All Good Stuff in Sheffield

A couple of weeks ago I shared the news about All Good Stuff opening on Arundel Street in Sheffield and added some photos of the artists whose work would be available there. Well, now it's formally opened I've been back to take a look myself and I couldn't help but take my own photos to share with you!

There are lots of beautifully handcrafted and produced gifts, art, jewellery and more from a range of talented makers all connected with Sheffield and Yorkshire. It was nice to see some familiar items there from some of my favourite local makers but there was also a great variety of (new to me) work to discover. Here are some things I found...

All Good Stuff at Butcher Works, Arundel Street, Sheffield city centre

Opening Hours:
Tues - Sat 10.30 - 5.00

All Good Stuff on Facebook

Competition Time - a fantastic prize bundle from The Life of Jennifer Dawn

Entering competitions is always fun. I've even been lucky enough to win some that I've entered. The thrill of finding out you've got your hands on a lovely product for free is great...what could be better? Well, getting your hands on a whole bunch of prizes, obviously!

And that's exactly what you can do if you head over to The Life Of Jennifer Dawn where you'll find an enticing prize package of goodies - including an ephemera craft pack from Pink Flamingo Ephemera!

 

You could win:

• Your choice of a set of 4 prints from Artful Life Designs 
•  A set of 100 mommy/playdate cards from Artful Life Designs
• Yellow daisy cabochon necklace from Bluebird Cottage Designs 
• Paper garland from Bluebird Cottage Designs 
• $15 store credit to Hobbies from the Heart 
• 50 piece ephemera pack from Pink Flamingo Ephemera 
• Three pom pom garlands (mint, pink, and cream) from Earth Cookie Creations 

There are lots of ways to enter too, which means lots of chances to win!
Just click here to find out how to enter.

Good luck!

 

Let Me Introduce You To...

Vintage, handmade, upcycled. Three words that I love to hear! To me it suggests unique and thoughtful and that's exactly what I've found with these two shops from the same person.

This post is in no way sponsored or influenced. All opinions are my own and any quotes are taken directly from the people I'm writing about.

This week I'd like to introduce you to...

 

and...

Both Camp Wilder and May Tree Ark are the work of Catherine. It started with her handmade bags which are made with 'fabrics (which) are local and collected from great sources over time' and grew into other vintage finds which can be found in Camp Wilder. 

 

I love looking at vintage items and discovering lots of unique finds. What I particularly like about Camp Wilder is the sense of fun that goes with them (Catherine calls herself the 'Camp Director'!) and the beautiful way the items are photographed to show their personality. The shop is a place for an eclectic mix of finds as Catherine says, 'I can't chose between lace, melted steel or rugged military, so I don't. I let myself enjoy it all...' Although there is a wide range of finds, they have a similar feeling of nostalgia mixed with a modern taste to create a well curated collection; you can dress yourself and your home to match!

May Tree Ark is where it started for Catherine designing and making one of a kind bags. She had a problem that needed to be solved - where to keep her ID. She made a 'little fabric pouch that fit only my ID which I tied around my hips' meaning it was kept safe and she had her hands free too. Catherine says she's always been a 'practical organizer' and so as her needs changed so did the shape of her bag to store her phone and other items. This practical creation grew into her Hipshack, 'an ergonomic, useful utilitarian hip pack' as well as other beautifully created and unique bags. 

So if you're looking for vintage finds or vintage inspired accessories, you have two places to look!

Find out more

Shop on Etsy at Camp Wilder

Shop on Etsy at May Tree Ark

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Let Me Introduce You To...

This week I'm going to do something a little different with this post. Instead of introducing you to just one creator, I'd like to show you a range of talented people all under one roof in one shop. That shop is Bird's Yard in Sheffield city centre and is a collection of local designers and unique handpicked items.

There are lots of small businesses based in the shop, and obviously there isn't room in one post to feature all of them, so this is just a small selection. Obviously if you visit the shop you'll be able to discover them all! You'll find it on Chapel Walk in the city centre or click the logo below to go to their Facebook page.

This post is in no way sponsored or influenced. All opinions are my own and any quotes are taken directly from the people I'm writing about.

 

Little Denim

Little Denim, as the name suggests, is a range of pieces created using 'discarded clothing' that 'is still beautiful and very useable'. The aim is to 'transform it into other interesting things' and that's certainly what happens! On the shelves in Bird's Yard you'll find lots of interesting and often unique pieces.

