cover gifts from magazines

There have been times when I have purchased a magazine because of the cover gift only to be rather disappointed either by the magazine or the gift.  Or although the gift is good I have had no idea what to do with it. 

The gift on the current issue of MOLLIE MAKES (issue 24) is one of the exceptions to this rule.  An oilcloth coin purse complete with clasp.  I have several clasps (larger than this one) but I haven't been too sure what to do with them.

cigar box bag and needlefelt broaches etc

After reading through the instructions I decided to stop making items for my shop at CREATIVE STORES http://www.creativestores.co.uk/new/shop/dreamtimemakes.html  and have a go at making the purse so that if it went well others would still be able to buy the magazine.
 When I first took the kit out of the pack I was a little confused as to what the paper twine was for, the instructions in the magazine were really clear and very easy to follow.

 This was the first time I had used oilcloth and I found it an easy fabric to sew and very quickly I was ready to attach the clasp.  So far the hardest bit was turning the purse right sides out - stiff fabric/small purse.  The instructions said that attaching the clasp was fiddly and they were right.  Fiddly but not to difficult and the little bit of glue that oozed out rubbed off the clasp and fabric without any problems.

It felt as hardly any time had past and I had a completed coin purse.  My only problem with it is that it is a little too pink for my taste - having said that I am really proud of myself and can't wait to start using it.

And now the purse is made I can go back to making catfish keyrings.  http://www.creativestores.co.uk/new/accessories/keyrings/catfishkeyring.html

A GOAL SET FOR SUNDAY

SUNDAY THIRTIETH SEPTEMBER I set myself a challenge to make, prepare, assemble, package and label 50 for my creative stores shop.
http://www.creativestores.co.uk/DREAMTIMEMAKES/ 

I felt that having got myself organised and taken enough stock for a shelf at Rough Trade, Margate I should carry on the good work.

Although my Creative Store shop has been open for a while it has not had the care a new business should have.  There have been reasons for this but I can not hide behind excuses anymore.  

I fell short of my target, however I did get the following ready to pack and label.

10 assorted needle felt brooches
9 snail fridge magnets
2 needle felt bag charms
3 pot holders
1 Alice band with blue flower
1 felt covered pen
2 decorated jars of sea glass
4 sea horses

plus several bags of lavender flowers.

 I made a start listing the items this evening and will do a few more tomorrow.
 

MY ON-LINE STORES

JUST OVER a month ago I decided to try an experiment. 

 I have had an ETSY shop for some time now without much sucess, I think this is partly due to the vastness of ETSY and partly because I have not had as much time as needed to raise my ETSY profile.   

After reading an article in CRAFT SELLER magazine http://www.cardmakingandpapercraft.com/magazine/craftseller 
 I decided to open a store with CREATIVE STORES http://www.creativestores.co.uk/

So this was my experiment - which would be best for me.   I listed the same item on both sites, at the same time.  Now after a month On ETSY  I have had seven views and on creative stores over one hundred and eighty.  I know that it is early days and I am not going to give up my ETSY shop.  http://www.etsy.com/shop/dreamtimemakes?ref=pr_shop_more 

But I think I am going to devote more time to the very helpful, friendly CREATIVE STORES http://www.creativestores.co.uk/DREAMTIMEMAKES/. 
It is easy to use as a seller and easy to find stores and products as a customer.  It is also UK based which is good.

And the piece I used for my trial -  That was a piece of needle felting.  A bag charm in the form of a pair of cherries with leaves - the kind that children hang over their ears.