Facelift for Handmade Happiness!

Passing cars will notice Handmade Happiness now!

Wayne Osborne of Osborne Signs Ltd starts hand-painting.

Above the door. This space was previously blank. What a waste!

I'm really pleased with the way the words 'gifts' and 'art' look in a shade darker green.

When Handmade Happiness first opened three and a half years ago I spent very little on signage and ended up with black writing in just one of four spaces. I wasn't happy about it and realised the short sign made the shop look smaller than it is and less noticeable than it could be.

 On Monday Wayne Osborne, one of just a few sign writers in the country,whose 
company is based at Midhurst, made good use of the available space with paint my mother would call 'chartreuse' ie a yellow/lime with a dash of black and the kind of clear joined-up writing that I wanted.

I'm really pleased with the way the shop now looks. Thank you Wayne - check out lots of other signs he has painted on www.osbornesigns.co.uk  He's taken my 'A'board away to re-paint. Next step is puting a sign up on that flag pole you can see just above the door. 

Tomorrow, Thursday, is the knitting get together at Winton House - 7 to 9pm. If you are coming and haven't told me you are definitely coming please email me or ring the shop tomorrow - 01730 267711 so I don't underestimate numbers. I am looking forward to a relaxed evening in good company. Just sorting out what yarns to take from the ridiculous amount I seem to have accumulated over the years!

Weaving and knitting by Gill Green

Silk mix scarf woven by Gill Green

Knitted socks by Gill Green £20 with larger cat by Sue Inglis £9.99

Knitted scarf by Gill Green £24

From left: Scarf by Gill Green £24; cashmere cardis by Seonaid Noble £95 and large blanket by Kate Box £99

Gill Green walked into Handmade Happiness with a box of her woven scarves and knitted socks. It was a nice surprise and I am delighted to now be her stockist.

The Knitting Workshop is on Thursday night. There are still a few places left if you want to join us.
Hope you had a nice weekend!

My weekend

Younger daughter Sophie lives in Harpenden and on Sunday we went for a scenic walk there along a river created by a natural spring. We thought we saw a kingfisher - just a flash of colour. The water was so pure and clear you could see all the fish - trout apparently. 

On Monday I went to London and enjoyed the feeling of being an international traveller at St Pancras railway station, home of Eurostar and a mini Fortnum and Masons. I imagined travelling back and forth to Paris where my second Handmade Happiness store will be based...!

In Covent Garden I looked round the Gudrun Sjoden shop.  Strong colour cottons in big prints. The clothes are cheerful and fun and layered. I liked the way Gudrun's clothes' designs are pinned up on the wall on large sheets of paper and the simple rose motif painted on the floors.  It's Swedish but has stores all over the world.

At Waterloo station these giant dinosaurs were getting photographed a lot. I was en route to daughter Amy's house where I look after baby Juno so her mum can work. Juno may only be 11 months old but she's in training. I may need her to work in Handmade Happiness, Paris one day!! 

Learn to Knit on June 18th. Workshop news.

Cardigan pattern by Erika Knight. Shawl in made up pattern. Both knitted by Jenny Stacy for first grandchild.

Close up of Erika Knight's cardigan design

Another Erika Knight pattern knitted by Jenny Stacy

Simple baby socks knitted on just two needles

 The first craft workshop on Thursday June 18th 7.30pm to 9.00pm at Winton House in Petersfield High Street will focus on beginners' knitting. Learning to cast on, knit, pearl and cast off. 
There will be no class the following week as the room is booked by another group for every third Thursday.

The second craft workshop on Thursday July 2nd is on felt making. Specifically  'Making a Felt Flower'. Karen Head, who makes the amazing nuno felted scarves in Handmade Happiness will lead this class.

The third craft workshop on Thursday July 9th is on paper collage. Building a picture with paper you've painted and drawn on and torn pictures from magazines. Jenny Stacy will lead this class.

There will be no craft workshop the following week as it is the third Thursday of the month.

The fourth craft workshop on Thursday July 23rd is on Learning to Crochet. This class will be led by Pam Dew who makes the stunning quilts for Handmade Happiness and crochet bags.

Every Thursday night except the third Thursday in the month will focus on a different craft.  Future sessions may include cushion making, printing, embroidery, doll making, lampshade making basically whatever customers want to have a go at, as long as there is enough demand.  Towards Christmas we will make presents, make Christmas cards and Christmas gift wrap and tree decorations. I'm excited already!

To book for any particular class, or all of them contact Jenny at the shop or by email. The fee is £10 payable on the night to include basic materials and a glass of wine and tea or coffee.

