chalk Ideas

http://popcultureaddictlifeguide.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/ode-to-sidewalk-chalk.html

http://inspirationlaboratories.com/playing-outside-chalk/

http://www.tessellations.org/real-materials-tessellations-19.shtml
http://kindnessgirl.com/2011/08/23/guerrilla-goodness-back-to-school-chalk-love/http://popcultureaddictlifeguide.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/ode-to-sidewalk-chalk.htmlhttp://inspirationlaboratories.com/playing-outside-chalk/http://www.tessellations.org/real-materials-tessellations-19.shtmlhttp://www.tessellations.org/real-materials-tessellations-19.shtmlhttp://inspirationlaboratories.com/playing-outside-chalk/http://popcultureaddictlifeguide.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/ode-to-sidewalk-chalk.htmlhttp://kindnessgirl.com/2011/08/23/guerrilla-goodness-back-to-school-chalk-love/


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Sassy Girl Bright ColourLampwork Bead Set

Hand created in Indiana, USA by

www.SharplineDesigns.etsy.com

$31 USD21.37 GBP approx

Lampwork beads, aqua blue, seaocean organics.

Hand created in Slovakia by

www.MayaHoney.etsy.com

$18.50 USD12.75 GBP approx

LAMPWORK

Blue Florals Lampwork Bead

Hand created in the UK by

www.Beadscrumptious.etsy.com


Chocolate candy lampworkbeads handmade , creamywhite dark

Hand created in the USA by

www.iloveanabel730.etsy.com

v

Handmade Boro Lampwork Beads

Hand created in Colorado Springs,USA by

www.BohemianBeads.etsy.com

$30 USD20.68 GBP approx

Do you create jewellery? If you do then you MUST try using some handcrafted lampwork!

Spring Red CardinalLentil Focal Bead

Hand created in the USA by

www.gracebeads.etsy.com


http://www.sharplinedesigns.etsy.com/http://www.mayahoney.etsy.com/http://www.beadscrumptious.etsy.com/http://www.iloveanabel730.etsy.com/http://www.bohemianbeads.etsy.com/http://www.bohemianbeads.etsy.com/http://www.gracebeads.etsy.com/http://www.gracebeads.etsy.com/http://www.bohemianbeads.etsy.com/http://www.iloveanabel730.etsy.com/http://www.beadscrumptious.etsy.com/http://www.mayahoney.etsy.com/http://www.sharplinedesigns.etsy.com/http://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/152115622/on-sale-30-off-11834402-spring-red?ref=shop_home_activehttp://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/121176385/boro-rolos-handmade-boro-lampwork-beadshttp://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/95433470/chocolate-candy-lampwork-beads-handmade?http://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/113075339/lampwork-glass-bead-by-beadscrumptioushttps://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/154164509/sassy-girl-bright-color-lampwork-beadhttps://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/90378636/lampwork-beads-aqua-blue-sea-ocean


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Blue and ivory spot lampworkbeads

