More (glittery) medals by Jenny Stacy

A 'bling' medal by Jenny Stacy

I like the miniature elephant on this one

Another glittery medal by Jenny Stacy sold

You deserve a medal. sold

Love this string of diamante. Medal by Jenny Stacy

 Friend Carol brought in a bag of broken jewellery for me to re-use and she will be able to spot some of her bits in the medals above! All medals are £9.50 - ring to reserve or order on 01730 267711.

Last year Carol gave a monoprint workshop for Handmade Happiness at Winton House which was very enjoyable and educational. Now she is offering several day courses outdoors. See her blog www.molebags.blogspot.co.uk for details.

Medals made by Jenny Stacy

A medal for you?

A box for a medal by Jenny Stacy sold

Handmade medal by Jenny 9.50sold

Smaller medals for special people sold(right)

For patience, caring and kindness. Lots of people deserve medals.sold

Colourful medal with my favourite green mother of pearl button. 9.50

Another medal with bits from my stash including painted silk.

 Over the years I've collected a lot of pretty bits, too nice to throw away.Making medals is a good way to put some of these things to good use.

I first made medals two or three years ago and I've been meaning to make some more. I am making 20 more (some are half made) to sell in the shop and, as before, I hope that women will award them to a friend who is having a hard time or give themselves a medal and a pat on the back. 

Women don't often get awarded a medal for gallantry on the field of battle but they are heroes in a different way. So why not give yourself or someone you admire a medal to say,'Well done.' 

In the shop now

Tanya Williamson has just brought in more of her stunning cushions - from £28 to £48

Karen Boller's felt brooches. £9.50 each

Handmade Happiness stocks Kate Hackett's ceramics

Painted and embroidered picture of the South Downs by Sheila Barrow. More in the shop

 Just a few of the handmade gifts currently available in the Handmade Happiness shop in Petersfield. I have just set up a board called In the Shop Now on Pinterest. To see the board and all my pins visit www.pinterest.com/jennystacy17 

I also intend puting pictures on Instagram and I've started a DIY website. Will let you know if either ever see the light of day. Is it me or does everyone find doing these things daunting? But so many people ask me why I'm not on Instagram/ Twitter/ a website/Facebook. It's no good I just have to bite the bullet and do it!!!

Don't forget you can order anything you see by ringing the shop on 01730 267711

A Birthday Post

Knitted bunting by Sue Inglis and fuschia pink tissue flowers

Kate Box's patchwork tea cosy

Peonies from my garden last May

Pretty fabrics for making clothes for babies

 Yesterday I celebrated a birthday with my family, including new baby Ruby and her adorable bigger baby sister. We all met up in Tring where my youngest has just moved to.

 Tring, near Berkhamsted, boasts the most incredible 'Zoological Museum.' It is full of stuffed animals in glass cases. You walk through tigers, bears and lions, even a polar bear and a rhinoceros all preserved. The owner of a team of zebra even used to harness them to pull his carriage- what a sight that must have been. I look forward to visiting this amazing collection again. What a resource it is for writers needing to describe animals or insects close up.

It reminded me of a quaint museum at Arundel which used to house stuffed cats, rabbits and squirrels all dressed up re-enacting nursery rhymes and songs like 'Who killed cock robin?' Does anyone else remember it? It must have closed down 20 or more years ago.

Looking back over the past year I pulled out a few pictures I like. I feel very lucky to have my shop, Handmade Happiness, which approaches its 5th birthday and to have wonderful friends and family that mean so much to me. I hope that as you read this you also feel happy and blessed!

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.