Quarterly Craft Box

This quarter I have decided to try something a little different.  Rather than the next quarterly box being a mystery I will be releasing images daily of items that will be found within it! Eeeek!

I have been having lots of ponderings about my boxes and was thinking seriously about  stopping them altogether.  But before I hand in the crafty box ticket I thought I would try something a little different.

I was thinking about what people want to buy, do you guys really want to spend £40 on a box of stuff that you have no idea what's inside other than it will contain 4 craft kits and a few gifts? Well of course not! Let's face it, nowadays you want to know what your getting and although there are some very successful mystery boxes out there on the market, crafters, it seems aren't as interested in Crafty What Nots boxes as I had hoped.

So the Winter box (or the Snuggle box as I like to call it) is an exciting box where you will know exactly what your going to get.

Another exciting element of the box is that it is a collaboration among 10 small businesses!  So there is such a big variety (in fact I found it very hard to stop buying lovely things to put in!)

Here is an image of all the businesses taking part.

Everyday on my page I am doing a countdown.  So far we are at day 17.  Here you can see some of the things included in the box.  So far we have...

Pom pom pen

fudge

heart charm keyring

oil burner and wax melts

wooden heart embellishments

pretty ribbons

bunny ring

felt making kit

Other items will follow so if you would like to be kept up to date and find out what is in the next box then do visit either my Facebook page here or Instagram here

The countdown will finish a week before the order books close.  There are only a small limited number of boxes available so do let me know if you are interested to avoid disappointment.

I am also more than happy to set up a payment plan.

I do hope you have a great week and fingers crossed I will be back again next week.

I will be sharing my blog over at Handmade Monday, My fav place to be after the weekend.

Jen xx

Mermaid wishes and starfish kisses

Hi all.  Anyone else drowning in the school holidays?  Ours haven't been all bad at all, just very full on! I have to say I am a little looking forward to them finishing though!
So what have I been up to on the crafty front?  Well despite the chaos, inspiration seems to have been flooding my brain (and frustration at not having time to do all my ideas!).

I have been working on wedding portraits, here are a couple of couples I have recently illustrated.  There are before and after pics so you can see the similarities.  I also took a video so you can see the sparkly details on them. If you would like to order a wedding portrait then please click here.

I also started producing stock images which can be personalised.  So the first one is Mermaid!  You can be made into your very own mermaid!  The first one is me! Eeek! (I know I rarely show my face do I)  The second is of a lovely friend who ordered one as soon as she saw the first!  If you would like to be a mermaid then they are £20.  Each one has shiny accents adding lots of depth. (watch the video to see what I mean)  I am going to be adding names underneath too, these ones where my practise runs.

Edited - I have now added names and I think it makes them so much better! what do you think?

I have a few other designs in the pipeline including princesses, knights and invitations for kids parties. (all personalised of course)

I am hoping to produce these as cards as well ... hopefully!

I have also opened my order books to logo design.  So far these have been popular and with the started package being £20 with 50% off while I add to my portfolio I have a few to do.  I have 2 spaces left at the 50% price of £10.

So what do you get????

Well you will get a facebook profile pic logo on a square background (as facebook likes to crop images and cut bits off!) You will also get a larger logo jpeg and a watermarked png to put over your photos (I really need to do this to my photos)

Lastly ... I have sent my little book off to the printers! Yippee! Just have to wait to find out waiting times and costs and then I will open the order books for the first Crafty What Nots Children's box!  I'm so excitied!  I have decided that the first box will be aimed mainly at preschool and reception age.  I was going to create two boxes as well as a school and preschool box.  But as this is a pilot box I didn't want to be too ambitious.  So I made the decision to just do the younger age, then if it proves popular I will create the other boxes.  I just hope people will love the characters as much as I do!

If you would like to see what the characters have been getting up to then they have a Facebook page, just click the image below. 

Well I think that's enough for today! I will be off to link up with Handmade Monday, do pop by and read some lovely bogs!

