Tuesday 11 December 2012

New Items on Etsy

Good evening all,

Is it just me, or does anyone else find themselves consumed with the computer after tea-time?? Anyway, it seems to grab hold of me and doesn't let go, whether it's updating files, adding pictures or adding items to my store, the time is 22:46 and I have just tweeted about new items added, before heading here - it never ends! But hey, I am NOT complaining :D

So, the reason I'm here. I have just added 5 new items to my store! Well actually, added  2 and re-listed 3. They are:

(From top, then left to right) Busy Flower Flat Base Make-Up Bag, Large Country Kitchen Print Tote/Bag, Roll-Up Reversible Red Dotty & Floral Tote/Bag, Pink Fan Floral Flat Base Make-Up Bag, Large Shopping Bag/Tote Bag in Green, White & Cream.

They are all items I love to make and I have made some of them to use myself. I really enjoy the designing and take inspiration from all over the internet and books, but my favourite part is making them up. Of course, if I sell some then even more the joy!

Head on over to my Etsy shop for more details and more pictures, pass it on to your friends and/or tweet about it, or just leave me a comment!

Have a great day (or sleep as it is in my case ;))
Julie.

©  FMN Crafts 2012

Monday 10 December 2012

Craft In The City

Hi all,

So, I love living in Nottingham, not only for it's culture and diversity, its age, Nottingham Castle and Wollaton Hall and beautiful gardens etc, but also for it's Craft Fairs! For all the weekends though December, there is a company called Craft In the City http://www.craft-inthecity.co.uk @Craft_InTheCity running Fairs at Waterstones Book Store and this weekend, Dave and I went to take a look. It was lovely. I have pinched a few people's photo's and named them here, so although I wasn't exhibiting on this occasion, I think it's worth promoting.

Ceramics by David Pantling
 Dawn Feeney (Jewellery, find on Facebook) and Textiles by Wild Goose Designs
 An action shot! By Louise Wright
 And her at her stall with all her goods
 Metal Jewellery designed by Nottingham Trent Uni graduate Natasha Thorogood

Knitted Textiles by Janie Withers 

And this is their advertising poster for this year - there is still time to visit!

It has a really nice feel to the fair and you will see on they're website they run fairs at other venues throughout the year too. I hope to exhibit at as many as I can! Maybe see you there....

Have fun today,
Julie.

Sunday 25 November 2012

Chalk Board Coasters & Frames

Good afternoon all,

I have been working on these items recently and now that they are finished, I can share them with you. They are listed now on my Etsy store if you would like to take a closer look here.

This is my first Chalk Board Notice Board:
 This is my Cupcake design Chalk Board:
Both of theses were real fun to make, even though the chalk board paint took ages to dry! Patience is the virtue though and I really enjoyed designing and making the frames.

I also made these chalk board coasters:
I made these because it can be a little confusing sometimes to know whose drink is whose and so I thought well, lets chalk board the coasters. I am of the mind that whenever there's a problem, there is more than likely a solution...this is a solution to an old age problem!


I know there will be more to come soon, so check back again please and if you'd like to make a comment, please do! I'd love your feedback.

Take care, Julie.

©  FMN Crafts 2012

Wednesday 7 November 2012

First Etsy Sale!

Oh yes, you know from the title, I made my first Etsy sale today! It was for my beautiful Red Dotty Lunch Bag and it was purchased by the beautiful MT. I thank her SO MUCH for making me so excited I almost split my lip! :) Incredibly happy. After all this time of designing and making and posting and hoping - I get a sale on Etsy. Wow. So far, I have made sales to neighbours and friends and oh my goodness yes that is great, but I must say, selling my items online is even better, as it really is truly 'out there!'

Thank you again MT, I am forever grateful. :D

So, calming down a little, perhaps you may want to make a comment? Don't want to be greedy or anything, but I don't have any comments, on any post yet, I would love to get another first soon. I am really trying to put myself out there - I even made flyers and leaflets today for distributing through our dolls house miniature business, local businesses and I plan to do a neighbourhood drop too soon.

Anyway, this is what I sold:
So, I guess I'll be making more of these real soon then! I hope MT loves it as much as I do...

Thanks for reading, comment if you like now please ;) Julie. x

© FMN Crafts 2012

Saturday 3 November 2012

Large Wash Bag & Possible Tutorial

Wow, this one took some making - for yet another neighbour. She had asked me to make a large wash bag, in oilcloth and I had never worked with that material before (too scary) and so I bit the bullet and had a go. And I bit a few more bullets too, in fact, I could have used them. For real. Why is it so hard to make a seemingly easily rectangle bag?

Anyway, this is the result...
After much experimentation, waste bin useage and a few holey fingers later, I made this large, as in 14" x 8" x 5 1/2" wash bag, that has a pink rose print on the outside, similar to Cath Kidston's Provence Rose and white oilcloth inside, to make it easy to wipe out the spilt shampoo, you know how it is. Inside I made 9 pockets of various sizes to hold all her goods. I sure hope she likes it!

