Gifts for Him from Dorset Team Christmas Fair Stallholders

Hi everyone,

Very excited that it is less that 2 weeks to go until the Dorset Team Christmas Fair 2016 and also just over 1 month until Christmas!

I always find my boyfriend really difficult to buy presents for. He loves films and music but if there is something he wants to listen to or watch he will normally buy it as quickly as he can when it is released. He is quite difficult to buy clothes for, doesn't like stereotypically 'man stuff' etc so aside from buying him gin or packs of socks (!!) I struggle for inspiration with products on the high street so normally try instead to get him something really different from Etsy.

I have managed to buy some really lovely and unique gifts from there including a handmade leather bag last Christmas and an architecture drawing for his birthday.

I am putting together this Gifts for Him gift guide to give inspiration for anyone else who struggles to know what to buy for the man in their life! All of the following sellers have online shops which I will link but if you are local to Dorset, you can also come along on the 3rd December to browse their stalls at the Dorset Team Christmas Fair.


1) Map print cushion

I love this map print cushion by Bahru Boutique. Perfect for those of you who have wanderlust!


2) Embroidered hoop art

A modern twist on a vintage sampler. This embroidery hoop is a great way to easily add interest to a room. Find it HERE in Studio Pickles.

3) Art Print

Limited edition Giclée print of 'The Needles', created by Maxine Walter.

4) Notebook

For notes, doodles, ideas, drawings and more...! Notepad by Gemma Bullen Designs 

5) Bike Card

For guys who love cycling...(or just cool cards!). This fixy bike card is by Dorset artist Sarah Lovell 

Thanks for reading and hope to see some of you at the Dorset Team Christmas Fair this year!

Some of my favourite things from the Dorset Team Christmas Fair 2016

With less than 1 month to go to the Dorset Team Christmas Fair  I wanted to share with you all the makers that I am really looking forward to seeing at the event.

I am hoping to buy as many gifts as possible from local makers this year as it means I can get some really unique gifts that the recipient will really treasure and at the same time support local businesses, something that is so important.

If you are local, please do come along to the event, there are 70 different stalls so a great selection of different crafts and products and many sellers are bringing along fair exclusives. Many sellers are also taking part in a Buy and Collect promotion where you can purchase online in advance of the event and collect free of charge on the day. Find out more here: http://dorsetteam.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/buy-and-collect-at-dorset-team.html

I love these cards by Katie Rewse from Sea Blue Designs. I wish my hand writing was that beautiful...!

New for 2016 is Love from Hetty & Dave run by Zoe. How cute are these bee necklaces?!

I normally visit Lynn's stall to see her incredible beaded jewellery but this year I am really excited to also see her new collection of hand stamped vintage cutlery some of which have been made into plant labels and others which have been made into beautiful wind chimes. Find Lynn's shop here

Beautiful pendant necklaces by Little Vagaries  each has been hand painted!

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a sparkly glitter bow! I bought one of these last year in gold and love wearing it especially around Christmas time Add some glitter to your Christmas...!

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

Dorset- Etsy Made Local curated by Etsy Made Local on Etsy

Thanks for reading and hope to see you there!! 

Craft Tutorial: How to make a basic (but very cool!) small table

Hi everyone,

I have been really loving the whole industrial look recently and have seen some really cool things that people have been making out of piping, tubing and other industrial materials.

Today I wanted to share with you all this wonderful tutorial on how to make your very own industrial style table. The tutorial is really quick and easy but the finished result is really effective. I love that the design is versatile so you can also switch from tall bed side table height table to a coffee table just by tipping the table and changing the wooden board.

How to Make a Little Table

Thanks for reading!

The Dorothy Days 

Dorset Team Christmas Fair 2016

For those of you local to Dorset, please be sure to put Saturday 3rd December in your diary for the Dorset Team Christmas Fair!

