OFFER

Hi all,

Just a quick post to ask if you fancy £1.00 off this year's diary?

Hand made covers included with these pocket diaries that can be re-used each year - it's not too late to buy one! Enter the code DSP14 at the checkout to get your discount. But hurry now, this offer is only available until 31st January 2014 and there are not many left!

Use this link or click the Store above.

Pass it on...
Julie.
(C) FMN Crafts 2014

And the next item is...

The second and third pictures from the previous blog show these little beauties:

They are cute, durable and attractive Children's Bags and will be in my Etsy Store very soon.

I mainly make items for adults but thought it to be quite unfair - so here we are! They may not be multi-talented or any thing to dazzle you by, but they are strong, wash-able and durable and I think those are the main ingredients needed for any item that is going to be owned by a child! Well, of course, you could have one yourself... ;)

The benefits of your child owning one of these bags include the facts that they have re-enforced corners and straps for durability and strength; they are fully lined; the owl print ones have a little button and loop for closing so larger objects wont fall out; they have handles that will fit over the child's shoulder or can be carried by the side; they are 100% cotton so they can be washed several times with no worries; AND they are in really fun materials :) What's not to love? They would be useful for carrying many things including books and pencil cases for school, an iPad to the car and back, or sweets and 'stuff' needed for a day out.

And at only £4.99 each, they are a great price for a hand made item that is made to last. Check them out in my Etsy store now and Add To Basket today.

Coming soon....:

Thanks for reading, leave a comment if you wish and don't forget I have a Facebook page too if you would like to 'Like' me please :)

Julie.

(C) FMN Crafts 2014

New Year, New Items....

Hello all,

So now that the New Year is well and truely here, I am back in the workshop and making new lovely things :)

Here's a little snippet:

And so in the blog today, I'm talking about the first of the pictures, which shows a Denim and Lace Recessed Shopping Bag. Here's a few more pictures:

This is one of the most favourite things I have made. I saw a recessed zip in a bag a while ago and wondered how on earth it was done. So, with a lot of trial and error, I eventually made this. It took quite some time and effort but I am really pleased with the result. I will be making more - but not too soon!

This bag has a few highlights, including an adjutable strap that is attached on opposite sides and can be used as a shoulder bag or held by the side, it has a flat bottom to store plenty of items, there is a front pocket that fits a mobile phone or shopping list, the recessed zip has a tab for easy access, all the straps, corners and heavy traffic areas are re-inforced for strength and durability and the materials are just beautiful with a denim exterior and straps, cream cotton exterior, lace over the pocket and a delighful pop of red colour for the zip and bow.

What's not to love? See it in my Etsy Store really soon (remember, there is only one...)

Information on the other items coming soon. Pass it on!

Julie.

(C) FMN Crafts 2014

I know it's the 2nd already, but Happy New Year everybody! I hope you have a happy, healthy and prosperous 2014. Please check back here for regular updates and happenings, as well as Fairs I will be attending and new items being added to my Etsy store...

Julie. :)

Latest Happenings

Hello all,

Haven't been here for a while - been so busy! I have to keep reminding myself to breathe...

So here are a few little pictures of what's been happening in the world of FMN Crafts. I recently went to Bakewell and did a weekend fair which was a whole lot of fun. I had some great neighbours and there were quite a few people through the door. I sold a few things too ;)

These pictures are fairly small as they were taken on my mobile, but you get the idea. The pictures above were of my stall and when I look at it like this, it looks quite full! Although the stall is not huge, people take their time when they stop to look and I can see why now...there are many different things to look at! The fair was at the Bakewell Town Hall in Derbyshire and the fair was organised by Dawn and Steve of Craftwise. They are the most lovely people ever and will do absolutely anything to make you feel welcome and comfortable at their fairs. This is why, although I have to travel quite some distance to get to and from the fair there, I do them because the organisers are so friendly and helpful and make it worthwhile.

While there, I stayed at a delightful little cottage for two nights which was quite close by and it was really, really lovely. Although I didn't get to see much of it as I was obviously at the fair, I did get to spend time on the previous Friday there and get walking in the Peaks. It was really cold but so picturesque.

The cottage I stayed in is called Monks Memories (the section on the extreme right on the first picture) and is part of the Monks Dale Farm in Millers Dale, near Buxton, Derbyshire. My family have stayed there several times, in all three cottages as they sleep different amounts and we just love it. If you ever want a quiet, relaxing and beautiful holiday, this is the place to go. Around the actual farm there is only a road into the nearest town 5 miles away and lots of footpaths, but walk down the Limestone Way, right next to the cottages and you are into Millers Dale which although has more that Monks Dale Farm has in the way of occupation & amenities, it does only have a church, a pub, a telephone box, a B&B and some holiday cottages. The perfect little retreat!

