Lily Lamb & Plans for 2015

Well hello and a lovely warm and cosy welcome this December edition of the Tigerlily Makes blog. I thought I might share with you  plans for moving forward into 2015 and the decisions behind the directions we are headed.

With 2014 nearly behind us I can tell you that is has been one of my most difficult years to date, both personally and professionally. I have had to work tirelessly and constantly both in balancing my personal and professional life, to maintain the standard everyone loves and knows about Tigerlily Makes designs.

I fell in love with felting several years ago now, having come from a needle work and textile arts background at the age of 13, textiles have always been my first love.

I had aimed to make felting my living, but in actual fact a small needle felted lamb called Lily has really paved the way for a much bigger and unique concept in the design process. Lily Lamb's initial role was to become the official Tigerlily Makes mascot and branding.  Little did I know then how much she would naturally grow and develop into what she is today... a much loved character with many guises, fitting perfectly into a wider product range.

So it makes perfect sense to me to be lead by where Lily is destined to be, in early 2015 I will be leaving the Handmade Boutique's to focus on Lily the Lamb, her very own website currently up and running... as well as growing and developing her product range.  I will slowly be winding Tigerlily Makes up and focus on Lily Lamb.

I will be starting the new year, by writing and developing the very first 2 short picture story books in a series of books. The books will aim to appeal to both parents and children containing fun characters but leaning towards problem solving situations and life lessons.

I have already begun to source and work with some manufacturers on developing and marketing the range further and will be meeting with some of the UK's biggest manufactures in early 2015. Whilst I focus on building this range I hope to offer a smaller personalised Lily Lamb range online whilst Lily is charming her way through the UK.

So I guess the key is to learn to adapt and change with the demands of the market place. So watch this space and we will keep you posted.

But for now keeeeeeep lambing!

Thank you for taking the time to visit Tigerlily Makes The Felt-making Blog All content and design work, including text, photos, etc are © copyright 2014 Lisa Marie Olson owner of Tigerlily Makes (unless otherwise stated and named whereby copyright resides with said named person)and cannot be copied without prior permission from the copyright owner. Tigerlily Makes is a member of ACID (Anti Copying in Design and all designs are registered and protected. www.acid.uk.com www.tigerlilymakes.co.uk www.facebook.com/tigerlilymakes www.twitter.com/tigerlilymakes

Christmas Gift Idea's

A very warm welcome to this autumnal November post. Now that Halloween is firmly behind us and Bonfire night is almost done... then we can turn to Christmas... yes I did say Christmas!

With not many weeks left until now until the biggest day of the year, we at Tigerlily Towers thought you might like a few gift ideas to help you along the way. There's pretty much something for everyone either in our online store or in one of our stockists.

So lets get straight to it.

The Lily Lamb Coluring & Activity Book Is a great one for keep the children entertained this festive season

www.tigerlilymakes.co.uk an in Store at the Handmade Boutique Sutton & Brimingham

Alice in Wonderland Inspired Wall art and room Decor Available only at the Handmade Boutique Sutton 

Gorgeous Card Packs and Gift Wrap only at the Handmade Boutique Sutton & Birmingham

Christmas Buttons & Coasters only available at Handmade Boutique Sutton 

This is just a taster of what is on offer from Tigerlily Makes this year and so I will be back soon with more Christmas ideas. 

Thank you for taking the time to visit Tigerlily Makes The Felt-making Blog All content and design work, including text, photos, etc are © copyright 2014 Lisa Marie Olson owner of Tigerlily Makes (unless otherwise stated and named whereby copyright resides with said named person)and cannot be copied without prior permission from the copyright owner. Tigerlily Makes is a member of ACID (Anti Copying in Design and all designs are registered and protected. www.acid.uk.com www.tigerlilymakes.co.uk www.facebook.com/tigerlilymakes www.twitter.com/tigerlilymakes

Lily Lamb Colouring & Activity Books have arrived...

Well I am quite literally squeeling with excitement and dancing like no one is watching over my latest creations!

