Nearly time!

 

Nearly time for the launch show on Saturday. Lots of launch bundles packed and ready to go, but still working on some samples.

I mentioned over on social media that the show is also an anniversary of sorts. 10 years ago I made my first appearance on craft tv. It lasted a whole of 15 minutes! We sold out of the DVDs that we took, and the rest of the show was dedicated to a sewing machine. I was very lucky that Debbie Shore was my first presenter, she made it very easy for me!

Before that, I was working to commissions, researching, teaching and demonstrating the work of the 15th century silkwoman at re-enactments. There was a very small group of us - before us, no one demonstrated silkwomen, and only a very few had even heard of them - now there are quite a few young woman doing this. That's really nice. 

But I never thought, in a million years that anyone beyond the living history / costume crown would ever be interested in learning these things - so thank you all!

How to attach a small thread covered ball button - 3 ways!

It's that time again - double video upload!

It's easier to upload the little product support videos just before a general video - otherwise the little video that only has a small audience messes up the algorithms for searches (the link to the short will be below). And the channel goes further down the list of recommended channels. More things to learn as a small business owner!

The main video came about after questions from the previous video about actually sewing on the thread covered ball bead. Of course, there are still other ways - I may well compile them into another video at a later date. I hope this is clear for you. I personally like the last way and use it quite a bit. You can make the buttons into jewellery this way to.

Plodding along - this weekend will be getting some samples ready for the big launch next weekend of the next book in the Making Buttons series - "Thread Wrapped Buttons". This edition looks at the basic wrapped styles with a few that include some weaving - but I've left the more complex weaving for a later edition. But I have included my "backwards wrapping" technique :)

Stay safe and well and have a lovely weekend

Button Craft: How to make a Yarrell Dorset Button - and button magnet / ...

And another new video! It's been hot under the lights without air conditioning, I can tell you. :)

Here I am patiently waiting for the new book's arrival, it should have been here a few days ago so I am rather stressed as it is launching tomorrow on The Craft Store...

These things are sent to try us. 

Other than that, it's been full on working samples and packing up the bundle we will be launching with. And being too hot. 

No, I am not complaining really. It makes a lovely change instead of rain.

Take care, stay safe, and I hope you can tune into the Craft Store tomorrow morning.

Working through it

 

How is everyone? Very good I hope.

I've been busy plodding along, sinuses still an issue but have at least started on some alternative therapies to lessen the issues, as you do! I am at least on the ENT waiting list, so hopefully it won't be too long. Of course, covid has increased waiting times hugely, and I haven't even heard about my foot yet. 

Enough of that!

I have still been busy, even if I didn't want to be in front of a camera - taking lots of step by step photos for the next book. This is the first in a series we've planned for quite a while - each book with a different subject matter, but all "Making Buttons".

There will be some old favourites, some new ideas, and everything in between in this series - a way to get designs I've worked or discovered over the years out there, as well as updating the old DVDs we did (let's face it, who watches DVDs these days?). 

This series will be aimed at everyone, while the 16th & 16th century buttons book (The Historical Button Maker Vol 2) that I am also working on is probably more specialist. That one too is moving along at a much better pace now too, so some times not being able to do the everyday things can be a bit of a blessing :)

So watch this space - hopefully everything will be back from the printers for the end of the month for the first - "Dorset Ring Buttons".

And in the meantime - Good luck England!