The gift drawer

When I imagine being completely grown up, and totally organized I think about my imaginary gift drawer. This will (hopefully) be a drawer full of wonderful gifts, suitable for a wide range of friends and family. If I ever forget someone’s birthday, or special event I can turn to my drawer of handmade pressies and find something lovely (not that I will, because I’ll be totally organized). I’d stock up this draw from lovely Etsy and Folksy sellers, as well as craft fairs.

I’ve chosen some great gift items from Folksy, for when that day of ultimate organization comes!

First up is a lovely double sided beech photo frame is made by Chris Dodsworth Designs. It’s pretty much a perfect gift for anyone! It also allows you to store photos with it, so you don’t have to scrabble around for a new photo, each time you want a change.

The present box will definitely also contain a large number of cards, for all occasions. I already have a box with spare cards, but most them I don’t really like! These beautiful cards from Fleshie, are just right – they’re colourful, unique and flexible as they have been left blank inside. They come in packs of five, great for stocking up!

Even though I make purses myself, I can’t help but be tempted by other peoples, especially this gorgeous woollen pouch, Materialised. If I could bear to give it away, then it would make one of my girly friends very happy indeed (if they weren’t already inundated with handmade purses). It’s even made from recycled felt sweaters, so great eco-friendly gift.

I love notebooks, they are so handy! I seem to have a collection of these too, but none quite as stylish as Pumpkin Sputnik’s pale blue pine notebook.
This subtle pine design gives the pamphlet style notebook a touch of glamour, making it a perfect present for the more sophisticated friend.

These keyrings from Picciolo would make great little pressies, on there own or to add an extra unique element to a bigger present. They are felt double sided keyrings, with piccolo’s unique design and complementary fabric.

I wonder how many other people are organised enough to have a proper pressy draw… I’m sure there are some of you out there!

Written by Rose of FeltGiraffe
You will be able to see Rose's handmade beautiful purses in person at Handm@de Cambridge this weekend.

It’s spring!

I know this may have occurred to everyone else, but I seemed to have entirely missed the arrival of spring, until today. It’s warm and breezy and I feel like cleaning. That’s got to mean something – I never feel like cleaning! So in celebration of my delayed reaction, I’ve chosen some things that make me excited about the arrival of this new season.

This amazing garden bag by is handmade by ohgosh. It just oozes quality and style, and is delightful to look at. It even has a double frame so you’ve got already got a purse inside. This shop will definitely be on my list when I’m looking for presents this season!

Just the thing to make treat yourself too after that spring clean – it would add a simple freshness to any room in the house. This beautiful natural wooden clock is made by Knottyburr Wood Crafts, from reclaimed oak.

I might be jumping the gun here slightly, but if you’re brave enough to actually go outside for lunch, this eco-friendly flatware set for 2 is perfect for a picnic. The maker Pony up also stocks toddler flatware sets, so you could get the whole family out in the fresh air!

Aha, I just had to add a cleaning related item. It’s very unfair on Robin101 to label these items as simply cleaning related! These four cards are beautiful. I came across some of Robin’s lovely cards in a gallery in Brighton a couple of weeks ago and was thrilled when I found these and a range of other amazing cards from Robin on folksy and etsy.

I love these little vintage style earrings, they are bright, delicate and cute! They are by MD sparks. Would be perfect with to compliment a bright, light summer dress – if you dare!

Better go start cleaning the house!

Written by Rose of Felt Giraffe

Artfire Europe Guild

Today I thought I'd share with you all some of the work I like from the Artfire Europe Guild members. I thought I'd pick a bit of a child's theme after reading the blog of The Toy Society and did a bit of research into what they did and what they were all about. Please go over and have a look around their blog and see if you can support them in anyway. They have such a simple, but wonderful thing going on. They deserve lots of support.

arbOOz created this gorgeous picture of chirpy little birdies on a purple background with orange branches. I love the bright cheerful colours and the simplicity of the shapes. It would look fabulous on a nursery wall.

Blue Shed Crafts has made this cute trio of hand knitted bunnies. They look so cuddly. Each one is a different colour and they are just the right size for cwtching down in bed, sucking your thumb and rubbing your nose with their big floppy ears... or is it just me that does that?

Dish Dash Bags has made this lovely 50's style space fabric purse. Retro is so in now and any little girl or boy would love this to keep crayons in. They will be the envy of all their friends when they get this out of their bag and slap it down on the colouring in table at nursery school.

Ignis Fatuus's sheep are so flippin gorgeous! How much fun would it be to have a whole flock of these baa lambs on your bookshelf? Each one is slightly different because they are hand crafted which is great! Real sheep are all slightly different too. The maker of these is 86, so it just proves you are never too old to let your talents shine.

