Put your Heart into Handmade - and a Business Tip

Putting your heart into handmade - this is undoubtedly what our crafters do, but if people were to think this way with their purchases then many small businesses with their talent and flair would do exceedingly well!

So, bearing in mind my theme - I'm going to feature a wonderful selection of hearts this week.  All drawn from a handmade website and I hope that those who are not crafters will love them as much as I do.

1.  Screen Print - Yeahnoyeah
2.  Stonewear 'pebble decorations - jo lucksted ceramics
3.  Patterned silver pendant - Handmade Silver Jewellery
4.  Keyring - Polka Dot Sky
5.  Driftwood, pebbles and shells - Free Range Designs
6.  Liberty Print Brooch - Buttercup Boutique
7.  Handmade Cushion - apple bloom crafts
8.  Bleeding Heart Flower - littlelensphotography
9.  Aluminium and Steel Sculpture - CK Automata
10.Notelet with Paper Buttons - Stuff N Nonsense

All the images have been reproduced on this blog, but remain the property of the artists concerned.  The Design Rights to the items pictured are also attributed to the individual artists. Any misuse of these rights could result in court action.

Business Tip for the Artisans

When you're listing your items you will notice that you are asked for keywords.  Do make sure that you make the most of this opprortunity.  They have recently changed policy to enable the http:// address of your listed item to remain the same even when your item is sold and you update with another one.  This means that you are far more likely to be found by a random search within Google or other search engines. By adding keywords to your listing, this gives the title of your item more 'pulling power' within the search by your potential customers. 

Saturday Showcase and a Small Business Tip

This Saturday's Showcase of UK handmade goods is here!
For the people who appreciate that with handmade comes quality - you're really going to love this selection.
For the artists amongst us, who appreciate handmade because you know just what goes into it - take a look at my tip for small businesses at the bottom of the blog.
I hope you enjoy my amazing selection this week.

1. Brooch - iCandy Crafts
2. Card - Zuleikha's art
3. Hair Clip, Fimo - Pretty Little Tings
4. Beanie - Rainbows'N'More
5.Bag - Crafty Bags
6.Glossy Print  - Crystal MoonCat
7. Silver Pendant - Handmade Silver Jewellery UK
8.Pincushion - RuthDesigns
9.Cushion - MinXures Clothing and Accessories
10. Head band - Zoe's Shop

Business Tip of the Week
People buy from small businesses because they often receive a personal touch. They buy from handmade artists because they know that overall the product is better!  However, all businesses make mistakes - we wouldn't be human if we didn't.  The key is not to compound your mistakes. Delivering good customer service means quickly and accurately fixing those mistakes and you'll earn loyalty.  On the other hand, compounding one mistake with another is a sure fire way of driving away your customers.

Going Green with UK handmade items!

And so to a very worthwhile theme this week.  Making the most of items which otherwise would be discarded.  Recycled items at their best, hand crafted and made into something beautiful for those that care about the environment or just simply because they love something a little quirky or different!

1. Recycled Bunting - peony and thistle
2. Recycled Cushion - Slowlane Made
3. Recycled champagne bottle - Abundant Glass
4. Silver Recycled Torque - Lesley H Phillips
5. Wood Mouse Recycled Card - Ethel and Iris
6. Floral recycled lace brooch - Recycled Bird
7. Recycled Bridal Fascinator - Borganic
8. Recycled Comic Paper Chain - Lucie Kate & Hazey Jane
9. Recycled pussy cat doll - PollyKrafts
10. Recycled Record Bowl - RescuedRags

Please do note that these images and the designs are the property of the designers and makers (named above), they own the property rights to them and any infringement of their rights could be pursued in court.

I think you'll agree that I've chosen a great selection of recyled items this week - I love them!  I hope you do too.  If you wish to purchase any of the items they are for sale on the above links.

Naturally as I have an interest in recycling, I have a little selection within my Green Collection too!
Handmade Silver Jewellery UK - Green Collection

Some beautiful British Craft!

As I've been looking around Folksy, I've found some beautiful  items of interest and have featured some here. - It won't take you long before you guess the theme, I'm sure!!

folksy.com/shops/Lisadoodle - No 1

folksy.com/shops/JoSara - No 2

folksy.com/shops/CherryBlossomCandles - No 3

folksy.com/shops/Withhugsandkisses - No 4

folksy.com/shops/littleknitter - No 5

folksy.com/shops/kitschin - No 6

folksy.com/shops/MollyGinnelly - No 7

folksy.com/shops/AlexMcquade - No 8

folksy.com/shops/JuliaSmithCeramics - No 9

folksy.com/shops/buttercupboutique - No 10



 

'Charlie'



And finally - to catch them...