Hand created in Lancashire, UK by

www.folksy.com/shops/LampworkbeadsbyJo

10.00

LAMPWORK

Handmade Lampwork Beads-Fairy Garden

Hand created in Wales, UK by

www.folksy.com/shops/Jewlls4U

50.00

Cute Toadstool Draw Pull


www.wowthankyou.co.uk/glitteringprize

16.00

Bee Lampwork Focal Bead Set


www.folksy.com/shops/Sooble

10.00

Rose Bud Beads - Lampwork BeadSet


www.folksy.com/shops/Midgetgembeads

12.50

Lamp Work Beads WithEncased Brown on BlackMottled Design


www.wowthankyou.co.uk/the-bead-bounty-supplies

7.95
http://folksy.com/shops/LampworkbeadsbyJohttp://folksy.com/shops/LampworkbeadsbyJohttp://folksy.com/shops/Jewlls4Uhttp://www.wowthankyou.co.uk/glitteringprizehttp://www.wowthankyou.co.uk/glitteringprizehttp://folksy.com/shops/Sooblehttp://folksy.com/items/3924790-Bee-Lampwork-Focal-Bead-Set-SRA-GBUKhttp://folksy.com/shops/Midgetgembeadshttp://www.wowthankyou.co.uk/the-bead-bounty-supplieshttp://www.wowthankyou.co.uk/the-bead-bounty-supplieshttp://www.wowthankyou.co.uk/the-bead-bounty-supplieshttp://www.wowthankyou.co.uk/the-bead-bounty-supplieshttp://folksy.com/shops/Midgetgembeadshttp://folksy.com/shops/Sooblehttp://www.wowthankyou.co.uk/glitteringprizehttp://www.wowthankyou.co.uk/glitteringprizehttp://folksy.com/shops/Jewlls4Uhttp://folksy.com/shops/LampworkbeadsbyJohttp://folksy.com/shops/LampworkbeadsbyJohttp://www.wowthankyou.co.uk/the-bead-bounty-supplies/products/lamp-work-beads-with-encased-brown-on-black-mottled-design/http://folksy.com/items/3680806-Rose-Bud-Beads-Lampwork-Bead-Set-Rose-Pink-SRAhttp://folksy.com/items/3924790-Bee-Lampwork-Focal-Bead-Set-SRA-GBUKhttp://www.wowthankyou.co.uk/glitteringprize/products/cute-toadstool-draw-pull/http://folksy.com/items/4150314-Handmade-Lampwork-Beads-Fairy-Garden-2-http://folksy.com/items/4387911-blue-and-ivory-spot-lampwork-beads


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INTERVIEW

Tell us about yourself Sonia.

I am a proud mother of two boys; one aged thirteen andthe second, just about four months old. I have beenaddicted to making jewelry since a couple of years ago.

And it has allowed me to work from home. I am alsopursuing a business degree so needless to say, my handsare certainly full and I love it!

How long have you ben creating your designs andwhat made you start?

My sisters wedding was coming up and I wanted topresent her with something really special. So I embellisheda pretty pair of silver strappy shoes with Swarovski crystalbicones; which she wore when she took her vows. I wasthen left with these tools that I had purchased and left overSwarovski crystals, and because I quite enjoyed the work Idid on her shoes ,it led me to try out making some jewelry, and here I am , two years later , making more jewelryand still absolutely loving it.

What is it that you enjoy about your work?

I enjoy every bit of it! I get excited in the morningsthinking about what Im going to be making on that dayand I cant wait to get my hands on my pliers and beads.

And I can sit at the table and work on something till myneck aches, and still go on, and feel absolutelyaccomplished once I am done. And then the cycle beginsonce again the next day. And I love it!

Styles of

SoniaAdd a little eastern promise to your life with thebeautiful creations of Sonia Subash from Stylesof Sonia.

Creating from her home in Malaysia Sonia hopesto make the entire world sparkle just that littlebit more.


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What is your biggest crafting achievement, and why?

I was asked to be a prize sponsor for a local Music Awards Show andI was baffled with what I was expected to give out. And so I thoughtI would combine elements of music, crystals, compact disc (whichrepresents my up-cycling range) and craft wire. And after sketchingout a few designs , I decided on this one , which I put together.I then placed it on a black velvet covered board , got a plaque

made , and framed the whole thing , and I was so extremelyproud of it !

Other than your crafting, what else do you like to do?

Ohhh I love painting. Painting was my first loveand I still do paint every now and then. Heres one of mypaintings which I aptly named Girl on Fire. I painted for mysister as she was on fire in her career pursuit.

INTERVIEW

If you had to choose your favourite from yourcreations which one would it be?

I love this filigree piece I made for a hand braceletwhich I just will not sell. It mesmerizes me everytime I look at it.

What advice would you offer to someonenew starting out in the craft world?

I would advise them that if they began with apassion, then they should always stay true to thatpassion. It may be a competitive world but it is acolorful world that can bring you happiness andsatisfaction. Always be true to yourself, exploreyour talents and try new ideas. Dont be afraid toput out what youve created and show it to theworld.

If you could change one thing about what you do, what would it be?

I would love to have a larger work studio, for sure.


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What do you think has helped your business the most?

Definitely the social media, which got me networking and also becoming a PCG Member(www.procraftersguild.com) has given me exposure and led me to getting to know somany other amazing crafters.

