Important information

Unfortunately as you can probably guess, as from 2017 this blog is no longer actively managed, however I have left the blog view-able as it still contains some very useful information for the crafting community. However, as you know businesses come and go and information on-line is forever changing so I can not guarantee how correct the data and links are now.

Thank you.

 

CRAFTY WEDNESDAY ~ Animal featured handmade items

Hi there, we have a lovely selection of animal themed crafts and gift ideas this week, all submitted by our TCN VIP’s.

To contact, buy from or visit any of these businesses, click on a picture to see the link to their business, copy and enter it into your browser.  Thanks.

1. JoJos Makes & Bakes ~ Tilda Rabbit

2. JoJos Makes & Bakes ~ Tilda Giraffes

3. JoJos Makes & Bakes ~ Felt penguins

4. Casalana – The Woolhouse ~ Owl PJ case

5. Casalana – the Woolhouse ~ Owl baby papoose

6. Casalana – the Woolhouse ~ Funky chicken egg cosies

7. Couture Gifts ~ Decoupaged piggbank

8. Funky Artist ~ Funky feline, owl and dog framed prints

9. Funky Artist ~ Pug life funky pet portraits

10. Funky Artist ~ Penguin Love framed personalised print

11. Daisy Felts ~ Felt framed tiger

12. Cassiopeia Knit Designs ~ Knitted bunny

13. Mayfair in the morning ~ Fox Dungarees

14. Mayfair in the morning ~ Woodland animals pinafore dress

15. Mayfair in the morning ~ Dinosaur shirt

16. Indigo Aana ~ Owl resin ring

17. Janices Jewels Somerset ~ Enamel cat rhodium plated pendant and chain

18. Janices Jewels Somerset ~ Polymer clay calico cat brooch

19. Janices Jewels Somerset ~ Abalone shell rhodium plated dog pendant and chain

20. Radiance Stained Glass ~ Stained glass Owl Panel

21. Radiance Stained Glass ~ Stained glass butterfly Panel

22. Radiance Stained Glass ~ Stained glass Sea Horse Panel

23. Willow House Silver ~ Animal charms & pendants

24. Willow House Silver ~ Silver hare charms

25. Willow House Silver ~ Silver elephant charm pendant

26. Butterflies by Danni ~ Butterfly inspired card

27. Butterflies by Danni ~ Butterfly bespoke frame

28. Butterflies by Danni ~ paper butterflies to decorate your own makes

29. Upcycle Stuff ~ Elephants

30. Upcycle Stuff ~ Handmade newspaper Elephant

31. Designs by Maddy ~ Limited edition Everyday dress featuring owls

32. Designs by Maddy ~ Everyday reversible dress with appliqued bird and button detail

33. Designs by Maddy ~ Bright panel skirt with little giraffes

Thanks for looking.

The Crafty Network

 

 

CRAFTY WEDNESDAY ~ Personalised Handmade Crafts

Hi there, we have another great selection of crafts and gift ideas this week, all submitted by our TCN VIP’s. This week it’s Personalised items for that extra special handmade gift.

To contact, buy from or visit any of these businesses, click on a picture to see the link to their business, copy and enter it into your browser.  Thanks.

