Spoonflower

Today I am sharing the delights of a new website I discovered - www.spoonflower.com

Spoonflower gives you the tools to not only create your own fabric design but also to buy and sell it!! Of course you have to come up with the design in the first place, but it allows you to repeat the design in 4 different layouts.

For this design I simply took an image sheet of mine that already had 3 postcards on it. Once uploaded onto Spoonflower's website I could play around with the layout - half drop (seen here) half brick, mirror, centred and basic repeat.

This next design is taken from my Hydrangea tag image. Again I have had it repeated in a half drop layout. Ideally I would redesign this one with more background around the flowers so they aren't so close together but I like the overall feel.

I have given you a close up of this one. This fabric uses my latest design which I am launching in my shops this week :) It was designed with Mother's Day in mind. I was given the gorgeous image of a French lady at her dressing table by my ex mother in law. I have layered her over a wonderful old French postcard with a personal message to someone named Charlotte written across the corner. I have finished it off with an old stamp from my mother's childhood stamp collection. This layout is half brick.

I can take no credit for this beautiful fabric!! This shows what you can do if you really have talent!! I love how bright and breezy this design is entitled 'summer meadow'.

Once you have designed your fabric you can order a swatch of it in a choice of fabrics. I believe once you have made a purchase you have the option to offer your design for sale on Spoonflower's website. Don't quote me on that though...... you'll have to check this out for yourself :) So if you fancy your bedroom curtains being in your own design head over to their website and have a go.........

Folksy Friday

It is that time again! Time to showcase the work of some of Folksy's talented crafters.

For my selection today I have chosen work by artists who have very kindly marked my shop as a favourite. I hope you will approve of my selections and for all of you featured I hope you will follow me here on my blog :)

I loved this irresistible clutch by 'Beggars Bowl' Not only does is look beautifully crafted but what a gorgeous choice of fabric. Sure to brighten up any outfit :)

You can see more of 'Beggars Bowl''s creations here:http://www.folksy.com/shops/BeggarsBowl

First of all I love the name of this shop - 'Skull and Cross Buns' and I have to say the items you will find here are as delicious as the title. Selling handmade rubber stamps with wonderful designs such as camper vans, baseball boots and cupcakes to name but a few.... A must for all your homemade craft projects! The link to this shop is: http://www.folksy.com/shops/skullandcrossbuns

This next artist was the first to 'favourite' my shop :) Thank you.

The fact that she is a prolific seller on Folksy should come as no surprise when you see the artistry in this embroidered heart brooch. Gorgeous attention to detail and beautifully crafted. I challenge you not to want to pop on over to 'Pants and Paper' and take an enjoyable browse :)

http://www.folksy.com/shops/pantsandpaper

This charming little fella was crafted by my friend Alison of Kitsch and Stitch. Alison loves working with felt, pretty floral cottons and buttons. She is also an avid knitter and felts her own pieces. I bought one of this lovely birds as a gift for a friend's daughter who now has it perched on her bookcase :) Alison also sells buttons here: www.folksy.com/shops/kitschandstitchit

For all her hand crafted items visit: www.folksy.com/shops/kitschandstitch

I just fell in love with this miniature teacup necklace. It is a pearly pink with incredible flower and bird details on it. You can't see very clearly in this photo, but it has a tiny spoon charm hanging with it :) This would be quite the conversation piece each time you wore it :)

More gorgeous items here: http://www.folksy.com/shops/MishaMakes

Last but not least, a lovely string of 6 glass flags. Bunting is all the rage for every seasons at the moment but I have never seen any as original as this. The decoration is fired on so no matter where and for how long you hang it it will not lose its pattern. Think spring and summer and liturally bring out the bunting! http://www.folksy.com/shops/redbrickglass

That is it for now. I shall endeavour to do a Folksy Friday more frequently and introduce you to more fabulous artists and their products in the future.......

Pay It Forward

I wouldn't have been able to set up my business without the generosity of those on the web that offer free digital downloads. Although I do purchase a significant proportion of my images, many I obtain free of charge from wonderful people such as Karen from Graphics Fairy.

I also have in my collection a few items that I have found myself at flea markets and antiques fairs, so, moving forward I am going to be offering FREE EPHEMERA from my own personal collection for you to download for your digital collages, cardmaking or ACEO's.

This reverse of a Victorian photograph would make a super background for all sorts of projects! I love the delicate scroll decoration down the edges and the symmetry of the overall design.

Another superb background. You could use the whole image or if you are a whizz with photoshop you could remove parts of it such as the signature or the charming illustration to the left.

I particularly love this one because it has the address of Attercliffe Road in Sheffield - where I live! Sheffield that is, not Attercliffe Road. Though the name sounds familiar... Another lovely background image in subtle tones.

If you are at all familiar with my designs you will recognise this background!! A truly romantic backdrop for all sorts of things to be layered over. I use this one for my Studio Rose design and Love bird design.

Well that's it for now. Do check back in as I delve through boxes and find more treasures for you :)

New Online Crafting Magazine - A Must See

I was thrilled not only to be introduced to a brand new online crafting E magazine - Craft Tonic - but also to be featured in their first edition!!

It is a beautifully put together publication. It is neither too long, nor too short. The photography is stunning and it has some great articles to boot!! The direct link is: http://www.thecrafttonic.com

This was my feature - Union Jack Gift Tags that are available through my folksy shop: www.folksy.com/shops/Claryce Design

I thought these were cute :) Birds made by a method called 'needle felting'. As you know I am a sucker for anything bird related :) Not sure how one felts in this way but I am intrigued enough to Google it!!

Check it out - it is well worth a visit.

Insider Videos

Customers often ask me how I create my images. Well now you can find out as I have two videos (more to be added) on my website showing how it is done.

You will see how I have created two images - a brand new one with a lovely bird illustration and the second shows how I created my Valentine image that has been selling well on tags and postcards.

What's more for those of you who don't know me, you can at least hear what I sound like :)

Use this link to take a peek :)

http://www.clarycedesign.co.uk/Videos.html