Introducing the 24 page Lily Lamb colouring and activity book, beautiful outline drawings of my beloved Lily and Louis Lambs in their various guises. This colouring book is A4 in size and is designed to be slightly educational in its approach.

The first two pages will give you a colouring guide for all the Lily's and Louis's featured in the book, this will help children identify different colours and make decisions about their own colour choices. Pages 4 to 19 have a combination of single Lily or Louis Lambs with fun sayins such as, Lily Lamb says "Its fun to bake" as she stands proud waiting for you to colour in her bakers apron. Page 19 gives you a balnk page to draw your favorite Lily or Louis Lamb, page 20 is all about counting each different Louis and Lily lamb. Pages 21 & 22 will help with learning the lamb names with the Lambs themselves. Page 23 is a fun maze which will help Princess Lily Lamb find her way through the maze and back to the castle.

The final page is a fun educational story page, where you can fill in the blanks to complete the story.

Well enough of of all that, I guess I had better show you what all the fuss is about! LOL

Happy colouring!

 

 

Thank you for taking the time to visit Tigerlily Makes The Felt-making Blog All content and design work, including text, photos, etc are © copyright 2014 Lisa Marie Olson owner of Tigerlily Makes (unless otherwise stated and named whereby copyright resides with said named person)and cannot be copied without prior permission from the copyright owner. Tigerlily Makes is a member of ACID (Anti Copying in Design and all designs are registered and protected. www.acid.uk.com www.tigerlilymakes.co.uk www.facebook.com/tigerlilymakes www.twitter.com/tigerlilymakes

Handmade Felt Christmas Pudding Cards

Hello again and continuing on the dreaded C word theme, my felted Christmas pudding cards are making a return again this year. I just love making these, I am not sure why they are so popular... but each year customers ask for them. Is it the something very shiny that comes with each pudding or the very berry, berries that top the pudding or maybe just the whole thing. Who knows but, but people want them and who am I to argue.

These are currently in production as we speak and will be in our boutiques from October.

For now though hope you are having a pudding of a time in the run up t the festive season!

Thank you for taking the time to visit Tigerlily Makes The Felt-making Blog All content and design work, including text, photos, etc are © copyright 2014 Lisa Marie Olson owner of Tigerlily Makes (unless otherwise stated and named whereby copyright resides with said named person)and cannot be copied without prior permission from the copyright owner. Tigerlily Makes is a member of ACID (Anti Copying in Design and all designs are registered and protected. www.acid.uk.com www.tigerlilymakes.co.uk www.facebook.com/tigerlilymakes www.twitter.com/tigerlilymakes

Very Berry & Very Festive Christmas card...

A very warm and happy welcome to the latest festive edition of the TM blog from the top of the tower!

Well folk as with the pudding wrap the Christmas card selection is making a come back, we can;t get enough of these high quality 6 x 6 Christmas card designs! As with the wrap these lovely trio of cards has been designed and produce right here in the UK. So please support local designer/makers and buy not only local but British too.

This fun trio will be available from October and can be purchased as single card or a pack.

For now I will leave you a peep and the range!

Thank you for taking the time to visit Tigerlily Makes The Felt-making Blog All content and design work, including text, photos, etc are © copyright 2014 Lisa Marie Olson owner of Tigerlily Makes (unless otherwise stated and named whereby copyright resides with said named person)and cannot be copied without prior permission from the copyright owner. Tigerlily Makes is a member of ACID (Anti Copying in Design and all designs are registered and protected. www.acid.uk.com www.tigerlilymakes.co.uk www.facebook.com/tigerlilymakes www.twitter.com/tigerlilymakes

Gift wrap will get Christmas all wrapped up!

Hello and a very warm and fully felted welcome to the latest edition of the TM blog from the top of Tigerlily Towers!

Well its back by popular demand our excellent quality gift wrap sheets are making a return to the Handmade Boutiques this Christmas. They will be sold in multi packs of 10 Sheets to make your wrapping go that bit further and will be in our Sutton, Birmngham and Solihull Christmas Shop. So keep your eyes peeled for those. Wrap will be available from October.

