Buying unique, handmade artisan gifts has never been easier than right now!

It’s always good to try and spot a silver lining, no matter how big the cloud… and there are few clouds bigger than the Covid-shaped one that’s going on right now. The lockdown has definitely seen an upsurge in online shopping - let’s face it, when you can’t (or don’t want to) get out to the shops there’s not much else you can do apart from hit the internet! It’s one of the reasons why sites like Etsy and Folksy have seen such a rise in shoppers - and it also means that buying direct from artists, designers, makers and creators has never been easier. 

Whilst the craft fairs, pop up galleries and Christmas markets may not be happening this year, there’s still a world of talented local makers that can be discovered on the internet. If you want to buy really locally, Folksy even has a dedicated section on the site that allows you to search for makers that are in your county! If you click here, you'll find their special regional section where you can discover makers that are right in your area.

It’s great to be able to meet the maker or designer in person, of course - but buying online doesn’t have to be impersonal, especially when you’re buying from an independent artist or designer. In fact, I know that many of the sellers on Folksy love to hear from customers and are always happy to deal with questions. Speaking personally, if I know that a customer is looking for something specific, or wants a little tweak here or there to one of my designs, I’ll always do everything I can to be adaptable. And that’s not something you get when you buy in a shop!

Just think about the hours and hours you've spent over the years, walking around shop after shop. Buying your parking ticket, getting sore feet, buying something on the spur of the moment and then thinking twice about it when you get home... we've all been there! Imagine instead walking into a shop and asking the staff to bring you a comfy chair, then getting them to parade every item in the store in front of you - preferably organised by price so that you can stick within budget. And in a certain colour or size. And not something you've seen before. And if they do show you something that fits the bill, you want them to be able to provide all the details about it: what it's made from, whether it comes in different styles or colours, where it was made - in fact, it would be nice if they could nip out the back and bring out the person who made it so that they could answer all your questions. And while they're there, maybe you could ask them if it's possible to have it made in a different colour because Auntie Annie likes dark blue more than sky blue... Imagine that world! Well, you don't really have to imagine it because it's right there on the internet.

It’s always exciting when you receive your online order through the post too - opening and unwrapping the parcel, seeing the item inside that you ordered in real life… but buying online from an artisan or designer takes it to a whole new level! More often than not, you’ll discover layers of pretty tissue paper, a little heartfelt ‘thank you’ note from the seller, and maybe even a little unexpected treat inside the parcel too. It all adds up to the drama and excitement of unwrapping and revealing that gorgeous, unique item you purchased - very often, one that’s actually been made especially for you. It’s a fabulous feeling!

If you’ve started thinking about Christmas, and how you can make it extra special this year, I definitely encourage you to turn towards the independent crafters and designers for inspiration. They’re usually ahead of the curve in terms of design too, mingling traditional technique with up to date design. So if you want something that is not only unique but also stylish, you won’t be disappointed. Whether it’s traditional or contemporary that you like, there’s never been a better time than now to discover a world of talent online. Here's just a tiny selection of some of my favourite Folksy finds to give you a flavour of what you can find:

Featured sellers: Hugo and Bertie, LilliputWight, Anna Palamar Designs, The Silver Tree, The Fern Press, The Essential Soaps

Like me, many sellers have their own websites, but if you don’t know where to start to find these designer-makers the very best place to start is Folksy. Like Etsy, it’s packed with just about every kind of artist, crafter, designer and artisan you could wish for - but unlike Etsy, it’s very strict about what items are permitted on the site, so you won’t find anything mass produced masquerading as ‘handmade’! Take a look at the site to discover a wealth of delights: from ceramicists to weavers, artists to wood turners, bag makers to jewellery designers: you name it!

Your only issue will be choosing what to buy...

