Mystery Monday

Well I'm glad to say that this Monday I have enough time to squeeze in the Mystery Monday blog before retuning to the building of our new website.
So this week I am pleased to announce our featured business is Gifts by Jenny run by Jenny Andrew.  From personalised photo frames, hearts, letters, magnets and plaques there are plenty of sweet little items that can be finished with a message of your choice.
Being an old romantic at heart (aren't we all really!?)  I just love this heart plaque that was commissioned by a gentleman for his fiancee - so thoughtful and personal I'm sure she was over the moon and what a beautiful and original love token - well done that man!

One of Jenny's latest items are these great little fridge magnets ideal as a thank you gift for a much appreciated teacher.

Jenny's decorated letters can be used for all sorts of reasons - a gift for a child's bedroom with their name on the letter, a wedding gift with the initials of the bride and groom or buy a set to spell out a word which can be used to decorate any room in the house - Home, Love, Bathe, Cook just some of the ideas I had but the possibilities are endless, all you need is some imagination.

I just love gifts that can be personalised as the recipient knows how much thought has gone into it.   So finally I would like to share this beautiful personalised photo frame which really sums up how a gift can be made really special with a bit of thought and a few well chosen words.

Show your support for handcrafted items by joining her facebook page today which also has a selection of items for sale.

You can visit Gifts by Jenny on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stafford-United-Kingdom/Gifts-by-Jenny/115423815148349?v=wall&__a=16

Until next time, take care, Susanne x

Busy, Busy!

Sometimes it feels as if there are just not enough hours in the day!  This week I have been busy starting to build a new and hopefully much improved website.  Building a website is always a challenge when you are teaching yourself as you go.  This time I have decided to go with Weebly which is not only free but has been recommended by several other crafters with pretty websites.
The biggest problem with our current website is the size of the images in the online shop.  Unfortunately they are quite small and although you can click on them to enlarge the photo, I find that from a personal point of view I prefer to visit a website and see nice, bright, clear images of all the prodcuts for sale.
So it is back to the drawing board and the homepage is now complete and looking pretty good if i do say so myself!
I have also been busy taking photographs of our new 'Highland Colours' collection.  Thankfully yesterday was a dry and fairly bright day in Glasgow which allowed me to get out into the garden and take a few snaps.  I plan to redo a few that I'm not completely happy with but here are a couple to give you an idea of how the new designs are looking.

There are a couple of other colours and bracelets and earrings in the collection but I hope you like what you see so far.  Susanne x

Mystery Monday on a Tuesday!

Well I know it is officially Tuesday but as I had a rather hectic day yesterday I did not think it would be fair to write a rushed blog for the sake of it as I wouldn't have done our featured business justice.  So here I am on a Tuesday with my coffee all ready to tell you about this weeks Mystery Monday, BlackCactusinLondon, run by Anna Jackson.
With a mixture of hand printed and vintage fabrics, Anna produces items that are fun and useful, always a good combination.  When I first came across BlackCactusinLondon it was when Anna was asking about feedback on her hand printed cushions covers. With such lovely colours and bold prints there was of course, plenty of positive feedback given.

These are two of my particular favourites although there are plenty of other designs to choose from in her Etsy shop.  They are machine washable and can be gift wrapped if requested which is a lovely personal touch.

If you are looking for a quirky shopper then Anna has a few for you to choose from, my attention was caught by these unusual bags using vintage McDonald's fabric.

Of course, working with prints and fabric you would expect to find some lovely items that you can wear and Anna has thought of those too!  If like me you look for something stylish to wear to the gym then Anna's speciality peeved rabbit design, hand printed cotton tank top is just the thing.

In her shop you will also find a range of buttons and corsages so there is something for everyone.  If you have not done so already, please join Anna's facebook page as she will be doing a giveaway when she reaches 100 fans.  She will be giving away this handprinted peeved rabbit design shopper to a lucky winner when she reaches her fan target.

To see more of Anna's work follow the links below.  Until next time, take care x

http://www.etsy.com/shop/blackcactusinlondon?ref=seller_info

http://www.facebook.com/pages/BlackCactusInLondon/126871154010462?v=wall&ref=ts