Make your own Christmas Crackers!

Make your own Christmas Crackers
Featured in the Christmas Issue December 2010
Written by Surf Jewels

The opportunities are endless. You can
use all kinds of paper, from brown to
something colourful.

You can decorate with ribbon or string,
even use holly and ivy for a natural finish.

Handy party coasters, gift tags, gift pouches, hanging decorations, embellishments and patchwork

Handy party coasters, gift tags, gift pouches,
hanging decorations, embellishments and patchwork
Featured in the Christmas Issue December 2011
Written by MinXtures

This is a very quick and easy tutorial with endless possibilities!

　

Materials

Contrasting fabric
3 or 5 mm ribbon

Large needle.

You can use an overlocker, sewing machine or hand sew.

Instructions

1. Cut 2 circles of contrasting fabric.

2. Sew or serge wrong sides together.

3. Fold 4 sides in so they touch, creating a square.

4. Fold corners back to the centre of the square.

5. Thread ribbon, approximately 40 cm, through all corners.

Meet the Christmas CRAFTfest Stall Holders - Blue Group

So here is another selection of the Christmas CRAFTfest Stall Holders for you to get to know...

We are doing a selection of blogs with a little information about the stall holders so that you can have a sneaky peak before the event on the 26th and 27th November.

BITS AND BOBS CRAFTS

Hi, my name is Bev Newman and I’m a lifelong knitting and crochet “addict”. I love to create but prefer to develop my own ideas as opposed to following patterns. I also love a challenge so focus on using recycled, upcycled, end of line and surplus materials to create my makes. I also like to use non-traditional “yarns” such as “plarn” and fabrics. For CraftFest I’m concentrating on ladies accessories and gift items, all original designs and unique. It’s highly unlikely you’ll find somebody wearing the same as you! My work is inspired by nature and vintage, especially art deco and the 20’s and 30’s. I welcome commissions too so if you see something you like, but would prefer a different colour or want it made bigger or smaller, just message me and we can discuss it. I also love to knit for babies and children but tend to give baby makes to friends and family! However please contact me if you want something specifically for a baby or child as I’m more than happy to oblige!

MISS BOHEMIA

Miss Bohemia is a jewellery designer who creates fantasy, fairytale, whimsical and vintage styled and jewellery and accessories. My collections include darkly romantic creations, Alice In Wonderland, Mermaids, Victorian inspired pieces and whimsical designs. My range which includes jewellery, trinket and keepsake boxes and the new addition of fabric based designs including purses, cushions and wallets.

GRACE'S FAVOURS

Grace's Favours made excellent quality handmade gifts and goodies for the home. For children and grown-up children alike we have personalised christmas stockings, tree decorations, wall art, personalised room signs, educational toys and much more. We can customise any item to suit a particular theme or colourway. Visit us at www.facebook.com/gracesfavours for a sample of what we do.

THE LEMON TREE

I live in Berkshire with my husband and son and spend most of my spare time designing and making items of jewellery inspired by nature. I make fine silver jewellery from silver clay and combine it with a variety of gemstones. I am also a Level 1 Certified Art Clay Instructor and hold silver clay workshops throughout the year, currently in Botley, Hampshire

A HOME FOR ALL SEASONS

A Home For All Seasons is the brainchild of Caishnah Nevans (aka Miss Crafty), long time crafter and big time procrastinator. Having delayed and deliberated for far too long, this winter marks her decision to spread the handmade love and offer her products in the form of A Home For All Seasons - (further items available from http://www.ahomeforallseasons.co.uk)
All items are inspired by a desire to make home the only place you want to be, whatever the weather/season. From cosy woollen cushions to quirky embroidered wall hangings, each item is made with care and attention to detail.
Not content with homewares, A Home For All Seasons also make gift items that allow you to take a little piece of the AHFAS feel with you - handwarmers, pin cushions, tote bags..
We are based in North Lanarkshire, Scotland and do our best to work with local suppliers as often as possible. We also pride ourselves on the number of our products which are produced from upcycled materials. Not only is this a positive step environmentally, it also means many of our products are only available in limited numbers, making them both extra special and highly sought after.
We also welcome commission work ,and the associated challenges it presents in meeting clients expectations, so please feel free to contact us with any requests and ideas you may have.

