Posted on 20/03/202130/05/2023 by FallonR — Leave a comment

All About myself and HRJ!

Welcome! Let me start by telling you a little bit about myself!

I’m Fallon, a thirty-something year old, living in Hertfordshire with my husband and daughter. I’m an avid crafter, have been all my life, trying my hand at many different activities for fun and making numerous things for my daughter and as gifts. I also love home baking and drinking copious cups of tea! I have a degree in photography and shoot freelance baby and children photography (when global pandemics don’t get in the way!)

I’ve been using polymer clay since I was a child, initially making teeny tiny food for my dolls house. My husband bought me a food themed polymer clay book many years ago, and after experimenting with cakes and sweets, decided to start selling the increasing number of makes I produced, mainly to clear some space!! The rest is history, HRJ was born in May 2011!

I chose to continue the foodie theme as I love all things quirky and retro – I’m an eighties child, so the retro food you find at old school birthday parties is an absolute favourite at mine – plates of iced ring biscuits, fondant fancies, etc – whenever we have a birthday at home, we always have that kind of tea party to celebrate! I think the theme brings a sense of nostalgia to childhood/good memories from the past (my allsorts sweetie bracelet was one of my very first makes, and is still so popular today, with the young and old!). I’ve now also started to branch out into homeware and decorations…but more on that in my next blog post!

Inspiration strikes me at any time – I generally get distracted by anything cute and quirky, especially colourful eye catching things. I love kawaii styles, and have incorporated it into some of my pieces. Current trends inspire me, as well as actual foods; being a keen baker, I follow lots of baking accounts on social media, and sometimes try to recreate something edible into clay form! I also have had many commissions and special requests over the years, and some I have felt would be really popular, so have then made these into pieces for my shop too.

I joined TBCH in early 2020 and love the unique community of makers here, they are all so helpful and friendly, with each and every one making beautiful high quality handcrafted items.

Oh and if you’re wondering…my favourite biscuit to dunk in my cup of tea is….a chocolate bourbon or Lotus Biscoff!

Posted on 19/08/202030/05/2023 by Bevart designs — Leave a comment

Meet the Maker – Beverley from Bevart designs

Meet the maker blog

Beverley Chapelhow – Bevart designs.

I am Beverley, of ‘Bevart designs’ I live in the beautiful Ribble Valley in Lancashire. I will always be that artist that fell into making jewellery making and designing, many people have said that my artwork would make lovely jewellery pieces, this got me thinking and I started to create and work on this possibility. I made a few pieces and put them on display in my studio… to my delight I sold a few, 12 months on I was accepted for a great art and craft show called ‘Art in the Pen’. I took with me my framed artwork and my jewellery, I made more sales than I thought possible. Being encouraged by this I applied to sell on ‘The British Craft House’ and was thrilled to be accepted.

I have always taught art classes to adults sometimes with a crossover into craft making like flower arranging, printmaking, card making etc.

I am inspired to create any art work including my jewellery by nature, the Japanese way of Wabisabi, travel, and other artists, I love the work of Greyson Perry, Yayoi Kusama, there are lots more!

I graduated from university in 2008 with a degree in fine art, with a friend and colleague we wanted to still try and work together in a studio environment, we wanted to find a place where we could provide affordable studio space for other artists. I am currently the proud owner of ‘Atelier Arts’ an art studio collective with gallery and teaching space in Clitheroe from here I sell my paintings, I teach art classes to adults including general art and life drawing , I also teach art in Spain with partners ‘Caves of Dreams’ we provide a full all-inclusive art holiday experience in Baza, the region of Andalucia.

What is the dream? The dream was always to own an art studio, the other is to be selling my work more regularly, whether that’s jewellery or my paintings to build a following and to become successful.

I am currently working from home and we have a workshop in the garage, so I can keep on creating and making.

My proudest moment business wise is owning my current business and that being a success. Forever proud of our two daughters growing into confident, successful, independent women.

My creative future looks like this, over the past year I have been experimenting with ice dyeing and eco printing on fabric. I love textiles and pattern, this is something I want to add to my shop in the future in the form of scarves as I believe this would enhance my jewellery range. I am also planning some Yoga and Art retreats, I want to provide creative relaxing workshops based around self care, using our mental and physical self in a creative way using clay and paint.

To relax and have fun I love to tap dance, I regularly take part in yoga, pilates and meditation. I also love photography and to travel sketch and paint.

I also enjoy a good night out with friends in the city of Manchester drinking cocktails!

