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

October Birthday Ideas

With September drawing to a close and October just beginning I've taken the opportunity to do some virtual shopping and party planning for anyone with a birthday soon. Nearly everyone I know has a birthday in the first half of the year so I love this excuse to keep thinking birthdays!

I think it's great when you can make a birthday extra special with a few little personal touches that mean something to the birthday boy or girl. And with this in mind I've created these mini guides for the month.

Here are my October inspirations:

• the birthstone for the month is opal which is linked with hope and innocence
• the flower for the month is the marigold. Also in season are calla lilies, freesia and lily of the valley
• October is named after the number 8 in Latin
• autumn is in full swing with beautiful gold, orange and red colours
• spooky celebrations are creeping in ready for Halloween at the end of the month
• seasonal foods - figs, celeriac, mushrooms, apples, beetroot, globe artichokes, pheasant, lamb, oysters

 

Birthday Gift Ideas

1. Marigold Necklace £18 at Etsy.com by Because of Annie A real flower set in resin

2. Orange Opal Earrings £6 at Folksy.com by Beadish Delight

3. Set of 8 1920s Dessert Plates £51.28 at Etsy.com by Yonks

4. Autumn Leaves Cushion £44 at WowThankYou.co.uk Free Spirit Designs

5. Fig Scented Candle £10 at Folksy.com by Simply Pretty Beautiful

6. Apple Tree and Bird Birthday Card Set £6 at Etsy.com by Pink Flamingo Handcrafting

Autumn Party Decorations

If you're decorating a party or dinner table for an October birthday the beautiful colours of autumn make a great palette to work with.

A beautiful autumnal table at French Country Cottage

Food Inspirations

For me autumnal food really comes into its own in October with lots of comforting and delicious food. In season this month (based on UK seasons) are figs, kale, cabbages, beetroot, celeriac, grey mullet, oysters, apples. lamb and mushrooms amongst others. 

For my virtual October birthday dinner I'd make a creamy mushroom soup as a starter, grilled lamb with celeriac mash and cabbage for the main course and finish with a delicious apple crumble. (I might make this anyway - why wait until a birthday for an excuse?) My recipe for plum crumble can be found here and it's easy to adapt it to make an apple crumble. Just cut the apples into cubes and put them in a saucepan with sugar to taste and a spoonful of water. Cook for a few minutes until soft then use this as the base instead of the plums. 

So, there are some ideas to make an October birthday celebration even more thoughtful and special; after all they do say it's the thought that counts!

A Start to Christmas Shopping - Some Gift Ideas

I've often written on this blog about buying handmade items and all the great reasons that go with it. Yesterday I worked another shift in Bird's Yard in Sheffield and it was great to hear customers' comments about why they liked all the handmade and unique finds there. The most frequently heard was 'it's so different in here' (usually accompanied by a big smile!); people really appreciated the variety of goods on offer and how they offered alternatives to the latest trends on the High Street. The shop is a collective of individual local designers and vintage sellers who each have their own space and offer items they make and like based on their own tastes, skills and ideas - which is why there's such an eclectic collection.

Another comment I heard a lot was related to Christmas shopping and how Bird's Yard will be a great place to do that. That got me thinking and having a look around too making a Christmas list for my friends and family, and one or two ideas for me too! I've been working on items to take to craft fairs this week in the run up to the festive season and realised I'll be very busy in the usual shopping time so I'd better make a start now with some of these...

Gifts For Friends...

 

 Gifts For Family...

Gifts For Those Who Already Have Everything...

...I bet they won't have any of these unique finds!

Just For Me...

So, there are some ideas to get your Christmas shopping list started. If you're in and around Sheffield and starting your shopping be sure to stop by Bird's Yard on Chapel Walk. Not only will you find unique and beautiful gifts for your loved ones, you'll be supporting local designers too.

My Favourite UK Crafter of the Week - Shabby Chic by Found in the Loft

I found this shop a while ago and love the shabby chic creations in it. I also contacted the owner to ask if I could share her work but didn't hear back for a little while, but with very good reason - a (very) new baby! I'd got in touch practically at the point of arrival (great timing!) so things were a little hectic over there, but it's back to business now. So as well as sharing this lovely work, I'd also like to share a 'Congratulations!'

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...

Found In The Loft 

I love this name. 'Found in the Loft' conjures up images of vintage treasures left forgotten for years to be rediscovered and loved again; it also suggests something connected to your family, something familiar and comforting. And that's the feeling I get looking through this lovely work. The shop is the work of Misia who got the name for it as 'the first ever items sewn by myself were made using old fabrics, cottons and buttons found in my husband's grandmother's loft.' Although Misia now uses a mix of new and upcycled fabrics, the overall tone still has this wonderful vintage feel to it. This cosmetic purse could quite easily be made out of an old family piece re-loved to become a new useful item (you could even invent your own history for it if you don't have a loft to rummage through!).

