Handmade Christmas

[Doodle-Noodle]

Thought I'd (try) and put some pics up of handmade Christmas stock ....... we've not bought much in at all this year so are relying on what we're making.

Handmade Advent Canvas - £10 (lots of different colours!)

Handmade decorations prices vary from £2.99 to £4.49 each (made from FIMO)

Hand painted wine glass (Pointsettia, holly, abstract) sold individually for £9.50 or boxed with half bottle of wine and handmade chocolates for £20.

Who needs suppliers!

 

[VanillaL]

Love them especially the handmade decorations and handpainted glass.

 

[Borghesehouse]

Hey really like them, they all look brilliant, bet they will sell well. What are you prices?

 

[Doodle-Noodle]

Really like the hand painted glass, do you do them in sets/packs of six?

Thanks - I paint them individually and generally that's how they are sold; I paint at the counter when the shop is quiet and quite often what I'm painting is sold before it's even finished so I don't get the chance to produce sets unfortunately, though that was always the plan to be honest. In a bid to speed things up a bit I'm concentrating on just 3 designs at the moment - the pointsettia is definitely the most popular at the moment though the abstract one is doing well a champagne flute) too and can be done in whatever colour(s) the customer wants; they're going well as Celebration Goblets for anniversaries.
I've managed to get a couple of pairs boxed up with a bottle of wine on the shelf which is good and taken my paints home with me this weekend in a bid to get more done, though so far have spent all day curled up on the sofa with mugs of tea and the Sunday papers, which is NOT a good way to boost production!

 

[deniser]

They're lovely. Can we buy online or do we have to visit Tadley?

 

[papverpoppies]

Doodles they are fantastic, I love hand made things.

The glass is so pretty, and I can see why they go like hot cakes.

Keep painting.

Pops ~xx~

 

[quackingdeal]

Love the little men they are great what is FIMO?

 

[Evesoffspring]

I spend a lot of my time in Spain and love the miniature nativity scenes that most shops have in their windows. I also love the town and village miniature displays. Torrevieja has a fab display including lights and smoke from tiny fires! They even have miniature dolls having baths etc..
A few years ago I bought a little stable scene " you know baby Jesus etc" and have gradually added to it

 

[Doodle-Noodle]

Love the little men they are great what is FIMO?

FIMO is a fantastic product ..... I love using it, it's so easy - it's great fun for kids too!
It's polymer clay, comes in loads of lovely bright colours (though you can mix it/marble it/do lots of other things with it).
It's no different to using plasticine really, except when you have mad whatever it is you're making you pop it in your oven and cook it for 15 minutes on a really low temperature and you're done. You can varnish/paint it once it's hardened if you want; we sell it at £2.05 per 56g pack, but you can get it from any craft/art shop.
There's another product called Sculpy which is similar, but I personally don't like that - it's a bit rubbery and harder to work with, plus once it's hardened it feels a bit tacky.
You should givd it a try - you can make anything you like with FIMO!

 

[Doodle-Noodle]

They're lovely. Can we buy online or do we have to visit Tadley?

I don't have shopping cart facilities on my website ...... if you want anything I can make it (or get it made) for you and post it out though.

You would be very welcome to come to Tadley for a good old fashioned mooch though as we do have some lovely things.......our kettle is pretty much on the boil on a permanent basis too!!!!!
I find updating our FaceBook page is much easier than uploading pics onto the website so have been putting pics on there http://www.facebook.com/doodlesoftadley

 

[papverpoppies]

I don't have shopping cart facilities on my website ...... if you want anything I can make it (or get it made) for you and post it out though.

You would be very welcome to come to Tadley for a good old fashioned mooch though as we do have some lovely things.......our kettle is pretty much on the boil on a permanent basis too!!!!!
I find updating our FaceBook page is much easier than uploading pics onto the website so have been putting pics on there http://www.facebook.com/doodlesoftadley

There are some beautiful items on your facebook page Doodles.
I love all those painted hearts, and plaques - so pretty.
I love looking at things like that, they lift my day.

Pops ~xx~

 

[Doodle-Noodle]

Ahhh, thank you Pops!!!! They are made by Rachel who is as lovely as her work is ...... how's things with you? Keeping out of ditches I hope!