I also adore cake, what is my favourite cake ….any cake!!! But very partial to a lemon drizzle

Posted on 01/02/202030/05/2023 by Jo Sara — Leave a comment

How It Started – Meet JoSara

: Me, Jo from JoSara

Hi, I’m Jo, thanks for popping in. Where did it start? Well, I was looking for a decorative and practical bird bath for my own garden and I couldn’t find any that fitted the bill. I had seen a few mosaic style designs on my search and I thought, I could have a go at that. So, I researched garden suitable materials, taught myself how to mosaic, and made my own unique pattern Moroccan pool style bird bath (a design that is still one I have in my shop today, and the bird bath is still going strong in my garden). That started me on a train of thought where lots of different mosaic designs I could create were popping into my head.

: Rainbow Hedgehog bird bath

Those train of thought designs included something to help our hedgehogs, because it was around that time that I became aware of the plight they were in with their numbers plummeting. As I read more on the subject I realised water is key to attracting wildlife to your garden and can be a lifesaver for them, too. So I thought what better? You could have something decorative to look at, while the water it provides is helping keep your garden wildlife healthy and you could also enjoy watching the wildlife that appeared. Seemed a win, win to me.

: Moroccan Pool bird bath

I have always been quite arty, but never pursued it, I certainly never thought it would become my career. I also have always had a keen interest in the natural world, but never thought of combining the two things until I made that first bird bath and the penny dropped. There must be other people out there that want something a bit more unique for their home and garden too? Fate had it that I was in a position to leave my long term, very dull, admin job and try starting my own business to find out. The timing was perfect with the handmade boom just getting going and lots of information about how to start a handmade business online was appearing on the internet. So my brand, JoSara, was born with my first online shop opening in 2011.

: JoSara in Birds and Blooms magazine

Since then it’s been going from strength to strength, including more online shops, a website, and being featured online and in print, with my Three Bees bird bath being in the 5th best selling mag in the home and garden category in the US, Birds and Blooms. And in the US that means a LOT of readers, so that was amazing. My ranges have been expanding, with new designs still popping into my head. And it’s all thanks to the nature and wildlife lovers, and lovers of things a little bit different that were definitely out there.

To follow new designs in progress follow me on Facebook – JoSaraDesign

Posted on 14/01/202030/05/2023 by Jo — Leave a comment

Meet a Good Right Hooker

I’m a 50 something mother of 4 and granny to 6. I have been surrounded by craft of some sort or another all my life, my grandmother was a prolific knitter, my mother is a wonderful embroiderer and seamstress and my father was always fashioning something out of wood.

I was taught to knit and sew at a young age and have always had a project on the go, sometimes useful ( I made all my children’s clothes when they were small) and sometimes purely decorative.

After trying to teach myself to crochet for more years than I’m going to admit here, a very good and patient friend eventually managed to teach me to make the humble granny square and I haven’t looked back since!

As well as my little crochet business, I have a day job where I’m a housekeeper in a large busy house. No two days are ever the same and I love it.

When I’m not at work or crocheting you’ll often find me out on my bike in the beautiful Norfolk countryside, last year Mr Good Right Hook bought me a proper road bike so I’m fairly nipping along those lanes now.

I’m so excited to be a part of The British Craft House and I cant wait to see where it will take me in the coming months and years.

Jo x

Posted on 19/12/201930/05/2023 by Fiona — Leave a comment

“Tis the season to be jolly ….

‘Tis the Season to be Jolly, I have always loved Carols around a tree, the pretty lights, the anticipation of piles of gifts on Christmas morning, the buzz of excitement in the air but I will confess as I have got older the magic is fading for me. I see adverts on the television of happy families sat playing games and enjoying themselves but in reality as I read the papers I see a different world one where many families are separated and the older generations are possibly spending the day alone as they don’t want to be burden on relatives, or those families who don’t have money to put food on a table let alone buy gifts, who then have to deal with the question why Santa leaves lots of gifts for some Children but not them.

I read a lovely article in the Telegraph yesterday, saddened slightly by its content, but felt it was also full of Christmas Spirit as it made reference to a school in Blackpool where the Head is opening the school up on Monday to have a Christmas Eve eve party for the children, with Santa and hot food, to ensure that all children had that magical experience and a hot meal over the holidays. I am sure this isn’t first school to do this, and I doubt will be the last.

For many of the gifts I will be giving this year they are sourced from small businesses not large corporations, I will try and avoid the pressure of the sales post Christmas, and only purchase something if I really need it.

