Business in the Spotlight: A Treasured Something

                                          All about: A Treasured Something

Susan created  a small business called A Treasured Something. I spotted the gorgeous creations on Twitter and offered to do a blog post to showcase her business.

This is in Susan's words with some comments from me.

                                         Starting Out ....

Whilst I was at school I took Foundation Design and really enjoyed it. 

At the end of the school year, we were able to do exhibitions of our work and I put on one dedicated to The Teasle Family.  These were very much in during the early 1980s they were like little pompoms with a dress on and then a teasle head.  I then decided to make some stories with them and took photos on my old basic camera, had them developed at the chemist and put them in a book and wrote a little story about them living in my garden.  

I really enjoyed this and so did everyone who came to see my exhibition.

For many years then, art kind of fell by the wayside as work and gaining qualifications became more important. It wasn't really until about 10 years ago now that I started to pick it back up again, by looking into mixed media canvas paintings and decorating wine bottles and wine glasses.

                                                 My First Media Art Painting ....

I love this one so much because it reminds me 

of the sea with its wonderful colours and textures. 

I used a variety of mediums including broken 

jewellery, stamping and snow effects to give 

depth and texture to the painting.

It now hangs pride of place in my lounge to 

remind me of what I have achieved.

ME: I love the colours on this beautiful piece, it reminds me of the sea on a sunny day. 

Love the textures too, it's fabulous.

                

                              My Work Today .....

Over the past 10 years I have done a lot of different art and crafts, mainly for myself.  

                                     

One of the more unusual ones was making ornament goblets.

                                                                                

As a few of my friends were into Game of Thrones, I decided to get a few ordinary wine glasses and transform them into ornate Gothic style goblets.

ME: Aren't these fabulous? They really look the part. Such a great idea.

I enjoy diversifying into a variety of different mediums some have been pebble art, creating greeting cards and one of my loves at the moment is making miniature teddy bears and furry animals.  

As an artist and crafter I have found it very important to diversify in my work as it gives me ideals and inspiration.

 One of my favorite pieces has to be this little teddy bear and that is because I lost my little Pekingese in March this year and I popped some of her fur inside the teddy bear I had made so I could remember Hetty as she was my soul mate and will always be close to me.

ME: Such a wonderful idea, 

I am sure others would love something like this to remember a beloved pet and feel that they are still close. 

Susan's LINKS: 

ETSY: A Treasured Something

Ko-fi.com: A Treasured Something

Twitter: A Treasured Something

Facebook: A Treasured Something

Instagram: A Treasured Something

What do you think?

Did you enjoy this post about this lovely business? Do go and have a look, there are many beautiful pieces. Check out the social media pages. Why not follow to keep up to date with new products?

I love everything but especially the gorgeous Teddy bears, such glorious colours and so cute. They are not toys but fabulous collectables for adults to enjoy.

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Your business:

If you would like to have your business in the spotlight contact me. 

You need to write out why you started your business and what your inspiration is. Your first creation, your favourite piece and why. Add pictures and all links.

Its a Pay It Forward because starting out I had help from other crafters.

Business in the Spotlight: Lizbet Felt Creations

       Today's business in the spotlight is Lizbet Felt Creations

Usually I am given an idea of what to write with information supplied. Helen, the owner of this business has done all the hard work for me. She has done such a good job that I am leaving it all in her words.

Introducing Helen of Lizbet Felt Creations.

How it began

Needle felting was initially just a hobby for me. I loved art at school, but to my regret ,I didn’t carry on with it. If could go back in time, I’d go to art college. 

Over the years, I dabbled here and there, trying out different crafts in my spare

time, but nothing stuck. Then I bought a cheap needle felting kit and took to it immediately. The first thing I made was an apple, which is now sitting pride of place on my mum’s mantelpiece!

From dream to reality

I carried on experimenting. In 2020, after receiving some lovely comments about my work, I started thinking seriously about opening an Etsy shop, but I needed to work out the business side of things.

It was a dream come true when my Etsy shop eventually went live in November 2020 (yes, during lockdown). I felt nervous, but had the attitude that if it sells, it sells, if it doesn’t, it was worth trying. 

First Sale

The first creation I sold was a miniature penguin. I was sorry to see it go because it was a favourite of mine, but at the same time I was delighted to have made my first sale. I was so nervous wrapping the penguin up and preparing it for posting. What would the customer think? Thankfully I got great feedback, which boosted my confidence.

I’ve made many things since then, including lots of penguins.

I like to challenge myself. I have a list of things I want to make and am slowly working my way through it. Most recently I’ve ticked a cat off my list. 

I can’t pin down one favourite creation. Each new make becomes my favourite, but I can tell you the ones which stand out, and they include a hedgehog, a Herdwick sheep, and I loved a snowdrop and a fox I made so much, that I decided to keep them. I put a lot of myself into my work, so sometimes I do get attached.