Sarah :)

 

Folksy Finds: February 2019

As February draws to a close I wanted to share some of the gorgeous handcrafted makes that I've discovered on folksy.com this month. This is a fantastic site if you want to find genuinely handmade and crafted items made in the UK - it's like the British answer to Etsy, and if you haven't come across it yet I urge you to take a look (and bookmark it!).

Here's a round-up of just a very few of the lovely things I've discovered. These are only a small handful though: you can see lots on my special February Folksy board over on Pinterest - just click here to view.

Top to Bottom, left to right:

1. Pink Baby Booties, £4.50 by Bluebeezywings
2. Floral Mother's Day Card, £2.25 by Cariad Crafts
3. Felted Fusspot Bear Bowl, £14.50 by Ali Dufty
4. Sterling Silver Frosted Ring, £14.00 by Max Pring
5. 'Randolph Rabbit' Mounted print, £5.00 by The Cornish Hare
6. Daffodil Felt Purse, £12 by Orchard Felts
7. Silver Heart Stud Earrings, £18 by Deborah Jones Jewellery
8. Silver Snowdrop Long Dangle Earrings, £18.50 by Caroline Frodsham Jewellery
9. Bee Cushion with Mustard Bobbles, £15.50 by Girl of the Sixties
10. Spring Trees Cushion, £16 by Pocketful Creations
11. Cheese Plant Leaf Hanging Decoration, £20 by Sue Trevor
12. Fingerless Mittens with Dragon Scale Cuffs, £12.50 by Erkinwald

Top to Bottom, left to right:

1. Embroidered Bee Bib, £6.50 by XStitcherJoss
2. Ammonite Specimen, £8 by NOfkants Curios
3. Copper Small Heart Pendant, £10.95 by Jennies Gems
4. Flower Earrings, £7.50 by Beadstorm Jewellery
5. Hatching Egg Mini Painting, £16.50 by Konyskiw
6. Original Art Landscape Painting, £12 by Gweddus Art
7. Easter Bunny Bag, £15 by Cat Thomas
8. Massey Ferguson 135 vintage tractor print, £10 by The Chris Artist
9. Pottery Easter Egg decoration, £5 by Dottery Pottery
10. Wire Wrapped Flower Necklace, £18.95 by Verchiel Beads & Jewellery
11. Tree of Life Pyrography Pendant, £15.95 by Sarah Designs
12. Handmade Ceramic Button, £3 by Willow Gifts

Visit Folksy today and have fun making your own discoveries!
Sarah :)

Celebrate Handmade this Black Friday!

Whilst some of you will no doubt be sitting hunched over your computers and phones in a frenzy of Black Friday shopping today, I know that there are many more of us out there that have started to side step around the madness of the day. Don’t get me wrong: I appreciate a bargain as much as the next person – and if I was in the market for buying a new TV or washing machine I’d probably be doing the exact same thing. The problem is, does this bargain hunting spill over into places that aren’t quite the right ‘fit’? Big buys like white goods, furniture, phones and gadgets are the perfect candidates for price slashing: they’ve got huge margins, they’re mass produced, and more often than not they’re priced at a point that is actually designed to be reduced. (I mean, when doesn’t that sofa shop have a sale on?!)

So, I thought I’d take a moment to explain why I’m not slashing prices but instead joining in with Folksy’s ‘Celebrate Handmade’ day today – and to give you a glimpse of what it takes to bring something handmade from conception all the way through to the point of sale. 

You, dear reader, I know can appreciate the value of buying handmade: you know and understand the amount of care and attention that goes into the item you’re buying, and you know that buying direct from the artist, designer or maker gives you a fabulous sense of having got it right. You’ve found the perfect gift for your home or a loved one, you’ve bought it ethically (no sweatshops involved), you’ve supported the British economy, and you’ve done your bit for the environment too (it hasn’t been shipped from China).