It is a most wonderful time of the year, but we do shop all year round, not just a Christmas so if you could continue to buy from the small business owner I can hand on heart tell you that really does help put food on the table, and keep a roof over someone’s head. Perhaps you can spare the odd gift for a child who is without, or pop an extra roll of toilet paper, or can of soup in the trolley for the food bank at your local supermarket – you never know the joy that small act of kindness could bring someone. Don’t get me wrong I have nothing against the corporates (I am an Amazon Prime Customer ?) , but I am hugely aware that by using them we are feeding anonymous shareholders but by buying from an independent you are helping keep that small business afloat, and that alone does deserve a happy dance ? Merry Christmas and wishing you a Happy New Year

Posted on 18/11/201930/05/2023 by Lorna Coombs — Leave a comment

Who is LouLou & Reg

Hi and welcome to my very first blog.

My name is Lorna and LouLou & Reg is my small business that I love with a passion. I started LouLou & Reg last year (2018) because I had another small business selling home décor but could never find the kind of items that I wanted to sell, so I thought I would make them instead of sourcing them and voila LouLou & Reg was born!

I live in the South of England with my husband and our son and we live in our forever home in a lovely part of Hampshire. I have always been very creative but woodworking was new to me (except the woodworking that you did at school – did anyone else make a wooden robot?)

I knew that I was doing what I loved and what I should be doing, when I bought my first sander with some birthday money that I was gifted and after that my husband bought me my very first multi tool and screwdriver set, which made my year!

When I applied to be a seller on The British Craft House, I was very nervous as I know this website is and will be amazing for hand crafted
items. When Dottie accepted me as a seller I was over the moon and still nervous as I want my little piece of The British Craft House to be a success which means hard work but I am up for the task. All of my items are made from start to finish by hand, from cutting each piece of wood by hand, to sanding and painting by hand. I design the wording, choose the font and paint with acrylic paint, each sign that has wording and I love it. Where I can I recycle old and discarded wood and MDF as I love that each piece of wood has it’s own story and re-purposed wood is an unwanted item being given a new lease of life!

Thank you for reading my first blog and I hope to bring you updates that will take you on a journey with me, in this wonderful new home for handcrafted items.

Posted on 27/10/201930/05/2023 by wildrosedesigns — Leave a comment

A little bit about me

About me

I have been sewing since I was very young. I didn’t learn anything about sewing from my Mum, she was a knitter, and made our cardigans and jumpers, but my Dad taught himself to sew using my Nan’s old Pfaff sewing machine (one of the old hand crank models), and I too learnt to sew on this machine. People were always amazed that he made mine and my sister’s dresses! So I suppose I come from a creative family, in fact my Dad’s Dad was an upholsterer. My Dad was always making things for us children. I remember him making cardboard Thunderbird models and a garage with a working lift for my brother, and a dolls house for me, and dolls bedroom sets for me and my sister that included bunkbeds, wardrobes and dressing tables. Unfortunately neither my daughter nor my son seem to have inherited the ‘crafty’ gene, but I can see a little of it in my grandchildren.

My Dad was an inspiration and a great teacher. At first I didn’t really know what I was doing, my first attempt at making a dress for my doll was basically a tube with holes cut in for the arms! Not technically brilliant, but I was delighted that I had made something that my doll could actually wear. At school we were taught cross-stitch and I remember making a sewing needle book, In fact they thought me so good that I was asked to help the younger children. In my last year at junior school the girls had to make a completely hand sewn sleeveless blouse – lots of backstitching in that! At secondary school I continued to learn and even made my own school summer dress.

Since then I have made everything from clothes for myself and my daughter, to curtains and soft furnishings. In fact I had my own business making the latter for a few years. I gave up my curtain making business, (not because it wasn’t successful – it was, I had a three month waiting list), but to look after my Granddaughter so that my Daughter could go back to work. Once she started school I got a part time job working as a merchandiser for a well known greetings card company. Gradually the job changed, became more pressured and my hours were cut, and I soon started hankering after working for myself again. I began thinking about making bags – why? I don’t really know where the idea came from, but it did and it stuck. So having nursed this ambition for a couple of years, I finally took the plunge and left my job in June 2010. On October 23rd of that year I launched Wild Rose Designs, selling handmade evening bags. I’ve since added everyday bags, accessories and accessories for the home as a nod to my former soft furnishings business. I also offer a bespoke service.

My inspiration

I love beautiful things! I have neither the income nor the lifestyle where I need lots of fabulous evening bags, but they’re so gorgeous that I just want to make them. I draw inspiration for a lot of my evening bags from the Hollywood glamour of the 1930’s, I do love a bit of bling! For my everyday bags, the chic designs of the 1960’s give me lots of ideas. For my home accessories it can be anything from retro, to ostentatious silks and velvets in rich jewel colours. Anything beautiful really.

I feel very privileged to have been able to set up a business doing what I love.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog, and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.