Hanging hearts and stars!

New for this season are the hanging hearts and stars as Mosaic Tree steps into the Home Accessories Department.

Measuring 4cm (hearts) and 5cm (star) across at widest point, these delightful hanging decorations will brighten up just about anywhere indoors. Made from Fimo clay and acrylic paint, then decorated with wooden beads and cotton yarn bound around old fashioned twine, these would also be a lovely gift, sent with love, to let someone know that you're thinking of them.

Each shape is handcut from the Fimo, stamped with a message, baked and then painted with acrylic paint. Once dry, the paint is rubbed off with a damp cloth to create the 'distressed' look. Twine is then threaded through the hole, and a carefully chosen selection of yarn and beads added to make each a truly delightful, unique piece, ready to grace your (or someone else's home!).

There are 3 to choose from at http://folksy.com/items/3388382-hanging-hearts-and-stars:

1x mint green and purple heart with the word 'peace' stamped on it, pastel yarn binding with two strands of pastel wooden beads. c20cm of twine length for hanging.

1 x purple and orange/red five pointed star with the word 'dads' stamped on it. Perfect for Father's Day. Orange and purple yarn binding with same colour (and natural wood) bead strand attached. c20cm of twine length for hanging.

1 x turquoise/blue heart with 'love' stamped on. Turquoise/lime green binding with 2 beaded strands: - pink/lime with silver bead, blue/turquoise. c20cm of twine length for hanging.

Tags: #mosaictree; www.facebook.com/mosaictree; handmade; home accessories; www.folkay.com/shops/mosaictree

Looking for some inspiration for baby hats?

Check out these new pics of pixie hats for 0-3 months from Mosaic Tree on facebook - click here.  Happy to get clicking if you know a small person who might like one!!

Fun 'n' stitch!

Feeling creative recently, I tried out some new knitting stitches from a knitting book.  Being pleased with the results, I decided to incorporate them into some of my latest items.

Showcasing below is King Charles Brocade on the front of the mini hot water bottle:

This took lots of concentration until I'd done a few rows....and then it seemed to be a bit like crazy paving until the final result when I could stand back and see that there was a perfectly formed pattern in there!

Next up is rick rack rib stitch which brings a whole new dimension to what you and I call rib stitch.  Fun to do and looks good. Take a peep at the phone cover in the foreground.

What new stitches have your tried of late that have worked for you?

hot tip - make every day buttons more exciting

When you're searching around for a button to finish off your latest creation, take another look at the every day ones which you may have already cast aside.

On the top they look very traditional and not too inspiring.....

Now, here's the thing....turn them over and they are completely flat and have a slightly sparkly finish.  Its a great way to recycle buttons and know that they're looking good too.

The blue one shows the difference most clearly.  Do go and have a look at the reverse side of some of your buttons like these and tell me what you find.....

what I'm working on at present - mini hot water bottle covers

The next craft fair is on Sat 31st March 2012, so the knitting needles have been busy, busy, busy.

Here's some pics of the two mini hot water bottle covers that I've been creating - hot water bottle included in the price!

There's lots of detail in the work, created using my own design.  I start at the opening, making the button holes.  I then knit the rest of the first side, shaping at the neck of the water bottle.  Next come the holes to thread the ribbon through (knit two together and then yarn over to make another stitch). 

Single rib follows for the top of the water bottle cover to ensure that it stretches over the top. 

The second half is the same pattern minus the additional flap for the button holes.  I then create my design to attach to the front, such as a heart, and sew this on. 

The buttons go on next.  It's then sewn up - not forgetting to leave the bottom bit open so that the water bottle can be put in!!

Last but not least is the ribbon - I thread it through with the needle with the biggest eye that I can find!  Once in situ, I then fold over and catch the ribbon ends to prevent fraying.

Tie the ribbon for the final touch and then take some fab pics!

If you would like to order one (every one is unique), please get in touch to discuss your requirements.

*****Stop press*****

A lovely lady from Bristol bought the red and blue one at yesterday's Wookey Village Fair.  She fell in love with it, promised that she'd give it away as a pressie.......whilst being equally sure that she loved it too much to ever part with it!!

How to make a wooden beaded watch

Please give full credit to Mosaic Tree if you use this design.  Use for personal purposes only.

