Wednesday 28 November 2012

Handmade Jewellery - Christmas Gift ideas!

Handmade jewellery - Christmas gift idea!

Today I am dedicating my Blog to some beautiful and unique handmade pieces of jewellery that would make ideal Christmas presents!  All the sellers featured in the Blog can be found at Craftfest, the biggest online craft fair which ends on 1st Dec! 

Seaside Beaded Bracelet from Beaded Bazaar

Christmas Snowflake Freshwater Pearl Ear rings from The Crystal Cavern

Beautiful 'Candyfloss' Lampwork Bead bracelet by BeadScrumptious

Multi Coloured Stripes Pendant by KK Marie's

Green Key Pendant Necklace by Gert Lush Designs

Wire Christmas Tree Ear Rings from JellyBean Jewllery

LampWork Bead Pendant from The Bead Bounty

Gold Dichroic Glass Ring by Zenia

Green Button Bracelet by ColaCreations

Orange and Cream Petal Flower Bracelet by Sprinkles Sparkles

Secret Garden Bracelet by Shinyies

Lampwork bracelet by Lorraine Dowdle

Copper Heart Pin by Catherine Bonham Jewellery

Knitted wire bracelet by Pollyanna Gunning

Herringbone wrapped black pearl earrings by Kim Jacques

Copper leaf pendant and earrings by Kiln Fired Art

Lock and key vial necklace by WhimsyJig

Black Rose Dancer Pendant by Nikki Pilmer Jewellery







Visit Craftfest today for your Christmas shopping!






Sunday 25 November 2012

Handmade accessories for Christmas Gifts!

Handmade accessories for Christmas Gifts or Stocking Fillers!

If you're looking for some Christmas Gift inspiration then what about some handmade accessories?  I've put together a few fabulous items that are available at the Christmas Craftfest (running online from 24th Nov - 1st Dec)

Adorable circus themed coin purse from Arabella's Attic.


A Blue linen iPad cover from My Calico Heart



A cosmetic clutch from Kerri Roberts Designs


 Peach rose clay hair clip from Tasha's Clay

If you want to see some other great gifts available then visit the online Craft Fair that is happening NOW!


Friday 23 November 2012

Black Friday & Cyber Monday Promotion!

Promotion code - CFDEC2012

To celebrate Black Friday and Cyber Monday, I am running a 10% discount on items from ColaCreations! 

Traditionally Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving in the USA and marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season.  A bit like Boxing Day in the UK when there are huge sales and great promotions available.  With the increase of online retail, the sales have now extended to what is known as Cyber Monday.  Another great day for shoppers to get themselves some incredible bargains!

With that in mind, I'm sharing the Black Friday and Cyber Monday love to all my buyers and offering a 10% discount for sales purchased this weekend! (Fri 23rd Nov - Mon 26th Nov)

A great time to pick up some amazing Christmas presents and stocking fillers!

Visit ColaCreations to pick up some great Christmas presents (or perhaps a Christmas present for yourself!)




This discount code is only applicable for purchased made through WOWThankYou

ColaCreations is also selling at the Christmas CraftFest - an online craft fair running from 23rd Nov - 1st Dec

*Basket value must be a minimum of £8.00 for code to be applicable

Sunday 4 November 2012

Bathtime stocking fillers!

You may think I have been a bit quiet on the Blog over the last few weeks but I have been Blogging - I promise! In the run up to the Christmas Craftfest, I have been Blogging about the talented sellers in the Blue Team. And they really are a talented bunch! The talent of course is not just restricted to the Blue Team, but goes without saying for all the sellers at CRAFTfest!

Creating amazing jewellery, gifts, homewares, clothing, art and lots more you can get all your Christmas shopping done at once! There are also lots of amazing items that make great stocking fillers.

This week I thought I'd concentrate on some of the gorgeous bath and beauty items that will be available for sale at the Christmas Craftfest (opening on 24th Nov!)

Citrus Fruit Slices by ScentCosmetics




Northumbrian Honey and goat's milk soap by Oakwood Soaperie



Pretty in Pink Soap Slice by Revive Holistic & Beauty Therapies



Bath Bomb Heart by Bath Bomb Creations



I'll be back with more stocking filler ideas, all available to buy at the Christmas Craftfest (24th Nov - 1st Dec)

If you want to take part in the Christmas CRAFTfest, there is still time to book your stall.  Click here for more information!

Tuesday 16 October 2012

Christmas CRAFTfest!

Christmas CRAFTfest –24th Nov - 1st Dec


No sooner has the September CRAFTfest finished before we’re planning for the
November CRAFTfest.  The perfect time and place for a spot of Christmas shopping!  A place where you will be able to browse and peruse lots of handicraft stalls at your leisure, and from the comfort of your own home.  You’ll get to view some amazing items crafted from an incredibly talented bunch of people.