But, have you ever stopped to think about what happens to the person you’ve bought from? That tiny business or cottage industry, that artisan who sits in their studio every day – what do they think when you place an order? Here’s a clue!:

As one of those tiny businesses, I can tell you that this is absolutely spot on. I may have been running PhotoFairytales for over 9 years now, but I never (ever) fail to get a rush of joy when an order comes in. It doesn’t matter how busy I am, I never take for granted the fact that someone has looked at my work and thought: “I’ll buy that.” It truly is an amazing feeling. Every Christmas Day I take a moment to think about all the customers I’ve had over the recent weeks who are giving gifts to their loved ones that I’ve made. It’s an AMAZING feeling.

So, what does it take to get a new item from inside my imagination to a state of being a physical item wrapped in a parcel and flying through the post? Let me give you a glimpse:

• The spark of the idea pings into my head – I’ll mull it over for days/weeks/months, scribbling down ideas, thinking about whether it fits with my existing work, thinking about what it will look like and how I would do it.
  Approximate ‘mulling’ time taken on average: 6 weeks
• I’ll then start working out the design and often prototypes too: thinking about colours, images, design and materials, working on sample designs to see if I can make my idea translate into an actual item.
  Approximate working out time on average: 6 weeks
• Next step is to work out how much it will cost to make, and find out where I can get materials. Then I need to work out what I would sell it for and what the profit margin will be vs the time taken to make it. (Very often items never make it past this point – I’ve had so many ideas over the years that I’ve had to let go simply because I couldn’t make it work financially.)
  Approximate time taken to cost a project and source materials on average: 3 weeks
• So, now I know I can go ahead with my new item I need to hone the design. It might be something that is a one-off or a whole new range – so often this will involve coming up with not just one design but maybe as many as 10 or more. This is the bit that can really take time (but it's the bit I love!).
  Approximate time taken on finalising design: 6 weeks
• Now I need to get some photos of the new product to add to my shop. Depending on how many items the new product is made up of, this can take between 2 days and a month.
  Approximate average time for product images: 2 weeks
• Next I need to add it the PhotoFairytales site and my other online shops (eg, Folksy, Wow Thank You) – this involves designing new pages, writing copy about the new product and uploading product images.
  Approximate time taken to add the new product and put it on sale: 1 week
• Now I need to tell the world about the new item – so, blogging, social media, mailing list, promotions, marketing. 
  This is hard to put a timescale on as it’s always ongoing, but the initial promotion will take on average about 4 weeks.

So, from the basic idea to the point of having an actual item on sale takes (very roughly) about 28 weeks. Or over 6 months. And that’s not 6 months of working just on this new project, that’s 6 months working around all the usual day to day work. So bringing a new item to fruition can often take closer to a year.

That means that before anyone has even bought my item it’s often been in production for 6 months to a year! It sounds like a long time (it is), but it’s an indication of the amount of thought and consideration that goes into my work – and I know I’m not alone with that. This is what ALL designer-makers do.

And when you, lovely person, place an order and I sell the very first of my new items: wow, just wow! I’m not sure how I can actually get across the feeling of euphoria that brings!! Truly. 

Because everything I make is personalised and made to order I need to then make the item you’ve bought. That takes anything from a day or two up to a week. Then I need to package it and get it posted to you. Sending you an email to let you know your order is on its way, perhaps a follow up email afterwards, then a bit of brief admin and the job is done. That item you’ve just bought may have taken me a few days to make and send to you, but the love and work that’s gone into it up until that point has been going on for months and months.

And that is why you know handmade is so special. That’s how you know that you’ve just bought something truly unique. You've just bought something that has had time poured into it, but also creativity, artistry, skill, experience and talent too. 

And that’s why designer-makers, artisans and crafters put their hand on their heart when you click that ‘buy now’ button.

So, can I just take this opportunity to thank you for A) reading this massive waffley post all the way to the end, and B) for supporting and celebrating handmade. If it weren’t for you we wouldn’t exist. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Sarah x

PS: Search for the hashtag #celebrate_handmade on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to discover fabulous people running tiny businesses and creating fabulous things. Shop handmade this Christmas!

