Give your Kindle a New Coat

It's the new season so why not re-style your Kindle for the Spring/Summer with a new handmade coat? More stylish than the high-street versions, these little couture creations will turn your Kindle into an original accessory. They make a great gift too - wouldn't your Mum just love one for her new Kindle? (Hint: Mother's Day is 18 March this year.)
Click on the links to see more.

Red Hot

Romantic Paris

Linen Look

Coral and Turquoise

Nouveau Blue

Retro Floral

Not on 'Notonthehighstreet' - oh well...

A disappointing response from NOTHS - my application was turned down (booooo!) - but nil desperandum.....I'm happy on Folksy and will continue to promote elsewhere too, including CraftJuice, Facebook and here on my blog. I'm also planning to set up my own website soon, so watch this space for news of that.
I've been busy making more phone cases and bags (with thoughts of selling at a good craft fair at the end of March), and have loads more design ideas to try out, but I have to also keep the exhibitions in mind and create some artwork too.
Recent listings on Folksy include:

'Arundel' large shoulder bag on Folksy

Pink floral mobile phone/gadget case on Folksy

Blue check mobile phone/gadget case on Folksy

Green print mobile phone/gadget case on Folksy

Lovely Retro Bag

I finally finished the bag I've been making since Saturday! OK, I haven't actually been making it continually since then, but it did take a bit longer than usual. It's a lovely vintage fabric by Bernard Wardle, called Carolina, which is from the 50s/60s era. Makes a real impact! The design has been outline-quilted to make it stand out even more.

'Carolina' classic handbag on Folksy

Other than making, I've been working on the promotion side of things a bit - trying to get more people looking at Folksy, joining craft sites and forums, plugging the Facebook page - it takes a lot of time but I suppose it has to be done. I do need to keep adding vintage items to the Etsy shop too, as that has gone quiet lately...apart from an enquiry from someone who wanted to buy 5 of something...in different colours! I don't think they quite get the 'vintage' concept! Shame I didn't have 5 of them though...would've been a good sale.

Totally Unique Bags

I've been tied to my sewing table for the past couple of days, in a frenzy of sewing and stitching. The results so far are a new handbag and matching phone case - both listed yesterday on Folksy - and another handbag, which is still work-in-progress but which should be making an appearance here soon.
I don't think I'll ever make my fortune as a bag-maker, as it takes me so long to design & make them - I'm a bit of a perfectionist! - but at least I know they're well-made and I'm happy to put my name to each and every one. It's impossible to compete against mass-produced imports on price, so it has to be on quality, exclusivity and service. I can guarantee that all my bags are totally unique and you won't see another one anywhere...! So, if you see something you like, catch it while you can...once it's gone, it's gone!

'Milano' classic handbag on Folksy

A Beautiful Morning..

It's a beautiful, sunny, bright morning so I just had to go for a walk! I ended up as usual along the beach, which was pretty deserted apart from a few dog-walkers, but the sky was clear blue and the tide just going out, so a perfect morning for beach-combing. I managed to find some sea-glass and a few shells, nothing really exciting but the fun is in the searching. Talking of beach-combing, I've just re-listed my 'Beach-comber' bag on Folksy...take a look, it's certainly unique!

'Beachcomber' felted knit handbag on Folksy

Today is also the day my niece Lucy heads back to Australia for another year of adventure. It's four years since I came home from my travels out there (where did those four years go?!) and I'd love to go back. So many more beaches to comb....
Bon voyage to Lucy and anyone else travelling soon - and if you find any interesting sea-glass or shells, you know where to send them!