1000th Liker Facebook Giveaway!

It's finally here! Our much anticipated 1000th Facebook Liker give away!

Our Page over on Facebook has hit over the 1000 mark (we're a little late getting this up, sorry!) so if you are getting married or you just love a little freebie then you can take part in our Give Away !

We have 5 top prizes to choose from

1. A £30 Bouquet bespoke to your wedding colours and designed by you!


2. 50 personalised favour tins for your wedding guests!


3. A Digital Copy of YOUR personalised Wedding cootie catchers ( print as many as you need!)

4. A Set of 2 Decorative pomanders - choose your colours!
(pomanders are ivory with rhinestone centres, choose your ribbon colour, size 10cm diameter. Perfect for hanging decorations on pews, doors or chairs!)


5. A piece of Jewellery from my sister site HobbyByDesign - None wedding specific, you choose the item!

We will also be having spot prizes with certificates and vouchers redeemable at both my wedding shop and my hobby shop!

~*~HOW TO TAKE PART~*~
To take part all you have to do is leave a comment on our lovely blog here, saying which prize you would like to win, and which other item from our product range is your favourite!
We'll be having 10 Winners!
By leaving your comment as directed above - you will be given ONE chance to win (i.e. you name will be entered into the hat once) But if you would like MORE chances at winning, follow these voluntary steps too!

1. Pop by and 'like' our facebook page ( please then leave a SECOND separate comment to say you have done this (separate from your initial entry) in your comment please state your facebook name
   
2. Share the competition with your friends on facebook by 'sharing' the link on our facebook page please then leave another comment separate from your initial entry (don't forget to leave your facebook name in your comment)
   
3. Tweet! each time you tweet about our give away you will get 1 more chance at winning! leave yet ANOTHER comment that you have tweeted and don't forget to please leave your twitter name

So if you follow ALL the steps above, your name goes into the hat 4 times! you increase your chances of winning by 4!

Competition is open to all those in the UK, closing date Saturday 31st March. Winners will be selected at random using random.org, it is important that you leave some form of contact information ( if you like using face book then I will contact via pm, if you do not like via face book please leave an email address to contact you by!)

Good Luck, and Happy Winning!

5* for Artfire

I don’t write that often, and when I do it’s usually to complain about the selling sites that I use to promote my Handmade Wedding business. But very recently I was brought over to handmade selling site called Artfire. After my time on Etsy I felt jaded about the whole online selling process, I came to Artfire with a preconceived idea that it was just another site that I would invest my time in and get nothing in return. BOY was I WRONG! I wasn’t long set up on Artfire when I noticed how EASY the entire site is to use, and I was left asking myself 1. Why didn’t I use Artfire sooner? And 2. Why isn’t this what all online selling venues are like?! Over the past few months I have been working hard on Artfire I’ve opened 3 stores to showcase the variety of items I can make and I just wanted to write today to let anyone else who has become so jaded by Etsy know that there ARE sites out there who care and work how they’re supposed to. I’ve given Artfire 5 *'s and I wanted to share my main reasons for loving Artfire as much as I do;

1* Single page listing Process – I can write the body of my item WHILE my pictures upload, it makes the whole listing process so much simpler, cleaner, easier! The system is a bit more detailed too allowing colour matching, dates or Eras for vintage items, and a great section you can fill in for the ‘story behind your item’ which is beautiful to read if someone has created a collection with inspiration or if someone has listed a charity item, I can read about the charity and who this sale will benefit!

2* Check in feature - my customers KNOW that I am here; they know that I am in my shop every day and they will get a quick response should they have any questions. My shop hasn’t been abandoned and using the feature ever day helps improve your search standings.

3* Artfire Indexes! – It automatically adds us to indexing websites like googles indexing and no matter what Google decides to change; my views never drop from the indexing. Also I want to add that when you’re listing an item Artfire will tell you if you have used keywords that Google blocks!

4* Search works! - Easy to be a customer! – I would be no-where without my customers! I love that Artfire search works so well, and it has this amazing feature that you can search for what you want as well as what you don’t! They have a NOT feature where by you can search for ‘’black cardigan’’ and then tell the search you do NOT want ‘’cable knit’’ for example!

