Tag Archives: handmade

Awesome Easter Ideas: Chocolate With a Difference

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Awesome Easter Ideas- Chocolate With a Difference totally chocolate doughnuts

It is always good to be a little bit different and these two original and fun chocolate gifts make excellent Easter gifts. Either for yourself, or someone else. The chocolate doughnuts are 100% chocolate and are cute and interesting, They even have yummy hundreds and thousands sprinkled on top. They also look like real doughnuts. Have fun this Easter by fooling someone. They won’t mind after they eat it. 

Go nuts for Doughnuts that are totally chocolate. These round rings are just this thing to treat yourself this Easter, and are perfect for sharing or dunking.

Dive into these tasty treats the Chocolate Doughnuts are made from 100% solid white and milk Belgian chocolate and crafted carefully to look like an iced doughnut, the decoration adds an extra delight with hundreds and thousands.

Irresistibly edible, crave the crunch of chocolate bliss, for this fun food is great for Easter… just £13.95 from www.prezzybox.com.

Awesome Easter Ideas- Chocolate With a Difference easterbunnyandcarrots

This super cute bunny rabbit burrowing for carrots is adorable and original. It is also a great gluten free Easter inspired chocolate set. The chocolate is handmade and made from delicious milk and white Belgian chocolate. It will have people talking and is an awesome alternative to the Easter egg.

Make a veggie laugh with this veggie patch, they are even gluten free. Just £9.95 from www.prezzybox.com now.

 

 

Teresa Mills’ Mosaics Review by Margaret Graham

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At Frost we love to see something just that bit different, and Teresa Mills’s products certainly fit the bill.

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Teresa is the author of four best selling books on mosaic art which I found interesting  even before I laid eyes on the Pixelated Mosaic Kits, because I have had  a fascination with mosaics ever since I saw my first Ancient Roman floor. But wouldn’t Teresa’s kits be a fiddle? Wouldn’t any child end up having a tantrum as they struggled to cut and grout the tiles?

No, actually, that’s the beauty of the kits. The tiles fit the pixelated design exactly without cutting and grouting so absolutely no need to run screaming from the room with grout in your hair, pursued by your child, or grandchild who has been driven to fury by the fiddle of it all.

These tiles are a manageable size, and the quality is excellent. My favourite (because I like them)  is the butterfly. Everything comes in a cotton bag, the base board is wooden, and the tiles are glass, glitter and silver.

Megan Cannell, who edits our Young Voices thread, had a go. She is 15 but you’re never to old to be creative and she found, as did I, that the tiles are not too small, and are easy to fix. The colours are vibrant, and we felt they’d be just right for Mabel, who is eight, or for a young lad we know.
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I do like quality products and I hope that Teresa is on to a winner here, especially with winter and Christmas not too far away. Grannies, who seem to do a fair bit of child care these days, will welcome these kits with open arms. I just feel that anyone, young or old, who produced the finished article would find a sense of satisfaction – a piece of creative craft well done. Let’s face it, it must encourage the creativity that lies within everyone, and that is always a good thing.
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These Pixelated Mosaic Kits are handmade in the UK, and the team at Frost highly recommend them. They are reasonably priced too. The three above are £11 each.

Available in a variety of designs, from insects and animals to shapes and letters, they are an ideal way to delve into the wonderful world of mosaics.  Each kits contains all you need to make your very own mosaic masterpiece.  Handmade in the UK from high quality materials, each kit comes in its own beautiful cotton bag with the design printed on the front.  They are suitable for all ages and are perfect for keeping the kids busy or as a boredom buster.

For more details: www.teresamillsmosaics.com

 

Win Handmade Baby Clothes & Hat From CobWebKnits

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competition, win, baby, clothes, hat, handmade, cobsweb Win Handmade Baby Clothes & Hat From CobWebKnits pumpkin Win Handmade Baby Clothes & Hat From CobWebKnits Win Handmade Baby Clothes & Hat From CobWebKnits comp Win Handmade Baby Clothes & Hat From CobWebKnits competitionWe loved CobWebKnits’ cute lamb hat that we recently reviewed that we were thrilled when they offered one of their adorable hat and bodysuit sets for a competition. Their original, quirky and contemporary hand crafted knitted baby hats are designed and lovingly made by hand in their studio where their beautiful other knitwear and kids’ clothing is also made. Choose from fruit, veg, flowers or animals in their range inspired by nature. Or one of their stripy hats with the added appeal of tassels, tails or mop tops. And for those looking for something a bit different, check out their ‘Hats for Heroes’, including policemen, firemen, knights, gladiators and Vikings. Ideal gifts, their hats are stylishly packaged and CobWebKnits have an excellent reputation for their speed and standard of service. But most importantly everything is machine washable so practical too. Visit www.cobwebknits.co.uk to see their full range of hats, blankets, hampers and clothing.