Team the wrap up with a simple bit of twine and you have the perfect look. All of Tigerlily Makes products including the gift wrap and cards ranges are designed and produced right here in the UK. So please support your local designers by buying British.

For now thought I will leave to wrap to your hearts content!

Thank you for taking the time to visit Tigerlily Makes The Felt-making Blog All content and design work, including text, photos, etc are © copyright 2014 Lisa Marie Olson owner of Tigerlily Makes (unless otherwise stated and named whereby copyright resides with said named person)and cannot be copied without prior permission from the copyright owner. Tigerlily Makes is a member of ACID (Anti Copying in Design and all designs are registered and protected. www.acid.uk.com www.tigerlilymakes.co.uk www.facebook.com/tigerlilymakes www.twitter.com/tigerlilymakes

Christmas Puddings! And the marathon begins!

Well can you believe it lovely felt folks! its that time of year again when the kidywinkles go back to school and our attentions turn to one of the most frantic and busy times of the year!

Well once again I am making needle felted Christmas Pudding Tree Decorations! YES I am and have been for a few weeks now! The first batch almost done and starting the next batch!  They will be available from the beginning of October. I am only making a limited run this year, so be sure to get yours whilst you can!

Christmas for us designers, is one of the most busiest times of the year! Whilst I love Christmas I am always grateful to sit down with my family to share Christmas lunch, my feet quite literally won't touch the ground from now until Christmas day! With School workshops to deliver, 2 felting workshops at our Sutton Boutique, stockists to stock, new designs to launch and so much more, the next few months will quite literally fly by!

Sometimes I feel like the Snowman flying high above it it all whilst it quite literally passes me by! Lol! However when I see the joy on peoples faces as they learn a new skill or take home something truly special it makes it all worth while.

So for now I will give you the first sneak peek of Lily's Pudds a Pudding Tree Decoration!

Thank you for taking the time to visit Tigerlily Makes The Felt-making Blog All content and design work, including text, photos, etc are © copyright 2014 Lisa Marie Olson owner of Tigerlily Makes (unless otherwise stated and named whereby copyright resides with said named person)and cannot be copied without prior permission from the copyright owner. Tigerlily Makes is a member of ACID (Anti Copying in Design and all designs are registered and protected. www.acid.uk.com www.tigerlilymakes.co.uk www.facebook.com/tigerlilymakes www.twitter.com/tigerlilymakes

Lily Lamb Notebooks have landed with much aplomb at the Handmade Boutique

Gosh well where O where does the time go... I realise that much time has passed since my last post!

However in my defense I have been rather busy building the Lily Lamb range and have launched the first few products at both the Birmingham & Sutton branches of the Handmade Boutique.

So I thought I would give you all a sneak peak at the first in the notebook series. There are more designs to come as well as a stunning colouring and activity book.

Hope you like and have a great day!

Thank you for taking the time to visit Tigerlily Makes The Felt-making Blog All content and design work, including text, photos, etc are © copyright 2014 Lisa Marie Olson owner of Tigerlily Makes (unless otherwise stated and named whereby copyright resides with said named person)and cannot be copied without prior permission from the copyright owner. Tigerlily Makes is a member of ACID (Anti Copying in Design and all designs are registered and protected. www.acid.uk.com www.tigerlilymakes.co.uk www.facebook.com/tigerlilymakes www.twitter.com/tigerlilymakes

The handmade Boutique Opens its 2nd Store in Gracechurch Shopping Centre

Well hello and a very warm welcome to you all on yet another fully felted blog!

Well exciting news... drum role please! Handmade Boutique opens its 2nd boutique in the heart of the Gracechurch Shopping Centre in the Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield!

Tigerlily Makes has been invited to join the boutiques 2nd store to accompany its flagship store in The Great Western Arcade in Birmingham. The boutique will house some of the finest designer/handmade products in the whole of the midlands, with many of us based in the heart of Sutton Coldifeld.