Jen xx

All change!

How do all!  Sorry I didn't post last week, it's all been a bit manic, up in the air and all change here!

The first bit of news is that after much soul searching I have decided to stop creating my monthly boxes. I was finding each month was becoming so stressful, particularly on the marketing front but also on deciding what to create.  If you have had a box from me, firstly thank you so much, but you will know that the boxes I used were large letter.  Until you have to design new tutorials and gifts every month that can only fit in a 2cm deep box it is hard to imagine how restricting that is and my ideas really were running dry!  I have too many ideas which require more space and I didn't want to increase prices for the odd larger craft or gift.

Marketing...oh marketing, how I hate thee!  I don't know about you but I find this the hardest aspect.  I have learnt loads but it seems that I really need to focus more and spread myself a little less thin!  Any tips??

Anyhow, onwards and upwards!  I have had plans for alternative boxes for some time now so I thought I would share the latest and most exciting news with you!  I will be launching two new boxes.

The first is the Crafty What Nots craft and gift Season box.  This box will be a quarterly box and I will be collaborating with other designers to bring you 3 beautifully handmade gifts to keep or give as presents.  There will also be 4 craft kits, these will include a Jewellery making, papercraft, needlecraft and a mystery kit!  The format will be different too and although there will be some bonus craft supplies they won't dictate the box theme in the same way and will just be added extras to build up your crafty stash.  The boxes will also be delivered in small parcels too, so extra room for extra goodies!  I'm so looking forward to working with other designers!  I have two already lined up and just need to seek out another for the Autumn box.  If you have products that you think might work in one of the boxes please do let me know as I have space in the Spring and Summer ones and one in the Autumn.

The Seasons box will be £40 plus postage but there will be a payment plan (which offers 10% discount) and there will also be the odd code on my Facebook page!  In fact there will be a discount code for the first box on the 1st July when I launch so don't forget to call by to find out more!

The second box (and this is one I have been planning for years but never had the time.) Is a brand new Children's mystery box!!!!

I have been writing stories about these lovable characters for years and now they are going to have their own box!  I'm going to start with a pilot box and depending on it's popularity I may make more that are quarterly, bimonthly or even monthly.  Each box will come with a story book (written and illustrated by myself!) and craft kits relating to the story.  There will also be a newsletter included tell you all about what the characters have been up to between boxes.  I have set up a Facebook page as well so that children (with parents permission of course) can catch daily highlights of what Pip and Custard have been up to.  (each post is aimed at a young audience so no promoting other pages, causes or memes to make you laugh, just the characters)

I've not launched this quite yet as I have a few things to still iron out but I am hoping the first boxes will go out at the beginning of August ready for summer holiday entertainment!

Order books won't be open very long for this pilot box so if your interested feel free to let me know and I will make sure you are the first to know!

(jenny@jennysis.com)

Here are some of the illustrations for the first box story!

Well I think I may well have bombed you with rather too much info (and so much more to tell but that can wait!)

I will be popping by Handmade Monday as always so do pop by and say hi!

Love Jen xx

Embossing metal

This week I have been working on a couple of new kit boxes.  Do you remember, back in October, I posted a tutorial on how to create an embossed metal leaves? No (it was a while back, so here is the link to refresh your memory) Well it was so successful I decided to run a workshop.  We created some gorgeous metal embossed coasters! (I typically forgot to take a photo of everyone's coaster!)

I thought, as I often do, hey! I know what I'll make these into a kit!

So the latest crafty kit was born.

I still have a few stickers to create and a button for my website but otherwise they are almost ready to go! The price for this kit box is £20.  You get everything you need to create 4 beautiful coasters.  

Set includes ~ 

4 coaster blanks

4 cork backs

4 squares of two toned metal sheet

Practise metal sheet pieces

Embossing tools

Stamps

Acrylic block

Ink pad

Glue

Instructions and inspiration

The Kits will be available very soon on www.craftywhatnots.com but if you wish to put your name down now and reserve one of the first boxes do let me know.

