Sold

Yay, I can't believe it. The technical problems have been sorted on my Folksy shop and I've already sold my first 2 items. After I'd paid my Folksy bill and bought some envelopes to send my stuff out to the kind people who'd bought my items I was only 1p in credit, but hey it was 1p I didn't have before. I was feeling a little despondent with the set backs, like I just couldn't seem to get a nice photo of my stuff because my camera was playing up and the technical problems with my shop, but now I've sold some items it's spurred me on. I'm not kidding myself it's not going to make me a fortune, especially with the fees you have to pay for having the shop, but I suppose you have to look on the bright side. 1p is 1p.

Problems, problems.

I've finally got my folksy shop up and running, or so I thought. There is a technical problem when entering new items into my shop but the nice people at Folksy are trying to sort this out. It's just a little fustrating as I'm eager to sell the items I already have to make room for making new ones. Let's hope the problem is resolved soon. I have managed to put afew items in my shop for people to buy, the link is  http://folksy.com/shops/elizacrafts so please take a look at my shop and feel free to comment on the look and items available any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Busy, busy,busy.

As the title says I've been busy. After 3 years of card making I was looking for a fresh challenge. Don't get me wrong I still love card making, I just found that I was getting card makers block. I thought giving some other crafts a whirl could bring some fresh ideas to my cards. 
I'd already tried my hand at jewellery making so got all my beads out and made some bracelets and beaded bookmarks. Ideas were just flowing from me so I didn't stop there. My sister had recently lost weight and gave me a huge bag of her old clothes to use. I hate waste and got started on recycling what I could. Lucky for me my sister likes wearing interesting patterns and tasteful colours and before I knew it I'd took one trouser leg and made some cat shaped keyrings and the other leg is currently being turned into a stuffed rabbit for my daughter. I'm also in the process of making a rag doll I've designed from scratch. I'm sometimes quite impatient so before I knew it I'd got at least four projects on the go so if I'm going to get them finished I'd better go and get back to being busy.
I will post pictures of all my finished work and I'm planning on setting up a Folksy shop as soon as the kids are back to school after the summer so watch this space.

Craft Fair

I was supposed to be doing a craft fair. I was all ready with my bookmarks and professionally packed Christmas cards packs but unfortunately it fell through. Not to be disheartened too much, hubby took all my wares to work and I sold loads, which was rather encouraging. I was working so hard on my items I haven't left much time to make my personal ones so I'm off to get cracking.

Blogging Success

I've actually managed to add a gallery to my blog. Well done me. It's only a small selection of the cards I've made but now I know what I'm doing(I think) then there will be more to come. I've also managed to add a gallery of my bookmarks which I'm very proud of. I'd love to hear what anybody thinks of my creations so if you do ever come across my blog please say Hi. 

The Creative Craft Show

The day before yesterday I went to the Creative Craft Show. This is my third show and I was just as excited to go this time as the first time I went. They've moved it to the Trafford Centre instead of the centre of Manchester which took a little more planning to get there, but I wasn't going to let this stop me. I went with my mum and sister and as we walked towards the doors with my shopper bag over my arm and my purse in hand my mum said to me 'you look like you mean business'. I love this show. I start with a budget and always spend every last penny of it and wish I had some more to spend afterwards. In fact I'd already spent my budget by the time I was two thirds the way round and was gutted when I spotted one of the last stalls I visited was a treasure trove of buttons and ribbons at knock down prices. Hope that stall is there next year.
I was one of the first people to be let in and headed straight to my favourite stall which it seems most people head to first as within minutes of me being there it suddenly felt like a plague of locusts had joined me as hands started grabbing bargains all around me. The stall is 'Every Crafts a Pound' and they never disappoint. I managed to snag myself some great cupcake and Smirk toppers, a 3 in one tool which was a craft knife, pokey tool and embosser. I also got some lovely paper flowers, gems, brads and more. The great part is that if you pick 12 items you only pay for 10, I just don't know how they do it. Their website is also brilliant with tonnes of bargains. If you're a keen crafter you must get to one of these shows near you, it's now become the highlight of my year.
The kids are back in school tomorrow so I'm planning a day full of crafting with my new crafty products so watch this space because I'm going to attempt to include some pictures of my cards soon.    

Favourite time of year.

September is almost upon us and it's my very favourite time of year. Not just because it means the kids are back at school and that the new autumn colours with be starting to show on the trees but because this is the time of year when I first starting crafting. I remember it so well because My daughter had just gone back to school and my son was just starting in nursery. I felt I need something to occupy my time while they were out of the house(not that the housework doesn't keep me occupied enough) I felt I needed something just for me. I've always loved making things from a very early age. I bought my first soft toy making kit at about 8 years old and loved it so much I bought more. I was also making projects I'd seen on the telly and from craft books I'd been bought all the time.
 I scoured the craft section in the Argos catalogue looking for ideas when I spied a Christmas card making kit, which I bought and have never looked back. I was hooked. I would drop my little boy off at nursery and race home to make my cards. Three years later my craft stash has grown and there's always a new technique I'm dying to try.
As soon as I feel the crispness in the air and start sorting the the kids uniforms in case I need to buy more, I can't help feel excited as it reminds me of that first card making experience. It also means that for a crafter that Christmas is just around the corner. Christmas cards are my very favourite type of card to make because my cards can get more sparkly than usual.