Shame on me!

I can't believe it has been so long since I have written on here! So much has happened! I'll fill you in.....
Back in June of 2011 I was lucky enough to be introduced to a lovely lady in my village. She has two little boys, one is in the same class as my daughter and the other is the same age as my youngest. She has a mad passion for all things vintage, does up old furniture and sews beautiful vintage aprons....how come I had never met her before??!!

One of Carrie's Vintage aprons

Anyway, since then Carrie and I have done a number of local vintage and craft fairs and then made the decision to launch our own event!
In January 2012 we began advertising our Shropshire Handmade and Vintage Fair. We have contacted lots of local businesses specialising in handmade items or flea market vintage goodies. We have hired a venue and hope to raise a lot of money from our raffle for little Blossom Burton who suffered a stroke as a result of the chicken pox virus at the age of 3. Please take a look at her fundraising page and help out if you can.
http://www.theblossomrosefund.com/

Marketing madness

I have neglected my little blog recently....time to get on!
I have recently discovered the joy of designing bags..... and I have decided that this is the main direction that LSB is going to take!
Everything from swimming bags to oil cloth changing bags...... drawstring bags to peg bags! You can never have too many bags!!
I have also recently started selling on Ebay..... a couple of sales in the first week, which I am pleased with. 

Retro messenger bag

Festival oilcloth bag

Scottie dog oilcloth messenger

 The website is still under construction but we had a meeting last week and things have been tweaked quite a bit and the launch date should be round the corner.
Have also got a meeting with a PR lady this week who is going to let me know about advertising in the local area. 
Once the website goes live I will start up a whole new marketing campaign!
Been busy creating again this week.... let me know what you think.

Cotton messenger

Anyway, really will try to update each week now!! Keep following for chances to win freebies!
And please pass on the BLOG links to your friends.
                                                                                       x x x 

April Already

I can't believe it's April already..... the last few months have just flown by and now the Easter holidays are upon us!

Over the last few months I have been busy getting ready for the Royal Wedding......lots of red/white/blue spot bunting so it is suitable for all occasions not just the Royal Wedding. Also been working on lots of felt/fleece brooches and hair bands which will be fabulous for the big day.

I've also been incredibly busy uploading products for the relaunch of Wow Thank You where I will have my own little LSB shop.

I am off to the theatre tomorrow with my fabulous mum.... We are going to see Calendar Girls. Yesterday had a lovely day out shopping with my eldest daughter and managed to squeeze in a girly lunch too..... Soooo, todays BLOG is dedicated to all things girly! Have a great week x x x

Beautiful print by Tinker Taylor Designs



Hanging plaque from My Little Loves



FOLKSY FRIDAY

Hi..... note to self..... must try hader to keep up to date with the blog!

So, today I have decided to join all my fellow 'crafters' and post a weekly blog on fabulous things I have found on the wonderful Folksy site.....so first I needed to think of a theme...

I've had a think back to events that have happened this week and things that have occupied my mind and I am going for 'Rule Brittania' for two reasons 1) I LOVE making my Union Jack cushions and have been busy with these this week and 2) Me and Mr Lockstock actually managed a 'date' last night and went off to the cinema to watch the fantastic 'King's Speech'

So here we go......!

http://www.folksy.com/items/1143001  

Lovely buttons by Kikichoo

http://www.folksy.com/items/823073

Union Jack Hearts Framed picture by the lovely Daisy Frames

http://www.folksy.com/items/1095429-Union-Jack-purse?shop=yes

Union Jack purse from Flowers in the Attic

And I do believe that http://www.folksy.com/shops/lockstock do a beautiful Union Jack cushion!!

Happy weekend x

Party Time!

Right..... I am going to get more organised with my blog! from now on I am going to aim to write at least once a week!

I have just been so busy recently..... which is all good obviously but it does mean that some things get neglected.....my blog is always out of date, my recycling is in a jumble, my pile of items to sell on ebay is stacking up and my children are probably behind on their dinner money...... but hey, I'm still enjoying it all!!

I have had a couple of parties this week where I was able to show lots of items I have been busy making.

The cushions are flying out and so are the chldren's aprons.

I have also been very busy with bunting..... especially personalised bunting .... for boys as well as girls. It's good to know we are not forgetting our little men!


And also some Christmas bunting!

I have also been mentioned on a blog!! My first time! So thank you so much to Unique Beaded Gems. And...as a result, I sold a lovely snowflake mouse Christmas card.

I have decided that I have been neglecting my Folksy shop so another note to self there! I'm also going to aim to start Folksy Friday.

So, the day has started.... the snow is on the ground..... husband up a mountain....the heating is on and it's a making day! Don't forget to catch up with me on Facebook
Have a great week x

Tuesday ramblings

Went into work today! real work... supply teaching in my old school....... Love the place but it reminded me of why I decided to open www.lockstockboutique.com!
Got myself up and dressed in reasonable time..... children all dressed (albeit in crazy clothes for Be Bright Day!)...dropped the eldest off at morning Netball, realised I needed diesel..... purse not in handbag....raced home...remembered purse was in bodywarmer.....couldn't find bodywarmer..... set off again munching on toast in the car.... Managed to get diesel on a random bank card I found in a pocket of my handbag.....8.45am husband phones to ask where middle child's coat is!!??  All before 9am.
Since opening Lock Stock Boutique my stressful days have taken on a different form...... can I manage to get all my orders done within my personal deadlines, have I ordered enough fabric? etc... all in the comfort of my own home..... no diesel required, no racing around to get to work on time, no trying to remember whether to pick the children up from after school clubs or a friend's house!  I LOVE being my own boss and I love the fact I can do it all in the comfort of my own home with a lovely cup of tea and the company of Phil and Holly!

If you're considering making a change...... go for it!!

Whoo hoo!! I'm back!!

So sorry! I have been incredibly busy.... It turns out that you have to make a business work by making lots of lovely stuff so that's exactly what I've been doing!
Where do I start????  My FB page is now a really good marketing tool... please make sure you take a look and sign up for updates!http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Lock-Stock-Boutique-fan-page/139110189438565

I've also just been featured in the fantastic Families Cambridgeshire magazine http://www.familiesonline.co.uk/Locations/Cambridgeshire/Local-magazine
Page 8 of the Nov / Dec issue. Thanks to the fabulous editor Sam Carr who happened to buy some items from me recently through Folksy.
New website is about to be launched.... watch this space!!