I am a happy bunny today !
As I had a weekend free fom markets, I decided to enter Sparrowpit Show. This is a little village show about 3 miles away. Despite there being classes for sandwich cakes and quiches i decided to have a rest from baking and just enter the preserves and craft classes. I entered my Strawberry & Apple Jam, Mixed Fruit Chutney, Three-Fruit Marmalade and also a crochet doiley in the Craft section. It was good to see quite a few entries in all classes -- shows the art of home baking & preserve making is not yet dead !
When I went back after the judging, I was thrilled to see my marmalade had won FIRST PRIZE !! I was disappointed that my chutney & jam had not even been placed but competition was obviously keen !
Saturday 1 September 2007
Thursday 30 August 2007
Where to start ?
Once again time has run away with me and several blog-worthy things have happened without me writing them up.
First off, the EtsyUK Retreat in York.
This was a fantastic weekend of crafting, drinking, soft graffiti and generally getting to know some of the other people from the world of Etsy. It took place over the weekend of 17 - 19 August at Queen Margaret's School Eskrigg York. We had the run of the Art Block for the weekend and had a great time learning new crafts. On the Sturday evening while waiting for the take-away to be ready, we decorated some lamp-posts & other street furniture with adverts for etsy.
pictures from the weekend can be found here : http://picasaweb.google.com/Lyn.Helps/EtsyGoesToYorkAugust2007
next , Craft Magazine.
I had been informed by Etsy Admin that I was to be featured in the Etsy advert in the summer edition of Craft, an American magazine. I had heard that it was out about 10 days ago but wasnt sure if I would be able to get a copy as Amazon only had the spring edition. Well, last week I managed to find That WH smiths had several copies in stock ! They have featured my flapjack ( http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6910721). Its a pricey magazine at £7.99, so i dont think I shall be getting it regularly --though there was a couple of ideas in it I will try "when I have time!"
and finally some fun -- Maurice the dancing Shreddie
Moo ( http://moocowhandknits/ ) makes knitted shreddies just like the advert and gives them all names. Several Etsy Ukers now have one. I asked her to make me a Maurice, and then made him a costume to match Chapel-en-le-Frith Morris Men. When Peter wore him on Monday night, the others had not seen the advert so the significance was rather lost ! Here he is in kit:
that is all I have time for now, hopefully will write more regularly in future!
First off, the EtsyUK Retreat in York.
This was a fantastic weekend of crafting, drinking, soft graffiti and generally getting to know some of the other people from the world of Etsy. It took place over the weekend of 17 - 19 August at Queen Margaret's School Eskrigg York. We had the run of the Art Block for the weekend and had a great time learning new crafts. On the Sturday evening while waiting for the take-away to be ready, we decorated some lamp-posts & other street furniture with adverts for etsy.
pictures from the weekend can be found here : http://picasaweb.google.com/Lyn.Helps/EtsyGoesToYorkAugust2007
next , Craft Magazine.
I had been informed by Etsy Admin that I was to be featured in the Etsy advert in the summer edition of Craft, an American magazine. I had heard that it was out about 10 days ago but wasnt sure if I would be able to get a copy as Amazon only had the spring edition. Well, last week I managed to find That WH smiths had several copies in stock ! They have featured my flapjack ( http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6910721). Its a pricey magazine at £7.99, so i dont think I shall be getting it regularly --though there was a couple of ideas in it I will try "when I have time!"
and finally some fun -- Maurice the dancing Shreddie
Moo ( http://moocowhandknits/ ) makes knitted shreddies just like the advert and gives them all names. Several Etsy Ukers now have one. I asked her to make me a Maurice, and then made him a costume to match Chapel-en-le-Frith Morris Men. When Peter wore him on Monday night, the others had not seen the advert so the significance was rather lost ! Here he is in kit:
that is all I have time for now, hopefully will write more regularly in future!
Wednesday 15 August 2007
Uk Etsy going to New York
Some members of the Etsy UK Street team are heading off to New York in December to take part in a craft fair at the Etsy Labs.
They will also be taking some items from other UK sellers, so to help off-set the stall fees and incidental expenses, the team have opened a shop to raise funds. There is a good mix of items already donated -- from notecards to teddy bears! to check it out -- click on the link on the right! I have donated some Christmas gift-tags that I spent Monday evening making. I never realised just how long it takes to string 64 gift-tags with gold thread!
