Shop Handmade

Just wanted to introduce you to a brand new website - http://www.shophandmade.co.uk/ This is a great new resource if you are looking for presents and want to buy something handmade and made locally - in the UK. It is basically a database of lots of people who sell online with links so you can check out their shops. It is growing all the time as it was only launched this month.

I know I rather rant on about buying handmade but is so much more rewarding knowing you have something that could be totally unique or at least one of only a small number! The quality is often better then you find on the high street and you can be sure lots of time and love has been put into it.

If you are already a crafter then you should add yourself to the site. Anyway, go and have a browse.

Some Friendly Faces!

As a member of the 'Amys in the Arts' Street Team on Etsy I am very excitied to put a few faces to names! A Street Team is a way of promoting and networking and we are all united by our name - quite random I know!

Anyway, we are all featured in a lovely Treasury (if you don't know what a Treasury is then you must check them out, they are a fab feature on Etsy - I have found so many lovely goodies from them).

Anyway, here are some of my fellow Amys (and myself - can you spot me?). Checkout our blog to find out more about them all.

Christmas Necklace

So here is my latest foray into my material jewellery. I made this for myself to wear at a Christmas Party - I made it in a bit of a rush so its not perfect! I love the style of it and am going to make another one similar but it will be round - kind of like a sun burst, or something!

Featured - Paper Sculptures

I was hoping to post something of my own today but the weather has been so grey for the last couple of days that I haven't been able to take any photos. So I am doing another feature - this time paper sculptures - as usual all found on Etsy!

This picture is by Mollyjelly from Italy her work is primarily flowers and animals - I think they would look lovely in a child's bedroom.


This bird is from cottonbirddesigns who is a fellow Brit - these birds are so cute and you can get them in lots of different papers and fabrics like a map of Venice, crosswords and lace.


Finally, and probably my fave, is this Brooklyn rooftops picture by peppersprouts - unsurprisingly based in Brooklyn! I love city scapes - i'm thinking this would look great on my living room wall!

Featured - All the fun of the fair!

A visit to Manchester has inspired my featured finds! The wheel looked fab in the mist and darkness!

So here are some ferris wheel themed goodies from Etsy:

This card is from twoguitars - I am a bit of a fan of his cards and have just purchased a couple for Birthdays next year!

Another big wheel on this screen printed t-shirt by branchhandmade.

Finally, this gorgeous silver necklace which I am rather in love with - finchmetal has some other unusual silver jewellery in her shop, so go check it out!

Etsy Gift Guide

This weekend I was very pleased to be featured in the Gift Guides section of Etsy. They had a special promotional guide and I was in it as I have been offering free shipping since last Friday which will continue until Thursday 3rd December.

The Americans seemed to be really promoting last weekend as it's the biggest weekend of the year for online sales. Everyone seemed to have a sale on to entice the buyers!

Anyway, it was my snowy grey bracelet which was featured - 5 people 'hearted' it, so here's hoping it sells soon!