Shabby Chic Cosmetic Pouch £8.50 Found in the Loft

As well as creating her own pieces, Misia also revamps furniture giving it a shabby chic makeover. She not only offers it for sale, but also likes to make items for her own home too saying 'there's always something that needs updating in my house'. Making and repurposing your own decor gives you a feel for what's needed by others in their homes and helps the designer try different techniques to share with their customers like this beautiful coffee table painted and distressed by Misia.

French Cottage Shabby Chic Table £70.00 Found in the Loft

Found in the Loft was started in 2011 when Misia realised that her 'personalised gifts appeared to be very popular especially amongst new parents' after making them for friends and family. Looking at these adorable elephant dolls it's easy to see why! As well as making the nursery decorations, Misia makes their little outfits too and is happy to work with her customers to create them in different colours and even personalise the dolls. (Now I'm thinking of baby and elephant having matching outfits!)

Elephant Doll £18.00 Found in the Loft

Misia believes 'that handmade and personalised presents are more valuable' and I have to agree. How much more would you appreciate a gift made just for you than (even though they might be lovely) a mass produced item? Someone taking the time to find something just for you is a great gift in itself - the old saying 'it's the thought that counts' becomes truer every time I see a customised gift. I would much rather have one beautiful and thoughtful present than lots of nice things that I'm not sure where to put (although my inner child would probably disagree - shouts of 'I want lots of presents to unwrap' can still be heard on Christmas morning! But this is soon quelled when the gifts are opened). This canvas print can be made with any meaningful words you'd like and hung on the wall is a great reminder of what's important to you.

Personalised Family Canvas Print £35.99 Found in the Loft

All of Found in the Loft's work is beautiful with a vintage yet modern feel. As well as reminding me of past heirlooms, I'm sure Misia's work will become ones for the future too!

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

Shop on Etsy
Facebook
Found in the Loft Blog

Why Buy Handmade? Part 2

A few weeks ago I wrote a post about buying handmade sharing the views of some fellow crafters. I'd asked around for anyone who'd like to be included, and I'm still getting people wanting to be involved! So I thought I'd write part 2 and share some more lovely handmade work with you.

The original post got a lot of views (it's been one of the most popular this month) showing just how important and appreciated handmade is and how much interest there is in crafts. In times when things aren't as good as they could be financially, there's a certain fascination with handmade products invoking thoughts of care, great quality and value for money; one great handmade piece is more special than lots of mass produced goods. And being able to buy something unique or personalised means a lot more too. Sometimes people think that handmade should be 'cheaper' but when you think of the time and skill that go into producing a piece, paying a little extra for a cherished piece is well worth it in the long run.

Beautiful handmade earrings by Divina Locura

The handmade earrings in this photo are a recent purchase of mine and illustrate what I love so much about handmade items. I kept seeing pictures of these and thinking how gorgeous they looked, but not having pierced ears I was just drooling over them rather than jumping at the chance to buy them! Then I contacted Maril (all the way over in Argentina) who makes them and asked if it would be possible to make a pair as clip ons for me - and she was happy to do so! Can you imagine walking into a high street store and asking that - and the answer you'd get? Because I bought handmade I'm the happy owner of a gorgeous pair of earrings. 

And here are plenty more reasons why handmade is so great...

 Gemma from You Sew Should thinks:

The design, planning and creation of handmade items are interwoven with love from the creator. This encourages crafters to create unique individual items, which they cherish. This make handmade items even more special, because they have been cared for from the moment of the first beginning of the idea for that particular piece.

Marlene from Welsh Witch Knitting makes a good point about knowing how something was made:

Why buy hand made? Would a machine ever tell you that ... (my) gowns are knitted from the neck DOWN, not from the bottom up as is normal., Or that, after having to pull out and reknit a couple of rows after an error , that I calculated that there are in excess of 14,880 stitches in the skirt alone of ... (one) gown. I actually enjoyed the challenge, as it made the knitting interesting, plain knit and purl knitting is boring. If you read the blurb at the top of the shop, I usually see something, either in my mind's eye or in actuality, start giggling, and reach for my needles . How many people are stuck in dead end jobs, doing something they hate?, Whereas I have retired once, become bored , and started on a third career.

Handmade Christening Gown £60.00 Welsh Witch Knitting

Karen from Yarns and Fabrics adds:

Enjoy handmade goods - you are taking home a piece of the artist when you buy handmade

Knitted Wool Scarf £29.50 by Yarns and Fabrics

Julie from Ivy's Table makes a great economic point:

Buying handmade helps to support a more diverse and eclectic economy

Hand Embroidered Purse £55.00 by Ivy's Table

And Kelly from FunkTJunk summed it up with the words of Bananarama!  -  "It ain't what you do - It's the way that you do it."  

Upcycled Fridge Magnet £2.00 Funk T Junk

So, now you have lots more reasons to buy handmade! And with a certain season just around the corner why not treat your loved ones to something special, unique and personal with a handmade item?

South Yorkshire Country Markets - wonderful local produce

I recently discovered a very well kept secret here in Sheffield - South Yorkshire Country Markets. That's not to say it's been a secret with everyone, they've been going for over 90 years! Basically it's a collective of local producers, craftspeople, bakers and cooks who together run regular markets selling their items under one name.