There will be a workshop area, where there will be a lovely selection of workshops on offer, enabling people to come and learn how to make some of the designer projects that are made and sold in the store.

But for now I shall leave yo with just a few of the Tigerlily Makes designs that will be heading over to Sutton.

Thank you for taking the time to visit Tigerlily Makes The Felt-making Blog All content and design work, including text, photos, etc are © copyright 2014 Lisa Marie Olson owner of Tigerlily Makes (unless otherwise stated and named whereby copyright resides with said named person)and cannot be copied without prior permission from the copyright owner. Tigerlily Makes is a member of ACID (Anti Copying in Design and all designs are registered and protected. www.acid.uk.com www.tigerlilymakes.co.uk www.facebook.com/tigerlilymakes www.twitter.com/tigerlilymakes

New Spiro Bound Notebooks coming soon...

Well folks its that time again for another fully felted addition to Tigerlily Makes!

Well we have chatted a few times now about my much loved and cherished Lily Lamb! So I hope you don't mind if we chat again about her!

Lily Lamb started out in life as a needle felted undressed lamb, which formed the basis of the Lily Lamb mascot an undressed image produced for my website with a little flower in her hair. She has grown and developed along the way and I have watched her blossom into the wonderful young lady that she is now!

Lily has not been on this journey on her own though I might add, oh no she has had much support and guidance from the shinning light in her life " Grandma Lily" together they have faced challenges and overcome them. Lily Loves her grandma so much that she is always hugging her, for after all that is what grandma's are for!

So what better way to say thank you to Grandma Lily than to share the front cover of a notebook with her!

Lily Lamb & Grandma Lily - Part of the Lily Lamb Family

The Original Undressed Lily Lamb, given as a treasure hunt prize for Tigerlily Makes 1st Birthday

Thank you for taking the time to visit Tigerlily Makes The Felt-making Blog All content and design work, including text, photos, etc are © copyright 2014 Lisa Marie Olson owner of Tigerlily Makes (unless otherwise stated and named whereby copyright resides with said named person)and cannot be copied without prior permission from the copyright owner. Tigerlily Makes is a member of ACID (Anti Copying in Design and all designs are registered and protected. www.acid.uk.com www.tigerlilymakes.co.uk www.facebook.com/tigerlilymakes www.twitter.com/tigerlilymakes

Alice In Wonderland - Its Always Time for Tea!

Oooo gosh... I'm late... I'm late is just one of the many phrases and sayings that has inspired my passion for all things Alice In Wonderland.

As a Child it is something I remember reading fondly along with The Hobbit and The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe! I was forever being told off for daydreaming and not concentrating on the lesson in hand! But you see I have always had a creative mind, always taking me off to magical places and a dreamworlds where anythings possible.

My passion of all things magical continued into adult hood where my thirst and need to be creative just grew and grew. I love the storybooks of yester year and loved reading to my son when he was a child. Reading to my son every night was the most favorite part of the day, as was it his... my son being a child with dyslexia and having a book read on a daily basis was a great help to his academic development.

So with such a long love affair with the magical story telling and imagery around, it was only going to be a matter of time that I would create Alice inspired fully felted creations.

Time for TEA is probably my most favorite saying out of all the Alice phrases, I think mainly because I am a tea-aholic! There Iv'e said it and also coming from a very long line of Welsh ancestors... tea was always what solved every problem, every thirst and every celebration. There would always be a pot of tea on at my Grandma's and Great Grandma's house and it was always served from a pot and in china tea cups. Some would say that its a very British thing, for me its always been a very Welsh thing!

So inspired by this magical book and all her characters, I have created my own nod to Alice, I hope that she and her author would be proud of these interpretations... and so now there's only one thing left to do!

Lets fill the pot!