I will also be creating kits for you to use in your own workshops so please do let me know if you fancy more info.

I have been really enjoying preparing this box and renewing my love of metal work.  Here are some metal doodles I've been creating to practise my skills. (it's v addictive!)

I think I am going to be doing a lot more, I'm totally addicted!

Well I'm off to see what some other crafty bloggers have been up to.

Bye for now, maybe see you over at Handmade Monday

Jen xx

May Day - Crafty What Nots unboxing

It's that time of the month again to show you what exciting goodies were inside May's mystery box!
Here is a little video of me unboxing it (I can never get used to doing the talking on these things).  The theme (as you may have guessed) was May Day.  As always there were two crafty kits inside.  One to make a decoupaged peg board and the other to learn the basics of Iris folding. I really loved the papers in this box.  I don't normally care for the vintage theme if I'm honest but these were so great and there was so much to make with them.

This months handmade gift was a decorated ruler, mechanical pencil and a rubber.  

My problems I faced with this box were primarily glue.  I always include whatever glues or sticky items you might need and this box needed a roll of sticky tape as well as glue.  I had run out of all my little glue pots and if I'm honest they wouldn't have been big enough so I tried something new!

I sealed the end of an extra wide straw (thanks IKEA) and then filled with glue (Mod Podge is by far my fav!) ad then sealed the other end up! perfect and it is amazing how much I got in there!

The next box theme is 'My Guy' perfect for those crafting for a man in their lives, although if you don't or would rather just craft for yourself then this box is perfect as one of the tutorials is a little upcycling Jewellery kit!

Here is a little peek

Order books for June's box close on the 15th so if you fancy trying a box out (with no obligation at all) then visit www.craftywhatnots.com and click the 'buy me' tab 

I am also on the look out for promoters.  If you have a good two of either facebook, instagram, blog, twitter and would be interested in testing and promoting a box please do let me know either below or drop me an email at jenny@craftywhatnots.com.  I am happy to welcome overseas testers.

Have a fab week and do pop by Handmade Monday and Creative Monday to visit a few new blogs and read some familiar ones! 

xxx

Spring Forward

Well another month has flown by and I have just realised I haven't shown you all what was in March's box!!

This months theme was Spring Forward and the tutorials were to make a sock bunny and a ribbon broach.  I have created another little unboxing video for you.  Hope you enjoy!

April's boxes are now all sold out but if you would like to try out a box for yourself, order books are open for May's.  I would also like to thank you, my lovely readers by offering you a 20% discount on May's box! So instead of £20 they will be £16 (inc postage)  Just visit the link below and type THANKYOU (all uppercase) into the coupon box at checkout! Voucher expires 15th April 2016.

Crafty What Nots - buy me

Well happy crafting all.
I will be linking up to the lovely Handmade Monday again so why not pop over and find a few new blogs to read.

Jenny xx

February's Crafty What Nots Unboxinng

Hi there all! Yes I mean you! How have you been?
I have found that time has become an illusion! you think you have loads of it but when it comes to it.... it disappears! But today I find I have 10 minutes to do a little blog post! yeah!

I thought I would share my first proper unboxing!

I was a little brave this month!  I created an unboxing video of February's Crafty What Nots box!! Ok I know that that in itself isn't really very brave, but I decided I would talk on it.. that was scary!
Here is it is, what do you reckon? Should I do this again next month?  I did think I should add the finished makes on the end too so people could see what they are making.

Another new thing I featured this month were QR codes, I added them for exclusive Crafty subscribers on one of the more difficult makes.  I also added one that is available to the public but as some inspiration of something that could be made!

I thought more videos would help, especially on origami tutorials!  If you would like to see any of my videos so far then here is my YouTube channel.

I will leave you with images of the makes that were included in this months box.  If you would like to give a box ago then visit www.craftywhatnots.com and see what they are all about, read reviews and view buying options.  You can buy just one box or subscribe for a discount.  I also have kit boxes available too!  The deadline for orders is the 15th of each month.

