ChaoticMusings

Magica · Go Outside

Is it too early to say the C word?

Syl · FIRM BUT FAIR.

Magica wrote:
Going to start wrapping Xmas pressies next weekend. Get them all sorted. 👍

You are ahead of the game Mags, well done.

Date: Nov 8 12:59 AM, 2025

I tend to panic in the middle of November. Trying to stick with UK companies this year.

Digger · Admin

Anonymous wrote:
I tend to panic in the middle of November. Trying to stick with UK companies this year.

then check out our British Artisan Makers on these sites. I get most of my presents from these places. Because sadly, a lot of the mainstream shops import crap from China and sell it as handmade British.

https://folksy.com/

https://thebritishcrafthouse.co.uk/

https://www.etsy.com/uk/

Vam · Go Outside.

Digger wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
I tend to panic in the middle of November. Trying to stick with UK companies this year.
then check out our British Artisan Makers on these sites. I get most of my presents from these places. Because sadly, a lot of the mainstream shops import crap from China and sell it as handmade British.

https://folksy.com/

https://thebritishcrafthouse.co.uk/

https://www.etsy.com/uk/

I used to order loads of Christmas/Birthday gifts from sites like those, Diggs. One of my favourites was the Not On The High Street site, where I could always find some unusual artisanal gift selections.

But after Brexit, it’s become a real hassle getting stuff sent over from the UK. At best, deliveries are blocked at Customs for ages. At worst, the import charges can often be double the cost of the goods ordered!

Syl · FIRM BUT FAIR.

I have made most of my Christmas cards for this year.

I may have to resize them tomorrow on laptop.

-- Edited by Syl on Tuesday 11th of November 2025 11:16:23 AM

Magica · Go Outside

Syl wrote:
I have made most of my Christmas cards for this year.

I may have to resize them tomorrow on laptop.

Oh Syl They are beautiful, clever you x

-- Edited by Syl on Tuesday 11th of November 2025 11:17:29 AM

Syl · FIRM BUT FAIR.

I will put one in the post for you Mags

Magica · Go Outside

Syl wrote:
I will put one in the post for you Mags

Vam · Go Outside.

😊 They’re lovely cards, Syl 👏🏻👏🏻 The intricate collage work is really well done.

Can I ask how long it takes you to make one card?

Magica · Go Outside

Off out today for a spot of Christmas shopping. 😃🎁

Syl · FIRM BUT FAIR.

Vam wrote:
😊 They’re lovely cards, Syl 👏🏻👏🏻 The intricate collage work is really well done.
Can I ask how long it takes you to make one card?

I made a mess of resizing them...

I love actually making the cards Vam, so it can take me ages, distressing every piece of card and paper, picking which pieces of lace, or which flowers to choose....I also decorate the insides of each card, and I never do two alike, that would be boring for me.

So the answer to your question is...it can take me hours to make one card,

Syl · FIRM BUT FAIR.

Magica wrote:
Off out today for a spot of Christmas shopping. 😃🎁

I know we are not even half way through November, but the shops seem to have been 'Christmasy' for ages. Like you, I have done the bulk of present buying. We don't have a large family now, so I don't have to buy loads...and thankfully I don't have to wrap loads.

Considering I am pretty arty, I am absolutely useless at wrapping, I can't even get a square box to look nice.

Thank God for gift bags.

Magica · Go Outside

Syl wrote:
Magica wrote:
Off out today for a spot of Christmas shopping. 😃🎁
I know we are not even half way through November, but the shops seem to have been 'Christmasy' for ages. Like you, I have done the bulk of present buying. We don't have a large family now, so I don't have to buy loads...and thankfully I don't have to wrap loads.
Considering I am pretty arty, I am absolutely useless at wrapping, I can't even get a square box to look nice.
Thank God for gift bags.

My hub does the wrapping Syl, otherwise it would be bags all the time for me too. I'm useless at it.

Syl · FIRM BUT FAIR.

Magica wrote:
Syl wrote:
Magica wrote:
Off out today for a spot of Christmas shopping. 😃🎁
I know we are not even half way through November, but the shops seem to have been 'Christmasy' for ages. Like you, I have done the bulk of present buying. We don't have a large family now, so I don't have to buy loads...and thankfully I don't have to wrap loads.
Considering I am pretty arty, I am absolutely useless at wrapping, I can't even get a square box to look nice.
Thank God for gift bags.
My hub does the wrapping Syl, otherwise it would be bags all the time for me too. I'm useless at it.