Thank you for taking the time to visit Tigerlily Makes The Felt-making Blog All content and design work, including text, photos, etc are © copyright 2014 Lisa Marie Olson owner of Tigerlily Makes (unless otherwise stated and named whereby copyright resides with said named person)and cannot be copied without prior permission from the copyright owner. Tigerlily Makes is a member of ACID (Anti Copying in Design and all designs are registered and protected. www.acid.uk.com www.tigerlilymakes.co.uk www.facebook.com/tigerlilymakes www.twitter.com/tigerlilymakes

Business. It’s all about keeping it social!

Well hello lovely makers, creators and all round lovely people! I thought I’d take a few minutes of your time (thank you for reading this, btw!) to sing my praises in favour of social media, and how I use it in my business.

There’s no escaping how popular the likes of Facebook and Twitter have become, and as you know, I have fully embraced both platforms with open arms.  Social media gives me a chance to get closer to my customers and other like-minded felt fans.  We can share ideas, images and new designs as well as using the Facebook page and Twitter feed to tell you all about my courses and any press coverage that I’m fortunate enough to secure.   

I also love hearing from you and seeing the results of your felting after you’ve been on one of my courses or made with one of my kits – and social media makes this all so very easy and instant – would you send me a picture of your endeavours if you have to have it developed and copied and then post it the old fashioned way?

I really can’t imagine running a business without social media now, and I’d like to thank you all for taking the time to visit my Facebook page and for following me on Twitter.

Have a great day! 

Thank you for taking the time to visit Tigerlily Makes The Felt-making Blog All content and design work, including text, photos, etc are © copyright 2014 Lisa Marie Olson owner of Tigerlily Makes (unless otherwise stated and named whereby copyright resides with said named person)and cannot be copied without prior permission from the copyright owner. Tigerlily Makes is a member of ACID (Anti Copying in Design and all designs are registered and protected. www.acid.uk.com www.tigerlilymakes.co.uk www.facebook.com/tigerlilymakes www.twitter.com/tigerlilymakes

Its a Teddy Bears Picnic with Guest Star Lily the Lamb...

Hello and a very happy Friday to all you lovely makers,creators and well all round lovely people!Today we bring you fun and frolics at the Teddy Bears picnic of the year. Hosted by Bear grace created by Burman Bears and special guest of honour Tigerlily Makes very own Lily Lamb!

What a flurry of activity the Handmade Boutique was on Tuesday, with preparations for the event of the year... the Burman Bears annual Teddy Bears picnic! Well this picnic was to be like no other picnic, as it was to play host to one very special guests Lily Lamb and  Grandma Lily Lamb!

Well what a day, Lily and Grandma Lily had, so many new bears to meet it was such the social event with laughter, fun, games and plenty of food to be had. Lily had fun with all the bears, but she was particularly taken with one or two special characters! Bear Grace was in so much adoration of Lily that she scooped her up and hugged her dearly.

With the first introductions successfully underway it was time to mingle and mingle they did, with all the bears and Lambs keen to chat and play games.

Well one of many great introductions was Lily Lamb and Bloo the Elephant, this pair really hit it off and as Lily said "Oh Bloo don't be blue I will be your friend" and so it was!

After much fun, it was time to leave and what better way to say goodbye to your wonderful hosts than with a friendly kiss to seal the friendship! Come back soon for more picnic stories! 

All bear designs Copyright Angela Burman Burman Bears all design rights reserved. Lily Lamb Copyright Lisa Marie Olson Tigerlily Makes all design rights reserved.

Thank you for taking the time to visit Tigerlily Makes The Felt-making Blog All content and design work, including text, photos, etc are © copyright 2014 Lisa Marie Olson owner of Tigerlily Makes (unless otherwise stated and named whereby copyright resides with said named person)and cannot be copied without prior permission from the copyright owner. Tigerlily Makes is a member of ACID (Anti Copying in Design and all designs are registered and protected. www.acid.uk.com www.tigerlilymakes.co.uk www.facebook.com/tigerlilymakes www.twitter.com/tigerlilymakes

Lily Lamb's Debut into the Handmade Boutique...

A wonderfully warm welcome to you all to the latest little piece of all things fully felted!