They will also be taking some items from other UK sellers, so to help off-set the stall fees and incidental expenses, the team have opened a shop to raise funds. There is a good mix of items already donated -- from notecards to teddy bears! to check it out -- click on the link on the right! I have donated some Christmas gift-tags that I spent Monday evening making. I never realised just how long it takes to string 64 gift-tags with gold thread!
Monday 13 August 2007
Perseids
At the moment the Earth is passing throught the Perseids Meteor shower as detailed on NASA's website : http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/11jul_greatperseids.htm?list31471
We went out last night at around 11.30 and were lucky enough to see a few meteors. There were 2 or 3 definite meteors and a few more that could have been , or might just have been my poor eyesight playing tricks ! We were too tired to stay up till 2 or 3 am when the meteor show was supposed to be at its height but will have another look tonight!
We went out last night at around 11.30 and were lucky enough to see a few meteors. There were 2 or 3 definite meteors and a few more that could have been , or might just have been my poor eyesight playing tricks ! We were too tired to stay up till 2 or 3 am when the meteor show was supposed to be at its height but will have another look tonight!
Sunday 12 August 2007
Farmers Markets
Have just had a few weeks without any markets , so have been busy stocking up on marmalades and chutneys. Have now got several varieties of chutney maturing nicely, and well stocked up with marmalade!
This weekend saw us at two markets. Saturday was Whaley Bridge, a market we have done many times before --but this time in a new venue, the Uniting Church. The move was successful with some new stalls as well as the regulars. It was nice to see many new faces amongst the customers too.
Sunday was the first market at the Little Mill at Rowarth. this is a very ou-of-the-way pub, popular as a Sunday lunch venue. The weather was rather unkind, with several very heavy showers, but there was a good flow of customers. We had a good day, and will be doing this market again next month.
On Saturday we finally heard that we have got a stall at the Great Peak District Fair in October. This is an extremely busy 2-day fair - so we will need to be organised and get stocks made well in advance where possible!
This weekend saw us at two markets. Saturday was Whaley Bridge, a market we have done many times before --but this time in a new venue, the Uniting Church. The move was successful with some new stalls as well as the regulars. It was nice to see many new faces amongst the customers too.
Sunday was the first market at the Little Mill at Rowarth. this is a very ou-of-the-way pub, popular as a Sunday lunch venue. The weather was rather unkind, with several very heavy showers, but there was a good flow of customers. We had a good day, and will be doing this market again next month.
On Saturday we finally heard that we have got a stall at the Great Peak District Fair in October. This is an extremely busy 2-day fair - so we will need to be organised and get stocks made well in advance where possible!
Thursday 2 August 2007
Blogged again !
Bunny (www.bunny.etsy.com) bought some flapjack for a friend and he has been kind enough to blog about them !
Thanks Nils!
http://jawatron.blogspot.com/2007/08/best-flapjack-in-world-probably.html
Thanks Nils!
http://jawatron.blogspot.com/2007/08/best-flapjack-in-world-probably.html
Friday 27 July 2007
Catching Up
Well ! I can't believe I have been home from my holiday nearly a month now and still not found time to blog it properly!
We had such a great time despite the heat (the Mediterranean was having a heatwave at the time) and wished we could have stayed longer in many of the places. Doing both Pisa and Florence in just one day was nowhere near enough time. Greece was also fantastic and a place i would like to go back to.
For anyone still interested, the photos (some of them anyway -- we took hundreds!) are here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Lyn.Helps/CarnivalFreedomMediterraneanCruiseJune2007
Since getting home and getting over the cold/fluey thing we brought back with us, life has reverted to its usual humdrum state. We have a couple of weeks gaps between markets so i am trying to use the time well --both to get the house tidy & clean and also to get stocked up on preserves.
I have also listed a few more craft things over on Etsy. I have now been on there 4 months -- the first things I listed are due to expire now ! I need to take better pictures of them before re-listing. The talk in the forums (fora?) is about getting ready for the "up-coming holiday season" meaning Christmas! It seems way too soon to me to start thinking about listing Christmas items ! Maybe I will get started on crocheting snowflakes so I am ready for the "Christmas rush" when it does feel a bit closer.
