Cup cake skirts and vintage bunting

The dolls line up in the Handmade Happiness window

Red Liberty print paper doll by Jenny Stacy

Bunting for a food van from my old fabrics

Pretty vintage style fabrics 

Blurred picture showing how the paper dolls look in the window!

I've been busy making and I had such fun showing off a different use for the cup cake cases from Meri Meri I have for sale. Children would love to make these paper dolls.

 The thing to avoid with children is using the brass paper clips I've joined them with. These are very sharp but a skilful mum could cut out the dolls so they all joined hands without fastenings. Use white card not paper and children (and women) will enjoy painting on the faces and shoes like I did.

I also made two lengths of 'shabby chic' bunting for a food van and think the result is very pretty. My daughter has plenty of  bunting for her wedding lent by friends. My next focus is a wedding card order from someone who just asked for 'the most beautiful card'. Let's hope she likes it! Think I'll make a few alternative cards and I can put the rest for sale in the shop.

Statement necklaces

Roses on the mantlepiece

I bumped into an old friend the other day. A long time ago, when I lived in Chichester, Jayne used to help me make necklaces when I had a big order on. She reminded me of life then. We'd sit at my dining-room table, and I remember us gluing tiny pictures onto beads. I had an agent then and it was mostly necklaces made at that table.

It's been a long time since I made what I used to call 'statement' necklaces. I made them for companies that would give me fabric swatches to match colours and patterns for the next season and I also had a cabinet in Pallant House Gallery. Many of the beads I made myself and I painted wooden beads so the resulting necklaces were highly individual.

Then this same agent got me a big order to make quirky childrens' jewellery and I seem to have left the womens' necklaces behind and haven't really gone back to them. However I want to go back to making statement necklaces now. They would be fun to have in the shop. I'll keep you posted. Today I'm finishing off a bunting order and starting on a wedding card order. What are you doing? I hope you enjoy your day.

Making peonies

The first attempt. White crepe paper peony hanging from kitchen clothes airer

 My youngest is marrying in July and she wants me to make paper peonies to hang from the beams of the pub where the reception will be held.

So I looked at the pictures on Pinterest and bought lots of white crepe paper. I painted some of it pale pink with watercolour for the centres. I happened to have some big wood beads which I thought would make good centres so I tied a length of cord to these and glued the pink crepe round them and wrapped a few short layers round them too. Then I cut a petal shape with a wide base in several sizes from the crepe and individually glued these to the centre, overlapping as I went.

This is the result and although it's far from perfect, looking to me more like a gardenia or a camellia I'm moderately pleased with it. The surprise is that one peony takes up one whole pack of crepe paper. If the next ones look better (more petals needed I think) I'll show you the results in a future post. Now housework time (see how I delay it by writing another blog post....)

Liberty inspiration in Handmade Happiness

Liberty corner in Handmade Happiness

100 Liberty cup cake cases for £6 and gold scallop tape for £4 in Handmade Happiness

Pretty paper bags with stickers £8 for 10 next to two of Sue Inglis' sheep £6-50 each 

Gold glitter stickers £5 for 10 sheets, another Liberty bag and Niloo's beautiful porcelain and wood creation £39

Meri Meri's congratulations banner in gold glitter £9 now available in the shop 

10 sheets of Liberty alphabet stickers for £7.50 and pretty crown party hats - 8 for 10.75

 When I was in Liberty I was impressed with a display of new products created by Meri Meri using Liberty prints. I asked if Handmade Happiness could be a stockist for these products and, as you can see, the answer is 'yes'.

The designs I have chosen for the shop are mostly about packaging. My idea is that all the lovely handmade gifts deserve very special gift wrapping and one of these bags, perhaps with gold glitter initials of the person it's for on it would look lovely. The gold scallop tape makes a tissue paper wrapped gift extra special and would be useful in card making, decorating an envelope or embellishing a gift bag.

I already bought the 'congratulations' gold glitter banner for my daughter's wedding and it would look good on so many occasions - passing a driving test or exams, a wedding anniversary or birthday, or a job promotion. I can see it being used and re-used by any family.

