Buttons, buttons, buttons....

Buttons, buttons, buttons....

Buttons......I just LOVE them! Different colours, different shapes, different sizes, different textures - and there are so many things you can do with them!

I have always used buttons in my crafting, from creating button jewellery such as bracelets and brooches to using them to embellish my ever popular Peg Memo Magnets, Keepsake New Baby Art and creating Cross Stitch Buttons.

Over the last few weeks I have been experimenting using buttons with resin.  My latest creation is now complete!  A set of resin button coasters.  Each coaster is embedded with a shade of buttons in different shapes and sizes.  My first set consists of yellow, green, blue and purple shades.  I am so pleased with how they are turned out - a success!

I have been browsing through Folksy looking for other sellers that use buttons and have found some fabulous items.  Here are just a few of them!

Buttons Jug by Blackbird Studio
Granny's Buttons by BettyK
Duck egg blue heart tea cosy by The Cosy Daisy
Handmade Buttons by Connie Crockett
Blue Ceramic Button Ring by Button it Jewellery by Ali
Vintage Button Hoop Earrings by Bella Designs
Button Letter Cushion by Gillyjam
Orange flower hair clips by Weetinkers


BTW - a note for fellow Craft sellers!

Don't forget about the summer CraftFest event that is happening!  The event is running from 29th June to 6th July 2013.

If you're a Craft Seller and want more information then visit Craftfest here.  Book your stall for only £5!

Obsessed with knitting baby blankets!

Baby Blanket obsession!

I have always confessed to being a lover of knitting.  Whether it is chunky knit scarves and snoods to smaller more delicate knits of arm warmers, funky flowers and head bands.  I am now officially obsessed to knitting baby blankets!

My obesssion started with the news that my husband and I are expecting our first baby. Of course I immediately wanted to get creative and make something special for the new arrival.  Things have since got a little out of hand....and I have ended up with several completed baby blankets and am still working on more!!

All are in different sizes, different stitches and varying colours.....the latest creation is a cream and navy stripe.

My latest obession has however inspired me to have a look at what other hand crafted Baby items are out there.  There are some super cute goregous items!  Here are just a few I have found from WOWThankYou sellers!

First up the knitted collection:

Featuring:
Baby Beanie Hat in Pale Peach by Daisy Dumpling
Organic Pink Cotton Dress by Boutique Baby
Lemon Fleck Booties by Perfect Patchwork
Koala Beanie Hat by MammaZooms
Rose Cardigan by CJ Handknits
Crocheted bunny slippers by Daisy Eliza Designs
Beige hand Knitted Cable Tank Top by Boutique Baby
Crocheted Pom Pom Poncho by Daisy Eliza Designs
Hand Knitted Caterpillar Booties by Babyhandknitsbyceci

And next a variety of HandMade Baby Items

Handmade Diplodocus Soft Toy by Kate Murray Soft Toys
Giraffe in Dungarees by Ellie May Designs
Sock Monkey Caleb by Put a Sock In It
This Little Piggy Bodysuit by MyPipSqueak
Hello Super Soft Minky Baby Comforter Blanket by  My Funny Bunny
Baby Burp Cloth by Fabrilushus 



Also don't forget about the summer CraftFest event that is happening!  The event is running from 29th June to 6th July 2013.

If you're a Craft Seller and want more information then visit Craftfest here.  Book your stall for only £5!

Craftfest for Crafty Sellers

Don't miss out on a great business opportunity!

Sell your items at an online Craft Fair!

If you haven't heard about Craftfest, then you are missing a trick in selling your handmade items.

Craftfest is a regular online craft fair that runs for a week and allows you to set up your own craft stall and sell your items through it. There are several Craftfest events that run throughout the year and the next event is 29th June - 6th July 2013.

Taking part in Craftfest is the ideal opportunity not only to sell your items and gain more exposure, but it is also a great place to network, meet other sellers and to learn new marketing skills.

Each event is hosted by Creative Connections Social Network.  This is a great place to meet fellow crafters from all over the world, so even if you don't take part in Craftfest it is well worth joining Creative Connections! 

Once you have signed up for Craftfest you can create your stall and start promoting it straight away! As Craftfest is a community event you will get promotions from the Creative Connections Blogs, but you will also get promotions from other sellers too and so increase your stall exposure!

So now onto the important aspect, money.........

Unbelievably you can book a stall at Craftfest for a mere £5.00!  An absolute bargain (and well worth it!)

There are other pricing options available if you want help setting up your stall.  The options available are as follows:

Option 1
Standard Stall Booking - £5.00

Option 2
Stall and initial Set up - £10.00
This option includes your initial Creative Connections account set up on the Network and the creation of an empty stall for you ready to fill with your items.

Option 3
This option includes your initial Creative Connections account set up on the Network, the creation of a stall and up to 15 items added with a description, price and links

Once you sign up to Craftfest you will have access to: 

1. A digital flyer that you can post on the Internet and also print at home to put up in offices/schools etc
2. Marketing material for blogs, Facebook pages etc. 
3. Free advertising on stall lists, Twitter, Facebook etc, membership to an advertising group where you can get together with other Crafters and promote each other and the event
4. The opportunity to create your own CRAFTfest  stall on the Creative Connections Social Network linking customers to your products wherever they may be on the Internet.