1. SusieBee Colections ~ Personalised keepsake blankets and cushions

2. Bling that Thing ~ Personalised Card Holders £10.00 plus P&P

3. JJ’s ~ Personalised blanket

4. Baubles, Bangles & Beads ~ Personalised Swarovski crystal & pearl sterling silver bracelet

5. Ellabella designs ~ Personalised red Love cushion

6. Ellabella designs ~ red denin coin purse

7. Ellabella designs ~ Personalised cushion

8. Jo Jo’s Makes & Bakes ~ Personalised T shirts and baby grows

9. Janice’s Jewels ~ memory lockets

10. Janice’s Jewels ~ memory lockets & bracelets

11. Janice’s Jewels ~ heart shaped memory lockets & bracelets

12. A Rose Designs ~ Personalised chain maile sign

13. A T Scrollin ~ Stand up Name hand cut from solid hardwood

14. AT Scrollin ~ Custom hand cut signs from solid hardwood

15. CeeCeeJewels ~ Personalised hand stamped jewellery

16. Sheree Maskell ~ personalised candles

17. Casalana – the woolhouse Personalised Princess cot blanket

8. Casalana – the woolhouse ~ Personalised Princess cot blanket

19. Tracey Savage ~ Personalised cushion

20. Radiance Glass ~ Personalised Stained glass letter panels

21. Stephanie Short Stationery ~ Personalised birthday card

22. Stephanie Short Stationery ~ Customised birthday card

23. Stephanie Short Stationery ~ Personalised and customised birthday card

24. Semi Precious Jens ~ Personalised beaded snowflakes

25. Home Sweet Home Store ~ Personalised weight loss journey board

26. Home Sweet Home Store ~ Personalised Believe in fairies sign

27. Home Sweet Home Store ~ Personalised photo blocks (Weddings, Birthdays etc)

28. Handmade by Julie Anne ~ Personalised cushion

29. Handmade by Julie Anne ~ Personalised bunting

30. With Hugs and Kisses ~ Personalised owl door sign

31. Willow House Silver ~ Hand punched silver pendants

32. Willow House Silver ~ silver tree pendants

33. Bettys Vintage Chic ~ Photo blocks

34. Bettys Vintage Chic ~ Personalised signs

35. Bettys Vintage Chic ~ Personalised trinket boxes

Thanks for looking.

The Crafty Network

 

 

CRAFTY WEDNESDAY ~ Monochrome Handmade Crafts

Hi there, it’s another great selection of crafts and gift ideas we have for you this week, all submitted by our TCN VIP’s. This week it’s a Monochrome theme.

To contact, buy from or visit any of these businesses, click on a picture to see the link to their business, copy and enter it into your browser.  Thanks.

1. Polka Dots & Roses ~ Princess hairclip holder

2. Polka Dots & Roses ~ Weight Loss blackboard

3. Paperama ~ Live, Love Laugh

4. Ellabella Designs ~ Kindle case magazine style design

5. Ellabella Designs ~ Nexus7, Kindle keyboard, Galaxy TAB2 dress form case

6. Bling that Thing ~ Personalised blinged compact mirror

7. Woolrush ~ Croft handspun jacket

8. Woolrush ~ Dorset Buttons black & grey

9. Woolrush ~ Ariana grey wool hat

10. Cassiopeia Knit Designs ~ necklace and earrings set

11. Daisy Felts ~ Lavender heart

12. Dizzy Duck Creative Studio ~ Black & White snowy trees print

13. Twisted HeadMistress ~ gothic style Bella Donna handmade doll

14. Janices Jewels ~ Wire wrapped black onyx pendant necklace

15. Crafty Row ~ Kitchen themed tea pot art

16. Funky Artist ~ Funky Dates art work, personalised

17. Stephanie Short Stationery ~ Wedding Invitation monchrome design

18. Stephanie Short Stationery ~ Glamorous set of handmade notecards

19. Stephanie Short Stationery ~ Notecards, set of four Glamorous Illustration

20. Radiance Stained Glass ~ Treble Clef panel

21. Radiance Stained Glass ~ The Dove Symbol Fidelity, Love and peace stained glass panel

22. Hunny Pot Cottage Designs ~ Black flower and feather Tiara Fascinator bespoke design

Thanks for looking.

The Crafty Network

 

 

CRAFTY WEDNESDAY ~ White Themed Handmade Crafts

Hi there, we have another great selection of crafts and gift ideas to show off to you this week submitted by our TCN VIP’s.  All with a White theme.

To contact, buy from or visit any of these businesses please find their details in our VIP Members List. HERE

1. Thistledown Wishes ~ wire wrapped pearl bracelet

2. Thistledown Wishes ~ freshwater pearl bracelet

3. Stephanie Short Stationery ~ bookmarks

4. Stephanie Short Stationery ~ Set of 3 bookmarks £2.40

5. Stephanie Short Stationery ~ Set of 2 bookmarks £1.80

6. RB’s Sheepy Creations ~ Lavender Cushion £29.50

7. Ribbonlicious Handmade Decorations ~ ribbon heart decoration

8. AngelK ~ Mother & Baby bouquet

9. Lydia Grace Little Girlswear ~ Little girls skirt

10. Lydia Grace Little Girlswear ~ Little girls skirt

11. Tittlemouse Cottage Crafts ~ Little felt white mouse

12. Couture Gifts ~ decoupaged What not

13. Polks Dots and Roses ~ Pink polka dot sippered purse

14. Polks Dots and Roses ~ Best teacher rosette gift

15. Polks Dots and Roses ~ A House is just a house heart decoration

16. Awfybraw ~ Shabby Chic clay heart for wedding

17. A Rose Designs ~ Kumihimo purple & cream bracelet

18. Dandycrafts ~ Dog lovers cushions & apron

19. Jackie Carey Knitwear ~ Hand knitted Aran style white cardigan

20. Handmade Homestyle by Annie ~ Food mixer cover (Kenwood chef size)

21. Janices Jewels ~ Swarovski crystal sterling silver earrings

22. Radiance Stained Glass ~ Snowdrops Stained Glass

23. Daisy Felts ~ Felt Polar Bear

Thanks for looking.