We had such a great time despite the heat (the Mediterranean was having a heatwave at the time) and wished we could have stayed longer in many of the places. Doing both Pisa and Florence in just one day was nowhere near enough time. Greece was also fantastic and a place i would like to go back to.
For anyone still interested, the photos (some of them anyway -- we took hundreds!) are here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Lyn.Helps/CarnivalFreedomMediterraneanCruiseJune2007
Since getting home and getting over the cold/fluey thing we brought back with us, life has reverted to its usual humdrum state. We have a couple of weeks gaps between markets so i am trying to use the time well --both to get the house tidy & clean and also to get stocked up on preserves.
I have also listed a few more craft things over on Etsy. I have now been on there 4 months -- the first things I listed are due to expire now ! I need to take better pictures of them before re-listing. The talk in the forums (fora?) is about getting ready for the "up-coming holiday season" meaning Christmas! It seems way too soon to me to start thinking about listing Christmas items ! Maybe I will get started on crocheting snowflakes so I am ready for the "Christmas rush" when it does feel a bit closer.
Wednesday 11 July 2007
I'm Back !
I haven't posted here in so long -- not because I have lost interest but because of a number of reasons limiting my time on-line!
Firstly was a very busy baking week leading upto the main reason for my absence :
My cruise !! - 12 days of cruising around the Mediterranean and visiting lots of interesting places --I will write a more detailed post about this later!
I came home with the most horrendous cold/ fluey thing that meant i spent 2 days in bed dosed up with paracetamol & cough mixture before getting back into the kitchen ! I don't think I have had a cold in over 2 years so this was a real shock to the system!
My lovely etsy friends could barely contain their impatience for me to be well enough to bake flapjacks for them and I have had several orders since my return !
Firstly was a very busy baking week leading upto the main reason for my absence :
My cruise !! - 12 days of cruising around the Mediterranean and visiting lots of interesting places --I will write a more detailed post about this later!
I came home with the most horrendous cold/ fluey thing that meant i spent 2 days in bed dosed up with paracetamol & cough mixture before getting back into the kitchen ! I don't think I have had a cold in over 2 years so this was a real shock to the system!
My lovely etsy friends could barely contain their impatience for me to be well enough to bake flapjacks for them and I have had several orders since my return !
Monday 11 June 2007
What a Weekend !
Having booked ourselves into 3 markets in 4 days, my friend Sandra & I knew we were going to be busy, but we have exceeded all expectations!
The first was Buxton Farmers Market on Thursday. We have done this market before as part of Buxton Country Market (which has now ceased trading) but it was our first time selling as independant traders. We were a bit disappointed with the spot we were given but in the end had a good days sale.
Saturday was Whaley Bridge Farmers Market and Anniversary of the opening of Whaley Bridge Railway Station. This meant an all-day event instead of the usual morning market. It was a gorgeous hot n sunny day so we were very glad of the gazebo to shade us & the cakes! There were crowds of people all day and our produce was very popular. We had baked what we thought was enough to see us through the weekend, with maybe doing a few extra bits on Saturday evening for Sunday, but by the time we packed up at 4 oclock we had less than a dozen cakes left! So Saturday evening was then a frantic time baking late into the night so that we had something to put on our stall on Sunday!
Sunday saw us at Edale Fun Day --an event Buxton Country Market has attended for many years. It is always a good day with lots of things happening through the day. The weather started off a bit cool but soon warmed up when the sun had burnt off the early morning mist. Once again we sold out of cakes and also sold a lot more marmalade & jam than we expected!
All in all it was a very good weekend -- exhausting, but well worth the effort !
The first was Buxton Farmers Market on Thursday. We have done this market before as part of Buxton Country Market (which has now ceased trading) but it was our first time selling as independant traders. We were a bit disappointed with the spot we were given but in the end had a good days sale.
Saturday was Whaley Bridge Farmers Market and Anniversary of the opening of Whaley Bridge Railway Station. This meant an all-day event instead of the usual morning market. It was a gorgeous hot n sunny day so we were very glad of the gazebo to shade us & the cakes! There were crowds of people all day and our produce was very popular. We had baked what we thought was enough to see us through the weekend, with maybe doing a few extra bits on Saturday evening for Sunday, but by the time we packed up at 4 oclock we had less than a dozen cakes left! So Saturday evening was then a frantic time baking late into the night so that we had something to put on our stall on Sunday!