I gave the cup cake papers to other daughter who loves baking but they too can be used creatively in collage or to make paper flowers with, even as skirts for paper dolls...

Come in and check out the range of products I've bought for the shop and I hope you'll be as impressed as I was when I saw them in Liberty in London.

Don't visit on Thursday!

Making my dolls.

Just to give you advance warning: I have to close the shop on Thursday this week. This is a one-off event but I would hate anyone to come from a distance and find it closed so hopefully they'll see this first before making their journey.

The shop will be open today,Tuesday and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and I hope to see some of you then.

I hope the sun is shining brightly where you are. Don't you find it energising? I love this time of year with the promise of a lot more sunshine to come. It's great to be outside hearing the birds and feeling the warmth as the land renews itself.

Justine Jenner's work

Justine Jenner's dimpled spring jugs

Justine Jenner's dimpled grey jugs. £29 each.

HAPPY EASTER everyone!

Yesterday Justine Jenner brought in some of her popular dimpled jugs. This time they are rounder than previous ones, and although Handmade Happiness usually stocks her white and grey pieces these spring colour jugs are also irresistible.

I intend to write about Justine for a future issue of Life in Petersfield. Local readers may have seen the current issue's piece about Kate Box, whose lovely knitted pieces are so popular. An interview with Justine is planned for the July issue.

The Liberty stickers were bought recently in London. I put a box of them in a carrier bag in the window to weigh it down and of course, forgot they were in there when giving a customer that bag for her purchases! 

I do love pretty little things like these stickers. Watch this space! Very soon I will be selling a small range of things to enhance your handmade items. They are ordered and now I am looking forward to displaying them in the shop! 

In the shop window

Easter at Handmade Happiness

Handmade Happiness - street view

Close up of gifts on the right. See below for details

On the left of the Handmade Happiness window. See details below.

Spring sunshine this week and the seeds I planted are waving tiny little leaves delicately in the warmth.

Inside the Handmade Happiness window this week are cushions by Tanya Williamson £48; a spotty big bowl by Niloo  and a soft wrap scarf £99 by Kate Box.

In the box unit on the left, pictured immediately above, are:

Kate Hackett's chicken mug £15; flower jug £18 and ceramic duck, chicken and bunny Easter decorations, all £3; wrist warmers by Kate Box £25 and an 'Eat more Cake' fork engraved by Kirstie Turner for £9.50.

The sheep are knitted by Sue Inglis, £6.50 each; and the mug with blue inside is £20 by Samantha Robertson. 

The white non-symetrical bowl is by Justine Jenner £16 and cashmere baby bonnet £19.50 and, below, one of Sheila Barrow's embroidered pictures is £24.

In the box unit on the right are:
Sue Inglis' bunny with carrot £6.95; bunny box £3.50; chick £5.95 and sheep keyring £7.95.

Kate Hackett has made the little bunny decorations £2 each; stand up bunny and chicken £8 each and bunny mug £15. Elizabeth Eveleigh has made the beeswax candles, £4.50 each.

Easter cards

Handmade Easter card by Jenny Stacy

Another handmade Easter card by Jenny Stacy

After a hectic week I had a chilled out Sunday making Easter cards for the shop.
People have been asking for Easter cards and Handmade Happiness hasn't got any so from Tuesday(tomorrow) it will have a selection made by me as well as cards showing hares, rabbits, and chicks.

You might guess from the cards above that I am a fan of Liberty prints... This last week I have visited the shop twice on the way home from one or the other daughter.
It is always a treat to see what creative things their visual merchandising team have come up with eg. the light shade in a previous post.

 Recent collaborations with Meri Meri have produced some really pretty paper products and I popped in to Uniqlo to see the Liberty print t-shirts, dresses and shirts that would be great for wearing this summer. By the way nobody pays me for plugs. I just write what I honestly think!

If you are in Petersfield do pop in and say hello. I'll be in Handmade Happiness at 9a Dragon Street from Tuesday to Saturday between 10am and 5pm. It would be lovely to see you.

It's a Girl !!

