It’s important to promote and support handmade for this very reason. It’s often difficult to get noticed and that’s why whenver I’m involved in a group craft fair or event, or when I see someone’s work that I love, I make an effort to write a blog post and shout about it from the rooftops so that people find out about these wonderfully talented folk and the work they produce. I love it when people feature my own work on their blog and so I like to do [...]
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A growing band of crafty creatives is tackling the problem of our ‘throwaway’ culture by reinventing yesterday’s trash as tomorrow’s treasure. Here we meet some of the upmarket ‘upcyclers’ who are putting the funk into junk.

It so amazing to get a mention!

Also featured are Zoe Murphy with her restored, hand screen printed and painted furniture:

Visit Zoe’s Blog here.

Julia Burnett, Edori Fertig, Helen Turner, Pia Randall-Goddard and Liz Honeybone who are collectively known as [...]
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They noticed that I made table confetti from maps initially and then noticed I made other decorations too. They then found out about my jewellery collections as well and got in touch to find out even more and that’s how the interview came about.

If you’ve not heard of Mirrorbox Photography, [...]
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We all know how it important it is when buying things at a supermarket to try and find ways to reduce the amount of packaging we purchase with our goods, but when it comes to the day to day running of your own business it can be harder to incorporate, especially when selling online involves sending your goods through the [...]
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Here are some really lovely pictures Colin took of me in my studio working away on some jewellery:

Check out my eco friendly table conffeti made from magazines and music:

And my Music Paper Garlands:

This month I am interviewing The Cupcake Lady.

1. What is the name of your business and how did the name come about? My business is called ‘cupcake’. The name came about when I was thinking of a Christmas present to make for my boyfriend’s little nephew, Louis. I knew that he liked baking cookies and cakes with his mum and a giant cupcake seemed to be the answer.

2. Tell me a little about your [...]
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The post shows 15 creative ways to recycled your junk and featured my bean bag design and my cereal box notebooks.

1. What is the name of your business and how did the name come about? Re-collect – I collect rubbish and recycle it. Also, I remember/recollect the days when people didn’t just throw everything away: it was either mended or used for something else. I hope that doesn’t make you think I’m so very old!

2. Tell me [...]
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1. What is the name of your business and how did the name come about? My business is called Junky Chicken. I used to work under the name Jenny’s Textiles but didn’t like the fact that it limited me to working in textiles. I also wanted something that stood out more and which hinted at the fact that I work with recycled materials. One of the main items that I make is chicken doorstops which are made from recycled fabric and so the name Junky Chicken came to be!

2. Tell me a little about your business – what is it that you make and sell and where are you based I make all kinds of things ranging from doorstops and paperweights, to voodoo doll pincushions, upcycled envelopes and [...]
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1. What is the name of your business and how did the name come about? Anna Clifton Jewellery – sorry, no exciting story as to how it cam about – it’s my name and I make jewellery!

2. Tell me a little about your business – what is it that you make and sell and where are you based I’m based in Birmingham but hope to be moving out to somewhere more rural in the next year. I design and make jewellery and bridal hair accessories using a combination of precious metals and recycled materials. I’m currently working with aluminium cans and plastic bags but will probably be introducing other materials such as more recycled plastics and vintage fabrics into my next pieces.

3. What inspired you to start your business? I’ve [...]
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1. What is the name of your business and how did the name come about? The name of my business Is Monda loves…

Monda was a nickname I was given as a child (by my sister) and so it just seemed appropriate to use this name for my blog and shop. I refer to myself as Monda, and I love what I do, so the name Monda Loves… just emerged quite organically really.

2. Tell me a little about your business – what is it that you make and sell and where are you based I make and sell softies and accessories, embroideries and stitched paper collages. I like repurposing old fabrics, wool, paper etc and giving them a new lease of life as something entirely different. A wool jumper becomes a softie, and old envelope becomes a texture in a [...]
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1. What is the name of your business and how did the name come about? My business is called Made With Love. I needed something to use when I set up my first shop on Etsy (before I discovered Folksy) and it sprang to mind. Now I get name envy all the time when I see people with really creative, clever names for their shops, but people have told me they like it, and I’ve built it up as a bit of a brand, so it’ll have to stick!

2. Tell me a little about your business – what is it that you make and sell and where are you based? I’m based in Horwich which is a little town in Lancashire. Technically it’s part of Bolton, but it’s edging out towards [...]
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