Fugsly's print of one of her original acrylic paintings makes me smile. I love the way the little girl figure looks like she is trying to figure out how to get down from the star whilst the little boy looks like he is resigned to the fact he is stuck on the star for now. Fabulous!

The Artfire Europe guild has many talented people as members, visit our blog where you can find links to all our shops in the right hand sidebar if you feel like taking a look for yourselves. Don't forget to check out what The Toy Society do and show them some love and support for all the good work they are doing.

Written by Lynne of PiratePixieCrew and Hyperloop Hoops

Coriandr Sellers

Today is all about sharing with you some of the beautiful goods you can purchase from talented artisans through Coriandr. This site is fairly new, but it has lots of style and has attracted some amazing artisans to set up shop there. It's still looking for new sellers, so if you are creative and looking for a new venue to sell through, check it out.

I have been looking longingly at Katcha bags for some time. This lady makes the most amazing bags that tick a lot of my boxes when it comes to buying. They are stylish, well designed for purpose, made from recycled rubber, car seatbelts and they are hand sewn. No electricity used. Fabulous!

The Shy One doesn't need to be shy about her work. It is gorgeous! This Autumn thistle print of a watercolour is one of a limited print run of 30. I love the colours, textures and feeling of motion in the picture. If you look in Carols shop you'll see her talents don't stop at watercolour painting.

Miss Bumble is very talented in a craft I have tried and failed at. Needle felting is very hard to do well and Miss Bumble does it amazingly well. This giraffe is proof of that. I'm somewhat jealous. I chose to show you a close up of his head so you could see the intricate detail.

Sarah Watkins Fairbourn is the designer of this beautiful wardrobe. It would be perfect for a nursery or young girls bedroom. Sarah collaborates with a local cabinet maker who builds her designs. I think they do a fantastic job. Click on the photo so you get taken to the listing where you can see close up's of the pretty details.

Kaytea grabbed my attention instantly with her purple and orange coloured blocks. What baby could resist playing with these? Beautifully soft fleece makes them cuddly as well as fun to play with and they are fully washable, which as any mother knows is very important.

There are many other really talented, creative people selling over on Coriandr. Have a visit and a little surf around the shops and see if you can resist buying or recommending goods to other people. I couldn't! I hope you enjoyed my choices.

Cambridge Handm@de fair

Today I’ve chosen a gorgeous selection of handmade items from sellers attending the Cambridge Handm@de fair. This is takes place on the 4th April, in the Guildhall and will include a range of different handmade crafts from sellers all over the UK.

This adorable bracelet is made by Poor Robin. The stacks of colourful buttons, tied together with leather makes a great accessory. As well as wonderful bracelets, Poor Robin also makes felt cuffs, pendants and hair clips.

Namolio makes a range of different items, including this blue and pink hand knitted scarf – it look so soft! It’s still pretty cold out there, so just looking at this makes me feel all toasty again. I’m really looking forward to seeing some of the beautiful fabric covered buttons by Namolio’s– I’m not sure I’ll be able resist!

This fantastic cubic necklace is the perfect thing to brighten up an outfit. The turquoise cubes alternated with grey and clear beads creates a striking effect.
Made by MomentsByMartha, it’s only one in a range of beautiful pieces of jewellery available in her shop.

I don’t think I’ve ever owned a clutch bag, but I’m extremely tempted by those on offer from Cloudhopping. I adore the retro fabric, and the brown hand crochet woollen strip really brings it together! As well as clutches, items also include beanies (for men and women), brooches, belts, shrugs and ipod cases. I simply can’t believe how talented this seller is! I’m becoming extremely jealous already!

Aha, buttons again – I just love them! Well two buttons and a pendant which is even better! These ceramic hearts are made by Hodgepodge arts. Perfect for adding that extra unique detail to bags, purses or clothes. I’ve got a feeling that crafters won’t be short of things to treat themselves too at this fair either!

I hope some of you will be able to come along and check out the amazing variety of stuff on offer. It’s a great opportunity to get some unique handmade gifts at reasonable prices. I’ll be there with a small stall, trying not to spend all my profit on all the lovely things! Feel free to say hello!

Written by Rose of Felt Giraffe

Watch the Birdie!

This week I brought a lovely bag from a shop on folksy called Notes. As you can see from the photo of me holding it, it’s gorgeous!

The inside is lined with navy blue and white polka dot fabric with a handy pocket – it’s just the right size to keep all my stuff in. I shall be proudly wearing everyday to work! So, in celebration of such a lovely purchase, this week I’ll be choosing lovely stuff with birds on.

First up is this hand felted red cushion by Olofsdaughter. It’s bold design makes it a perfect piece to brighten up any room. It’s made from 100% Australian merino wool, which must be why it looks so lovely and soft.