It went from this:
To this:

To this:
To this:
To this:
To this:

And so on.....looks easy, right? I was going to make it oilcloth inside and out but I was having no luck - plus I couldn't find a fine floral print oilcloth, so I settled for this. It was tricky working with the two materials, but I enjoyed it! I love a challenge...

I took loads of (other) photos as I was going along and I hope to turn it into a tutorial, perhaps you could let me know if you would like that? Or perhaps you would like to just make a comment on what you see today...?

Hope you are having a lovely weekend, whatever you are doing. Bye for now... Julie. x
© FMN Crafts 2012



Friday 2 November 2012

Facebook

Hi all,

I have eventually got around to joining Facebook! You can take a look here. As I have only just started there isn't much there yet, but friend me and keep up to date with new items as I make them...

Thanks for looking, perhaps you could 'like' something or leave a comment...come on, you know you want to... ;)

Saturday 27 October 2012

Draw String Bag

Afternoon all,

I got asked recently to make a mini draw string bag, to hold a ladies powder compact, measuring 6" tall x 4" wide, and so I made this...


Do you like it? I just love this material, it is so similar to Cath Kidston's Provence Rose and looks perfect with the red dot; so fancy and feminine. Fortunately, I had ribbon that matches the red spot too, so it all works so well.

I made two while I was at it and am just about to add the second to my Etsy store, so I hope, in the nicest possible way, not to see it for long! It can also be used to hold handy packs of tissues, your mobile phone and some cash or whatever you like...just grab and go.

Let me know what you think. Of course, I can make to order and in any size you wish too...

Have a good weekend and if you are in the UK, don't forget to move the clocks back an hour tonight... ;)


© FMN Crafts 2012
 

Friday 26 October 2012

Patchwork Wrist Go Bags



Hi all,

I have been bust making an order for a neighbour recently and I just wanted to share the items made with you here… She wanted three little bags for her nieces for Christmas, where they didn’t need a whole bag of ‘stuff’ to take with them on their daily trip to the shop or newsagent, just a little bag for their keys, their mobile, their cash and maybe a debit card or something…so, I thought about it and came up with a 'patchwork wrist go bag’. What do you think?


I made them quite padded, so if they were dropped it wouldn’t damage a mobile or iPod inside; I made three different sized internal pockets for cards or tissues and a lip-balm and then made a generous wrist strap to hold. I also added a little loop for if they want to connect their keys to the outside for even more quick and easiness. I thought about adding an outside pocket too, but I thought that may be a bit much! I really liked doing the patchwork, although it takes a long time, but I think it is worth it. :)

Here they are packaged and ready to be passed over the fence...

I am going to make some more of these, now I have made the pattern, so look out for them soon in my Etsy store! I think I will make some of a smaller size too, maybe without the key tag or something...I'll see! Of course if you have any ideas, please feel free to tell me...

Thank you for reading, comment if you like, have a nice day. :) Julie.
© FMN Crafts 2012

Saturday 20 October 2012

Button Bracelets

Good Saturday Afternoon all,

I have made some cute little button bracelets I would like to share with you here, all of different designs and colours and are so cute, they can be worn by practically any one! And at only £4.50 a piece, I am hoping many can't resist... ;)


Please take a look and let me know what you think here.

Happy shopping! Julie.
© FMN Crafts 2012

 

Friday 5 October 2012

New Items in Etsy Shop!

Woop! SO I have been able to finish off and add four items to my Etsy shop!
 Red Dotty Make-Up Bag
 Pin Cushion
Music Picture Frame
Green & White Tote Bag
I only tend to make one items at a time as I have SO many ideas running through my head and want to have a go at them all - so if you take a look and like something, and want to buy it, do so quick before anyone else does...if I sell something fast, I will make more!

If you want to pass this on to friends of yours, please do so, the more exposure the better! Thank you.

Have a nice day :)
© FMN Crafts 2012

Wednesday 3 October 2012

Bad Back :(

Hey people...

So you know how I mentioned a while ago about having back problems? Well yeah, I have back problems. I went to my GP, she said yah-de-yah it's mechanical and it's the way I've been positioned. She said to have physio, if I want, take paracetamol, if I want and exercise. If I want. So, since then, as far as making stuff is concerned, I've done diddly-squat. My new all-singing-all-dancing stool has been relegated to the old desk (I think it played a part), my sofa is out of bounds as it's too soft and I have been alternating between lying down, sitting awkwardly and walking around. Pants. I am unable to remain still for longer than 3 minutes at a time and I am thoroughly cheesed off. >:[

However, I have been 'pinning' a lot recently (only thing I can do) on Pinterest, perhaps you can take a look when you get a min and I have 1 follower! Woop. Life is worth living after all...

