Folksy Friday 'Summer Payday Treats'

As it's the last Friday in May and it's payday for alot of people I've picked a selection of Handmade Summer Creations on Folksy to treat yourself to or as a treat for someone else

 There is something to suit all pockets and tastes on folksy

Go on Treat Yourself to Something Lovingly Handmade!



Girls Gemstone Necklace, perfect treat for your little princess to wear this summer, available in my shop for just £6




Funky Fairy Dust Soap, ideal for taking on your travels this summer, available from Miss Poppys lovely soap shop for only £1.75!




Emma Shoulder Bag just £18.50 from beautiful bags by Sally Ann, this would be perect for summer, i'm tempted to treat myself to one!



Gorgeous Summer Flower Ring from Hunni Bee, just £5 and would brighten up any summer outfit!



Funky Tshirt would be ideal for wearing to the beach with shorts and flip-flops, £15 from Weird Scenes Clothing



This sketchbook is handy to put in the car or your handbag for those creative moments when you need to sketch/write down your great ideas, £10 from Cat amonth the Pigeons

If you've seen something you like simply click on the photo to be taken to the sellers folksy shop

I hope you like my payday treat picks for Summer, it was hard just to pick a few as there are hundreds of amazing unique items on http://www.folksy.com/ which are all handmade with love and care!

Go on treat yourself to something you won't find on the highstreet!

Folksy Seller Interview 'Lemur Lady'

This is the eighth installment in my weekly series! I hope you have found some new favourite sellers and enjoyed reading about the people behind the folksy shops, i know i have!

Folksy Shop: 'Lemur Lady's Awesome Emporium"

How Long have you been on Folksy?
Only about a month - I'm a newbie
Describe what you create:
I make bags and cushions (predominantly) out of quirky and unusual fabrics - especially gothic, cutesy, or kawaii prints. I try to make things that I know I would like - and my taste is eclectic!
How did you get into your craft?
I used to be very artsy and crafty as a child, but had got out of the habit until about a year ago, when someone bought me a book on crocheting amigurumi characters. The crochet led on to sewing, and once I discovered a world of fabulous and unusual fabrics out there I was hooked. After a while it became clear that my house was full of cushions and there was only so many bags I needed, so I decided to avoid going broke from my fabric addiction by making stuff to sell!
What inspires you?
Patterns! I browse the internet every day and if something unusual catches my eye I buy it. I may not know what I'm going to make, and it might sit in my stash for ages, but one day it will become something lovely. If it makes me smile, it inspires me.
Which item for sale in your Folksy shop is your favourite?

I have a soft spot for my 'Oh Deer' Cushion .

Partly because of the pun.

What makes you unique?

I'm very eclectic (that word again), with what I make. For instance, at the moment, I have cartoon cats, a floral bird print, and gothic skulls all sharing virtual shelf space. I also take commissions.

If you won the Lottery how would you spend your millions?

I'd give up work and become a crazy sewing lady with my own big studio! And buy my other half a massive shed so that he could follow his dream of being a Wallace & Gromit-type inventor. And the rest I would spend on shoes, probably. Oh, and charities helping monkeys. I like monkeys.

If you would like to see more of Lemur Lady's lovely creations visit http://www.folksy.com/shops/LemurLady

Folksy Seller Interview 'Cards witha Difference'

Folksy Shop: Cards with a Difference

How Long have you been on Folksy? I have been on here since August 2010
Describe what you create:
I create handmade greetings cards for all occasions and also make custom orders too to whatever is desired by the customer.
How did you get into your craft?
I wanted a hobby and started doing some cross stitching and then progressed to making cards (probably about 16 years ago) but there wasn't any interest in them at that time. I carried on creating cards for family and friends over the years but last year decided to take the plunge and sell at craft fairs and also on Folksy. Since then I have gone from strength to strength, selling to work colleagues, friends, family and have done 7 craft fairs since last April and also have some more booked for this year.

What inspires you?
The world around me basically.
Which item for sale in your Folksy shop is your favourite?
 I think the cards with the butterflies on have to be my favourite because I absolutely love butterflies.
 

What makes you unique?I think what makes me unique is that I think about the design I make and have an eye for colour and like to co-ordinate the cards with ribbons and gemstones and anything else that I think adds dimension to the card. I like to turn a simple picture into a work of art and with it add a little bit of my love and into the mix and hope that this shows with all my little creations.


If you won the Lottery how would you spend your millions?
I gave up doing the lottery for myself years ago as I did it for seven years on the run and only ever won £10. I have checked my numbers religiously every week since then and my combination has never come up yet! I am in a bonus ball syndicate at work and have won that once in two years. I guess I am not very lucky. If I happened to start doing the lottery again and won millions, I would give some to my family and then treat me and my husband to a lovely holiday (perhaps a cruise around the Caribbean) and buy a new kitchen because the one we have is seriously dilapidated and in need of a face lift of some sorts.

To See More Wonderful Cards with a Difference visit http://www.folksy.com/shops/CardswithaDifference

Folksy Seller Interview 'Leopard Print Bee'

Wow I can't believe this is the seventh installment in my weekly series all ready!