It's #folksyfriday Day!

There's no denying that Black Friday has become a 'thing' in this country - imported from the US, it's now an annual date on the UK calendar too.

But, for as many people who love Black Friday, there seems to be a growing band of British shoppers who want to kick back against it, especially during a season when the feeling is that Christmas is becoming too commercial anyway. They're turning their back on the mass produced commercialism and reaching out for something more honest, with more integrity. After all, we all know that many products are deliberately launched with over inflated prices just so that they can have their prices 'slashed' on Black Friday!

Shoppers have become more considerate, more environmentally aware, more discerning: they want quality, customer care, uniqueness, individuality. So if you're one of those that's wising up to the Black Friday fuss, and trying to shop with a little more integrity, I have some great news for you... 

Shop handmade at Folksy.com - see my special Pinterest board now!

The team behind British craft marketplace, Folksy, asked their sellers whether they wanted a Black Friday campaign - and the resounding answer was 'no'. The designers, crafters, makers and creators who sell on the site felt strongly that it didn't fit their own ethos or that of Folksy shoppers. The customers at Folksy are looking for beautiful artisan crafts, not mass produced or imported goods that can be bought anywhere. Folksy customers are much more discerning!

So the concept of Folksy Friday Day was born - a day to celebrate handmade, to bring joy and colour to online retail in the form of beautifully made, designed and crafted gifts and homewares.

If you haven't discovered Folksy yet, it's a British marketplace and the home of modern craft. It's similar to American site, Etsy, with a couple of important differences: everything you see on the site is British, and everything is handmade - you won't find anything mass produced or passed off as being handmade. No fakery, nothing pretending to be what it isn't: just beautiful items made and designed by tiny British businesses, artisans and cottage industries.

So, if you're looking for something utterly unique, something that will be remembered and adored, this Christmas you need to take a look at Folksy.com. 

Oh, and if you follow the PhotoFairytales Facebook page I'll be running regular posts inviting other crafters and designers to share their work and shops - so if you're looking for fabulous gift ideas make sure you follow the page to discover some great present ideas for your loved ones this Christmas!

Happy shopping,
Sarah x

Why you should buy handmade from a designer-maker, crafts person or artisan…

When you buy a bespoke, personalised item you’re buying something unique - most often something that’s been created especially for you. You can’t get more special than that!

But there’s so much more you’re buying into that you possibly haven’t consciously thought about…

Picture those super wealthy types - you know, those glossy people that enjoy living in a world where the things they surround themselves are one-offs: works of art, tailored clothes, shoes that have been hand-stitched to their exact foot measurement! Well, when you buy a bespoke handmade item direct from the creator, that’s exactly what you’re doing too (albeit on a slightly more accessible budget).

Think of it as your chance to live the high life on a budget!

That item you buy - whether it’s a treat for you, or a gift for a loved one - has been made with so much care and love that it’s likely the designer or craftsperson feels a pang when they package and post it to you. They’ve spent time on it for you, they’ve packaged it up themselves and posted it. They’ve been through every stage of the creation process - and all for you! Forget those things that have been designed by a team, put before a board for approval, sent to a factory to be made, stuck on a pallet and shipped to a warehouse, and finally shoved in a box or envelope by someone with no idea who you are. The person you’re buying from is the same person who’ll be making your item, who designed it in the first place, and who’ll be packing it up and posting it to you and saying ‘thank you’ for your custom. And you know that your purchase supports that person and their family - that small cottage business that was built from a dream and a talent, to support their loved ones.

There’s always a story behind the item too - it could be that they were inspired by their surroundings, by a colour they saw in the sky that morning, by a song, anything! And that means that what they’re creating is a part of them. You’ve no doubt heard the phrase ‘made with love’ - and it truly has been!