My weblog address is www.stylesofsonia.comMy Facebook Page is www.facebook.com/soniaashleycollectionsMy Etsy Shop is www.etsy.com/shop/StylesOfSonia

And Twitter http://twitter.com/StylesOfSonia

Has any person helped or supported you more than any other?

My husband is my biggest supporter, followed by my son and then my mother andsisters. I have really supportive friends too. All the support has made a realdifference in my life and has given me the confidence to pursue this passion.

Tell us a random fact about yourself!

I can impersonate Pee Wee Herman and I can talk likea chipmunk ..hehe.

INTERVIEW
http://www.stylesofsonia.com/http://www.facebook.com/soniaashleycollectionshttp://www.etsy.com/shop/StylesOfSoniahttp://twitter.com/StylesOfSoniahttp://twitter.com/StylesOfSoniahttp://www.etsy.com/shop/StylesOfSoniahttp://www.facebook.com/soniaashleycollectionshttp://www.stylesofsonia.com/


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RECIPE

Millie-Mae, Toby& Mummy Makes This months make fell into place when the

children asked to go strawberry picking on a very

hot Saturday afternoon. So our challenge startedwith finding and picking a lovely large basket ofstrawberries. But what to do with them all

having paid for them? Well, I thought it would benice for Mummy (me) to take a step back this

month and let the children (Millie-Mae and Toby)take total control. As they are young, it had to bekept simple, and yes Eton Mess is really simple but its delicious and just perfect for two under

7s to rustle up on their own!

Strawberries Meringues Whipping cream

Icing sugar

Chopped or flaked nuts (for decoration)

Pick some strawberries . Or I guess a punnet of

shop-bought ones will do just as well


32/54


RECIPE

Pour the tub of whipping cream into a mixingbowl, add a tablespoon of icing sugar and whipuntil nice and thick.

Take another bowl, and break the meringues

into it not to fine, not too big.

Wash the strawberries. Keep some back fordecoration, but with a sharp knife top them andcut into half, and then half again (dont let theyounger child do anything other than watchthis!).

Once quartered, squash the strawberries alittle with the back of a fork to release some ofthe juices.

Add the whipped cream to the meringues andstir LIGHTLY (or it will turn to mush!).

Add the crushed strawberries to the meringuesand cream.


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RECIPE

Again LIGHTLY stir it all together, then put inthe fridge for an hour or two.

Once chilled, and immediately before serving,scoop some meringue mix into a serving bowl.

Decorate with some of the strawberries that

were held back, and some mixed nuts. Enjoy!

Written by Tracey Kifford- Millie-Mae and Toby are daughterand son of Tracey Kifford, founderand owner of the online marketplaceWowThankYou.www.wowthankyou.co.uk
http://www.wowthankyou.co.uk/http://www.wowthankyou.co.uk/http://www.wowthankyou.co.uk/http://www.wowthankyou.co.uk/


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DAIRY AND GLUTEN FREE

Grilled Pineapple and Coconut

4 tbsp agave nectar or honey 2 tsp lemon juice 4 slices of fresh pineapple 1 cup flaked coconut 2 tbsp rum (optional)

Directions In a bowl wide enough to fit the pineapple into,whisk together the agave nectar, rum if using and

lemon juice. Coat each slice of pineapple well in the mixture andrefrigerate for at least one hour. Any leftover mixturecan be poured over the pineapple.

Lightly spray a grill or BBQ with oil and heat to amedium heat. Coat each pineapple slice with coconut and grill for 8

10 minutes.

Tip To make it easier to spoon honey out of a jar,heat a metal spoon over a hob ring of your cookerbriefly.

GLUTEN & DAIRY FREE RECIPESForgiving, quick and easy recipes free

from gluten and dairy products.


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DAIRY AND GLUTEN FREE

Avocado chocolate pudding

4 medium avocados 200g cocoa powder (check ingredients as somecontain milk)

Directions Cut the avocados in half and remove the stones. Scoop all of the avocado flesh into a food processor

bowl. Add the cocoa to the avocado and blend untilcompletely combined.

Scoop the pudding into a plastic container, coverand chill until set.

Written by Claire from Elderberry Arts

http://www.elderberryarts.co.uk

Banana Ice cream

4 bananas, peeled and cut into chunks250ml plain soya yoghurt3 4 tbsp of honey

Directions Place the banana chunks into a freezerbag and freeze for around 3 hours oruntil solid.