Imogen's Imagination

Imogen's Imagination 'originated with burlesque roots' with the talented owner and maker Sophie's 'desire to have a new hat to wear to every burlesque night I attended and not having the funds to do so!'. The range has since developed to include a whole array of headwear and hair accessories 'to meet your needs whatever the occasion'.

You Earth Ash

You Earth Ash is a range of stunning jewellery made using 'ethically sourced semi-precious stones from Southern Brazil'. As well as making each piece unique and individual, the stones also have 'healing qualities' associated with them which are labeled next to the jewellery and add to the fun when choosing the piece you want!

Our Tiny Bees

Our Tiny Bees is a range of delicious smelling skincare made with British honey. They create 'effective skin care using the beneficial qualities of honey and beeswax' that's 'both good for you and good for British bees'. There's a whole range of their lovely products to try in Bird's Yards with information about each product to help you decide which to buy. Their honey lip balm is a favourite of mine for soothing sore lips, and leaves a little taste of honey too!

Let Me Introduce You To...

There are a number of reasons I was drawn to the shop I'm going to share with you this week. Firstly it was the use of vintage paper and old books; then I noticed a splash of pink across the top; then I realised it was a fellow flamingo!

This post is in no way sponsored or influenced. All opinions are my own and any quotes are taken directly from the people I'm writing about.

This week I'd like to introduce you to...



Frances Flamingo is a collection of upcycled and vintage treasure all of which are unique. It's the work of Beckie who at first 'only sold vintage items' but felt she 'was missing out on beautiful items' because they were damaged and not what she wanted to offer her customers. One day however she saw 'someone using old comics to découpage furniture' and a new idea was born.

Beckie decided to use the decoupaging technique not only to rescue old papers, but also to bring a new lease of life to the vintage furniture and other items that she would previously passed on because of the damage. One of her favourite items to do this with is old suitcases which 'are scratched but the integrity of the case is still intact' and turn them into unique objects to be loved again. What's great about this method is you can make pieces that mean something special for the recipient too; for her friends' wedding Beckie 'used an old book called Kon-Tiki by Thor Heyerdahl to line the inside of the case' as they love to travel.

As well as using original old papers, Beckie likes using 'new vintage looking paper and other modern prints' to create stylish pieces of decor. Her framed prints and wall art have a unique vintage appeal to them but are made more available because of this and would mix well with any vintage pieces of furniture they are in the same room with. Although there is something special about old paper too; Beckie likes to 'feel like I've given something that was loved enough to last until now a new lease of life!'

Beckie also has some great advice about having a go at this technique yourself:

"Go on and give it try, rather that throwing out your children's furniture and the books they have drawn in, make something that they will cherish!"

Find Beckie's shop on Etsy

Let Me Introduce You To...

Earlier this week I saw this on Facebook and I think I'm coming down with a case of it...

In particular I'm suffering symptom 2 (although how can window shopping on the internet be 'suffering'?). I can't help when I see something beautiful and vintage to investigate a little further. And that's how I found this wonderful shop full of vintage French items.

This post is in no way sponsored or influenced. All opinions are my own and any quotes are taken directly from the people I'm writing about.

This week I'd like to introduce you to...


Ma Maison Francaise is a large collection of vintage fabrics, homewares, kitchenalia and other treasures found in France. They date from a range of ages and many have 'never been used, just stored away for decades' meaning they are still in great condition and very useful. There are lots of lovely quintessential French pieces and looking through the shop is like being transported through time to a rustic French town.

The shop is the work of Joan who is an 'avid collector of antique and vintage linens'. Since moving to France a few years ago this collection has grown and the list of items has expanded so they are now available to buy too as Joan believes 'these beautiful things should be used as they are just too lovely to be hidden away' and I couldn't agree more! I think a beautiful piece should be seen and be admired, even if just as decoration if it's intended use isn't practical to you. 

As it says in the diagnosis of 'Vintageitis' above, there's something very exciting about things that are newly discovered. This sounds very odd when talking about vintage as by their very definition there's nothing new about them. However, to a modern eye in a different country the newness is finding different patterns, colours and products that although are 'old' to others are 'new' and full of wonder to some. (Which reminds me of going into an 'antique' shop with my mum the other day, to me it was lots of undiscovered treasures, to her it was a reminder of her childhood! She wasn't too impressed they were called antiques...)

