To buy or not to buy... crimping pliers

For ages I've been umming and ahhing about wether or not I should buy some crimping pliers. Only a small proportion of the items Icurrently make have the tiny crimps - I'm talking the really diddy ones that are only 2mm wide.

Easter crafts

With a long weekend coming up and (for those at school) a 2 week holiday, I thought I'd give you some ideas of what to do when it's snowing and too cold to go outside!

Below are some ideas of things to make this Easter...

Toilet roll bunnies

Toilet roll bunnies

Pinterest - make ideas no. 1

I have a confession to make. I'm an addicted to Pinterest. I love nothing more than scroling though pages of beautiful things - fab photos, ideas for home and garden, DIY projects, things to inspire and ideas of things to make.

Well I though it was time to share some of my favourite finds, so here goes...

Ringpull bracelet

This is such a great idea. I've always been keen on recycling & upcycling & love this idea. It also give me the excuse of consuming lots of canned drinks whilst saving enough pulls to start making this!

Uniquely Yours blog

Huge thanks to Uniquely Yours blog who has featured my red feather earrings in their 'red for warmth' themed blog post here.

Red feather earrings with silver chain

For sale on the Folsky shop - these fantastic feather earrings are beautiful and elegant. Each earring has three real feathers, each a different length. They are extremely light to wear and are a great addition to glam up any outfit.

Order with or without fine silver chain - just let me know when ordering.

Length (including silver plate fish-hook fastening) between 13cm to 15cm.

Pearls and sparkles bracelets

I'd like to introduce you all to a new product - the Pearls and Sparkels bracelet.

Pearls and sparkles bracelet

Twilight Christmas Market - 13th December 2012

When? Thursday 13th December

Where? Altrincham Market House
What time? 5:30pm to 10pm

Christmas shopping night - 27th Nov 2012

Hi - just thought I'd let you know about an event where the TigerPants stall will be stuffed to busting with Christmas goodies...

‘Tis the season to be jolly!

When? Tuesday 27th November
What time? 7pm to 9pm
Where? Belmont Hall, Together Trust Centre, Schools Hill, Cheadle, Cheshire SK8 1JE
How much? £5 per person (including a hot supper). Pre-booking is advisable.

'Tis the season to be jolly...

...well almost. With Christmas fast approaching the craft-seller's life gets more and more frantic. I've been photographing loads of new (and old) products to list on the Folksy shop (have a look here) and I'm also frantically building up stock for craft fairs.

TigerPants stall at a fair in October 2012

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside

The husband and I managed to get a rare day together on Saturday, so we decided to head to the coast - Lythm-St-Annes and Blackpool (and the illuminations). We're both RSPB members (the husband volunteers with them) so we headed to the Ribble Discovery Centre on a beautiful October day. It also gave me an excuse to get my camera out - something I never seem to do often enough.

Pebbles on the beach

NEW - canvas and photo prints

After several requests from people (thanks to you all!) I've now started selling photo and canvas prints.

Canvas print shown - 30.5cm x 20.3cmPhoto re-prints shown - 10" x 8", gloss

I've spent a lot of time researching the best place to get prints from and have found a supplier that is fantastic (some suppliers have been very disappointing in quality). The photo re-prints are a Which? best buy and the canvas prints have two price options - both giving a fantastic quality product. Colours are really bright and the images are sharp. If you want to see a physical sample (and can get to Sale, Cheshire) please email me to arrange to view them. Prices are listed below.

You can choose from any photos from my Flickr page albums Flowers, Nature at its best or Blackpool. To order or for more information please email me.

The power of the 'Press Pass'

Recently I was lucky enough to go to the RHS Flower show Tatton Park 2012 on press day. Before any RHS members of public were allowed close. I was very excited. As part of the day job, I was asked to take photos of the Together Trust 'Ring the Changes' show garden. It won a bronze medal too!

'Ring the Changes' show garden

Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust (newsletter design)

Recently I was asked to help a friend by re-designing the Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust's (CAAT) newsletter as they were unhappy with the one they had. The company that previously produced it did print and design the magazine at no cost for the CAAT but the condition was they sold advertising space which resulted in over 70% of the magazine being chocked full of adverts for companies that have nothing to do with the Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust. Below is one of the old magazine spreads. See if you can sopt the article about the CAAT...!

CAAT old newsletter spread

How to make... doodle mugs

This is a great idea for personalised gifts. Kids and adults can doodle to their hearts content and create something beautiful and 100% unique. Personalise mugs with names, how you like your tea or whatever else you can think of. Follow the steps below to create your very own doodle mug...

No Holds Barred (poster design)

I've recently been asked to help out a friend of a friend to design posters and/or a logo/border for a new pub based discussion group organised by a local church group.

The brief:
"The idea is that we will hold discussion evenings in a local pub. The themes will usually be general, and the discussion open to anyone. There are some ground rules and there will be a Christian input (a Christian input, not the Christian input - there is usually a whole range of Christian opinions on any given subject!)."

The request was to make the posters and leaflets "noticeable and professional". Something that would stand out on the pub noticeboard, but that the group could easily update and change each month.

Ideas:The group is called "No Holds Barred"- a phrase used in hand-to-hand combat, where no manoeuvres are prohibited. I started looking at wrestling posters and promo - they use bold colours, big fonts and simple copy.

Busy, busy, busy

Well - it's been ages since I've had the chance to sit and write something here. I figured I'd better explain myself...

The day job
I work for a large charity called the Together Trust - find out about them on their website here. I look after all their printed material, photography, brand ID, website and social media (which includes Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, a blog and YouTube). Recently I've found a new love for all things social media - I've been to a few gatherings and have a few social media surgeries booked to go to (find out more about social media surgeries here). It's been a very busy few months!