Too Early For 'You Know What' ....

argh!!! ........ Christmas!!!!  I don't like to see the shops with goodies till about Christmas Eve. Only kidding!  But now's the time to get that special, handmade, unique, one of a kind present for all the family.  I think it makes it more thoughtful and precious to receive one that's been thought through and not bought at the last moment when M&S are about to shut their doors.

That's why it really does need a little forward planning (as we all know) and a bit more time to get that special gift sent to you.  So now's about the right time and I hope these sweet items will tickle your fancy.... or your mum .. or your Auntie Jean ... or cousin Carol!

HutchPotch

The Whistling Cowgirl

Glassprimitif

Shellybobbins

Brushes and Bodkins

Mollimoo

ilovehearts

StitchesfromWales

Handmaid

Red Brick Glass

Quernus Crafts

Funky Shoes

Aleximo Croissant

Max and Molly Designs

Fortune Favours the Brave

Rachel Henderson

So don't delay and get your orders in on time - you won't be disappointed!

Life in Miniature

I'm starting to think about my Christmas shopping - just thinking mind, not yet making any decisions, not yet ticking names off my gift list, just looking, just browsing. One friend told me she has finished hers. Unbelievable. That kind of organisation is just beyond me. However, competitively playing catch up, I have today been seriously browsing, rather than casually browsing online. Browsing with a certain intensity. And as many of my gift recipients live a distance from me, some abroad, one of the considerations in my choices must be how easy and cost-effective a gift is to send by post. This means that little things are best. And once I'd started looking for little things, I found small things, I came across tiny things, discovered miniature things and teeny tiny miniature things....And something for everyone...

At 2.5 x 2 inches, this miniature journal in white and tan goatskin leather by Susan Green Books will keep all your little secrets close to hand.
Send a special, customised message with this Wordsmith Tiny Text Ring in silver, by Alys Power Design.

Sketchstitch, aka Yvonne Stewart, is selling this mixed media painting, 'The Apple Tree' - and at 2.5 x 3.5 inches and only £5, it's a great and affordable way to start your original art collection.

I might feel hungry all the time, if I were to wear this steam pudding and custard ring by CutiePies. Yum!
Tiny superheroes. Crocheted. That's all. Go to Treaclezoo and get one. Or a whole gang.

Beanphoto has a great collection of these photo scenes using tiny adventurers, from the Little Adventures series. Funny, imaginative and beautiful too.
Perfect for the knitting fan in your life are these super sweet wool ball and needles earrings. They come in several colourways, so take your pick from the Max's World shop.
More earrrings, this time tiny wooden, handpainted toadstools by designByLindsey.I love the photo too.
More superhero action, this time in polymer clay. Fantastic, 3cm high, Little Turquoise Ninja by Lilley's.
And finally, this adorable, tiny needle felted robin by Rutafelt. I love him, just love him. This could be a present just for me...my favourite type of Christmas shopping. See you next time!

Apple to the Core

Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple and serial entrepreneur, died on 5th October at age 56.  I doubt there are many people on this planet who have not been touched by his brilliance in one form or another. And so this week's post is a salute to this driven man who lived each day as though it was his last, and to the company that he is most closely associated with - Apple.

Apple by FUNKY ART

Pink Apple Ring by Hand Over Your Fairy Cakes

Wooden Apple Decoration by Busyblackbird

Green apple by Woolly Duck

Apple Ceramic Coasters by H00t Ceramics

Apple Ornament by Amy's Clay Critters

Apple Bag Charm by Dollydoo

Kaleidescope Citrus Rainbow Printed Leather I Phone 3G/3GS/4G HTC Desire Sleeve by Magpie Accessories

Stay Hungry Stay Foolish - A4 Giclee art print by Thefty

The following image was designed by Chris Thornley (aka Raid 71), who has fought his own battle with cancer. This sums up more than anything I've seen just how an iconic brand has been so linked to one man's genius.

Image by Chris Thornley aka Raid71

And I leave you with the words of Steve Jobs himself, taken from the 2005 commencement address to Stanford University students a year after he was diagnosed with cancer.

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."

Scotland, England, Ireland, Wales

Or should that be W.I.S.E???  I thought it would be fun to go through Folksy and look for great pieces from all over this creative island of ours.  We still have traditions running throughout the whole of the UK from The Orkney's to Cornwall and Newcastle through to Llandudno and Belfast - it's great to see that they are thriving in all their various ways.

I also enjoy seeing traditional materials also being used in a more contemporary way which, hopefully, will encourage these crafts to continue. 

Breuk

David Blyth

Little wren cards

Cornish Slate Crafts

Lynsey Hunter

Gipsy's Boutique

                    

Mark Seaton Studio

Driftwood Designs Ireland

Nadine Arbuthnot Adornment

The Crafty Little Cottage

earthdeva

We have some really talented people in the UK and there's even more on Folksy itself so it's well worth a visit!