Place the frozen banana slices into aliquidiser and add the yoghurt andhoney. Blend until smooth.

If the ice cream is a little runny it can beplaced in a tub and left in the freezeruntil more solid.
http://www.elderberryarts.co.uk/http://www.elderberryarts.co.uk/


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CRAFTING On A BUDGET

In theory the weather is usually nice atthis time of year, but as we all know itsdefinitely hit and miss so far in 2013. Imsure we all love to be outside when thesun is shining, and with the limited sunnydays weve had so far its nice to seizethem as they land.

I dont know about the rest of you but thesunshine certainly throws my creative driftinto overdrive, and if I can take mycrafting outside its even better. Justrecently Yorkshire has been blessed withmasses of sunshine and with it came anabundance of inspiration, not only forsome new products but for my nextCrafting on a Budget article.

Whilst playing in the garden with myyoung niece I discovered some oldterracotta pots that had been cast aside.They were crying out for a goodreinvention!

Prepared with my paints and paint

brushes I took to the garden to redecoratethe unused flower pots. This is a fantasticway of brightening up your garden, andtakes minimal effort. Plus it is a veryversatile project, you can decorate asmuch or as little as you like, and mostimportantly it is extremely friendly on yourbank balance. The added bonus ofworking outside is that the paint driesquickly in the sunshine, meaning you cancomplete your project in record time.

After one coat of paint the terracottacolour was beginning to show through; ofcourse the thickness of your paint willdetermine how many coats you need todo, but after two coats I had a clean finishon what was once a weathered old pot. Insome cases the weathered look can bemightily beneficial; with just one light coatof paint you can make a rustic lookingflower pot ideal for any garden.


37/54


CRAFTING On A BUDGET

The vintage look is very much in right

now, and it looks great in your garden.Perhaps you could try applying the paintwith a sponge, to help further release thevintage look.

I decided to add a little something extra tomy painted pots but I didnt want to gooverboard with the embellishments. Aftera quick search through my collection Ifound a set of stencils that would workquite well. Stencils are the ideal additionto most creative products, and for aproject such as this it creates a nicedimension.

For this project I chose a seaside theme,but the choice of themes in endless. Witha bit more paint and some seaside stencilsI was able to brighten up my newlydecorated flower pot that bit more.

Should the weather turn less thanpleasant this project can always be takenindoors.

Terracotta pots come in all sizes, and thesmaller pots can be a nice way to enhanceyour favourite rooms. With a splash ofpaint it can be the perfect environment forsome flowers, or a nice home for yourfavourite candle.

The possibilities for this project arevirtually endless add paint, polka dots,beads, shells, buttons or even pebbles anything goes.

I am about to embark on my very first

craft fair in just a few days time, where Iwill be showcasing my array of crafted ona budget items. Hopefully some of mybudgeted crafts will be a crowd pleaser. Iwill have more money saving craft tips foryou in the next issue of Creative Crafting,until then happy crafting!

Written by Leanne fromSmall Surprise Boutiquehttps://www.facebook.com/SmallSurprisesBoutique
https://www.facebook.com/SmallSurprisesBoutiquehttps://www.facebook.com/SmallSurprisesBoutiquehttps://www.facebook.com/SmallSurprisesBoutiquehttps://www.facebook.com/SmallSurprisesBoutiquehttps://www.facebook.com/SmallSurprisesBoutiquehttps://www.facebook.com/SmallSurprisesBoutique


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Materials

1 silk scarf (The one I used was Ponge 5 silk, 40x150cm) 2small bottles of iron fix silk paint in toning colours (try dark andlight purple, pink and purple, blue and green, red and yellow. Note:if you choose opposite colours you will end up with black or nastybrown bits where the colours merge!) Table salt Pipette(optional small cup will do) Bin bag Iron / ironing board

(Silk painting supplies available from www.silkcraft.co.uk use thecode GUILD1 at checkout for free P&P on your first order)

SILK SCARF

1. Cut the bottom off your bin bag, slit up the side and open it out so you have anice big plastic surface to work on.

2. Wet your silk scarf and squeeze it out gently so its quite damp but no longerdripping.
http://www.silkcraft.co.uk/http://www.silkcraft.co.uk/


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3. Arrange your scarf in a random scrunched pattern on your bin bag.

