Artists I love: Lazy Oaf

I absolutely love this lovely, quirky clothing label... as always, it's lovely independent companies like these that push me to push my business further! Lazy Oaf's label, founded by Gemma Shiel is literally so upbeat and wonderful, I would love to own a piece :).

I think the fact that it's built up so awesomely over the 11 years it's been run, and I'd like to be blissfully happy with Handmade by Ify in that time too!

I also LOVE how quirky these pieces are:

Nearly as much as crisps card

Jazzy Notebook

 

Panther Crop T Shirt

 

Mixed Fruit Crop T Shirt

 

Mixy Mini Rucksack

I will one day snap up these pieces :)

Kaye Homewares.

I'm just making a post about my homewares store. I opened it in February and I have yet to make a sale. Its kinda annoying but meh, what are you gonna do? I'm clearly not promoting this enough.

So, here are a few things I sell at the moment:



This is my beautiful handmade paintbrush tidy. I made this from cotton, and it fits a range of sizes of paintbrushes, and is excellent to organise your paintbrushes, especially when you're on the go. These cost £9.



These are my pencil cases. They are lined with vintage cotton, so you can be ethical and have a unique thing for storing your pens and pencils. They are made with a mixture of cotton and polyester scrap fabric. They are all a unique piece, so you never will have a similar pencil case to someone else. These cost £6.



These are my handmade coasters. This is a beautiful piece to have in the home. Is really good for the boho chic/ eclectic environment. Is washable, and is sewn securely to last. They cost £9.




This is my handmade phone case. Is fully lined with cotton, and most of the patchwork used in these pieces are handmade, which is more reason to buy these. Sewn securely and has a drawstring fastening for extra security. They cost £3.

I'd be one happy bunny if these sold, but if they didnt, then I know theres something wrong, but I dont ever give up. I'm just not consistent in my efforts, such as promotion and what not. I plan to go back to basics with it, as I am a bit overwhelmed with everyones ideas as to how to bring sales to their shops. Sometimes simple is always best.

Anyway, I need to rest- the house is in a STATE, and I'd like to clean it up and get it in a decent state before easter and before I move out. I am also sewing up the rest of my collection and then hopefully going to a bbq, but we'll see how the day goes.

Katherine xo

An Artist/Designer that I enjoy: The Dainty Squid

I love the Dainty Squid; I feel like her designs are so whimsical and fun. I came across her blog via Violet Bella, and as soon as I saw her pencil cases and pouches on her etsy, I absolutely fell in love :)

A piece that I loved was this Tree Rings and Buttons Pouch.

It is made with Cotton and Lined with Muslin and you can carry all your goodies in!

Check out her website.

My latest purchase; Violet Bella

I am soooo excited about this purchase from Violet Bella. I was in SUCH a funk for the past couple of days... and with my Student Maintenance Grant coming early, I wanted to treat myself... I think I also wanted a new look for next year, so I treated myself to these perfect earrings as a starting point!

Violet Bella is an Artist, Photographer and Designer, who believes in "being true to yourself". I have been "following" this artists work for the past few months and I have fallen in love with her stuff... She is so inspiring with the way she lives her life... everything in it is handmade and sentimental and it makes me want to better my own life!

I hope that my own line, Bend Down Boutique, would progress in the same way she has, because she is so awesome! :)

I would like to make posts like this, appreciating artists a regular thing from now on, and then any personal thing goes on my tumblr, because I love soooo much items and people, I need to share it :)

Thanks so much for reading!

Kat x