 

[papverpoppies]

Ahhh, thank you Pops!!!! They are made by Rachel who is as lovely as her work is ...... how's things with you? Keeping out of ditches I hope!

Had a lovely day yesterday the weather was Spring like.

Rachels work is enchanting..I wish I was near your shop.

I visited a local craft fair yesterday, although sad to have to admit, it was very lacking in anything that bit different (Rachels work) would have gone down a storm (your shop would have)

50 sheep in one of my fields, the farmer has kindly lent them me, to munch the grass down, my girls are a bit put out, (but I just give them an extra digestive) at bedtime.

Please post more pics if and when, I love looking at your things.

Pops ~xx~

 

[Doodle-Noodle]

50 sheep ...... wow! You'd better start making some mint sauce!!!! Lots of craft fairs these day seem to have traders that buy stuff in rather than make their own which is a shame; glad you like what we're doing, we are very lucky to have so many talented people on board x

 

[papverpoppies]

50 sheep ...... wow! You'd better start making some mint sauce!!!! Lots of craft fairs these day seem to have traders that buy stuff in rather than make their own which is a shame; glad you like what we're doing, we are very lucky to have so many talented people on board x

Bought in, yes, that was what most if the items looked like.

There was a man making 'wood turned items' some of those were stunning, expensive - but worth it for the amount of time and skill required.

Nooooooooooo mint sauce (I dare not even look at those sheep much) I will fall in love with them, and feel sad when they go.

They are doing a brilliant job though, even uncovered some old dogs toys that had long been lost (Benny the Banana) a bit worse for wear, but he still squeaks..

Pops ~xx~

 

[Furrtiv]

Doodles, I've just found your shop on Facebook and given you a quick "Like" - I'm Dark Flights Art. So much lovely stuff in your photos, shame I have no money right now.

 

[Doodle-Noodle]

......... and I've just reciprocated Furrtiv! Your drawings are amazing .......

 

[Faevilangel]

If only you had an online shopping cart DoT, as my mum would spend loads there. She makes everything from cards to accessories and can easily spend £50 on stuff. She is always in Hobby craft buying stuff.

Also add your website to your signature... Make it easier for us to visit the site (and Google).

 

[Doodle-Noodle]

If only you had an online shopping cart DoT, as my mum would spend loads there. She makes everything from cards to accessories and can easily spend £50 on stuff. She is always in Hobby craft buying stuff.

Also add your website to your signature... Make it easier for us to visit the site (and Google).

Would your mum consider moving? We could with her as a customer! Hobby Craft is really expensive actually, we sell the same stuff alot cheaper than they do, they just rely on people not knowing where else to go for their crafty bits and pieces.
I used to have my website on the signature, but because I had issues with the landlord/rent etc and was posting about it on here, took the signature off as it was showing up on google and I didn't particularly want customers to know we were having issues. My website details are on here, just not in the signature .......... know what you mean though!
We do post stuff out to people if they ever want it, but since we don't have a shopping cart I know it's difficult .....

 

[Faevilangel]

Would your mum consider moving? We could with her as a customer! Hobby Craft is really expensive actually, we sell the same stuff alot cheaper than they do, they just rely on people not knowing where else to go for their crafty bits and pieces.
I used to have my website on the signature, but because I had issues with the landlord/rent etc and was posting about it on here, took the signature off as it was showing up on google and I didn't particularly want customers to know we were having issues. My website details are on here, just not in the signature .......... know what you mean though!
We do post stuff out to people if they ever want it, but since we don't have a shopping cart I know it's difficult .....

Not sure she would want to move closer to London, it's nice and quiet down this end. My gran wants out of Newbury so moving into a complex near me (means I gotta see her more).

Know what you mean about HC, I have to put my hand in my mouth before I say "how much ) but unfortunately there are very few craft shops down our end, did have one in town but they went down.

Easy enough to set up Done 2 sites for local ladies to me who do crafty kind of things (photo montages & kids accessories) and we just run a basic paypal cart. Adding products is a pita but they only have a few products and a full cart would have been a waste.

I will be down in Basingstoke in the new year so will have to take a small detour

 

[papverpoppies]

If only you had an online shopping cart DoT, as my mum would spend loads there. She makes everything from cards to accessories and can easily spend £50 on stuff. She is always in Hobby craft buying stuff.

