Tuesday 29 July 2014

Here comes the sun… do do do do do!


Hello!

Well, the Summer has finally arrived which means I can sit out in the garden (while my fiancé mows the lawn) and think about new pieces to make and new avenues to take not only Hearts and Crafts UK, but my fiancé’s art page, Art by Edwards.

We both feel that we need to diversify and add new strings to our bows, so while we have been decorating our house we have been talking about new ideas, and we think we have decided on something new.  I can’t say much just yet, as the plans are being put in place, but let’s say we are very excited.  It’s something we are both passionate about and we can really put our heart and soul in to it, which will in turn reflect in what we are hoping to bring to you.

I will still be keeping Hearts and Crafts UK going, as will my fiancé with Art by Edwards, but we feel this new avenue we are exploring would work better being a stand alone entity, plus as it’s a joint venture, we can keep it all under one roof. 

There are still new pieces of jewellery that need to be listed in Etsy (www.etsy.com/shop/heartsandcraftsuk) so I will be listing those bit by bit.  I have learnt not to list them all in one go, as when they expire, a big chunk of my shop disappears and then it’s a race to get more added!  I decided little and often is the way to go… wish I learnt that sometime ago, but you learn as you go along I guess.

I still have new ideas for Hearts and Crafts UK that won’t be part of our new venture, as it will not fit in to this area, so once I’ve got the finishing touches done I will be listing those too, and hopefully they will be well received.

Until next time, enjoy the Summer while we still have it!

Friday 27 June 2014

Late blog post!

A late blog post again, I know!

I have begun filling up my Etsy shop (the first of the new items can be seen to the right of my blog) and I will continue to fill the shop with new items every couple of weeks, so there will always be something new being added in! I’ve made a nice summery bracelet in pink colours which looks lovely, and there will be matching earrings to go with it. I will be able to make this with other colours too, so if you would like it in another colour variation (blues and greens, oranges and reds…) then let me know your request, and I will try to match it. There are currently some new necklaces and earrings in the shop that are an antique bronze/steampunk look, including musical notes, owls and birds. I’ve recently sold a necklace to the USA, so that’s two of my items sold through Etsy that have go to The States, which I’m pretty chuffed about.

In between wallpapering and painting I’ve been think a lot about the interior of the new house, and the vintage look that both me and my other half want, so, the sewing machine will be coming in to action!!! I’ve found some owl material in Dunelm so I’ll be making some curtains to put up in our craft room and will also look in to making a range of items to sell in my Etsy shop. I want to branch out and diversify my business so while the sewing machine is out, I’ll be hopefully making some new items to sell through Hearts and Crafts. I have lots of ideas, just not enough time to do it in! For those of you who are interested in shopping for handmade and vintage items, the following up and coming fairs in and around the West Midlands will be a good place visit:

Saturday 28th June Bantock House and Gardens, Wolverhampton https://www.facebook.com/events/233022796892369

Saturday 28th June Codsall Village Hall, Codsall https://www.facebook.com/events/393596530781233

Sunday 29th June Sutton Coldfield Town Hall, Sutton Coldfield https://www.facebook.com/events/399840123488487

Saturday 5th July National Brewery Centre, Burton On Trent https://www.facebook.com/events/267163043455946

Sunday 6th July Coven Memorial Hall, Coven https://www.facebook.com/events/1473069366259361

Until next time, enjoy the sunshine... although, looking outside at the rain and thunder that's happening, I think we've had our summer!!!

Tuesday 15 April 2014

First Craft Fair of 2014

Firstly, I have to mention that my webpage is currently down at the moment (www.heartsandcraftsuk.com) I'm not sure why, and I'm waiting for the hosting company to get back to me.  I will be moving the hosting, possibly have it on a divert to somewhere, but at the moment I'm puzzled as to what is going on..... I have paid the bill, honestly!

Now, I'm starting to prepare for my first craft fair of 2014.  It will be at The Perton Civic Centre, the building next to Sainsbury's in Perton, Wolverhampton.  It is being held on Saturday 17th May 2014, and is on from 10am - 4pm. 

 


 
There will hand made crafts ranging from cakes and sweets, to jewellery and papercrafts, even glass and something for gardeners... there will be such a wide selection of crafts under one roof, you will be spoilt for choice!
 
Since watching the Great British Sewing Bee, I've been sewing a lot more.  I'm currently brushing up on my quilting by making a little needlecase, as I'm going to turn a few items of clothing into a memory quilt, in memory of my Dad who passed away this year.  I want to do a good job, so brushing up on the basics first!  I'm also going to make an advent calendar for my niece, as I think it will be a nice keepsake for her, and my brother and sister-in-law can fill it will goodies for her, year after year.
 
So thats what been happening at Hearts and Crafts HQ since I last blogged..... oh, and the weather also took a turn for the better too! x





Thursday 13 March 2014

What a start to 2014!!!


Hello everyone.

It has been (yet again) a while since I last blogged.  This has been due to a few things that have happened this year.  To be honest, it’s been a rather poor start to the year.

I lost my nan on 26th January, and then lost my dad to an aggressive form of cancer on 12th February, moved house on 17th January and been to two funerals in two weeks.  Needless to say, 2014 has been awful so far!  As much as I want to curl up in to a ball, switch the lights off and hibernate for the rest of the year, I can’t, so I need to start and focus on things again and get my brain back in to gear.

So, I have been making some plans for the future, and also looking at new avenues to take Hearts and Crafts UK (www.heartsandcraftsuk.co.uk ) and I have a note book full of ideas, especially since I found my sewing machine during the move.  Once the craft room in the house has been sorted, I will start to show you the new items I’ll be making and selling, so I would love your opinions and comments on them, if you all wouldn’t mind?

I have been posting on Facebook recently, so if you are on Facebook, please join me over there, too: www.facebook.com/heartsandcraftsuk

Thank you for reading this and I’ll post again real soon, with a photo of the craft room!

Wednesday 1 January 2014

A fresh new start

Hello, and welcome to my new (ok, not so new) blog.

Firstly.... Happy New Year!

I started this years ago, as some of you may remember, and it just fizzled out every time I made a new post.  I have decided that a blog may actually be beneficial to me, and to others who read it.

I've deleted all the previous posts that I have done, as this is a fresh start for me, not only with my business, but also in my personal life, as I have got engaged and brought a house, too.  Fingers crossed we should have the keys to the house this month, and you know what, my fiancé and I can not wait to get in and start work on the house.  It needs a lot of decorating but we have an idea of how we want the house to look (we are going down the vintage route as it's a style we both like) so I can't wait to show you all the before photo's and the one's along the way, too. 

Business wise, I have been working on new ideas and avenues to go down, and I'm really excited about the future of Hearts and Crafts UK, and with the help of my artistic fiancé, 2014 should be a very creative year for him and me.

If you would like to see my work, you can through the following links:

www.facebook.com/heartsandcraftsuk

www.etsy.com/shop/heartsandcraftsuk

www.twitter.com/heartsncraftsuk

And, if you wold like to see my fiancé's work, you can here:

www.facebook.com/ArtbyEdwards

I hope you enjoy reading my ramblings on, and find my blogs useful and interesting.  I will be posting links to interesting sites and, of course, keep you updated on the artistic goings on with the decor of the new house!