Save Our Forests!!!

Today we went off to our local Forest in Grizedale for a protest against the government selling of these publicly owned forests to private buyers. Grizedale is a fantastic forest, run by the Forestry Commission with walking routes, bike routes and bridle paths as well as an education centre, visitors centre and great adventure playground and this is just one of many forests being earmarked for sale.......

Some private owners, of course, would be great and leave them just as they are but there will always be some, for whatever reason, may close footpaths, fence of 'their land' and refuse access to walkers, bikers and riders. We have so few forests left we really can't let this happen.

Our kids could easily spend all day playing and exploring in the woods (and often do!!) and it would be a real shame if future children don't have that chance.

We unfortunately got there a little late (what's new!!??) but were pleasantly surprised how many people had turned out to support the cause, (we British can be a bit reserved you know!!). Most of the local MP's were there (except the Tories...shame on you!!) and all of these have pledged their support which is great.

So if you want to show your support, not just for the forest in Cumbria but around the rest of the UK too please come and sign the petition here....
http://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/s/save-our-forests#petition

Thanks x

Decisions, decisions....

Well, today was...interesting! Today was the first day back at the market since before Christmas, I knew it was going to be quiet but it was REALLY quiet! We woke up this morning to a hard frost which always puts people of coming into town. Although it was extremely pretty to look at, and I could have quite happily spent all day walking and taking pictures, it made the paths really slippy and it was very cold.

So... nobody was selling much, my day was only saved by one lady buying the lighthouse wall hanging which has been in my Folksy shop for ages! I was beginning to wonder if it was worth carrying on until maybe Easter when people have recovered from Christmas and are starting to spend again!! I was just sitting there looking across at the little sewing shop opposite my table, thinking ..'it would be quite nice to work in there'.....when over comes one of the girls from the shop and tells me she is buying the shop from the present owners and is looking for staff to help her, would I be interested? Weird or what!!? Anyway the upshot is.....do I or don't I??

I know I will probably be earning more, on average, in the shop, also knowing that it will be a regular amount rather than somewhat irregular amounts! The people in the shop are lovely and it's a great little shop anyway and still in the indoor market so still part of the community there, which is great. The hours are less than I spend on my market stall now. I will still be doing what I do online and at Craft Fayres anyway, this would just take over my market day.  There is also possibilities of selling some of my smaller items there as well .....can I really say no??

The only downside is that I will be working for someone else....something I've not done in quite a while now.

Mmmm maybe I've just made the decision!!!    

Humph, Grump and Hearts!!

I've been busy for the last week getting stuff ready to sell on the market. Trying to think of reasonably priced small items has been interesting (!?) and they always seem to take so much longer to make than I think they will! It's been incredibly frustrating to have all these great ideas and then not having the chance to do them until the kids are in bed. Then of course it's the usual tiresome duty of getting everything out on the kitchen table to then have to clear it all away before breakfast in the morning!! I REALLY want somewhere to work where I'm free to leave things half done and come back to them whenever I get the chance ....one day.......

Anyway enough moaning.....I have managed to get some bits made.....

Also had a big delivery of some lovely Dried French Lavender which is already aailable in my Folksy supplies shop (Gnomeads - crafting supplies) .

Unfortunately nothing else has been listed yet, my laptop has died, our computer has gone on strike and my hubbies laptop is extremely slow and we are all fighting over it at the moment!! I will be listing very soon I hope........

Family wise, we've been out and about as usual enjoying the usual Lake District weather!

A New Year

I can't believe my last post was way back on the 10th December!! I've had a busy run up to Christmas with my weekly Market stall, a couple of small commisions to do as well as trying to keep Folksy going. I have to admit that my Folksy shop is looking sadly depleted and dejected but I will get on and sort it out soon. For now my time and energy is going to have to be spent sorting out accounts and making lots more items to sell. After spending New Year with Mr WoollyLakes family it will be all systems go as of tomorrow!!

I guess everyone does a little bit of reminiscing at this time of year, looking back over how the year has gone, where we are now and what we want to achieve next year so here's mine....

2010 Highlights.
 - Started my Folksy shop seriously (had only messed about before!)
- Had a table at a local Pirate Day - an experience being placed next to a tombola table full of lovely cheap plastic toys!!
- Did six months at Prom Art, a monthly art and craft fayre along the Prom at Grange-Over Sands, a really lovely atmosphere and a great experience to see what people actually like!    
- Got out of my comfort zone and started having a table in our local indoor market, still going well.
- Had a brilliant day at my local church Christmas Craft Fayre

Now to 2011.... 

- Market starts again on 14th (maybe 21st depending on how much more stock I have made!) These will be quiet months so we'll see how it goes and if it's worth doing it for the next little while.
- Focussing first on making smaller items, I've found these sell better on the stall than the more expensive items. Also going to concentrate on the sewing side rather than knitting and hooking...these will still be going on in the background though! Making batches of the same items rather than having bits and pieces all over the place!
- Will be doing Prom Art again this year, hopefully the weather will hold again.
- My Folksy shop will be re-stocked and left to tick along as it did last year. I will try to get onto the forums a bit more and be sociable!!
- I have had a Zibbet shop not really doing very much so this year I must get this sorted and list items regularly. This also goes for my website, I've decided to concentrate on these and see if I can make some sales rather than trying to get onto Etsy.
- MUST write my blog more frequently!!
- One thing I would like to do this year is try and find some more local craft fayres to get into, I know there are a few around here, being a big tourist area but it's just finding out about them before they are actually on!!  We have also unbelievably just been given a caravan so maybe this would be an oppurtunity to travel a bit farther afield...who knows!!?


Well.....that's a start at least.....boring reading I'm sure but it's helped me at least!!