Buying ‘designer’ in its truest sense

Not only that of course, but you know that the item you’ve bought is unlike any other. There aren’t a thousand of them in shops up and down the land. What you buy will be unique. It’s hard to find originality on the high street—nearly everything has gone through a filter process, from the designer down to the shop floor. See what prickly Miranda Priestly in ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ says about the subject!:

“What you don't know is that that sweater is not just blue, it's not turquoise. It's not lapis. It's actually cerulean. And you're also blithely unaware of the fact that in 2002, Oscar de la Renta did a collection of cerulean gowns. And then I think it was Yves Saint Laurent... wasn't it who showed cerulean military jackets? And then cerulean quickly showed up in the collections of eight different designers. And then it, uh, filtered down through the department stores and then trickled on down into some tragic Casual Corner where you, no doubt, fished it out of some clearance bin.”

OK, her character was pretty mean, but you get the idea! So just imagine, you’re buying that cerulean sweater (or whatever) direct from the person who came up with the idea in the first place!

So next time you find yourself shopping for a gift, seriously, put aside the high street and seek out something special. Something you or your loved one can treasure and cherish.

Sarah :)

Spotlight on Wow Thank You - the British marketplace for crafters and artisans

It might be the height of summer right now, but the weather has a determinedly 'British Blighty' feel to it this week! I'm heading off for a couple of weeks' holiday next week, so it looks as though it'll be windy trips to the seaside trying to stop our chips or ice cream from taking flight!

Oh well, I prefer the seaside when it's good and blustery, and a bit damp - it's character building!

Before I head off though, I wanted to show you a few things I've discovered this week on wowthankyou.co.uk. It's a British online marketplace for UK designers, crafters and artisans and there's a huge range of items there waiting to be discovered - here's just a few:

British handmade gifts at wowthankyou.co.uk

1: Gin Chopping Board, from DaleWood Craft Designs - engraved and personalised solid beech chopping boards, ideal for chopping your lemon when you're fixing that perfect British G&T!
2: Personalised Pudding Dessert Spoon, from Impressions to Keep - a vintage silver-plated spoon personalised to order - a stylish way to eat your Eton Mess this summer...
3: Beefeater Felt Name Garland, from Fuzzy P's Crafts - handmade to order, these gorgeous garlands add a fun finishing touch to your child's bedroom or the baby's nursery.
4: London Bus canvas print, from PhotoFairytales - created to order and personalised with your chosen name and date, a lovely gift for a new baby or child's birthday.
5: Calming Lavender Gift Set, from Just Be Natural - luxury handmade treats created using Carshalton lavender, a heritage lavender favoured by Queen Victoria herself!
6: Handmade Chocolate Buttons, from Cocoa & Heart - yes, these really are chocolate! Stunning handmade Belgian chocolates lovingly created by hand in Kent.
7: Bicycle Basket Garland, from Anne's Floral Gifts - fun, quirky and quintessentially British: who wouldn't want a handmade flower garland on their bike!

Have a browse around the site, I'm sure you'll find some new discoveries you'll love!

Sarah x

What I love this week...

I recently made a discovery on Facebook - a little gem of a shop, that is overflowing with the most charming and adorable creations and I just have to share it with you...

Amy Harrold is the very talented lady behind Pixie Craft Dolls, where she creates magical one-off crocheted dolls that are just beautiful.

Every doll Amy creates is unique, and you can tell just by glimpsing the photos, how much love she puts into her work. Each of her dolls seems to have their own personality - and they are sure to become treasured items.

As well as creating individual dolls, Amy also makes lovely scenes presented in box frames which would look stunning in a baby's nursery. Prices in her Etsy shop range from just £3.50 for her wonderful crocheted biscuits to £39-40 for a box frame. The 10" individual figures are around £20-22.

You can visit Amy's shop on Etsy by clicking here: but if you're thinking about Christmas gift shopping be quick as she will be closing her order book at the end of November!