For the Nov CRAFTfest I am the BLUE team leader so thought I’d give you a few thoughts about my team members!

So give me a B – Brilliant
Give me an L – Like Minded
Give me a U – Unique
Give me an E – Enterprising

And what have you got? My B.L.U.E team mates!

The BLUE team will be showcasing and selling items that are:
Beautiful
Lovely
Unusual
Exceptional!

Offering handcrafted items from a whole range of categories including gifts, art, homeware, fashion, card craft, jewellery and so much more, you'll be spoilt for choice at the Christmas CRAFTfest!

Over the next few weeks I will be giving a bit more information about the sellers in the BLUE team, along with their stalls and some of the amazing items that will be for sale.  I'll be posting on the CRAFTfest Blog more about the Blueys - check them out here!

If you want a sneak preview of what you can buy from ColaCreations, then have a quick look at my stall!

If you want to take part in Nov CRAFTfest, there is still time to book your stall.  Click here for more information!

If you want to find out more about CRAFTfest then check out Creative Connections. Find them on Twitter or Facebook!



Tuesday 9 October 2012

New knitted creations

Following on from my post a few weeks ago I have finished some knitting projects and they are now available to buy - just in time for the cold weather!  All items are available to buy from WOWThankYou.

 Chunky Knitted Cowl - Turquoise



 Chunky hand knitted cowl.  A wonderfully soft and cosy snood style cowl designed to keep you warm and snug on a cold day!  The yarn used is mixed and the cowls are available in a soft turquoise of a beautiful dusky pink colour.
 


Chunky Knitted Cowl - Dusky Pink






Cable knitted arm warmers - Lime Green




A pair of hand knitted cable arm warmers.  These practical and stylish arm warmers are designed to keep your arms and hands warm on a cold day but still allow your fingers full movement!  The yarn used is mixed (acrylic and wool) and a vibrant lime green colour.


Ribbed knitted arm warmers - Black and White




A pair of hand knitted ribbed arm warmers. The yarns used are mixed (acrylic and wool) and are black and white in colour.

Surely it is now time to purchase some more wool and start click clicking those needles again! :) 

Also, just a quick note about the November CRAFTfest - a great place to pick up some amazing and unique presents for Christmas!  Watch out for further updates!





Sunday 30 September 2012

What a lovely surprise!

On Friday afternoon I had a lovely surprise!  In my Inbox arrived an order from my shop on WOWThankyou.  This however wasn't any old order.  It was the biggest order I have ever received!

Not 1, not 2 not even 3 sets of coasters were ordered.  An incredible 39 sets of my blackboard coasters were ordered!  They are being used by a restaurant that is just about to launch in October.

It was however a double edged sword as I don't (or at least didn't have 39 sets made up).  So this weekend has been spent on a production line of making coasters.  Fortunately my hubby has been away for the weekend so I have overtaken the house with coasters 'drying'!




I'm almost complete and just have to wait for the final drying before I can package them and send them off!  A great weekend!!

Tuesday 25 September 2012

Back from holiday!


After a few weeks holiday I am back and ColaCreations is once again open on Folksy and WOWThankYou!  The body, mind and soul are fully refreshed, rejuvenated and slightly tanned (although that is fading fast!), and batteries are most definitely recharged!

Firstly I think I need to say a huge Thank You to everyone who took part in Sept Craftfest!  It was an amazing event and a great team effort!  I know I am a few weeks late, but better late than never!  I met some really wonderful people and learnt an awful lot about Twitter, Facebook, Stumble Upon, Pinterest, Wanelo and lots more networking sites!  So a big thank you to all my fellow LILAC team members (not of course forgetting a big thanks to all the other teams too), to Lu our promotions expert and to everyone who took part in the event!

There's still plenty of time to get on board for the next CRAFTfest which I am sure will be even bigger and better!  The event is running from 24th Nov - 1st Dec.It costs a small fee to register your stall (£5.00) and you can book your place here.

Now I've shared my thanks and gratitude it's time for me to get a wriggle on and add some of my new items to my shops!  I have been a busy bee creating some chunky knit arm warmers and cowls and think I have even mastered the cable technique which I am very proud of!

 Available to purchase soon!!




Monday 3 September 2012

Sharing the Craftfest Blog Lurve!

OK, so today's CRAFTfest task is to share the Blog Lurve.  An easy task you might thing....unfortunately not when you have limited time and there are so many great Blogs out there to choose from! 

The idea behind the award is to find a Blog that you like and award it the Craftfest 'I Love Your Blog Award'.  I was lucky enough to be given the award by Garreth and Carla at ScentCosmetics (thanks for this guys!)


So, after much consideration, I am awarding it to SayisSays. They are crafters after my own heart and have a range of different items they make.  They primarily started off creating lovely cards for all occasions and have expanded to include handmade gifts such as jewellery, magnets and notebooks.  I find the Blogs really easy to use and they also tend to put great tips and tutorials on their Blog which I am always interested in!