Today I wanted to introduce to you some new Lily Lamb designs and get your thoughts on this new look and new direction!

Well as you all know, from the very beginning, Lily Lamb has been the driving force behind Tigerlily Makes... she is a much loved and adored character and has many guises and duties that she performs in her right Royal role as a fully felted princess!

She has been on holidays; has traveled afar and quite often you will see her visiting her ancestors at places like Buckingham Palace and Chatsworth House!

With all the good work she does, I feel it only fair to reward her with her very own special range of must haves and things you can't live without lines!

Hope you like them as much as Lily does. Currently available at the Handmade Boutique

Fridge Magnet & Mirror Collection

Lily Lamb Handbag Mirror

Princess Lily Handbag Mirror

Rosalily Handbag Mirror

Reverse of Land Gal Lily Key-ring

Front of Land Gal Lily Key-ring

Thank you for taking the time to visit Tigerlily Makes The Felt-making Blog All content and design work, including text, photos, etc are © copyright 2014 Lisa Marie Olson owner of Tigerlily Makes (unless otherwise stated and named whereby copyright resides with said named person)and cannot be copied without prior permission from the copyright owner. Tigerlily Makes is a member of ACID (Anti Copying in Design and all designs are registered and protected. www.acid.uk.com www.tigerlilymakes.co.uk www.facebook.com/tigerlilymakes www.twitter.com/tigerlilymakes

Tigerlily Makes joins the Handmade Movement at Handmade Boutique Birmingham

Well hello, lovely makers creators, felt folk and all round lovely people! Welcome to the latest edition of the Tigerlily Makes Blog!

Today I am very excited to be sharing with you a beautiful shop in The Great Western Arcade in Birmingham, call the Handmade Boutique. I have been invited to join this wonderful boutique and unique concept.

The Handmade Boutique was first founded in 2012 with a temporary pilot scheme to test the market and to see if designer handmade products could be brought to the high st! Well 2 years on the first permanent Handmade Boutique has been a roaring success and is now passed its first year of trading.

I am delighted to say that Tigerlily Makes has been invited to take part in this unique concept and has already installed an array of  Lily lamb and hand felted products.

My main aim with this boutique is to specialise in my much adored and loved Character Lily Lamb and my much coveted Alice In Wonderland inspired range. Lily Lamb as you know is Tigerlily Makes official mascot, character and product range, so far we have Lily Lamb fridge magnets, mirrors, key rings and notebooks. Following on from this we have Colouring books in the making as well as tea towels. Later in the year I will be doing a range of notebooks and notebook bumper packs as well as a whole host of other products.

As for the Alice range, I will be expanding this range to including new greetings card designs, shadow frame designs and more of the hand felted blocks.

For now thought I think I will just leave you with a few of the lovely midlands and UK produced Tigerlily Makes product lines!

Thank you for taking the time to visit Tigerlily Makes The Felt-making Blog All content and design work, including text, photos, etc are © copyright 2014 Lisa Marie Olson owner of Tigerlily Makes (unless otherwise stated and named whereby copyright resides with said named person)and cannot be copied without prior permission from the copyright owner. Tigerlily Makes is a member of ACID (Anti Copying in Design and all designs are registered and protected. www.acid.uk.com www.tigerlilymakes.co.uk www.facebook.com/tigerlilymakes www.twitter.com/tigerlilymakes

Retiring from the forces and feeling your way through felt!

Hello and welcome to the latest edition of the Tigerlily Makes blog! I can't quite believe how much time has passed since we last chatted.

Today I wanted to bring you something really special. A couple of years ago I met a wonderful lady called Angie, Angie was in the forces as was her husband. After many years of service they both decided that it was time for a new direction and time to look towards having a family.

When I met Angie she had already brought her beautiful son into the world and had begun the process of withdrawing from the forces. Part of the process when you leave the forces is to find a new life, new interests and begin to move your non-forces life forward. This can sometimes be a long process, as part of this process Angie was offered courses to find new skills and interests. A couple of those course were spent on felt making courses at Tigerlily Makes.

