Been a while!

OMG I am so bad at keeping upto date with my blog.

Tie top

I have had so many little things going on all over the place lately. I spent about a week sewing tie tops to sell with my friend Angela- was great fun setting up a production line on her dining table- 2 sewing machines, space for cutting, fabric everywhere. We managed to get a great selection made up though so we were happy.

Sea Turtle

I have been busy with people putting in orders for their xmas presents too so all is good- there are going to be some very lucky children out there. Also I have added a new toy to my collection. I was asked to make a giant turtle so made up a small prototype and this is what I came up with. I will eventually write up a pattern for this too. There are a few other ideas floating around in my head that I am dying to try out as soon as I get the time- might have to wait for the new year for some of them seen as my Dad is arriving from the UK in just over 2 weeks and staying for 2 months- exciting stuff- been over 2 1/2 years since we have seen him.
Think that will do me for now- I will try very hard to at least post once a week. Until next time- hope you are all enjoying the weather!

New Pattern Available

I have finally got around to writing up my next crochet pattern.

This time I wrote up Marvin.

For those of you that have seen 'Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy' you will recognise this character. He is a favourite in out household and my hubby waited (not so) patiently for about 3 months for me to make him. I loved the way he turned out and got lots of positive feedback so I decided to share him with you all.

I hope to design more crochet patterns for lovable movie characters to go alongside my other babies. That way I will have all ages covered. Who says grown ups can't have toys.

You can purchase my patterns from Etsy or Ravelry.

Happy Crocheting.

Patterns for Sale.

Well I have finally done it.

After so many requests I have finally started to write up my patterns and the first 2 are now available for sale.

You can make your very own monkey or bunny. I will be adding my other animals over the next few weeks.

I have stores on Etsy and Ravelry where you can purchase my patterns.



All Crochet by Beth patterns will be for personal use only as I will still be selling my finished products.

Happy Crocheting everyone.

Custom Made Shopping

You will be glad to know that you don't have to wait for your perfect cuddly friend to be thought about by me.
I have now listed custom options for my main products in my Little Kiwi's Nest store so you can order exactly what you want without waiting for me.





 Custom Crochet Puppy- the puppy is the newest addition to the Crochet by Beth family. I have at the moment only made him in black and white- I also think he would look great in creams and browns. What colour would you choose?

 Custom Crochet Monkey - the monkey is a very cute and cheeky option for the boys- looks fab in the traditional brown but also cute in blues. Don't rule out this cheeky little pal for the girls though- it is just adorable in pink.

Custom Crochet Bunny- the bunny was the first member of the Crochet by Beth family and is still very popular with kids and adults. The bunnies are available in 3 sizes: Baby Bunny is great for new babies- the perfect baby shower gift. Medium Bunny is great for the kids- a real cuddly friend to keep you company. Then there is the Large Bunny which is fab for the big kids or even for adults- go on you know you want one for yourself.



Each listing also have photos of products already made in case you need a little inspiration.



So which one will you choose?


I have put on the listings that you allow upto 2 weeks for your order. This is a worst case- usually I can be done quicker but it depends upon my current workload- if you simply can't wait that long for your new friend then please email me to check time frames

New Member to the Crochet by Beth Family

Hi All.

It has been a while since i did a blog post. I have been pretty busy with various things the last few weeks.

One thing I have been busy with is designing a new cuddly toy to join the Crochet by Beth family. I decided on a puppy to join my bunnies and monkeys. Here he is. I think there are still a few changes I want to make to get him perfect. What do you think?

I have also spent a couple of days working at Baby Vintage which is always good fun. I love meeting the customers and also love having some time to myself while the hubby looks after the kids. Did you know that Baby Vintage came 2nd in the Kids Fashion Review Style Awards- well done Kim and Kelly- you are doing an awesome job.

My latest mission has been to sort out our office (also known as the hubbys junk room) so that my girls can have their own bedrooms. I made a great start on it yesterday but will have to wait until weekend so I cna have some help to do the big stuff.

Ok best get on with things now. Hope you are all having a great week.

Beth x

More time on my hands!

Well we have com to the end of the first week back at school. Back the mad rush in the mornings to get the kids out of the door.

This term was the strat of some new hours at my daughters kindy. Instead of 5 mornings she is now doing 3 full days. She was so excited that she got to have lunch at kindy!!!! It has been lovely for me too- I have found that I get so much more done with my day- weather it be the house work or crochet or going shopping or for coffee- i'm loving it. Only have to wait until December before I will have both girls at school!!!!!

