We've had a little snow and a lot of brrrr...so I'm sitting by the fire with my crochet hook in hand. Check out the gallery for the result!

Did you make a New Year's resolution? I certainly did. I resolved to work even harder at everything and to keep being positive.
Well, I'm finding the staying positive bit quite easy as orders are still coming in and creations are still flying out! As to the working hard, well, I don't have much choice now!
2012 may be a difficult year for many people but looking on the bright side, if you have a great product to sell at the right price it could still turn out well!
That's me done then!!!
A very Happy New Year. 

That was just about the maddest, busiest period I've ever experienced! Not just family Christmas stuff but trying to keep up with orders and supply the boutique 'THEM' (Talent House East Midlands) with goods.
I'm delighted to say that my creations were flying out through the doors!!!
All I have to do now is replenish my stocks.
So, apologies for the bareness of my shelves and please be reassured that they will be filled up as quickly as possible.
Happy New Year!

Brrr it's turned ch ch ch chilly. And as Autumn brings changes to the landscape it will be bringing changes to Madebyhand.

As my daughter Elizabeth Dyer is opening a shop with her business partner Stephanie McDonald Walker (check them out on Facebook), much of my stock will be off to Leicester! And new things will be appearing here at Madebyhand. I've been busy revamping my embroidery kits; some are already on sale here but there will be more added quite soon. Of course, I will still be happy to accept commissions and there will still be a selection of jewellery and other items for sale here.

And now I'm off to 'play' at my latest craft craze - painting on stones (well, it is half-term!) Check out the gallery to see my first effort.

Leaves are falling, the harvest has begun and I've been gathering more than just the goodies from my garden and the countryside! Friends and family have been clearing out their cupboards and drawers and all sorts has been landing on my doorstep.
 Quite a lot of my new stock has been posted off to Leicester where my daughter will be selling it in her new shop and at craft markets, but I'm still managing to add to my shop here at Madebyhand.

There will be some rather drastic changes here soon so...watch this space!

No, I won't apologise! I've just bought my first 'stocking filler'. If I hadn't bought it today it might not have been available nearer to Christmas. Anyway, inflation may reach 5% by the end of the year, so now is as good a time to buy as any!
And on that note...gorgeous, exclusive, inexpensive stocking fillers available here!
(Don't forget P&P is free to UK)

I know it sounds crazy but when I attended the craft fair last month I took a few pairs of Christmassy earrings with me. My friend Jackie laughed but, hey, I sold all but one pair!

I'm finding it hard to replace my stock after the craft fair - there's so much to be done in the garden at this time of year, but commisions are being fulfilled and new things are appearing gradually. So, check out the earrings. The plectrums are extremely popular; they disappear almost as fast as I can make them. More colours on the way soon but these black, pearly ones are really eye catching. 

So, with the first half of the year behind us, we're thinking ahead to Christmas. And, as my experience at the craft has proved - we are not alone!

I must confess that I'm not a lover of craft fairs and I hadn't attended one for years. So, it was a pleasant surprise to have a pretty good day at Stoke-sub-Hamdon!

Must get making faster...!

And here we are nearly at the end of May. The sun is shining and I've been making and selling like mad!

I'm attending a craft fair on Monday 30th. at Stoke sub Hamdon in South Somerset with my friend Jackie, from 'Keepers Makers'. Should be a good day and it will be fun for me to see some new crafts. Maybe we'll see you there.

Although I haven't added much to the shop recently I am working, working, working on new items and should be able to update the shop soon.

I've been busy with sales through my other outlets and am about to offer some things in a shop here in Watchet called Keepers Makers. If you're in the area, you can find it in the Chandlery on the Esplanade. It's well worth a visit - some really fab, eco-friendly goodies and a great welcome. Go in and browse but be warned - you'll find it hard to come out empty handed!  

Here's wishing for this gorgeous weather to continue.

Well, it might be spring by the calendar but it's so cold here it feels like winter has returned. But the gardens are pretty convinced and the lambs are looking quite well grown so I guess it must be true! 

The sun is warm enough to tempt our bees out occasionally and I'm looking forward to more honey this year (only our second year as bee keepers). I'm tempted to embroider some 3D honey bees and I'm wondering if they'll fit into those brooch findings I acquired the other day...

Well, here we are in the middle of January already. I hope, unlike me, you've had  a happy and healthy start to the year. Unfortunately the flu moved into my house; and then I had a problem with my internet connection, and then there was... Hmmm! All I can say is, as the song goes, 'Things can only get better' Well, fingers crossed!

So, on to business. It's going to be a hard year for many people, that much I'm sure of, but  for those of us offering great products at great prices it could be a chance to broaden our horizons. I will certainly be hoping to extend my range of goods, bearing in mind those items my customers have requested. So, look out for something new and a little bit different in the shop!

According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to mid-December. Female reindeer retain their antlers till after they give birth in the spring.

