Exciting developments

Exciting things are afoot at Dolly Towers. Last month I was very priviledged to be invited to take part in the shooting of a TV advert for Etsy, the US based website I use to sell my creations on. They are having a publicity push in this country and invited 67 UK makers to take part. Obviously we British crafters are a good looking bunch!

A whole load of us took the time to travel up to London and it was such a fun day, especially meeting all the other Etsy sellers, who made such an amazingly diverse array of things. 

The advert aired for the first time last week on Channel 4 but it is also showing on Sky I think. You may have seen it! You can YouTube it (my special version) here

You can browse the items made by all the brilliant UK sellers on Etsy who took part in the advert in this section of the Etsy website

My owlie checking out the competition

Mr Lunaonthemoon and Jojo Hapuska

He's putting up my bunting!

Spring Shopping 2014 - Pretty Picks from Etsy and beyond

I have been feeling the Spring Love lately and starting to look around for some more 'of the moment' clothes and accessories. The sun is out! There might be weddings and summer fun just around the corner. Apparently we are all supposed to be wearing pastel colours, florals and statement necklaces. Not sure if that fits in with my generally grunge-tastic lifestyle, but a girl can dream of being soignee and having a fashionable wardrobe, right? I have included some lovely pastel ribbon in case you are of a mind to upcycle something in this seasons colours.... Here are some of my favourite finds from around the High-Street and the Internet. Happy Browsing. 

1. Pink Bird Ceramic Earrings by Damson Tree Pottery
2. Pointelle Girls Cardigan by Marks and Spencer
3. Selina Dress by Boden
4. Grosgrain Ribbon from Cloud Craft Supplies
5. Linden Necklace by Stella & Dot
6. Rainy Day Coin Purse by Emy & Wilma





Please note:
This is not a sponsored post. I have not recieved any payment of any sort to write this piece.  The suppliers and businesses I have chosen reflect my personal taste and I have had successful purchases from them in the past. However, I am not responsible in any way for the companies mentioned and cannot be held liable for any dealings that you have with them.

Ideas Round Up: Bunting

I have been making quite a bit of bunting lately, but not only that, I have noticed that there is quite a lot of other crafts featuring bunting about at the moment. So what can you do this week that is a bit bunting-y?

Personalised bunting
I have a listing for this in my Etsy shop - this particular bright cakes one I made for my daughters birthday. You can pretty much add any message or sentiment to bunting, printed on, appliqued, the pennant's your plaything!

Bunting Cushions 
An excellent scrap buster, quite a quick sew and looks so great. There are some nice examples on Pinterest. I have a cushion and applique ideas board here

This is by Tracey B Designs on Etsy

Bunting Card
I love stitching stuff onto card! Such a great way of getting a really lovely effect, which makes for a special card.  I have made bunting cards in the past but I don't have any pictures of mine, so here's another lovely Etsy seller Nikelcards.

Non-Fabric Bunting
Bunting can be in any size, any material. I like to sew, but maybe you love working with vintage books, or glass!

Ladybird Book Bunting by The Woolly Dog

Striped Glass Bunting on Folksy by Amy Orange Juice

Cake Bunting
Finally, if you just can't get enough of bunting, check out this Liberty mini bunting for cakes by Jooles of Sew Sweet Violet. This just whispers of true English whimsy - what's not to love?

Cake Banner Bunting on Etsy by Sew Sweet Violet

Treasury Tuesday

It's probably going to be the first year in about 10 where we are invited to NO weddings, so I am getting my fantasy wedding fix the Etsy way. 

Treasury Tuesday!

So, as you will of seen on my last post we are on our holidays. I created this little Etsy treasury to try and whip up some enthusiasm (in myself) for the week ahead!

Spring Sunshine

Well the sunshine is out here, although still COLD. I have been pootling on Etsy, avoiding the real work I have to do of labelling stock for a craft fair tomorrow. Well, as Alain de Botton says 'Most time wasting is due to terror' (I may be paraphrasing). 

In the meantime I have been creating lovely Etsy treasuries about the Spring. And my husband says this crafting is not real work. Pah!

Sun is shining

So it seems that the spirng is upon us. Although I am not managing a lot of sewing and crafting at the moment (having three children is proving, ahem, time consuming) I have been occasionally allowed to sneak toward the sewing machine. The Folksy and Etsy shops are ticking over and so I think I should just be thankful for small mercies! Here are a few of my latest listings.

Shoe bags

Shoppers

Really like the shopper - I am tempted to keep it but them really I should just make myself another!!

Time for some Easter window shopping

Felty Goodness - a giveaway

OK so yesterday I was moaning a bit, but today I bring you festive joy! not my own, I am afraid, but a very nice giveaway from That Fuzzy Feeling who makes the most lovely felted goods.

For a chance to win chocolate and adorable felted things (I mean just check out these owls in a nest) please click on the link above to go to her blog. Good Luck!

Craft Fairs

I have been busy all week putting the finishing touches to things for a big craft fair today. After the children kept crying in the night (sore throat season) I nearly thought I wouldn't make it. Got there OK, no family of miserable wretches in tow, set up my stall, waited. And waited. And!! no customers. Well, not many. Come on people isn't it December?? Obviously in Hampshire there is a lack of festive cheer. So my Folksy and Etsy shops are still well stocked and apart from a few orders of a non-urgent variety, no commissions to finish either. What's going on?!! Come on people I need something to do before Baby #3 comes along and I have to put the dust jacket on my sewing machine for the rest of the winter. Go on, go on, go on, go on (repeat to fade).

Christmas is coming!

I have been hard at work making plenty in anticipation of a Christmas rush (here's hoping!). The last craft fair I did was not all that busy but I have my fingers crossed for the rest of the month. In the meantime, for virtual shoppers, I have created some new Christmas decorations which I am quite chuffed with, as well as a few old favourites.

On Etsy

On Etsy 

On Folksy

On Folksy

A Winter Treasury Challenge

Reynard

Still up to my elbows in plums!

Motto Monday - It will be alright...

Earlier today, because I was CUI (cutting under the influence) I sheared off the top of my little finger with a big old rotary cutter. Now I am pretty much unable to do any of the 100 crafting jobs I need to do today because I have a bleedy sore bandaged pinkie. And I only have half a nail! My.Own.Fault. So here's a motto to salve my anxiety..!

Print from AmyFlorence on Etsy

Some patriotic Etsyism

Etsy Treasury Wednesday - April Showers Theme

So I have been doing this team treasury challenge for Team Undiscovered on Etsy (because my shop there is suffering from a distict lack of custom - seems the credit crunch has dissuaded people from splashing out on fabric whale toys at the current time!). This weeks theme is April Showers. If you would like to see the other entries stop by the team blog but what might make me win is if you make sure you click more on mine/comment on mine more. Just sayin' is all.....

Etsy Treasury Wednesday!

As I do not have any new patterns to show you at the moment, why not enjoy a browse in Etsy's treasure house!

An Etsy Treasury for you x

New in my shop(s) for Spring!

I don't very often post shop updates here on my blog, as you can get your regular Made by Dolly fix on the Facebook Fan Page. However, I have a few new and seasonal lines starting so I thought I would give you a photo guide of what's new this Spring (so far!)

Large Easter Egg (Detail)
Apple Coin Purse
Small Easter Eggs available at Etsy and Folksy!
Mushroom Coin Purse with gingham loop