New Design in Marks and Spencer!

I unexpectedly came across one of my designs in Marks and Spencer today, it is so nice when that happens! They have turned one of my artworks in to tea towels for their new season kitchen collection.

I am so pleased to see this design in-store as it was one of my favourites and Marks and Spencer have been very true to the original artwork. It is a great example of how nicely embroidered and appliquéd designs can be translated in to print.

The Textile Directory Craft Focus Newsletter

Today I was featured in the Textile Directory Craft Focus Newsletter. They were concentrating on Embroidery for this (their first) edition of the Craft Focus Newsletter and spoke to me about what it was like to be an embroidery designer and asked for my advice on how best to make a living from it.

I also provided them with a tutorial on how to make one of my greetings cards. If you fancy a go then click here and take a look. If you do not have the time to make your own cards but like the design then take a look at my shop for similar cards.

New Design - Fairy Garden

Today I finally completed a design that I started working on a while back. It is an appliquéd and embroidered artwork for the children's market. This design would be suitable for both interior textiles and stationery products. It is a bright and cheery design with lots of nice fabric textures from suedette for the flower pots to glittering sheer polyester on the fairies' skirts.

Customer Feedback

As I am currently spending a lot of my time adding items to my Folksy shop I thought it was a perfect time to post some of the feedback I have received for a couple of my Christmas and New Year private commissions. It is so encouraging to receive positive feedback and really gives me a boost. I love hand-making cards and accessories, particularly when they are being designed for someone personally. It is such a delight to hear that what I have made is being used and enjoyed.

The recipient of this handmade Fairy Bag was a very happy little girl when she opened her Christmas present. The feedback that I have had is that she 'absolutley loves it' and has to be stopped from taking it to school and in to the bath with her! That made me smile, I am really glad she is enjoying it.


This image shows my new year Greetings Card commission all wrapped and ready to go. The customer that commissioned these cards wrote me such a lovely letter thanking me for them, it was really touching and a wonderful confidence boost. She described my work as 'beautifully made' and noted that 'such an excellent product and excellent service is worth every penny'.

So, todays post is a thank you to the lovely customers that I have had so far, many thanks for your orders.

A Gift For My Niece

Now that I have passed this gift on to my brother it is safe to post this image without spoiling the surprise.
I created this personalised appliqué and embroidery artwork to co-ordinate with a set of beautiful hot air balloon fairy lights destined for the nursery. The balloons are made from bright and glossy polyester fabrics with co-ordinating machine embroidery detail on top. The clouds are a really soft brushed cotton secured with satin stitch embroidery. The text and the birds are hand-embroidered using regular sewing thread to give a fine finish.

Welcome to the world Franchesca!

My Shop is Up and Running ...

My online shop is now up and running. I shall continuously be adding new products so please keep popping by at http://folksy.com/shops/ClaireHurdDesign and I hope you will like what you see.
I have made my first sale already and have positive feedback from the customer. It is great to know that my designs are being bought and enjoyed by others.

My Online Shop!

Great news - I now have an online shop!
I have just opened a shop through Folksy and you will be able to find many of the items you have seen here on my blog in my shop. Please pop along and take a look at what I have available and see what you think - all feedback is welcome during these early stages so keep in touch.
I currently only have one test item available whilst my payment system is being set up (this should only take a few days) but there is plenty more to come. I shall post here when I am fully open and all items are listed so keep checking back. Alternatively keep an eye on my Folksy shop at this address www.folksy.com/shops/ClaireHurdDesign

Greetings Card Collection (part 3)

My previous commission for floral greetings cards for any occasion has led to another commission for more of the same. I am therefore filling all my free time with card making once again. I am making each design in small groups so that although each card remains individual I have a small amount of stock ready for any future requests.

With the starting up of my online shop this year (keep your eyes peeled - coming soon!) I need to keep building up stock as I make things in the most time-efficient way I can. I am enjoying the challenge of making items in this way whilst still giving each product an individual touch to make it unique. The quality of my work and attention to detail is very important to me and I intend to maintain this in all that I produce.