12 Days Of Etsy: Hoolala Jewellery

1. Tell us a bit about yourself.

My name is Sam I live in England. I created my brand Hoolala in 2005 shortly after I had designed a collection of gemstone jewellery for a spa chain I was working for when I was a graphic designer. it was a sell out and one of the girls said you should do this part time and create a website so I did! My style changed a little and I developed my charms - then I was picked up in a feature for The Sunday Times Style and haven't really looked back since.

2. How did you choose your shop name?

It came from a David Shrigley screen saver called Hula la. he is one of my favourite artists and I thought that is it! Then I Googled it and there was nothing on Google so I trademarked it as my brand name.




3. What is your favourite piece of jewellery to make?

I love making the large one off vintage luxe pieces as they are very special.




4. What is the best seller in your shop?

I am not sure it tends to go in cycles this year the vintage collection has been very popular.

5. Your work sells all over the world, in which parts of the world is your work most popular?

Mostly the USA and the UK but I also sell a lot in Europe and Australia.




6. What inspires you?

Oh my! Everything! I don't have a TV as I find it stifles my creativity but I do love films, books, flea markets and thrift shops.

7. How long have you been crafting?

I studied art for 8 years and have also been a graphic designer - Hoolala is now my full time job but I have always made things ever since I was little. One of my favourite photographs is me as a little girl (aged about 3) in the yard at a farm we used to live in making something with 2 bricks and a pile of twigs on a table.

8. What are your other hobbies?

I also deal in vintage collectibles and can often be found diving in skips, car boot sales and flea markets. I love to surf on the Atlantic coast with my long board and I have a little terrier who keeps me busy walking either by the river or on the beach the rest of the time.





9. Do you collect anything?

Yes World War I and II handmade love tokens.

10. What is your favourite Christmas tradition?

I love winter solstice and always make the effort to go to the woods on the 21st December to make a little ritual to welcome in the light. I take some candles to light and bread as an offering - then sit by an old oak tree and give thanks for the year that has passed and the year to come.




11. Do you have a favourite Christmas song or carol?

I love The Angel Gabriel - I used to sing it at in our school church choir and have fond memories of it.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=pliqObTHxUQ




12. What is the funniest Christmas present you have ever been given?

My sister is a graphic designer and we always buy each other a little joke present as well as the main present which I always look forward to opening most. This year she made me a handmade card of a red bus with me aged 7 driving it - I am going to frame it and put it on the wall in the studio.

Many thanks to Sam from Hoolala for taking part in this feature. Click here to visit her Etsy shop. Be sure to pop over to Hoolala's Facebook Page and click "Like" to be in with a chance of winning a fabulous prize!  The winners will be drawn on New Years Day.

12 Days Of Etsy: Giraffes Kiss

1. Tell us a bit about yourself. 

I am a Mum and a step mum. I work full time and the miniature food jewellery is more of a hobby, but I put a lot of time and effort into my shop, whenever I have a spare moment really, mainly because I absolutely love doing it.


2. How did you choose your shop name? 

I wanted a name that included a giraffe reference, and giraffes kisses sound lovely.


3. What is your favourite item to make? 

I like making the pie jewellery, because I make it up like a real pie, but in miniature. It's like baking for really tiny people, and when I get compliments on how realistic it is, that makes it all worthwhile.

4. What is the best seller in your shop? 

Recently, my cookie drawing pins have sold very well, and lemon meringue pie earrings seem popular too. I don't always remake a sold item straight away because my brain is so full of new ideas that I get frustrated if I can't get to work on them. 

5. Your work sells all over the world, in which parts of the world is your work most popular? 

I sell mainly to the UK and the USA but I have had orders go all over the place...I think it is really exciting to know that something you created is being worn hundreds of miles away.


6. What inspires you? 

Food of course! I try to keep my shop fresh by looking for new ideas all the time, and I love creating something no one else makes. I often have a good look online before I make something new to see if it is already being done...and if it isn't ...I'm off and running.

7. How long have you been crafting? 

I've always been arty and I did a BTech in art and design when I was 17.
So I've always made things and I played around with polymer clay several times over the years then put it down again for various reasons. I've only been making miniature food for a couple of years after I saw some earrings on line and figured that I could make them rather than buy them.

8. What are your other hobbies? 

I don't have time for any other hobbies. If I could have a couple of extra hours a week, I have played with needle felting and a friend of mine who started with me at the same time now has a successful shop on Etsy too, selling gorgeous needle felted miniature animals.


