Spring Makers Market - this weekend on Facebook

Commencing this Friday, 3rd March (8pm) and all weekend (finishing 10pm on Sunday, 5th March) is the Etsy Makers Spring Market taking place on Facebook.

Click here to have a browse at all the fantastic items that will be available during the market, many of which will have a discount applied throughout the weekend (code to be released at the start of the market), with some sellers applying the discount code to all or part of their Etsy shop, not just those items showcased for the event.

Read about some of the designers that are taking part here.  By learning about each seller and the wonderful array of products that will be available, you'll begin to realise this is the perfect event to purchase for Mother's Day and Easter as well as perhaps a sneaky treat for yourself.

Ellie's Treasures will be one of many Etsy sellers taking part - do hope you can join us.

Mother's Day

For all Mums out there: this Sunday is your special day to be appreciated for all the hard work, love and care you give to your children and those around you.

As my Mum doesn't have access to a computer I thought I'd give you a preview of the little gift I've made for her this year - and below is a lovely selection of pretty items available to purchase from Folksy or Etsy should you still be looking for that special gift.

All items are available in the UK - please click on the relevant link to view the featured item and browse the shop.

Wiktorski Ceramics, Folks

Paper Tree UK, Etsy

Clara and Macy, Etsy

Teodora Paintings, Folksy

Absolutely Clay, Folksy

Bahari Blossom, Etsy

With thanks to Bevolee

I'm not usually that lucky when it comes to giveaways so I was bowled over when Beverley of Bevolee got in touch via twitter to say I'd won a roll of washi tape.  For those that haven't come across the words washi tape before let me explain.  It's an stationery item from Japan and it seems to have taken off in a huge way.  It's a bit like printed masking tape so naturally is ideal for making packages and letters look a little prettier.  Delve a little further and you can discover a vast array of ideas for this gorgeous little item.  I started my own Pinterest board, but I've only scratched the surface!  Google washi tape and you'll see what I mean.

So, within a couple of days of receiving the good news, my little package arrived.  Not just the delightful roll of washi tape, with its pretty pale green leaf design, but some yummy sweets and a gorgeous painted "hello lovely" slate sign, which is now hanging in my kitchen.  What a joy ... thank you so much Beverley.

Other than prettying up my letters and packages I wasn't too sure what else to do with my washi tape.  It's delicate leaf design is the kind of thing I'd look for when choosing a ribbon as an embellishment for one of my small items.  I began to wonder if washi tape could be used in sewing (other than for marking out a cutting line).  Obviously, anything I make needs to stand the test of time so I decided to try out the washi tape in a wet environment first to see how well it remained stuck.

Cue toothbrush.  We buy our family toothbrushes as a pack of 4 usually and there's always one that never gets used (because said recipient is a very careful teeth cleaner and the bristles never splay).  This means we're usually left with the same colour toothbrush in the cupboard.  We now have 3 blue toothbrushes.  Rather than go out and buy another in a different colour for myself, I wrapped some washi tape around the top to identify it as my own.  This has been on for at least 2 weeks now and hasn't shown any signs of deteriorating.  Excellent news ... I'll move on to making a little keyring using washi tape and put it through its paces.  I'll let you know how I progress.

Pop over and check out Beverley's beautifiul website Bevolee - illustration, photography and graphic design.

The delights of felt

Felt is a most versatile fabric that can be used to produce a huge variety of things. Although most crafters will associate felt with toys, clothing, hats, accessories and jewellery, a quick read on Wikipedia reveals that felt is also used, among other things, in the automotive industry and in musical instruments.

Being so versatile is one of the reasons why I enjoy using felt for the vast majority of my items.  It is so easy to work with (no hemming!) and comes in a large range of colours.  You can buy 100% wool felt (the bees knees of the felt world), a wool blend or acrylic.  I quite often buy a couple of sheets of felt from outlets to boost my supply, but colours are usually quite standard..  For a far more interesting selection of shades and types there are many supply shops on line that boast a glorious rainbow to choose from.

So what springs to mind when thinking of felt?  Do you think it's old fashioned or for the young, or does the felt shape picture activity toy pop into your head? Someone mentioned to me recently that they wouldn't consider a felt necklace because felt was for the young.  Really?  Looking through Folksy and Etsy there are some amazing felt accessories and jewellery available that, in my opinion, would look quite stunning whatever age you are.

Here's a selection of pretty felt goodies I've picked from Folksy.  Just click on the photo to visit the shop.


Lillibets


Rambag


The Laughing Thimble


Silent Companions


daisy crazy creations

And finally, while on the subject of felt, who saw this article about Lucy Sparrow who opened a London shop completely stocked with everyday corner shop items completely hand stitched from felt.  What utter patience, dedication and a whole lot of fun!

It's a heart thing!

Valentine's Day is just around the corner so I made a pretty little heart keyring that would make a lovely gift for someone dear at any time of the year.


As hearts are the thing for 14th February, I've found a few other gorgeous and very special heart lovelies from Folksy to show you - hope you like them.

As always, click on the photo or link to go to the relevant Folksy shop.


Dawn Jackson Glass Designs


Tales of Mrs H


arc jewellery


Cornflower Cottage Crafts


Swancott Designs

New Year - new ideas

Happy New Year to you all.  I hope, for those who saw the new year in, you had a fun-filled evening, and for those who crept to bed before the midnight hour, I hope you weren't woken by fireworks and revellers!  I think this was the first year all four of us stayed up to hear Big Ben strike 12 and watch the fireworks from the comfort of our sofa.