Christine Burgess delivers 5 new pictures

'Lemons from Provence' by Christine Burgess £65

'Waterfront' by Christine Burgess £180

'Spectrum' by Christine Burgess £350

'Squall' by Christine Burgess £85

'Daybreak' by Christine Burgess £85

 Christine Burgess has just brought in five new pictures to Handmade Happiness which demonstrate her versatility. This artist is equally comfortable painting seascapes or abstracts and her lemons show that she also has a gift for still life.

    I can imagine 'Lemons' in a kitchen against maybe a grey wall. 
    'Spectrum' and 'Waterfront' would be great in a corporate setting, in a boardroom or office foyer or hotel. 
    'Squall' is my personal favourite. It has a lot of movement. 'Squall' and 'Daybreak' would be like extra windows in a room and would make great gifts for anyone with a special attachment to the sea.

New pots and the right writing...

One of a kind vessels made by Niloo Wickramasinghe

This is the sign writing I want for Handmade Happiness. 

 These are the pictures I couldn't show in the last post. I figured a way round the problem. Just email pics from Picasa to your email and then forward to your blogger account. It works.

La Droguerie inspiration

I've been writing this blog for nearly 7 years... Today no picture as the Picasa/Google/Blogger link is broken so please imagine what I would have shown you: 

Firstly some new ceramics - soon as I can I'll share with you and secondly, the 'la droguerie' sign which is the inspiration for my new shop sign which will soon appear.

La Droguerie is one of my favourite shops. It has several branches in France and sells buttons, beads, ribbons, yarn and patterns all attractively displayed. It has unusual bits and pieces like velvety pansies and is a total joy to browse in.

 The simple joined up writing on its logo is the clear kind of writing I want for the new Handmade Happiness writing above the shop.  For many years I dreamed of having a shop like la droguerie but fate conspired to grant me a gift shop instead. A Handmade Happiness shop full of brilliant things made by talented people and cards, most of which you will not find elsewhere.

I did a really silly thing on Friday. I cut my hand while serving a customer and, being distracted, I punched in £1-90 for her picture on the card machine instead of the £190 it should have been. I didn't realise until later and I'm sure she hasn't realised either. Today I'll write to her bank so they can let her know and try to stop kicking myself!!

Tea cosy by Kate Box

Wooly patchwork tea cosy by Kate Box

Other side of Kate Box's tea cosy

Wool blanket pieces dyed by Glen Wellstead for your own projects. £4.50 a bundle

I love this padded tea cosy with Liberty print lining by Kate Box. Kate also makes the popular wrist warmers, snoods, cushions and baby blankets for sale in Handmade Happiness.

I like to use these brightly coloured blanket pieces in my own work sometimes. They are tied up with sari silk and cost £4-50 for 8 to 10 pieces. Glen Wellstead makes rag rugs and often gives courses which are advertised in the shop.

New in Handmade Happiness

In the window this week

Applique cushions by Tanya Williamson

Fabric storage bags £12 by Gill Martin and mohair teddy by Lindsey Agostinelli

New cards delivered today by calligrapher Cathy Stables.  Chicken design shown in previous post.

 In the top picture:  Kate Hackett's new snowdrop design jug and mug with Michelle Green's needlefelted bluetit.
Samantha Robertson's new design olive bowl; Ali Cooper's porcelain night light and Kate Hackett's heart decorations.
Rosamund Fowler's badger card; Justine Jenner's grey mug and Cathy Stables' chicken card.
Jenny Stacy bird brooch; Willemien Stevens card and Jacqui Watkins coaster.

It was a day of deliveries today. New cards from Willemien Stevens and Cathy Stables and two sacks of lovely fabrics that can be used at the new craft workshops.

I re-did the window and look forward to the sign writer coming next week to write the lettering above the length of the shop. Just got to decide whether the letters should be painted in red, grey or teal.  My favourite colour at the moment is that pale yellowy lime green if you know what I mean but I don't think that would show up enough. Friends and family are mostly voting for bright red.

Craft evenings

Stacks of colourful wool in London shop Loop

Yesterday I wrote about the new craft evenings run by Handmade Happiness starting on Thursday June 18th 7.30 to 9.00pm.  I have now booked as many Thursday evenings between now and Christmas at Winton House as were available. I have a good feeling about these craft sessions and I'm really looking forward to them. The response has been totally favourable so far.

So far the demand from customers has been to learn to knit, learn to crochet, learn to make a cushion etc. So these things will certainly be on offer. I also want to have a table or two where paints, pencils, paper, old magazines and print materials are available to use with no tuition, just to use and have fun with.

The cost per session will be £10.  I had hoped to offer a free taster session but materials still have to bought and the venue paid for so reluctantly I've agreed to a charge.

