Old Habits Die Hard

           Old habits die hard. As much as I am very busy clearing out most of my possessions, there is still one thing I find impossible to resist...
    The wonderful creations from my favourite Etsy shop, Miss Bumbles. I first discovered this shop in 2010 and bought my first piece, a custom made black cat. Up until March last year I had six pieces. But since then I have continued to add to the collection and I now have 86 pieces (technically more as my three garlands have multiple pieces on them!)
     My latest delivery from Miss B arrived at the weekend. And was a treat for the eyes, a box full of beautiful pastel colours.

Three Easter beauties, the pastel colours are just gorgeous. And I loved the idea of having an Easter Guinea Pig instead of an Easter Bunny!

Possibly one of the cutest bunnies ever, I just fell in love with him. Who can resist a bunny in boots?

And last but certainly not least is this very handsome Guinea called Beau. He's a very dapper chap complete with top hat and gloves.


I've been so busy with ebay that I haven't had time to snap these beauties yet, I haven't even had time to add them to the cabinet. All pictures belong to Miss Bumbles, click here to visit her Etsy shop.

12 Days Of Etsy: Make It Awesome

1. Tell us a bit about yourself.



I'm a visual artist and writer. I have three published books of my collage, drawing and poety work. I've been doing this since the early 90s. I started making bunnies around then. I cut up an old sweater and started sewing. There was never a plan. 



2. How did you choose your shop name?



It's kind of a joke. I actually really need to change it. It doesn't reflect the bunnies at all. I chose it way back in 2006. Maybe earlier? I used it as my personal website. It was just something a friend said that slipped out. 'Make it awesome'. It's just about making things better.

3. What is your favourite item to make? 


Bunnies are fun but my heart is more with my art. The bunnies help support my other art practices. I can only make them once or twice a year. I make a small collection.



4. What is the best seller in your shop? 

The bunny!

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



I send alot of packages to Australia. I love that country. Our aesthetics jibe.


6. What inspires you? 


Almost anything. I like nature and the city. Beatrix Potter, Frida Kahlo...all the great lady artists. I consume alot of pop culture. I watch movies while I sew and then write reviews which are sometimes on Rookie. I work for them as well.
www.rookiemag.com



7. How long have you been crafting? 

Since I was a child.

8. What are your other hobbies? 


Trying to be healthy. listening to music. trying to be funny. 



9. Do you collect anything? 


Silly things. I like Bunnykins and depression-era dolls. Exquisite teacups and fun vintage eggcups. I put bunnies in them to give them a new life. Often an eggcup just sits around. It's a perfect bunny seat.

10. What is your favourite Christmas tradition?



Driving around looking at Christmas lights



11. Do you have a favourite Christmas song?

Silent Night is a tearjerker.

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



I'm drawing a complete blank on this one. Just this year my family has started a new tradition of 'no gifts'. This is both liberating and kinda sad but kind of great. We all just buy what we want for ourselves. I do love presents!!!

Many thanks to Sonja from Make It Awesome for taking part in this feature. Click here to visit her Etsy shop.

Christmas Gifts For Your Furry Friends

                Here's a selection of gifts that your pet will be sure to love this Christmas.

Gingerbread Rope Toy £7.00 From Pets At Home

Reindeer Hoodie Dog Costume £9.00  from Pets At Home

Christmas Pudding Dog Treat £2.50 from Pets At Home

Snowman Hoodie Dog Costume £9.00 from Pets At Home

Christmas Tarts for Dogs £2.50 from Pets At Home

The Cod Father Cat Toy Gift Set £6.00 from Pets At Home

Catnip Santa for Cats £2.50 from Pets At Home

Candy Cane Cat Teaser £2.50 from Pets At Home

The Rat Pack Cat Toy Gift Set £6.00 from Pets At Home

Christmas Dinner Nibblers for Small Animals £2.00 from Pets At Home

Christmas Pudding Bed for Small Animals £5.99 available from ebay.

Christmas Loofah Chews for Small Animals from Pets At Home

Christmas Gifts Galore

This Christmas is one of the best I have ever had. I got to spend it in my own house this year. We didn't have to run around like mad all day and got to open our presents at our own speed. I was really spoiled this year, the Meow silk shirt from French Connection was under the Christmas tree.
     But the person who gives the best presents is my Mum. The highlight of my Christmas was the beautiful handcrafted  item from my super talented Mum (yes black cats were involved).
Here are some of the other gifts my Mum gave me:

The French Cooking for Men book, my Mum bought me as a joke (she knows I love all things French). But it is actually a good comprehensive cook book. Who knows, maybe it will help me nab a lovely Frenchman!
     I also received The Hairy Bikers Perfect Pies and Heston Blumenthal At Home from a friend. They are great too and will be put to good use throughout 2012.