I love this bird parade mobile by Gifts Define – it’s so cute! Two of my friends are expecting children this month, so I think I’m going a bit soft around the edges for children’s items, and children in general! This decorative item includes four colourful wool felt birds and a happy sad cloud who is oh, so sweet! This shop offers a variety of other types of mobile, including a funky safari mobile which is equally as cute.

I’ve chosen some lovely hand printed birdie gift tags from Paperleaf. These 5 gift tags are printed on recycled manilla card. Perfect for jazzing up your gifts! Paperleaf produces a wide range of lovely gocco printed materials, including custom made wedding invitations, as well as some very funky earrings.

I love prints of any sort, but I especially love this print from Lapwing Printworks. This wonderful cockerel print is made using wood block print. His six different colours really make him so pretty. My parents used to keep chicken when I was a child (in London!), so I’m especially fond of them. Once I have a house of my own, I’d love to have this print on one of my walls. I don’t think I’ll be quite ready for real chickens yet!

Last but not least – the cutest corduroy purse by Needles and Buttons. The little paisley fabric birdie on the front really caught my eye. You can’t tell from the photo, but the back of the purse has embroidered with yellow flowers – this little touch really makes this purse extra special.

Written by Rose P of Felt Giraffe

Flickr Friends

The Flickr group has come up top trumps again. I love looking through the photo in the group and then following those photos back to peoples shops. It turns up so many beautiful artworks and handmade goods. If you are a flickr user come along and join us. You can get to chat to the people behind the goods shown and maybe find a whole new bunch of very talented friends.

Miss Gina Designs made this beautiful custom burp cloth and bib. What a gorgeous gift to give to a new born. You can have them made with a letter of your choice. Individual and handmade, the perfect combination.

This photographic collage by LD Photography is so stunning. The two giant redwood trees some how make me feel secure. All that age, strength and natural beauty make me feel very grounded. I admit it I'm a bit of a hippy.

Cute huh? This small earthenware clay pendant is so simple but very eye catching. The maker, Winchell Clay Works, has a shop full of pretty clay pendants and beads of various shapes and sizes. Check out her shop to see them all.

I love this collage from Vantiani. I can't even explain why. The colours, the elephant, the map, everything really. It just gives me a warm giggly glow looking at it. This is just one collage in a series called Origami Balloons. The others are in her shop if you fancy taking a look.

Vintage Gal Design made this adorable handbag. It's unusual colours and pretty fabric design make it stand out from the crowd. Inside, it has useful pockets to keep your keys, phone and purse all safely stashed. It's a lovely design, good size and very pretty. All you need in a bag.

I'm so glad I started the flickr group to run along side this blog. I think it gives even more artisans the chance to get their goods seen and boy are there many talented artisans out there that deserve to be seen. Please take a look over there and join in the chat. We'd love to have you join the group.

Written by Lynne of Hyperloop Hoops and PiratePixieCrew

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

Project Wonderful

On the left hand side of this blog we offer people advertising space through Project Wonderful and I'm happy to say that many handmade goods makers take the opportunity to promote their goods using the space. Project Wonderful is just one of the many ways to run ad campaigns on-line. I like it because it is fairly simple to use and even if you have a very small advertising budget you can find yourself some spaces to place your ad's to gain exposure. It is run like an auction and you bid on spaces to place your ad's. Many places that offer ad spaces don't put a minimum bids on their boxes, so you can even find spaces for free. You can track how well your adverts are doing and see how many click they are getting, so you can tell if the ad's are working or not. Here are a few items from people that have recently placed their handmade ad's on this blog.

Stonehouse Studio has a shop filled with stunning jewellery. This piece is the one I liked most when I visited her shop. I love the way each handmade bead is slightly different in shape and the subtle colours you can see in the polymer clay. Very stylish.

Ollie the owl caught my eye in East Coast Kitsch's shop. Such a cute critter. He looks very happy in this tree, but I bet he would be equally happy being cuddled up with a new owner on the sofa watching TV.

This fabulous photo was taken by Infivision. I chose to feature this one from the many amazing shots in his shop because of the minute detail you can see of this ant. Whilst many people find insect horrible or scary they fascinate me. They have such varied but amazing life cycles.

Jennifer Ladd is a regular advertiser on this site and I'm so glad, because she has so many gorgeous bags in her shop. I'm always clicking on the ad to see what's new. I picked this scarlet red clutch because of the cute bicycle and trees, but there are many more I adore.

This beautiful under water scene was drawn in pen and ink by Tamara Garvey. The fantastical creatures are varied and interesting and every time I look at it I see another fishie or starfish. It's truly delightful.

All these people are using Project Wonderful to drive traffic to their shops, join in the traffic and click on those ad boxes you see on the left at the top of this page. There are so many amazing shops behind those 125 x 125 pixel boxes. Click a few and see.

Written by Lynne of Hyperloop Hoops and Pirate Pixie Crew