tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29219624126388506042026-09-07T04:33:21.399+01:00Handmade crafts by Alison Lloyd - Peelable Stained Glass decorations and handpainted keyrings. News and views from the Garden of England.Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00835957648007721638noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921962412638850604.post-12869186824227108862014-06-11T18:50:00.001+01:002014-06-12T21:25:22.011+01:00

I’m sure it will not have escaped many people’s notice that today has seen a demonstration by taxi drivers in opposition to new technology which creates a taxi meter for any car to provide a taxi service by joining up with the firm Uber. You may have only heard about the London protest but it is a multi-country issue with protests in France, Spain, Germany and beyond. What seems like a ‘we don’t

Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00835957648007721638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921962412638850604.post-8042819165695996522014-06-04T12:20:00.000+01:002014-06-04T12:24:48.899+01:00

Hello… is there anyone still out there?  I know, I’ve not posted here for waaaay too long but I’m pleased to confirm that all is still going well at Ali’s Craft Studio! A change of technology and lots of fantastic new bespoke commissions are my excuse for being so lax in communications lately! Feeble I know but hey, I’m sticking with it! I’m still busy at craft fairs but even these have

Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00835957648007721638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921962412638850604.post-21231969762828345342013-01-28T19:51:00.001+00:002013-02-11T11:29:17.360+00:00

I am thrilled to have won yet another Twitter award & posted a guest blog on their website as part of my win. As I know many of you are not Tweeters, Twitterers or whatever you like to call them, I thought I would share it here too.  Hope you enjoy it! Showcase Winner – Ali’s Craft StudioPublished January 28, 2013  To Tweet or Not to Tweet? To anyone who doesn’t know

Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00835957648007721638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921962412638850604.post-86647588820569405902012-12-04T12:23:00.003+00:002012-12-04T12:29:10.717+00:00

Well lots has been happening over here at chez Ali's Craft Studio since I last wrote! To say it has been an exciting fortnight is a huge understatement to say the least!! Those of you familiar with Twitter may be aware of the competition run by Dragon's Den star Theo Paphitis every week to support small businesses.  Called Small Business Sunday (shortened to the hashtag #SBS) he receives

Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00835957648007721638noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921962412638850604.post-28520295228063259622012-09-11T19:26:00.000+01:002012-09-11T19:26:54.637+01:00

Ok, hands up... who's missed me??  I'll pause for a second here to count the multitude of hands... Well, despite not blogging for what seems like a lifetime, I haven't been resting on my laurels... what is a laurel, don't even know if I have any to rest on.... hmm, must look into that one, don't want to be missing out... what? oh, sorry, I digress... Yes I have been working flat out

Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00835957648007721638noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921962412638850604.post-48309640427251002982012-04-30T11:16:00.000+01:002012-04-30T11:56:25.917+01:00

You know how you think something has been fully understood and we are all singing from the same hymn sheet then it all falls apart... well that seems to be what is happening now! So, I feel the time has come to readdress those weather gods! (Hold onto your hats folks!) Dear Weather Gods Urm, hello!! Where do I start here? Really, you're having a laugh aren't you?? Can I just point out that

Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00835957648007721638noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921962412638850604.post-1834258728880807532012-03-11T23:27:00.001+00:002012-03-11T23:27:42.059+00:00

Well, its been a while but I thought I'd better show my support to Wendy's Handmade Monday as I have been very bad lately at blogging.  To catch up with some amazing crafters who have retained the ability to craft and blog at the same time, head on over to Handmade Monday (I'm hanging my head in shame as I type!) I feel like I should be presenting a note for teacher from my Mum at

Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00835957648007721638noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921962412638850604.post-83336606033283931682012-03-01T13:53:00.000+00:002012-03-01T13:53:14.500+00:00

Today is the first day of March - the sun is out and a general feeling that spring is here seems to be well and truly in place. So, how to celebrate this momentous day (OK so its not that momentous unless you happen to be Welsh in which case you are quite possibly reading this dressed as a daffodil or leek and raising a glass to St David!)  Happy Saint David's Day to you - here is a couple

Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00835957648007721638noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921962412638850604.post-46129156149572837292012-02-19T12:45:00.000+00:002012-09-11T16:22:36.999+01:00

I know, I've been a bad, bad blogger! I read all the wonderful blogs from good people who regularly update and post news and here my little lonely blog sits, feeling neglected! I'm sorry... I have a confession, I've found a new friend and have been cheating on my blog family... with Twitter! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do it but it is so addictive, I couldn't help myself! But don't worry, I

Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00835957648007721638noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921962412638850604.post-67214588490564471672012-02-11T13:04:00.000+00:002012-02-11T13:04:14.722+00:00

This post is a little different to my normal ones.  It infact isn't about my work or company at all.   As you will know, I joined the social networking set recently and through this I saw a request from Chloe of Zazu Jewellery for a review of her cards.  One of the things I love about the crafting community is there is a real comraderie and I was more than happy to help.

Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00835957648007721638noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921962412638850604.post-70627012746706299742012-02-06T18:50:00.001+00:002012-02-06T18:56:08.202+00:00

Firstly, my congratulations to Wendy at 1st Unique Gifts who, despite having a year in 2011 which was so busy it would have killed many of us off (or at the very least put us into a mild coma during the run up to Christmas!), has managed every week to host Handmade Monday which is a year old!   If you haven't seen this before, it has links to blogs of  some of the most amazingly

Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00835957648007721638noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921962412638850604.post-47722334667388215652012-01-23T11:47:00.001+00:002012-01-23T11:47:33.613+00:00

Happy Chinese New Year everyone.   OK, OK, I realise that the majority of us probably don't celebrate this but any excuse for a party right!?  Well, maybe not but as it is the Year of the Dragon I am wondering if my Chinese Dragon design will become a best seller this year...   They are already very popular but it will be interesting to see if sales go up It never ceases to amaze

Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00835957648007721638noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921962412638850604.post-34445231784133989402012-01-22T17:48:00.000+00:002012-01-22T18:31:59.303+00:00

Well I have finally succumbed to the pressure to drag myself into the 21st Century and have joined the Twitter Revolution. Already I can see that I am going to have to schedule my time carefully as it is pretty addictive and before you know it an hour has whipped by.   I am still finding my feet and working out what everything does, what all the shortcuts and initials mean and getting

Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00835957648007721638noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921962412638850604.post-742784247706713272012-01-16T21:18:00.001+00:002012-01-16T21:18:49.655+00:00

I often get asked where my studio is.   Well, it is at my home and is part of the converted extension space where the garage used to be.   The garage was, to be quite honest, a little less than useless - it was too narrow to fit the car in and ended up being a junk space!   So, a decision was made some years ago (actually before Ali's Craft Studio was born) to knock it down (before

Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00835957648007721638noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921962412638850604.post-82033177688901025602012-01-06T18:28:00.001+00:002012-01-06T18:37:05.941+00:00

Well, I thought I should write something as we are now in 2012 so here I am ... Firstly, can I wish you all a very Happy New Year.  Be honest now, have you all taken down your decorations like good boys and girls?   You don't want to start the year with bad luck by leaving them up for too long, do you!!   I hate this part of the festive season as I really love all the lights and

Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00835957648007721638noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921962412638850604.post-5742083209873874672011-12-29T13:24:00.000+00:002011-12-29T13:30:17.422+00:00

Well, there goes Christmas for another year.   We spend so long building up to Christmas Day and the big family dinner and then in a blink of an eye, whooosh it is all over!   Next up is the passing of one year and the start of a fresh, new one. So, hands up - who is still eating turkey in various guises??   I have to confess that I always get a turkey which is way bigger than

Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00835957648007721638noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921962412638850604.post-60344429272987759172011-12-19T10:29:00.000+00:002011-12-19T10:32:14.477+00:00

... And what have you done? Well, I have finally finished the craft fair and markets for the year and after just about thawing out now from being on a very cold Bromley High Street last Friday and Saturday, I am happy that the cold hasn't brought on a relapse of my Winter cold! Christmas is fast approaching and I am now feeling a little more relaxed now that the tree is up and glistening and

Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00835957648007721638noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921962412638850604.post-63514535499615571192011-11-27T10:21:00.001+00:002011-11-27T21:37:49.315+00:00

Hubby and I have had our usual November colds - we seem to get the same colds at the same time each year (possibly linked to a couple of cold and damp fair venues in close succession??) and, as usual, this means that hubby has had a little peace and quiet over the last couple of days when my voice took a brief sabbatical! Not too much of a problem when I am on my own creating (apart from not

Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00835957648007721638noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921962412638850604.post-73122061692891418642011-11-14T08:20:00.001+00:002011-11-14T09:08:46.730+00:00

Can you believe it, it is mid-November already!   It only seems five minutes since we were all talking about the summer and outdoor events.   The weather is still being kind and I am seriously praying that the Snow Gods have booked their holidays somewhere else this year as hubby and I are still trying to catch up after all the snow-related disruption at the end of 2010/beginning of

Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00835957648007721638noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921962412638850604.post-5816669127673782142011-10-31T08:14:00.002+00:002011-10-31T08:16:16.783+00:00

Today is Halloween but I suspect that we managed to miss most of the 'trick or treaters' who may have ventured out in slightly damp, drizzly weather on Saturday and Sunday evening when we were travelling back from shows.   I have, however, got my pumpkin bag stocked with sweeties by the door just incase (I'm sure we'll find a good use for any left overs....!)   We are fortunate where we

Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00835957648007721638noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921962412638850604.post-11291329832375608472011-10-10T09:39:00.000+01:002011-10-10T09:39:09.420+01:00

Wow how lucky were we this past weekend!  The Autumn Countryside show at the Weald & Downland Open Air Museum in Singleton, near Chichester was fantastic.   Alongside displays by birds of prey, gundogs and plenty of stalls offering everything from clothing to the best stained glass window clings (tee hee) many exhibitors were demonstrating the countryside crafts which are at risk of

Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00835957648007721638noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921962412638850604.post-41867926366547862922011-10-07T09:49:00.000+01:002011-10-07T09:49:07.443+01:00

Its here - the last outdoor show of our increasingly long season is upon us this weekend.   We will be at the Autumn Countryside Show at the Weald & Downland Open Air Museum in Singleton, near Chichester on both Saturday and Sunday.  We always look forward to this show - firstly because it is a great venue and always seems to be well attended and secondly because it is the last time

Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00835957648007721638noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921962412638850604.post-58395908394879225102011-10-02T21:57:00.000+01:002011-10-02T21:57:12.932+01:00

I love Doctor Who - from childhood memories of hiding behind cushions (if I can't see the monsters then they can't see me) in the Tom Baker/Jon Pertwee era and, now I am a little older and braver, chuckling at the 'grown ups jokes' in the newer Christopher Ecclestone/David Tennant/Matt Smith era this show is a great 'lose yourself for an hour' time in front of the TV on a Saturday evening (or

Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00835957648007721638noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921962412638850604.post-38149843333490078052011-09-18T19:12:00.001+01:002011-09-18T19:15:10.830+01:00

You may be sad (or possibly thrilled) to hear that this is going to be a short (and therefore probably a pretty boring) blog post today... Due to 'unforseen circumstances' this weekend ended up being without me being at a fair so I am in 'mega create' mode.   With orders to finish and some big fairs coming up the extra time is actually quite helpful as I am not only trying to make up lots

Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00835957648007721638noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2921962412638850604.post-31184680831563379622011-09-17T10:21:00.000+01:002011-09-17T10:21:34.440+01:00

Hi Folks Eek! I'm almost out of the oh-so-popular Butterfly Sets! Yes, I know...  I said I would blog more and I have been very lax!   However, I have a good excuse...   Last weekend was absolutely manic and now my stock is ridiculously low on many of my 'bread and butter' items.   So I have been frantically making up new stuff but with a stack of orders to complete

Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00835957648007721638noreply@blogger.com2