This discovery is something I think Ma Maison Francaise offers you. It's finding a different time and place and with it being a themed collection rather than lots of various vintage finds (which I also love) you do feel like you're discovering a hidden world rather than just a few items.

My favourite part of this world has to be the kitchen:

Find out more...

Shop at Ma Maison Francaise 

Let Me Introduce You To...

Last year on this blog I had a weekly feature showing the work of one of my favourite UK crafters. I love to look through other people's work and creations and share the passion that goes into the pieces. While doing my research (it was research, not just window shopping!) I found lots of wonderful people who were either outside the UK or were vintage sellers rediscovering rather than creating treasures.

So, for a new year I'm having a new way of working this weekly feature. I'm broadening my searching and bringing you lots of new non-UK and/or vintage sellers to be introduce you to, and hopefully love their work as much as I do.

This post is in no way sponsored or influenced. All opinions are my own and quote are taken directly from the people I'm writing about.

This week I'd like to introduce you to....


 
Catwalk Creative Vintage
Catwalk Creative is a home for wonderful vintage pieces including quality, hand picked clothing, accessories and homewares dating from the 1920s - 1990s. There's a great range of pieces all kinds of tastes and budgets and it's wonderful looking through all the unique and retro pieces to find new favourites.

My favourite way to spend an afternoon is wondering around an antique centre or vintage shops looking at all the unusual and fun items for sale. However, I'm no expert when it comes to what pieces are or their history, so I love finding someone who does know and wants to share that knowledge. That's what I love most about Catwalk Creative Vintage's site, as well as buying items you can find out their story too as well as lots of additional information and suggestions - just like having a personal shopper!

Catwalk Creative Vintage is the idea and work of Louise who has been buying and selling vintage items for nearly 10 years. She established her own online emporium in 2008 selling a whole range of stylish items for you and your home. As well as running her own business, Louise is also a member of the Vintage Fashion Guild who are a great resource of information on and promotion of vintage items. She says of them 'we are committed to providing excellent customer service and accurate information' which, if like me you know little about vintage, is a reassurance that what you buy is genuine and good quality. 

Louise sources the items she sells from a range of countries and contacts so she can offer a varied and unique collection where you can 'be sure to find something special to add to your own collection'. The wealth of knowledge she has gained from her trading means Louise is also able to offer lots of useful advice about subjects such as caring for clothing and accessories, vintage clothing sizes and suggestions of outfits and collections from different decades. 

A piece of advice from Louise- In order to keep your precious clothes in good condition, wash them less...
a good airing can often work just as well for removing odour without damaging the garment.

 

(Any excuse to do less laundry is fine by me! I'll have to buy more vintage clothes as an excuse.)

For Louise vintage means items 'over 20 years' which have had a previous life and use. There are other shops I've seen who use this cut off point to sell anything and claim it as 'vintage' when it's just 'stuff' that was made a couple of decades ago. Catwalk Creative hand picks quality items to truly represent their era and give you a proper vintage piece. This commitment to offering the customer quality pieces means that Louise has established a 'sterling reputation in the vintage clothing industry' (and with over 150 five star reviews in her shop on Etsy.com it's clear others think so too!).

These are some of my favourite items from my favourite era from Catwalk Creative:

Find out more about Catwalk Creative here:

Catwalk Creative's website and shopping

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My Favourite UK Crafter of the Week - quirky dolls and decor from Cut and Tear

You know when you see something for the first time and instantly need to see more? That's exactly what happened when I saw one of Cut and Tear's retro paper dolls. I'd never seen any like them before so was intrigued to find out more. And I discovered a lot more beauties too!

As usual, this post is in no way sponsored or influenced. The crafter featured is genuinely a favourite of mine; all quotes are the crafter's own and the opinions are mine. So, with this in mind this week's UK Crafter of the Week is...

Cut and Tear 

I have to say something to start with. I've bent my own rules slightly to feature this week's crafter; although based in London for a long time, Kate (the crafter behind Cut and Tear) grew up in the Czech Republic and now lives and works in Munich. But I love her work so much I'm counting the years in the UK here!  And looking at her wonderful creations I'm sure you'll agree with me that it's okay and worth it, especially as she admits, "Craft wise, I belong to Britain and its uniquely quirky craft aesthetics."

