2011 has been a fabulous year for Aileen Clarke Crafts.
My work has sold really well through various gift shops and galleries here in Scotland and gone all over the world thanks to the wonders of online shopping sites like Etsy and Folksy. Apparently my shop is among the top 250 sellers on Folsky which truly amazes me. It is one of my goals for 2012 to keep both of my online shops well stocked with a full range of items.
Events like Open Studios North Fife and The Handmade Show have also helped me focus and given me the opportunity to meet so many more people face to face, both customers and fellow artists.
Textile Trinket Boxes
My little boxes were an instant hit and have all gone to new homes over the past couple of months. Only two left in stock.
I do hope to develop new ideas for these and make them regularly available.
These photo mosaics are just a snap shot of pieces I have made during 2011.
Textile Wrist Cuffs
My range has certainly expanded and will hopefully continue to grow throughout 2012. I have enjoyed making a few commission pieces this year including pendants, earrings, brooches, wrist cuffs, handmade cards and art work.
Fibre, Textile, Glass and Resin Pendants
Earrings
Brooches
New to my range this year have been these rings. I love wearing them myself and have to admit to owning at least five in all different colours.
Also new this year have been the Sheep Pendants, Earrings and Rings.
There are so many different colour combinations and different fibres that can be used that the possibilities are endless! It means that every single design is different. It also means that it is sometimes hard to choose. I've had customers at fairs swithering for ages not knowing which one to get for a friend and ending up buying one for themselves instead.
A variety of Sheep Jewellery is still available in my Etsy Shop
Card making was my first love and really how my whole Aileen Clarke Crafts business came about. I still make hundreds of cards but most of them go out to local shops and sell at craft fairs. I find them difficult to photograph for selling online and the time taken to get the photos just right is worth more than what the card will sell for. One of my plans for the new year is to buy a new and better camera during the sales so hopefully that will allow me to make more of my cards available online.
The bookmarks continue to be a hit but again, I have struggled to find time to make more of them in recent weeks. Much of January will be spent making back ground felt for lots of different projects so hopefully I'll get some new bookmarks made in the new year.
Over the past year I have met people in real life that are regular visitors to my blog and fans of my page on Facebook. They have all helped and inspired me to come up with new ideas and make more of everyone's favourite items. Thank you to all of you who take the time to leave comments. It's such a great source of feedback and encouragement especially for someone who works from home.
It's great to be part of such a wonderful creative community as well. So many of us are busy making and creating trying to make a living doing what we love and the internet has certainly provided us with a fantastic way of helping and supporting each other.
Felt Art Work
I'll leave you with this little selection of cosy cottages.
