Special Shopping Feature

Hello and welcome to this weeks special shopping feature!
Our facebook page is filled with over 400 wonderful businesses and so to celebrate and advertise more fairly each week a new special feature will be ran, filled to the brim with wonderful items to buy. There is so much choice out there hopefully being in one place will help us decide what to buy!


Hopefully this will be run alongside our Review specials in which you can buy items from businesses we've reviewed.


So grab your brew, get comfy and get ready to see what's on offer this week.


Sutton Soap Handmade Natural and Organic Soap
Makers of beautiful handmade soap, your are sure to find a scent or shape that suits you. Currently they are offering soap from £1.50 including postage. Visit their website or facebook page and see what they have.
http://www.suttonsoap.co.uk/index.php
http://www.facebook.com/SuttonSoaps

Kirsty's Kross Stitch

Used with permission from Kirsty's Kross Stitch

Fantastic cross stitch cards including personalised charts. Has a wonderful new range of history and fantasy charts available prices from £3.50. Visit their website or facebook page and see what they have to offer.
http://www.kirstyskrossstitch.co.uk
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kirstys-Kross-Stitch/166228760099092


Ivybet Gems

Used with permission from Ivybet Gems

Beautiful handmade jewellery for all ages. If you are looking for something for yourself, your child or as a gift for others then you won't be disappointed. Prices from £4.00. Visit their facebook page and see what's on offer.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ivybet-Gems/113910341986680


Pearlies 4 Girlies
Wonderful pearl jewellery for children and adults, all brightly coloured and beautifully made. If you are looking for a great gift then visit their facebook or etsy page for a look at what they are offering.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/pearlies4girlies
http://www.facebook.com/pearlies4girlies


Roo Bear Craft Creations
Beautiful handmade wooden keepsakes and home decor. With a wide variety of items you are sure to find something you were looking for. Items are custom made and prices vary. Right now they have some wonderful gifts for Fathers Day. For more information visit their facebook page and see what's on offer.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Roo-Bear-Craft-Creations/178899252161098

Hand made with love - Especially for you
Have a wonderful range of handmade home decor, headbands, tutu's and personalised items. They have such a wide choice of great items you won't be disappointed with the choices available. Visit their website or facebook page for more information.
http://www.hmwithlove-especially4u.co.uk
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hand-made-with-love-Especially-for-you/151486338243365


Totally Trinketz

Used with permission from Totally Trinketz

If you are looking for wonderful handmade trinkets or children's room decor then you'll find a great collection here. From personalised name coat hangers to wall plaques and cards. Prices vary. Visit their facebook page for more information.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Totally-Trinketz/137413196312663


Seedlingz Online Boutique
A gorgeous collection of baby and children clothing. Made from organic and baby soft materials. They have a beautiful collection. Make sure to visit their facebook page for more information and a gallery of their items.
http://www.facebook.com/Seedlingz


Nichola Foster Designs
Beautiful one of a kind handmade jewellery. With a selection like this you're sure to find something you love. Stunning rings, bracelets, necklaces and more all made using fantastic materials. Make sure to visit their facebook page and see for yourselves what's on offer!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nichola-Foster-Designs/190615480975141


FunkyClipz/Auctions and Selling page
If you are looking for personalised dummy clips, keyrings and gorgeous wine charms then take a look at these. With a variety of items available in gorgeous bright colours you'll find something you like. Prices from £1.50 Visit their facebook page for more information and a gallery of works.
http://www.facebook.com/FunkyClipz


Flossi's Gems
Gorgeous handmade jewellery available for all occasions, if you are looking for something special for yourselves or as a gift then take a look at what's on offer. Visit their facebook page for more information and a full gallery of items for sale.
http://www.facebook.com/FlossisGems


Gillyflower Designs
A wonderful collection of handmade jewellery and gifts. If you are looking for something to buy as a gift then take a look at what's on offer. Brightly coloured and fun these items will brighten up your day. Visit their facebook page for to see for yourselves what's on offer.
http://www.facebook.com/GillyflowerDesigns


Bows By Bryan-Handmade baby & toddler hairclips
Has a wonderful collection of handmade bows and clips for children. Made from bright colours and great fabrics you are sure to find something you like. Visit their website or facebook page to see what they have to offer today!
http://www.bowsbybryan.co.uk/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bows-By-Bryan-Handmade-baby-toddler-hairclips/190191511021879