Also add your website to your signature... Make it easier for us to visit the site (and Google).

I am exactly the same.
Have to admit I buy a lot of my stuff from China, their buttons and beads on price are amazing.

Crafting is not cheap, and you cannot really make much of a profit on it - but it is so pleasurable.

Doodles I would never be out of your spot if I lived locally - it is a real shame there are not many places like yours left.

I spend ages on line looking at different items.

Pops ~xx~

 

[Faevilangel]

I am exactly the same.
Have to admit I buy a lot of my stuff from China, their buttons and beads on price are amazing.

Crafting is not cheap, and you cannot really make much of a profit on it - but it is so pleasurable.

Doodles I would never be out of your spot if I lived locally - it is a real shame there are not many places like yours left.

I spend ages on line looking at different items.

Pops ~xx~

My mum mainly makes cards which are for family birthdays etc and then the jewellery and some general purpose cards for a local group she is in, which helps raise money for the group to go on days out.

It's mainly the pleasure and it helps combat boredom on the cold winter nights..

 

[Touched_by_Insanity]

Absolutely divine, I love home made things, I love making things also but never seem to find the time, how lucky you get to work at something so rewarding x

 

[papverpoppies]

Absolutely divine, I love home made things, I love making things also but never seem to find the time, how lucky you get to work at something so rewarding x

Most of my pressies to friends are home made this year.....so I could have less friends after the 25th

Pops ~xx~

 

[Doodle-Noodle]

Most of my pressies to friends are home made this year.....so I could have less friends after the 25th

Pops ~xx~

Handmade pressies are the best Pops, they show your friends and family that you care so much about them you are prepared to give the thing that is most precious to all of us ....... time. They will love you for it (they do already of course, they'll just be reminded how much they do when they receive your gifts!)

 

[Touched_by_Insanity]

Last year I was broke, at the tail end of a long break from work and I made my presents, I made linseed cushions with lavender oil and I thoroughly enjoyed making them, IMO nothing better than something made with love even if it may not be as perfect as the shop bought items x

 

[Doodle-Noodle]

Last year I was broke, at the tail end of a long break from work and I made my presents, I made linseed cushions with lavender oil and I thoroughly enjoyed making them, IMO nothing better than something made with love even if it may not be as perfect as the shop bought items x

Exactly ......... and I bet the people you gave them to thought they were wonderful too

 

[papverpoppies]

Doodles can I just ask why you do not have some sort of e-commerce site where people can buy your stuff as there is obviously a calling for it???

Totally agree.
Its like looking in the sweet shop window with no money

Pops ~xx~

 

[Doodle-Noodle]

Doodles can I just ask why you do not have some sort of e-commerce site where people can buy your stuff as there is obviously a calling for it???

Because I'm not really sure it would work with our products. The trouble with them is that they are genuinely handmade, so we often only have one, and even if someone makes more than one (like I do with the wine glasses, for example) they really are handpainted, there is no template or anything so they are all different, even if I try to make them the same.

Our jewellery makers are very unlikely to repeat a design, they may make similar necklaces but in different colours perhaps, but they like to make just one. Same with our painters, potters and wonderful textile people ...... I think I might spend all my time trying to upload pics to an ecommerce site only for the item to be sold as soon as it gets online and then I'd have to take it off again.
I find the prospect a bit scary .... I can just about manage to update my FB page, and am hopeless at updating my website as often as I should.
I know you guys all think the interweb is easy!
I have looked at things like Payvment (or something like that) but even that looks a bit more than I can understand sadly

 

[Furrtiv]

Aw Doodles, shame you don't need any more jewellers!

I think handmade items work great online, as otherwise places like Etsy and Folksy wouldn't be so popular, perhaps do a shop obn one of those and update regularly? Easier than a website, at least it is for me.

 

[Doodle-Noodle]

My hosting provider charges £3.97 for unlimited bandwidth, My website cost me £130 pounds all in. I dont have to load anything on to it but I sometimes change the pictures etc and trust me if I can do it you can do it. The mans name is Pete, and he will always help you out and is very good. If you want me to get him to contact you then I will, or you can contact him. You could even just set up on Ebay but then you pay fees etc .
Or I could just mind my own bloody business

I really do appreciate everybody's advice ........ if I post on here, I make it your business too so don't apologise!

