Half an Acre

Anna Hull loves to paint and to get messy painting! Although she studied photography she has always enjoyed making things, orininally she liked to make funky things for her house or birthdays when she couldn't find anything she liked in shops. Then Half and Acre was born.
Our favourites are the hagstone wreaths and the geckos but you can find many more funky things at Half an Acre's etsy shop, Dawanda, Folksy or their own website - http://www.halfanacre.co.uk
Anna keeps a blog that features lots of "fabulous things for funky people"!http://www.halfanacreblog.blogspot.com. Anna is also involved with the new Ukhandmade website which will launch later this year. You can check out the blog here which will run alongside it.

Covetables

Michelle Aaron has been making stuff ever since she was a little girl and used to make dresses for Barbies. Now Michelle has a little girl and is still making dresses and dolls! Being a mum to her five year old daughter has really stirred up a passion in her for making things for kids. She believes that playthings are central in a child's life and they ought to be things that are special and treasurable.

Michelle now runs Covetables making among other things, cloth dolls. She adores working with natural materials; wool, silk, bamboo fibre, organic cotton and felt. It's not only best for the earth to use natural and eco friendly products but they feel great, look beautiful and even smell gorgeous. Each doll is one of a kind and happens in an unplanned way, taking shape as she makes them. They are all sturdy enough to play with, the clothes can be removed and their hair can be styled as well. Some even come with sets of special things.

Michelle says "Nothing satisfies as much as making something with my own hands and see it turn out before me. Actually rethinking that, it's even more satisfying to see someone fall in love with something that you have made for them!"
If you would like one of these unique dolls, you can buy yours on Covetables' Etsy shop - http://www.covetables.etsy.com. These dolls are happy to be shipped internationally too!

Leigh Shepherd Designs

Leigh Shepherd a designer and maker based in Haworth, West Yorkshire makes thes beautiful pendents using vintage tiles and counters.

Her current ranges include Mah Jong tiles and wooden Scrabble tiles. Leigh says "When I first began making these pieces I wanted them to be a complete gift or treat so I made little keepsake tins and pots to present the jewellery in ...

... I am passionate about handmade items, I would really like to see the craft / handmade movement become as popular here (in the UK) as it has in the States and it's great blogs and sites such as this that will help that happen! I also have a fasination for upcycling and repurposing, taking a found object and transforming it intosomething different and more valuable. That is what I hope to have achieved with my jewellery."

All of Leigh's beautiful designs can be purchased nationally and internationally online at http://www.leighshepherddesigns.etsy.com/ and at http://www.leighshepherddesigns.com/

Who's Bead Mad?

Ruth Campbell of The Handmade Jewellery Shop

"I make beautiful bead necklaces using a wide range of beads sourced from around the world. Each necklace is unqiue except the gorgeous little Swarovski crystal single strands and even these can be ordered in any length or mix of shades you desire.

A few years ago traditional bead necklaces (cloisonne, wedding cake, millefiori, porcelain to name a few) were considered rather old fashioned, now people have woken up to the enormous possibilities of good old "beads". Every colour you can think off and so many shapes, sizes and designs. Sparkling crystals, semi-precious gem stones, painted wood, faceted glass, pretty satin ribbon ties and so much more.

I have 2 online shops listing over 600 bead necklaces (yes all made by me!) for you to browse and perhaps buy. They are all in stock for despatch within 1 working day from receipt of cleared payment .... and should you wish to treat someone else but are not quite sure which they would like, just buy a pretty gift voucher and let the lucky lady choose herself. Or why not be a little crafty, set up your own wish list in my store and email it to family and friends so you know the next birthday present will be great, not another fluffy pink hotwater bottle cover!

Bead mad? I'm not bead mad ... well only a little perhaps - why not come and join me in my "bead mad" shop, you would be most welcome"

http://www.the-handmade-jewellery-shop.com

Charming and Pretty

I am really happy to be featuring Rachel Hunt who runs Charming and Pretty because she has a love of recycling and turning "junk" into "jewellery" I love it! The jigsaw jewellery is quirky, funky and fun, at affordable prices too.

Rachael is a stay at home mum to 2 children and discovered by accident that jigsaws with missing pieces aren't destined for the bin, they are destined to be worn with love. Rachael says "Daytime TV is rubbish! So my fingers and brain keep busy by creating items to sell or as gifts"

You can find all Rachael's recycled goods available to buy worldwide in her Etsy store. If, however, you can't find what you are looking for, just send her an email and she will see what she can do for you, you can't get much better customer service than that! With reasonable worldwide rates and post within 3 days of purchase, all items are wrapped with care in tissue paper and then a jiffy envelope.

For Fantastic handmade gifts visit http://www.rachaelhunt.etsy.com or http://www.charmingandpretty.com/