Small Business Shout Out Sunday

As a small business owner I'm a big fan of supporting other small businesses and, where ever I can I do buy "small" rather than from a large corporation. I love the story behind products and their makers, so I'm going to do a twice monthly post shouting out about some of my favourite small businesses.

First up this week is Harvey-Smith Leather, they have the most beautiful hand painted and hand made leather items such as clutch bags, iPhone cases and my personal favourite journals & notebooks, I was lucky enough to win this beauty of a journal from Harvey-Smith Leather earlier this year.

I want to treat myself to one of the clutch bags but every time I look I see another one that I want, some decisions are so hard to make!

You can find their online shop here - Harvey-Smith Leather

And you can follow them on Facebook here - Harvey-Smith Leather Facebook Page

You can also follow them on Instagram at @harveysmithleather

This next shop is one I've visited both in person and online. Agnes & Cat are based in Windermere in the Lake District and the delicious smells that waft out of the door as you walk past are enough to make you, well, not walk past but, instead, go in and have a good look around. Their Cloud Nine Candle is my absolute favourite ( I have a thing for candles) but they don't just make beautifully fragranced soy candles, they also do soaps and bath salts & lots of other deliciously scented things - Their Manuka Honey Lip Balm is another of my favourites.

Seriously worth a visit if your passing anywhere near or through Windermere, however if you can't get there in person you can order online too.

You can find Agnes & Cat at 39 Crescent Road, Windermere, LA23 1BL.

Or on their website here - Agnes & Cat 

Their Facebook page is here - Agnes & Cat Facebook page

And follow them on Instagram @agnesandcatshop

My final Small Business Shout Out this week is to the Pink Amethyst Co on Etsy, Rebecca paints the most beautiful, sparkly canvases in various sizes, this little 10cm x10cm Good Vibes sits in my studio keeping all bad vibes at bay. As it was aqua & turquoise colour I had to buy it as soon as I saw it as aqua is Crafty Alchemy's main brand colour as well as my personal favourite, so it was kinda fate, and I do love a bit of universal synchronisity.

You can check out Rebecca's Etsy Shop here - Pink Amethyst Co

You can find her on Facebook here - Pink Amethyst Co Facebook page

And follow Pink Amethyst Co on Instagram @pinkamethyststudio

*Important note 

I have no official affiliation with these businesses, and I have not received any payment or compensation for this blog post. I am giving these businesses a shout out as I genuinely love them and their products.

List Love - 5 Things About Me

My name is Claire and I'm a list-a-holic. I have lists for everything, there's the food shopping list on the fridge that we add to all week ready for the weekend shop, there's my book wishlist on Amazon, a list of school holidays in my diary, my daily to do list for Crafty Alchemy, the list of lists goes on and on (If at this point you start to think I may need therapy, don't worry, I agree with you completely).

Seeing as I've just launched this blog after 2 years away from the Blog-o-sphere I thought a bit of a "get to know me" post may be a good idea, so here are 5 things about me:

1. I love to drink tea, can't get enough of the stuff, as soon as one mug is finished, the kettle goes straight back on again for a refill. Yorkshire Tea is my absolute favourite, in case you were wondering. (Note: All tea always tastes better with cake!)

2. I run Crafty Alchemy from my home studio (formerly known as the Front Room) 

Don't be fooled by the tidiness, these were taken as I was moving everything in.

3. I love to crochet blankets, I find it sooo relaxing just counting to 3 & 4 over and over again, minimal brain power required so I can switch off a bit. I always make really huge blankets too, everyone in my family has at least 2 blankets, except my dad, I'm making him one for Christmas (sshhh! don't tell him!)

4. I'd really like to write a book someday, I have a few vague ideas of what I want to write a book about, so lots more planning, research and, probably, lists are required.

5. I love a good box set binge, at the moment I'm watching Sleepy Hollow. My all time favourites include Supernatural (#TeamSam) and Criminal Minds.

So there you have it, 5 things about me. I'd love to hear about you too, what are you watching or reading? what TV shows do you recommend? what's your favourite biscuit? or your favourite colour?