 

For your chance to win a hat and bodysuit in the style and size* of your choice all you need to do is go to the CobWebKnits’ homepage and choose a hat and bodysuit and then enter by following @Frostmag on Twitter or Instagram, or like us on Facebook. Alternatively, sign up to our newsletter. Or subscribe to Frost Magazine TV on YouTube here: http://t.co/9etf8j0kkz.Then comment below saying what you did. Competition finishes at the end of May.

 

*Choose one of the designs from our hats in a range inspired by nature, wildlife, heroes and stripes in size newborn, 3-6 mths or 6-12 mths.

 

 

Purepotions Scar Oil Review

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scars, stretchmarks, beauty, review, rosehip, oil, miranda Kerr, Rosehip oil has been known to heal scars and stretchmarks for a long time now. Its celebrity fans include Gwyneth Paltrow, Victoria Beckham and Rosie Huntington-Whitely. Supermodel Miranda Kerr says: “Rosehip is full of antioxidants and really works to rejuvenate the skin.”  She is not wrong. With that in mine we tried Scar Oil with Rosehip 50ml, £18.99 from Purepotions. 

 

The oil is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C and the essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6. Vitamin A is known to promote healthy skin cell rejuvenation, so it’s great for skin damaged by scarring. The Vitamin C in rosehip oil reduces the appearance of dark spots and aging spots. The powerful moisturising effects of the oil are ideal for dry or mature skin, which can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

 

Purepotions is made from 100% natural and organic ingredients to help soothe and repair skin in a completely natural way, with no parabens or perfumes.   The original skin salvation intensive moisturising ointment is suitable for people prone to eczema, dry itchy skin, psoriasis, dermatitis or for any little skin emergency.

 

The original Skin Salvation was first developed in Natalie Balmond’s kitchen 12 years ago, after she found that absolutely nothing would help her daughter’s eczema. She started to read up on herbs and traditional remedies to help with skin problems, and with much determination and experimentation, she developed a natural salve.

 

Made with oils, herbs and essential oils, it became an overnight sensation with people in the UK and around the world inundating her with emails and letters saying how effective it has been.

 

What did we think? We were very impressed. It does fade scars and stretchmarks. Add in the fact it is handmade and 100% natural and we really are fans. Frost loves….

 

 

 

CobWebKnits Lamb Newborn Baby Hat Review

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cobwebknitshatreviewroyal cobwebknitshatreviewlamb cobwebknitshatreviewbunny cobwebknitshatreview

When we saw the CobWebKnits baby hats we could not help but melt a little. Not only are they so small, they are also just super-cute. They are machine washable soft acrylic yarn that is soft to the touch and won’t irritate baby’s skin. Being machine washable at 40 C they are practical too and dry quickly. These hats are adorable and of the highest quality. I was very impressed by the hat, the quick delivery and the presentation.

CobWebKnits Lamb Newborn Baby Hat Review CobWebKnits Lamb Newborn Baby HatCobWebKnits Lamb Newborn BabyCobWebKnits Lamb Newborn

Each product is handmade in their Welsh studio where they also make beautiful knitwear and clothing.  Every attention is paid to each item which is lovingly handmade with the wearer in mind.  From start to finish Su from CobWebKnits is responsible for its production and presentation, ensuring that it will be of the highest quality and stylishly packed for the customer. Unlike some other companies offering handmade products delivery is quick – within 1-3 working days.

The hats are available on their website, Beatrix Potter’s Nursery Shop in Lake Windemere and the Historic Royal Palaces (including the Tower of London) as well as other boutiques around the country. They can include a gift message free of charge and delivery is quick.
 Service is great too. Frost Loves….

Julia Grinham On Upper Street And Handmade Shoes | Interview

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Julia Grinham - Upper streetWhat made you start Upper Street?

It all began when I was at dinner with my sister and co-founder Katy and I noticed that she was wearing a fabulous pair of heels. I asked where she’d bought them, imagining that she had splashed out on a top designer ready-to-wear brand but I was really amazed to find out that she had designed them herself and had them custom made in an independent offline boutique. Of course, I was so jealous as I am one of those women who always goes shopping for a shoe that only seems to exist in my head, and I really wanted to design my own shoes too – how amazing would it be to have a pair of shoes that were completely unique and also perfect for me?.. This for us was our “aha!” moment and we decided to create a service in an online environment that enabled women across the world to design their own beautiful shoes from the comfort of their home, and have them delivered to them in just a few weeks.

What was the hardest thing about setting it up?

With neither Katy or I coming from a footwear background, we had a huge learning curve in terms of product development and managing the craftsmanship of the shoes to ensure that they are both exceptionally beautiful and extremely comfortable to wear. We knew we couldn’t do this on our own so brought some really experienced professionals to design the range and help find top suppliers. As our business has evolved we’ve been able to establish our own workshop. That certainly wasn’t easy but means that today everyone within the business – from customer services right through to the person who beautifully hand packages each pair of shoes – each shares the same passion of making that individual customer experience really special.

Tell us a bit about the company

Upper Street is a luxurious online made-to-order shoe label that is revolutionising the way women shop for shoes. Women can choose from hundreds of different styles, colours, materials and heels to create over 4 million unique designs. Styles can be created online using innovative 3D shoe designer technology or via a personal appointment in the Shoe Lounge at Upper Street’s North London townhouse. Shoes are hand-made, lovingly packaged and delivered to customer’s doors within 3-4 weeks

What makes your shoes different?

When we first launched, there was nowhere else women could design their own high quality,
beautifully made shoes online. Having shoes made to order in places like Mayfair costs a fortune, and for us it was important to make our shoes more accessible, whilst still giving a luxury product and experience. Over time, the online shoe design market has become more competitive, but Upper Street still stands head and shoulders above those competitors for a number of reasons; the high quality, beauty and comfort of our shoes; the uniqueness of our true-to-life and easy to use 3D Shoe Designer; and our obsessive attention to customer service. Key to this is the personalisation of the whole experience which includes beautiful packaging, a handwritten note in the box, personalised swatch books, free studio appointments, special orders, full design advice, free alterations and a no-
quibbles returns policy.

Do you think made to order is the way forward?

We believe so. Fashion is now so accessible and available, that people are realising that real luxury is having your own personal stamp on what you wear. And this is where Upper Street comes in. We provide the tools, in a very easy-to use website, that let the customer’s imagination run free. It also means that consumers don’t have to be tied to the latest fashion trends. If navy blue is not seen on this season’s runways it doesn’t matter, you can still create navy shoes.

How much do the shoes cost?

Design your own Upper Street shoes cost between £195-£350. Luxurious gifts are available in a range of values and packages, the perfect present for shoe lovers

Do you get any unusual requests?

Yes plenty! We’ve helped a bride design shoes in animal print as she was getting married in a zoo, 4” heels in the customer’s football team colours and one of the most unusual was a pair of shoes which were screen printed with dinosaur motifs for a museum opening. We also worked on a charity project with Save the Children last year where we created shoes for a number of celebrities; the designs took inspiration from their childhood dreams. We created some fantastic Wizard of Oz-inspired ruby slippers for Helena Bonham Carter. That was fun!

What business tips can you give to others who want to start a business?

My advice would be, don’t underestimate how much energy, time and resource you will need to
build a consumer brand. Focus on building relationships in the industry with people who can help you understand its nuances, find the right resources, and also explore who you can partner with to reach new audiences more rapidly. We’re a premium, experience led business, so finding the right brand to align with is absolutely crucial so that we build long-term value.

What is the best and worst thing about running Upper Street?

It’s rewarding to create something that makes a difference to people at an individual level. The process of designing your own shoes makes women feel amazing. I get an immense sense of pride when I read all the lovely emails we get from our customers. Many are really emotionally charged ,- we get heart-felt essays! Being surrounded by beautiful shoes every day isn’t bad either!

The most challenging thing is that it can be hard to switch off from the business and there have been times when I’ve let my passion for Upper Street overflow into my personal life. I’m much better these days at separating my time between work and my private life and turning off the iPhone! I guess that’s become easier as the business has become more established.

What’s next for you?

2013 was a really great year and 2014 is going to see Upper Street go from strength to strength with several new product launches and an exciting new concept retail store later on this year.

 

9 Bar | Food Review

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I am on the go a lot so I like to have some snacks in my bag. Cereal bars are a particular favourite.
9bar have re-launched with a sleek new makeover and I tried their 5 varieties – Original, Nutty, Pumpkin, Flax and Organic. 9bars are gluten, dairy and wheat free. 9bars are handmade in Wales.


Original

The original bar is crunchy and delicious. It is also very filling. A brilliant snack. This bar is substantial and not too sweet.

Nutty

This bar is filled with nuts and seeds. Really good cereal bar, and with chocolate on top. Yum.

Pumpkin

I love pumpkin seeds. This bar also has a brilliant carob coating. You can see all of the seeds. It tastes sweet and is filling.

Flax

Flax seed is very popular with the health conscious. Flax seed is a super food, making these bars even more healthy. Tastes brilliant too.

Organic

This organic bar is tasty and pure organic heaven. Topped with chocolate and full of seeds. The perfect on the go bar.

The 9bar range is available from Waitrose, Tesco, Sainsbury, Asda, Morrison’s, Holland & Barrett and independent health food stores nationwide. All varieties are available in 4 x 40g multi packs, RRP £1.89, and in 50g singles, RRP 70p.

Top Handmade Gift Ideas For Your Loved One This Christmas

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With Christmas now only a matter of weeks away, it’s time to finally get started on the mammoth task of the Christmas shopping – time to traipse through every single store on the high street and attempt to tick off every item on your wish-lists as quickly and as easy, as physically possible.

All-in-all, everyone in your family is pretty easy to buy for; the kids know exactly what they want, your mum has given you a strict set of instructions and your dad is happy with any item that’s either a book or a CD. Sorted, right? Not quite. Because there’s one last person you need to buy for; lovely other half. And, you have absolutely no clue what to get them.

If I’m talking to all of you females out there, you know that no book, CD, aftershave or even stylish jumper is going to solve your problem, after all, you’ve already bought him hundreds of these. And, if I’m talking to you boyfriends out there, well, you’re guaranteed to get the jewellery wrong and flowers don’t quite cut it for Christmas. You’re in dire need of some help.

Well, it’s time to get creative. Because, if you’re dab hand at being  creative, then making your own Christmas presents is the perfect way to surprise your loved one this year. As well as helping to cut down the cost of Christmas, they’ll also add a bit of sentiment to your gifts that no shop could ever provide.

So, grab any craft materials you get your hands on and take a little inspiration for some of the ideas below:

For Him : An iPad Cover:

So, you may wonder how on earth you’re going to tackle making an iPad case for your man, but believe me when I say that it’s actually relatively simple.

All you need is a bit of felt, cotton lining material, some wadding, a needle and thread, some Velcro.

Method:

1. Cut out rectangles measuring 11¼in (28.5cm) x 16½ in (42cm) from the felt, cotton and wadding. Layer the wadding, felt and cotton (right side down), lining up edges.
2. Machine-sew (or, if you don’t have a sewing machine, use your needle and thread!) the three layers together with a ¼in seam, leaving one short edge. Clip corners and turn right side out by sliding your thumbs between the felt and the cotton.
3. Press and turn in the raw edges by ½in and sew a ¼in seam on outside.
4. Then using any leftover felt, cut out a small piece measuring 9in (23cm) x 6in (15.5cm). You can use a contrasting to colour to make it look more professional.
5. Fold this small piece of felt in half lengthways and sew a 1/4in seam all the way around, leaving one short edge.
6. Turn this small sewn piece right side out, turn in raw edges, sew a ¼in seam on outside and press. Pin and sew to outside of felt cover, 4in (10cm) in from one short edge.
7. Pin one side of Velcro to end of tab and sew in place. Fold cover in half and bring tab from back to front to work out where other piece of Velcro should be. Sew to body of cover.
8. Blanket-stitch top and bottom edges of cover together using embroidery thread.

And there you have it, a lovingly made iPad case that he’s bound to use everyday!

For Her: Customised Photo Frame: 

Right guys, some of you may prefer to just go and buy your other half a present from the shop, because in your mind, it’s ten times easier to do. But, making a present for your loved one really will surprise them and add a whole new meaning to the gift you give to them.

So, if you’re not the creative type but fancy doing something different for your loved one, making a customised photo frame  is the perfect thing to do – us girls love all of this kind of sentimental stuff, so it’s guaranteed to put a smile on her face.

I bet if you take a look around your home, you’ll have plenty of materials kicking around that’ll be perfect your customising your photo frame with; from buttons, ribbon, patterned paper, glue, glitter and marker pens are good places to start. If not, you can always invest a few bits and bobs from craft shops, such as craft supplies uk, to help you on your way.

Simply start by buying a plain wooden frame. Then gather up all of the items you’ve managed to find (or those you’ve bought from the craft shop) and simply decorate it in anyway you like. Spread on some glue and dust it with glitter, cut out material hearts and stick them around the frame, or simply write them a little love note around the wooden edge. Then all that’s left to do is find your favourite picture of you both, maybe change the colour settings on the computer to make it a little bit different (sepia or greyscale are always a good option), press print and place it in the back. Perfect!