I finished an accounting course I was doing just before the holidays and last week got my results which i was quite happy with. I know have to have a serious think about what I want to do next- accounting is not for me- although I caould do it I didn't particularly enjoy it- as with most things really- I could always do my work and studies well at school but never really found my pasion.

I love my crochet, and hoping when I get around to it I will also love sewing but I am not really likely to make a carreer and money out of either. With all the extra time I will have on my hands when both girls are at school it will be time to join the real world and think about a job/carreer for the future- I want to do a degree but it is proving very difficult deciding which one to do.

I will keep you posted when I decide!!!!!

Hope you are all enjoying the weekend- we have some lovely weather here in Wellington today.

I survived the school holidays!

How about the rest of you?

I always have mixed feelings about the school holidays. I love that I don't have to rush around in the morning and chase the kids around to get to school and kindy. I love that I get to spend more time with my girls but I always struggle finding things to do to keep them occupied- especially if the weather isn't too great.

Well with a few playdates for the girls, a trip to the movies and lots of beads for jewellary making the kids were pretty happy. The downer of the holidays was that we got burggled!! That wasn't a very nice experience. It's such an awful feeling too- you don't want to stay home and be reminded of it but then you don't want to go out and leave the house empty. We are getting there though. Luckily no damage done and everything that was taken can be replaced. One advantage of being married to an IT geek is that everything on my laptop was backed up.

Anyway I best get on and get some jobs done. Hoping to get back into the crochet with the kids back at school and kindy next week. Kindy is also on new hours for my youngest so she will be doing 3 full days instead of 5 mornings- that is going to be great for both me and her.

Bye for now- hope you all have a great weekend.
Beth

New Family Member

Well after getting some custom orders out of the way I managed to find some time to design a new member of the Crochet by Beth family.

I have had this little friend in my head for a while and was anxious about how it would turn out. Well I had nothing to worry about. I am in love with my new cheeky little pal.

Yes I have designed a monkey!!!

I know my bunnies are super cute but I figured that for those who aren't too keen on bunnies I didn't really have another option. Also I think the monkeys will be a bit more boy friendly than a cute and pretty bunny.

There are other animals I would like to try and design in the future but for now I hope you like the monkeys.

Multi Talented?!

Hi All.

It's been a little while since I wrote on the blog. I have been so busy.
I have now finished with my studies as my final assessment went into the post this week.
My crochet is going well- Baby Vintage is well stocked up with my crochet creations and they are also now selling online after launcing their new online store.

I have quite a few custom orders on the go at the moment too thanks to Facebook and my new website www.crochetbybeth.co.nz

Today I have just ordered myself a sewing machine. I have been thinking about this for quite a while- I have always wanted to be able to make clothes for myself and my girls. I have never sewn before but I am looking forward to learning a new skill.

I was wondering how many people out there are talented at more than one craft? I know crochet and sewing are pretty different but I wonder if you are creative in mind then surely you should be able to do most creative things. My dad can sew but he never taught me when I was younger and now I love on the other side of the world. i'm hoping I have inherited his skills. Anyway I guess time will tell.

Busy Sunday!

What have you been upto this weekend?

I have spent a good part of my day today developing a website. I have used a free site called Wix.
They have loads of templates ready for you to edit to your own liking or if you are feeling creative why not start from scratch.
The sites are super easy to use- no need to worry about programming languages etc. The help menu is also really good. There are upgrade options so that you can remove adverts, increase bandwidth and even have a shopping cart.

I decided on the most basic site just to showcase my products and direct people to places where they can buy and find out more about me and my creations.

Pop on over and take a look www.crochetbybeth.co.nz. It is a flash based site so make sure your software is up to date so that you can view it!

Weekend Madness

Well I have had a busy week and have another busy week ahead of me and a super busy weekend after that.

I decided I felt like giving a little over the weekend so I have knocked 10% off everything in my Little Kiwi's Nest store. This fab offer ends midnight Sunday so get in there while you can! There are bunnies and clothes for boys and girls, you are bound to find something you love!

Did you know that I also offer FREE NZ delivery through LKN!

Free Publicity

Well yesterday I became famous!!!!

A couple of weeks back I did a brief interview and a little photo shoot for a section in the Dominion Post. This was to run alongside a spread about Baby Vintage and as one of their homemade stockists I was asked to be a part of it.