Sarah :)

Friday Facebook Finds: a treasury of handmade gifts and goodies

There's no denying that Facebook is a fantastic site for networking and keeping in touch with friends and family - but there's also a wealth of fabulous small businesses on there offering completely unique hand crafted work just waiting to be discovered by you!

Here's a small round up of some of these independent British makers and designers, who are busy creating with a passion:

1: 18cm Shabby Chic Freestanding Letter, £16.99 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kenzocrafts

Website: www.kenzocrafts.co.uk

2: Personalised Fine Silver Footprint Keyring with Message Tag, £70

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LoveLilyRose

Website: www.lovelilyrose.co.uk

3: Bespoke baby booties made from handmade felt, all hand crafted from native wools, from £9

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ffolkyffelt?ref=hl

4: Handmade Fabric Doll, £35
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BonnieBuddiesShop
Website: www.brightstargifts.co.uk

5: Cupcakes from the "Vintage and Elegant" range, £10 for 6 cakes
Facebook: www.facebook.com/enchantingcupcakesbyrebecca

6: 'Home Sweet Home' personalised canvas print, from £16.95
Facebook: www.facebook.com/photofairytales
Website: www.photofairytales.co.uk

7: Hand crafted and safety tested 'Guardian Angel' breastfeeding necklace, £12
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Originalbabybeads
Website:  www.babybeads.co.uk

8: New Baby Greeting Card, hand appliqued and embroidered cotton fabric on linen with beads, £3.75
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lavender-Heart/123517267715259

Website: www.lavender-heart.co.uk

9: Marlene - a little handmade rescue fairy, gift packaged in a fairy travelling case and complete with adoption papers, £13
Facebook: www.facebook.com/fairysanctuary
Folksy Shop: http://folksy.com/shops/TheFairySanctuary

10: Handmade Button Bracelet, available in any colour you can imagine, £15
Facebook: facebook.com/trinkettreecrafts

11: ‘The Giraffe in a Scarf’, beautifully illustrated by a Norfolk based artist, £6.99

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BearTails

Website: www.beartails.co.uk

Sarah :)

Spring Greens!

There's a bit of debate about when spring officially get's sprung in the UK: some say March 1st, some say March 20th or 21st... Whatever, let's just agree on one thing: if spring was a colour it would be green. Purest green..!

1. Punk Bands, Great British canvas prints (5 other designs and colours available), £29.95 - http://www.photofairytales.co.uk/greatbritish.html
2. Camper Van handpainted gift plate (part of a range of designs available), £21.50 - http://www.photofairytales.co.uk/personalisedgiftplates.html
3. Family Tree print, £16.95 - http://www.photofairytales.co.uk/familytree.html
4. Fantasy Photo Portraits (over 100 themes to choose from), around £15 - http://www.photofairytales.co.uk/fantasyportraitgallery.html
5. Personalised Family Nest print, £14.50 - http://www.photofairytales.co.uk/familyprints.html
6. Personalised 'My Message to You' prints (part of a range of designs), £14.50 - http://www.photofairytales.co.uk/messagetoyou.html
7. 'Personality' canvas prints, from £20 - http://www.photofairytales.co.uk/personalitycanvas.html
8. Personalised Football Gifts (13 teams available), from £9.95 - http://www.photofairytales.co.uk/chooseyourteam.html
9. 'On This Day' birthday prints, £25 - http://www.photofairytales.co.uk/onthisday.html

Sarah :)

Christmas: the Top 5 reasons why you need to change your habits this year!

Anyone who creates or designs their own work, and sells their work independently, is (it seems) automatically geared up for supporting other similar artisans. Since starting PhotoFairytales I’ve been lucky to make some wonderful contacts and friendships with other designer-makers. We all seem to recognise the spirit and passion we have for our work, and feel a desire to support one another.

Most designer-makers, crafters and handmade artists are already buying work from fellow sellers. Now, the question is, how do we get consumers at large to forego the high street and the major player websites this Christmas, and buy from the smaller independent sellers instead?