Beaded watch make - wrist watch with wooden beaded strap on elastic

Instructions

What you need

·        Sharp scissors

·        2 x plastic clips (eg the ones used for freezer bags) – referred to by their colours (green and yellow) throughout these instructions.

·        Tweezers (to pick up small beads)

·        Watch face for beading*

·        Craft elastic c50cm* (comes in variety of colours on Ebay)

·        Shank button (button with loop underneath)

·        Selection of beads (c70) in your chosen colour theme* – selection of colours, shapes, sizes (max 1cm in diameter, max 1.5cm length) wooden, upcycled is good!

*   Try www.ebay.co.uk  for all these items.

Warning! Beads can present a choking hazard, particularly for young children. 

Keep watch away from water as the colour in some beads may leach when wet.

1.     Thread elastic through loop at one end of watch face and secure with green clip. 

At the end of this make, you will have 4 beaded strands which form the watch strap. 

2.     You are now going to start Strand 1.  This will be the end of the elastic without the green clip on it.

Thread 10-12 beads (child/small adult wrist), 12-14 (medium size), 14-15 beads (large size wrist).  Put 1-2 smaller beads on at end.  These will be hidden under the shank button and, if smaller, will be more comfortable for the wearer.

Now thread the end of elastic from strand 1 through the shank button.  At this point after the button, Strand 1 becomes Strand 2.  Remember that the underside of the watch face will face the loop of the shank button when worn on the wrist.

3.     Strand 2 – Thread beads onto Strand 2.  Ensure that it measures the same length as Strand 1.  If necessary add or remove a small bead to Strand 2 to do this.

4.     Thread end of Strand 2 through 2^nd hole of watch face.  It should be going in the same direction as the elastic in the 1^st hole in the watch face (from right to left in this example).         

        

Pull tight and secure end with clip.

5.     Strand 3 – The elastic secured with yellow clip will now form Strand 3.  AS the end of this elastic is too short, you will need to move the beads, button and watch face along to give it more length (you need enough enough elastic for the beads and to tie it off in Step 7).

Remove yellow clip and thread Strand 3 with beads.  Check it is the same length as Strands 1 and 2. 

Pull Strand 3 tight and hold in place with yellow clip.

6.     Strand 4 – Remove green clip; this will be Strand 4.   Thread with beads until the same length as the other strands.  Thread through the button the opposite way to Strand 3. 

7.     Remove both clips. Pull ends tight and knot at the shank button.  Do not trim ends yet.

8.     Try the watch on in case any adjustments need to be made.  Stretch the knot and straps so that the elastic is already tightened.  Now you can trim the loose ends.  You will note that the knot is now hidden on the wrist side under the button.  You are now finished and this is what it looks like!

3 top tips for fab craft stall displays

Here at Mosaic Tree, we've been busy with the Christmas season craft fairs, table top sales etc.  I thought I'd pass on some of my recently gleaned knowledge....

1) Keep It Simple - Also known as the Kiss principle! - This is with reference to labelling.  I have always had big laminated labels showing the item description, price and Mosaic Tree logo.  However, as I've added more choice of items over the past year, I've had to make more labels - and it ended up looking more like a sea of labels with the odd item dotted in between! 

The soloution - take some labels out (you can always tell the customer the price - plus sometimes they may like to look at the item, try it on and fall in love with it before knowing the cost!).  Put some labels flat - all of mine were vertical until then.  Make smaller labels - I'll be doing this for 2012. 

2) Diversify - Until this season, I had been creating mainly baby hats, necklaces, brooches and phone covers.  I did what I do very well but it does only appeal to a limited number of people.  Another stall holder suggested that I do hairbands earwarmers.  I took her advice and they have been an instant hit.  I've also started doing bigger spiral brooches with wooden beads in centre - in vogue at moment, look great on shawls, coats, bags etc - and the great price of £8 each (excl p&p).  These and the wooden beaded strap watches have both gone down well.

3) Manage your overheads - As we all know, some craft fairs work well for you, others less so.  I go to craft fairs where the cost of a stall is low - c£5 - £10.  This means that, no matter how much I sell on the day, I'm unlikely to be out of pocket - an important consideration in these lean times.

Please feel free to share your own craft fair tips. 