9. Do you collect anything? 

Giraffes! All variants from cuddly toys to toothbrushes. Our house looks a bit like a wildlife reserve.


10. What is your favourite Christmas tradition? 

Definitely the family Christmas dinner!

11. Do you have a favourite Christmas song or carol? 

No, I love all the Christmas songs, old and new...it wouldn't be Christmas without them. There are memories in every song, of my Dad, my childhood, Christmas parties.....and as soon as the music starts, you really feel Christmassy.


12. What is the funniest Christmas present you have ever been given? 

A giraffe shaped toilet brush. I've never used it..its too cute, so it is an ornament to be admired... lol. Oh and I have a quacking duck hand puppet that I saw in a shop a couple of years ago and was playing around with, so my lovely other half went back and bought it for me.

Many thanks to Giraffes Kiss for taking part in this feature. Click here to visit her Etsy shop.

Oh Sweetie!

         I am loving the pastel trend that's around right now. It makes you look like a giant sweetie (which is a good thing in my book!).

    Limited edition pastel beaded coil bracelet £12.00.

Rare lace cap sleeve skater dress in pastel pink £49.00

Both available from ASOS.

Glimmer glitter pointed shoes £58.00

Online exclusive MOTO lime Jamie jeans £40.00

Nails in Parma Violet £5.00

All from Topshop

Lip gloss in Pastel Pink £4.49

Dazzle dust in Candy £4.59

Both available from Barry M.

I like sweeties locket £18.00

by Zena & Me

Tatty Devine pink and white leather "plastic bag"

Available from Ebay for £40.00.

Goodies Galore Right To My Door

       I have been feeling rotten this week (I still do, I have an awful bug). And my Mum has been feeling even worse than me. What better way to cheer myself up with a spot of shopping, done from the comfort of my living room of course.
       Today  I had two very exciting deliveries, the first from ASOS. I decided  to treat myself to two things that I have had my eye on for a little while and to make it even better they were both in the sale.

     These gorgeous Zoe & Morgan Cat Paw stud earrings were reduced to £53.00. They are so much prettier in real life and they are very dainty. I would reccommend them to any cat lover. If you would like them, there are still a couple of pairs left.

    
     I grabbed another bargain with this quirky cat tee by Numph which was also in the sale. This T-shirt is also available in mustard.

        Later the postman brought me another exciting parcel. I was lucky enough to get a cushion from fellow Scot, Nikki McWilliams' etsy shop. My Mum bought me this Oreo cushion for half of the original price. When they are gone she won't be making any more, if you would like one there is still one available in her Folksy shop.

      While out shopping today, my Mum picked up a book for me that I keep meaning to get but hadn't gotten round to it yet. Home Cooking Made Easy by Lorraine Pascale really is a great book. I have Lorraine's previous book and have watched both series and find that you really wanted to get into the kitchen after watching them. And the books are every bit as inspiring.

     If you are a little bit under the weather too, I hope you feel better soon. As for me I am off to enjoy a lovely Burns' Night supper (no not haggis).

Ooh La Lovely!

It is no secret that I would love to live in France. And I love almost all things french. These are some of the French inspired things I'm loving at the moment.

J'adore french boys jumper by Topshop £44.00

Eiffel Tour Letter Holder £22.00

La Tour Eiffel Magnifying glass £18.00

Both from Graham and Green.

                      Keep Calm and Carry on french print by Define Design 11 from Etsy.

Monsieur T mini pillow by Mymimi from Etsy.

Bon appetit print by Tidbits Photography from Etsy.

Jacques french baguette necklace by Pumpkin Pye Boutique from Etsy. 

Felt button hat with moustache by Bee Smith Accessories from Etsy.

French ABCs print by Coco Draws from Etsy.

Vintage broderie anglais french maid apron from La Manche on Etsy.

Spooky Chic

                    Some spooky chic ideas for Halloween.



Spiders web umbrella by Lulu Guinness



Spider necklace and ring both from Butler & Wilson

Batmosphere Mini Necklace by Eley Kishimoto for Tatty Devine

Sequin Bat Mask from Topshop

Articulated Skeleton necklace from Asos



Skeleton Sequin Top by Ashish



Cat Ears Bowler From River Island and Faux Fur Cat Hat From Topshop



DKNY Delicious Candy Apples Sweet Strawberry Scented Perfume