5* FREE – if you want to sign up for a PRO account you can, at such a low $$ amount compared to so many other sites. But it’s not forced upon you that you must sign up, the basic free account is still better than any other selling site I have ever used! And you don’t have to register to buy, which is good for the hundreds of customers who are so dubious about sharing personal information, they don’t need an account to buy from you!

So if you sell your handmade goods on-line and haven’t yet tried Artfire, I’ve just given you 5 reasons to come on over and give it a try. So now you have no excuse at all for sticking around Etsy when you don’t get sales and the Admin don’t listen. Come over to Artfire Via my link and we BOTH get a month FREE of the PRO account, so try it today it won’t cost you anything and you’ll be amazed at how simple your business can be!

http://www.artfire.com/users/abespoketouch/sell-crafts

I’ll be seeing you soon!

x

Eco Friendly Shopping bag

So every now and again, I take it in my head that I'm going to start a sewing project ( and every time I FAIL, but that's besides the point). Usually it starts because I have 'something left over' or a piece of clothing that's just too nice to throw out.


So this time I wanted to make a stack of t shirts that no longer fit me, but are pretty cute - into something new! I know I could make a pillow case or something ( with a seam split back because I can't sew zippers in right ) OR I could up cycle it into a tote bag.

After trying to figure it out in my head, I was pretty sure I had it, lined and all. But after putting it together for the second time, I still have seams, boo!


Anyway it's still pretty cute and it has cured me of my need to sew. I'll keep this one as my sample and if I ever want to try it again, I might just leave out the lining all together and then there has to be raw seams and its not my fault!

I'm a lucky ducky

So sometimes I get in a mood and I'll search through the Etsy forums for a good give-away, I mean who doesn't love the possibility of getting something GORGEOUS for free?!

I didn't have to search for long before a blog that is well known to me because I adore all the shops connected to it popped up advertising it's October Give-aways. Well my eyes nearly popped out,
Our Little Universe blog was doing a multi give-away with so many things to sign up for I genuinely didn't know where to start.

After giving each item my careful attention, I decided not to be too greedy and I only entered for the items that would have been useful to me. And guess what? Because I'm such a lucky ducky I WON! And I didn't win just anything, I won the exact thing i wanted to win most!

A beautiful Orange Autumn Chunky Cowl from NutshellFarms. When I received it I was over the moon, its even softer and chunky and so luxe it's going to make a fantastic addition to my winter wardrobe! She no longer had photos of the exact cowl on her etsy but she does have some more stunning Cowls that just had to share with you!

This beautiful green and blue striped cowl is a hot item in my favourites list!


And how unusual and artful and intricate is this?! Completely stunning



And as if the talent with crochet and knit isn't enough, Nutshellfarms make their own Jams and preserves, how delicious does this look, seriously?


They do their own range of Household items such as dishcloths and flax seed bumps and bruises packs. And even a range of childrens booties, hats and Burp cloths!

I'd just like to Add a huge thanks to OurLittleUniverse Blog for hosting this give-away, and to Nutshellfarms for donating such a wonderful Cowl for me to win!

Thank you!

xxx
ABE

Getting ready for Christmas

So I've been meaning to make these for quite a while, probably since before last Christmas, but you know how it is, one thing or another always gets in the way!

Finally I have made them! So far only in warmer colours, orange, yellow, gold etc. but I plan on having the full range of colours made, photographed and available to buy on-line.

Lovely handmade Christmas tree baubles





But i was thinking while I was putting them together, I'm sure they could be used at weddings too, they'd be gorgeous hanging into the aisle as pew decorations, or hanging on the handles that lead to the reception room!

Hope you like! More projects to come soon!

Update on Etsy

Just a quick Update on my previous post, I've decided to permanently close all of my Etsy shops Barr one. My wedding/ handmade supplies shop is alive and well and I will be pouring all my creative energies into it alone!

Wish me luck!

(new colours available too! here's a taste!)
IndigoChampagne

Verdigris

Its been quite a while!

So a lot has changed within the last few months, After opening four Etsy shops, that's right four! It has become apparent that because I am considered an 'international seller' selling supplies and small jewellery and accessory items is just a complete waste of time. It costs too much to post the smallest things, I mean, come on... who is going to buy a set of beads at $0.99 and then have to pay $4 in shipping on top of it? So I've come to the sad but inevitable realisation that I need to re think my Etsy strategy.