2024 - No Craft Spending - I WILL bust my stash and make pretty things!!!!!

plumduff55

Good morning, really cold here this morning. It'll be great to stay in the warm and craft 😀.
I'm still busy with the Barbie outfits. Gift will have to be posted on Wednesday so I've no time to waste. 

I've knitted lots and yesterday I cut out Barbies's summer wardrobe. The pattern must be nearly 40 years old and getting a bit tatty. I'm really enjoying making these dolls things even although it's a bit fiddly.

Lots of lovely bags and purses made. @daisy_1571 I lovely the floral fabric ❤️

Happy crafting xx

craftingmad

I seem to have lost my crafting mojo but I can declare another 10 makes made as I had an order for 500 plantable business cards so have got rid of 50 sheets of paper from my stash Cheating a little bit as really just printing and cutting rather than actually making anything but it used up some of my stash so I'm counting them  

All your makes are so inspiring so I hope to be able to share some real "crafty" makes with you very soon  

daisy_1571

Its nice we are a little on line community sharing our makes.  I have done befriending through a couple of organisations over the years, I always put my interests down as crafting to see if they match me up with someone who also enjoys that.  One was a large national organisation who only did telephone friends,  I was matched with a chap near Salisbury who was so chatty despite our having nothing in common on paper.   Now I'm with a more local group who do telephone,  home visits,  group outings etc, whatever people's preferences are.  Perhaps there's something like that in your neighbourhoods ?  Either as the befriender or as the befriendee.  Or if there's a local version of knit and natter, is it worth reaching out to see if any organisation were able to transport you?  Obviously I'm not asking for any personal details, its just a couple of ideas in case it helps spark an idea for you.  Bet other folk will have other ideas.

Daisy xx

Katiehound

Just to say before anyone coughs up loads of dosh on new knitting needles or crochet hooks do take a look in your local charity shops. A couple of ours (at least) have loads of knitting needles- not so sure about the hooks..

AlwaysAllie

Katiehound said:

Just to say before anyone coughs we up loads of dosh on new knitting needles or crochet hooks do take a look in your local charity shops. A couple of ours (at least) have loads of knitting needles- not so sure about the hooks..

Yep definitely. If you can’t see them then do ask, some do not display them as they good because used as ‘weapons’!! 🤣

suzeesu2000

craftingmad & Auti, shall we be buddies then?

I get so annoyed with myself as we have our lovely local library literally across the road and I cant get to it. They have crafters get togethers every week, painting exhibitions in summer, so much going on but sadly I cant get there. I have just signed up for library at home so hope to make good use of that this year.

Love seeing what everyone else is making as it inspires me - thats something I miss from doing everything solo. This group is fantastic.

Plan for Saturday: Get the airing cupboard emptied and sorted and tidied and decluttered.

                              Get my comforter finished.  I have found some leftovers that will, I think, make 2 pillow shams.

have a great weekend groupy chums )

Florenceem

I love seeing makes on here - my crafting friend passed a couple of years ago.
I planned to sew some aprons next but will be making 3 story sacks first. 
I spent some money today - a shop had 6 x 6 embossing folders for £3 each - I only have a couple that size so bought three. I also bought fabric and some ribbon for the story book ties but Dd will be asked to pay for that with school funds.
I needed cotton tape for the planned aprons so picked that up too.

Katiehound

Just to say that I have totted up my earnings from doggy duvets, bones and pyramid pouches and I have raised £520.22 in 2023 for the assistance charity 'Dogs for Good.'

I am fairly sure that is the most I have raised in one year and some of that money has to be from the pyramid pouches (for pooches.)  Only 6 left from the original 100 (and only 3 given away rather than sold) Amazing how they took off, and that was from watching a YouTube video!

I am well pleased

Katiehound

Florenceem said:

 
I planned to sew some aprons next but will be making 3 story sacks first. 
 
I needed cotton tape for the planned aprons so picked that up too.

and what style are they going to be?
 I remember making 'cooks aprons with a kangaroo pocket' in the front for presents years ago. Many aprons still going strong even if the tape was wearing thin! (The kangaroo pocket is not essential)

RavenRover

craftingmad said:

RavenRover said:

Hi, I'd like to rejoin  this year too please.  I promise I will try and remember to actually post photos this year!  I'm not going to set a target but I know I put a dent in my stash last year.  Ended up with a load of card making stuff which will help me as I need to think about earning extra cash as I am expecting redundancy at some point this year, so would be interested in how useful you find Etsy @craftingmad

Welcome aboard. 
Don't worry. I rarely remember to post photos so you are not alone  
Glad to hear you managed to put a dent in your stash last year. Lets hope you can do the same again this year. 

Sorry to hear that redundancy is looming. We have just been through it with my OH. It's never nice. 

Etsy is a lot of hard work to get your listings right and seen amongst the sea of other things for sale but once you have nailed the photos, keywords etc then it can be very profitable. I make around £10k a year in sales (although in previous years it has been much more so I do think the platform is on the decline slightly).
I have a code you can use to get 40 free listings if you like so you can try it risk free as you will not pay out any money unless the items sell. Give me a shout if you want any help or advice on the platform - I'm no expert but do have 8 years of trading on it under my belt so know a little bit  

Happy crafting x

@craftingmad I would really appreciate the offer of the code and even more so the advice!  I usually only sold stuff like @florenceem for charity, so having to consider doing it for part of my income is something completely different.  I do a bit of crochet, crystal art and card making so plan to have a variety of things to sell.  I have a wee trader who is so angry that I am going to loose my job he is going to raid his unit and if there is any crystal art stuff or craft stuff he is going to sell me it as a bundle.  Lovely guy.

I think after 8 years of trading you are most definitely an expert! X