If you are sent a Craftfest 'I Love Your Blog' Award and you would like to Share
The Lurve, then have a look at this.


How To Share the Craftfest Lurve

1. Paste our 'I Love Your Blog' Badge to your page
2. Put on a link to the Blogger who sent it to you
3.  put a link to the Blogger you are awarding the Lurve to
4.  List some other Blogs you like
5.  Inform all the bloggers you have mentioned by commenting on their Blogs
6. List 'How To Share The Craftfest Lurve'
 7.  Tell us something you would like to say, or show us something you would like to sell


 So here are some other blogs I'm in to at the moment
Scent Cosmetics
Handmade in Keswick
Beaded Bazaar
The Old Button
Inky Prints
The DressMakersCloset
KK Marie
Siog Designs
Pins and Needles Worcester
The Crystal Cavern
Lodesignz
Loutul
MadAboutBags
Little Creatures
The Bead Bounty
Free Spirit Designs
Country Bazaar


And the Thing I'd Like to Show You


My latest arm warmers that I've been making in preparation for the winter!  I am also experimenting in knitted Cowls and Scarves!

Wednesday 29 August 2012

Have you heard of PicMonkey?

I love PicMonkey!!

If you want a super quick way to make a collage of your photos without having to register, sign up or download anything then I cannot recommend PicMonkey enough!  It is so super quick and super easy to use and is a super way to showcase items!  I have created some collages of some of the fantastic items for sale at September CRAFTFEST


Items featured belong to: The Old Button, Little Creatures, DaisyDoosDesign, Ellorias Boutique, Created in Cloth, Free Spirit Designs, Sockies, Milly and Me, Channelled Creations
 
 
 
 
 
 

If you want to create your own collages then check out PicMonkey!

All the above sellers can be found at CRAFTfest which begins 1st September 2012!





Wednesday 22 August 2012

CRAFTfest Sept 2012 - more from the Lilac Lovelies!

Showcasing some more from the Lilac team over at the September CRAFTfest, we have:

Tangent Crafts
Quirky handbags and purses, called Zaggs and Purzes, made from zips. Zaggs are fully lined with tartan and are accessorised with a Zagg flower, a button and a bit of sparkle.


Inspired Scrapbooks
Making a variety of papercraft items, including mini scrapbook albums, cards, gift bags and note cards. All my items are made with love and care, using high quality materials.




InspiredbyJanie
InspiredbyJANIE is a wonderful way to express your Unique personality with pieces of jewellery that speak to you individually. I pride myself on using using gemstones, beautiful glass and acrylic beads.



Camelot Creations
A most unusual shop - designing and selling medieval and renaissance style cloaks, clothing and accessories.



Designing printable partyware for crafty people to print out and make up at home. You buy the artwork directly, they send you a PDF via an email link and you print it out, and make each of the goods yourself; a great activity to keep kids occupied pre-party!



Come and join us for CRAFTfest - 1st - 8th Sept 2012!



Monday 20 August 2012

CRAFTfest Team Leaders!

As many of you know the team leaders at CRAFTfest work incredibly hard to help all sellers set up their CRAFTfest stalls, answer any queries and encourage promotion between sellers!  So this week I thought we could show our appreciataion to the wonderful team leaders at CRAFTfest with a Blog dedicated just to them! 

LILAC team - led by Flick from Perfect Patchwork!

Perfect Patchwork is based in Devon in the Southwest of England, where we pride ourselves on the individuality of our work. All our products are made from the finest 100% cotton patchwork fabrics, and designer yarns.

We design many of the products ourselves and are proud to carry an extensive range from handicraft items, household goods and beautiful quilts, from baby sizes to king size. We are happy to design a quilt of your choice at no extra charge.


Perfect Patchwork Baby
Beautiful items for babies!


Perfect Patchwork Supplies
A great range of supplies for the crafter, including kits, wadding, cushion pads and more.




PURPLE team - led by Gill from Personal Space Interiors

Personal Space Interiors is the home of handmade vintage and retro style home furnishings, gifts and accessories. All items are individually designed and handmade by me, Gillian Davidson. I find my inspiration from all around – antique shops, fairs, nature, film – whatever catches my eye. I’ve always loved to create and craft and I’m constantly looking for new skills to learn.

I only use the best quality fabrics and materials I can find – you won’t find any backing fabrics, fillers or other cheapies in my designs. Every item is carefully produced to make sure you get the best quality product and always at an affordable price. My cushions are machine sewn and hand finished with great care and attention to detail. My crochet work is all hand produced using fine mercerised cotton giving a luxurious finish highlighting the intricate designs.