Angie took to felting like a natural and it was so wonderful to see the enjoyment in Angie's face whilst she was felting. It was such a contrast from her previous life.

Well after those courses, Angie kept in touch with progress and to replenish supplies for her new found passion.

A couple of years later, Angie has continued with her love of felting, has moved overseas and is quite literally about to give birth to her second child.

I am so pleased that Angie has found a passion for felt making and making with felt, its great that she has been able to continue and literally transport her passion overseas.

So I think I will leave you with some of her wonderful work. Thank you Angie for coming on the course and sharing the experiences, I have loved every minute.

 Stunning Fish Themed Wall Hanging by Angie Gow _ Image & Design Copyright Angie Gow

 Beautiful Fish Themed Cover - Image & Design Copyright Angie Gow

Gorgeous Fish Themed Door Panel - Image & Design Copyright Angie Gow

For now keeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep felting!

Thank you for taking the time to visit Tigerlily Makes The Felt-making Blog All content and design work, including text, photos, etc are © copyright 2014 Lisa Marie Olson owner of Tigerlily Makes (unless otherwise stated and named whereby copyright resides with said named person)and cannot be copied without prior permission from the copyright owner. Tigerlily Makes is a member of ACID (Anti Copying in Design and all designs are registered and protected. www.acid.uk.com www.tigerlilymakes.co.uk www.facebook.com/tigerlilymakes www.twitter.com/tigerlilymakes

Angela Burman & Burman Bears

Well hello lovely makers, creators and all round lovely people! Well its that time again and time to share something with you that I am ever so passionate about.

Today I would like to introduce you to Angela Burman, founder, originator, creator and maker of all things Burman Bears. I met Angela back in 2012 when I had a concession at the Handmade Boutique in Birmingham, Angela was involved in the enterprise Birmingham Made Me in the Mailbox. I instantly warmed to Angela's warm, witty and open character. I had heard then about Angela's bears, but never (I embarrassingly admit) got to see them.

When Handmade Boutique secured a prime retail spot at Touchwood Solihull, I was offered the opportunity to be a part of it. It was then I started working with Angela and we hit it off from the first day. I am sure its a Welsh thing as both our families originate from Wales!

When you meet Angela it is easy to see why you fall in love with her bears and critters, you see to fall in love with a Burman Bear is to fall in love with Angela. Angela injects, love and passion into every single handmade bear she makes, with an innate sense of pride and joy, there is a story and character behind every bear. Angela draws on her childhood and lifetime experiences to create each bear as a one off. Whilst certain elements of bears may appear now and again, each face is different, whilst each bear is born with a one off name. This to me makes them really special.

Angela's bears all receive a Christmas card every year and each bear gets adopted by the person they are meant to be with.

To own a Burman Bear is to own a little piece of history, and a family heirloom that can be passed down from generation to generation. Each bear is made with the highest standard of workmanship and in every bear there is always a little bit of Angela's heart to keep you warm and glowing inside.

Well I think I should say no more and introduce you to the lady herself and her stunning bears. To keep up to date with all Angela's little characters and to see the journeys they take, join Angela's Facebook page

Angela Burman (Image courtesy of Burman Bears) 

Design and image copyright Burman Bears (Image courtesy of Burman Bears) 

Design and image copyright Burman Bears (Image courtesy of Burman Bears) 

Design and image copyright Burman Bears (Image courtesy of Burman Bears) 

Thank you for taking the time to visit Tigerlily Makes The Felt-making Blog All content and design work, including text, photos, etc are © copyright 2014 Lisa Marie Olson owner of Tigerlily Makes (unless otherwise stated and named whereby copyright resides with said named person)and cannot be copied without prior permission from the copyright owner. Tigerlily Makes is a member of ACID (Anti Copying in Design and all designs are registered and protected. www.acid.uk.com www.tigerlilymakes.co.uk www.facebook.com/tigerlilymakes www.twitter.com/tigerlilymakes