Creative Crafter UK

Happy 4th July!

2009-07-04T19:27:00.003+01:00

Happy 4th July to all my American readers - have a great day!
Wish I were there to celebrate with you!

*Please note, as always, these craft projects should not be copied directly, similar submitted to magazines or entered into competitions. The photos are also copyright to me and should not be taken from my blog without permission. Thanks for your understanding and abiding by the copyright laws.

Football Mad Card

2009-07-01T15:32:00.001+01:00

This simple card has been created using the Daisy and Dandelion rubber stamps. The footballer elephant is the perfect design for my soccer loving friend who is a keen supporter of Everton FC (hence the dark blue shirt!) I stamped the football background and added extra embellishments to complete the card.
{If you're reading this Steve - Happy Birthday!}

*Please note, as always, these craft projects are designed by myself. They should not be copied, similar submitted to magazines or entered into competitions. The photos are also copyright to me and should not be taken from my blog without permission. Thanks for your understanding and abiding by the copyright laws.

10 Ways to Get Your Craft Work Noticed:

2009-06-28T10:34:00.003+01:00

1. Blog about it.
2. Build your own website, showing what you have created.
3. Open a shop online – well known shops for crafters to sell their own unique handmade items include Etsy and for UK crafters try Folksy among others.
4. Exhibit at a craft fair, or international gift fair – who knows who may spot your work!
5. Take your products to local shops to see if they would stock them for you – (this is often on a sale or return basis.)
6. Send out a press release to various publications about your work and where readers can purchase it.
7. Distribute business cards wherever possible. Send out with all products sold, distribute locally, on local notice boards and to local businesses.
8. Exhibit at an art gallery – hold a press/ preview night.
9. Have a stall at local school fayres, church fetes and charity events. Offer your products as prizes in the raffle and get some advertising in the school/ church magazine.
10. Start demonstrating, teaching or run a craft club and take your products along.

There are of course, many other ways to promote your work. These are just my top 10 to get you started – if you have any others to add, please feel free to leave a comment.
Good luck!

Crafting Crazy!

2009-06-27T19:11:00.003+01:00

What a busy day! My little fingers have been crafting so hard they're almost smokin'!
I've had a number of commissions and articles to work on recently for national crafting magazines. Working hard on Christmas themed projects (despite it being such a beautiful summer's day today!) From cards, scrapbook pages, using crafting gadgets to ceramics, it's been varied to say the least. I've had some interesting dilemmas to answer!

Trusting you all like my new header then? I think it's good to have a makeover...maybe I should try and get one myself!!!

Happy 3rd Birthday to fellow bloggers at Crafts U Love. Have a great weekend!

Mini Makeover

2009-06-24T16:07:00.002+01:00

Do you like the new header? Creative Crafter UK has had a 'mini' makeover.
What do you think?

Striking Patterns

2009-06-22T19:47:00.000+01:00

Here are some more projects I created using the Drip. Dot. Swirl. book by Von Glitschka - I love the striking combination of the black and white Wrought Iron pattern combined with pinks. Here I have created some floral feminine cards and a co-ordinating gift box.

Beautiful Beaches

2009-06-22T12:39:00.004+01:00

Just returned from a lovely break and enjoyed the sunshine. The weather today is gloriously warm, the perfect day for walking along the beach! Here's my latest scrapbook page created using some of Von Glitschka's wonderful patterns as featured in his Drip. Dot. Swirl. book. I'm so addicted to using his patterns on my crafting projects - they're so eye-catching and versatile. This simple layout uses the blue Carbonated pattern found on the accompanying disc.

Happy Father's Day!

2009-06-21T13:42:00.000+01:00

To all the Dad's out there...Happy Father's Day!

I created this card for my Dad using the wonderful patterned papers from the Drip. Dot. Swirl. book and DVD by Von Glitschka - I'm loving this book. The patterns are fully editable. There is something for everyone, from trendy patterns to masculine, feminine and retro designs. Thoroughly recommended. Visit Artbackwash blog for more details on the book.

Have a great day Dad xx

Cupcakes..... but not as you know them!

2009-06-06T10:20:00.000+01:00

Spotted! Some fabulous 'burger cupcakes' over on the blog of graphic design company 'I Love Dust' - aren't they so cute? Click here to view. Based in Southsea - I love their style!

