teapigs - Video Roundup

If you haven't been watching my recent videos on YouTube, you may not be aware of how generous the people at teapigs have been with me! They've been kind enough to send me tea to make videos on and give my opinions about it!

I received a Chai, Chilli Chai, Peppermint and Licorice, Lemon and Ginger and their new Matcha drinks! I can't believe how kind they have been!

It's not just me who benefits though, you all do too! If you use the voucher code "craft" in the promo code box when buying your tea, before the end of August 2014, you will receive a whopping 10% off!! Such generosity! http://teapigs.co.uk

Here's a recap of the videos that I've filmed so far, featuring teapigs tea.

First of all, I made chai cupcakes! These were delicious and had the gorgeous taste that the blended spices of chai provides.

My next video was showing how to make iced tea, using the Lemon and Ginger tea. It's so simple to make iced tea, and it's perfect for those (rare) hot days. I also made iced tea using the Licorice and Peppermint tea.

Finally (for the moment) I filmed a tea review for the matcha drinks. I did tea reviews on my old YouTube channel, but enjoyed making and filming them so much, I decided to transfer them over!

Be sure to head on over to http://teapigs.co.uk and check out their range of teas! They have everything for any mood or feeling. (They also make great gifts for tea-lovers ;) )

Loom Band Butterfly: How To!

So I am late at hopping on the bandwagon, I know! Children are going absolutely mad for these small elastic bands, and I should know: I work in a shop that sells them. We can't get them in stock quick enough, it's ridiculous! And it doesn't look like the trend is slowing down any time soon.

Because I am a serious novice, I won't be making many YouTube videos on how to make "Rainbow Loom" or stretch band (or whatever you call it...) bracelets and charms. There are so many other YouTubers out there who have a lot more skill and talent than me in that area of craft!

We got a new book in at work, called Rubber Band Bracelets by Lucy Hopping and I was having a flick through it and saw something that took my fancy: loom band butterflies! The best part is, you don't even need a loom to make them!

I don't have any sort of "official" hook, so I just used my crochet hook, because I have plenty of them lying around my house... I picked up some bands and went for it.

I can't believe how easy it is to make these little butterflies. I had 4 made in no time at all. You can use these butterflies as charms to enhance the bracelets you're making, but I glued mine onto a hairclip and brooch back so I can wear them that way instead.

My Crafting Inspiration: Bead Crumbs

Time for another crafting inspiration methinks! When I first started beadweaving at the beginning of the year, I decided very early on that I didn't want to make the kind of things that everyone else seemed to be making! I was much more interested in making charms and pendants instead of whole beaded pieces of jewellery. After a bit of Etsy browsing to see what was out there, I found Bead Crumbs, aka Jayne. She is an incredible beader, based in Hawaii (SO jealous!) and she makes amazing pendants and charms of all sorts. Her patterns are inspiring and her passion for beading is slightly addictive! She's also extremely approachable, and was able to recommend a beading computer program for me to use and such.

After looking at her amazing work on Etsy, it truly inspired me to work on my own beading techniques and skills that I had newly acquired. I shall share some pictures with you now of her amazing work! All photos are taken from Jayne's blog.

How cute is this gorgeous lamb??

This hibiscus flower is so summery!

This is my favourite charm that Bead Crumbs makes!

PB&J!

Bead Crumbs on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/BeadCrumbs
Bead Crumbs on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeadCrumbs
Bead Crumbs' Blog: http://handmadecuties.blogspot.co.uk/
Bead Crumbs on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BeadCrumbs

New crocheted items??

Oh hasn't time flown by: I can't believe that it's already May! It doesn't seem long since Christmas and those festivities, and now we're approaching Summer at a very fast rate, although no one seems to have told the weather that yet here in England... I guess I can't complain. Since the Bank Holiday weekend, the weather has brightened up nicely!

Anyway, enough of that chit chat. I have been working on some new crocheted items for The C of C! If you follow me on any social media, be it Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, you will know that the doily-bug has bitten! It's my ultimate dream to turn The C of C into a tea room and craft shop, hence the obsession with tea cups! But I want to kit my tea room out with crocheted doilies, which may be easier said than done to be honest... I knew they'd take me a while to make but my first one took me 7 hours!! It was 100% worth it as it's so gorgeous.

Since posting that picture, I've had several people enquire about buying a doily off of me! I started to make a slightly easier pattern, which only took me 3 and a half hours to make. Much more affordable for people!

I also took  a pattern and adapted it to make doily coasters! These still need tweaking. I think I either need to starch them or put them into a clear coaster so they're sturdier, but they only take me half an hour to make! Perfect :D

Do you think doilies are here to stay or are they just old fashioned now? Let me know your thoughts!

Easter Delights!

I've not been very well this past week, due to a cold I caught! I guess that's the risk that comes with working with the public... Anyway, a couple of weeks ago I made a cute rabbit and didn't know what to do with him. I asked the boyfriend and he told me to make it into a pendant with carrot earrings! I thought the idea was cute, but I took what he said and ran with it, and this adorable necklace was born!

**EDIT!! Bunny necklace is now available on my Etsy shop!**

Let me know what you think!