Retro articulated swimmer doll £6.00 each Cut and Tear

Kate's beautiful paper dolls are based on her original drawings and designs. When I first saw them I loved them but then thought 'what are they for?'. Kate suggests using them as bookmarks (a wonderful image of the woman's head in her swimming cap poking out of the top of a book!) and I think they'd also make lovely original artwork in frames. As well as paper dolls, the lovely ladies are also transformed into different formats including brooches, dolls and magnets.

Mini brooch - Marie Antoinette £4.00 Cut and Tear

Working as an art teacher for over 15 years, Kate has built and shared her skills developing her style and range of products. Like many creative people, she started young with a "passion for craft" and was particularly inspired by her female relations who "were small geniuses that saved and transformed every scrap in reach." This has influenced her work today and she loves to use discarded materials and "stuff that no one needs or wants anymore" to make her original creations and pass on the idea of upcycling and making unique pieces to her students.

Eleonora comfort doll £20.00 Cut and Tear

A wonderful example of Kate's reusing of old objects is this unique idea for an advent calendar which is cased in an old DVD case. The string and pegs are ready to hang one house with a doll illustration on it each day. The packaging adds the element of upcycling and a joyful, quirky edge that all Cut and Tear's products offer; and for Kate "the joy is multiplied when in the process a material has been saved from a scrap heap."

Advent calendar garland £16.00 Cut and Tear

To find out more about Cut and Tear take a look here:

Cut and Tear's website
Shop on Etsy
Cut and Tear's blog
On Facebook

My Favourite UK Crafter of the Week - wonderfully illustrated accessories

I can't resist a cute illustration, especially when it's an animal - and even more when it's an animal that's dressed up! That's what drew me to this lovely shop where I discovered lots of drawings, both animals and others decorating a range of accessories. 

As usual, this post is in no way sponsored or influenced. The crafter featured is genuinely a favourite of mine; all quotes are the crafter's own and the opinions are mine. So, with this in mind this week's UK Crafter of the Week is...

Illustrated Goods By Zyzanna

All of these wonderful creations you're going to see are based on original drawings by Zyzanna - although she admits this isn't her real name, it's 'what I've been called by friends and family since I was 14'. I think this is a great name to reflect her work - it's original, different and fun! As I said above, I can't resist an animal that's dressed up and this is even more true when it comes to cats. Obviously, dressing up real animals isn't such a good idea (although I keep trying to get my brother to dress up his cat but for some reason he won't let me) so drawings are the best way to see this! This little kitty is all ready for winter in his chunky jumper.

Cat in a knitted jumper shopping bag £10.00 Zyzanna

Not all of Zyzanna's creatures are dressed up though; some are just as nature intended such as the lovely barn owl brooch below. Zyzanna 'discovered what an amazing material shrinky plastic is' and has made lots of unique jewellery using it based on her original drawings. And this isn't the only brooch she makes; there are a range of different birds and even some lovely trees for them to be mixed with to create a lovely jewellery woodland. 

Barn owl brooch £7.50 Zyzanna

Zyzanna has always loved drawing as says it's something 'I seem to do ALL the time'. She's known since she was little that she wanted to be an artist and this childhood dream has come true having graduated in illustration from the Edinburgh College of Art and set up her own business. She originally drew pictures such as the one below and still sells them but realised she could also apply her beautiful drawings to other items to produce a whole range of accessories. 

Berry picking print £15.00 Zyzanna

Currently Zyzanna is based in 'rainy' Edinburgh and this has clearly influenced these earrings! (There's also some other lovely raindrop based jewellery in her shop too). I love the idea of having a set of three earrings to interchange and wear in your own style - they also come in different designs so swapping between the sets would create some interesting combinations too! 

Rain drop earrings £10.00 Zyzanna

To see more of Zyzanna's wonderful work take a look here:

Zyzanna'a website

Shop with Zyzanna 
Zyzanna's blog

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My Favourite UK Crafter of the Week - beautiful embroideries, cushions and other treats by Mirry Mirry

Just a warning first. It's impossible not to fall in love with this shop - once you take a peek you'll want to see everything in there! And all the profits are donated to the charity Invest in ME who fundraise for research into the cause and cure of ME. Another great reason to take a look around (and maybe start planning that Christmas list...)

As usual, this post is in no way sponsored or influenced. The crafter featured is genuinely a favourite of mine; all quotes are the crafter's own and the opinions are mine. So, with this in mind this week's UK Crafter of the Week is...