Hot Day... Cool Products.

2009-06-04T16:36:00.004+01:00

Another hot day - been working on my regular crafting column for a publication. It's a delight to solve readers queries.

I have also been rather addicted to a new book called Drip. Dot. Swirl. by Von Glitschka which is full of patterns (see earlier posting for photo) and means I have loads of new patterns to use in my design projects - I have been asked to review the book. I love reviewing products - especially when they're so cool.

I've recently been working on a few logo designs for a top London shop - I hope they like them!
So it's all systems go at Creative Crafter UK HQ.

Have Your Cake and Eat It!

2009-05-31T11:26:00.000+01:00

Here's one of my latest whimsical creations, handmade for a special friend using the pastel Doodlebug collection of papers and embellishments. I love the graphic style of Doodlebug design!
Happy Birthday for today Misha!

*Please note, as always, these projects are designed by myself. They should not be copied, similar submitted to magazines or entered into competitions. The photos are also copyright to me and should not be taken from my blog without permission. Thanks for your understanding and abiding by the copyright laws.

Full of Creative Beans

2009-05-29T11:16:00.004+01:00

Have you seen the new posting by Cathe Holden on her blog 'Just Something I Made.' You'll never look at beans in the same way again! Not only are they tasty (and create wind!!!) but you can be creative with them too! I love Cathe's ideas and style! Check it out here.

It's all about me!

2009-05-27T15:41:00.001+01:00

I'm not usually very good at talking about myself, but I thought you might be interested to know a little more about me and my creative passions, so here goes:

1. I have always been a creative person and some of my earliest memories were drawing Mr. Men characters as a toddler. I used to sit for hours drawing, colouring in, being crafty following the Blue Peter makes.
2. My artistic flair probably originated from my Mum who always used to make her own clothes in the swinging sixties. She would knit and crochet too, oh and make here own greetings cards – usually oversized!
3. I have had my illustration reproduced on an advertising billboard poster.
4. Ambition - to write a book – children’s or craft – watch this space!
5. The craft tool that I couldn’t live without is my handy guillotine.
6. I have been featured as 'guest designer' over double page spreads in well known national crafting magazines. The articles were all about my life as a designer.
7. Favourite patterns – spots, stripes and swirls.
8. Artistic Heroes – Roy Lichtenstein, Bridget Riley, Tony Hart, Mark Speight, Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen.

Drip.Dot.Swirl. - Pattern Crazy

2009-05-19T11:54:00.004+01:00

I had a lovely surprise this morning when the postman arrived with a beautiful shiny new hard backed book from established illustrative designer Von Glitschka. His gorgeous 106 page book comes with an accompanying DVD containing 94 brilliant royalty-free patterns for design, illustration and your craftworking needs. The editable vector files can be used as individual pattern swatches in Illustrator (CS2, CS3 or above) or used as an all-over tiled pattern. Use it as a resource for card making, scrapbooking or altered art projects.

Drip. Dot. Swirl is available to purchase read more about it here or buy from Amazon.
In the UK you can also purchase from David and Charles here.

To see more of Von's work visit his website at www.glitschka.com or his illustrative blog Art Backwash. I find his work so inspiring!

I can't wait to have a 'play' with many of the gorgeous designs. Look out for future projects here on Creative Crafter UK.

Collection of Handmade Cards

2009-05-17T13:43:00.001+01:00

Here's the complete set using the papers from the September 2007 issue of Crafts Beautiful magazine.

*Please note, as always, these projects are designed by myself. They should not be copied, similar submitted to magazines or entered into competitions. The photos are also copyright to me and should not be taken from my blog without permission. Thanks for your understanding and abiding by the copyright laws.

Feeling Blue? Time to Party!

2009-05-15T20:39:00.000+01:00

Here's another in my series of cards made using the Crafts Beautiful background papers (featured in the September 2007 issue). I love all the tags and by adding the extra flowers, rub on lettering and gem stones I think this came together quite well. What do you think?

*Please note, as always, these projects are designed by myself. They should not be copied, similar submitted to magazines or entered into competitions. The photos are also copyright to me and should not be taken from my blog without permission. Thanks for your understanding and abiding by the copyright laws.