The Crafty Network VIP’s

 

CRAFTY WEDNESDAY ~ Handmade Crafts & Gifts £10 & under

Hi there, we have got a great selection of crafts and gift ideas for you this week submitted by our TCN VIP’s.  All for £10 or under.  So please take a look and grab yourselves a handmade bargain.

To contact, buy from or visit any of these businesses please find their details in our VIP Members List. HERE

1. Krafty Cakes ~ Cake Pops £2 & Cupcakes £1.50 each

2. Ladybird Letters ~ Decorated wooden words £8 each

3. Thistledown Wishes ~ silver bird earrings £5.00

4. Baubles, Bangles & Beads ~ Stretchy mint elephant bracelet £6.50

5. Baubles, Bangles & Beads ~ unisex hematite bracelet £6.50

6. Biggsys Bottles ~ White & Purple hand decorated bottle made to order £4.00

7. With Hugs and Kisses ~ jungle finger puppets

8. Daisy Felts

9. Planet Kitty ~ Viking knit copper bracelet £10.00

10. Ellabella Designs ~ Appliqued design glasses case beach hut and bunting £9.50

11. Radiance Stained Glass ~ Stained glass hearts £10.00 each

12. Indigo Aana ~ Selection of resin rings £7.00 each

13. Ally Noble Fused Glass ~ Fused glass small robin £10.00 each

14. Crafty Bags ~ Ipad case

15. Lydia Grace Little Girlswear ~ Skirt age 4 £10.00 + postage

16. Lydia Grace Little Girlswear ~ Skirt age 6 £10.00 + postage

17. Lydia Grace Little Girlswear ~ Skirt age 1 £8.00 + postage

18. Princess Helenas Designs ~ Ivory & brushed silver beads on twisted wire set £10.00

19. Princess Helenas Designs ~ Scottish Saltire Bracelets £10.00 each

20. Princess Helenas Designs ~ Baby Pink pearls and clear crystal trio set £10.00

21. Ellabella designs ~ mums taxi keyring £4.50

22. Tittlemouse Cottage crafts ~ set of 3 little felt beach huts available on Etsy

23. A Rose Designs ~ chain maille bracelets

24. Ribbonlicious Handmade Decorations ~ teached gifts £6.00

25. Animal Glass Designs ~ Kingfisher glass tealight candle holder £7.00

26. Nicola Morse Jewellery ~ Flower pendant on chain £6.00 each

27. Indigo Aana ~ Sol bracelet, twice wrap around the wrist

28. Georgia P Designs ~ Unique Orchid, green & white handmade polymer clay pendant necklace £10.00

29. Stephanie Short Stationery ~ Notebook set and pencil £3.70

30. Stephanie Short Stationery ~ Set of four notecards £3.00

31. Stephanie Short Stationery ~ Knitters Notes Notebook £1.50

32. JJ’s ~ Small bean bags £5.00 each

33. Georgia P Designs ~ Unique Handmade Daisy Chain Bracelet £10.00

34. Georgia P Designs ~ Flower design Unique handmade polymer clay key ring or bag charms £5.00 each

Thanks for looking.

 

 

CRAFTY WEDNESDAY ~ Pink themed handmade crafts

Hello everyone, we have started to do a daily theme on our TCN VIP Group Page and last week our most popular theme was PINK TONES.

So I thought I would share with you all, the lovely selection of handmade crafts that our members posted for this theme.  What a wonderful list of gift ideas.