4. Drip your two colours of paint over the scarf you will see the colours run andmerge.

5. Scatter a light sprinkle of table salt over your scarf.

6. Leave it to dry fully (watch the salt absorb the paint and make awesomepatterns!)

(Note: Leaving it to dry overnight in a warm place is best, though if its not windyyou could easily dry it outside in the sunshine!)

7. Once your scarf is dry, lift it off the bin bag, flatten it out and iron it for 3 minutesper square foot on medium heat (as per instructions on silk paint bottle!). This setsthe colour into the silkBrush any loose salt crystals off your ironing board/

8. Rinse your scarf in warm water with a hint of detergent, then again in cleanwater. This removes the residual dye and the salt crystals

9. Roll in a towel and squeeze gently to remove most of the water. Iron while damp.

10. Ta-dah! You are now the proud owner of a fabulous silk scarf!

If you want to find out more about the art and craft of silk painting, visitwww.janecameron.co.ukand www.silkpainters-guild.co.uk.

Jane Cameron runs silk painting courses in Surrey and is vice Chairman of the Guildof Silk Painters.

Jane Cameron 2013. Instructions are for personal and educational use only.

SILK SCARF
http://www.janecameron.co.uk/http://www.silkpainters-guild.co.uk/http://www.silkpainters-guild.co.uk/http://www.janecameron.co.uk/


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Hi! I'm Tina,

What a beautiful day! We will sit on the patio and enjoya nice cool glass of lemonade and some fresh fruit, I

just love the summer.

Here we are the second week in July, how did we gethere so soon. It won't be long until Christmas at thisrate. The garden is in such a hurry as the winter lastedso long this year.

First, as usual I will bring you all up to date with whathas been happening in The Garden since your last visit.

I had a very unusual plant. It was a foxglove, one ofmany but very different as you will see. Here is thestory. With me there is always a story!

In the spring after the bulbs have finished flowering inthe pots on the patio, I give them some new compostand slow acting fertilizer and put them over at the sideof the conservatory to rest for the summer. In lateSeptember I bring them back to the patio and tidy them

THE GARDEN

Is this your first visit toThe Garden?

up a little, add compost, maybe the odd primrose plant.This time I was surprised to see the pots full of youngfoxgloves, where the seed came from I have no idea.

Well, we gardeners as you know cannot waste anyplant, why would you, so I carefully moved them all tothe flower bed below the patio. There they were allthrough the cold winter and then late May they startedto grow and grow. Making such strong growth, beautifulplants I thought they were all the wild variety whichgrow all over the garden but no, when the buds came

some were cream and two plants had the usual foxglovebells but the flower at the top of the spike was reallydifferent as you will see. Then these two plantsgradually changed to all pink and they have been justwonderful. The flowers are fading now, but of course Ihave photos.


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Remember these bedding plants from last year, well here they are again. I cannot believethat they came through the cold winter.

THE GARDEN

The apples and pears are forming well now that the blossom hasgone looks like it will be a good year for fruit.

The tale of

an unusual

foxglove!


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THE GARDEN

Laburnum

Here are a few of the plants which have been performing in the garden since your last visit.

I always show you the Bog as it is a special favourite with my friend The Crystal Lady and she is the editor after all.So here it is and looking a little different, more growth it must be all the water last year. But it always has thismystical feel, to me anyway.

Allium Valarian CampanulaAquilegia

Water Iris

Now shall we have a walk around the garden as it is such a lovely day?


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GARDENING

The lampranthus are looking wonderful,they just love the sunshine, well, don't we all.

Here we are at the star performers of the summer the roses, they are always so beautiful. I will apologise to youregular readers as you have seen them every August for four years, but I am sure that you feel as I do they never losetheir appeal. As this is a real garden we do have repeat performances but some how they are never quite the same.


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GARDENING

Well take your time feel free to walk around and enjoy thegarden, sit and in the sunshine a while, who knows how long itwill last so let's take advantage of it while we have the chance.

I will leave you now as I have some weeds awaiting my attention.

It was a pleasure as always to have you visit with me in thegarden, and I look forward to meeting with you again in the next

issue.

