Tibbins Crafts blog

I have returned from a wonderful time in KwaZulu Natal, especially in the Midlands. I managed to get a lot of knitting done on the journey and finished some of the items that I had put aside over the last while. It’s a wonderful feeling when a jersey or scarf is completed and handed over to the person for whom you have made it.

While I was away I looked around the craft shops on the South Coast but did not find much in the way of small hand crafts such as I make for my stall – handmade soaps and candles. And I did not see any handmade cards in any of the shops. There are a few clothing outlets and in one village we came across lots of homemade preserves and jams. Many of the shops have large hand crafted items such as furniture and accessories, which are really beautiful.

I was hoping to collect shells along the beach, but did not pick up any shells suitable for use in gel candles. The waves were crashing onto the shore at such a rate that no shells managed to stay unblemished.

On our travels we visited a candle dipping shop. This proved to be lots of fun for our family. The process used for the candle dipping is new to me so I made a couple of dipped candles myself to get the feel of it. Plain white candles of all shapes and sizes can be purchased and then dipped with up to four colours – all for the price of the candle. Bins of melted wax are available for dipping the candle. The candle is dipped into the lightest colour first and then into darker shaded colours until it is finished off with the darkest colour. It was fascinating to see how each person changed their candle according to their vision of what they wished the finished item to look like. We had loads of fun as a family – both young and old.

The candle-dipping bug has bitten me and I have done some web surfing looking for the candle dipping tanks. I have managed to find some units for sale in Johannesburg and as I will be off to Johannesburg for the weekend, I intend to investigate these units. I hope to be able to give you some more information of them next time – who knows I may even come home with the units as part of my luggage!

Well until next time happy crafting and enjoy the long weekend that is coming up (in South Africa at least). Trust you will be able to get lots of crafts done and maybe get to finish some of the UFO’s (unfinished objects) that are in the craft basket and cupboard.

Another week is coming to an end – where does the time go?

I had a good day last Saturday at the market and even got some orders for glycerine soaps. Got a frantic call from my dear friend Margaret asking if I had lemongrass soap – her friend wanted some and she would come to the market to collect it. This lady was going back home to Scotland and wanted to take lemongrass soap home with her – she had seen it at the home where she was holidaying. When this lady came to collect the stock that I had her friend accompanying her asked for some too, so I took an order to make lemongrass soap for her. Also got an order for teatree soap; so the soap orders have kept me busy this week.

Going on holiday on Friday to the Kwazulu Natal South Coast. We are spending 10 days with our family – which we are really looking forward to. While on the South Coast I want to have a look around and get some ideas of what the crafters there are doing and also collect some seashells that can be used in gel candles. Hoping to come home with lots of new ideas and goodies to use for the candles.

Will give an update on my return.

Have an awesome week filled with lots of sunshine and good things.

Wow what an exciting week we have had.

Got new “prick n stitch” patterns to make the keep sake cards and could not rest till I had done all of them.  It is so satisfying to see the picture emerge as the different colours and stitches are used.  The bigger the pattern the more time it takes – it can take up to 4 hours to complete the wedding cake or the champagne bottle and glasses patterns.  These are obviously special occasion cards and could be made for specific events with special colour schemes in mind.

Had a few queries from the website too.  Very encouraging – seems like more people are taking an interest in making candles and soap.

Off to the craft market tomorrow – trusting for a good day and looking forwarding to meeting new folk – maybe some who have seen us on the website.

Will certainly let you know how it goes.

Pretty hectic Valentine’s weekend – we were at the craft market on both Saturday and Sunday.

Last week saw us preparing candles and cards for the markets.  Time seems to fly past when one is working to deadlines and you just do not have enough time to get around to everything that has you have lined up in your mind to complete.

Then to the market itself…
There was a wonderful vibe with a ‘carnival atmosphere’, especially when the jazz band arrived on Sunday to entertain the visitors to the restaurants in the mall.

We have a regular visitor to our stall– a young girl of about 8 years old – who comes to check what stock is on the table.  I love interacting with the children, especially when knitting – some have not seen knitting in their lives and are fascinated by what is being done with the “string”.   Another comment from a young girl was, “Look Daddy the doll is made out of jersey”.

How precious  the comments from the innocent child mind.

Have a good week.

This the first post to my brand new blog.

I am a crafter from Cape Town, in South Africa. My passion for creating crafts has lead me to set up a table at a local craft market to my home, where I display my goods on a regular basis.

I enjoy making candles, glycerine soap, hand stitched cards and hand knitted jerseys,  baby bootees, toys and what ever takes my fancy at the time.  Much of my knitting is done while sitting at the markets – as it keeps my hands busy in between visitors.

I do hope that you will enjoy my blog and return often.