Besides my love of art, I’ve always been a massive fan of crafts. I love the hands-on, messy, wonderfully creative kind! I’m happy to have a go at almost anything. From sewing and knitting to wreath making, flower arranging, mosaics, ceramics, and even doll making - I just love discovering new ways to get creative. There’s something so satisfying about turning a bundle of materials into something beautiful. My home is full of little experiments from half-finished ideas and bursts of colour to projects with plenty of glitter!
Because of that passion for all things craft, I’ve recently taken the plunge and opened a Folksy shop. It’s a space I’m filling with an array of handmade projects, all crafted with love (and usually a few cups of tea). My hope is that the pieces I make will bring others the same joy and sense of calm that I get when creating them. For me, crafting isn’t just about the end result, as it’s also about the process. It’s meditative, grounding, and gives me a real sense of accomplishment.
At the moment, I’m deep in Christmas mode, which means my house looks a little bit like Santa’s workshop! There’s tinsel on the sofa, ribbons on the floor, and a suspicious amount of glitter in the dog’s fur. It might seem early to some, but I like to be prepared, and honestly, I love it. The festive season is my favourite time of year to make things. There’s just something about Christmas that brings out the crafter in me.
I’m also busy getting ready for my first ever Christmas fair, which takes place on 29th November at Rufforth Institute, North Yorkshire, from 10.00 am - 3.00 pm. It’s a small one to start with, but you’ve got to begin somewhere, right? I’m equal parts excited and nervous, but mostly I can’t wait to share my creations in person and meet other local makers.
As for what I’m making - oh, where do I start? Christmas angels, floral arrangements, sparkly tree ornaments, and my personal favourites: the Christmas gnomes and tiny woolly winter hat decorations. They’re cute as anything! I’ve also been crafting a collection of handmade wreaths in all shapes and sizes, from miniature ones that can hang on your tree to full-sized statement wreaths perfect for your front door. There’s something magical about creating those. I guess it’s like weaving a little bit of Christmas cheer into every loop of ribbon and sprig of greenery.
All of these and more will soon be available in my online shop, Garland and Grace, as well as at the upcoming Christmas fair. Whether you’re looking for a festive decoration or a thoughtful handmade gift, there’ll be plenty to choose from.
So if you’re on the lookout for that special something for your special someone, pop over to Garland and Grace on Folksy, or find me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest. I’d love for you to join me on this creative journey — because honestly, there’s nothing quite like the joy of handmade.
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