For the third year running, the Dorset Team will be returning to the Allendale Centre in Wimborne for their annual Christmas Fair. There will be 70+ stalls and the fair will offer a fabulous selection of locally made art and craft. There will be something for everyone at the fair, from handmade clothing and accessories, to ceramics, woodwork, artwork, jewellery and homewares, all of which have been made locally. For those of you who are creative minded, many sellers will also be selling crafting supplies and DIY crafting kits, perfect if you would like to make your own Christmas gifts this year. This is also a brilliant opportunity to speak to local independent entrepreneurs in the area and perhaps get inspired to start up your own shop.

The event coincides with Small Business Saturday which is all about supporting small local businesses. You will find some really unique gifts here which you won't find on the high street.

Entry to the event is FREE 

For more information and a sneak preview of seller's items please see the Dorset Team Christmas Fair Event Page: www.facebook.com/events/866031100155674/

Film Friday - Miniature T-Shirt Printing Rig

Hello everyone!

I love seeing and hearing about other people's creativity so thought I would look for something on this theme when I was thinking of what to share with you all today for Film Friday.

Then I came across this....! So very clever and actually works really well!

Miniature T-Shirt Printing Rig from Colossal on Vimeo.

Enjoy and happy Friday :)

The Dorothy Days Xx

Film Friday - Flight of the Pigeon

Hi everyone,

I am heading off to New York next week for the Etsy Seller's Advisory Board so this film seemed fitting for my Film Friday because it is set in New York.

The first few lines of the film also summed up my feelings (or lack of!) for pigeons but I found it really beautiful how the artist Duke Riley talks about taking time to look at the world around you.

This film totally shifts your perspective from viewing pigeons as mundane, ugly and something you ignore to a creature of beauty, resilience and intelligence.

The film is beautifully shot and watching them fly is somewhat mesmerising.



Flight of the Pigeon from NewYorker on Vimeo.


The Dorothy Days Xx

Featured Product - Acorn Necklace by The Dorothy Days

My featured product for this week is this handmade acorn necklace, it is perfect for the Autumn months and looks beautiful worn by itself or as part of a collection of layered necklaces.

The acorn is really small and cute so can be worn under a jumper when you need to layer up!

You can view my acorn necklace in my online shop by clicking HERE, I am also offering an exclusive discount for blog readers of 10% off in my Etsy shop (which includes 10% off this acorn necklace). All you have to do is put the coupon code BLOGLOVE10 into the checkout to receive your discount.

Enjoy!

The Dorothy Days Xx


SaveSaveSaveSave

Film Friday - Portraits in the Whitney Collection

Hello everyone,

I hope that you have all had a wonderful week. As you might know, I have recently started blogging again after a long long break. Really excited to get going again. I was looking back over my blog and deciding which features to keep and continue and which to not continue and come up with new ideas. The Film Friday feature that I used to fun was one of my favourite features on my blog so was one I couldn't wait to bring back.

Often when life gets busy and you are constantly on the go it is difficult to find time to sit down and just enjoy something without doing anything else or thinking of anything else. I think this is such an important thing to do. For me, watching a short film/ clip does just that, it takes just 5 minutes out of your day to think of something new and exciting and to just relax and stop for a bit.

I hope that you get the same feeling by watching the videos which I will be posting over the next few weeks.

This one I thought was particularly beautiful. It was from a series that the Whitney museum did and here, artist Martha Wilson discusses John Coplan's work as well as her own.


Human Interest: Martha Wilson on John Coplans from Whitney Museum of American Art on Vimeo.

"Everyone is here in their bodies until they are no longer alive...I think that's one of my goals as well, to try to be honest, to try to be unafraid of looking at what's really there" - Martha Wilson

Thanks for reading

The Dorothy Days Xx

Happy September

Hello everyone,

Happy September :). Can't believe that the Autumn is here already, I love this time of year but also will be sad to say goodbye to summer.

As I went to write this post I checked when I last blogged and realised I haven't blogged since April ....eek! I have been super busy lately so the months have passed by but hope to get back into blogging again this Autumn so watch this space :) !!