I took my girls along and a few of my toys for a photoshoot at the local beach. Yesterday it was in the paper, here's what is said about me:

"Beth Brittain has always loved to crochet, and now she has a market for her soft bunnies and delicate baby clothes. "Baby Vintage is keeping me busy, especially with the bunnies over Easter" says Beth. The family came to Porirua from England 2 years ago, settling in Camborne. Crocheting has long been a hobby of Beth's and she has recently created the label "Crochet by Beth" to market her handmade goods."

The article also talked about Trixie Monkey, Buttonz and Little Scribblerz who are all also stocked at Baby Vintage in Plimmerton.
There is a nice big photo in the paper too- I will try and scan it into my computer or see if I can find it online when I have a little more time.

Anyway- best get on now and make some more bunnies for the Parent and Child show!

Winter is here!!

Well today is officially the first day of winter!!!!

Boy don't we know it- the temperature has really dropped this last week or two and after only 2 years living in NZ I have found myself acclimatised to the NZ winter. Coming from the NorthWest of England I am definately used to much colder weather and rain like this that lasts for weeks on end.

I have had to fish out my gloves and hats and the same for the girls, although my youngest still seems to think that if she can see the sun then it is sunny and she can still wear shorts and a t-shirt to go to kindy! She does like her hats though so at least her head will be warm.

The bonus the the cold and wet weather is I don't seem to feel guilty if I get home from the school run- change into my pj's because my trousers are wet, put the fire on and curl up on the sofa with a book or my laptop. I would never dream of doing that in the summer when we can have visits to the beach on the way home from school or sit out on the deck with a book while the girls do painting or some other kind of crafty thing. Oh and I get to make lots of yummy heart warming food that just never feels right to eat in the summer like stews and casseroles and soups!

What do you like and dislike about the winter?

What to do on a rainy day!

Well the weather has certainly taken a turn for the worse. Luckily the heavy downpoor arrived after I did the school run this morning.

Its days like this where I like to get lots of crochet done. I curl up on the sofa with a blanket, the TV remote and my wool and get stuck in. I never feel like doing much else on days like this.

On the other hand there is so much other stuff that needs to be done- especially on a Monday. There's the clearing up after the weekend carnage to be done. Monday is also my study day and starting today I also have an extra child to look after in the afternoons for 2 days a week. A nice extra bit of spending money which will be nice and some company for my youngest daughter while her big sister is at school.

What do you like to be doing on cold and wet days? How long will you put off the jobs that have to be done to do the things you want to do.

I hope you are all keeping warm wherever you are.

Bunnies everywhere!

I have just listed yet another bunny on Little Kiwis Nest today. They have been multiplying quite rapidly in the last couple of weeks. They are my favourite thing to make, it is a very simple pattern and so versatile it is easy to make every one different. Each bunny gets his/her own name once they are completed. Sometimes a name comes quite quickly to me and other times I have to wait a while for some inspiration. Imagine having to choose a name for your baby every week.

Did you know I can custom make bunnies?

Any colour you like- single colour, mixture of colours, scarf or ribbon, blue or brown eyes.

You name it I can probably do it for you- all you need to do is drop me an email at beth@crochetbybeth.co.nz. I also do FREE SHIPPING within New Zealand.

I had a custom order go it's new home this week. She is very happy in her new home with her new best friend.

Baby Vintage in Plimmerton also stocks some bunnies- they sold one last week which is heading for a new home in the US! If you are local pop in and see some of the bunny family in person!

Some of newest members to the bunny family!


MINTY LOLA BRYN SOOKIE JAFFA

Completing the look!

Well finally today my Vista Print order arrived. I now have some lovely business cards and labels to complete the look of my business. It's just those extra little things that make everything come together.

At the same time I also ordered myself a t-shirt with my logo plastered on the front- not sure when I will come to wear it but you never know when it may be useful. I also ordered a large tote bag- again with my logo on it which I can use for my WIP. Need to get my brand out there however I can.

I ordered myself some organza bags for putting my crochet toys in. They just don't look so great when you try to wrap them in tissue paper like I do with the clothes so I decided these would be a good idea. Now they have also arrived and I have put the bunnies/teddies/rattles in them they look super cute and make them even more special- like getting a present in the post when you open it.