EXCLUSIVELY BY CLAIRE

Exclusively By Claire started after my love of cardmaking took over my life! I make handmade cards and invites. Most of my current orders are personalised and adapted to fit the requirements of the customer. But for events like this it is great to be able to make a wide selection of cards and different styles. I love working with craftwork cards and docrafts products so expect pretty, cute, vintage themed cards. My aim is to provide an alternative to store bought card but at a similar price.

THE VERY SMALL COMPANY

Based in Derbyshire but shipping worldwide, I'm a magpie who sells beads and other jewellery-making supplies; ribbons, buttons, unusual fibres and yarns, fabrics; creative textile supplies; Tando Creative chipboard products, and other craft supplies - in fact anything that takes my magpie-eye!

As a keen crafter I know you don't always want to buy 100 of something when you only need 10, so I tend to sell things in small amounts. However if you need anything in a larger quantity, please contact me - I may be able to help!

I also make handmade jewellery and country-style gifts. My jewellery range includes pieces made with handmade lampwork beads (some of which I make myself), Karen Hill Tribe silver, crystals and freshwater pearls - but I like to cater for all budgets by making similar pieces in various plated finishes.

BOWS AND BUTTERFLY'S

Is a small business based in northampton, we sell hand painted gifts for the home, from shabby chic floral heart bunting, hand painted alphabet victorian letters, childrens door name plaques (cars, pirate ships, beautiful ornate butterflys) all of which can be personalised with any name, we have also just added our new christmas range, with lots more to come over the coming weeks, we are super excited about our up coming east of india small hand painted gifts range. Please come and visit our website, www.bowsandbutterflys.co.uk

FUNKI MUNKI BADGES

Funki Munki Badges is a website run by myself (Leah) and my fiancé James. It's a well-needed creative release for me as I have a chronic illness and can't work. We make 1 inch/25 mm circular pin button badges and same sized fridge magnets. We have over 3000 designs on the website with more coming all the time. We have automatic bulk discount discounts on the website, offer free worldwide delivery when you spend £15 or over, and we LOVE your custom orders.

Badges are cheap and great for gifting. Be it Halloween badges in party bags for your kids, Christmas badges attached to gift tags to give them a bit of 'oomph', a way of expressing your individuality on your bag or jacket, a way to spell out your love to your significant other or a way to find out who's who at a wedding, there's a multitude of reasons to buy badges. For businesses, there's nothing like a cute badge to make your event or website stick in someone's mind

PAULINESCRAFTS

My name is Pauline, I live in Devon but before that I lived in Germany where I taught myself how to make gorgeous Ribbon Decorations for every room in the home.

Each one is different and totally individual. I hand-make each and every one, so you can be sure that when you buy one of my Ribbon Decorations you are getting a unique item .

I hope you find something you like to add to your home or to give to someone as a gift either at Christmas time or a Birthday. Enjoy Shopping.

If you would like to ask any questions about my craft then please email me at phayward.artichokecrafts@gmail.com

Meet the Christmas CRAFTfest Stall Holders - More from the Purple Team

Some more sellers that will be at this year's Creative Connections Christmas CRAFTfest on the 26th & 27th November ...

Cheeky Suds

Cheeky Suds sells handmade novelty bath & body treats that are suitable for sensitive skin, paraben-free and vegan friendly. Custom orders, gift sets and wedding & party favours are available upon request. We also host soap making parties

JoSara

I’m Jo. I design and create unique  items for the home and garden. They are mostly made using mosaic because it is so durable and it can be used in the garden without the colours fading. Plus the tiles are frostproof so can be left outdoors all year round. Perfect. Pop in and have a browse around.

