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January planning

Finding January overwhelming and how to get through it

January 23, 2020

I usually love January with all its newness; the blank page waiting to be filled in. I love all the planning and having fun thinking about all the exciting things I’m going to do in the year ahead. However, this year’s January is feeling rather different…

Bullet journalling for blogging

My first year of bullet journalling – what I’ve learned so far!

January 3, 2020

First of all, a very happy new year to you all – I appreciate you so much. Writing to no-one isn’t much fun, so it is lovely when I see how many of you come along to my blog for a little look around. Thank you! I hope you have an amazing 2020! …

should you work for free?

Should I keep working for free? (Creative business advice)

September 11, 2019

Sometimes I am reminded why husbands can be a good idea to have around. I was telling him about how I’d got caught in the sales funnel of yet another Women In Business stream of emails. I’d clicked on one with a video called 5 ways to reclaim your time and how I had to watch it twice incase I blinked and missed the advice. It was just a video of pointless waffle of no practical help, but if I wanted more, I could naturally buy her course…

New Forest Fairy festival 2019

The New Forest Fairy Festival 2019

August 21, 2019

I’ve had a Threads of a Fairytale stall (apart from last year) at the New Forest Fairy Festival since it began, when it was little more than a small fairy market and a few volunteering bands on a tiny stage. Now it has grown into an amazing summer festival, however, I’m still somewhat traumatised by this year’s one…

review of things are what you make of them by adam j. kurtz

A review of ‘Things are what you make of them’ – Life advice for Creatives by Adam J. Kurtz

Rain kindly bought this book for me for Mothers’ Day, and I’ve since managed to fit in the odd five minutes here and there to read it. That’s one good thing about Things Are What You Make Of Them – it doesn’t take long to read! Oh that makes me sound like I don’t like it, which isn’t true. It’s a book for the current generation who take their entertainment and information in snippets; in bite-size chunks of Instagram stories. There are even perforated edges so you can choose your favourite little pages of words of wisdom to put up on your copper magnet board next to the foiled print that says Eat Sleep Create….

Glastonbury Frost Fayre

How to shop at Craft Fairs – Advice and 10 Dos and Don’ts

December 8, 2017

Christmas is on its way! You may start to see more posters going up at the school/church/town hall/community centre etc for craft fairs. It’s the perfect chance to support local people, businesses and the event, which is usually for charity or raising funds for a community group, but before you go, please read this…..

What shall I get him for Valentine’s Day?

February 8, 2017

Men are so difficult to buy for aren’t they? I’ve been with my guy for twenty-five years now, and trying to think of something to buy him for Valentine’s Day doesn’t get any easier. I was pretty impressed with myself last year as I bought him a nickel skate-board (well, a cheaper version of the real thing anyway); I thought it was something a bit different and he’d mentioned he’d quite like one. This year, I’m a bit stumped. He doesn’t want any novelty or display items because he’s run out of places to put things like that in his study. So while I was looking around, I thought I’d share some of my favourite gift ideas that might help you out as well…..

Your Best Year 2017 by Lisa Jacobs, book review

January 12, 2017

This is a productivity workbook and online business planner and I first discovered last year’s version in March. I’m very excited to actually be starting this where I should be – from the beginning! I had a quick flick-through when I bought 2017’s planner in December. Take a look at this You Tube video for my first thoughts and comparisons. I’ve now spent the last three days properly reading the book and filling everything in ready to start the year; so I’m now ready to write the review….

Why I’ve decided to turn down work

September 7, 2016

This post is about my Oshun clothing business that you might have heard me mention one or two times, or have spotted the links on the right hand side there! I thought it might give food for thought or be useful for anyone else running a handmade craft business. I have recently turned down the opportunity to make a whole family different Clash of Clans costumes, and have since had two more requests for the Witch character’s costume for Halloween. This is why I said no….

Leatherwork course at The Cherry Wood Project

September 2, 2016

I’ve never done a craft course before, but I chose leatherwork as my interest in it has developed through my pyrography and making small pouch bags for Oshun Creations. I didn’t really know what to expect, but gave my camper a fresh MOT and off I went for my first weekend away in it this year!….

Ideas for handmade Fathers’ Day gifts

It’s the time of year when we celebrate everything wonderful about our Dads and show them our appreciation with a cup of tea, a card and maybe a present. Or if you’re a mother, it’s time to make sure your kids are getting their act together! Avoid rushing to the supermarket on Sunday to buy whatever they have left, and order something today that’s a little bit different. Of course, as usual I’m encouraging you to support small handmade businesses….

The story of an entrepreneur – Vikki Herbert from baby sling company, Wrapamore

In the 1970s my Mum bought a baby carrier from Mothercare that was so good, she kept it in the loft until I had my own children. Everywhere I went with my babies strapped to my front, people asked me where I got it from because there was nothing like it on the market at the time. It was large enough to offer head support and keep their legs warm, when the only alternative in shops were tiny strappy things that did neither those things. The down-side was I did feel like a blue and white striped kangaroo with this big pouch in front of me. Occasionally at Glastonbury Festival I’d spot an Earth Mother with their baby in a sling and was envious of the style, but had no clue how to go about making or buying one. Thankfully for parents nowadays, you have websites like Wrapamore, who offer the perfect solution to carrying your babies with you. I asked Vikki more about her company….