Pink for a girl! These are actually my Mother's Day flowers from the kids. Aren't they gorgeous?

Ruby was born yesterday morning. Right now she's red like her name and perfectly gorgeous! My second grandaughter! Well done and congratulations to Amy, Jesse and Juno!

And to think I was so convinced Amy was carrying a boy I knitted in blue.Message to others - disregard the ring test. (where the mother's ring is held over the bump by a hair from the mother. If the ring circles it's a girl if the ring goes back and forth it's a boy.) Absolute poppycock !!!

Creative ideas

Outside Handmade Happiness today with 'blossom' dancing on white painted twigs.

Strips of fabric wrapped round wire with ends left decorative at Liberty

Pretty print crown by Meri Meri at Liberty

 The best ideas are often quite simple. Using wool pom-poms to look like fluffy blossom; wrapping fabric round cord or wire to create jewellery or a lampshade or gluing card/paper/fabric together to make a simple but effective crown. 

A lot can be achieved with things we already own - egg boxes could be painted and cut to become flowers, crepe paper could be made into tassels,and fabrics could be cut to make patchwork or shapes for applique or just decorated with simple embroidery.

With Easter coming bigger pom-poms get sewn together to become chicks or bunnies;yarn can be crocheted or knitted into simple shapes to cover eggs. Real eggs can be dyed or painted or just drawn on with felt tips. 

It's fun to do these things with children or your friends.
Handmade Happiness is full of creative ideas. Often people come in and are just wowed by the talent of the various makers. So whether you come to admire or come to buy,you are always welcome! 

Technical problems but still smiling.....

So frustrating when a big sign comes up saying DSL line not connected. And you check and everything is connected but you can't blog and you can't email and you can't look anything up. I'm writing this in the shop where everything is connected but I can't give you a photo. Which is a shame because I went to London yesterday and have photos I'd like to share. 

My daughter is expecting a baby - last week - but little one is biding his/her time. Please bear with me if you come to the shop and find that I'm not personally here. You'll know it's because I'll be looking after number one grandchild while waiting for number two grandchild!

New in the shop are some beautiful ceramic pieces by Niloo. Lots more cards by Willemien and blue glazed mugs and jugs by Jeremy Moore.

Right I'm off to phone BT to check the line. 

Mothers' Day gifts

Tanya Williamson's applique cushions £48 each and big doll by Jenny Stacy £48

Gifts for under £10 at Handmade Happiness

Pictured above are: 

Cat keyrings by Sue Inglis for £7.95; Heart gift box £3.50 and two heart necklaces for £2.50 each by Jenny Stacy; 3 painted ceramic heart decorations £3 each by Kate Hackett.

In the middle are butterfly brooches £8.50 and £9.50 by Jenny Stacy; pure beeswax candles for £4.50 each by Elizabeth Eveleigh and two mini collage cards with envelopes also by Jenny at £2 each.

Three painted gift boxes by Sue Inglis for £3.50 each; a stand up cockerel and bunny £8 each by Kate Hackett and dog and cat brooches £9.50 each by Karen Boller.

Gifts for Mum at Handmade Happiness

In this picture are:
Teddy bear by Lindsey Agostinelli £60; chicken mug by Kate Hackett £15 and (just seen) jewellery purse embroidered by Carol Smith £22.50.

Green ceramic bowl by Samantha Robertson £12; necklace by Jenny Stacy £25 and stripe wrist warmers by Kate Box £25.

Embroidered picture by Sheila Barrow £24.50; 'Eat more cake' fork by Kirstie Turner £9.50 and white ceramic bowl by Justine Jenner £16.

Silk, velvet and felt bird brooch by Bee Mellor and Jenny Stacy £20; bluebell mug by Kate Hackett £16 and striped snood by Kate Box £28.

Yesterday I changed the window. I like the idea that children could spend some pocket money on a present for their Mum... there's lots in the shop for under £5 and even more things for under £10.  I'm reminded of all the times at craft fairs that a child has come up with a few hot pennies in their hand, asking what can they buy for their money!