Please remember, if you want to comment below anything you write in the box will automatically delete when you press publish. Just write one word, press publish and once that word has been deleted it will print whatever you then write. Annoying but I don't know how to fix it. Just like my radiator which is leaking water into a big towel, distracting me from writing. Why do these things happen on a Saturday when offices are closed? I left my number on their 'emergency line' but I think it will be quicker to call in a plumber.

New! Craft evenings with Handmade Happiness

One of three dolls made recently by Jenny Stacy

Same doll, different angle by Jenny Stacy

Back view. Doll made by Jenny Stacy for Handmade Happiness

I often get asked if Handmade Happiness runs craft workshops.  We tried in the first year the shop opened but were hampered by lack of space. 

Now I have booked Winton House, on Petersfield High Street with its big rooms and lots of tables and chairs.  The first session ta da! will be on Thursday June 18th 7.30pm to 9pm.

There will be five craft skills to try on different tables hosted by Handmade Happiness makers. The aim is a relaxed evening, practising and learning old techniques with gentle guidance when needed.

To find out more either visit the shop, email or ring me.  And I'll post more details in the next few days.

Cathy Stables and Jeanette Clarke

Beautiful calligraphy by Cathy Stables www.cathystables.com

Jeanette Clarke, artist. www.jeanetteclarke-art.co.uk

Local views by Jeanette Clarke. Cards available in Handmade Happiness.

 Yesterday I visited these two artists on the Chichester Arts Trail. Click on any picture to go  straight to their websites. If fame were all about talent these two names would be famous.  I love the raised gold writing and perfect script of Cathy Stables work and I'm hoping to have her cards and some of her pictures in the shop in the near future.

 Many years ago Jeanette Clarke and I spent our summers in Arundel exhibiting next to the castle entrance. It was like a commune of artists and makers all coming together each year to sell their work through August. I always admired Jeanette's work and I'm thrilled to be selling her cards in Handmade Happiness from Wednesday onwards.

Wisteria and Iris

Handmade Happiness shop tour - part one

New lettering will soon replace this panel and fill the three panels to the left as well

Stepping inside Handmade Happiness. Art by Christine Burgess, cushions by Tanya Williamson

Wood bread boards, serving boards, chopping boards.

Kate Hackett's colourful ceramics, with items by Justine Jenner above and another of Christine Burgess's paintings.

Jill Poole's delicate bird paintings, Ali Cooper's ceramics and Penny Seume's cushions and lampshades.

Pam Dew's glorious quilt in Handmade Happiness

Thanks to a recent customer's comments I have been thinking a lot about 'branding' this week. Making Handmade Happiness into a more publicised 'brand'.

 First step is to sort out the shop's 'street presence.' I've contacted a sign writer to write the name above both sides of the shop, not just the right side where it's written now.  I think I'll re-do the A board sign on the pavement myself and I'm wondering about a 'yarn bombing' look from the flag pole to attract attention.

People are always pointing out my lack of instagram, Facebook, Twitter, website.

 I feel I've got to master those things as everyone else seems to be online bigtime and I've only got this little blog (that it's really difficult, if not impossible, to post a comment on.) 
So branding online - yes, I will turn my attention to that as well.

A friend says think of a colour you love and have everything to do with Handmade Happiness in that colour. But how can I pick just one colour?

To be continued...

Just thinking

Wood buttons I used to paint. 

A young woman from Finland visited the shop yesterday. She said the government there has set up a large craft school for anyone who wants to learn traditional crafts. Woodwork, weaving, sewing, knitting. You can spend as long as you like doing the workshops you choose, a week, even a year very cheaply as it's government subsidised.

I love this idea. 
Then she told me about the long dark winters they experience north of the Arctic Circle in Lapland. Eight months of cold and snow and just four short months of summer and I realised that concentrating on learning and practising a craft was not just a fun way of spending your time but an essential art therapy to counteract the dark and cold outside.

You don't have to live with extreme weather conditions to appreciate the beneficial effects of making something or painting a picture. It does everybody good. 

Whenever I travel back from London in the rush hour and can see the effects of a stressful life style I find myself thinking about play activities for adults in the shop. Just the chance to pick up craft materials and make something or just doodle in a totally unpressurised, unstructured way. To use that part of the creative brain that often gets ignored as we strive to make more money or climb the work ladder.

Most people on trains in the rush hour are staring at a screen, watching a film, playing a game, reading a book. The information is coming to them. How would they feel if they drew a picture instead or wrote their thoughts down in a notebook or knitted themselves some socks. Could they even do that in a cramped environment?

Would there be any takers for a free weekday evening session where people could just enjoy the simple pleasure of making their mark with pencil and paints,and scissors and glue?