Thank you for your continued support over on my other social media pages and of course everyone who has purchased from me lately. I had a really busy August in terms of sales, views and custom orders so thank you all so much.

Hope September is a great month for you all.

The Dorothy Days Xx
SaveSave

Monday Motivation - Adorable animals make Monday more manageable!

I hate Mondays! Who doesn't!?

There are only three four things that make Monday's a little bit more manageable...

1) Lots and lots of tea
2) Watching or reading something motivational or inspiration to get you all fired up and excited about the week ahead
3) Cute things
4) All of the above!

Normally each Monday I try and post something motivational or inspirational (and I do encourage drinking tea whilst reading my blog post! ) but today I felt more in the mood for super cute animals to start the week....enjoy!

This is Arnie, he is a 8 week old sausage dog and is possibly the cutest dog I have ever seen...!

Teeny tiny Arnie 🐻 Don't let that fool you, at 8 weeks old I'm so cheeky already. #dachshund #puppy #sausage #sausagedogcentral #arnold #minidachshund #doxie #followme #like4like #happiness #australia #dogsofinstagram #cute #picoftheday

A photo posted by Oscar & Arnold - The Sausages. (@oskieandarnie_sausages) on Feb 27, 2016 at 1:43pm PST

Hank the Great Dane was just trying to get comfy....!

A photo posted by ⒽⒶⓃⓀ (@hank_thebluedane) on Mar 25, 2016 at 10:17am PDT

This cat looks like how I feel when I realise it is Monday....

A photo posted by doko/chan (@doko.chan) on Mar 29, 2016 at 10:50am PDT

Raiding the fridge...

A photo posted by Holland Oates (@the_chi_bun) on Mar 29, 2016 at 3:58pm PDT

and last but not least....this little fluff ball...!

A video posted by Beautiful Nature & Animals (@wonderful_earthpix) on Mar 29, 2016 at 2:04pm PDT

Hope you all have a wonderful week and this has made your Monday a little brighter!

Thanks for reading

The Dorothy Days Xx

Monday Motivation - Learning something new....how to draw for people who believe they can't draw!

Hi everyone,

So last week I shared with you all a video from a Tedx talk and today I thought I would share with you all another one. A lot of their videos are quite short and also uplifting so I often watch them in my lunch break or first thing in the morning to get the day going.

This talk by Graham Shaw particularly appealed to me as I am always saying that I would love to be able to draw but I am awful at drawing.

He teaches you how to draw really simple cartoon characters to prove that anyone can draw.

Stickmen and women are about my limit (!) so I was intrigued to try.

Here is my very first drawing.... it is no masterpiece but not tooooo shabby for a first attempt and was a lot of fun giving it a go. When I attempt to draw I end up waving the pen or pencil in front of the page for ages and being indecisive so I quite liked that with this you have to be quite quick and decisive about it and can't think too hard about it. 

If you do watch the video and give it a go I would love to see your drawings, please upload a picture to either Twitter, Instagram or Facebook and tag me in it (@thedorothydays) 

My first attempt of drawing a cartoon character!

 Hope you enjoyed the video as much as I did. Always fun to start the week on a positive and learn something new! Will be back next Monday with some more Monday Motivation. 

The Dorothy Days Xx

Rain Showers, Pretty Flowers

Hello everyone,

Happy April! Today I was featured in this beautiful collection by Jennifer from Happy Scatter called "Rain Showers, Pretty Flowers". I love the collection as blue is my favourite colour and this reminds me of the weather we have been having recently!! The treasury was inspired by clouds, april showers, and the lovely flowers that are appearing everywhere. All items that appear in this collection are available in Etsy shops which are run by Dorset Team members.

My buttercup print was also included in the collection. 

