Introducing #Project52

Hello! Welcome to my first blog post of 2014

Every year I promise myself that I will write more blog posts, but you know how it goes - one thing drives out another and before you know it it's been 3 months since your last post...

But do you know what? I think 2014 might just be the year that I manage it!

Why...?

Well - this year I have decided to create my very own #Project52

Every week this year I want to challenge myself to enjoy the simple pleasure of planning some time off to do something for myself - and then make sure I do that thing (what ever it may be!)

In this busy, busy world that we live in, it can be so easy to focus only on the 'bigger' pleasures in life - counting down to your summer holiday or maybe to Christmas - that you forget to plan, enjoy and cherish the smaller, simpler things like 'Fish & Chip Friday' or cooking a new recipe.

Inspired by my cousin who has set up her own Facebook Page "to take up the challenge and make the most of 2014" I have decided to share my own #Project52 experiences with you here. But don't worry, there won't be lots of 'worthy' pontificating - just a few pictures and a few words each week.

I'm hoping that these blog posts will act as virtual postcards - each one sent as a signpost to my memory so that at the end of this year I can look back and say "2014 - what a wonderful year!"

You can find the original inspiration for my #Project52 here: www.facebook.com/fiftytwoweekchallenge

Click here to find out about #Project52 - WEEK 1 - Corn Beef Pie

 

#Project52 - WEEK1 - Corn Beef Pie

#Project52 - WEEK 1 - Corn Beef Pie

Taking into account how much I like eating pie, it was easy to decide on my first personal challenge of 2014 - to learn how to make a pie...

But not just any pie - a double crusted pie with homemade pastry!

Only the best ingredients go into making a pie!

 My first ever pie has an uncanny resemblance to Gizmo the gremlin

No soggy bottom here!

And even if I do say so myself, my pie was a triumph!

#delish

If you would like to have a go at making this pie for yourself 

you can find the Paul Hollywood recipe here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/corned_beef_plate_pie_41244

To find out more about my #Project52 click here:
http://thoughtsbylolly.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/introducing-project52.html

made by lolly SALE NOW ON!

In case it wasn't clear....

the made by lolly end of season sale is now on!

A large number of my felt flower brooches have 25% off their previous selling prices

It's the perfect opportunity to finish off your Christmas shopping...

most of the reduced items come in under £10 so are perfect for Secret Santa or Stocking Filler Gifts!

OR - Why not treat yourself?

Many of the colours and designs in this Collection will be retired in January

This may be your last chance to buy one of your favourites!

SHOP NOW!

Win Free Tickets to the Country Living Christmas Fair in Harrogate!

Did you know... 

that I am going to be appearing at this year's Country Living Christmas Fair taking place in Harrogate?

 

From Thursday 28th November until Sunday 1st December, you will be able to find made by lolly in Hall C of the Harrogate International Centre on Stand F34A. And that's not all...

I have 5 pairs of FREE tickets to give away!

If you would like to win one of five pairs of tickets to get into the show for FREE on either Thursday, Friday or Sunday (unfortunately these free tickets are not valid on Saturday) then follow the instructions below:

1. Pop over to my website - www.madebylolly.co.uk
2. Have a lovely look round
3. Come back here and post a comment telling me which item you are most looking forward to seeing at the fair

And that's it!

The competition is only open until Wednesday 20th November 2013 at 9pm, so make sure you get your entry in quick! Feel free to share this competition with your friends - but note that the only way to enter is by leaving a comment on this blog post. Only one entry per person.

Please make sure you have read the full T&C's at the bottom of this post before entering

Best of Luck!

Laura x

EDIT 20/11/2013: The draw has now taken place!

I used a sequence generator from Random.org and the first 5 numbers out of the hat were 13, 2, 3, 11 and 5 

 

This means that the winners are John, Kiki's Umbrella, The Handkerchief Tree, Marilyne b and Jah

 

Please email me at madebylolly@hotmail.com with you postal address so that I can send out your tickets!