 

[Evesoffspring]

Been to Harrogate today, never seen so many nana's spending serious money on craft items !!
Even I spent over £100 on things that I didn't realise I needed !! but don't tell him in doors !
But seriously there must have been a few hundred if not thousands there and all paying £14 a pop just to get in !!

 

[Doodle-Noodle]

Craft is big business - and it's not just the nanas tha do it. Over the past few years it's really moved up a gear, there's a TV channel called Create & Craft which plenty of my customers watch practically all day long. It's a shopping channel really, but they do craft demos on it which makes it more watchable, then you can buy the stuff to copy their projects.
I sell the same stuff (pretty much) and lots of people don't want to wait to get their stuff by post so come scuttling down to us clutching their purses so that they can get it as quickly as possible and go home and make it...I just have to hope I can keep on top of what they're doing as I don't want my customers buying from a TV channel if I cn help it!
The trend for handcrafted goods/shabby chic is becoming far more established now, with even mainstream TV following up on this (Kirsty's done us a massive favour with her Handmade Britain series).

 

[Deleted member 61074]

Because I'm not really sure it would work with our products. The trouble with them is that they are genuinely handmade, so we often only have one, and even if someone makes more than one (like I do with the wine glasses, for example) they really are handpainted, there is no template or anything so they are all different, even if I try to make them the same.

Our jewellery makers are very unlikely to repeat a design, they may make similar necklaces but in different colours perhaps, but they like to make just one. Same with our painters, potters and wonderful textile people ...... I think I might spend all my time trying to upload pics to an ecommerce site only for the item to be sold as soon as it gets online and then I'd have to take it off again.
I find the prospect a bit scary .... I can just about manage to update my FB page, and am hopeless at updating my website as often as I should.
I know you guys all think the interweb is easy!
I have looked at things like Payvment (or something like that) but even that looks a bit more than I can understand sadly

You are absolutely correct, it is very difficult to have ecommerce when you have one off products. I know of someone who's site sells second hand maternity wear, she has had to add other lines that she can buy in numbers so she gets some easy sales, otherwise she spends all her time adding one-off items to her site. Given that to add one item can take 30 mins ( photographing takes the time) it is barely cost efficient.

 

[papverpoppies]

Craft is big business - and it's not just the nanas tha do it. Over the past few years it's really moved up a gear, there's a TV channel called Create & Craft which plenty of my customers watch practically all day long. It's a shopping channel really, but they do craft demos on it which makes it more watchable, then you can buy the stuff to copy their projects.
I sell the same stuff (pretty much) and lots of people don't want to wait to get their stuff by post so come scuttling down to us clutching their purses so that they can get it as quickly as possible and go home and make it...I just have to hope I can keep on top of what they're doing as I don't want my customers buying from a TV channel if I cn help it!
The trend for handcrafted goods/shabby chic is becoming far more established now, with even mainstream TV following up on this (Kirsty's done us a massive favour with her Handmade Britain series).

I find it all exciting, and you are so right Dot Doodles, Kirsty has done wonders.

When you think not so many years ago, unless you baked or knitted that was all there was, these days we are spoilt for choice.

I am in my seventh heaven when sourcing materials, even car boots and charity shops have taken on a different light.

Also have to say (although I do not like the shopping channels) they make people 'think' they can do it, and off they go and buy the materials, I suspect many never get passed the opening of the parcel stage, but they are spending.......and as Mr Tesco says, 'every little helps'!

Pops ~xx~

 

[papverpoppies]

Some of my handmade presents for friends etc.

 

[Doodle-Noodle]

Wow, Pops they are beautiful! Really lovely - did you paint the chickens yourself? Whoever gets these will be thrilled ...... they are just gorgeous!

 

[papverpoppies]

Not going to reply with my pic (as it is huge) and makes the screen go all bonkers.

Doodles, no I did not paint the chickens.. it is a decal, painting and me do not go together not that good anyway.

ThisandThat

They are wooden hearts for displaying.
I buy plain hearts, paint them all lovely bright colours, and then decorate them.
They can then be hung from anywhere within reason. I have also made some smaller ones with Christmas decorations on, for the tree or wherever.

I buy old bits of jewellery and use the good bits, whatever really (recycling)

Thinking of going on Dragons Den next time round and offering them the company for £2.99

Pops ~xx~