One- The fault in our stars inspired 'Okay?' Necklace LittleInfinityCrafts £6.99	Superwash English Wool Blend - Jumbo Braid: Waves Wildcraft £10.00	Yellow buttercup flowers vintage print - sunshine yellow british floral art print - country style - gifts for her gardening waterlily TheDorothyDays £10.00	Storm ocean sea and gulls original watercolour painting mini art minature SeasideStudiosUK £30.00
Modern Cross Stitch Pattern, downloadable pdf, Hello Sunshine! *kit available! LittleBeachHut £3.00	SKY FALL CROCHET Hat Pattern Slouch hat pattern, Womens hat pattern, Pom pom crochet hat pattern Slouch Beanie crochet pattern Hat pattern KerryJayneDesigns £2.75	Spiral Dance Greetings Card MiaBradburyArt £1.95	Illustrated small ceramic bowl SheenaSpaceyFolkArt £25.00
Girls Crochet Hair Kerchief Blue One Size BezCreations £12.00	Hot Air Balloon Wall Decal, aeroplanes, white clouds and stars. Blue nursery decor. Baby boy stickers. Shower gifts. Toddler bedroom EnchantedInteriorsUK £74.95	Cloud Earrings - Blue Earrings - Weather Earrings - Rain Cloud Earrings - Clay Earrings - Cloud Jewellery - Fluffy Clouds StudioPickles £6.50	Blue-green Dahlia Clock AtticLightHome £19.50
Original Watercolor on Canvas Painting Stormy Skies Mini Painting 4 x 4 inches katebuckleyart $14.50	Felted Pincushion in Polka Dot Demitasse - Upcycled OOAK Gift for Sewer/ Crafter/ Mum - Mini Teacup Pin Cushion doalittledance £15.49	Spring Blossom Earrings with Handmade Lampwork Glass Beads nemeton £12.00	AB Bictone Bead & Silver Tone Chandelier Bridal Earrings. Only 1 pair available. Clip on or pierced. Traditional bridal earrings/jewellery HazelsWeddingShop £5.00

The Dorothy Days X

Monday Motivation - How to be more confident/ step outside your comfort zone

I found this amazing and really inspiring talk by Till H. Groß who seeks to overcome his fears and anxieties and step outside of his comfort zone so he can achieve more and also wants to help others to do so too. 

He challenges himself to step outside of his comfort zone by consciously doing different activities and tasks such as laying on the floor in a public space which make him feel nervous or uncomfortable.  I thought this would be great to share with you all and hopefully you will find it as inspiring and motivating as I did. Even those of us who feel they are pretty confident have things that hold us back. Perhaps not approaching someone at an event that you would love to talk to or not pushing yourself to try something new that you have always wanted to do but never had the confidence to do. 

The idea behind it has roots in exposure therapy. You feel nervous and anxious about doing it but then after a while your anxiety lessens. If you keep repeating this you then end up feeling less anxious and fearful, get better at dealing with that anxiety and push yourself to try new things. 






You can find more on his website here

Hope you all have a wonderful week.

Thanks for reading

The Dorothy Days

Spring Flowers - Vintage Bookplate

Spring Flowers 

Hooray! Spring is here at last. Spring is one of my favourite times of year. After a long winter it is lovely to see all the blossom, daffodils and other spring flowers blooming. The clocks changed recently and it is so lovely to have the lighter evenings. Anyone else really love this time of year?

The print pictured is from my vintage floral collection each is an original book plate taken from a vintage book on European flowers rather than a copy or reproduction. They are perfect for Spring decorating and look lovely displayed like I have in the photo or when framed.

Happy April/ April Fools Day!

Happy April everyone!

I feel like March went by particularly quickly, it was a really busy month with lots on and felt like there wasn't enough hours in the day so looking forward to April and hoping that it will be a busy but also more relaxed month.

1st of April also means that it is April Fools' Day! Anyone doing any pranks today?

April Fools' Day is a long running tradition. The first recorded association between 1st April and pranks/ foolishness was in 1392!

I found this ticket from the Tower of London for washing the lions (!). No event ever took place but it is an early example of an April Fools prank which made me smile so I thought I would share with you all. It dates from 1837!

If you are looking to do your own pranks this April fools day there are some fun ideas over here on this Buzzfeed article 

Have a great month everyone

The Dorothy Days X

Happy Easter everyone!