Therefore, according to EVERY historical rendition depicting Santa's reindeer, EVERY single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to be a girl.

We should have known...only women would be able to drag an overweight man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night and not get lost.

Almost unbelievably, even here in West Somerset we've had snow! We get very excited about it as it just doesn't happen very often these days.

So, to celebrate the season, a new collection of Christmas earrings is beginning to appear. Terrific value at only £2.50 including P&P, so why not have several pairs so you can ring the changes?

I do hope so because I'm just about to add a new pair of earrings inspired by the autumn colours!

We now have a new Guest Maker...Marianne Elisabeth Rogers. A talented young lady with a funky twist! And she is much after my own heart with her vintage and unusual button jewellery!

Welcome to Madebyhand Marianne.

even when the weather is not as lovely as the weather man promised!

I always come back from my walks along the shore with a bag full of treasure - beautiful stones, the occasional shell, a bit of smooth, scoured glass. Today I was struck by the plastic! It always seems so bright and colourful and stands out amongst the debris of seaweed, stones and sand. Blue was the predominant colour today, and it worked so well with the orangey browns and reds that I feel a seaside collection coming on.

Watch this space!

Chilly mornings and evenings. I'm starting to look longingly at the log fire that's set ready in my fireplace, and thinking about making new stock while it blazes away!

My friend David Horn is taking part in an open studio event called Somerset Art Weeks. His studio is at the bottom of my garden and I've been printing cards of his artwork. They're selling well and very soon I'll be adding some new ones to the shop.

I went to a Creative Crafts show in Exeter at the weekend & couldn't believe the materials available now for jewellery making and needlecrafts. There's so much! But I was good - I came away empty-handed. Well, I'm determined to continue to be as green as possible and I still have many 'goodies' that I've been given or have found for recycling.

Happy Autumn!

Things are really getting going here - must be the weather!

There is a new page where invited 'makers' can sell their wares. First up is Liz Dyer, an extremely talented young lady. She's created some gorgeous jewellery based on FOOD!

New earrings are appearing and prices are changing - check them out now! Remember postage is FREE to the UK.

And remember that everything at Madebyhand is created by hand and will not be found in the high street!

I can't believe so much time has slipped, nay, whizzed by. Well, I blame the bees! One hive is all we have but they're producing so much honey it's all we can do to keep up with it! And now I've made my first little candle with the wax that is the by-product of all that honey. Unfortunately, I decided to light it before I thought of taking a photo and it was burning merrily away last night! I'll do some more - look out for a picture in the gallery.

Loads of new earrings coming! And some little covered notebooks in the style of the needlebooks for those of you who don't sew!

And maybe, just maybe, some little beehive candles...

In the mood for all sorts but especially for adding new products to my shop!

Hot off the workbench today - Dreamcatcher Earrings! Well, when I say workbench I mean sofa - but, sofa so good! Check them out anyway - a great summer look.

Actually, it's raining but that gives me the chance to work indoors instead of in the garden. And I must confess I've been neglecting my website - it's just been so lovely to work outside.

So, today there are some new items appearing. At last I'm getting the long promised Stumpwork embroidery kits out!

Never tried Stumpwork? It's easy once you know how. My kits are a perfect introduction to this fascinating and absorbing 3-D technique. Beginners will want to do more and, if you're already hooked, one or two of my kits are suitable for more experienced stitchers!  (How do you feel about being called 'stitchers'? Let me know)

The embroidery kits will appear in 'Other Items' in the shop.

Check out the first one now and enjoy the summer!

Happy New Year!

2010 already - time to say a big thank you to all my customers. Thank you!

Madebyhand is still in it's infancy, evolving and changing. I'm looking forward to my first full year of business. New ideas are rushing in and all I need is the time to get them from drawing board to production line!

So, what's your New Year's resolution?

Christmas is coming!

I've just had an order for several pairs of recycled can earrings so I'm busy scouring the countryside!

How many times have I moaned about cans being dumped without thought for the environment. It used to just offend me and, if there was a bin nearby, I'd dispose of them. Still wasteful when they could have been properly recycled at the local recycling centre but at least it's tidier. Now my eyes are scanning with my own recycling in mind - they get taken home and washed thoroughly!

I've just been given some Guinness cans...

Oh, so this is how you add a new post! Well, I think I've nearly got it all sussed.

Just the email to sort out now...

The new tassel earrings look great! The range of colours is huge. I can make to order, too. How about a matching service? Send me the colour you want and I make up a pair of earrings to tone perfectly!

Keeps going wrong!

Ta daaaa! Well, here I am with my very own website created by my very own daughter Liz!

Thanks Liz! And all it's cost me is a months rent and a bit! Very reasonable, I'd say.

Now all I have to do is get it sorted. It's easy, says Liz! Mmmm...today is going to be my first attempt at this blogging business. Probably not the most important bit but possibly the most fun!

OK here I go - let's see if it works.