So don't miss out, sign up for CRAFTfest today! 

 

 The sooner you  sign up, the sooner you can start promoting!

 

Thank You to #Craftfest

A huge big thank you!

It's been another successful Craftfest! Last week saw the running of the Spring 2013 Craftfest - the biggest online craft fair.  As usual it was a busy week filled with helping to promote the event through various mediums. Pinning, Tweeting, Stumbling, Blogging and Facebooking promotions were just some of the things that went on!

For me by partaking in Craftfest I have 5 main aims:
1. To achieve sales  
2. To increase the awareness of the name ColaCreations and items I sell
3. To increase my network or fellow crafters
4. To learn about other web mediums such as Pinterest, Blogging etc
5. To increase the awareness of and promote Craftfest itself as an event

Once again Craftfest has been a great learning experience and to some extent I have achieved all the aims I set myself.  Each time I take part in Craftfest I manage to learn something new (the thing I am most excited about this time is backlinking!) and meet more great people, as well as of course chatting to old crafter acquaintances!

The camaraderie and team work that goes on throughout the week of Craftfest is really phenomenal and something very special to be a part of.

Of course, Craftfest couldn't even operate if it wasn't for the two main ladies behind the scenes: Anna The Crystal Lady and Avril from Sprinkles & Sparkles.  Both put an extraordinary amount of time and effort to making Craftfest the successful event that it is, so a huge thank you to both of them!

Craftfest is held on the Creative Connections Network - this is a great place to meet like minded crafters and well worth joining.  If you are not yet a member then join today!

The next Craftfest will be taking place in June and booking forms will be available soon to book your place.  If you are interested then visit Craftfest today.

I am hoping the next Craftfest will see the launch of another range of great items from ColaCreations......I will keep you in suspense as to what that is!

My #Craftfest Wishlist

My #Craftfest Wishlist

As part of our Twitter task earlier this week we were all able to have a bit of browsing time at Craftfest and put together a virtual wishlist of all our favourite items.  Not an easy task when there are so many gorgeous things!

I thought today I'd share with you some of the goodies that would be on my #Craftfest Wishlist (so if anyone is in need of a Birthday/Christmas/or just because gift idea for me - here you are!)

Rainbow Suncatcher from Raven's Stained Glass 

Vintage 1950s Sanderson linen cushion cover from Personal Space Interiors

Romantic rat by Minty Club

Personalised Wedding Favour Good Luck Charm from LynseyLovesxxx

Polka Dot Adjustable Ring by Beaded Bazaar

Heart Shaped Hanging Ornaments by Favourite Things

A set of three lovely silver plated forks from Rescue and Revive

Handmade felt rabbit by Pepperpot Crafts

Lamp Work Bead Bracelet in Black and White £40 from The Bead Bounty

Personalised Melamine Plate with a Dancing Monkey Theme by Craftie Chicks

Personalised Bride & Groom Guest Book by Dottie Designs

Yellow and Orange Stained Glass Inspired Wall Hanging $14 USD from JellyBeanPottery. 

Crochet Bead Earrings from DueAmiche

Apricot Bath Melts from Bath Bomb Creations

I hope you've enjoyed the items on my Wishlist - why not go and have a browse yourself! Craftfest is open until 23rd March 2013!

Wedding Season at Craftfest!

Wedding Ideas!

For unique and unusual wedding favours, wedding jewellery, wedding gifts, wedding keepsakes, decorations and lots more, visit the WeddingStalls over at Craftfest.

I have put together a selection of some unusual, unique and bespoke Wedding items!

The creators and sellers of these sensational items are:

Fairyhogmama – creating simply stunning bridal tiaras and jewellery

Keep It In a Frame – handcrafting beautifully finished personalised wedding guest books.  Also featured are the super cute personalised Bridesmaid and Page Boy Thank You gifts.

Created in Cloth – running up the cute Groom/Best Man and Bride/Bridesmaid Bottle aprons – a great Thank You or Wedding gift

Kwurk-ee – creating exquisite head pieces from silk and embellished with quality crystals, glass pearls and beads.

And of course I couldn’t not mention ColaCreations!

ColaCreations - creating personalised wedding wall art, Mr & Mrs Coasters, Bride and Groom coasters and personalised Confetti!

Visit Craftfest today!

Baby boom at #craftfest

Craftfest goodies for small people!

With Spring just around the corner (well despite the forecast snow!), it's that time  for lambs, bunnies and babies!  With that in mind I thought I'd dedicate this Blog to those sellers that have gorgeous, cute and adorable items for babys, toddlers and small people!

So without further ado, I have put together a selection of fabulous items!

Doodlebump -creating  beautiful Personalised Nursery Pictures

The Old Button - fabric gifts for little people!

Jelliebabies - Handmade bespoke nursery packages , baby accessories and personalised clothing.

Daisy Eliza Designs - Hand knitted and crocheted baby clothes and accessories

Mammazoom - creating fun and Practical hand crocheted Beanie and Hats for all the ages.

Sockies by KFH - creating toys from socks (Sockies!)

 ColaCreations - creating a lasting personalised keepsake.  Beautiful framed wall art.

For these great items and more, visit Craftfest today!