I will be linking up with Handmade Monday as usual so do pop by to visit some fantastic blogs!

New year and with it new goals

Welcome to the ever anticipated 2016!!! did you think we would get here? I admit before Christmas I was willing for more time but now it is here and the weather seems a lot more palatable it is perfect for making plans.

I have been having a think.... as you do... my thinks have led me to a few new exciting ideas (some of which I'm not quite ready to share yet)  here are a little list of some goals I hope to achieve in this coming year.

1-  Create mini video tutorials, preferably at least one a week. - Well I have managed one already ... yippeee!.. but will this momentum last I wonder?
Here is my first mini video DIY, There is lots I've decided to change already so hopefully this will help me plan for the next.

These tutorials will be of tutorials I have either already blogged or ones that are over 6 months old that have been included in the monthly boxes.

2 - Create some mini kits.  These kits will be between £5 and £20.  Some of you may have seen the 3D flowers kit I already do for £20 but I want to create smaller ones as well.  I have a dozen or so ideas already and they will range from quilling to beadwork as well as a few papercraft ones too. Perfect to try something in particular rather than taking pot luck with the monthly mystery boxes.

3 - Launch a new monthly box designed for preschoolers.  This one is still a bit hush hush but I am soooooo excited about it and it will make use of all those years working with young children.  What I can tell you is that they will be themed but not contain things like the adult ones, they will be totally different.  I will bring you news on these soon!

4 - I really need to get my head around social media! Do you find it a total headache?? which ones to use?  I have most of them but only really focus on facebook, This is mainly because I don't know how to best use the other formats. Twitter makes my head ache at the speed, Pinterest I love but what on earth can I use it for with a business and Etsy.... well how on earth can I get seen in an ocean of wonderfulness, I feel like floating pea!  I do use Instagram occasionally, I like to post behind the scenes things on there from time to time which is fun but I really don't understand how to use it for business.   So basically step 4 ... find out what on earth I need to do to help my business!

5 - Try to be more organised!

6 - Loose weight.  I guess that is a bit like so many people who have managed to get past the Christmas indulgence and reaching a new year with a few extra pounds.  I managed a stone before Christmas and I actually lost over Christmas too (I don't really care for much of the Christmas food to be honest) but it is a slow old process so fingers crossed for the new year,

Well I think that's my list, it may change soon though!

Do you have any new year plans? what do you hope to achieve this year?

I will leave you with images from the 'Crafty Night Before Christmas' box (I can't show you January's yet as there are a few being delivered outside the UK and these always take a few extra days and don't want to spoil their surprises!)

And the handmade gift was this lovely mini album

Hope you all have a wonderful 2016!

Jen xx

I hope you will pop by and visit Lucy Blossom crafts

and visit a few other blogs too

November's Crafty What Nots box

November, so nearly Christmas!! Last year my November Crafty What Nots box was very Christmassy but I didn't want to do that this year, especially as I will be designing Christmas eve crafty boxes as well as the normal monthly one!
This months theme was 'Look Who's Chalking!'  I bought these beautiful papers called chalkboard by craftworks, they were so colourful and loved the chalk theme so they inspired the box name this time.

I must admit though that once it came to designing I hit a bit of a wall!  (this does happen, usually monthly as I have to try to create new and unusual tutorials)  Often I get way to excited about the papers and don't always think what I am going to do with them until I am nearing the end of the month (something I am trying to rectify!)

This month there were three tutorials in the end.  The main one I wanted to do was some chalkboard lettering, Chalks can be so messy though so I included a white pen which works amazingly well on black paper.  Here is the finished result

The other two tutorials were for cards this month.  I barely ever do card tutorials!

One is an easel card and the other a more literal take on an easel card!

The free gift this month was a handmade chalkboard heart.

As you can see it was quite a full box again, I even had to stop myself adding more and more things!