Your green-fingered friend

Oh, by the way I saw this little itemon the Foxglove, I do hope it's

true.

This is the flower of the

Faerie, legend says when the

foxglove bows its head the

Faerie folk are passing by.

Thus it is considered lucky

to have foxglove growing

from seed in your garden.

Maybe I can find some

more on other flowers in the

coming issues. Watch this

space.


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CRAFT GUILD

The Professional Crafters Guild is a friendly community created for Crafters to show the world that they mean BUSINESS!Crafting is not just a hobby!

Premium Guild Member The Bead Bountywww.wowthankyou.co.uk/the-bead-bounty

www.wowthankyou.co.uk/the-bead-bounty-supplies

Premium Guild Member Scrapbookerrywww.scrapbookerry.com

If you would like some help to raise the profile of your craft business we would very much like to meet you.Dont forget that Craft Supply businesses are also welcome to join under our Supplier Membership category.

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Igot hooked on crafting when I was little - I was

always borrowing fabric or buttons from my mumand making something that would inevitably lookstrange and fall apart a few minutes later. I startedcrafting a bit better when I was about ten - I set up amini business decorating and selling hair bands tofriends, but when I got to comprehensive schoolmaking your own things became uncool and I slowlydrifted into other hobbies. But now here I am a fewyears later at fifteen with an admittedly slightlybigger business set up!

My mums been selling her crafts online for a while

now, and when she realised my interest in practicingsome of the techniques from my Textiles GCSE class,she suggested that we buy the equipment neededand make a few things to sell. And so

was born.

Id recently been in a production of the musical WeWill Rock You, and as my mum was the costumemistress, there were loads of white denim shorts inthe house left over from the Radio Ga Ga dance.

DAMOISELLE


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So, I made up some batches of dye and dipped a fewshorts in to see what would happen. Imagine mysurprise that unlike usual, they came out lookingreally good on first try!

From there I played with different dip-dyingtechniques - including dipping blue denim into bleach- as well as tie-dying cotton t-shirts and vests.

A few weeks later, the screen printing kit turned upand I was really excited. Yeah sure, dying is greatfun, but screen printing was what I was reallyinterested in. Those of you whove seen my guestpost on my mums blog (The Old Button)http://theoldbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/screen-printing-t-shirts.html will know how I got on withthat, and to those of you that havent, it went prettywell.

At the suggestion of my mum I joined Creative

Connections www.creative-connections.ning.com andI also had a stall in the most recent Craftfest event,www.craftfest-events.com.

Everyone was really lovely and it really helped methink about how to advertise my stuff - I startedusing Pinterest and Stumbleupon and I set up aTwitter account as DamoiselleD.

I made my first sale - a pair of hot pink and lilacshorts to Sweden!

Since then business has taken off. So far, Ive foundthat eBay is the quickest way to sell my products,with Facebook and WowThankYou coming in as closeseconds.Ive also been selling quite a few directly to friendsthrough my singing class and through school.

Luckily, summer seems to have hit my area for thefirst time in living memory (Im just joking - it hasbeen a while though) and because everyone wasexpecting our usual forecast of rain, rain, and rain,

everyone is scrambling to buy shorts and t-shirts lastminute which is perfect for me!

Website/shophttp://www.wowthankyou.co.uk/damoiselle-designs/

DAMOISELLE
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The British Love Affair

beach hutwith the

What is it about brightly painted beach huts thatcapture the British popular imagination? Well Ifor one love the sea and the beach and long hotsummers paddling, making sand castles and eatingice cream, so I am already a convert. I think most

people have fond memories of beach holidays andalways want to try and recapture some of theirchildhood or at least pass it onto their own childrenand beach huts are a lovely way to do that.

Beach huts have become incredibly popular in the lastfew years with some changing hands for manythousands of pounds. In June 2012 it was reportedthat a beach hut at Mudeford Spit near Christchurch,Dorset had sold for 170,000. This 18ft long woodenhut had no running hot water or washing facilities andrequired a 30 minute walk to get there. However,there are stunning views of the harbour and TheSolent and it can sleep up to six people. This is ofcourse the exception and many beach huts can beacquired for much more modest prices (typicallybetween 9,000 to 35,000 depending upon locationand amenities).Most beach huts are not designed for overnightaccommodation and their use is limited to days at thebeach; those that allow overnighting can certainlycommand a premium price. Beach huts are usually

regulated by a local council or a specificadministrative body set up to control occupancyregulations and maintenance.