 

 

See you in Harrogate x

Terms and Conditions:

1. To enter, leave a comment on this post telling me which made by lolly item you are most looking forward to seeing at the Country Living Christmas Fair
2. Only one entry per person. Multiple comments will be deleted, and only the first comment accepted.
3. Feedback is welcome at any time, but only comments received between now and 9pm on Wednesday 20th November 2013 will be accepted for the prize draw
4. Each comment will be assigned a number, and a random number generator will be used to pick the 5 winners
5. I reserve the right to delete comments and exclude from the prize draw any persons that leave comments that are excessively rude or contain spam content
6. The winner will be announced via this blog during the evening of Wednesday 20th November 2013, and the prize of one pair of tickets to the Country Living Show Harrogate will be posted free of charge to each of  the winners within 2 days of receiving confirmed address details.
7. After the draw has taken place, it is the winners' responsibility to email me at madebylolly@hotmail.com with their address details. If the winners have not claimed their prize by Tuesday 27th November at 9pm, I reserve the right to withdraw the prize

Jamsmith - From one Smith to another

This morning I was rudely awoken from my Saturday morning snooze by the postman.

But today I didn't mind this interruption to my beauty sleep.

Firstly... I was meant to be up anyway.

Secondly... I knew the reason why Mr Postie was rat-a-tat-tat-ing on my door.

I had a parcel. And not just any parcel. 

It was a brown paper parcel tied up with string... containing JAM!

It was sent from my twitter chum Vicky

(who just happens to also live in Yorkshire and have the same surname as me.)

From one Smith to another....

But as well as living in Yorkshire and having a great surname, Vicky runs JAMSMITH

 which, in her own words, is....

"a handmade, quality, seasonal preserves business based in the Yorkshire Dales. 

It's a foodie treat or gift by post. I make and send two small-batch, unique flavoured jams, jellies, marmalades or fruit butter every month via a one or three monthly subscription"

This month Vicky appeared in Country Living Magazine (September 2013 p58) 

in the Kitchen Table Talent section describing how she has grown her business over the last 18 months. I loved the article, and thanks to the gorgeous pictures I now covet not only her jam, but also  her house, her dog and her wardrobe!

I am very lucky that Vicky has sent me a sample of her latest seasonal flavour combination to try - 

Yorkshire Raspberry and Wild Spearmint

This is Jam, Jim - but not as we know it!

The flavour is truly scrumptious - and the addition of the spearmint in this particular flavour combination is sublime - adding a delicious, subtle, sweet undercurrent which lingers long after you have finished your toast!

But make sure you savour every mouthful...

You won't come across this jam anywhere else, as it is exclusive to members of the subscription club. Each month Vicky creates entirely new flavour combinations - and no flavour is ever repeated. (Shame - because I love the sound of Lemon, Pear and Ginger!)

I really cannot wait till breakfast tomorrow to have some more.

If you want to find out more about JAMSMITH, head over to 

the website: JAMSMITH.CO.UK

to twitter: @jamsmithclub

to facebook: /jamsmithclub 

to tumblr: jamsmith.tumblr.com

 ...NOPE. Can't do it. 

I really cannot wait until breakfast time.

That jam is delicious.

I'm off to make some more toast!

#IndieMonth - What I've done to support #IndieRetail

Purchases from Delicious, JilMadeThis and Bevolee

You may or may not know, but July has been #IndieMonth where consumers have been urged to change their habits and show their support for local independent retailers.

Being a small independent retailer myself, I could hardly ignore this campaign! 

And although I do try to buy from #IndieRetail whenever I can, this month I have tried a little bit harder, and I thought I would share with you some of what I have been doing to support #IndieMonth!

My very first purchase of the month was a steak pie from Billy's Hill Farm Shop in Hemingfield. Unfortunately this item doesn't have a photo as it was eaten before we had chance to photograph it! 

I can heartily recommend their pies, and award winning sausages! 

They also sell a great selection of cheese, wine, meat and handmade bread.

My second purchase of the month was from Folksy shop Delicious.