One off creations

My work is unique. Many creations are one-offs, like the angels. Others are limited edition. Take the penguins I’ve made, even though some of them are done in the same style, their faces are all different, so when you buy something from me, know that no-one else has an identical piece. Needle felting is a slow art too, so I can’t make hundreds of the same item (not that I’d want to).

Now I have two shops, the original Etsy shop, plus a Crafter’s Market UK shop.

I opened the second shop because I wanted to be part of a site which was UK based. The Crafter’s Market UK shop is still a work-in-progress, but I am aiming to have that one for pictures, brooches, cards, plus one-off hanging decorations, whilst birds, animals and angels will all remain in my Etsy shop.

Loving the journey

2021 has been a learning curve, in terms of what I can make, social media and most recently, I’ve been looking into getting my work into local shops. 

I find needle felting relaxing. It’s the perfect way for me to express my creativity. It’s so exciting to start work on a blob of wool and to see what emerges. I love needle felting and I hope that comes across in my creations. 

Etsy: Welsh needle felting artist based in by LizbetFeltCreations (etsy.com)

Crafter’s Market UK: Lizbet Felt Creations (crafters.market)

Twitter: @lizbet_felt

Instagram: @lizbetfeltcreations

What do you think?

Did you enjoy the post? Have you checked out Helen's wonderful creations? Aren't they lovely, so cute and gorgeous!

Not looked yet? What are you waiting for? Click on those links and check them out.

Isn't it wonderful how a hobby and interest you really enjoy, can become a business you love.

Another post you might like: From Handmade Hobby to Business

Thank you for visiting and taking the time to read this post. See you again soon.

A New Business was Born

                             

For this post I am introducing my granddaughter Anya and her 6 month old business.

She has always been interested in what I do and as a teenager, helped me when she could, with my business. 

My Business

In the early days, over 10 years ago, I created accessory designs and crocheted them for something to do while I was ill. I ended up with so many that I decided to try selling them. Gradually the business changed and morphed into the word art I sell now. 

Anya and her partner got their own home and then a baby followed. The lockdown of course overshadowed this special event with no one being able to see them and the baby after he was born. Not an easy time to become new parents. 

Some would say it was a crazy time to start a new business. However, start it she did with us all cheering her on and it was a hit from day 1. I was always proud of her, still am of course but even more so now with the way she juggles the baby, her home and her business so well, as though she has been doing it all for years.

ANYA's Story

It's crazy to think that ever since the age of 14 I used to plan a new business idea every month and tell my Nanny & Brother what I was going to do but never went through the idea! Well here I am at the age of 23 and I've finally gone through with it and living the 'dream'. 

Welcome to Life In A Print Art

where you can find home decor, personalised prints, gifts & so much more.

I started in June 2020 when I was starting my Maternity leave following the birth of my beautiful baby boy at the end of April. Due to it being lockdown. 

I had my partner at home with me for the first few months and was lucky enough to always have his help so I felt having a Newborn was easy peasy and wanted to fill my time when I was bored. 

Well, when my partner went back to work I was wrong to think I had 'time to fill'. 

But with how successful I have been I wouldn't change it for the world and will always find the time. I love it. 

The first one

I started the business with personalised prints:

Nursery prints, Engagement prints and New Home prints, which is. where I got the name from 'Life in a Print Art'.

It certainly is your life in a print art!

Since then of course, my business has expanded into so many more items, which all still suit the name and the products fit together nicely.

My first ever item was a Personalised Nursery print. 

I randomly started by designing a print for my sons 'Safari themed' nursery, which is where my most loved design came from. 

I LOVE creating prints, I love the ideas & the designs.

Setting up Shop

I started selling on Facebook and then opened a shop on Etsy.

I feel so fortunate that my new business has taken off and done so well. 

Unknowingly I started it at the right time, when so many people were accessing the internet in ever increasing numbers. 

The future is exciting. I have so many exciting things being launched in 2021, some already on sale and more coming. New ideas are constantly popping up, more than I can count or start on.

Just Out and selling well.                                                          Coming Soon! So cute

                             

Follow me on both of my social media accounts Instagram & Facebook and my Etsy shop,

The entrepreneur's ditty!

She started young, testing the dream

many a teen is not what they seem.

She yearned for a business online

to fulfill her life, rather like mine.

The entrepreneur, waiting in the wing

has finally found her time to sing.

With creative ideas flowing fast

boring and dull is way in the past.

Living the creative life in flow

The bonus is, it makes you glow.

Live the life that sets you free

There is no better way to be!!

What do you think?

Have you popped along yet to have a look? No? Then go here:  Life In A Print Art, and see what it's all about. Go visit the social media pages too.

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Do you have a small business and would like to be featured on here? I don't charge, I do it to help.

People do like to find new shops and websites they haven't seen before. 

Hearing all about the person behind the business, how it began, where the ideas come from etc, makes it that bit more interesting. Customers like to get to know who they are buying from.

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