The Carousel

Heres how it works -

Take a look though the featured shops, Choose any item, Then check the comments below to make sure that "shop spot" is still available, Leave a comment to reserve your spot and go buy! Then you can replace it in the treasury with a item from your own shop. You don't have to buy the featured item shown here, just something from one of the featured shops. If you buy something let me know and tell me which of your products you would like in its place, And if you're not a seller and want to join in? Well why not nominate one of your favourite shops!

It's first come first served so please comment and reserve your spot first!

Feel free to tell people about this, Tweet, Facebook....

The featured shops!

 

 

 

 

  

Sales so far - 573

The Carousel

Seller interview - Tamara Jane

Handmade by Tamara Jayne



Tell us a bit about who you are and what you do.
I’ve been married to Stephen for nearly 19 years and we have two teenage children. I love crafting. I tend to flit from one thing to another: knitting for a few weeks then moving to sewing or paper crafts for a few weeks then to cross-stitch or crochet etc. I like to try new things and pick up new skills too.

What made you start?
I can’t ever remember starting, I think crafting was just always there for me.
My grandmother, my mum and my sister are the same so we were probably brought up with crafting. The first overtime I ever earned as a teenager went on buying my very own sewing machine so I didn’t have to keep borrowing my mums.

What made you choose the craft you did?
A love of papers, fabrics and embellishments – especially buttons!

Do you consider yourself/the business a success? Why is that?
It’s getting there slowly. If I can make something that someone else will get pleasure from then that makes me happy. I love the idea that my items are decorating somebody else’s home.

What do you want your business to grow into?
I’m happy with how it is now but would like it to grow without losing it’s personality.

Is this what you thought you would be doing when you left school, What were your dreams?
I trained as a hairdresser then worked a couple of little jobs before taking a position in an office for 12 years. Since then I’ve been a housewife and a stay at home mum, which is what I wanted to be.

Do you prefer handmade or high street? What are you favourite shops?
I love the uniqueness of handmade. The time and care somebody has put into handmade is a very special quality.
I like the small, individual shops but don’t have a particular favourite.

If money was no object, What item would you buy "just because you can"?
Can I buy my own craft studio?

Whats your "secret vice"?
Buttons, chocolate and tequila!

One thing you wouldn't tell your parents?
Lies.

And finally, Whats you idea of a perfect Sunday?
A nice lie-in, time with family, a roast dinner and somebody else doing the washing up!


Shop http://www.folksy.com/shops/HandmadeByTamaraJayne
Blog http://tamarajayne.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/tamarajayneb
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HandmadebyTamaraJayne

12-7-11

Sales so far - 564

Roomeleven's seller interview!

Tell us a bit about who you are and what you do.
My name is Ellie and I design and make a range of jewellery and accessories. I have recently started selling them under the name Room Eleven on Folksy.

What made you start?
I have always been crafting in one way or another. I was that typical Blue Peter kid who got stuck to plastic yoghurt pots with PVA glue whilst making a bird seed feeder or some other highly advanced project. But the jewellery making only began about a year ago, when I had to spend some time in hospital. One of the nurses showed me some basic beading techniques and I was immediately hooked. I found beading to be one of the few ways available to cure my crippling boredom!

What do you want your business to grow into?
My 'business' still feels like a hobby more than anything right now. This whole project is very much in it's infancy. But I believe that's how good projects begin and am hoping for it to continue to grow and take me in different directions. Already, it has been a massive learning curve.

Do you prefer handmade or high street?
Handmade all the way! There is nothing better than buying something that has been carefully made by somebody else. The amount of mass produced, uniform, uninspiring things you see on the high street makes me genuinely sad. Handmade provides an alternative to this which I hope more people will come to embrace.

If money was no object, What item would you buy "just because you can"?
Probably a house! With a craft room where I could spend my days beading to my hearts content.

What's your "secret vice"?
I recently started watching the drama series 'Mad Men' and I think it should come with a warning label about it's addictiveness. It's getting to the point where I could easily watch three or four episodes back to back. Somebody save me from myself!

One thing you wouldn't tell your parents?
Shhhhhh. I can't tell you that!

And finally, What's you idea of a perfect Sunday?
My perfect Sunday would be lazy and relaxing, involving good food, good company and lots of crafting

My blog: http://roomelevenblog.blogspot.com/
My shop:http://www.folksy.com/shops/roomeleven

9/6/11

Sales so far - 561

A interview with KonnieKapow!

Hello! We are Konnie and Mr Kapow! Two superheroes fighting to save the world from dull and namby pamby greeting cards! 


What made you start? 
I was off work for quite a while a couple of years back suffering from depression and anxiety and most days it was almost impossible for me to even leave my own home. I was so bored though! I got fed up with tv very quickly but found I lacked the concentration to read so I was at a bit of a loose end. 

