Monday, 30 November 2009

Feeling Inspired after Handm@de!

Well, another success for the Handm@de team! Big thanks to Becci from momentsbymartha whose organisational skills yet again meant we all had a wonderfully successful day! 1300 people came through the door at the last count, and I had a lovely day with my next door neightbour, the adorable cloudhopping. Her fabulous crochet hats were FLYING off the shelves. Also worth a mention was beadsbysam's gorgeous little boy, just learning to crawl and so cute! I loved her long necklaces too. The usual faces were there as well, pennydog, who seemed to be doing a roaring trade, and quercussilver, who as usual was rather lovely and grumpy, and tried to persuade me to buy her bangles again, which I love every time I see them!

Hattastic had the most wonderful display, and I bought some great earrings from Lilley who made adorable stuff like this.

I feel a bit more inspired now, since the fair, and plan to really get down to making stuff for next weeks' Handm@de offering in Cambridge - the second one we are doing there this year. I have a plan for a Christmas decked with baubles filled with cute jewellery as gifts, but I need to get my wiggle on and order some baubles! Here are some photos of my display! I think it was alright, at the last few hours I moved the Bow Necklaces off the stand and onto the table, and they starting selling so I might not bother with the stands on Saturday.




I must also thank snapdragonbeads, whose husband drove me home through pouring rain and traffic, and now I've left my wallet in the back of their car, which was extremly stupid of me.


Tuesday, 11 August 2009

Where have I been?

This is good question. I haven't been very well. I went on holiday a few weeks ago to Devon - the night before we left I discovered I had a lump along jawline/neck area on the left side of my face. Panic ensues.

I rang NHS direct and they told me to go to the doctors immediately, but of course, we were leaving for Devon the next morning so I had to spend the whole holiday fiddling with the lump, worrying about the lump and talking about the lump. I think I annoyed everyone with my enthusiasm for lump-based conversation.

When we got back I went to the doctor straight away who said I had an issue with my lymph glands, this may have been contributing to my recent tiredness and lethargy. She put me on a very long, strong course of antibiotics, which is making me feel horrendous, really tired and miserable. I'm not sure if it is my imagination or not but I *think* the lump is going down slightly. I really, really hope so, because even though I smoke, the thought of having cancer is terrifying, and more so because of my little boy. I've been very upset about the situation. If the lump hasn't gone down in three weeks when the course ends (CAN I carry on feeling this sick for three more weeks?) I'll have to have a biopsy.

I'm not looking for sympathy, I just wanted everyone, especially my handm@de girlies, to know that I'm not just flaking out on twinklyspangle and craft fair stuff. There is a genuine reason behind my disappearance the last few weeks.

I'm also behind on my orders so I'm hoping to catch up with things and actually start making some new stuff next week. I have loads of ideas for new jewellery but some days I literally cannot get up out of bed, which is somewhat a hindrance to creativity.

So, if you are waiting for a twinklyspangle package, I'm really, sincerely, super-sorry and I hope you can understand that I haven't not sent it through spite or maliciousness, I just haven't been very well and will get things sorted asap.

Wednesday, 8 July 2009

Handm@de!

Well, it's been a busy few weeks! My internet is cut off at home right now due to mainly financial issues. We hope to have it reconnected by the end of the week - this is why I haven't been able to blog very much recently! Unless you live on another (non-crafty!) planet, you'll know it was Handm@de Winchester at the weekend, run by the usual http://www.blogger.com/Handm@de team, which includes me, MomentsByMartha, Raspberry, Snapdragonbeads, LazyGiraffe and Smokingdrum. Alice from Raspberry was the leading light this time and I have to say, the fair was fabulous! I easily made back my table fee and had some really great feedback about my stuff - the quality of items in the hall was really high and I had some lovely long chats with Nonsuch, Nimu Yarns and All Fired Up. I also met the adorable Frankie from Swell Vintage, who I have never come across before but was so nervous - she needn't has been as her necklaces were fab - they are all made from unique vintage parts, and her friends also snapped up some of my bow necklaces!
I'm already looking forward to the next fair, and plans are on the go for more Handm@de fairs in more locations, so keep an eye on our website at http://www.handmadefairs.co.uk/.

Here is a photo of me looking rather fat next to my lovely table-sharing partner Kate from Paperleaf - she was the perfect table buddy as we sold totally different things and had a good laugh during the day aswell :) I think I need to iron my sheet next time!


Friday, 12 June 2009

***LOADS*** Of Fab New Pieces On Website!

Just a quick update to say I have spent the afternoon putting lots of fab, girly new stuff up at http://www.twinklyspangle.com - EVERYTHING has free shipping over there right now!

HAWAII HULA! New Range Launched Today!

I'm so excited about this fab new range. I've designed every aspect from scratch - the colours of the hand-drawn charms, the type of chain, the shape of the flowers. It's just been released in my Etsy shop today, and to celebrate my extreme happiness over this matter, I am giving FREE shipping for any purchases including a HAWAII HULA piece!

Clockwise from top:

I would LOVE to get your feedback on this - It's my first full range for a while. As you may know I haven't been feeling great recently. Then I was struck down with a virus and was very ill for a few days. I think my recent tiredless and lethary has been part of this virus in my system but I am feeling much better now and have reduced my day-sleeping by at least a few hours, although obviously, I'm still napping a little - it's a working-from-home perogative!