To contact or visit any of these businesses please find their details in our VIP Members List. HERE

1. Felt Fusion ~ Girls handknitted dress

2. Felt Fusion ~ Hot stuff Hand dyed merino yarn wool

3. Woolrush ~ handknitted cardigan jacket

4. Felt Fusion ~ Caress angora silk hand felted scarf

5. Baubles, Bangles & Beads ~ Rose quartz Wire wrapped cuff

6. Casalana-the wool house ~ Princess cot blanket

7. Princess Helenas Designs ~ Pin brooch

8. Woolrush ~ Handknitted buttons

9. Princess Helenas Designs ~ Beaded tiara

10. Radiance Stained Glass ~ Tulip stained glass panel

11. Princess Helenas Designs ~ Pink Necklace

12. Angel K ~ Handmade satin risk corsage

13. Angel K ~ mini baby bouquet in pink

14. Daisy Felts ~ Heart Garland

15. Georgia P Designs ~ Raspberry Ripple Necklace Handmade Pink & yellow polymer clay beads

16. Ann’s Crochet Designs ~ soft acrylic baby blanket

17. Angel K ~ scarf rose pail

18. Bluebells and Beads ~ Pink Wired White Quartz necklace

19. Casalana-the wool house ~ Baby Summer crochet dress and hairband

20. Thistledown Wishes ~ Pink bangle with silver bird charm

21. Pieceofmyheartuk ~ Ballet themed heart box frame picture

22. Lydia Grace Little Girlswear ~ Campervan themed skirt

23. Lydia Grace Little Girlswear ~ Strawberry fruit dress age 1-2

24. Pieceofmyheartuk ~ Pink butterfly heart box frame picture

25. Lydia Grace Little Girlswear ~ Pink fairies little girls dress

26. CMGD Soap ~ Handmade Strawberry rose soap

27. With Hugs and Kisses ~ Handmade and decorated pink clock featuring birds

28. Dandycrafts ~ Baby bouquet

29. Indigo Aana ~ mismatched pink cameo feather earrings

30 Casalana-the wool house ~ Hat and baby sandals

31. Indigo Aana ~ summer wrap bracelet

32. Stephanie Short Stationery ~ Pretty collage work gift tags

Thanks for looking we hope to bring you these theme posts on a regular basis again, each Wednesday.  So if you don’t want to miss any, please don’t forget to follow us.

 

 

 

Hurry Last minute Father’s Day gifts

Hello, if you still haven’t bought your dad a gift for Father’s Day, then here are a few suggestions that can still be posted out to arrive just in time.  But you will need to hurry, Father’s Day in the UK is on Sunday 15th June.

Items all available from The Crafty Network VIP Members, click on links to visit their shops and order.

1. With-hugs-and-kisses-fathers-day-football clock Football/Soccer inspired clock ~ http://folksy.com/items/2698550-Football-Soccer-Clock

 

2. Daisy Felts Fathers Day Dad inspired bookmarks ~ https://www.facebook.com/daisyfeltsshop/photos/a.543468229017750.1073741825.542329862464920/761732513857986/?type=1&theater

 

3. Ellabella designs Fathers Day Dads Cab keyring ~ http://folksy.com/items/6277241-Keyring-hand-stamped-design-Dads-Cab-taupe-cream-and-grey

 

4. Thistledown Wishes Fathers Day seaside in a shell/miniature rock pool ~ https://www.facebook.com/201193010088022/photos/a.201200406753949.1073741827.201193010088022/254055611468428/?type=1&theater

 

5. Home Sweet Home Fathers Day Gardening trug ~ https://www.facebook.com/homesweethomestore/photos/a.552768031487677.1073741828.547032282061252/598375893593557/?type=1&theater

 

6. AngelK Fathers Day Men tie pails ~ https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=612686048797466&set=a.342856962447044.76069.296953750370699&type=1&theater

 

Thanks for looking.

Linda x

 

PS.  If you are interested in being a Crafty Network VIP Member, then visit this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/674805715902508/

 

 

 

TCN Facebook Page Announcement

Hello everyone, it has been a very sad weekend, because on Friday the 6th June, myself and the other 3 admins of The Crafty Network Facebook page announced that we were going to close the TCN Facebook page down.

It wasn’t an easy decision and not something we did on a whim, after being open more than 3 years you can imagine how many Facebook changes we have seen, how many friends we have made, crafts we have promoted and the great pride we have had in watching our following increase! But for the past year or so we have struggled to get as many people as we did joining in, commenting and liking our posts and this has been all down to Facebook deciding how many of our followers saw our posts.  We have worked tirelessly trying to beat Facebook and its algorithms, trying to come up with new ways for our posts to be seen, from writing short posts, long posts, posting pictures, asking questions, using # tags, avoiding certain words like ‘Share’, ‘like’ etc in our posts and posting links in comments rather than in the main posts, but still our posts seemed to be failing to reach even a small percentage of our 5500+ followers, our stats were still on the decline and fewer and fewer people where joining in. As you can imagine this was very frustrating and demoralising for all of us and things only got worse when the page was recently changed to the new improved layout. We realised then, unless we were prepared to start paying for our posts to be seen, we were just fighting a losing battle.