Sunday saw us at Edale Fun Day --an event Buxton Country Market has attended for many years. It is always a good day with lots of things happening through the day. The weather started off a bit cool but soon warmed up when the sun had burnt off the early morning mist. Once again we sold out of cakes and also sold a lot more marmalade & jam than we expected!
All in all it was a very good weekend -- exhausting, but well worth the effort !
Tuesday 5 June 2007
Flapjacks blogged again !
Charlotte (www.charlottenarunsky.etsy.com) has been kind enough to blog about my flapjacks ! thanks charlotte xx
http://www.charlotte-narunsky.blogspot.com/
http://www.charlotte-narunsky.blogspot.com/
Sunday 3 June 2007
Marmalade Making
I have just found this wonderfull witty blog article about making marmalade ! It manages to combine bugs bunny, french "adult toys" , and marmalade !
http://www.davidlebovitz.com/archives/2007/02/seville_orange.html
I would have loved to have left a comment but couldn't find a link to do it, so i've sent the author an email instead !
I have been making Rhubarb & Ginger Jam the last few days -- but my writing skills are not good enough to make it sound as good as David's marmalade! Just walking to the bottom of the garden to pick rhubarb does not match upto wandering through french markets! I am hoping there is still enough rhubarb left to make up a batch of chutney, but i think i might have to wait a little while for that.
http://www.davidlebovitz.com/archives/2007/02/seville_orange.html
I would have loved to have left a comment but couldn't find a link to do it, so i've sent the author an email instead !
I have been making Rhubarb & Ginger Jam the last few days -- but my writing skills are not good enough to make it sound as good as David's marmalade! Just walking to the bottom of the garden to pick rhubarb does not match upto wandering through french markets! I am hoping there is still enough rhubarb left to make up a batch of chutney, but i think i might have to wait a little while for that.
Friday 1 June 2007
UK Etsy May Flower Challenge
The UK Etsy challenge for May was a flower item. There's loads of beautiful entries -- I managed to do 4 flowery things this month! Now its time to vote to see whose is the best !
My favourite is this gorgeous necklace from Sakura :
If you want to see all the entries have a look on our Flickr page :
http://www.flickr.com/groups/uketsychallenge/pool/
and it you want to vote go to this thread in the Etsy Forum:
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5116967&page=1
Next month's challenge is for fairies --haven't decided yet what to do for that one !
My favourite is this gorgeous necklace from Sakura :
If you want to see all the entries have a look on our Flickr page :
http://www.flickr.com/groups/uketsychallenge/pool/
and it you want to vote go to this thread in the Etsy Forum:
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5116967&page=1
Next month's challenge is for fairies --haven't decided yet what to do for that one !
Monday 28 May 2007
Cards, bookmarks
I have finally got the cards finshed that i painted last week. Most will get listed on Etsy over the next day or so.
I have also listed 3 bookmarks -- this floral one is my favourite and is my entry to the UK Etsy challenge for May:
Friday 25 May 2007
Flapjack
The lovely Kezz (http://kezzaroo.etsy.com/) bought some of my flapjacks and has written about them in her blog ! (http://kezzaroo.blogspot.com/)
thanks Kezz !
For those of you who can't wait for me to add more goodies to my Etsy shop, see my website (http://www.geocities.com/marmascakes/) for details of other things I can make !
thanks Kezz !
For those of you who can't wait for me to add more goodies to my Etsy shop, see my website (http://www.geocities.com/marmascakes/) for details of other things I can make !
Thursday 17 May 2007
Salt Dough
Inspired by a book from the library, i have another go at saltdough. When i did it with the kids we always got lots of air-bubbles which spoiled most of the pieces. This time it is much improved but still not absolutely perfect. I am hoping to make some fridge magnets or brooches out of them if i can find some small magnets to stick on the back. I think they might need another coat of paint before i varnish them.