Lots of us don't buy our Mums a present. We just send a nice card. Today I'll photograph a choice of cards available in the shop priced from £2 to £7 and show you tomorrow.

Quest for the best!

Chickens for Easter at Carluccio's

Nice gifts at Carluccio's

Assorted cakes at Carluccio's

 Last night a couple of friends and I met at Carluccio's in Chichester for a treat. Eating anything there gives you a hint of what it must be like eating out in Italy. As I've never eaten out in Italy I have no comparison but I do think the food in Carluccio's is delicious.

I've been thinking a lot lately about making the shop the best that it can be. Doing some online research and thinking about the future.

Everyone tells me that shops can't compete with shopping on line any more.
That people have got out of the habit of looking round shops. I acknowledge that this is true for some people. Some of my friends only shop on line. But personally I like to feel what I'm buying. Something that may look good in a photograph may not look so good in real life and I like being served by a human being not a machine...

I also think that looking on line for something you want to buy can take hours and it's so easy to get side-tracked. I find this with Pinterest and I'm trying to limit myself to 10 minutes only on this addictive site!

So what is the answer? My answer is to be on a quest for the best. I want my shop to represent the best that I can find and for people to acknowledge the quality of everything in it. Now that Wild Damson, my neighbouring shop has gone (a big shock to a lot of people) I must make Handmade Happiness more of a destination store than ever.

Spring blossom in the shop

Spring  blossom branch made by Brenda Tilbury suspended in the shop window.

Brenda Tilbury's branch from outside the shop

New orange rose wreath by Brenda Tilbury

Please forgive the quality of these photos. Brenda's blossom branch looks stunning in real life but the windows are reflective and you'd be forgiven for thinking I was showing you how attractive the buildings opposite are... Also, note to self, do not take photos at dusk. Much better to take them at midday.

Spring feels like it's edging nearer and I hope that you, like me, feel energised and renewed. This morning I'm visiting the garden centre for flower seeds with wedding flowers in mind. This is a great time of year - enjoy your Sunday!

The ups and downs of life as a shopkeeper

Today Wild Damson announced they would soon be closing the shop but continue the business online and at fairs.

Inside Wild Damson when they first opened.

I was working in Tricot Too then, selling clothes

More of Tricot Too's unusual clothes

And then one day I saw this shop next door but one from Wild Damson

Five years ago I worked in Tricot Too. I loved the shop and designed and made jewellery for it as well as serving the customers. When Wild Damson first opened I urged those customers to visit it. The shop sells furniture and gifts which it will continue to sell online and at fairs.

It was the fact that Wild Damson was so close by that made me so excited about taking on the shop next door to it, pictured above. So I could say that without Wild Damson there would be no Handmade Happiness.
Nowadays a lot of my customers say they love to visit Wild Damson and Handmade Happiness and I am sorry it is closing.

Recently I've been wondering whether this January and February aren't the worse months I've ever experienced in the shop. But today I checked back over the years and found that actually the takings are average, neither better than nor worse than previous years. It's just quiet because it's that time of year. It is tempting, after a particularly bad day to think that all days are like that, but they're not. Tomorrow is often much, much better and I mustn't forget that. In the meantime I am thinking about a bit of diversification...

Flowers for weddings

I can hardly believe this double hollyhock grew in my garden but it did...

Peonies in the front garden. They bloom in May 

Iris and roses from the garden- lovely for May/ June

My youngest is getting married on July 31st and I would love to grow flowers for her wedding. This is a big leap as I totally neglected my garden last year and it is bare save for rose bushes, a hydrangea, two peonies, iris and lavender. But in March seeds could be planted... 

I've written a list of possibles and I'd love to know what you think. What would you recommend? What is easiest to grow in your experience?

Sophie wants predominately pale pink flowers for table decorations. She
 has also asked me to make some giant peonies from crepe paper  (which I will enjoy doing in quiet moments in the shop.)

So, thanks to Brenda, who I showed the list to I have whittled it down to these possibles:
Antirhinums (snapdragons). There was a shop in Paris that grew giant ones that looked so impressive but I'm thinking of short ones in pinks and whites.