Happy Easter everyone! Hope that you all have an amazing weekend and good luck to everyone going on Easter Egg hunts!

The Dorothy Days X

Dorset Etsy Team Christmas Fair - #DorsetTeam

Sorry to be mentioning CHRISTMAS so early on in the year but exciting news for anyone in Dorset....the Dorset Etsy Team will be returning to Wimborne for their Christmas Fair on Saturday 3rd December at the Wimborne Allendale Centre.

Applications for stallholders are currently OPEN but close on the 1st April.

If you have an Etsy shop and would like to apply to be a seller at the event please find the application form here. The event will feature 70 Dorset Team Etsy sellers under 1 roof!

For more information about the event please see the Christmas Fair Facebook event page 

Please pop the date in your diary. Here is the video from last year's event....

Special Offer - Today only!

Hello everyone,

Super excited to share with you all my special offer which will be running today only in my Etsy shop.

I have recently hit some really big milestones with my shop (1000 sales on Etsy and 1000 Instagram followers) and I really wanted to do something to say thank you :) so today only I am offering a free gift with every order over £10.

Gifts will include necklaces, keyrings, brooches, gift tags etc.

Offer ends at midnight tonight and is valid worldwide

Please find my Etsy shop by clicking here

Enjoy :)!

The Dorothy Days Xx

Spring Fashion Trends 2016: Blue Hydrangea

Hello everyone,

Today my retro beaded necklace which is new to my Etsy shop got featured in this beautiful collection alongside other Etsy sellers from the U.K. It was so pretty that I couldn't resist sharing it. I love this shade of blue and it is beautiful for the spring.

Spring Fashion Trends 2016: Blue Hydrangea

Another of the soft nostalgia pastels for spring, this is colour is almost a washed out denim tone. All available from the UK.

Pale Blue Reversible Hand Woven Pashmina with Silver Lurex PashMala £85.00	Pale Blue Silver Earrings, Periwinkle Teardrop Crystal Earrings, Silver Rhodium Dainty Modern Earrings, Minimal, Bridal TheBonnyBoutique $24.99	Pale Blue St Michael Dress UK 10 REVIVAL4VINTAGE £49.99	Retro pale blue beaded necklace - vintage jewellery - retro tea party dress jewellery - light blue - pastel blue -dorset etsy uk TheDorothyDays £9.00
Blue Pearl and Crystal Jewellery, Pale Blue Bridesmaid Bracelet, Bridal Party Gifts, Blue Wedding, Crystal Cluster Jewellery UrbanDaisyBridal £17.95	Vintage Original 1940's Pale Blue Linen Dress With White Floral Embroidery true vintage floral ww2 pinup lindy WillowHilsonVintage £95.00	Victorian Lace Bracelet in Tatting , Pale Blue - Victoria - Adjustable TataniaRosa $25.00	1950s Baby blue lurex knit sweater / 50s dolman sleeve knitted top - M L Veramode £40.00
Sky Blue Felt Disc Fascinator Headpiece CoggMillinery £85.00	Crochet infinity scarf, chunky scarf in Soft Pale Blue, loop scarf, warm and luxuriously soft! SweetMaya £24.00	Ladies Crochet Hat in Pale Blue with nice Crochet Flower. Chemo Hat Nice and Warm. Creationsbykandpj £12.00	Plus Sized Vintage Womens 60s 1960s Pale Blue Sleevless Top Size 22 Womans baileysbits £8.69
Set of 4 Pale blue wedding bridal hair clips, bridesmaid hair accessories, flower girl, bridal floral headpiece, wedding hair accessory FlowersAndConfetti £10.88	Pale Blue/Grey Secretary Skirt | Vintage Pencil Skirt | Vintage Office Skirt ElsieMoonVintage £11.00	Winter Rose TartanMagpie £8.50	Scottish Harris Tweed A4 Tote Shopper Bag in pale blue check *Limited Edition* TweedieBags £60.00

Hope you like it as much as I do

The Dorothy Days