Getting people to go shopping is not a problem - OK, so sales in retail have been suffering of late thanks to the recession, but ultimately we are still buying gifts for loved ones, and the odd treat for ourselves and our home. Whilst people may find that they need to budget a little more carefully, one thing that they may not be aware of is that buying handmade is a fabulous way of making their spending work. I’m not suggesting that buying handmade is going to be cheaper than buying from the high street - in some cases it isn’t - but it’s often of a similar price, and hey, you’re discovering something amazing that has been made with love and passion (and not thrown together on an assembly line).

So here are my top 5 reasons why you need to change your shopping habits NOW:

1. Stop lining the pockets of the big guys - When you make a purchase from a small, independent designer-maker you are supporting an individual. A real person, who has put their soul and passion into that item you’ve purchased. You’re not lining the pockets of a huge corporation, you’re making a real difference to the life of one, single person (or tiny team). You’re helping them to look after their family, and to keep their business alive. Your purchase makes a difference - a HUGE difference! And the best bit of all is that the person you’ve just bought from probably buys their supplies from another small independent business - so the money you spend keeps working and supporting these people.
   
2. Help the UK economy - if you buy something from a UK designer-maker you are directly helping the UK economy. You aren’t a link in the chain unwillingly supporting those factories in China.
   
3. It’s the thought that counts - it’s a cliché, but this is a phrase that comes into its own when you buy handmade. We’ve all done it: walking around the shops aimlessly trying to find “something” for “about £x” for someone. How many times have we picked something up in a shop and thought “that’ll do”? I’ve done it, and I bet you have too! But by changing your shopping habit and channelling your effort into finding something different you automatically unearth not just “something” but a little treasure that is totally unique (and often totally bespoke too - how posh is that?!).
   
4. Stop searching for something “different” - if you often find yourself trying to buy something a little unusual, this is another reason why you need to buy handmade. Designers and creators are passionate about new design - they live and breathe what they do and are always striving to do something new. Handmade artists, crafts people and designers offer unique value: giving you that special feeling that only an item made with passion can create. If you want cutting edge design with soul, something more “next season” than last, you know what you need to do!
   
5. Help the environment - if this is something you feel passionate about, then buying from a small, independent business is a great way of doing it. No huge lorries carrying massive bulk deliveries covered in acres of packaging. No factories. Often no commuting (given that many designer-makers work from their own home)! Buying vintage is also the ultimate way of recycling of course.

So, other than buying from PhotoFairytales (of course!), where else do you shop when you want to discover a gorgeous handmade, independently designed/created item? What great places (online or offline) have you found to unearth treasures? 

Do you make, create, or design gorgeousness that you think everyone should buy this Christmas? 

Will you pledge to change your habits this Christmas (in which case, why not tweet this post or give it a like on Facebook and tell everyone!)? 

Leave a comment or a link and let me know!

Sarah x

Great new personalised gift for kids!

If you haven't had a minute to visit PhotoFairytales recently, you should head over now - there are lots of brand new goodies I've just added that I think you'll like!

Amongst the new items are these "Happy Face" personalised prints - lovely pictures that feature your child's likeness, including hair and skin colour - even freckles!

The pictures include your chosen name and date of birth, along with your own personal message. The message can be anything you like - something personal, an inspirational quote, perhaps something about their characteristics or likes/dislikes?

Printed onto quality paper stock and presented with a mount and backing board, these pictures make a fabulous gift for a child's birthday. Contemporary and stylish, they'll look lovely in the bedroom and children will love seeing themselves as a cartoon!

For more details just click here...

Hope you like them!
Sarah x

The Sound of Silence...

