I am a huge supporter of all things recycled and as soon as I heard about plantable paper, I knew I had to use some in my designs. You might remember my Reindeer Poo Cards at Christmas with growable Christmas Tree Seeds? And then, I introduced a few new additions with wildflower seed. Well, now, on Notonthehighstreet.com, you can choose to select if you want your card made from the usual (but still unusual!) Ellie Poo card, or if you want to have it made with Wildflower Seed Card. For an extra £1.75 for the 2D designs (the wildflower seed is super special but also more costly) you can send what is a perfect card and gift combination – a growable greeting!

Also, now that the cold weather here in Northamptonshire seems to be disappearing (hopefully for good!) I plan on planting up the scraps of paper from my Christmas designs. When I cut the designs into the Christmas Tree Seed paper, I kept the scraps that were cut out to create the reindeer shapes and plan to keep a little photo diary on how my little Christmas Trees grow! Who knows, maybe I’ll be able to use a tree made from scrap seed paper as my Christmas tree one year – how cool! I’ll keep you updated as to how my garden grows! If anyone bought or received a growing greeting from Ruby Wren for Christmas, or maybe you’ve purchased the wildflower cards, I’d love to hear how yours are growing! I might offer prizes if people do get involved!

I’m very lucky to share my hometown with two special Kettering-based artists, Wall Envy Art run by Louise and Coulson Macleod run by Hannah and her partner Mark. I’ve known Louise since last year when we found each other on Etsy and attended a few fairs together. We’ve since started a little joint project and it’s great to have a like-minded person to bounce ideas and plans off. Twitter introduced us to Hannah of Coulson Macleod who is also based in Kettering and has found success selling super cool artwork to the likes of billionaires and CEOs. Coulson Macleod are celebrating their first birthday today, 4th of March 2010, and have already acheived so much in just a year – Hannah definitely inspires me with her focus and passion!

Last night, the three of us met up for a good long chat, about everything from our products, online venues for selling and twitter, to pricing and press. It was a lovely evening and made me feel very glad I live so near to such talented people. I think people would be surprised to know that Kettering is home to the three of us – working away on our creative projects. I’ve defintely come away with a lot of motivation after meeting with like-minded people.

As well as our ‘Creative Kettering’ meeting yesterday, I also had my latest meeting with my Prince’s Trust business mentor, which also fueled my motivation. For anyone aged 18-30 and thinking of starting a business, or developing your handmade creations into a business, I’d definitely recommend signing up for the Prince’s Trust’s Business Programme. Ruby Wren joined Etsy in April 2009 but it wasn’t until August 31st when everything changed and Ruby Wren went from a hobby to an actual business, and in such a short time I’m overwhelmed with how far it’s come. It just goes to show how quickly things can change and, to quote someone who has always inspired me, “expect the unexpected”. I’m definitely very happy to be doing what I love and know such creative and inspirational people!

With Spring just around the corner (yay!) I’m drawn to all the lovely pastel shades that are appearing in Etsy Treasuries, New Spring Products and Fashion. Here’s just a few little lovelies that I’ve collected in my Etsy Favourites. Now, lets hope the weather is inspired by these springtime goodies too!

Tea Green – Cotton Canvas Tote by nuvonova $40

Acorn Gift Tags – Pastels – Felted Acorn and Oak Leaf Git Tags by Fairyfolk $10

Lilac Flower, felt headband by lupin $14.75

lyrical by LeslieThomson $20

Cute Candy the Rabbit Faux Fur Plushie Momma Size by Zygopsyche $35

Two Bunny Rabbits mama and baby miniature ceramic sculptures by iktomi $29

Springtime Sterling Silver Stacking Rings by ThirtySixTen $65

Delicate Fluttering Butterfly Trio 3D Purple by RUBYrecycled $3.50

I’ve been browsing Etsy a lot recently, particularly for jewellery as I feel I am in drastic need of some new pretty things from Etsy. I randomly stumbled across QuercusSilver when I thought her Etsy avatar was rather funky and was very happy to discover that her shop was as bright and lovely as her profile picture. I like to share interesting things I find with my followers and friends on Twitter and as soon as I tweeted the link to Quercus Silver’s shop, I had others telling me that they also loved her shop and products too – the lovely Deepa of Lazy Giraffe who had her Wedding ring made by Quercus, and my crafty friend Abbi of Edwina.Simone who loves her Quercus resin bangles.

The resin bangles and ‘Hewn’ rings are my favourites from Su’s shop – I love the carved faceted surfaces and bright, bold colours! They make me crave jelly sweets – they do look rather edible. Definitely lots of products added to my favourites here! And, I love discovering UK sellers on Etsy – it’s great that more British designers are joining Etsy and it definitely helps the planet to shop local!