Mirry Mirry

Mirry Mirry is the crafty creation of Mirry as a place to sell her work. She's not always made embroidered and sewn items but started it as a hobby when she became ill in her early 30s and had to give up a career she loved in the travel industry. Mirry wanted a hobby as been at home meant you need to 'find new ways to help you pass the hours in the day' and first took up cross stitching but 'didn't like being told what to do' so turned her skills to free hand embroidery instead! This allows her to create works are art which are her own designs and ideas and make them one of a kind - like this fun Halloween picture which combines printed fabric and 'blood burgundy' embroidery.

Halloween Embroidery Picture £14.53 by Mirry Mirry

As well as embroidery Mirry also enjoys sewing and spends 'hours and hours ... scouring for new fabrics' to create her projects with. This adorable cushion uses a printed fabric cut and stitched to maximum effect to create a cute character. Mirry finds a 'great joy in crafting' which clearly comes across with the bright colours such as these that she chooses for many of her pieces as well as the delicate details in others.

Japanese Doll Pillow £15.17 by Mirry Mirry

Mirry loves the fact that she's able to sell on Etsy as it gives her an opportunity to keep on crafting as she 'couldn't bare to see a cupboard full of crafts without a home'. Everything she makes would make a beautiful gift for someone and I think this is great as reading about Mirry and her work it's clear that she enjoys crafting and sharing her work so giving it as a gift carries on this idea. She loves 'all beautiful materials' and will 'only ever work with premium quality supplies' which means you can rely on buying something special for your loved ones. These little lavender pillows would make a lovely present for lots of occasions.

Set of 3 Embroidered Lavender Pillows £11.06 by Mirry Mirry

It's wonderful to look around Mirry Mirry and read the stories and inspirations behind pieces as well - something that makes buying handmade and direct from the creator even more special. This picture is based on a watercolour Mirry created and turned into an embroidery, the yellow background fabric 'represents the sunny day'. Being able to get these details makes the pieces come to life and shows the thought and care it takes to make something. And Mirry says herself she loves 'observing the works come to life' as she makes them.

Embroidered Picture - Been Swimming £24.64 by Mirry Mirry

So if you're looking for some little gifts and treats and like the ideas of supporting research into ME at the same time, take a look at Mirry Mirry.



To see more of Mirry's work take a look here:

Mirry Mirry's shop on Etsy

3 Eco Friendly Ways to Make Wedding Decorations

Weddings are fantastic occasions.  Lots of celebrations, family and friends and decorations make them a wonderful time. But how can you help to cut the costs both financially and environmentally? One way is by getting crafting and upcycling!

Upcycling to make your own (or a friend's) wedding decorations is great for a number of reasons: 1. It's eco friendly; 2. it saves money; and 3. you can make it much more personal and meaningful for the happy couple. Here are my 3 favourite ways to craft for the big day.

1. Upcycled table confetti

Confetti looks great to decorate a table and to help it match in with the colours of the wedding.  You can easily make your own using paper punches in a favourite shape and an old book, map or sheet of music.  Does the happy couple have a favourite book? Is there a special place they've been too - or maybe are going to on honeymoon? What's a significant piece of music in their lives? Use these as a starting point to make it really personal.  And as it's made of paper, it's recyclable too!

This confetti is made from maps of Devon and Cornwall.

2.  Upcycled wedding favour bags

It's easy to make a little favour bag from the same type of papers as the table confetti.  I found the best way to make them the first time was by taking apart a little favour bag and using it as a template, which you can then adapt when you've tried them a few times. Again, it's a great opportunity to really personalise the celebrations. Do make sure the paper is thick enough though.

This favour bag is made with a blank page from the back of a book, ribbon from a gift and an upcycled  paper rose (see my 'how to...' page for details).

3. Empty glass food jar flower holders

Save some jars from foods such as mustard, mayonnaise and jam, give them a good wash and use them to put flowers in as table decorations.  You can tie ribbon around them too for an extra touch.  I always save ribbon from parcels, presents and even hanging loops from tops I buy so these could be used to go with the upcycling theme; they won't all match, but if they're in the same colour or pattern family they'll give a nice eclectic look.

These two mustard jars are decorated with ribbon saved from other places.

These are just 3 ways to make some eco friendly decorations.  There are loads of others too and if you're interested you can find lots of ideas by googling, looking on Pinterest or letting your own imagination run free!