Website, Folksy

Joys of Glass

JOYsofGLASS Stained Glass is all entirely handmade, at home in Staffordshire, by me, Joy Salt, using the Tiffany copper-foil technique.

I make all sorts of things: butterflies, flowers, tractors abstract designs, pictures, stars, mobiles, angels etc. in all sizes, shapes and colours.

I am more than happy to make, anything, anyone wants, to order.

I sell my glass in my Folksy shop , Website and at craft fairs, markets and maintain a photo gallery of all my glass on Facebook

Handmade with love

Handmade With Love was created after i had my daughter 3 years ago. A very dear friend introduced me to patchwork to help keep me sane during those 'baby day's and i was instantly hooked! I then pondered about making simple textiles to sell and my little craft baby was born! I make textiles and candles - everything from cushions and tea cosies to jar candles and tealights. In 2012 i hope to focus more on the candle making. I'm happy to make anything for anyone too!!

Website

Simply Lovely Gifts

We're Sarah & Eileen and have been running our business for two years.  We sell a wide range of handmade gifts, as well as other gifts.  We have a gift to suit any occasion, whether it be a for a baby, birthday, wedding, christmas or just simply for that someone special.  We also have a website

Top Floor Treasures

Zoë Ford is passionate about the handmade movement and is self-taught in everything she does.  She has been making and successfully selling fabric goods for a few years, but during the last year decided she needed to go back to the art she adores.  Zoë is a 'doodle artist' - this is much more complex than it sounds! She has had her work used by a major international company at trade shows in Germany and the USA. Her work has also featured in ‘Creative Crafting’ and indie art magazine 'Carpaccio'. Now that Zoë's fabric goods have almost all sold out, she is focussing on her art work, incorporating her love of doodles and hand-drawn typography into collaged mirror frames, and hand-inking abstract designs onto wall tiles. You can find her remaining fabric goods at WowThankYou, and her art work is on sale at her blog ‘Fordie Fresh’.

Uniquely Yours

I am Linda and my shop is Uniquely Yours.

I make Unique Accessories for Unique People. Everything I make is from my own designs as I don`t follow patterns, mainly because they look so complicated.

I buy yarn and ideas for what to make just flood in. I don`t see why practical items can`t be pretty too.

I have been crocheting and knitting since a child and love seeing my ideas transferred into something wearable. I get great satisfaction from seeing an idea from my head, grow in my hands.

Blog, Website

Shoogly Beads

Shoogly Beads is a Scottish husband and wife design and artist team based in the North East coast of Scotland. Mike who is the polymer clay artist and Pat who designs and makes the jewellery are mature, experienced designers. Our inspiration comes from areas as diverse as Persian carpets, sea molluscs and our lovely and dramatic sea, sky and landscape. In addition to hand crafted beads and jewellery we also sell our original art, prints, cards, postcards and other arts and crafts items. We are always happy to discuss commissions for beads and jewellery and other items.

Folksy

The Sparkly Fairy

My name is Emma (aka The Sparkly Fairy), maker of handcrafted cards and jewellery. I have been selling at local craft fairs for a couple of years now and to friends and family. I also have shops on MISI and Folksy.  I have a blog which I regularly post to as well as Flickr, Twitter and Pinterest. I love the vintage style and as the name suggests often try to add a bit of sparkle to! I live and breath craft! and look forward to participating in November's Craftfest.

Blog, Folksy

Crafty Bags

I live in Cornwall in the countryside where I converted a bedroom in my home to my sewing room it is where I design and make Crafty Bags. I make an array of gorgeous bags from recycled material of which lots of it is unused. I make totes and handbags and shoulder bags in a variety of styles. I love to work in patchwork or felt I source these and other lovely materials at markets, charity shops or carboots.

Folksy, Website

Tilly Mint Boutique

A scouser who loves to sew! My aim is to sew and craft items from recycled materials. I try to create things from remnants of material left over from other projects. I also love to scour charity shops and car boot sales in search of things I can upcycle! I hope by doing this that my fabric stash will deminish whilst creating unique one off items to sell.

Blog