Welcome to my blog!!

My name is Beth and I am a stay at home mum of two gorgeous girls. I began to crochet when I was expecting my eldest daughter and have never stopped. Crochet is my hobby and I love that others can benefit from it.

I love to create things that are Individual and Unique. Most items I make are one of a kind so you will never see anyone else with the same!

I use a mixture of patterns, modified patterns and ideas from my own head to provide a great selection of babies and childrens clothing, toys and accessories.

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Friday, June 25, 2010

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.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

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!

Friday, June 11, 2010

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!

Friday, June 4, 2010

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!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

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?