Anenomes (poppies) I've saved seeds from previous years. Trouble is they don't like being in water so would have to be picked at the v. last minute.

Baby's breath - white, useful.

Cornflowers. There are pink ones and white ones...

Cosmos. Brenda recommends. I've not sure what it looks like. Small daisies?

Herbs like variagated mint and rosemary and lemon balm.

Hydrangea

Lavender -white and pink

Nigella (love in a mist) again I think comes in pink and white as well as blue.

Phlox,Ranunculi,Roses, Stocks and Sweet peas. This is taking up too much space! Isn't it nice to think of flowers blooming in our gardens soon when the weather outside is so grey and wet!

New in Handmade Happiness

Circus strong man embroidered on notebook by Carol Smith 22.50

Circus dancer and dog handler embroidered on notebook by Carol Smith 22.50

Naked lady embroidered on zipped pouch made by Carol Smith 22.50

Painted birds' eggs collage by Emma Clay  

Painted birds' eggs collage by Emma Clay

Chicken mug by Kate Hackett 15.00 with golden mohair teddy by Lindsey Agostinelli 60.00

Handmade Happiness has some presents I'd really like to give to myself and my family right now! 

Carol Smith's embroidered notebooks and pouches are collectable, they are so individual.
Emma Clay's pictures look fresh and clean and would sit beautifully against white walls or Farrow and Ball painted walls.

Lindsey Agostinelli's latest little bear has got such a sweet expression. I love him. Kate Hackett just delivered her latest spring designs and Easter ornaments. I especially like these chicken mugs. There is a differently coloured chicken on the other side. An ideal gift.

Spread the love!

Collage Valentine card from Handmade Happiness

Small heart wreath in the window by Brenda Tilbury 24.50

 Happy Valentine's Day! I wish you a day full of love and happiness!

Yesterday it was cold in the shop and I must remember to take in a second heater next week but the people who visited were warm and friendly! They were determined to find a lovely card and sometimes a nice present too for their beloved. Some people bought a nice present for themselves and I totally approve of this! Let's spread the love. 

I keep hearing of men (rarely women) who don't approve of Valentine's Day seeing it as just another chance for shopkeepers to cash in. 

 I like the attitude of one young woman who bought the biggest heart wreath in the window for £100. As she paid she said to me,'I just texted my boyfriend to tell him I just got his Valentine's present to me.' 

Serendipity

Love these sari silk ribbons

So much of life happens purely by chance. For instance, one day I was having fun experimenting with different embroidery stitches, doing a line of garden flowers and grasses on a piece of linen. A customer saw it on my work table and asked me to do some embroidery for her business.

When in a shop you never know who you are talking to, unless you get to know people over a period of time. For instance one day a good looking couple came in and liked the shop. After they left a woman came in and said,'Did you see Kate Winslet?' Well er, no, I hadn't recognised her.

Right now I'm considering moving house. Who knows what houses will be on the market at the moment I want to find a nice new home? It will be entirely serendipitous. Or do you believe that fate takes a hand in our lives?

(By the way I'm only thinking of moving within Petersfield. I would never move away from the shop.)

I wonder what will happen in the shop today? I know I have to make some more Valentine's cards. But who comes in to the shop and the conversation we may or may not have... It could be someone famous that I don't recognise or it could be one of you. Life is serendipitous like that...

Fair Isle tank top

Jenny Drant has knitted this Fair Isle tank top for a one to two year old.

This is the most beautiful piece of heirloom knitting. The yarn is Alpaca so the garment is extremely soft. It has a button up shoulder for easy dressing and undressing and will give a toddler an extra layer of warmth. 

Jenny Drant is a very capable knitter as regular readers of this blog will know. Now she is thinking of alternative colourways. Perhaps grey, pale pink and cream next to suit a baby girl. Yes, you know who I'm thinking of!

This week Jill Poole has brought in more paintings and Katrin Eagle has brought in woven scarves and bags in lovely colours. And I've started knitting another cardigan for a newborn as we look forward to another baby in the family.