Fun & Quirky Greetings Cards - UK

This business has been a looonnnng time in the making, but The Card Connoisseur is finally here!

I have started selling greetings cards (just in the UK at first) that feature original illustrations by me and are all printed on quality card. I'm really excited about concentrating on this business, and can't wait to add more and more designs... as well as some handcrafted cards too later on.

Thanks to everyone who has a browse :)

DIY Miniature Bookbinding

I have been working on putting together this Skillshare class for a while now, and it's finally finished :)

In the bite-size lessons, I will teach you exactly how to make a miniature hand-bound book.

Each book is finished with a smart leather cover, and measures only 1" wide!

The mini books have stitching down the spine (rather than just glue) to make them extra durable, which means that they can be used to actually write little messages in. And, if you add an eyepin, you can turn it into a necklace pendant if you like.

Thanks to anyone who enrols!

Fashionable Tie-Front Shirt

This awesome shirt was made by taking the sleeves off a shirt and sewing them back on at waist height to make a tie - what a creative idea!

Be sure to check out the 'A Pair and A Spare' fashion page for more really cool clothing DIYs.

Musical Mixes

I'm probably late to the Pogo party but if you haven't seen Pogo's videos, please click here to check them out!

The voices and music of different famous movies are edited together to form magical soundtracks.

Life's Work

For those with a passion for craft, these videos about craftspeople are just wonderful to watch. I really enjoyed them so thought I'd post them here to share :)

DIY Wall Art Roundup

Source: GardenBluesPhotography.
For pages of craft tutorials focussed on decorating your walls at home - from stenciling to canvas artwork - please click here for lots of inspiration and ideas.

How to Make Your own Cinemagraph

My first cinemagraph effort! And yes that is a solar-powered waving Queen, why do you ask? :)
If you would like to learn how to make your own GIF file like the one above - where only one small part of the image is moving - then check out my tutorial here. Have fun!

DIY Rugs, Mats & Floor Art - ROUNDUP

Photo and mat by Go Haus Go - Click Here for the tutorial.

I previously compiled a wall & floor art resource in one single place, but it got so huge that I've now split it into two parts: wall art here, and floor art & rugs here. The latest page is packed with fun craft tutorials for creative rugs, doormats, floor painting and more so I hope you enjoy it :)

Vintage Suitcase Revamp Projects

Photo and table by Stacie - Find the tutorial on Stars for Streetlights.

Following on from my suitcase relining project, I've put together this list of tutorials on how to revamp old suitcases and trunks or re-purpose them into awesome items such as speakers, tables and pet beds! I hope you find some inspiring ideas :)

How to Reline a Vintage Suitcase

I'd been on the lookout for a vintage suitcase for a while and then I spotted one at a carboot sale and nabbed it for £5 - yay! This page shows how I lined it with a lovely soft fleece fabric, and I've also written instructions on how to line it with paper, plus included ideas for other luggage revamps. Enjoy!

Christmas Food

Photo by Connaught Hall.

Christmas is coming and the goose is getting fat!

If you are starting to think about food and yummy goodies for crimbo then take a look at my roundup of recipes which includes traditional recipes, turkey roasts, candy, desserts, cakes, drinks and more!

Huge Collection of Budget Gift Guides for Men, Women, Teens & Kids

Photo by Erin Kohlenberg.

In preparation for Christmas gift giving, I've made some budget based gift guides, plus lots of gift guides for other occasions. I've included a wide range of price points whilst trying to only pick those products with very high ratings on Amazon. I've also tried to be a bit creative and think outside the box so the choices aren't the same as always:)

I hope you find them useful!

Gift ideas for women - under $15

Gift ideas for men - under $10

Stocking stuffers under $10 - for kids

Gift ideas for aunts and uncles

Best pop-up books for kids & adults

Fun interactive books and kits for kids

And here are a few which are aimed at certain hobbies or other special occasions:

Gifts for keen photographers

Best housewarming gift ideas

Leather Craft Tutorials Roundup

Photo and work by Attila Acs - click here for the tutorial.

Another crafty roundup for you! This time I've put together lots of beginner leatherworking techniques and projects on this page, so you can learn how to make some very smart belts, bags, iPad covers and much more. It's not as difficult as it may look :)

Draw a Realistic Water Droplet

I've put together a step-by-step instructional page for drawing a water drop with just a pencil, some paper and an eraser. It might look hard but honestly the above drawing was my second attempt and I don't think it's too shabby!

I've also linked to other tutorials for drawing and painting water with different media, and showcased some awesome water-drawing videos too.

Travel Sketching Tutorials & Inspiration

Photo and drawings by Stacey Maddock.

As an accompaniment to the page I previously compiled on drawing, I've just put together a page (that you can see here) all about sketching on location - whether it's in an urban setting, on a train or in the great outdoors when you're on your travels. There are lots of tips plus art demos and advice for how to draw quickly in public. Hope you like it!

How To Take Better Product & Blog Photos

Photo and lightbox by Kirby Kerr.

If you sell products online or you blog about food/fashion/your life, then clear and bright photos are one of the most important things you will need, if not the most important.

So I've compiled a resource of information, advice, tips, DIY lightbox tutorials, and ideas for setting up a mini photo studio at home - and you can see my page HERE. I hope it helps you out, because I know that I really struggle myself with making my photos look anywhere near professional :)

Learn To Use Double Pointed Knitting Needles

Photo by Emma Jane Hogbin Westby.

I'm learning this technique myself at the moment (and will post video tutorials on it when I've mastered it) so I've collected together the best how-tos for beginners learning to use double pointed needles (DPNs), as well as the best free patterns for socks, cuddly toys, hats and simple starter projects.

I hope it helps you if you struggling learning how to knit in the round using 4 or 5 needles :)

Click here to have a look at my page.

Beaded Jewellery Tutorials For Beginners

Photo and bracelet by Balanced Crafts.

Following on from the metal jewellery roundup I completed recently, I've put together a new page with a massive amount of information on beaded jewellery making. This includes explanations of the types of findings and stringing materials you can use, as well as tutorials for wire beading, string beading, pearl knotting, bead weaving (on and off a loom) and much more.

I hope you find it useful and inspires you to have a go :)

Made Not Manufactured

It makes me proud to see all of these UK craftspeople in their natural environment, and more than anything it makes me want to have a go at every single one of the crafts! The showcased crafts include neon sign making, weaving, glass blowing, boat building and engraving.

Oh yes, I want to be working full-time in my own workshop one day :)



A Cheeky Plea...

OK, so I found a website called Skillshare and I've become a little bit obsessed and I want to take a heck of a lot of their online classes....but I can't afford it (sad face). Soooo....I'm making a cheeky plea to anyone who fancies also taking any of the classes on the site (including lots of graphic design type subjects) to please enrol through this link, which a) gives you $10 off, and b) gives me $10 off so I can take my classes...see, win-win!

Thanks for anyone who enrols via here :) the classes are great I promise!