Valentine's ideas

Flowers, chocolates, diamonds... They'd all be appreciated, but for a really special Valentine's Day gift why not look a little off the beaten track?

To start with the more traditional gifts, there are plenty of finds on Folksy incorporating hearts. This cute felt brooch is an inexpensive gift, perfect if you are in the early stages of your relationship and want to show your affection without going over the top. In fact, at just £3, why wait until Valentine's Day? You can buy it here.

For a more serious gift, jewellery is always the best option. This silver heart necklace by Ali Bali Jewellery is contemporary and stylish:

Or for a more vintage style, this resin heart incorporating an original print of tree branches and a vintage button is the perfect gift. You can buy it here.

Of course, my jewellery also incorporates real vintage bits and bobs. I suggest this Fly Away With Me necklace, which is made from pink freshwater pearls, a brass swallow from New York, a gorgeously sparkling vintage chandelier drop and a satin bow:

I'm hoping that I receive these earrings by Aeris Designs, which were inspired by the recent snow. They feature freshwater pearls wrapped in wire, and are only £10:

I also love this hand dyed rosette brooch from American seller FriendlyBanter, available from her Etsy shop. The colours are perfectly romantic, and it would go with everything from my pinstripe jacket to cocktail dresses.

I love the idea of buying framed prints for people, although you have to be brave and know them really well - it's an incredibly intimate gift. These are two of my current favourites, for different reasons. The Girl and The Fox (buy it here) is charming and winsome, while Dance With Me (buy it here) has a spooky quality, I like the incongruity of the teapot and weird masks:

Finally, if you're looking for a really quirky gift, nothing says "I love you" more than a tiny owl in a tiny box, that's what Daisy Lily who made this gorgeous "Titch" believes anyway. He is available from her Folksy shop.

Explosion in a jewellery box

It took me ages to find a pretty way to store the jewellery for my Folksy shop . I didn't want it to get muddled up with my own jewellery, but at the same time I didn't just want to stick it all in a box. I also wanted something that I could take with me to craft shows. At first I used a French shabby-chic style mini jewellery mannequin, but it soon got full! Then I found a gorgeous bird-themed jewellery stand. Unfortunately I've been so busy making lovely new items recently that tha's got a bit stuffed too! Oh dear... (Sorry about the picture quality, I had to take them on my mobile) I think it's probably time to buy another jewellery stand. I want one that will complement my existing ones but not exactly the same. Any suggestions will be happily welcomed. And how do you all store your stock? Is it tucked away under a bed or proudly on display to make the most of any visitors?

Press releases - a basic guide

As a crafter/designer, I know there can be nothing more thrilling (and potentially profitable) than seeing your name in print. As a full-time journalist, I know there is nothing more likely to go straight in the trash folder than a bad press release. So. How do you maximise your chances of your local newspaper, glossy mag or specialist crafting magazine taking notice of you? I can't guarantee that these tips will get you press coverage, but they will certainly help. 1. Get the right person. Buy a copy of the publication or visit their website and find who the best person to contact is. Any email that starts "I'm not sure if you're the right person..." goes straight in my trash folder - it suggests that the sender has no respect for my time, which is over-full as it is, without wasting my time reading things that aren't relevent to me. If in doubt, ring and find out. While you're at it, find out what their deadlines are - and stick to them. 2. Get to the po...

Opinions needed

I have a beautiful, really delicate vintage filigree brooch in the shape of a butterfly. The trouble is, I can't decide whether to make it into a necklace or a bracelet. What do you guys think? (Sorry about the blurry photo - that's what happend when I only have my phone, not the proper camera):

Made With Love by Kat

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