You are lucky...mine is worse than I am .

I have said every year we do a big hamper for grandson. We cadge a big strong cardboard box from some shop or market, then wrap it in Christmas paper, fill it with food and whatever else, then put cellophane paper all around, under, over...then tie it at the top with a big Christmas ribbon.

Every year this ends in cut fingers, bad tempers, and numerous rolls of Christmas paper because one or the other of us tears it when trying to pull it even. Then OH usually complains he has given himself a hernia carrying it to the car.

Magica · Go Outside

Syl wrote:
Magica wrote:
Syl wrote:
Magica wrote:
Off out today for a spot of Christmas shopping. 😃🎁
I know we are not even half way through November, but the shops seem to have been 'Christmasy' for ages. Like you, I have done the bulk of present buying. We don't have a large family now, so I don't have to buy loads...and thankfully I don't have to wrap loads.
Considering I am pretty arty, I am absolutely useless at wrapping, I can't even get a square box to look nice.
Thank God for gift bags.
My hub does the wrapping Syl, otherwise it would be bags all the time for me too. I'm useless at it.
You are lucky...mine is worse than I am .
I have said every year we do a big hamper for grandson. We cadge a big strong cardboard box from some shop or market, then wrap it in Christmas paper, fill it with food and whatever else, then put cellophane paper all around, under, over...then tie it at the top with a big Christmas ribbon.
Every year this ends in cut fingers, bad tempers, and numerous rolls of Christmas paper because one or the other of us tears it when trying to pull it even. Then OH usually complains he has given himself a hernia carrying it to the car.

that tickled me, hernia

Vam · Go Outside.

Syl wrote:
Vam wrote:
😊 They’re lovely cards, Syl 👏🏻👏🏻 The intricate collage work is really well done.
Can I ask how long it takes you to make one card?
I made a mess of resizing them...
I love actually making the cards Vam, so it can take me ages, distressing every piece of card and paper, picking which pieces of lace, or which flowers to choose....I also decorate the insides of each card, and I never do two alike, that would be boring for me.

So the answer to your question is...it can take me hours to make one card,

☺️ All of which should make anyone feel deeply appreciative of receiving one of your ‘exclusives’ 😉

(did you know ‘exclusive‘ is one of my favourite words? 😂)

Syl · FIRM BUT FAIR.

I know some people collect them, one reason I don't get tired of making them.I actually prefer to give than sell...I would make a useless salesperson.

'Exclusive' is a good word to have as a favourite.

Date: Nov 12 12:07 PM, 2025

Syl wrote:
I know some people collect them, one reason I don't get tired of making them.I actually prefer to give than sell...I would make a useless salesperson.

'Exclusive' is a good word to have as a favourite.

I know you said you prefer to give but I reckon they would sell really well on the likes of Etsy.

Most enjoy and will pay extra for handmade cards particularly as each is a one-off I think making a batch, say in the months leading up to Xmas, emphasise no two cards are the same (which is a great selling point btw…”exclusive“ as Vam mentioned) and “once they’re gone they’re gone” and voila extra funds for your Xmas gift purchases. If you can manage a few per month a decent size batch could be had.

The Americans in particular fall over handmade crafts and seem to love British handicrafts.

Syl · FIRM BUT FAIR.

Anonymous wrote:
Syl wrote:
I know some people collect them, one reason I don't get tired of making them.I actually prefer to give than sell...I would make a useless salesperson.

'Exclusive' is a good word to have as a favourite.
I know you said you prefer to give but I reckon they would sell really well on the likes of Etsy.
Most enjoy and will pay extra for handmade cards particularly as each is a one-off I think making a batch, say in the months leading up to Xmas, emphasise no two cards are the same (which is a great selling point btw…”exclusive“ as Vam mentioned) and “once they’re gone they’re gone” and voila extra funds for your Xmas gift purchases. If you can manage a few per month a decent size batch could be had.
The Americans in particular fall over handmade crafts and seem to love British handicrafts.

I still sell some when my grandsons' fiancé rents a stall at the craft fairs she goes to about 4 times a year, but tbh, I am hopless at organising the selling myself.

When my OH worked, he was a Manchester cabbie, and the Asian drivers used to buy loads, They all wanted birthday cards for their wives and mothers..apparently they loved all the lace and beading.

OH was a pretty good salesman.