Based in Leeds, Elizabeth sells hand screen printed posters and cards, and it was some of her beautifully intricate cards that I treated myself to:

Blue Screenprinted Folk Tree Card by Delicious

 My next purchases all came from the craft fair at Elsecar Heritage Centre organised by Paperdoll Events. Both makers were people that I had admired on twitter, so it was so great to meet them in person and help support their wonderful work!

From JilMadeThis I bought 'Howard'
He is the spitting image of my friend George and I couldn't leave without purchasing this item as a gift! But nor could I leave without something for me too...
So I treated myself to the little floral postbox brooch shown in the photo at the top of the page.

'Howard' aka the spitting image of our friend George!

As I was leaving I spotted Bevolee from Little Paper Spaceship whose beautiful designed washi tape I have admired for a long time. So out came the purse, and another purchase was made!

Washi Tape designed by Bevolee

During this month I have also pledged to support a Kickstarter campaign for the first time!

Local illustrator Jen Whitman is looking for pledges to put toward her dream of getting her designs printed onto calendars and wallplanners. At the time of writing her campaign had 14 hours to go and was disappointingly short of her target. This is a fab project, and by pledging just £5 (or more) you will receive one (or more!) of her lovely calendars.


 So that's what I have been doing to support #IndieRetail during #IndieMonth
Please feel free to leave a link in the comments to share what you have purchased during July!


But before I go, I want to say a big thank you to everyone who buys handmade,
supports local shops, and seeks out independent retailers.
Keep up the good work!
I also want to give a big shout out to my real-world stockists, who do so much to
help support handmade art, craft and design.

Thank you!

Artworks in Beeston, Nottingham

 The Gift Gallery in York

 Shire Hall Gallery Craft Shop in Stafford

Craft Stall Display - How made by lolly has changed over the years

Every time I attend a craft fair or event with made by lolly I do my best to come up with the most amazing stall design that I can. It's not always easy, and I look back at some of my early attempts and cringe!

But... over the years, as my stall display skills have increased, and I have collected a better variety of display equipment the more pleased I have been with the finished design.

However, since I found my 'muse' (You can read all about that in the post 'How I inadvertently invented a marketing strategy...')  I have a much better understanding of my style and what types of craft stall display work best with the felt brooches and corsages that I now make.

So... as I am now on Summer break and won't be attending any craft fairs for a couple of months (don't worry you can still shop online!) I thought it would be good fun to have a look back at some of my previous craft stalls and see how my style and skills have (hopefully!) developed and improved over the years.

Promise you won't laugh... 

Here in all its technicolour glory is a picture of my first ever craft stall.

Taken at Elsecar Heritage Centre on 22nd May 2010:

Look how few brooches I have on my stall back in May 2010...

Next we move on to the rest of 2010 and early 2011.

Purple is still a very big feature. But already you can see lots more brooches!

Unfortunately I cannot seem to locate any pictures for Autumn/Winter 2011 

or Spring/Summer 2012 so we will just have to fast forward directly to 

Autumn/Winter 2012.

The purple tablecloth and mismatched equipment have gone into hibernation 

to be replaced by pale cream and grey wooden crates and baskets.

Felt brooches as far as the eye can see!

 

By Spring/Summer 2013 I have swapped to a grey tablecloth and am using the wooden crates 

to create a stepped display area for my luxury boxed corsages. 

I acquire hessian lined wire baskets and a make a hessian tablerunner to match.

...And hey presto! 3 years and 3 tablecloths later a stall display to be proud of:

Featuring a LOT of felt flower brooches!

I'd love to know what you think of the changes that I have made to my craft stall display 

over the last few years. Is there anything that you particularly liked or disliked?

Have you got any favourite tips for making your stall look fabulous?

Also...

Do you have any suggestions for changes that I could make in the future?

From September I have a lot of big events that I will be attending where I really want to make an impression and stand out from the crowd.

What else could I do to make sure that made by lolly felt brooches get noticed?

Please feel free to leave any feedback in the comments below!