I still had lots of card blanks left over from the thank you cards I had made after our wedding so I started pottering about with them. I showed what I had done to a few friends as well as using some of them and people started saying I should sell them straight away as they're not your run of the mill greeting cards and there might be a gap in 'the market'. I was already a huge fan of Etsy having bought several items for my wedding there so I googled 'UK equivalent of Etsy' and came up with Folksy. 

I love 'setting things up' so had a shop very quickly and got my first sale, to my delight and horror, that week! 

What made you choose the craft you did? 
I've always made my own stationery since I was little. Coming from a small island in the Inner Hebrides with no one to play with but my little sister I put an advert in my favourite magazine for penpals. I got over 50 replies and dutifully replied to all of them, many of whom remained in correspondence well into my teens! That's a lot of writing paper though so I started to make my own! I would have liked to be able to create beautiful, delicate, classy stationery but what came out was a bit offbeat and always always silly! I guess you need to stick to what you're good at! 

Do you consider yourself/the business a success? Why is that? 
I do. Ok I'm not selling enough to make a living but I have regular sales and that's good enough for me! I started doing this when I was at a very low ebb, I pretty much hated everything about myself and thought I had no descernable 'talents' but I proved myself wrong without even meaning to! I've had 178 sales on Folksy to date and a few sales on Etsy and Zibbet although I don't really keep those shops up. I have my own website too which I get the odd sale from. That makes me so happy! 

The thing I love the most though is my blog which has a small regular readership and has earned me a role as columnist for Folksy's own blog (Kapowder Room Secrets http://blog.folksy.com/category/crafts-and-craft-genres/craft-genres-the-kapowder-room-secrets). I really feel like a part of a 'community' on Folksy and it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. Ahhh. 


What do you want your business to grow into? 
This is a very good question. I am currently between jobs and Mr Kapow has just been made redundant so if there was ever a time to try and make a go of things it would be now! He's a talented artist and I reckon there's something we can do full time. Watch this space! 

In the meantime though my dream is to be involved in the crafting world on a full-time writing basis, I have a real passion for writing but lack the confidence to push myself. 

Is this what you thought you would be doing when you left school, What were your dreams? 
Funnily enough, my dream was to be a journalist or writer in some capacity but I've never been one for 'ambition' so to speak. Yes I make opportunities for myself and take them when they happen along but I'm quite happy just tootling along too. I love my home life and have always known I wanted a family so I guess crafting is a good start on the road to working from home! 


Do you prefer handmade or high street? What are you favourite shops? 
Handmade, I hate hate hate the high street. I go out shopping there and everything looks the same, particularly the people. Sometimes I'll buy a dress or something from New Look or Primark and then realise down the line that it was a moment of madness where I was trying to be someone I really am not. I mostly only ever wear dresses which is in a way due to my height (5"11) and an 'above the knee' is a bit indecent from the high street so I do most of my clothes shopping in charity and vintage shops where I find stuff that better suits my style. 

If I'm buying a gift or jewellery etc I try to always make it handmade though, my favourite shops on folksy are Silk Purse, Sow's Ear, and Little Wren Pottery. 


If money was no object, What item would you buy "just because you can"? 
Definitely a house! We're renters and have had some pretty bad luck in the last couple of years with having to move out of places we were really attached to! 

If that's too practical then I would love to have the money to buy something I fancied from every single shop on Folksy! Howzat!? 



Whats your "secret vice"?
Popcorn. Oh how I love popcorn! Oh and red lipstick, I'd have one from every brand if I could! 




One thing you wouldn't tell your parents? 
Nothing! I've always told my parents everything, and I mean everything! I need to learn now though that sometimes I should keep some stuff to myself, especially now that I'm a grown up. I need to learn enigmacism! 

And finally, Whats you idea of a perfect Sunday? 
A sunny day out in the garden with a radio and some weeding followed by a wee glass of wine with Mr K. Oh and popcorn. 

Links: 
http://www.konniekapow.co.uk/http://www.folksy.com/shops/konniekapow 
http://www.facebook.com/konniekapowpagehttp://twitter.com/#!/konniekapow 
http://konniekapow.wordpress.com/ 

5/6/11

Sales so far - 558

Dollipop's Boutique interview!

Tell us a bit about who you are and what you do.

I am a 20-something primary school teacher from east London, with a keen interest in arts, crafts and Irish dancing!

What made you start?

While I was at university I started buying bits and pieces to make my own jewellery, started it giving them to friends as presents and keeping some for myself, of course. Word got around and people began putting in orders for certain necklaces and charm bracelets and it escalated from there really! I originally started selling on ebay and had my own website for a bit but as I'm so busy with work I didn't have time for the upkeep of a personal site so figured Folksy would be a lot more manageable.

Do you consider yourself/the business a success? Why is that?
I feel proud of what I do but still think there are lots more successes to come for Dollipops Boutique!! I do sell lots of items on and offline and feel so happy when I when see someone wearing a Dollipops product... it gives me butterflies!