Since being a child, I've always found it near impossible to work in silence - my homework was always done with the sound of Scooby Doo or Hong Kong Phooey in the background! And as an adult, I'm no different. Whenever I'm working I always have the radio on, usually tuned into Radio 4. Now, apparently, the average age of listeners to Radio 4 is 55 - and before you ask, no I'm not! Call me an old fogey, but I've actually been listening to it since I was in my twenties - and favourites include Woman's Hour, The Archers (of course), and the fantastic comedy (if you haven't discovered Milton Jones, The Unbelievable Truth, Just a Minute or the News Quiz - well, quite frankly, you're missing out!).

As well as those favourites, I do end up listening inadvertently to a large amount of news bulletins throughout the day. And on budget day this year I found myself putting orders to one side and seizing on a bit of inspiration that seemed to appear from nowhere. Although, with the budget and politicians whittering away in the background its' actually quite easy to work out where my idea for a series of three new print designs came from!

You can find all three designs in my Folksy Shop, or at wowthankyou.com

Now, Money Box Live has just started, wonder what that will inspire...!
Sarah x

WOW Wednesday!

My latest new discovery this month is a fabulous site: wowthankyou.co.uk - a great place to find unique gifts for the family and home, the site represents around 750 independent UK makers and designers. I've just signed up too, and you can now buy many of my own creations on there - and some exclusive, not available anywhere else, lines too!

If you haven't seen wowthankyou yet, I thought I'd do a little round up of some of the great gift ideas you can find on there - and with today being such a lovely sunny day for us here in Norfolk, I thought I'd have a garden/outdoors theme. Here are some of my favourites:

1. Gothic Shed - what every discerning gardener will require for their patch this year!

From The Posh Shed Company

2. Handmade Gardeners Soap - a super scrubby soap, fragranced with rosemary, cypress and sweet orange essential oil.

From The Somerset Garden

3. Tree Design House Sign - custom made from powder coated steel and personalised with your house name and number.

From Iron Profiles

4. Union Jack Bunting - perfect for that garden party or street party to celebrate the Jubilee!

From Sew Recycled

5. Good Morning Campers Dog Collar - the ideal collar for holidaying pooches this summer!

From Woof and Meow

You can find the PhotoFairytales shop at Wow Thank You here - keep checking back as I'll be adding to it regularly.

Sarah x

Support British Designers, Creators and Crafters...

When you give a handmade or personalised gift, it says so much: "you're a unique and special person, and so I am giving you a unique and original gift you won't get from anyone else..."

That's what I've got on the home page of my website - and I was prompted to write this piece today following a discussion taking place amongst members of UK Handmade on the Linked In site. The question posed was: "Do you think its important to support local designers and why?"

As a supporter of their "Buy Handmade" Campaign, I feel so strongly about the reasons why it is important to encourage everyone to buy from independent crafters, designers and creators. Why?

When you make a purchase from one of these talented and highly committed people, you are supporting their family and their talent - not a faceless corporation with shareholders and company Directors. You're not funding a new yacht, or another holiday home - you are making a difference to someone's day by buying their work and you are gaining a totally individual and unique item. When you think of the term "handmade" this doesn't mean knitted toilet roll holders or macrame pot hangers by the way - there is an extraordinary amount of British talent out there creating modern, contemporary (and traditional) work that you will love.

Not only that, but you'll probably receive amazing service and customer care too. So many of my own customers comment on the fact that it is me that answers their emails personally and that despite the fact that I'm a small business I look after them too - old fashioned good service is what I'm all about. And I know I'm not alone in this, there are thousands of us out there waiting to make or design something wonderful for you! Plus, you are also supporting the UK economy by buying from independent British designer-makers. It's a win-win!!

So what do you get when you "Buy Handmade"? Something that has been made with love and care, and probably created individually to order just for you. A truly bespoke item! It won't have been assembled on a production line in a factory, and you won't be buying into child labour or exploitation issues. And if you're buying the item as a gift, it will show the recipient how much care and thought you've put into the purchase.

So when you start your Christmas shopping this year, or next time you fancy something new for your home or need to find a great gift for someone - think "buy handmade"!

Sarah x