Introducing BoonlellBags

What do you love about running your own hand-made business? 

Being able to be creative and doing something I love. I find creating my bags very therapeutic and it is my way of relaxing! I work as a casual teacher so it's great that I have the time to put into my business by creating items regularly for my store.

What is your favourite product to make?
At the moment my favourite product is the hobo bag. It's a popular bag and very versatile.
I love choosing the different fabric colours and themes and having something that appeals to all.

How did you learn your craft? 
I have been playing around on the sewing machine since I was in primary school when I started sewing dolls clothes for my cabbage patch kids!
That then evolved over the years into making myself clothes, curtains, doggie coats and other crafty bits and pieces such as cushions and door stops.
About a year ago I discovered bags. I first made them for myself to use, then as gifts, and then decided to start up a little business so everyone can enjoy them!

What handy hints do you have for people who are starting up a hand-made business?

Never give up! Keep creating and making new products regularly, especially if you have a little online shop. Read, learn and research as much as you can about online craft businesses and eventually you will start seeing progress. It takes time and patience though.

What plans do you have for your business in the next year? 
To develop growth through more sales and regular new products and to expand and improve my range.

Whats one thing you cannot live without in your hand-made biz? 
Definitely my trusty sewing machine!

Visit BoonlellBag's hand-made shop

DIY Easter tutorials

1. Fabric Easter Basket

2. Easter basket alternative

3. Bunny bunting

4. Bunny table runner

5. Linen bunny

6. Bunny jars

Carolinas Creations

What do you love about running your own hand-made business?
I am my own boss and that certainly makes life easier. I am a WAHM with 2 young boys so the flexibility to work my own hours is a must. You know when you buy handmade that you are buying something that someone has but their heart and soul into creating, that makes it extra special.

What is your favourite product to make?
I love all things lace. My Mum being from Nottingham and having visited there myself back in 1998, I fell in love with the stunning and beautiful handmade Nottingham Lace, it is just divine. So creating Carolina's Free Standing Lace Bookmarks and Coasters is a passion. I also love creating original pieces of handmade artwork, so Carolina's 'Sew My Memories' is a close second.

How did you learn your craft?
My Mum use to be a seamstress when she worked as a young girl in Nottingham England before she came to Australia, so I learnt from her at an early age to do basic sewing and mending. I have always been creative and built my knowledge and skills as I grew up. Being a WAHM was a great option for me with the 2 children and this is something I love to do, so it's a hobby as well as a job.

What handy hints do you have for people who are starting up a hand-made business?
Be patient. Just like anything, it takes time and experience to succeed. Network with other businesses, get ideas, listen to suggestions and be perseverant and enjoy.

What plans do you have for your business in the next year?
To grow and develop new products. I love to create so coming up with original designs is high on the list.

Whats one thing you cannot live without in your hand-made biz?
My Scissors, all 12 pairs LOL :)

Find Carolinas Creations here on hand-made.com.au

DIY Light Tent

Building your own light tent
(1) What you need
- a cardbaord box larger than 30cm in size (square is better)
- white tissue paper
- tape
- pencil/pen and ruler
- knife or scissors
- large sheet of white cardboard

(2) On the top of the box, use your ruler and pen to mark a line approx 1inch from the side of the box and cut this out.

(3) repeat this for two of the sides so all together you have 3 sides removed. Also remove any top 'flaps'

(4) Get one sheet of tissue paper and sticky tape it as tight as possible (without ripping) across the opening you have made it in the roof of the box. Trim off any excess

(5) Repeat this for the other 2 sides.

(6) Take your peice of cardboard and lay it across the opening of the box (touching the side of the box) so you can figure out how wide your cardboard needs to be and put a line. Measure this and cut your cardboard to size. Sticky tape the top of the cardboard to the top back corner of your box. Now you have a continuous background!

Grab some nice white lamps and your ready to have a go!

{Valentines giveaway} Win a personalised GLAMOUR hanger (bling or faux Pearl) from Bridal Bling

Kelly from Bridal Bling has been kind enough to let us give away one of her Personalised Glamour hangers!

I am so excited to give you the chance to win one of these gorgeous hangers for Valentines Day.

It is pretty simple to enter
Pop over to our facebook page and simply answer this question below the post about this giveaway!

"What is your prefect Valentines Day Date"


The most creative answer wins! Simple as that!
 
Open to residents of Australia only. 
Open 8pm 9th Feb and ends at 8pm 13th Feb AEDST.
Winner will be announced 15th Feb

DIY Valentines day gifts

1.  Vintage Heart Marquee Light

2. heart Glass Jar

3. La La Love you pillow

4. LOVE Yarn Letters

5. Sharpie Love Mugs

Celebrating 2014

Hello 2014!

I thought it might be nice to kick off 2014 with a little giveaway!
We have up for grabs a $25 gift voucher from Spotlight!


A great big thank you to spotlight for the voucher :)

So what do you have to do to win the voucher? Simple... Guess how many buttons are in this jar!!!
See the last image for some size references of the jar

The Competition will run from 5:25pm 1st Jan 2014 until midnight 4th Jan 2014. If the exact number is not mentioned the person who guessed closet without going over will be crowned the winner.
Please visit the post here on facebook and pop your guesstimate under the photo.



Terms and Conditions
* Open to Australian Residents only
** Time are in local Sydney time
*** Winner will be announced  via the blog and facebook page on Sunday evening at 8pm
**** This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook