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

Nan, Gran, Grandma, Granny ….. just call me Nain!

Gooooood morning lovely felt fans!

Well, what can I say?  After weeks of biting my tongue and almost bursting at the seams it’s now out in the open that I am going to become a grandparent in March 2014.  We’re all so excited at the prospect of the new arrival – and we’re all busy swatting up on the latest pregnancy advice as things have moved on apace since my son was born.

And so began the “what do I want to be called” debate!  Not feeling quite ready to be granny, nan or grandma, I’ve settled on Nain, which is Welsh for Grandmother.

On the creative side, the news of a new baby has been most inspiring, to say the least! Whilst having to keep mum for the initial three months or so, I’ve come up with a whole new range of cards and am currently working on some new felt kit designs which may – or may not – have a baby-theme running through them!  As and when time permits itself, I may even be tempted to pick up those knitting needles again and create something warm and wonderful for our impending bundle!

The only thing I would ask is that for the rest of his/her life, our grandchild remembers …..

 

 

Thank you for taking the time to visit Tigerlily Makes The Felt-making Blog Lisa X Thank you for taking the time to visit Tigerlily Makes The Felt-making Blog Lisa X All content and design work, including text, photos, etc are © copyright 2013 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

Everybody Loves A Button!

When we learn to sew, one of the first things we do is to attach a button to a garment – a simple task that takes minutes, with little experience required.

But have you ever given the humble button a second thought?  Initially used to embellish clothing rather than fasten it, buttons come in all shapes and sizes, some made from simple moulded plastic, others more extravagant for the high-end fashionistas. 

·       The oldest button ever found was in the Indus Valley Civilization which is now Pakistan. The button is made of a curved shell and dates back 5,000 years!

 

·       Buttons with buttonholes used to keep clothing closed first appeared in 13th century Germany 

·         During the World Wars, the British and U.S. military used button lockets which were buttons constructed like lockets to store compasses 

We now have our very own range of buttons, which are proving very popular!  We’ll share more designs with you as and when they’re ready, but for now, here’s Lily with her button collection.

Our Lily The Pink buttons are on special offer for this week only, visit our Facebook page for more details.

Thank you for taking the time to visit Tigerlily Makes The Felt-making Blog Lisa X Thank you for taking the time to visit Tigerlily Makes The Felt-making Blog Lisa X All content and design work, including text, photos, etc are © copyright 2013 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

Love Your Phone, Love Your Phone Cover!

They used to be the size of a house brick, weigh half a ton and have a battery life of approximately 30 minutes.  Nowadays our mobile phones are sleek machines, light as a feather and capable of more than the average PC.

We rely on our phones to send text messages, take photographs, make notes, play games, check the weather forecast …. and yes, even to make and receive phone calls!  

Mobile phone accessories are big business too.  Whether bling is your thing, or a more executive leather-look, we spend a small fortune on phone cases, charms and even customised chargers are now starting to appear on the market. 

Why not be kind to your phone – and your pocket – and take a peek at our range of mobile phone cases.  Handmade with a vintage twist, you’ll stand out from the crowd instead of being one of the flock.

Thank you for taking the time to visit Tigerlily Makes The Felt-making Blog Lisa X Thank you for taking the time to visit Tigerlily Makes The Felt-making Blog Lisa X All content and design work, including text, photos, etc are © copyright 2013 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

Don't wait for an occassion to send a card!

Morning crafters!

Here’s a question for you:  do you feel special when you receive a card through the post?  Does it cheer up your day knowing that someone has thought of you and taken the time to send you a card?

The UK greeting card market is valued at £1.38billion (source: Greeting Card Association) and it’s a sector that employs over 100,000 people.

Many of you may have seen my latest card designs, and I am pleased to report that my own card sales are increasing – proof positive that the great British public still like to send cards through the post, to put a smile on somebody’s face!

 I find the card designing process both challenging and therapeutic, trying to think of different ways to welcome a new baby into the world, say Happy Birthday or just a simple “thinking of you” design.  Combining my love of textile art with paper-craft can bring some wonderful results and the Princess Lily range is popular across all ages. 

 

 

Go on, make someone’s day. Take the time and trouble to buy a card and pop it in the post, just to say Hello!

Thank you for taking the time to visit Tigerlily Makes The Felt-making Blog Lisa X Thank you for taking the time to visit Tigerlily Makes The Felt-making Blog Lisa X All content and design work, including text, photos, etc are © copyright 2013 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  

Staffordshire Days Out - The Shugborough Estate

There are many beautiful  places to visit and sights to see in Staffordshire, and the Shugborough Estate situated just 4 miles from Stafford offers a wonderful day out, whatever your age! 

