Craft Business Concerns Archives

10 Reasons Why I Love Wool Crafts

Or more to the point, 10 Reasons Why I Love Wool.

Working with wool is something I love for many reasons. I thoroughly enjoy using all kinds of natural fibres within my wool crafts of course, and those of you who are familiar with my products will be used to seeing everything from cotton to jute making an appearance. Wool though, particularly British wool, has a very special place in my heart.

I’m still surprised when people ask me what makes me so passionate on the topic as I’d assumed it had been discussed to death over the years by enthusiastic knitters, spinners and felters everywhere. Apparently I was wrong! So let’s take a little look at why and if you’re interested in discovering more, you can follow some of the links I’ll provide as we go along.

The List!

First and foremost, wool is 100% natural.
Wool is completely biodegradable. It’s a sad but common sight to see farmers burying unwanted fleeces in their fields.
Raw Wool
Wool forms part of the natural carbon cycle.
Wool is anti microbial and odour resistant. Bear that in mind the next time you ask why anyone would knit a pair of socks!
Hand Knitted Wool Socks
Wool improves indoor air quality; making it a great option for rugs, carpets and home furnishings.
Wool is a renewable resource i.e. it can be used repeatedly because it’s replaced naturally.
It’s breathable which is better for clothing and bedding. Synthetic materials tend to make us sweat.
Wool crafts allow me to help secure the future of native sheep breeds. Blacker Yarns, along with many others working in unity, helped to collect, process, spin and dye Boreray wool in recent years. This has successfully upgraded the Boreray breed from critical to vulnerable in the most recent survey by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. How awesome is that?
Wool helps me to support my local economy. From independent hand dyers and wood carvers to local yarn shops and smallholders, every time I purchase tools and materials for my crafts, I’m putting money into another small business.
Safety! This amazing material is fire resistant and fire retardant. You’ll find it’s often used for toy stuffing, upholstery, carpets and host of other applications.

Start of a crochet blanket in merino wool

I could make more, equally compelling, points but I’m sure you get the gist. We’re incredibly lucky to live in a country that has an abundance of this natural material and if you’d like to know more about wool in general, check out the Campaign for Wool‘s site.

by Lou Leave a Comment

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Craft Fairs for 2016

All of TDE’s craft fairs via the Livingston Crafts Association are now over for the current year. I had a lovely time, both here in Livingston at St Margaret’s Academy and in Linlithgow at the Masonic Halls. Catching up with previous customers and meeting new faces is so much fun. It’s always deeply appreciated that people are willing to brave our infamous weather and come to check out all the handmade crafts on display. A huge thank you for your business and for the wonderful feedback.

Taking part in craft fairs is definitely an ongoing learning experience and 2016 saw me make several improvements to my craft tables. I’m delighted with my new banner and also enjoyed playing with different layouts, introducing more levels to best display my products. The positive comments I received from visitors made the effort very worthwhile. I’m looking forward to 2017’s fairs.

Christmas Posting and Deliveries

The last UK posting dates for 2016 are fast approaching. Second Class mail will be going out by Tuesday 20th and First Class mail will be dispatched by Wednesday 21st. I’m happy to post after these dates if requested but be aware that there’s no guarantee they’ll be received in time for Christmas. Last posting dates for non UK deliveries can be found on my Facebook page HERE – just click the link.

by Lou Leave a Comment

Cool Craft Trends: What’s Hot For Your Makes In 2014

So what cool craft trends are set to wow us this coming year? I’m delighted to note that last year’s autumn/winter trend for all things tartan is set to storm on into 2014. Whether it’s home accessories or on the catwalks, plaid is still hot property and I do love me a bit of plaid. You could incorporate this into your own crafting with beautiful accent cushions, trendy phone holders and chic notebook covers. Alternatively, give new life to well used clothes with some tartan applique!

Tartan Elephant Cushion handcrafted by Tartan Crafts on Folksy (Photography & Design copyright to Tartan Crafts)

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by Lou Leave a Comment

Fair Trade In Scotland?

This may seem like an odd thing to post about on a craft blog but we all buy crafting materials right? How many of us take real responsibility for where those materials come from?

I’ll freely admit to being guilty of a lazy attitude in regards to this in the past and also, like many of you I suspect, aware of the extra cost incurred in adding Fair Trade or organic products to my basket. That cost is swiftly becoming less of an issue however and there isn’t really much excuse for not doing our part. It’s one of those areas where everyone could take some steps towards doing a little bit and being more aware of where and how our products and materials are sourced.

Which brings me neatly to the answer to the question this post is asking… and it’s a resounding yes!

Back in February at the beginning of 2013’s Fair Trade Fortnight, after a campaign led nationally by the Scottish Fair Trade Forum, Scotland was named as one of the world’s first Fair Trade Nations.

Absolutely awesome news.

Martin Rhodes, Director of the SFTF, is quoted as saying “Scotland achieving Fair Trade Nation status is the result of a grass roots campaign. People in all walks of life, across the country really are concerned about fairness in international trade and are prepared to act on that concern in their everyday purchasing decisions.”

Definitely something worth thinking on for small business owners when your customers make their opinions known so clearly. With our natural tendency towards upcycling, altered art and general recycling, using Fair Trade sourced materials shouldn’t be too much of a stretch for crafters!