Well I am off once more to join in with Handmade Monday and Creative Monday so do pop by and say hi!  Then it's head down to plan the next box!!

Have a lovely week xx

Crafty What Kit

I have been creating Crafty What Nots for over a year now!! I am so thrilled that they are still going strong!! I thought I would share a few crafty facts with you and give you a peek inside my first Crafty What Kit!

Crafty What...facts

So far I have released 14 Crafty What Nots boxes

Designed and written over 30 tutorials

Designed and made multiples of 14 different types of handmade gifts, one for each month.

Spent a fortune! (he he!)

Met some lovely people

Released One-off boxes, the 'Whatever' box, the Night before Christmas box and the Kit boxes

Started to offer Crafty What Nots boxes to non UK residents

Started offering Direct Debit!

It's been a busy year!

I still have bundles of ideas for new boxes, but with Christmas round the corner I must remember to slow down so I have enough time to complete my orders.

Here is my first (and currently only) Crafty What Kit, 3d flowers.

This kit is full of tutorials and materials to create 100 flowers! Here is a video look inside!

What do you reckon?? I thought I would offer other colour combos at some point as well as top up packs.  Here are a few close ups of things I created with my flowers.

These kit boxes are only £20!! 

I loved layering several together and as all the flowers are double sided there are so many options!

Well I am off to visit a few blogs at Handmade Monday and Creative Mondays so why not pop round to see what people have been up to!

Have a lovely creative week folks

Jen xx

Embossed metal leaves tutorial

This months Crafty What Nots box was called 'Autumn Glory'.  I can't reveal all the contents quite yet as they will hopefully be arriving today and don't want to spoil any surprises.  However!!!!!  I did want to include this little tutorial but thought I would share it with you all too.

Embossed metal leaves

You will need ~ metal sheet, embossing ball tool, ruler, thick card.

Step 1 ~ Place your metal sheet on the card and draw a leaf shape with your embossing ball tool

Step 2 ~ Cut out your leaf.  Unless you are super neat (which I wasn't) you will find that the lines you embossed may not look as neat anymore, so using the flat edge of a ruler try to flatten the metal as much as possible.  Do this both sides.

Step 3 ~ Use your tool to draw patterns on your leaves.  Here are a few I have made.  You can really get creative and if you make a mistake just rub the ruler over and flatten it again!

Step 4 ~ Think of something to do with your leaves!!! Maybe hang them from fishing line or mount them on cards!

Have any of you used metal sheet before??  What have you made?

I'm popping over to say to all the lovelies at handmade Monday,  so pop by and say hi.  

Xxx

Christmas... already?

How are you all this week?  Do you feel those Christmassy feelings of warmth and goodwill sweeping over you yet? The burning desire to get the tinsel out and the mulled wine cooking? No?? Well who can blame you, Christmas is fast approaching but with some lovely sunny days I must admit I am being consumed by Autumn loveliness! The stunning autumn colours and the falling leaves.  All that aside however as a crafter we have to think about Christmas far too early.  I know many who have been making since way before the school holidays!  I thought I would share my latest Christmas venture with you all.

I was introduced to Christmas Eve boxes a few months back. It seems something that originated in America and goes hand in hand with the 'Elf on the Shelf'.  Don't worry if you are new to Elf on the Shelf too.  The general idea in a nutshell, is you have a small toy elf who arrives on the 1st December.  He watches your children everyday and reports back to Santa every night to tell him if they have been good or not! When the elf returns in the morning he gets up to a little mischief.  He may spill cereal all over the counter or tie your shoe laces together etc. (this is where parents have fun and get creative!)  Then on Christmas Eve the elf leaves to go and help Santa sort out the toys and load the sleigh.  When the elf goes he leaves behind a Christmas Eve box, a box full of treasures.  Usually these treasures seem to consist of a Christmas film, book, slippers, new pyjamas and a few yummies to enjoy while watching your film.  Well my pondering took me to... what if the Christmas box contained lots of crafting goodies!!! How about instead of being full of food and dvd's etc that it contained tutorials and craft supplies to create some Christmas crafting memories.  So I give you the Crafty Night Before Christmas box!

