A Crafty Business

As with every little girl at some stage all those pretty dolls end up with their clothes lost or washed and shrunk, but thankfully I had my Nanny to crochet them their own little outfits and bonnets. I always thought they were so pretty and no one else’s dolls had them. Even then my little fashionista was bursting out of me.

Then there was the interest in my mam who makes beautiful bed spreads and does lacework as well but she never thought my patience would stick the crochet. So out of pure stubbornness and about 2 years of giving up and getting back at it, i produced a bag of granny squares to her one day to put together and low and behold my first bedspread was born.

Then more important stuff came along like playstations, boys, going out and it was put in the back of the press again. But on the news that I was going to have a beautiful little doll of my own, my idea of having her own blankets and hats and clothes came floating back so I got busy again. From there friends asked me to make items, then people who had received the items asked me to make more and my little business has grown from there.

I have often been told I could charge more or use other quality items. But as a parent and in the current economic climate, I like to think that I am being fair and leaving something affordable and to a standard that will last. Each item is handmade and where possible I like to keep items unique. When I don’t have the needle or glue gun in my hand, I can be found with a pencil sketching new designs or online doing some research. 

Now my own daughter who is only five is ever so eager to help out. While learning to crochet is taking time she is quite handy and happy with the pom pom maker. When her cousins come to play, they don't want to play with any of the toys they want to have a wool party. 

Picture Perfect

While I might be good at making some creations, I am definitely no photographer; although my skills are improving.

I do however love working with photographers. Its so nice to be able to make their dreams a reality.

Its great to work on projects with them especially newborn photography and help them achieve the image they have portrayed to me.

Ciara Drennan is one of the local photographers I work with and we did a joint competition / promotion last year. I made some props for Ciara to use. Here are some of the pictures, I really think her work is amazing.

If you want to see more of Ciara's work you can visit her website:   http://www.ciaradrennan.com

Princess Dress for my own little Princess

Every little girl loves to dress up and my Isobel is no different. I have her a little bit spoilt she doesn't want the same one as everyone else. We have emerged from the tomboy phase and everything is now princess, pink and sparkles.

So with her request in hand I took to the internet to source fabric. I was so excited to find a fabric, containing most of the Disney Princesses.

Next task was to find pink and sparkly, so I bought some bright pink sparkly wool. I used simple granny squares to make the top of the dress, we had a few trials for size to make sure it was comfortable.

Then I added lining to the dress and sewed the materials together. I attached my crochet top to the bottom of the dress by hand sewing it. It really was a labour of love, as my patience and speed with sewing is something of a challenge (plus Isobel underfoot excited to get the dress on wasn't helping).

Finally it was well worth, the research, sourcing and sewing to see her face when she put the dress on, and the burst of pride when someone says her dress is lovely and she replies "My Mommy made it" makes it all worthwhile.

Do you want to hear a yarn ..........

Crafting for me isn’t just a hobby it’s a way of life. The crochet is top of my list at the moment and I am forever working on new ideas.  My friends often bring me in broken jewellery, buttons or items of clothing as they know I will have something in mind. Nothing will go to waste. I even keep a notepad beside the bed as the best ideas always seem to come just before I go to sleep, the “ten minute madness” I like to call it. I also like to make jewellery and am dabbling with the sewing machine at the moment, so watch this space for more new designs.

When you buy from my site, you are buying handmade, you are buying Irish and in many cases you are buying local. It’s not from a shop or a long production line, it’s something I have put together once “she who must be obeyed” has gone to bed and all the household chores are done. I appreciate each sale and should anyone have any problem with their item, I would appreciate your honest feedback and ask that you contact me so that any issues can be resolved.

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