Name: Kat Graham
Folksy Shop: Leopard Print Bee

How Long have you been on Folksy?
Well I started shopping in June 2010 but I opened my shop in August.

Describe what you create:
I try my best to create eclectic and chic jewellery that captures beauty in moments or items that normally go unnoticed. Resin allows me to do easily, as I can embedded items to create scenes (a couple in love, dancing) and or just show off the item itself (flowers). but I also like working with circuit boards, as I think they have a beauty all unto themselves!

Also, I've just started branching out with freshwater pearls because I am fascinated with their endless shapes and unlimited colours! (Although I realise most of these aren't natural)

How did you get into your craft?
I started making jewellery for myself and after it had been commented on a few times I thought "Bugger it!" and opened up this shop! Although I'm not really that artistic I am quite crafty and I really enjoy throwing myself in to projects and (hopefully) loving the end result.

What inspires you?
Everything! Literally everything. I see a pigeon and my mind is on overdrive about whether or not I can put tiny pigeons in resin! (I can't. They look like pebbles.)

Which item for sale in your Folksy shop is your favourite?
Ooh that's hard! I think my sheep bangle. If I had thinner wrists I doubt it'd be for sale!



What makes you unique?
I think my enthusiasm for life. I get so over excited about *everything* and it spurs me on to experiment and loose myself in my jewellery.
If you won the Lottery how would you spend your millions?
I would buy our home from my parents (who our kindly letting us squat in our wee flat!) and convince my partner we need to get married and then I can have "shabby chic English country garden party" wedding of my dreams! :]

To see more of Kat's amazing work visit http://www.folksy.com/shops/LeopardPrintBee

Folksy Seller Interview 'Abbigale'

Heres the sixth Installment in my Weekly Feature *Folksy Seller Interviews* Get to know your favourite Folksy sellers and find new favourites!



Name: Abbigale Newell
Folksy Shop: Abbigale... all things and everything else...

How Long have you been on Folksy?
I think it must be coming up for a year.
Describe what you create:
It varies on a whim but tends to lean towards pretty things to decorate weddings or your home. Such as hanging mobiles, wedding favours and keepsakes.

How did you get into your craft?
I've always been crafty (!) but when I found Folksy it gave me a way of selling what I make rather than cluttering up my home with it all!
What inspires you?
Colour. I'm a very visually inspired person.
Which item for sale in your Folksy shop is your favourite?
I've made a really pretty mobile of paper flowers and wooden beads. I almost don't want to sell it!

What makes you unique?
Goodness that's hard! I don't think I'm unique really...just passionate.
If you won the Lottery how would you spend your millions?
I've always said that I would set up a good quality school bus company that did ALL the routes necessary. A bit like the yellow school buses in America. When I lived there I was on a cattle ranch at the base of the Idaho mountains and still the bus came to get me every day....

If you would like to see more of Abbigale's wonderful creations visit her at http://www.folksy.com/shops/Abbigale

Folksy Seller Interview 'BooBooCraft'

Heres the fifth Installment in my Weekly Feature *Folksy Seller Interviews* Get to know your favourite Folksy sellers and find new favourites!

 

Folksy Shop: My folksy shop is called Booboocraft my nick name when I was a child was Booboo.

 

How Long have you been on Folksy? I started my shop in April 2010 Have had 7 sales would like more

 

Describe what you create: I am an embroiderer and maker

 

How did you get into your craft? I ran my own buisness when my children were young dressmaking then I worked as a buyer in a large commercial embroidery factory promoted to factory manager responsible for MOD,Fire,Police and Prison contracts.I then went to work at a university teaching on BA and MA courses. I now live in Somerset and work as a Housesitter and running my Folksy shop.

 

Which item for sale in your Folksy shop is your favourite? The favorite item in my shop is a black bag with an opening flap that is covered in black and white buttons.

What makes you unique? My work is quite labour intensive and bags are one offs.

If you won the Lottery how would you spend your millions? If I won the lottery I would buy The Tower house in Burnham on Sea and give it a complete makeover bring it up to date lavish love and affection on it and live happy ever after.

 

If you would like to see more of BooBooCrafts lovely creations visit http://www.folksy.com/shops/booboocraft

Folksy Friday 'Party Outfits'

This weeks Folksy Friday is inspired by the unique handmade clothing and party accessories available on http://www.folksy.com/

I've been looking at party outfits as it was my 23rd birthday yesterday and i'm going out for drinks tonight to celebrate, it's hard finding a unique outfit on the high street and you can find something to suit all tastes on folksy and the best part for me is no-one else will be wearing the same as you!

(If you would like to purchase or view any of the featured folksy sellers items simply click on the photo you like to be taken to their shop)



Split Top Party Dress, and it's on Sale! from Suzanne Porter Boutique





Another fab item which is on sale! Shoulder tie mini dress from Little Sister Lucy




An Outfit isn't complete without some nice Jewellery, this set is on sale in my shop



A lovely Evening Bag from Gingernuts crafts