It's nearly Christmas!! I am half way through putting up my decorations just now - paper heart and leaf garlands and star shaped lights! There is a cake of the birthday variety in the oven and it smells lovely. So anyway, this festive feeling appears to have put me in a good mood - and from now (well, a little earlier today actually) until 12pm GMT (midday) 19th December 2008 there is free shipping within the UK from my Etsy AND Folksy shops! The 19th is the last day I'm able to post anything that isn't being sent super fast special delivery as I'm travelling 'home' on 20th. So order early!!
I'm sitting here wondering where the week has gone....it seems like yesterday I was in Glasgow at Made in the Shade! My stall is pictured above - towards the end of the 2nd day, so really not looking its best! It was great fun, a little tiring, but nowhere near as much as I thought it would be on my own!
The Made in the Shade ladies did another fabulous job of organising things and will hopefully be back soon with another great event! Make sure to check their website regularly (or do the RSS thing) to find out about next years events!
Oh, and I did get a little bit of a chance to do some Christmas shopping, and as predicted it was mostly for myself! Shhh!
Oh - P.S Happy Birthday Chloe (little sister)
I am a prolific list writer. In fact, right now I am sat in bed, with coffee, surrounded by lists. I like writing lists, I like organising things and I like crossing things off.
My current lists reside on various bits of scrap paper, but 'proper' lists, not just to-do lists are kept in my fabulous hand printed moleskine cahier from the fabulous Champignons on etsy.
Last night I was ignoring my to-do list, as if frequently the case - I am also a prolific procrastinator and time waster - I guess that's why the lists are so important....I find myself day dreaming or going off on a complete tangent and completely forget what I was doing....
So last night, I found the most wonderful dinnerware from Fishs Eddy. Now I can keep my coffee in line whilst sitting in bed writing my lists, or organise my cheese into a list of which should be eaten first! (Brie is obviously top of that list by the way) . It is a little sad that they don't come as dinner plates, but peas would be flying off all over the place and to put a lip on these would be sacrilege , and that's just not good, is it?
Anyway, this discovery took me on a little Google adventure, albeit quite a disappointing one. How fabulous would it be to have stationary cutlery.....you know, a knife that looks like a ruler, things shaped like pens and pencils.....these are all I found. 
Ummm....yes.....pen lids with plastic forks on the end. How completely useless.
Apparently....
"These eating tools work in conjunction with your ball point pens, this makes it easier to eat with and handle the food properly without getting it all down your clothes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clothing ! "
Or just use a real fork.
I chew pen lids. I would stab my mouth. Not fun. I often forget to take a pen with me, or loose them, so this wouldn't really be very handy for impromptu eating either. Ridiculous.
Now, real cutlery shaped like stationary is perfectly acceptable and any cutlery designers reading this should take note (ha!) and make some for me please. I don't want to be resigned to cutting my cheese with a plastic fork taped to a Biro. Thank you.
The lovely people at Folksy & Wemake have been running a festive competition 'Folksy Angels' calling for people to make Christmas (or other denomination holiday) decorations from recycled materials. Nothing should be bought. Above is half of my entry. My little houses pale in comparison to the rest of the fabulous decorations entered - there are some fabulous things made from ring pulls, corks and cans - I obviously don't drink enough as all that was in my recycling was cardboard & paper scraps!!
Please go and vote (for me if you like!) right here
Today, I have been out, out of my warm cosy studio in order to find important supplies which can't be delivered by the postman. I returned this evening to find a UK etsy invasion....and I seem to be somewhat at the forefront!
Firstly, a most wonderful article on UK sellers in the Storque written by the even more wonderful Eloise of HidenSeek.....not forgetting the, umm....help? offered by Mr. Bear. (pictured above) Go read it here. I am in there, hiding in the snow!
Secondly, a treasury I created featuring lots of fabulous UK sellers hit the front page. Which is still available for your viewing pleasure just here....although some things have been replaced as they sold.
Have I told you about Made in the Shade Festive Weekender?? More than likely, but I'm sure you don't mind another reminder!!
Made in the Shade is a fabulous indie market in Glasgow run my some fabulous ladies. This December they have pulled out all the stops ! Over the weekend there will be more than 70 designers showcasing their work - there will be clothes, toys, stationary and loads more!
Go here to see the full list of exhibitors.
On top of the 70 + designers you can also get yourself a fabulous vintage 'do - Ninas Vintage hair parlour will be there - all the way from London town!
And, possibly THE highlight of the whole weekend - The Parsonage will be serenading customers on Saturday!!
Surely all that is reason enough to bypass the high street this festive season!? No? Oh OK....you can also come and say hello to me!! I will be there selling fabulous things on Saturday and Sunday!! Come and say hi - my little helper will not be with me this time around :(