There are believed to be around 20,000 beach huts inthe UK in premium beach locations such asSouthwold, West Wittering, Wells next to the Sea,Walton-on-the-Naze, Abersoch, Langland Bay, Isle ofWight, and Mersea Island.

Historically beach huts were a carryover from thebathing machines of the Victorian era where a ladysmodesty had to be protected as she bathed.

Eventually these seaside huts captured the popularimagination and evolved into the summer residence ofthe less well off. However following World War II, atime when all beaches were closed, the beach hutbecame popular for everyone both rich and poor. TheRoyal Family itself owned a beach hut in Norfolk forover 70 years (sadly it burned down in 2003,something to be aware of because these buildings aremostly wooden construction).

http://www.wowthankyou.co.uk/alfies-hut

http://www.wowthankyou.co.uk/all-fired-up

BEACH HUTS
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BEACH HUTS

Some of the oldest beach huts in the UK can be found

in Bournemouth, where they were first purpose builtby the council alongside the pier in 1909. The oldestbeach hut, number 2359, can be found inBournemouth and is now over 100 years old.Bournemouth Council are known for championingbeach huts (520 council owned and some 1,200private) and have now even introduced a beach hutwedding chapel on the beach under the West Cliff.

I think the Beach Hut is a link to a simpler timewhere everyone had more leisure time and one couldsit at the beach all day in quiet contemplation readingthe newspaper or a good book far away from work or

the cares of the world. Beach huts are perfect forthose who love to people watch you can set up yourcomfy deck chair make a lovely cup of tea and windaway the day as the whole world literally passes yourdoor. Beach huts do come up for sale but many areprized hideaways and are handed down in familiesfrom generation to generation. So if you have onetreasure it and enjoy it and make sure you use it asmuch as possible.

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http://www.wowthankyou.co.uk/firedart

It can only be a matter of time before beach huttimeshare is introduced . Ooh err, maybe Ill getonto Alan Sugar - this sounds like a business planworthy of The Apprentice J

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http://www.wowthankyou.co.uk/the-sparkly-fairy/

Written by Tracey Kifford owner ofhttp://www.wowthankyou.co.uk/
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COOKING

With Gill

Making the most of fresh

summer herbsJust a little warm weather, asmattering of sunshine and a splash ofrain and the herb garden has goneinto overdrive.

So what to do with this glut of freshgreenery? Here are some ideas thatreally make those fresh herbs sing.

Fresh Gnocchi with Oxtail Ragu and Crispy Sage Serves 4Making your own pasta takes a fair bit of practice and skill. Gnocchi on the other hand issuper easy and so much better than ready made. And its really cheap too. Ive alwaysbeen a believer in nose to tail eating and often make use of traditional cheaper cuts andoffal. But if youre really not keen, you can substitute the oxtail for braising steak instead.I recommend shin beef as its full of flavour and tender when slow cooked.

1. Preheat the oven to 200C and bake the potatoes until tender. Leave until cool enough to handle, then splitand scrape the potato flesh into a large mixing bowl. You can use the left overs to make crispy potato skins

simply drizzle with olive oil and bake until crisp and golden.2. Put the potato through a ricer or mouli, or mash really well until there are no lumps.3. Mix in the flour and egg yolks to form a soft dough.4. Roll the dough into a sausage shape and cut into 3cm pieces. Traditionally, the gnocchi should be cut

diagonally to create a lozenge shape. If youre cooking with children, you can get them to roll the gnocchiinto little balls. Flatten the gnocchi slightly with a fork and set aside on a baking traydusted with cornmeal. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up.

5. To cook the gnocchi, you have two options. Either drop them into salted boilingwater for 2 minutes; theyre ready when they float to the surface. Then drainon kitchen paper and serve. I prefer to shallow fry in a little olive oil untilcrisp and golden.