This week I have also completed a couple of custom orders- a hat and scarf set for a friend and also a cardigan which is now on it's way to the UK. Hopefully there will be two very happy little people out there. I am also building up my bunny collection so that Baby Vintage can take some to the Parent and Child show in Wellington next month. I'm sure they will be plenty of people there happy to re-home a bunny!

Meet the Maker on Little Kiwis Nest

Morning All.

As you may know I have an online store with Little Kiwi's Nest. At the moment they are carrying out 'Meet the Maker' interviews with all the store owners so you can learn a little more about them.

First up was Miss Jade and today it is me!

Pop on over to the Little Kiwi's Nest blog to find out more about me and to get the code for a huge 20% off all Crochet by Beth products until Sunday!

See you again soon.
Beth x

Time to yourself.

Hi All.

Well the kids have been back at school and kindy for over a week now and I am so glad to have some time to myself again. As much as I love spedning time with the girls and not having the mad rush to get out of the door in the mornings I do like peace and quiet which is definitely a rarity with my eldest daughter.

I have managed to get some things together to help setting up my business- I have business cards and labels on order and have some new organza bags for my crocheted toys- they look so much better than trying to wrap them in tissue paper. I have also been busy creating hats for the ladies to sell at Baby Vintage in Plimmerton. They will be at the Parent and Child show in Wellington this June and they want to take some bunnies so I best get busy making some for them. I also get to work at the shop while they are down there for the day telling everyone how great their store is. They will be taking some great products to sell and I hear they have a fab giveaway on the day too.

The colder weather is on it's way now so I am hoping my clothing will start heading out the door along with the toys. You can find them at Baby Vintage or online at my Little Kiwis Nest store. You will also find other wonderful handmade goodies there too.

Well i'm off now to finish a limbless bunny.

Bye for now.
Beth x

Keeping Busy

Well we are over halfway through the school holidays and the weather has been great to us. I have managed to keep the girls happy and entertained as well as getting done the things I wanted to get done.

I recently enrolled on an accounting course with the intention of embarking on a Business degree later this year. I have managed to get through half the course and have now completed my first assessment ahead of schedule. It is now sat here ready to pop into the post box so fingers crossed I get good marks. I can chill out for a couple of weeks now before I start the second half of the course.

I have also been busy making more goodies for my Little Kiwi's Nest store. I am in love with the new teddy bear and will be making another two in a baby pink and a cream. He was very time consuming but sooooo worth the effort. He is so soft and cuddly and utterly adorable.

I'm thinking I might set to work on some cardigans/hoodies for the impending winter and am eyeing up some Merino blend yarn in my stash for the first one.

Today I have been working on designs for business cards and address labels and any other goodies I can find to plaster my logo onto and can't wait to get all my things together and start building on my branding.

Well I best get on- got dinner to start thinking about and an evening of TV lined up- a double episode of Private Practice so I will set myself up with some yarn and my hook later and settle in for the evening.

Bye for now, Beth x

Online Store

Well what a gorgeous day it is here in Wellington. Hope the sun is shining wherever you are.

This past weekend was quite a busy one for me with kids at birthday parties and local school galas to attend and also preparing my new online store ready to go live.

I spent quite a few hours preparing listings and sorting out photos of my products to add to the store. I managed to get through quite a few items and i'm hoping I have listed a good selection of what I have available. Being online will keep me busy now as I try to keep my store well stocked with a good variety of items.

Every item is unique with no two ever being the same. They will be as individual and unique as your little ones.

I am very exciting to be joining such a great team of people offering such wonderful products. Take a look at the Little Kiwis Nest website here.

You can follow most of the team on Facebook too.

First Blog

Well here goes!!

This is my first ever blog. I have just finished editing my page and hope it looks good.


I have been crocheting for around 7 years now and since moving to New Zealand 2 years ago I found myself making baby clothes and even more recently some toys. I had so many great comments from friends and family that I decided to let the rest of the world in on it.


My first stop was the local baby boutique who fell in love with my creations and decided to take some off my hands to stock in their store. I am working on my next step as we speak which will be to open an online store so I can let the rest of New Zealand have a chance to own a piece of 'Crochet by Beth".


I don't think there is a day that goes by that I don't pick up my hook and work on something. It used to be my daughters that got all the benefits of my work but now they are well stocked up I have the opportunity to create for others.


To see where life takes me follow my blog or join my facebook page. Speak to you all again soon.

Beth xx