The end of the sunshine

Here in the UK, we have just had a solid week of 20+ degree centigrade, blue sky filled, beautiful, glorious sunshine - a rare occurrence for us!. However, all that will be stopping overnight, when the grey skies and rain return. So in order to remind myself of how good the sun makes me feel, I decided to look for sun or sunshine related items. Five of my favourites are coming up now!


This first item comes courtesy of Rosylnscloset and is just perfect for that little ray of sunshine in your life. Unless that ray of sunshine is an adult, in which case they will look like a numpty wearing children's clothes!

The second item is made by the hands of Loreto and is described as "liquid sunshine". Ok, so the picture is of a lemon, but the actual product is a citrusy smelling perfume, which is just perfect to wear in summer.

This beautiful decoration currently resides in the joysmoon Etsy shop. The face reminds me of a book I read as a child, about a very windy day or something, so it was nice to be taken back to my childhood. I'm sure with this hung on your wall, your life will be brightened up!

This incredibly cute nursery mobile was made by AmyGaines. In fact, I'd say it was one of the cutest items I have ever seen on Etsy. My favourite bit, ironically for a blog about sunshine, is the raindrops, though I do love all three levels!

A glorious photograph for sale by grafixmode. What better way, on a rainy day, to remind you of sunshine is there than an actual photo of rays of sunlight shining through the trees and a great big sunflower smiling at you too?

So all in all, a sunny and warm collection of items to warm you on those rainy days! Imagination is a great friend!

The spice of life.

Today I was surfing around the net and came across an article in the New Statesman written by Malcolm Mclaren when he was announcing his intention to stand as a candidate for the position of Mayor of London back in December of last year. Now don't panic! I'm not going to write a big blog about the Mayoral role in London or comment on the fool the people of London did finally vote into the position. I'm actually just going to quote a few lines from the article that really rang true to me.

"Our freedom of choice has been removed. I have never seen so many corporate franchises - and, as a result, London is destroying independent artisans. London's independence and its individuals are being hounded out of existence.

I have never seen so many restaurants, coffee shops, so many places to go to buy things, so much to consume; yet London has never seemed so dull." says Malcolm McLaren

Now for me you could put the name of any western city name in place of London in that quote and it would ring pretty much true. What happened to all the small family run businesses that had individuality and a style all their own, the mix of which really built up the overall feel of a large town or city? If you were to be taken blindfold to the average street of a random city would you be able to tell which city you were in when the blindfold was removed? Do they not all look the same these days? They all seem to have the same franchise shops and restaurants . Large franchise companies like Yum! Franchising (who own companies like Pizza hut, KFC & Taco Bell), McDonalds, Starbucks, Walmart/Asda, Tesco et al have pretty much taken over our high streets everywhere. Independent traders, artists, crafts men and women have all but been squeezed out and now resort to selling online. This for me is making our towns and cities stale and boring.

Not so long ago I was taken on a drive from north London, Leytonstone to Tooting in south London and after a while it was really hard to tell where we had got to as everywhere looked exactly the same. Two and a bit hours of identical looking streets and shops. It was depressing. The colour and vibrancy that once was there seemed to have gone. Very sad.

I don't know what the answer to this is. I don't know how to put the independent traders back into the high street. I do know that I really miss them. The convenience of being able to buy everything you need in one hit at a super market or the fact that buying a meal in one of the franchise restaurants is cheap and fast seems to be all people are concerned with. Time is money I guess, but it saddens me to think that in trying to save ourselves some time and a little money we are killing off what makes our individual communities so special. The variety and uniqueness of our individual towns and cities is being given up for convenience and flooded out by big businesses. I for one think it's time to try and turn the tide, discard the polyester uniforms of big business and bring back the vibrancy and colour of each of our communities.

Sunshine Challenge

Due to all the lovely weather we have been having here in South Wales this weeks word for the challenge is 'Sunshine'. It's been so fantastic being able to just potter about outside in the sun. Yesterday I even managed to hula hoop for 15 mins. The first time in ages. I did have to come indoors afterwards and have a lay down, but hey it's better than nothing, right?

One of my beautiful nieces hooping in the sunshine last summer.

If you want to join in the challenge this week all you have to do is share with us something inspired by the word sunshine. You can either send me you item via Etsy conversations or put a link in the comments on this blog post to what you have made/written/photographed/seen. All entries will get full credit with a link back to any website/shop you might have. It's all just for fun so let your imagination run wild.

Artisan of the Week, Phil & Alex of Felt At Home.

When I first joined Etsy I came across this fabulous shop called Felt at Home whilst I was looking for unusual presents for my nieces birthday. I instantly fell in love with many of the creations in this shop and it made me realise just how a twist of imagination mixed with a bucket full of talent could turn a fairly well known craft into something so much more. Phil and Alex quite obviously lavish each creation with love and attention to detail. One of their creations, Vincent the phone swallower, now lives at my house. He is a perfect gent and takes good care of my mobile phone in his belly. Christophe or Gary might be next to come and live with my family... Must sell some hoops so I can re-home them. So, Phil and Alex, here goes...