Sunday 13 May 2007
Rainbow
Weather has been very changeable today -- some brilliant sunshine & some heavy downpours. When the two coincided we got some terrific rainbows :
it doesn't show well in this pic --but it was actually a double rainbow -- there was another faint one above the one you can see here. More pics on my flickr page :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8110522@N04/?saved=1
it doesn't show well in this pic --but it was actually a double rainbow -- there was another faint one above the one you can see here. More pics on my flickr page :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8110522@N04/?saved=1
Thursday 10 May 2007
Say Hello !
I have been looking at my site visitors statistics. I am getting visitors from all over the world , which is great !
Most visitors are being referred from a link in the etsy forums but there are a few random ones. I would love to know where you are & how you found me , so please say hello & leave a comment if you feel like it !
Most visitors are being referred from a link in the etsy forums but there are a few random ones. I would love to know where you are & how you found me , so please say hello & leave a comment if you feel like it !
Etsy down
Etsy was down when i logged on this morning --and still is now !
I hope all the professional whingers don't give the admins too hard a time when they finish working on it -- i got very fed up last time it went down --stopped reading the forums in the end apart from posting in the "thank you etsy" threads
I hope all the professional whingers don't give the admins too hard a time when they finish working on it -- i got very fed up last time it went down --stopped reading the forums in the end apart from posting in the "thank you etsy" threads
Saturday 5 May 2007
Saturday
I have finally got around to listing some more stuff on etsy. I have still got some more to go up -- but at least i have done the photos, worked out the postage etc so shouldnt take too long when I have time to do them.
I have also signed up for a free flickr account for posting pictures on. So far i have only got a couple of christmas cakes & a birthday cake up, but hope to get more cake & craft pics up soon
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8110522@N04/
I have also signed up for a free flickr account for posting pictures on. So far i have only got a couple of christmas cakes & a birthday cake up, but hope to get more cake & craft pics up soon
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8110522@N04/
Tuesday 1 May 2007
Featured Seller!
Today I have been chosen as featured seller on the Etsy Greetings Blog !!
http://www.etsygreetings.blogspot.com/
http://www.etsygreetings.blogspot.com/
May 1st Mayday on Eccles Pike !
Chapel-en-le-Frith Morris Men had a beautiful morning for their annual dancing at dawn celebration of May Day. See here for pictures of previous year's dancing : http://www.jingle.plus.com/cmmindex.htm
Despite the small audience (only 4 this year!) they danced a good long set to greet the sun , arriving here for breakfast around 6.30. Many bacon butties and much toast & marmalade consumed !
Next outing for the Morris Men will be next Monday (May Bank Holiday) at the celebrations on Chapel Market Place during the day then out again in the evening at Old Glossop (who forgot about Bank holidays when arranging the programme?)
have now been given some photos taken this morning ! the first is a lovely view of the sunrise at 5.45 am , then a team photo at 5.46 am.
Despite the small audience (only 4 this year!) they danced a good long set to greet the sun , arriving here for breakfast around 6.30. Many bacon butties and much toast & marmalade consumed !
Next outing for the Morris Men will be next Monday (May Bank Holiday) at the celebrations on Chapel Market Place during the day then out again in the evening at Old Glossop (who forgot about Bank holidays when arranging the programme?)
have now been given some photos taken this morning ! the first is a lovely view of the sunrise at 5.45 am , then a team photo at 5.46 am.
Thursday 26 April 2007
work in progress
here's a pic of various glass items that i have been painting recently. I will get them baked this afternoon and then take proper photos ready to list them on etsy over the weekend
Wednesday 25 April 2007
Tomatoes
My poor tomato plants looked decidely sickly this morning -- they should have been potted on days ago ! Have now got them into 3" pots so hope they will recover! Must start looking out my large pots and preparing some ground ready for when they need planting out !
Wednesday
I have finally got round to up-dating my web-site (http://www.geocities.com/marmascakes/) to remove a couple of items that are sold, and add some more varieties of marmalade. As I am doing better with sales on etsy, I am not sure how much longer I will keep it up as a selling venue. It is a good place for me to keep a list of all my marmalades tho.
Friday 20 April 2007
Friday
Although i have not added anything here this week I have been busy painting cards & glass things. I hope to get some photos done later today / this weekend -so check back for a peek before they go into my Etsy shop ! (www.marmalady.etsy.com)
Sunday 15 April 2007
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