My local one is at Broomhill in Sheffield and has been running for a number of years. I just happened to be chatting with someone one day when it was mentioned, so I had a look on their website and then went along one Saturday morning to find out more. And when I got their I discovered a talented group of local producers and their wonderful produce!

There's a delicious range of food including bakery items such as bread and cakes; preserves and pickles; savoury meals and snacks ready to warm up at home; and locally grown fruit and vegetables. A lot of the prepared foods use seasonal and locally grown ingredients, and after trying a few of them (I had to if I was going to write about them!) I have to say they are wonderful! One of my favourites, which I could easily become addicted to, are these buttermilk and honey rolls with caraway seeds; they're irresistibly soft with a beautiful mix of flavours that I've never found anywhere else. That's what's great about markets like this - such a different range of new foods to try!

Locally made buttermilk and honey bread rolls - delicious!

The food is very popular with local customers, people were queuing up outside before 9am ready to buy! There are baskets available to load up with your choices (which many people did) and a big enough range to make it a great shopping opportunity to stock up for the week. The producers offer regular favourites as well as new and seasonal produce so there's always something different to look at and try - including a sweet potato and lentil dish this week which had sold out before I got a chance to buy one!

Just a small selection of the cakes on offer

Some tempting savoury dishes are available too

Alongside the foods are a range of different handcrafted products. This is what drew me to the market in the first place. I wanted a new place to share my work and hopefully find some new customers so became a member and took along some cards, gift tags and jewellery. They sat alongside the work of talented local craftspeople to create a beautiful table of gifts and treats. You could choose from wooden ornaments, hand sewn decorations, jewellery, greeting cards of all kinds, skincare and knitted baby clothes and toys. Although not as popular as the food (they aren't edible after all!), they offer customers a chance to buy something unique and special for themselves or a loved one.

If you find yourself out and about on a Saturday morning in Sheffield looking for a lovely and unique shopping experience, call into the market at the Scout Hut on Spooner Road, Broomhill (there's a sign outside, you can't miss it!).

There are 5 regular South Yorkshire markets:

• Sheffield - Saturdays 9 - 12 (Spooner Road, Broomhill)
• Doncaster - 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month 10 - 3
• Holmfirth - Saturdays 9.45 - 12.15
• Penistone - Thursdays 10 - 2
• Tickhill - Fridays 10 - 11.45

You can find out more about the markets at their website:

South Yorkshire Country Markets

My Favourite UK Crafter of the Week - Cute and Fun Jewellery from Jackdaw

If you saw my post earlier this week about the Christmas cards I've been making you'll have noticed I have a fixation with Russian dolls. Every time I see one somewhere I have to stop and have a look, and that includes online too. So imagine my delight when browsing around one day I saw a whole collection of Russian doll jewellery! Taking a closer look I found some other fun finds 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...

Jackdaw Jewellery

Jackdaw Jewellery is the work of Christina who's based in Wales where she handcrafts all her quirky and unique accessories. She chose the name Jackdaw as they are 'mischievous little birds and full of character. Much like myself and I believe my customers!' and also because 'they like shiny things'. I think this name really suits Christina's work with its fun characters, colours and designs as well as the wonderful shininess of the resin which is one of her favourite materials to work with.

Matryoshka Russian Doll Brooch £5.80 Jackdaw

This pretty bunting necklace is a great example of what can be done with resin. Fabric samples were used and printed to plastic before being coated with with thick resin to give them an amazing shine. Christina says the necklace was inspired by 'summer garden parties' and each pastel coloured flag does bring back memories of the summer, which seems so long ago now on these chilly mornings! This piece would be great for helping you remember sunny days all year round. 

 

Bunting Necklace £12.25 Jackdaw

Christina describes herself as a 'jewellery fanatic' who is 'lured in by the sight of something shiny' and also has a love for rings which 'knows no bounds'. All of which come together in this fantastic gold leaf and resin ring (something no real life jackdaw could resit swooping in for!).  For me this ring sums up what I've seen of Christina's work; it's bold yet delicate and a unique piece sure to stand out in any jewellery collection. The ring is part of the Opulence range - and you can certainly see where it got its name from!

Gold Leaf Resin Ring £6.19 Jackdaw

Christina has been making jewellery since she was at school and has developed it into a passion today. She admits that her first pieces were 'amateurish' but loved the idea of wearing something she'd created and that was unique. Her skills have certainly developed over the years! All of Christina's work look spectacular with its bright colours and clean lines. And what I love the most about this jewellery is that feeling of uniqueness which is still at the heart of Christina's creations.

Ivory and Pink Resin Stud Earrings £6.45 Jackdaw

 

Christina will also soon be launching a new series of poppy jewellery to raise money for the 2013 Poppy Appeal. Look out for it as a great way to help contribute to the appeal.  

 

You can find out more about Jackdaw Jewellery and see lots of gorgeous items here:

 

Shop with Jackdaw Jewellery

On Twitter

Jackdaw Jewellery's Etsy shop