I offer a bespoke service to help you make the most of your favourite things and give them a new lease of life. Why not reinvent your items to create a new look for your home? Change curtains into cushions, a dress into a bag, a scarf into a fragranced hanger... the choice is yours.




TEAL team - lead by Lorraine from Lorraine Dowdle Creations

Hand creating gorgeous glass beads and incorporating these original gems into wearable creations is exhilarating! The most rewarding and exciting thing for me, is to bring joy though my work.  May my hand created glass art treasures bring immense joy to the receiver whom will create luscious one off pieces of their own. xx Thank you for browsing.


Lorraine Dowdle Supplies
Making hand made glass treasures for all your jewellery making needs.

 

CORAL team - led by Sally from The Bead Bounty


My name is Sally-jo and I run The Bead Bounty which had it’s 4th birthday on Valentines day 2012. I have been making jewellery for as long as I can remember and turned this skill into a business in 2008. I use many kinds of techniques in my jewellery making from wire work to needle and thread weaving but the thing I enjoy the most, is making the beads at the torch and seeing the molten glass turn into a one of a kind bead creation that cannot be repeated.


The Bead Bounty Supplies

Here you will find gorgeous Hand Crafted Lamp Work Beads to turn into your own Beautiful one off creations. Made with the finest glass, my beads are kiln annealed for strength and durability and are hand cleaned.



And behind the scenes we have:

 

Anna from The Crystal Lady and Mystic Earth


Crystal Lady Designs is a family run business in the South West of England. We offer a professional service where each piece is hand made to order. This enables us to create orders to the customers requirements. We are always happy to create jewellery in a desired length, style, colour etc.



Mystic Earth

At Mystic Earth, our jewellery and accessories are professionally handcrafted to help you.  We offer a 'Just for You' service where we match each stone specifically to you as a person.
 



Avril from Sprinkles Sparkles


Sprinkles Sparkles provides a variety of handmade jewellery and accessories for any occasion that won’t burden your purse!

We offers a range of different styles of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, hair accessories, gifts ‘n’ treats and more!


Lu from Handmade in Keswick


I'm Lu, and I make contemporary mixed media art, some of which I feature on handmade sketchbooks, notebooks and journals.  My work is a bit quirky and unusual, but I find that people seem to look at pieces and know immediately who they're gonna buy for.  The books especially make lovely little hostess gifts and thank you gifts for when you don't want to give flowers or chocs.


Tuesday 14 August 2012

The latest from the Lilac Lovelies at CRAFTfest!

With less than a month to go until CRAFTfest begins there is still plenty to do! Not least to introduce some more of the Lilac Lovelies!

So without further ado here we go!

Siog Designs

Creating masterpieces in headwear!  Gorgeous fascinators, hats, hair clips and much  much more!  These really are absolutley stunning items!

Facebook   Twitter   Etsy  

Beaded Bazaar

Joy the beading Queen!  Creating stunning beaded jewellery, from delicate ear rings and bracelets to chunky beaded necklaces!




CutePetGear

Exactly as it sounds!  Specialising in handmade collars, leashes and accessories for your pet!

Cottage Soap Company

Creating sumptious handmade soaps packed full of the finest and most luxurious ingredients.


Watch this space, I shall be Blogging about more great stalls that will be at the September CRAFTfest!!

If you're interested in reading more about how you can get involved in CRAFTfest, have a look here! or check it out on Facebook or follow on Twitter


Wednesday 8 August 2012

More Lilac Lovelies - CRAFTfest Sept 2012!

With the September CRAFTfest drawing closer and closer there's still plenty of time to showcase some more wonderful creations from the Lilac team - or as we like to call ourselves the Lilac Lovelies!
So to kick us off we have:

KOOSHKA London
Specialising in handmade cotton patchwork cushions and wool felt bits and bobs! KOOSHKA are always working on new products and expanding their range using other fabric items and a wider size range of cushions/scatter cushions.  One of their creations is fantastic fun egg cosies made from felt which are adorable!


  Facebook    Twitter    Etsy

Plusheeze
Making adorable unique handmade plushies.  If you don't know what a plushie is then you have to check them out - complete cuteness!! I love Cedric the party Sloth!


Facebook     Twitter     Etsy

Pollyanna Jewellery
PollyAnna Jewellery - specialising in knitted wire jewellery, semi-precious gemstone and wedding jewellery. I adore the intricate knitted wire cuffs.

HoobyNooWorld
Hoobynoo World is a happy place where the sun is always shining! It is filled with a whole host of fun and fabulous characters, each with their own unique, bouncy personality!  Meet Solly the Sun, Clarissa the Cupcake or Derek the Whale!

Facebook     Twitter    Website

Brimble Originals
Designing and making beautiful decorative felt items such as felt flower wreaths, gift boxes and envelopes. The flower wreaths are stunning!


I hope you've enjoyed checking out the talent.  More Lilac Lovelies to come soon!!