Each box contains at least three tutorials, all the crafty supplies you need to complete them and lots extra and a small handmade gift from me to you!  I have designed 4 different boxes based on ages.  There is the under 5's, 5+, teenager and adult.  I am also more than happy to personalised.

Well I'm off to carry on planning my boxes. If you want to found out more or take a peek at my brand new kit box v visit www.craftywhatnots.com

I'm stopping off to visit all those lovely blogs at Handmade Monday so why not pop over and see what others have been up to.

 Xxx

Happy Friday ~ mmmm possibly

Well, if I'm honest it's been a long week and I wasn't going to post as I was really stuck for a happy thing to show you (not that it was a miserable week, just no pictures to show).  However something just happened that really did make me very happy!  

As most of you know (think I may talk about it often enough) I create mystery crafty postal boxes and back in October I asked some lovely bloggers to review my first boxes.  Well one of these guinea pigs has become a regular customer and this month she took a video of the big unveil!  

It was just so wonderful to watch someone else opening a box.  I spend so much time preparing them but I never see them opened and it was a wonderful yet slightly surreal experience!

The video is around 22 mins, but she really does go through everything, 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSXSFRaRR4I

I don't seem able to add the actual video to embed into my post but if you click the image it should take you directly to the video.

Oh and I really wanted to say a huge thank you to all you bloggers who took the time to congratulate Joe on his fish.  He was so happy to read your messages, So a huge thank you from me, Also from Joe and his mum for making his week! Here is a reminder of his lovely crafty fish!

I will be sharing my Happy news on Happy Friday!  Do pop round to see what makes other bloggers happy or to join in! xx

A little Easter Preparation!

This year is going ever so fast isn't it!  I am realising that I am, already, too late to start selling items for Easter that are custom made.  I never know when to start with these things, it seams that crafters advertise Christmas stock for months but as soon as it is gone what next??  Valentines, Mother's day then Easter!  (there is no rest!) but then, with the exception of Fathers day there is a crafty season lul until Christmas again (Halloween is a funny one, people don't give cards or presents so I never really craft for this season)

I have been very fortunate to receive a few custom orders recently as well as the normal Crafty What Nots orders.  I haven't actually launched my One-off boxes yet but I am surprising getting orders for them! The nice things about these boxes is that they are personal to the individual and also I can share progress shots with the customer so I know they are happy beforehand.  

Here is a collage of one of the Mother's day boxes.  There is much more in the box but I don't want to spoil it just in case any of them read my blog!

Another One-off box I have been working on has been for a 3yr old.  So far it is full of spring crafty goodies but I have also been making a colouring book for her.   Here is a little collage of some of the drawings!  What do you think?  I did wonder about making up a few to sell before Easter with a set of crayons (too many ideas!!)

Just a reminder to all you Crafty What Nots fans that next months box orders are due to close on the 15th March.  I'm loving the papers already!!

It feels like my world has been consumed with Crafty Boxes, I am sorry if it becomes a little tedious but I get so excited about them! 

In order to bring a little happiness to my facebook followers I have invented a new game!  It's called Crafty What-bats and is something I used to do a lot as a child.  Here is an example! Each What-bat reveals the name of a page who has interacted and joined in with my page!  (Ooo perhaps I should do one for my blog too!)  It's a great way to share pages and fun too!

Can you guess the name of this page?

Lastly I just want to thank those of you who entered my giveaway on Friday. I collated all the entrants from Facebook, Instagram and my blog and the winner was Emma Gray from FB land.  Here are the images I posted to show how I picked the winner.

Well I had better stop and go and do some tidying!! Argggh!

I will be stopping by Handmade Monday as always!

Have a lovely week and hopefully see you back here for Whatever Wednesday and Happy Friday!

xxx