What do you want your business to grow into?
My dream would be to have my very own little Dollipops Boutique shop in Brighton or somewhere just as quaint! I can't imagine completely giving up teaching so maybe I'd just do a day here and there in a school.

Is this what you thought you would be doing when you left school, What were your dreams?
I also dreamed about being a teacher, so never imagined that I would have my own online business! Although saying that I used to make friendship bracelets when I was in primary school and sell them for 20p each so maybe it's always been my destiny!

Do you prefer handmade or high street? What are you favourite shops?
I LOVE handmade items and find myself lost in a Folksy world, trawling through shops selling handmade items for hours. Then again, I spend just as much Time in Matalan (no Topshop for me!!). I do find myself buying more and more handmade products these days though and am constantly telling people to check out handmade shops online.

And finally, Whats you idea of a perfect Sunday?

Waking up on a nice sunny Sunday, going for a stroll in the forest and coming home to have a big fry up, with copius amount of tea. My afternoon would be spent sewing and jewellery making, with roast dinner at the 'rents. Nothing overly exciting, it's the simple pleasures that make Sundays perfect for relaxing and chilling out!

Thanks for popping over Lauren!

You can find out more about Dollipop's here
Shop: http://www.folksy.com/shops/dollipopsboutique
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dollipopsB
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/dollipopsB
Blog: http://dollipopsboutique.blogspot.com/

3/6/11

Sales so far - 558

Our first Crafter interview! Sophie Franck from Trinket box!

Tell us a bit about who you are and what you do.
I'm Sophie, I'm 25 years old [nearly 26, eek] and work full-time as a Nursery Practitioner. In the hours inbetween I'm a jewellery maker/designer, which I love!

What made you start?
I've always been quite creative. If asked how I got into making jewellery, I couldn't really tell you! I just kinda 'fell into' it.

What made you choose the craft you did?
Like I said previously, I'm not really sure - but I do love jewellery, so I think that may well have something to do with it! I always say it doesn't matter what you're wearing too much, but the accessores you put with it make it what it is!

Is this what you thought you would be doing when you left school, What were your dreams?
When I was 16, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I very nearly enrolled in at a voice tech college [have always loved singing, and been told I'm very good at it], but just ended up going to sixth form, then to college to study child care. I dabbled in various crafts before entering the world of jewellery making.

Do you prefer handmade or high street? What are you favourite shops? I like both, to be honest! With handmade, I like the fact that you're getting a totally unique item, which you wouldn't find anywhere else. But I can't deny the fact that I love h&m!

If money was no object, What item would you buy "just because you can"?
Creative-wise? A kiln! I need one! And a tumbler!
Otherwise, I'm currently wanting a big posh camera...

Whats your "secret vice"?
Ooh I'm not sure...my boyfriend says I have too much jewellery and nail polishes though! I tell him there's no such thing as 'too much'.


And finally, Whats you idea of a perfect Sunday?
A bit of a lay in, with cuddles with my boyfriend [soppy, I know], then he can bring me a veggie sausage sandwich and a big cup of tea in bed...then later a pub lunch with friends! I always love Sundays like that :)

Contact info for Sophie
http://folksy.com/shops/frankie
http://trinket-box..blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/#!/trinket_box
http://www.facebook..com/trinketboxjewellery   Thanks for being interviewed Sophie! If anyone else would like a interview please get in contact, Our email address is craftcarousel1@gmail.com

26/5/11

Sales so far - 552

12/3/11

Sales so far - 499

22-1-11

Sales so far - 459

And the winners are....

Dottie of http://www.dottiedesigns.co.uk/

And Ruth of http://summerlandcreative.com/

Congratulations ladies!

All changes will take place later on today, The biggest change being we are now opening up the carousel to ALL crafters, Wether your shop is on folksy, etsy or your own website you are all welcome to join in!

10.1.11

Sales so far - 448

A few changes

I hope you all had a wonderful christmas and a great start to the year? We certainly have and are now back and ready to get this show on the road.

The carousel has slowed down a little, and thats not good for anyone! So we are making a few changes to hopfully make it spin a little faster, faster means more of those lovely sales!

We are going to limit the time on the carousel to a week, after that you still get a weeks free advertising if you don't sell, but it stops the carousel getting stale.

We are also not linking to any one product any more, There have been lots of "please change my item" requests for various reasons. And though we love the carousel this does take up lots of our time. So instead you choose, or we can choose one of your items as the display picture, then link it to your store front!

and lastly we are going to add two new spaces on the carousel, rounding it off to a nice neat 20 spots and giving shoppers more choice and more chance to get on the carousel.

All this will come into effect next week.

Dont forget if theres nothing you fancy, you can still advertise with us in the supporters area, See the advertising button for more details

We hope you continue to enjoy the carousel for a long time to come!

Maryann & Sarah x