Happy shopping. :)

Friday 14 September 2012

Project Eve

I just joined a company called Project Eve where they say they are the ultimate business network for women. I have no idea if they will be able to help me in anyway, and it seems they are quite new themselves - they don't half send out a lot of tweets! It's not that I think I need much help with business due to the fact that my husband's business has been running for over 20 years successfully with me at his side, but it's just that I have a new audience with new projects that are new to me. So any help / exposure I can get he better. Which reminds me, if I'm talking to air, no can do, but if you are reading this, you're a real human being, do you think you could comment and let me know some one is actually there please? Thank you.

And so, I also wanted to say that I haven't made any new items over the last few days as my husband and I decided to get a new floor (wood) in the hall, which is being fitted next Tuesday, and so we've had to rip out the old carpet and re-paint the whole hall, wiping down, rubbing down, undercoating and gloss etc. Joy! BUT, at the same time, I decided to re-paint the bath room too. More joy! Bad choice of timing as I am trying to get busy on my business, and we also have a massive exhibition coming up next weekend AND a wedding to attend this Sunday!

So, again, more real and relevant news coming soon (as soon as). Let me know what you think so far and let me know what you do to fill your day!

Thanks for reading. Julie. x

Tuesday 11 September 2012

9/11

Although I know nobody involved, connected to or affected by personally, I just want to say that I am thinking of all those who are involved with the 9/11 tragedy. God bless all and to those who suffered as a consequence of, be strong.

Next Chapter

OK, so I have actual backache from sitting here and working on the Internet for so long. Is that normal? Is it normal not to know what the weather is like? Is it normal to stop blinking and only realise when you can hear them trying? And look above, I have made a new banner thingy! Not totally satisfied but working on it...Perseverance required Julie.

So, again, you may have noticed a few other changes on here. (Of course, I hope I am actually talking to a live somebody and not to air - if you are reading this, please let me know...) Anyhoo, as I was saying, differences. There's a page above that links to my Etsy shop! Woop. Bring out the flags! I have about 6 items on there so far, I have been busy taking pictures, editing and uploading and writing descriptions and all that, as well as trying to eat & sleep. There is still quite a lot more to do on it yet, but it's getting there. Waiting nervously for my first sale... 

 This is a Large Country Kitchen Print Tote / Shopping Bag
 Heart Print Pot Holder
 Red Dotty Lunch Bag

Also, you can now click to follow me on Twitter and Pinterest. I am actually quite new to Pinterest and I LOVE it. I could spend hours upon end on there. If fact I have, as you probably guessed. That must be why I have dry-eye... The craft rooms on there are really fascinating to me and one day when I grow up I'm going to have a fancy room like them. At the moment, I have a 'workshop' (the spare room) that I share with my husband and all his miniature making, so it's really cramped. But manageable non-the-less. Sure, it would be lovely to have more space, but as long as the products turn out right, that's all that matters right? 

I digress. If you would like to take a look on Etsy, I would appreciate it. You may see something you like. If you would like to follow me on Twitter, please do so. And if you wish to look at Pinterest, go for it! Have a nice day, thanks for reading. Julie.xx

Saturday 8 September 2012

Announcement

Hi all,

Just a little quick one to say I have just opened my Etsy Shop! There is only one item so far (I am very tired, must go to bed, got to be up at 4.30am for an exhibition in Stafford. Yawn!) and so much, much more is to come... Go take a look for now anyway! Thank you. Oh and if you do so, could you please leave a comment here? And hey, the first one to comment gets a gift. OOOoooohhhhh! 

Etsy Shop :)

Thanks for reading, Julie. x

Monday 3 September 2012

First Post!

Wow, I actually took the plunge and made a blog. Cannot. Believe. It. I must have been living under a rock. I should have done this a long time ago, but I always thought "who's going to want to read my blogs? What am I going to blog about?" There are SO MANY interesting blogs out there that I feel a total novice. Well, I am, so please bare with me!

I am a 'crafter', and by that I mean I do crafty things. No, not that kind of crafty things, I make crafty things. It's not going well.

So, I make things.
I make bags and pin cushions and aprons and picture frames and make-up bags and things like that. Here's a little picture of some of the things I make: You can also see some items I have made on Flickr here.



I think you may be able to read about me in my profile, but for now: My husband and I have a business together already, established in 1991 called Forget-Me-Not Miniatures. You can take a look here. We make and retail collectable dolls house miniatures and accessories in the 1:12th scale, meaning for those who don't know, any 'real' sized item can be made into a miniature at a ratio of 1 feet to 1 inch. David makes all kinds of furniture and garden wears and specialises in Tudor furniture, and I make the food and accessories. I have made many items you may consider crafts, i.e. blankets, tissue boxes, aprons etc and I had the urge to get back into making real sized items too, so here I am! And as a business name, I chose similar, in Forget-Me-Not Crafts. Soon I hope to sell on Etsy, Folksy or otherwise and at Craft Fairs - I guess I'll let you know!

I hope to post regularly and I hope you enjoy - I have no idea how this is going to go... :)

Happy crafting... Julie. x