Head warmer ear bands

Want to feel as snug as a bug in a rug?  Mosaic Tree head band ear warmers have arrived - just in the nick of time!  To place your order, contact Annie via www.facebook.com/MosaicTree.  Available in adult and child sizes.  Every one is unique!  £12 each (excl p&p).

Yarn bombing the Mosaic Tree way!

For all you fine blog readers who remember the yarn bombing pics (26th June 2011 blog entry), Mosaic Tree has now gone activist! 

Witness these pics.....and enjoy the new head band/ear warmer creations (none yet listed so get in touch via www.facebook.com/MosaicTree to commission - £14 each (incl p&p)).

  

new! new! new! beaded watch bracelet

The photos say it all......follow the link to read all about it.  Commissions welcome.  I'm looking for feedback on this one too as its a new line and I'd like to know what all you lovely peeps think.  Thanks.

Greetings to all from Sunrise Cards!

'Greetings to all' or should I say 'greetings cards for all'?  Husband and wife team from Sunrise Cards certainly live up to this.  Here, Tracey, one half of the dream team, tells us why.

1. Tell me how Sunrise Cards came into being and what is in your Folksy shop?

Four years ago the children were starting to get more offhand and didn't need me as much any more so I decided I needed a hobby. I bought a few card making bits and made a few cards . The original plan was that I would make them just to give out to family and friends. My husband Paul decided that he would like a go to and in just a few evenings we had made loads. Paul suggested trying to sell them and the rest is history.
In our shop are a selection of cards, gifts and some Doreen's Dreams card which are photograph cards that we use to help raise funds for cancer charities.

2. What makes your cards stand out from the rest? 

We use a range of different techniques on our cards. Most of our cards are tailor made to our customers requirements. Most of our cards are unique and we offer a variety of styles.

3. You make cards for people with a visual impairment.

a) Please tell me more about this range.

A few years ago our friend asked us to make a card for her niece who had just lost her sight. This was a challenge as we had only been making cards for a short while.  It took me a while to come up with a design but in the end I made her name using different textures for the different letters. Underneath I put her name in braille using gems

Through the internet I got in touch with David who had lost his sight due to meningitis and he helped us to sell our cards by putting them in his online shop. He also gave us a braille labeller which puts braille (raised dots) onto a clear piece of tape, this can then be overlaid onto any writing on our cards so that a visually impaired person can 'read ' it.  We try to put as many different textures onto our tactile cards so that visually impaired people can get as much enjoyment from our cards as sighted people.

We managed to get some lovely wooden, tactile christmas tree decorations to put on our tactile cards so that once the card is finished with the decoration can still be used over the years.

b) and how you reach your target audience....

David helps us to promote our cards and contacts us if he gets orders from the various clubs etc that he is in. We have return customers who have purchased from us before.

4. What inspires you when coming up for new designs for your cards?

Inspiration comes from all sorts of places, I love looking at card making magazines, online blogs etc . And buying new craft stash to play with always inspires me.


5. What's on the horizon for Sunrise Cards? 

We are coming up with new ideas all the time and have started to produce some gift ideas as well.
I would like to be able to spend more time on Sunrisecards in 2012 and we would like to attend more craft fairs etc to help promote our wares.

There is so much I would like to do and so many ideas that I have but lack of time does hold us back.
I would like to see more customers purchasing from us in 2012 and coming back regularly and using our special occasion reminder service that we offer.

6. Have you received media coverage and, if so, where? How did this come about?
A few years ago we had a letter printed in a card making magazine about our tactile cards and recently we have had letters printed in Papercraft Inspirations and Papercraft Essentials about our charity cards Doreen's Dreams which is very close to my heart.

7. Where can customers find Sunrise Cards? Sunrisecards can be found on Folksy, Misi, Etsy, our own website, Twitter, facebook and our blog.

What has really impressed me about Sunrise Cards is that they have found their niche whilst making a difference be it through supporting cancer charities or cards with  Braille greetings meaning that more people can enjoy them.  Mosaic Tree wishes them all the best.

Sunrise Cards can be contacted at:

Folksy - http://www.folksy.com/shops/sunrisecards
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/sunrise.cards
and
Doreen's Dreams - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Doreens-Dreams/115901481836290
blog - http://sunrisecards.blogspot.com
Twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/sunrisecards
Email - sunrisecards@tesco.net
website - www.sunrisecards.co.uk