If you’ve been looking at the blog this evening you may have noticed a few changes. We’ve had a bit of a revamp, moving away from the original minimalistic look, in favour of a brand new fun and lively design.

You may also notice that we’ve taken down the forum. We’ve decided to concentrate solely on the blog, introducing new features such as podcasts and eventually video clips. But worry not. If you want to meet like-minded indie designers / makers / crafters, check out Craftermath, The Switchboards and Crafster.

I’m switching off now to grab some supper and watch old episodes of ‘Cold Feet’. Have a good evening and enjoy browsing.

I’d never heard of a bookartist until I came across Rachel Hazell’s website a few weeks ago. Rachel designs, illustrates, binds and exhibits book-related work. Everything is handmade using age-old labour intensive techniques. I recently bought one of her Seventh Wave books, which is just lovely. Measuring just 37 x 48 x 13mm, it is hand painted and hand sewn using a medieval long stitch. The book is beautiful in its own right but could be filled with quotes, extracts, poems, photos etc. to make a personal and unique gift.

And if you’re looking for a romantic gift, take a look at the Lantern Poem. It’s a fun lampshade made from wire, tissue and felt and adorned with poetic snippets.

For further details go to www.hazelldesignsbooks.co.uk.

I could look around Sophia Raja’s website for hours. Her jewellery has a real fairytale quality. The current range is a wonderfully eclectic mix of colour, shape and texture. The Bonbon Collection combines sparkly glass faceted beads and semi precious stones, in shades of peridot, garnet and violet. And in contrast the Glacier Collection is elegantly understated with delicate crystals, quartz sticks and freshwater pearls.

So, whether you’re looking for a pair of classic silver earrings or a decadent show stopping necklace, bookmark www.sophiaraja.com.

Lucha Workshop is all about hand drawn, hand screened bags and t-shirts. The designs are unusual and very striking, featuring a host of quirky characters, cute critters, ships, guns, hearts, clouds and abstract designs.

The majority of tees have been screened onto American Apparel t-shirts, unless where stated. The bags and wallets are also hand made and hand screened.

My favorite is the Bunny Blue Bag and Gun Totin’ Eskimo Tee. Take a look at www.luchaworkshop.com.

Becky Wignell is on a mission to rid the world of dull jewellery. Her flamboyant, daring creations have been likened to Pat Butcher’s earrings - something she is particularly proud of and she now likes to think of herself as the Pat Butcher of the new millennium.

Swank jewellery is not for the faint hearted. But if you’re someone with a penchant for bold, adventurous accessories then this is the brand for you. Toys, lego men, stickle bricks and tiny light blubs have been mixed with chains, beads and charms to create a colourful, wacky and original collection.

Swank jewellery is available to buy online at http://swank.bigcartel.com. And if you prefer to buy in dollars then go to http://swank.etsy.com.

I found these quirky pendants over at the LP by rJax Etsy store. Aren’t they beautiful?

They’re both hand cut from pieces of poplar and then sanded and completed with wood burned patterns. The pendant on the right includes a tiny maple leaf which has been decoupaged onto the wood. The pendant on the left spells out ‘craft’ in binary code. Even the cords have been hand knotted to add to the ‘rustic feel’ of the necklaces.

There are lots of other unusual accessories over at Rebecca Jackson’s Etsy store. See for yourself at http://lpdesigns.etsy.com.

One of my Christmas presents this year was a shopper. It’s so much nicer using your own shopping bag, rather than some ugly old supermarket carrier bag. Don’t you think? Plus they’re much sturdier and tend not to rip in half when you’re half way home.

Bella Bags by Marcia has a whole range of handmade bags in all shapes and sizes to suit every imaginable activity. There are handbags, totes, diaper bags, gym bags, yoga mats, slouch bags and book bags. And you can even have make-up bags and sunglasses bags made up to match.

The bag at the top on the left is a Carryall Bag. It has a unique shape and myriad of inside pockets to enable you to ‘carry all’ your essentials in one place. The handbag on the right is made from pretty floral fabric with bamboo effect handles . Perfect for spring.

If you like jewellery you’ll love this Jewellery Tee (top left) by dressedbydanni. The charm necklace with star, key, skull, heart and anchor charms has been hand drawn. In fact all of the illustrations which appear on the garments have been hand drawn by Danni herself.

There are three collections to choose from - The Scrumps (my favourite) which includes a range of short sleeved tees with original illustrations, The Snoot which includes a range of halter neck waistcoats in unusual, wacky prints and finally Relish which includes wool and cotton embellished scarves and jewellery.

In addition to clothing and accessories, the multi-talented Danni also has an impressive portfolio of artwork. Go to www.dressedbydanni.co.uk for more information.

dressedbydanni will aslo be taking part in New Art Birmingham on 16th to 18th March at

The Gate House
The Bond
180-182 Fazeley Street
Birmingham
B5 5SE

Opening Times - 10.30 to 5.30