To kick off the New Year, I thought I’d share some of my Christmas gifts. I’ve been very lucky this year and received lots of lovely presents. Here are just a few with an indie / crafty theme.

Beautiful cherry cake tea cosy by my talented sister, Cassie Oldham. Cassie doesn’t have a website as yet but you can direct any enquiries via the blog.

Gorgeous handmade bag by one of my favourite bag designers, Francesca Salvini. Thank you mum.

I’ve wanted to have a go at making my own soap for ages. So thank you to my thoughtful husband for these Soap and Bath Bomb starter kits. You can find them at Fred Aldous.

What was in your stocking?

I was reading Claudine Hellmuth’s blog this morning (Claudine is a talented collage artist and if you haven’t discovered her work yet you should definitely take a look) and came across a post about a new TV site called Scrap in Style.

Scrap in Style is the result of Jeanette’s Herdman’s dream of hosting a TV show and combining this with her passion for scrapbooking. The site features on demand footage of craft demonstrations by numerous talented designers. However, as Jeanette explains on her About page, it’s more than just watching other people craft. It’s part talk show and part reality TV.

In addition to the demonstrations there is also a forum where you can talk to other ‘SISters’ and upload examples of your work. There’s also a featured designer section and an online shop selling craft supplies.

If you’ve got a free 5 minutes or so, check it out at www.scrapinstyletv.com.

A few months ago I had a meeting in Manchester at the unsociable time of 6pm. I arrived early and so decided to kill some time in the Corner House. While I was in there I came across a fantastic publication called Selvedge.

If you haven’t already discovered Selvedge I would recommend taking a look. It covers textiles in every context - fine art, interiors, fashion, travel and shopping. It’s full of useful snippets and well-researched features. For example, my issue (Issue 10, which is a little out of date now) includes an article on the history of the sewing machine and the ‘The Sewing Machine Wars’, a feature on how sewing patterns came about and a wonderful article all about the history of the handbag and how it has changed through the years. Each feature is accompanied by beautiful illustrations and exceptional photography. In fact in terms of layout and design I really haven’t seen anything else like it. It’s worth buying for the design alone.

Selvedge is available from stockists worldwide. It cost £7.50 and is published six times a year. You can also subscribe online .

So, you have a gorgeous range of products ready to sell to discerning customers, you’ve sorted out your brand, you have a website and an online shop. Now all you have to do is let people know you’re there.

We all know how difficult it is getting into the press and getting your products out there. Well today help is at hand because top PR company, Tangerine PR, have generously agreed to share their top ten tips with us. Ready?

1. Consider why you want to do PR. What are your objectives? What do you want to achieve? What do you want to be different?

2. Consider whether you can really do this yourself or if you need external help from a freelance practitioner or consultancy. Will you really be able to dedicate the time? Have you got the expertise? Have you got the budget?

3. Identify your audiences and list them in your PR plan. Who do you want to engage and why?

4. List your key messages. What do you want to say to your key audiences and what do you want them to think about you/your business. Make sure your messages are different and focus on your USPs (unique selling points) not messages all your competition claim too.

5. Consider the routes to reaching your audiences ’ media, direct, associations, events etc. List what they read (if you don’t know then ask them), where are you likely to meet them directly? Where can you get an audience with them?

6. Start to build a relationship with the media your audiences read. Before approaching them, read a number of editions. Learn who writes what within the publication. What columns and articles do they regularly run? Where could you and your business fit? Learn their style. Once your are familiar and can hold a conversation with them, encourage a meet ’ a quick coffee can suffice. When you have a relationship, keep it going. Thank them for writing a good piece, keep them informed but don’t ’badger’.

7. Before starting to write anything (eg a press release) remember PR is not advertising. For the journalist to take your story it needs to be:

a. Something different
b. Newsworthy
c. Topical ’ current issue but not something that’s been done before unless you have a new slant
d. Relevant - of specific interest to their readers (particularly important with regional media)
e. Interesting
f. Ideally have an accompanying visual (eg photograph ’ done professionally not with the office digi camera!)
g. Have ’legs’ ’ something the journalist can add to and will go further

8. If you don’t make it into print straight away, don’t worry. PR takes tenacity and perseverance. If it didn’t work, consider why. Was it too much of an advert? Has the angle/topic already been ’done to death’? Was it not relevant or interesting?

9. Don’t rely just on media relations. Much of PR is exactly that ’public relations’ not ’press relations’. Work with your/your customers’ associations as a way of reaching them. Conferences, speaking opportunities, networking ’ it’s all PR.

10. Have fun! PR should be enjoyable. It should be about engaging people and getting a result. Yes it can be hard work and disheartening at times, but nothing beats the buzz of a great piece of media coverage or that random but crucial meeting!

Tangerine PR

Although only four years old, Tangerine have quickly carved out a strong reputation. They have been voted Number One in the North West and they have also won a European award for European award for People Policies from Manchester Enterprises.

The team is headed by managing director Sandy Lindsay. I’ve seen Sandy speak a few times at various events and she’s truly inspirational.

If you’re looking for a PR company and would like further information go to www.tangerinepr.com. Tangerine PR has a North West base but a national presence.

Kathy Cano Murillo, alias Crafty Chica, writes about films and crafts for a living. And if that isn’t enough, she also makes art, working alongside her husband, Patrick, at their Phoenix home/studio. She describes herself as a ‘mom, wife, artist, author & left-handed middle-child binge crafter’!

The Crafty Chica website is full of crafty projects, podcasts, books, advice and her own handmade, glitter-filled, Latino-inspired creations. The site is bright, lively, entertaining, inspiring and highly addictive. I’ve just lost half of the afternoon reading through the articles and projects. Definitely one to add to your ‘Friday Afternoon Sites’ list.

I had a hard time picking out some Crafty Chica goodies to show you - there’s so much to choose from. However, I finally decided on these sexy, racy ‘Mexican Novela Glitter Earrings’ (above left), based on a Mexican comic story and this fabulous ‘Religious Picture Bracelet’ (above right) based on religious pictures from the Catholic faith.