 

 

It was a very warm and sunny Bank Holiday Monday when we paid a visit to the Shugborough Estate.  The queue to get in snaked out of the main entrance building and along the side of the road, but thankfully, given that we are National Trust members (the property is jointly owned by the NT and Staffordshire County Council) our membership cards were checked as we queued and we were granted a speedy entrance via a side gate. 

Wandering through the estate grounds with the sun beaming high in the sky was an absolute delight.  Despite the crowded car park and queue to get in, it didn’t actually seem that crowded.  We walked as far as is possible within the grounds, crossing over the river which was full of families splashing about with the kids and a plethora of dogs.   

After treating ourselves to a sandwich from the on-site café –which we decided to eat al fresco, sitting on the grass in the sun, it was time to look around the magnificent Mansion House – a truly breath-taking building which has been restored to give you a real taste of what life would have been like to live at Shugborough in the 18^th Century.  

I think my favourite aspect of the day was the Lord Lichfield exhibition and the insight into the Lichfield Private Apartments – somewhat voyeuristic, yet a compelling view into the life of one of our great artists, one almost expected him to pop up and enquire as to whether you were having a good day! 

For history buffs, the servants quarters are not to be missed – with working staff located around the kitchens, scullery and brew house you really do step back in time. 

New  for the 2013 season are the scarecrows and their dressing up box, located within the walled garden.  Great fun for kids of all ages (even those in their 40s and beyond!) to rummage through the wooden dressing up box and add a touch of glamour – or practicality – to the scarecrows on display.

 

 

 

The beauty of Shugborough is that it changes with the months and seasons.  I for one will be going back later on in the year to see how the newly-planted vegetables have fared over the English summer – and to sample some more delicious ice cream from the parlour!  

Thank you for taking the time to visit Tigerlily Makes The Felt-making Blog Lisa X Thank you for taking the time to visit Tigerlily Makes The Felt-making Blog Lisa X All content and design work, including text, photos, etc are © copyright 2013 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

An Insight to all things felty and all things Tigerlily...

Hello a lovely warm, very woolly and fully felted welcomes to you all this fine eve!

I often get asked what is Tigerlily Makes all about, what is that you do... well I thought I would put together this little video blog to give you a guided tour of all things felty and all things Tigerllily.

Hope you enjoy and for now keeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep felting!

Thank you for taking the time to visit Tigerlily Makes The Felt-making Blog Lisa X Thank you for taking the time to visit Tigerlily Makes The Felt-making Blog Lisa X All content and design work, including text, photos, etc are © copyright 2013 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 Takes Tea Fit For A Royal At Packwood House

Good morning and a very happy Friday morning to you all, today Lily takes a "Right Royal" cuppa at Packwood House!

Packwood House was originally 16th-century, yet its interiors were extensively restored between the First and Second world wars by Graham Baron Ash to create a fascinating 20th-century evocation of domestic Tudor architecture. Through its long history the house adopted many styles and features depending on the owner, but has now been restored to its original intent or as closely as would allow.

Packwood House contains a fine collection of 16th-Century textiles and furniture, and the gardens have renowned herbaceous borders and a famous collection of yews.

Packwood also houses one of the most prestigious fine china tea cups & saucer collections rumoured to have been commissioned for one very important lady who just may have been royal - we will let you decide from the pictures!

We are members of the National Trust and get an enormous amount out of our membership. Quite often we take the guided tours and we find this to be so valuable in learning much more about the history behind these great historic houses.

NB Please note that some National Trust properties don't allow you to take photographs inside the house so please always ask permission first.  Many will allow it provided you don't use a flash. I had asked and been given permission to take the internal shot featured here.

Thank you for taking the time to visit Tigerlily Makes The Felt-making Blog Lisa X Thank you for taking the time to visit Tigerlily Makes The Felt-making Blog Lisa X All content and design work, including text, photos, etc are © copyright 2013 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. www.tigerlilymakes.co.uk   www.facebook.com/tigerlilymakes   www.twitter.com/tigerlilymakes  

Here 4 U Hope U Know How Much I Care Boxed Card

Hi everyone, just wanted to share my latest new range to be featured on Folksy. This is a range of subtle, natural and recycled boxed sentiment cards, each box and card has a flower theme and a meaningful sentiment on it. I have gone for simple understated elegance with this range, so that the range can cover a wide variety of topics. Topics include but are not limited to, sympathy, gratitude, showing you care or just simply saying hello.

We live in such a fast paced society where so much of our lives is controlled by electronics... that its nice to slow down the pace and take time out to send something tangible and thoughtful.

In the blink of an eye I had a babe in arms who is now an adult.

Hope you all get to take some time out for each other this weekend.

Thanks you for taking the time to visit The Handmade by Tigerlily Blog

Lisa X

All content (including text, photographs, and design work) is © Lisa Marie Olson. My original artwork is for personal inspiration only and may not be copied for publication, contest submission or for any other type of financial gain