Sinse then, I have been busy in the workshop and mostly I have been restocking items I have been selling out of, so not much point in showing you items previously made, but I have made one new line and it's these wash bags:

I wanted to make a slight difference to the make-up bags I make in the form of wash bags, as I get asked quite a lot if I make them, but I often find that using oilcloth for the interior (so it can be wiped out) is a little too stiff and hard to manage at times, particularly with a softer cotton exterior. I looked at laminated cotton but couldn't find any that went with the rustic material you see above, but then I found some 'wipe-able' (it said in the shop) material, which I can only assume to be cotton coated in some fine wax or cotton that has been sealed in some way. Any thoughts? It is pliable and matches the earthy feel to the upholstery material exterior quite nicely :) I decided also to make it a little different by adding a handle and by using large eyelets to put it through. I really like the result! And I especially loved the hammering involved by installing the eyelets! Tension? What tension?! These bags are ones that will last for a very long time, they are robust and big enough to hold your essential toiletries. They measure 9 1/2" across at the widest part and 5 1/2" tall. I made them with flat bases too so they will stand up and the zips are locking zips, so no chance of it coming undone in transit. They will be in my Etsy store very soon...

And finally I have been on a material hunt for quite a few days and after three trips came home with this lot:

Well actually, there is a lot more as I forgot to photograph the green wipe-able, the denim and the curtaining material I just got, so you'll just have to imagine them! These materials above were a great find. I usually shop around and these were in one of my favorite shops - I couldn't resist! Had a bit of a heart attack at the bill, but oh well, I hope to re-coup that through sales ;) Pass it on...

These materials are all 100% cotton so there is so much scope. I tend to like to mix things up so I am going to have great fun using these. Watch this space.

And then, as I would imagine all the rest of the country I have been getting ready for Christmas. I am a little scared as I seem to have done everything and there is still quite of bit of time to go...surely this is an indication that I have forgotten something! Oh well, we'll see...

And on that note, I'll be off, thank you for reading, share or Like me on Facebook please or simply leave a comment. Merry Christmas! :)

Julie.

(C) FMN Crafts 2013.

Stanley's Cake Boutique

Evening all,

Just wanted to point you in the direction of another one of my family's fabulous business's that is new and exciting - Stanley's Cake Boutique.

Amy makes amazing and delicious cakes in Charlton, London and she has many styles of cakes, including the Shoe Collection:
 

This fantastic 2 tier Princess Castle Cake with micro fairy lights:

This Dinosaur Jungle Cake:

  

These delicious Chocolate Fudge and Butterscotch Cupcakes:

  And this Elegant Black Candelabra and Feathers Cake:

I mean, just look! Fantastic. Check out her Facebook page and I dare you not to order...

Thanks for reading,
Julie.

Matlock Bath Craft Fair

Afternoon all,

A little 'wordy' post here but just wanted to say I survived the 12 days stint in Matlock Bath! I had a fabulous time and although business was good at the weekends, the week days were a little slower. But, it was expected, so mustn't grumble. October is a funny month for people to do day trips and holidays...We had a few bus loads in though, so that helped :) My main reason for today's post was to mention some fab people I was surrounded by and their businesses:

Stall placements changed from the weekends to weekdays, and on the first weekend I was stood next to Duncan and Vicky of Jewelz Online who sell some beautiful silver jewellery and scarves and I also stood next to Amanda of The Rustic Camper who sell wonderful cheeses and homemade chutneys. Then during the week days I was stood next to the completely wonderful and funny Lisa of Lisa Joanne Smith who is a stained glass artist and makes absolutely beautiful jewellery from it, and on the other side of me was Stephanie of Jofli Bears - not just bears but bears with backpacks that go on adventures!

Also around me during the 12 days were Len, Linda and Paul of Dad's Bees who produce and supply their delicious home made honey products of such diverse varieties, made using honey from their own bees; Kevin Wood who is an Artist and Illustrator, specialising in meercats! He brilliantly decorates drinks coasters, wall plaques, designs posters and teapots etc with his creations and is soon to be found on Etsy (go on Kev!); Elaine Hall of The Body Shop selling wonderfully priced Body Shop products, especially good on the run up to Christmas; Shelagh Wray who sells beautiful unusual and vintage jewellery and is setting up her own Fairs next year (woop!); the pint-sized and adorable Carol of Beaumont Bags who sells uniquely designed leather bags, money wallets and journals, as well as Betty & Brian who sell gifts for £2.50 for the Alzheimer's Society and Ian & Verity, Tom, Claire, Elaine, Sue and more who make and sell jams, chutneys, cards, bags, buns and fudge etc - I guess there are just too many to mention! But, ALL of these businesses are brilliant in my opinion and must be looked at, so if you get a minute...

The Matlock Bath Crafts, Gift and Food Fairs have closed for a few months now but re-open in February, so watch their Facebook page for that. BIG thank you's have to go to Joolz and Nathan who are the organisers of the Fairs and provide a magnificent hall to exhibit in that they took months to renovate brilliantly, as well as free entry to the public and numerous cups of tea for the stallholders!

I will be exhibiting three more times before Christmas, so if you want to see my products 'in the flesh' you haven't got much time left and yes, Christmas is coming! Details of my fairs are usually on Facebook or Twitter. If you wish to order from me Online, remember my products are hand made - allow extra time for me making them and getting them through the Christmas post please

Anyway, thanks for reading and pass this on if you wish, leave a comment or like me on Facebook :) Until the next time...

Julie.