Pretty Presentation and a Great Giveaway!

All wrapped up!

I apologise for the alliteration but I like things to sound good!  For that matter, I like things to look good to and that is what today's post is going to be about (as well as a great giveaway at the end! Squeal!!) 

I chose to start my blog as a way to share my crafting with my friends and, well, the World.  And so the Gingerbread Bunny was born.  At first my blog background came from the general templates, which were OK but not what I really wanted.  It didn't look pretty enough.  I bought a book, Blogging for Bliss by Tara Frey, which led me to a website called Smitten Blog Designs (check their site out if you have a blog you would like to revamp!) who offer lots of really funky backgrounds for blogs, and that is where my current design came from.  Much prettier I think.

From my blog, my Folksy store grew and I wanted to make sure that when I launched the business side of The Gingerbread Bunny it looked professional.  For me, this is very important and as a consumer, I notice this!  I paid a small price for the lovely Aleximo Croissant on Folksy to design my logo, lettering, business postcards, letterhead and stickers - everything I needed to get going.  I have to say it was well worth it and I feel it just makes the whole business look that little bit more professional.

Finally, my packaging!  I knew that when I posted items out to their new owners, the packaging needed to be a little bit special.  It makes such a difference when your parcel arrives looking pretty!  I wrap all my items in tissue paper, tied with cord or ribbon with a postcard attached as the invoice.  I found an eBay shop that sells purple mailing bags (as this matches my colour scheme) and seal the bags with a sticker. 




My parcel ready to go!

 Presentation, for me is very important!  It is, after all, one of the first parts of your blog or business people see and is well worth giving a little bit of thought to!

GIVEAWAY!

It's time for my giveaway!  Squeal!  I have to say I am very excited about my first ever blog giveaway andI hope many of you will enter. 

The winner will be able to choose between 2 prizes; a black and teal mini feather hairclip or a red fabric A5 journal/diary/book pouch. 
To win one of these amazing prizes, handmade by The Bunny, all you need to do is leave a comment under this post before 12pm (GMT) on Wednesday 11th May!  After this time, I will use a random number generator to select the winner who will be announced in my post on Wednesday evening! 
So, what are you waiting for?  Get commenting!



Gorgeous teal and black mini feather hairclip!



Beautiful red book pouch!



(Please note, entries are limited to one comment per person) 

Making for other people




My Folksy Shop Banner!

 

This past week has been extremley busy, mainly with work, so I have devoted this weekend to making and generally being a creative soul!  My main aims this weekend were to:

Flower Brooches

Make some zill muffs for my friend Janice (my first comission!)

Make the red wrap for my Folksy Shop

Make some brooches (as requested by my friend Amanda)

Tidy the craft half-a-room (boo!)

List items on Folksy (about time to!)
Have a fab time at the stitch and bitch (my life is so hard)



Jan's Raspberry Zill Muffs!



I am pleased to say that I have achieved all of the above and without too much nagging needed from the husband regarding the whole tidying situation. 

A lot of my making recently has not been for me but for other people whether they be presents, comissions for friends or for my Folksy Shop. 

I really enjoy making presents and comissioned items for friends.  I get a real buzz from their reaction to having such a thoughtful gift that has obviously been made with love, care and attention.  As has been previously posted on here I made the fantabulous apron for Shinybees birthday and have a hand made present awaiting delivery for Baby Shinybees!  For Mother's Day I made my mother-in-law a crocheted mug hug, that went down really well, and a journal wrap and tub for my Mum which she loved too!



Mug Hug!



Making for my Folksy shop is different, and sometimes more difficult, as there is not a particular person in mind when I'm making.  I always make items that I would like to own as I feel that if they are good enough for me then they are good enough for others!  I have been struggling with what to sell and so have opted to make a few different items to see what sells and have made it clear that I will make custom orders as requested! 



The Red book wrap I made today for sale on my Folksy Shop!



My voyage into online selling for items I have made myself is rather scary but quite exciting at the same time!  I just hope people like what they see!