With new year comes new thoughts and ideas.  For the first time since 2010 I've resurrected my trusty Filofax (yep, they're still around) for my hard-copy diary as I really am not very good at using the diary on my phone.  With all the other sections too that needed updating I thought perhaps I'd use it for quick Ellie's Treasures notes and ideas too, so everything will be in one place.

I've had a new product idea which, for now I'll keep close to my chest, but the first thing I want to update is my packaging.  Currently all my items are wrapped in tissue with ribbon decoration, but I'm thinking of moving towards using envelopes for my key rings and brooches that can also hold a little printed note and a business card.  That way everything will be sealed together in one neat little package and I'll decorate it with a tasteful something or other on the front or back.

There's plenty of small A6 envelopes on ebay to get me started, and I've discovered riky and nina who sell extremely cute stickers and Miss Honeybird who sells pretty stamps.  Ooh, the ideas, the ideas ....

Cyber Monday - it starts now - mad bargains!

Ellie's Treasures, Etsy is taking part in the mad cyber rush of Cyber Monday this year.  Bargains aren't just for Monday though, they're starting tonight right through to some time on Tuesday (when I can find a spare hour to re-jig the shop).

99% of my Etsy shop is reduced, some items by half.  All items, including the 1% that's not reduced (!) have free UK 1st class postage.

Now's the time folks, pop on over and see what's on offer at silly prices and stock up on special one-of-a-kind gifts for yourself or others.


Brooches, keyrings, necklaces and pictures now £6.00


Lady's wallets - £11.00


Christmas decorations - £4.00


Keepsake wallets - £9.50

The end of this week is ...

Easter!  Bli, where is the time flying to?  No sign yet of sunshine and warmth - blizzards and ice are still very much on the weather agenda.  The poor daffs in the fields around us are at half the height of last year and have remained in bud for weeks.  Mind you, we've had snow at Easter before.  I remember, soon after moving here, I put out loads of mini eggs in the garden on the Saturday only to find it had snowed heavily overnight and we couldn't find them again for our Easter Sunday egg hunt.  As the year progressed I'd keep finding them hidden in special places as I did my weeding!!

I've used a gorgeous and very detailed tibetan silver bunny and egg charm in a couple of special Easter brooches - both are available to buy at Ellie's Treasures.





To bring you some Easter cheer (and because there's still time to purchase), I thought I'd show you a few  Easter items that I've come across from UK sellers on Folksy and Etsy.  As always, click on the picture to go to the relevant shop.  Hope you all have a lovely long weekend (and enjoy any chocolate that you've treated yourself to!).

by Heidi


Hand Made by Natalija


Kittiwake Design


Grace Favours


Maisie Moo Crafts

Now isn't this something?

Last weekend I had a bit of a surprise.  I came across Laura of All Things Arty via my face book page.  She posted a status asking for some drawing inspiration so I suggested she drew a horse and attached a recent picture of Jay.  As I was getting ready to go out to the yard in the evening, I clicked on facebook for an update and spotted this in my timeline:

What a fabulous surprise!  For one, I hadn't expected to see a follow up from Laura with her drawing and secondly I thought if she was going to use my inspiration it would be to simply draw a horse, not to draw Jay.  I was a little overwhelmed - there was our fella on my timeline in all his gorgeousness!

Do pop over and take a look at Laura's page and photos - she accepts commissions and has an amazing array of beautiful work from hand painted signs, birth keepsakes and boxes, fun painted pebbles and stunning detailed drawings and paintings of animals and people. 
Seeing Jay's drawing really put a smile on my face and made my weekend and Laura very kindly said she'd send me a copy to keep.  Can't wait to have it and frame it for all to see.

Thank you Laura x

Missing something warm in bed!!

Ooh, that's a title and a half!  It's not as exciting as you think!!

My little hot water bottle, bought from Woolworths a good 10 or even 15 years ago, has finally sprung a leak and I'm not a happy bunny about having cold tootsies in bed.  I bought the water bottle, together with another (that died a death a few months ago), for my two children as their bedroom at the time would get very cold.  They became cast off as they grew up and I took them over since moving to our current home a few years ago.  Both have done exceptionally well seeing as how I pour boiling water into them most cold nights.

It was rather strange really because I was in a well known large supermarket last friday and spotted a basket of basic water bottles at a ridiculously low price.  I knew in my heart that I should buy a couple, but didn't!  My trusty one decided life was too much just two days later.

So, I started a hunt for hot water bottles on Folksy and found these that I absolutely love - perfect for snuggling up to when the wind is blowing outside. 

As always, click on the image to go to the relevant shop.

Little Bettys


Linda Bingham


Ericka Eckles


Jules Hogan knitted textiles


Woolsmiths

Temperatures dropped

by a several degrees this week.  Last week Katie was riding Jay wearing a hoodie, this week everywhere is frozen solid and we're wrapped up in layers of warm clothing, scarves, hats and gloves, fires blazing, the heating on and warming winter stews are being cooked.

As everywhere is prettily white, I thought I'd have a look for some icy Folksy goods to showcase this week.  As always, click on the picture to go to the relevant shop.

Stay warm, there's more snow forecast!

Dancing Dragonflies


Claire Gent


Moonstone Magpie


Roxanne Jelley Illustration


apple bloom crafts


Stacey Gilbert Designs