For the ragu:

450g oxtail or shin beef cut into large chunks

1 large onion, 1 stick of celery and 1 large carrot, finely chopped

I tin chopped tomatoes

Half a cinnamon stick

1 tsp dried chilli flakes

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tbsp tomato puree

1 large glass of white wine

1 tsp sugar

A knob of butter Salt and Pepper

For the gnocchi: 4 medium potatoes Plain flour Egg yolks Cornmeal / polenta / semolina


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1. Preheat the oven to 150C2. Place a large ovenproof casserole over a high heat and brown the oxtail in a little olive oil.3. Reduce the heat and add the vegetables. Place the lid on the pan and simmer gently until the vegetables

have softened.4. Add the rest of the ingredients except the butter and bring to a simmer. Place covered in the oven and cook

slowly and gently for at least 3 hours. Check the ragu from time to time, give a gentle stir and top up withwater if needed to keep the ragu moist. Its ready when the meat is falling away from the bone.

5. Remove the bones and add the butter for a glossy finish.6. Fry some fresh sage leaves in a little olive oil until crisp and leave to drain on some kitchen paper.7. Serve the ragu in warmed pasta bowls with the gnocchi placed on top and garnished with the sage leaves.

Beetroot Salad with HaloumiA brilliant way to use a pack of pre-cooked beetroot, with loads left over for another day. The beetroot salad will keepwell for a few days in the fridge.

For the beetroot salad

A pack of pre-cooked peeled beetroot (not in vinegar)

1 small carrot, grated finely

A handful of fresh mint leaves, shredded

2 tbsp white wine vinegar

Caster sugar to tasteTo serve

A pack of haloumi

A little cornflour and olive oil

Salad leaves and sliced cucumber

Lemon juice

1. Cut the beetroot into chunks and place in a large bowl with the carrot, mint and vinegar. Mix thoroughly andadd caster sugar to taste. Set aside in the fridge for an hour for the flavours to develop.

2. Cut the haloumi into 1cm slices and dust with cornflour. Fry gently in a little olive oil until golden.3. Mix the salad leaves and cucumber with a drizzle of lemon juice and serve with the beetroot scattered and

haloumi slices on top.

Mojito Melon.One for the grown-ups; a gorgeous refreshing desert with the exotic flavours of my favourite cocktail. Perfect foroutdoor entertaining on those balmy summer nights.

1 ripe gala melon

Spiced rum Sailor Jerry or Morgans

A handful of mint leaves

1 tbsp demerara sugar

Juice of 2 limes

Soda water

1. Cut the melon into cubes and place in a glass serving dish on a bed of

crushed ice.2. Crush the mint leaves in a pestle and mortar with the sugar and lime juice.

Place in a blender with the rum and soda water and blitz. Taste and addmore sugar if required.

3. Pour the mojito mix over the melon. Mix well and place covered in thefridge for a few minutes to develop the flavour. Scatter with shredded mintleaves and serve.

COOKING

I hope you enjoy my recipes. Why not follow my blog for other foodie treatswww.personal-space-interiors.blogspot.co.uk

Written by Gill from Personal Space Interiors - wwww.personal-space-interiors.co.uk
http://personal-space-interiors.blogspot.co.uk/http://www.personal-space-interiors.co.uk/http://www.personal-space-interiors.co.uk/http://personal-space-interiors.blogspot.co.uk/


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AS SEEN BYCREATIVE CraftingFollowers of our Facebook page and Twitter Account may have seen that we now offer

product reviews. This can either be your creations, your service or your course/workshopetc.If you would like us to conduct a review for you further information can be found on ourwebsite. www.creative-crafting.com/product_reviews.htmlDepending on how many products we get submitted we may offer single or multiplereviews per issue.

Our next review is of:

REVIEWS

Card People to Colour and Go!

Carddies thoughtfully provided us with two of their wonderful kits,the cave man set and the farm set. So I drafted in two of CreativeCraftings youngest team members to give them a good test.

Zac is 11 years oldJoe is 5 years old

Joe was very excited when he opened the box to see all of the little compartments inside. He soon set to workcolouring in one of the little characters. The first thing he noticed was the quality of the pencils. He said they werethe best that he had used and they stayed sharp very well. The colours also came out nice and bright.

Zac also liked the pencils but his favourite bit about carddies was the idea. He said that t

Creative Crafting August 2013

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Transcript of Creative Crafting August 2013