1. Could you please introduce us to who you are and what you do?
We are a 2 sister crew with 5 children between us! Phillipa crafts full-time and Alex is a part-time Family Support Officer & part-time crafter. Phillipa is trained in jewellery & silversmithing but we have fallen upon felt more recently. We make hand-felted handbags, brooches and art.

2. What led you to take up your craft?
Christmas 2006 Alex bought Phillipa a ‘How to make felt’ book ! and some wool roving. That’s where it all started. We played & played a bit more, then branched out into our 3-D ‘people purses’ and ‘monster bags’. It’s fun & versatile & the small people of the household love to pitch in too!

3. Which part of your work do you most enjoy?
Making a thought into a reality. When you get that initial spark of an idea, it’s fun to draw a few sketches then get the wool out & make it come to life. Once they are finished they acquire a personality all of their own – It’s fun to name them & write about what they like to do.

4. Which part do you find hardest?
Packing them off!! It’s hard to let some of them go – there’s a lot of love that goes into each one. It’s hard to package them up & wave them goodbye, because mostly our creations are unique one-off designs, not to be repeated. We miss them ! Sounds daft, but it’s true! We have had a couple of photos of our little critters in their new homes, which is fantastic! We LOVE that….seeing where they are & hearing how they’re doing (no, we don’t need committing…well not yet anyway!)

5. Where do you hope to be in 1 year's time?
In a years time we would like to have our own workspace (presently we felt in the dining room!!) and be selling at least one thing a day!……. Oh, and have new cars, and new houses in the Cotswolds……and a Persian cat each.

6. What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Enjoy what you do! If you love what you are doing then it will show in your work. The days are so short – it’s a good sign, when you don’t want to down tools because ‘stuff’ in the house needs doing. We love what we do – each & every one of them brings a smile.


7. Name other artisans sites/shops would you recommend are worth a visit?
Ginny of Monkey Travel Club. (We have 2 of her monkeys! Duncan & Callum!)
Hugh of Hugh illustration is fantastic.
Cathy Cullis of in London, has the most amazing stitched art.
Amy Carpenter has amazing paintings – really lovely.
And Enfin, La Voila - amazing cards, I have some of these & they are wonderful
To name but a few, there are lots of favourites….

8. What is your favourite sandwich filling?
Alex – Salmon & dill
Phil – anything anyone wants to make for me, but preferably on brown seeded bread! …………please!

Thank you Alex and Phil! I check your shop often and always find another lovely creature I want to take home. One day I will amass an army of felty creatures that will take over the world by hugging each person until they give in to their cuddly loveliness! Mwahahahahahah!... *cough*... ermm... did I say that out loud?

Oh and you really don't want a Persian cat. They need to be brushed every 5 minutes of every day or else they will end up felting their own fur up and create their own slightly ickie fur ball creatures for you to find with your toes when you stumble downstairs, blurry eyed, to find a cup of tea in the morning.

Stars, wizards and hand warmers

So it's Friday and a good day to put up some of the entries to the weeks challenge. So Hands was the topic and we have had a lot of people join in this week. Thanks to everyone that put effort and time into joining in! I know how busy your lives get so it really makes me smile lots to think that you are inspired enough to take time out of your schedules to join in.

I actually made time this week between making hoops (pictured in the background) to make my wizard Frank the finger puppet. I'll be honest, he isn't entirely finished. If I take his hat off he is bald and in need of some hair. He also needs a wand and maybe a cape.

Errol the Velociraptor seems to think Frank is dinner, but I'm sure with all his magic powers Frank will be able to get away! So, now onto some of the infinitely better entries than mine.


The lovely PrincessTigerMouse entered these pictures of her hand with her impressions of what her hand means to her written on it.
She also created these recycled fabric hand and arm warmers. A very talented lady, I'm sure you will agree.

This picture was taken by StarPixie who I have known for sometime. She is someone I much admire and love. For such a petite lady she is packed full of talent and beauty. You can see more of her gorgeous photos on her flickr account.

This is a picture of a mothers hand on an unborn child. The mother in question is the lovely Sarah. She already has one son, so this will be her second child. Hello little belly bump!Grow strong and healthy little one.

Rosebud has also posted on her blog 3 gorgeous photos that speak volumes about the things that are most important in her life. Rosebud, thank you for joining in each week! I appreciate your support.

We also have another blog entry from the most fabulous Mithi. I met Mithi through going to Home of Poi gatherings. Again she is a petite lady packed full of talent and beauty. Take a look at her blog and see just how talented she is. My personal favourite item on her blog of late is the pirate ship. Although it's hard to choose with so many fabulous artworks to pick from.

Thank you all so much for joining in!