Best Wishes Card

2009-05-11T16:30:00.000+01:00

This card has been created using the free papers as given away in a September 2007 issue of Crafts Beautiful magazine. I thought they were so gorgeous I tried to make as many cards as possible from them. Three has been the limit from the small quantity of product, but I'm loving the designs and colours! This is my Best Wishes card...another to follow shortly.

*Please note, as always, these projects are designed by myself. They should not be copied, similar submitted to magazines or entered into competitions. The photos are also copyright to me and should not be taken from my blog without permission. Thanks for your understanding and abiding by the copyright laws.

Fashionable Girlie Birthday Card

2009-05-10T14:29:00.004+01:00

Had fun making this card for a friend today. It's her birthday this week (hope she doesn't see this posting first!) She's a shop-a-holic, loves fashion and is always wearing something different everytime I see her, usually it's pink!

The dress is a rubber stamp design and I have layered it decoupage style, adding sparkly gemstones, beautiful doodlebug patterned papers and co-ordinating satin ribbon.
Hope she likes it!

*Please note, as always, these projects are designed by myself. They should not be copied, similar submitted to magazines or entered into competitions. The photos are also copyright to me and should not be taken from my blog without permission. Thanks for your understanding and abiding by the copyright laws.

Inspiring Blog Recommendation

2009-05-08T16:31:00.002+01:00

Just found a very inspiring and creative craft blog called 'Just Something I Made' by Californian graphic artist Cathe Holden. I love her vintage style and fabulous ornate headers and logos. It's also worth checking out her Flickr photos of her amazing craft studio - I wish mine were as tidy as that! I love the retro feel.

I've also used one of her 'Please leave a comment' and 'Twitter' graphics (on my sidebar) - thanks Cathe! Visit 'Just Something I Made' by clicking here. Her work is beautiful and I may have to check out the 'printing your own blog' link she mentions. A delightful read.

In The Pink Birthday Card

2009-05-06T20:23:00.004+01:00

Thought you would be interested to see my creation using the background papers designed by Nancy Watt in the latest issue of Making Cards magazine. These papers are very pretty and worked perfectly for a decoupage style card.

Incidently, I had some other projects published in this particular issue - hope you liked them!

Published again - Fete - Craftzine

2009-05-04T16:32:00.003+01:00

Open publication - Free publishing - More art

As published in Fete - a new Craftzine by fellow crafter Momtaz. This had a very small print run and was sold at a local craft fair. Future issues are planned.

Almost at 5000 Visitors

2009-04-27T10:27:00.002+01:00

Nearly reached another milestone here on Creative Crafter UK, we're heading for 5000 visitors - wahoo! Time to party! We will be having a little celebration...so keep checking back!

Handmade Birthday Card

2009-04-23T17:56:00.006+01:00

I came across these gorgeous backing papers recently in an old copy (September 2007) of Crafts Beautiful magazine and was so drawn to their eye-catching patterns, I just had to make something from them!

Here is my Birthday card created for my Mum's forthcoming birthday and featured here exclusively on my blog. The papers have been combined with paper flowers, inking techniques and BasicGrey chipboard letters.

I'm loving the worn look and pretty colour combination. It makes a welcome change from girlie pinks and chocolate browns. The papers were printed onto a good quality paper, which makes all the difference to the results of the overall effect. I hope Mum likes it!

*Please note, as always, these projects are designed by myself. They should not be copied, similar submitted to magazines or entered into competitions. The photos are also copyright to me and should not be taken from my blog without permission. Thanks for your understanding and abiding by the copyright laws.

Crafting For Men

2009-04-19T12:35:00.005+01:00

Here's one for the men in your life...this is a simple altered art gift tag created from the gorgeous Paper Artsy Minis stamps - I just adore their vintage designs!
Stamped onto acetate, it has been lined with a suitably vintage effect paper, twill ribbon and German Scraps. I love the eclectic look. I hope my masculine recepient does too!

A similar project designed by myself was recently published in a national UK crafting magazine.

Happy Easter!

2009-04-12T10:02:00.000+01:00

The Easter cards have proved popular this year and the free Easter floral digi-download is going down well (see previous posting). Hope you're all having a fabulous Easter! I'm off to do an egg hunt later today and scoff my scrummie choccie eggs...yummy!

Enjoy the day, whatever you do!