Spotlight on the Seller...... Sue Beardsworth

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t draw and paint and art has always been an important part of my life.

I studied Art History and Philosophy at Leeds University and spent 40 years teaching in primary schools.

As Art co-ordinator my focus was the development of children’s creativity and encouragement of their understanding and love of the visual arts.

Since retirement I am able to spent more time and energy on my own art.I have kept a sketchbook diary for many years and use these recordings in my paintings. 

I investigate rhythms, colours and patterns that I see in the places I visit and the objects I observe.

Creating and sharing art gives me great enjoyment and a sense of fulfilment.

Spotlight on the Seller... Made By Lolly

 

All of the items in the made by lolly range have been created by Yorkshire based designer/maker Laura Smith (That's me!)

I graduated with a BA(hons) in Multi Media Textiles back in 2001, but didn't start working with folded felt till 2010 after my needle-felting hobby had resulted in one too many injuries! Thinking that there must be an easier way to create shape and form that didn't involve accidentally poking myself with a sharp needle, I started to experiment with layered and folded felt shapes... and the rest, as they say, is history! 

I now create two colour themed collections of felt accessories every year.

The current Spring Collection features a bright and cheerful selection of handmade brooches and accessories, all with a floral theme. Made from a wool blend felt, in a soft vintage colour palette, ever brooch, corsage and necklace has been specially designed to complement other pieces in the range.

My latest creations, now available in Fabrication, make use of a Liberty of London fabric called Emilia's Flowers. This pretty flower print fabric features soft pink, violet, aqua and green colours that sit beautifully with the felt accessories in the rest of the made by lolly range!

Whether you chose to wear an individual piece or several grouped together to create a personalised piece of wearable art, these pretty felt flowers are a lovely way to accessorise this season!

Spotlight on the Seller...Dragon Bakes

Dragon Bakes ʻLearn to BakeʼKits 

A world away from the traditional baking mixes that involve tipping things in to a bowl and stirring, our kits aims to teach children the techniques and skills that they need to discover that baking is fun and fabulous!!!

Grown ups have the advantage of everything being in one place to enjoy the wonderful experience of baking with kids with a minimum of effort and mess (though thereʼs sure to be a bit of mess - itʼs part of the fun!).

Each kit contains all the dry ingredients to make the bake, all labelled in bags in the order they are to be used, and an instruction card with a tick list and the method.

 

The kits also include a vocab card teaching techniques that need to be followed, a rules card with some science of baking and some sensible tips, and a card for the grown ups to show you how to make the experience educational as well as fun.  

Dragon Bakes Gift Kits 

The Dragon Bakes Gift Kit makes a fantastic present for any little baker!

Inside is one of our baking kits, a lovely handmade apron, a wooden children's utensil set comprising spoon, spatula and rolling pin, a small springform cake tin, a cake storage tin and a recipe card.
All presented in a beautiful reusable magnetic gift box tied with ribbon and a Dragon Bakes tag.

Spotlight on the Seller...Flutterlily crafts

At Flutterlily Crafts I make greetings cards, gift tags, bookmarks, decorated notebooks and craft kits.

It all began a year ago when I started selling my items to friends and family, and gradually expanded by attending craft fairs and selling online. In addition to general greetings cards, I also make bespoke, personalised cards to order. I have had some very unusual requests for cards, but thankfully I have always managed to fulfil the orders!

I have tried a few different crafts, but working with paper and card is what I love most. All of my items are handmade at home, and I love having the freedom to just be creative and design cards as I go along. Each item is handcrafted and therefore completely different to what you will find in high street stores. That's the beauty of handmade items!

I can make gift tags to match any greetings card, and they can also be personalised. I first starting making gift tags when I couldn't find any that were pretty enough for my Christmas wrapping, so I decided to make them myself. It's quite handy having a craft room full of pretty embellishments, ribbon, and sparkly things!