Its been a busy week with lots of customer orders, many requiring personalisation. Its lovely to add those special individual elements that turn something i've created into something completely personal to the person who is receiving it.
Free Spirit Designs has also been in the spotlight via some press features which i'll tell you all about in a minute... (I've also got an amazing giveaway to tell you about too!!)
Free Spirit Designs In The Press
You may remember me mentioning in the past that i decided to take Tracey of Wow Thank You up on the fabulous opportunity she offers all her sellers to upload images for a small fee to Press Loft (a site used by journalists to download images for their publications). Well, this week the two items i uploaded to the site have indeed found their way into the press!
Father Christmas Mince Pie Plate
My Father Christmas Mince Pie Plate (follow the link to see it in my Wow Thank You shop) was featured in Hampshire view magazine.
I've had a couple of orders as a result so far and i've already heard back from one happy customer! :)
You might remember me telling you about my plans to create a full set of Christmas plates in this style... there just hasn't been time this year but they're at the top of my 'to do' list for next Christmas!
Union Jack Christmas Bauble
Christmas Stocking On The Etsy Homepage
In more excitement, one of my Personalised Christmas Stockings was featured on the Etsy homepage!! As someone who hangs about on Etsy a lot, seeing one of my creations on the homepage was a real thrill, especially as this is only the second time its happened (i was beyond excited the first time!! :))
Here is the gorgeous treasury by La Foret Des Gemmes in its entirety... what an honour to have one of my items among so many lovely things!
'Christmas Hypnosis'
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Peace Dove Bauble Giveaway
The run up the Christmas seems the perfect time for a giveaway to me, Christmas is all about giving after all! So, this pretty hand painted porcelain Peace Dove Bauble is now up for grabs! And that's not all... this particular giveaway is in the hands of Janee Lookerse who has kindly invited me to contribute to the Christmas giveaway package she is offering readers over at her fabulous blog Yellow Bird + Yellow Beard. Here's a glimpse of what's on offer...
Exciting eh!! Entries close on Saturday so do pop over to Yellow Bird + Yellow Beard before then if you fancy winning all this loveliness!
In Other News...
Christmas CRAFTfest
Online Christmas craft fair, CRAFTfest (run by crafter's network Creative Connections) has been running all this week. It is as much about networking as it is about selling directly from your stall and i've been busy pining on Pinterest and stumbling on Stumble Upon... views over at my Etsy shop have shot up so i'm super grateful to everyone who has shared my links across the social networks... its been another eye opening experience about how to promote your wares online!
Handmade Monday
As usual i am linking this weekly post about the latest news and creations at Free Spirit Designs with Wendy's fabulous linky party Handmade Monday over at (one of) her blogs, Handmade Harbour. Do join me in checking out all the fantastic crafting going on, there's always lots to see!
P.S. Are you one of the lovely people who left a generous and thoughtful comment on my Handmade Monday post last week? If so then thank you! I really appreciate your kind words xxx
Have a wonderful week!
How exciting to find one of your plates in the magazine. It looks the business next to all the other items.
ReplyDeleteawww thank you :) it was exciting! x
DeleteCongratulations on being featured three times! It's like getting lots of Christmas presents early. You're going to get very busy now on the run up to Christmas.
ReplyDeletethank you Stephen :) yes, its weird how they all came along at once... like busses! x
DeleteWell done on the magazine feature - it looks fab!! You have some lovely Christmassy makes x
ReplyDeleteawww thank you very much Wendy!! x
DeleteWell done on getting you lovely pieces into the press!! I am in love with the mince pie plate :)
ReplyDeleteHope you have a good week!!
S x
thank you very much Sarah!
Deletei'm so glad you like it :) x
Wow, what a fab week you've had -and well deserved too!
ReplyDeletethank you very much Helen!! x
DeleteWow - congratulations. All very well deserved too. It is nice to see all your hard work paying off big time - Christmas has come early for you. Not sure that you will be able to top it this week but I really hope you do. :)
ReplyDeleteha! awwww thank you, yes it did all seem to come at once! x
DeleteWhat a fab week you've had for publicity! Sure it will result in lots of views and sales. Have a great week, Alison x
ReplyDeletethank you Alison :) yes, publicity has definitely been the flavour of this week!! x
DeleteThe plate looks so much fun :) and congrats on getting it published!
ReplyDeleteIt is great when someone notices one of your products and chooses it for their treasury.
I did consider doing craftfest this time, i get tempted each time, but haven't as yet indulged! Is it worth doing?
thank you!! Yes, its lovely when someone likes what you do :)
DeleteI like Craftfest because of all the networking and promoting it makes me do! There are lots of other lovely crafters to connect with too. However, many people do not get any direct sales from their stall (even the most popular ones) but the wider implications of the increased networking are definitely helpful in terms of getting your work 'out there'... hope this helps! x
Wow congratulations on your success!Sounds like things are getting really exciting for you.Love the baubles especially the Union Jack one.
ReplyDeleteawww thank you!! yes, it has been an exciting week! x
DeleteWowee! Congrats lady!
ReplyDelete-Jamie
http://chatterblossom.blogspot.com/
thank you very much Jamie!! x
DeleteWell done on being published, makes it all the more worthwhile
ReplyDeletethank you very much Carole!! x
DeleteWow, what a brilliant week you've had - well done :-) The Father Christmas plates are beautiful and I'm not surprised they were snapped up by the journos! Simmi xx
ReplyDeleteha! awww thank you very much Simmi :) x
DeleteI know, it's such a great feeling when things start coming together - well done on having your lovely plate featured.
ReplyDeleteit really is!!
Deletethank you :) x
In print and first page on Etsy - your star is ascending!
ReplyDeleteha! well it has been this week anyway!! :)
DeleteWow you must be run off your feet with orders after all those wonderful features. It's great news.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely week.
Ali x
Thank you very much Ali! I am certainly experiencing some seasonal business :) x
DeleteWow, I hope you are loving being in the spotlight, just before Christmas too, I hope you are enjoying lots of lovely orders!
ReplyDeleteYour @who ate all the Mince Pies' plate made me laugh out loud -it's brilliant!
Have a great week!
awww thank you!! i'm glad it made you laugh :) x
Deletewell done and congratulations on your publications! a great news that will make every crafter immensely happy :)
ReplyDeletei love your mince pie plate painting - supa cute and funny!
the collection of the red n white stuff on your blog is fab! im gonna have a look at them now :)
thank you very much for your kind comments Martha! x
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