Smellies by Heidi 

Used with permission for Smellies by Heidi

If you are looking for great pampering items then take a look at these. With beautiful bath bombs and creams you are sure to find something you like the look of. Available in a wide range of colours, shapes and scents. Visit their website and facebook page for more information.
http://smelliesbyheidi.supersimpleshop.com/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/-Smellies-by-Heidi-/173304999364937


Small and Gifted
If you are looking for handmade personalised wooden products aimed at children and adults then have a look at these. With a wonderful collection of beautifully decorated and brightly coloured wooden items you will be spoilt for choice. Visit their website or facebook page and see what's on offer.
http://www.smallandgifted.co.uk/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Small-and-Gifted/136809849721759


There you have it, a great collection of local UK businesses. I hoped you enjoyed looking through their shops but if you want more please visit our website and facebook page for more great businesses.
http://www.ourlocalcrafts.co.uk/
http://www.facebook.com/OurLocalCrafts

Occasion Cakes and Chocolates

Finding the right cake for the occasion can be difficult to say the least. One of the biggest questions is where to go, now there is anything wrong with shop bought I'm sure they are practical and quick but where's the choice, the personality and importantly where's the love? 
Occasion cakes need love and attention, they also need to be flexible, some people just don't like raspberry jam and why should you compromise when it's your occasion.
If you're anything like me making them is out of the question, my cakes are only good as a cheap pudding when  I've run out of ice cream and as for decorating them.. well lets just forget that nightmare right now. There is no way I'm going to volunteer or be asked to make a special occasion cake for anyone!


So where do you go?
To help you decide here are some excellent small businesses that hand make and lovingly create the perfect cakes for your occasions.


Sweet Moments (Cakes By Aly) - Wirral/ Liverpool/ Ellesmere Port and surrounding areas.

Used with permission from Sweet Moments (Cakes by Aly)

Beautiful cakes and chocolates all handmade by a pastry chef with over 20 years experience. Concentrating on celebration cakes and desserts you will find some amazing creations for all occasions with no two cakes ever being the same. Prices are based on individual orders.
You will find photographs of their work on their facebook page.
http://www.facebook.com/sweetmomentscake


Rachel's Cake Studio - Based in Dartford, Kent, and deliver to most of the South East - cakes can also be collected.

Used with permission from Rachel's Cake Studio

Fantastic cakes lovingly created for all occasions. Made with the finest ingredients and wherever possible organic too. Each cake is well designed and painstakingly decorated. Full gallery of previous work can be seen on their facebook page. Prices are based on individual orders.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachels-Cake-Studio/184125234943727

Delicious Catering and Cupcakes - Leicestershire Area, Cake pops and cupcake truffles can be delivered throughout England, Wales and Scotland.

Used with permission from Delicious Catering and Cupcakes - Leicester.

Beautiful cakes stunningly decorated for all occasions. They use fresh, local, free range and organic ingredients to make your cakes even more special. Beautifully presented you're sure to find the cake you want. A gallery of their work can be seen on both their website and facebook. Prices for larger cakes are based on individual orders.
http://www.deliciouscatering.moonfruit.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Delicious-Catering-and-Cupcakes-Leicester/151173138260416


The Ginger Baker Scotland - Glasgow, collection in person also available.

Used with permission from The Ginger Baker Scotland

Fantastic bespoke cakes for all occasions. With many different flavours and decorations to the highest quality you will find cakes full of flavour, with lots of sprinkles and glitter. You can find a gallery of their work on their facebook page. Prices are based on individual orders.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Ginger-Baker-Scotland/180973581946659


Tracy's Cupcake Creations - Based in Norwich, Norfolk

Used with permission from Tracy's Cupcake Creations

Beautiful cakes for all occasions. From classic to modern designs, sizes and shapes you are sure to find the perfect cake. Stunningly made and well presented these cakes will make your day even more memorable. For a full gallery of their work visit their facebook page. Prices for fruit and sponge cakes are from £20 and cupcakes are from £1 each.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tracys-Cupcake-Creations/167888356603480


There you have it, some wonderful cakes from around the UK. Bespoke handmade cakes can make an occasion and with this collection the only problem you will have now is choice!
If there isn't a listing for handmade cakes in your area send me a comment and I will chase some up for you, I hope you find this blog useful, please feel free to pass this along so that others can see the great cake makers featured!