My first Sale on Coriandr

To celebrate my first sale in my shop on Coriandr I've decided to feature some fellow sellers from the site. If you have never heard of Coriandr I'd advise you to go and take a look at the site. It's easy to navigate, has lots of fabulous handmade goods and everyone I've had contact with from the site are friendly, helpful and very talented. Let me show you some of the goods on sale there.

Indie Café Lounge is the creator of this honey and almond soap. Due to it containing real honey it is bound to be very moisturising as well as smelling yummy. It has added oatmeal that acts as a gentle exfoliator. Handmade bath goods are definitely the best in my eyes!

I love the glamour of Kiss Curl shop. The hats, fascinators, and hair accessories are cute, sexy and fun. They have echoes of days gone by when style and romance went hand in hand. This feather fascinator is just gorgeous!

Dan Jackson's sense of humour is very similar to mine judging by his photographs. I think his ability to capture the essence of absurdity and put a new spin on everyday objects is fabulous. Check out his shop for "Death by Chocolate" and "Cereal Killer", hehehe!

I was so wowed by Frute Juce's fabulous baby vest I just had to share it with you. The skill Alison must have with a sewing machine to be able to freehand embroider this much detailed is amazing. It reminds me of the skilled etch-a-sketch pictures you see.

Now regular readers will know my love of the colour orange so they won't be surprised by the fact I have chosen to share this bracelet from Lilyja. Isn't the colour divine? Bright, cheerful and very pretty.

So that's just 5 of the gorgeous goodies you can find over on Coriandr. If you are looking for lovingly created handmade goods, talented crafts men & women and like the look of the items above, you'll love the site. Go along and take a look around. Just see how many fabulous items you can find.

Written by Lynne of PiratePixieCrew and Hyperloop Hoops

Charming Chainmaille

Where did the sunshine go? I woke up this morning to dark grey skies and drizzle. So to cheer my day up I logged onto Artfire to check out new listings and the first item I saw, top of the front page was a beautiful hand crafted chainmaille necklace. It really lifted my spirits to see such an unusual piece...

LeafLee was the creator of that item and this is it. I think it is gorgeous! From it's flattering V shaped lines to the materials used to make it, it is just fabulous. Did you notice yet that it is made from recycled soda can ring pulls?

This lead me to searching for more chainmaille items. Barbs Designs created this rainbow coloured full Persian style bracelet. It's so pretty and just the right for brightening up a grey day like today.

Marion's Dream Works presents these very elegant and stylish Tetra orb chainmaille earrings. They are made from solid silver wire and Capri Blue Swarovski Crystals. They would suit all occasions.

This bracelet from Carol's Creations in some ways reminds me of beautiful serpent skin. The way the chainmaille links are fitted together creates a pattern that echoes the shapes found on the most regal snakes skin.

This very fine detailed sterling and pearl necklace from Red Panda shows so perfectly that chainmaille isn't all just about big bold chunky pieces. They can be delicate chic looking pieces like this. Utterly stunning!

Chainmaille comes in many shapes and sizes and after checking out what was on offer for sale at Artfire this morning I think there really is something there for everyone, from those that want a large statement piece to wear through to someone that wants something simple and elegant. There are items for men, women and children. Chainmaille is so versatile and as you can see from the above items the masters of the craft can create the most gorgeous jewellery with it. It has really lifted my day writing this article. Thank you all you chainmaille artisans.

Button up!

Are you, like me, a button collector/hoarder? I know it’s a bit sad but buttons makes me really happy. Not only is there an endless amount of different shapes, sizes and styles but it’s also the ultimate recycling. Most of my button collection has been donated to me from a friend’s mum. After hearing that I had started making and selling purses and brooches, she sent me her button collection to me in the post- it’s amazing! In return I sent a purse, with a button design made using a few from the collection. Next thing I know another button collection arrived, from someone I’d never met – but had heard that I was collecting buttons!

Anyway, enough about me, let’s see some handmade items…

These gorgeous blue button earrings are made by Bethany Allen. Her shop also contains a matching bracelet and necklace. There’s even a special, discount price if you buy them altogether. They are simply perfect for a posh evening out or a wedding.

This amazing dial phone design iphone case from hiné, is made using thick felt and buttons. It even has a little pocket at the back for your headphones. This shop also contains an equally delightful ‘camera camera case’ - it’s definitely worth a look! Check out her Flickr account too.

I love Dorset buttons – here are some lovely handmade buttons from bigbluebed, linked together to make a cute bracelet. This type of button was handmade in Dorset, surprisingly, until the industrial revolution, which brought with it a button making machine.

An incredibly cute card with buttons on from bybelinda. It’s such a lovely item, so simple but really stylish. This really pulled on my heart strings!

Lastly we have this ace orange and blue bracelet from milomade. It is packed full of vintage buttons and beads. Milomade has used vintage buttons in a variety of ways to produce a gorgeous selection of bracelets, brooches and phone charms.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my little button selection today. I better get back to sewing my own buttons (on brooches). I’m trying to finish of a few promotional items today, and an apron for a small child. Maybe I’ll sew some buttons onto the apron too. Why not!

Written by Rose of felt Giraffe

Going dotty

I just adore polkadots - whenever I’m in a shop my eye is drawn the anything with colourful dots, and items on-line are no exception. Today I’ve chosen some beautifully dotty items, in the hope that you guys will join me in my enthusiasm. As I’ve found you can pretty much find them on any different type of item… jewellery, purses, brooches and even knitting needles, as you’ll see!

This frame pouch by Yunisacs is so classy, unique and well made. The purple polkadot print is so cute and works really well with the pink floral design - a perfect valentine’s day present!

I’ve had my eye on these beauties for a while now! I keep telling myself once I learn to knit then these will be my reward! For the knitters amongst you, or for a knitter you love these handcrafted knitting needles by baahurrah would make a perfect present. You can choose what sizes you’d like and even what colour you’d like your dots!

This item from MagpieNest is just what I want in a piece of jewellery – simple, stylish and quirky all in one. This unique pendant is made using Japanese washi paper in a sterling silver holder.

All of Lupin’s brooches are fun, cute and very wearable. I really wanted to feature her badger as it makes me giggle (in a very good way) every time I look at it. I’m not sure what it is about badgers that is so funny. Anyway… I’ve chosen a lovely red British teapot instead as it’s got more to do with dots than badgers do. I love tea, maybe I’ve had too much today, which would explain the giggling.

Designed by Lynnea created this gem of a bracelet. These dotty lampwork beads are really eye catching. I like the deep blue one of the beads best, but they are all beautiful.

I'm dotty about dots! Are you?

Written by Rose P of Felt Giraffe