I think this is something many small businesses have been struggling with on Facebook, because lots of you who have Facebook business pages have also been saying the same.  I think the days of free marketing and promotion on Facebook is over.  We have been saying for a while, never rely on Facebook, get yourself a Website or Blog, build yourself an email list of followers, there is nothing stopping Facebook from charging you for all your posts or for your page or even closing you down tomorrow because you break one of their rules. My advice to you is just be prepared if you want your small business to survive.

So what does that mean now for you and us?

It’s time now for us to see if it is possible to survive without a Facebook Business page. What that means is that we aim to do more promotion on here, on our Twitter feed and on Pinterest.  We will make it our task to carry on promoting small business and their crafts, yes, it won’t be as instant as a post on Facebook, but hopefully it will reach a wider audience and will remain here on our blog for future internet searches, (our blog stats prove that).  I also hope you will help us by telling your friends about our Blog, by giving us a little plug now and again, as that is what networking is all about, helping each other.

And finally, I have a little confession to make, we have decided not to ditch Facebook entirely, I thought it would be such a shame to lose touch with everyone and as I have been a member of several Group pages on Facebook and these seem fairly constant and all posts show up in my newsfeed.  I have decided to start a Group Page called The Crafty Network VIP’s, if you would like to join, just click the link and send a request.

The Group Rules are simple:

• Introduce yourself and add your business name and what you make to the pinned post.
• Always be friendly, kind and courteous to your fellow members.
• Join in whenever you can with themes etc.
• Please refrain from doing multiple posts in one day and clogging up everyone’s newsfeed
• Ask questions or seek help.
• Please also Invite your other FB business page friends, the more the merrier.

So watch this space, Facebook may have beaten us, but we will still go on, roll on the revolution and the next best thing in social media for business!

If any of you have similar feelings about Facebook and have already ditched your pages or thinking about it, I would love to hear from you?

Linda x

 

 

 

Get to know Notions of Brechin ~ TCN Spring Craft Challenge Winner

Meet Janice…The Owner of Notions Of Brechin

How difficult can it be to write about yourself & your business? The answer is very! But here goes…..

I started machine embroidery as a hobby way back in 2003 when my husband & I had a guest house in Elgin, although I had been sewing a making clothes since a youngster…using my mums Turquoise Singer machine…I guess that dates me! As I was tied to the house waiting for guests coming and going it was an ideal way to fill my days.

I made clothes for my children as they grew up & my love of crafting & making has always been present. We moved to Angus, Scotland in 2005 & opened our own restaurant, but I was still to be found at my machine late into the night completing orders for ebay customers!

As time went by I ‘branched out’ & opened a small shop but found that it wasn’t right for my creative nature, being tied to opening hours limited the work I could do. I now work from home & love it. I chiefly do corporate logos but in my spare time I create my own styles using clothing or items I’ve found in charity shops. My other passion is working with tweed & I make random patchwork cushions & bags which I now send worldwide. My business is still developing & I now get asked to do custom orders which I find very satisfying especially when given free rein to express my own ideas.

My outlet for my work is mostly via facebook & word of mouth, I don’t sell on ebay now, but I am in the process of setting up a website which I hope will increase exposure & sales!

My most popular products at the moment are cushions, handmade from Scottish Linen, embroidered with Scottish Thistles, I have sent loads over to the USA & tweed patchwork cushions which all have a wee stag embroidered on them & the brooches are very popular too.

If you would like to see more of my work, or to contact me please visit either of my pages:

https://www.facebook.com/notionsbrechin#

https://www.facebook.com/TweedllDee

 

Her Winning Entry ~  a customized, vintage handmade, woollen fabric, undertakers jacket.

 

Tweed’ll Dee — A range of Tweed products, created in the craft studio of Notions of Brechin, Angus, Scotland. Each piece is a unique, handmade one-off

The name ‘Tweed’ll Dee’ for this range of products, from Notions Embroidery Brechin , loosely translates from the Doric language as ‘Tweed Will Do’. Doric is still prevalent in my home town of Ballater on Royal Deeside…& the Dee also refers to the famous river Dee. Although i now live in Brechin, Angus…i’m not that far from my roots!
Each of the products is handmade I don’t take custom orders or commissions for these, if you see one you like please message the page to complete a purchase. x