Crafty thoughts from Crafts forum Members

So what is kiki crafts…

Interactive Paper Craft CDs, All original artwork! Zodiac Borders & Backgrounds is our premier product 

The cd(s) offered by kiki are for paper crafters, offering “dynamic boarders and backgrounds”

At present Kiki crafts offfers only 1 CD called the “borders and backgrounds zodiac edition” which as by the name contians icon, patterns and backgrounds with the zodiac themes.

 To find out more please visit : kikicrafts.co.uk 

For similar crafts site visit: http://www.ukcraftwebsites.co.uk/scrapbook.php

Rainbow disks are a publishers of craft books on CD. covering wide range of subjects from beading and card making to quilting and stained glass.

Disk include:

• Tiaras and Bridal Jewellery
  Projects using beads and wire
• Bead Net
  New Ideas for Netted Beadwork
• Beaded Jewellery
  Over 50 gorgeous designs and projects

Rainbow Disks was started in 2006 by Barbara Case (Thornton) and Vivienne Wells, who between them have extensive experience of writing and publishing practical books.

Barbara Case is an internationally successful author of books on bead jewellery including:

A World of Beads/Making Bead Jewellery (1995)

It’s all about the beads! (2006)

Making Jewellery with Gemstone Beads (2007)

To find out more please check out rainbowdisks.com

For other craft workshops and courses try http://www.ukcraftwebsites.co.uk/workshops.php

I am currently in the middle of putting together all sorts of wedding items for my sister and other clients.  I’ve got very, very sore fingers from all the wire work.

It seems that burgundy tones are very much the in colour for bridesmaids so much of my latest work has been with this in mind.

These are three bridesmaid tiaras created with swarovski ruby and Swarovski crystal AB.

The next two photo’s are smaple tiaras.  they are half worked from the centre to the back.  the finishing hasn’t been done.  The client views them and then they can be altered or tweaked as required.

 More to come in the next few days! (fingers allowing!)

New babies arrive all the time.  They are like buses.  Or is there something in the water?  I think the later judging by the number of new borns (and imminents) arriving in my circle of friends. 

I know you usually get a fair bit of warning that a bundle of joy is on the way, but still, I leave it to the last minute in choosing a suitable gift.  As a mother of two pre-school boys, I know how disheartening it can be to unwrap yet another plinky plonky toy with non-replaceable batteries (translation = they NEVER need replacing) with a note to self to buy exactly the same thing when it’s their turn.

Imagine my total delight when finding Sommerwood Designs; bespoke wooden bunting for newborns is just a small part of the Sommerwood range.  Halleluiah!  I duly ordered a bunting for William.  Soon followed by Emil and his big sister Nema (well, you can’t buy for the new born without getting something special for the big sister can you?)  The packaging was perfect – the little bunting wrapped in bright tissue paper as was the customer service.

The little triangles – one for each letter of the name - are beautifully painted in co-ordinating colours with just the right amount of sparkle, delightfully strung with gingham ribbon.  Simple, superb and saying exactly what you want! I’ve ordered another bunting – for Daniel (15 August) and I have a sneaky feeling that another bunting will be requested for a little girl due at the end of September…..  And how smug do I feel knowing that no batteries are required?!

 Dazald design offers a wide range of handmade items including:

• Handcrafted bracelets

• Handcrafted wine glass charms

• Necklace and earring sets

• Handcrafted ladies bags

 As with many small businesses it started out has a hobby and then became an obsession which in turn became a business venture.

It began with an evening class in soft furnishings, then another in watercolour art that led to a two year interior design course, which then led to a BA in textile design!

An example that I just saw is Vintage style Ladies handbag..

Very cool bag…   Have a look at some of the other handmade item here: dazaldesigns.com

For similar crafts from the UK try http://www.ukcraftwebsites.co.uk/fabric.php

So what is crafty addicts all about…

Crafty Addicts is a craft haven of card making and scrapbooking supplies. We have everything for your hand made creations, from double sided tape to electronic cutting machines!

Crafty addicts has a massive select of stuff to make handmade craft items.

Here are a few things that caught my  eye:

Flower soft embelishments:

Some great papers:

Plus loads of other stuff!

Crafty addicts isn’t only online but a full on bricks a motar shop in Chorley, Lancashire…

To visit Crafty addicts please click here: craftyaddicts.co.uk

For other uk crafts suppliers click here: http://www.ukcraftwebsites.co.uk/suppliers.php

As by the title of the site I bet you can guess what ” Craftie Cards” Make

Well craftie cards offers unique handmade cards for the following variations:

• Anniversary
• Best Wishes
• Birthday Child
• Birthday Female
• Birthday Male
• Congratulations
• Good Luck
• New Baby
• Thank You
• Thinking of You
• Wedding Day

The site mentions the fact that the range is increasing so if you don’t find what you need then it would be worth contacting them..

 Here is an example:

DL Card with 3 beautiful Dark Pink daisy flowers - suitable for most ages

For more information or to visit craftie cards click here : craftiecards.com

For other UK cards websites please visit http://www.ukcraftwebsites.co.uk/cards.php 

I’ve been wondering for a while what I would do if my card creaser broke.  I’ve not had it a particularly long time – my Mum bought it for my birthday after I’d nearly worn out her Lakeland Craft catalogue, and to be honest, I don’t know what I’d do without it!

 After measuring (to make sure that the fold will be central) I use the sharpish tip to mark where I want my fold line at the top and bottom of the card, I then score between the two.  This gives me the indent where the fold will be and then I simply fold the card and use the rounded edge to press on the fold.  Thus providing a professional looking card! The card creaser is also useful for smoothing down any rough edges to the cards.

Go and buy one!!

Over the past couple of months I have been pulling my hair out and gnashing my teeth (not a pretty sight).  The cause of all this anguish?   Mr site! 

Having previously set up my bead store on a templated system,  (through EKM) and been very pleased with it, I thought I can do this myself.  The Mr site pack came from amazon for about £16.00 and arrived quickly.  Once I started to do it I began to get doubts.  Perhaps if I’d read all the instructions or looked at the online help! (I hate being told what or how to do something!)

Anyway, several weeks down the line, much tweaking later, I am proud to launch www.crystalvelvet.co.uk .  This is the complete experience in online andcrafted accessories with ranges of Jewellery, bags, tiaras, hats, watches and more!

I’ve started out by putting a few things on in each catagory and now I’m adding more and more!

This is the bag that inspired the name Crystal Velvet!

 Ladybird crafts is a craft website that offers a wide range of crafts products including  basic haberdashery and needlecraft supplies to a lovely range of jewellery making components… 

Here is an example of the handmade items that you can get at Ladybird crafts:

 HANDMADE IN NORTHERN IRELAND

This is a truely stunning little bracelet comprising of 66 Crystal AB Swarovski Crystals and 5 stunning Princess Swarovski sliders. Fitted with a dainty little Stirling Silver lobster clasp. Perfectly Delightful!

To visit ladybird crafts click here:  ladybirdcrafts.co.uk

To find other great uk crafts suppliers like ladybird crafts then please visit: http://www.ukcraftwebsites.co.uk/suppliers.php