The Flowers That Bloom In The Spring Fala...

For those of you who don't know, the post title is a song by Gilbert and Sullivan... It's a treat so I will put a link to it here!

So we had a (small) spell of sunny weather! It has since been taken over by rain, but that's fine! Flowers need rain to grow. I decided to make some lovely, springtime/summery bracelets for you and they're available on my Etsy shop now! So far I only have a daisy chain and a sunflower bracelet, but there will be more to come :)

The Sunflower Bracelet - £6.50

And the Daisy Chain Bracelet! - £6.50

One of my friends loves daisies and asked if I could make a daisy chain necklace (£10)! Of course I obliged and this is how it looks:

If you like any of the items of jewellery I make, but would like them in another form, don't be afraid to message me! You can message me via Facebook (http://facebook.com/thecornerofcraft), via Etsy (http://etsy.com/shop/thecornerofcraft) or just email me directly (thecornerofcraft@gmail.com)! I really am friendly and don't bite, so don't be afraid :P

Watch this space for more flowery bracelets! If you'd like a tutorial on how to make these yourself, leave a comment on this post and let me know :D

Exploring Etsy: Pancake Day!

It's pancake day! Finally an excuse to have more pancakes than makes sense. Luckily it's also my boyfriend's birthday so I'm going to cook a lovely (easy!!) birthday dinner of pancakes for him. Wonderful :)

For those of you who don't know, pancake day (or Shrove Tuesday) occurs on the day before Ash Wednesday, or the start of Lent for Christians. Traditionally, Lent is a time of giving things up and, in some cases, fasting, so Shrove Tuesday was seen as the last day to treat yourself and use up any "luxury" food items that you had, such as butter, eggs and fat, which were forbidden during Lent.

Pancake Day is so late this year because Easter is extremely late! Silly Easter, depriving us of pancakes! Anyway, onto the pancake-themed items I've found on Etsy!

1) Pancake Necklace by CuteTreats

I think most of the items I have found are more based on American pancakes, than on the traditional English ones, which are more like French crêpe. This cute necklace includes a miniature of a stack of pancakes, topped by heart-shaped butter. So cute! This necklace is on a 16'' ball chain and costs £7.37.

2) Felt Pancake Breakfast by MilkFly

Perfect for any little one with a play kitchen, MilkFly has made this delicious-looking breakfast from felt. There's something for everyone there, including bacon, sausages and egg!! The set is made to order, so be sure to allow making time when buying! This set is £24.51 in total :)

3) Pancake Blanket and Butter Pillow Set by Higginstuff

I often wonder how lovely it would be to snuggle underneath a warm pancake :P Look how happy this duo looks; they're truly made for each other. This is another product which is made to order, so, once again, allow enough time when buying! This set is £46.07.

4) PDF Crochet Pattern of a Pancake Security Blanket and Butter Pillow by Twinkie Chan

You all know how much of a fan I am of Twinkie Chan! If you decided that you didn't want to buy the redy-made blanket by Higginstuff, Miss Chan has designed this adorable crochet pattern, so you can make your own! This is a security blanket, so it is technically for a baby, but who's to say you can't have one too?? This pattern is £1.84 and is available for instant download.

5) "Pancakes Make People Happy" Poster by AmandaCatherineDes

It's a simple truth that you could all display in your kitchen with this gorgeous print! I love the font that the designer has chosen and just looking at the print makes me happy! This print is only £9.81.

6) Crochet Pancake Beret by TeaLoveCrochet

Not only do I love the name of this Etsy shop, I adore the originality of the products listed in it! This crocheted pancake beret is just the tip of the iceberg! This is another product that is made to order, so please allow enough time to arrive when buying. This beret is £24.57.

7) Sweet Strawberry Pancakes Barrette by SheenasBellaBows

We're starting to fall into a bit of a pattern - pancakes as headwear - but when they're this cute, I can hardly resist! I love the ribbon whipped cream underneath the strawberry! The pancakes just look delicious :D There are even other flavours you can choose from in her shop! This barrette is, yet again, made to order and costs £18.43.

8) Pancake-Flavoured Lip Balm by BlissKissBNB

I think I'd just spend all day licking my lips if I were to wear maple pancake-flavoured lip balm! This lip treatment is made using all natural ingredients, all of which have a significant benefit when it comes to your lips' smoothness! These little guys are £2.30.

9) Wooden Pancake Brooch by AskingForTrouble

Just looking at this brooch fills me with happiness! I think it's the little arms and legs that the pancake has, along with its smiling face! The brooch has been laser cut into wood, and then details have been added, also using a laser. Very clever! He's even complete with a pat of butter on his tummy :D He costs only £4.00!!

10) Pancake Landscape Poster by Jakealope

Ok, I was scrolling through Etsy and decided that it would be a crime if I didn't share this art work with you all! The designer created it as a homage to his home state, Kansas. The more you look at this picture, the more you notice! I've only just noticed the egg and I've been looking at it for 10 minutes! This poster is made to order, so please remember to allow time when buying. The poster is £15.36.

And that concludes my Pancake Day themed EE!! I hope that you all enjoyed it.

Have you decided if you're giving anything up for lent, if so, what are you going for?