Check out Su’s shop on Etsy: QuercusSilver or her homepage.

When we first launched Ruby Wren Designs we had some products featuring gorgeous patterned paper inside the cards. As we can’t guarentee being able to source the paper again, I’ve launched the new Limited Range of greeting cards.

These feature a few of the popular patterns from 2009, with some lovely new papers also, but available in limited quantities only. This means, once they’re gone they may not return and will be replaced by a new patterned card. This will be fun, I’m sure!

I do have quite a collection of papers so there’s sure to be new products arriving on our virtual shelves all the time. The first pony cards to make it into the Limited Range are now on Etsy and other designs will be added shortly!

notonthehighstreet.com is full of gorgeous and exclusive gifts – things that are precisely ‘not on the high street’ and you’re sure to find many tempting things. I am relatively new to the NOTHS experience, having only discovered them in 2009 but already added lots of lovely things to my wishlist.

Be sure to keep an eye on their website – it’s always updated with new items from small businesses like us (and including us) and the catalogues are well worth signing up for. I was thrilled to receive my first catalogue just before Christmas and it showcased the best products available on the site – many of which I looked up straight away online to find out more. The Spring 2010 Catalogue has just launched and you can request your copy via the NOTHS homepage. There’s some stunning finds for Spring with gift ideas for Easter and Mother’s Day also! I’d recommend you request your copy soonish as I’m sure the sellers featured will be inundated with orders for their gorgeous goodies!

SILVER LOVE HEART BANGLES BY LILY BELLE

DECORATIVE MEMO BOARD BY ROSE & GREY

Like most girls, I love shoes! In fact, I love boots most of all. I have the most amazing pair of mid-calf high black biker boots that have seen me through this winter, and I’m sure many more winters to come. My boyfriend refers to them as ‘Bad’ boots in homage to Michael Jackson and they’ve even received compliments from complete strangers in the street. I do love them dearly! But with Spring just around the corner (yes, the snow storm we have here in Northamptonshire may fool you!) I’ve been thinking about adding a new pair of ankle boots to my wardrobe.

I love how high street shops are taking inspiration from vintage style – distressed leather, laces and straps on what I’ve come to realise from browsing Etsy are also known as “granny boots”. I dream of soft leather, light brown ankle boots to wear with faded denim and ditsy floral prints. Or, after looking through my Etsy Vintage finds, I may have to dig out my trusty old Doc Martens. Living in a Northamptonshire, a county world-renowned for it’s shoes (don’t believe me?) we’re lucky enough to be the UK home of DMs – a fashion ‘claim to fame’ for us locals, with our very own factory shop with discounted Docs and all shoes having been made here until 2001…after getting inspired in the Etsy Vintage department looking at boots, I may have to go shopping

vintage black EQUESTRIAN heeled leather ankle boots from NodtoModvintage $34

80s Neo-Victorian Brown Leather Ankle Boots, size 6M from Victorian2ValleyGirl $35

size 7 eggshell leather side zip pull on ankle height beatle boots. 80s Lord and Taylor pixie rocker booties. from lisazain $38

VINTAGE 80s Super Red Leather Lace Up Flat ANKLE GRANNY BOOTS. Size 6 1/2 M from TimeBombVintage

VINTAGE HUNT CLUB BROWN LEATHER SHOE BOOT SIZE 8M from KMalinka $42

Vintage The Original Doc/Dr. Martens Beige and Black Funky Floral Print Punk Boots. 8 Eye Lace Up. Made in England. US size 7/UK size 5. from leftylouvintage $125

I love words! Letters! Text! There’s lots of lovely goodies on Etsy that litterally shout out at you and you’re sure to make a statement with these treasures from Etsy’s virtual shelves. I am a huge lover of letterpress and sweetharvey’s shop is full of gorgeous paper products (check out the sweetharvey robot cards too!). And, have a look at my lovely Twitter friend, SomethingWonderfulUK’s shop on Etsy and now on notonthehighstreet.com – her prints are so much fun!

LULLABY original handmade linoprint, BLACK ink on SHEET MUSIC by SomethingWonderfulUK $10

Hello – 5PK Gift Tags by sweetharvey $5

Love Heart Ring in Glittering White Polymer Clay by CreaShines $15

Oh Happy Day Bicycle Note Cards by DawnCorrespondence $14.50

organic messenger hip bag / recycle love by SewnNatural $46

PEACE – Hand Stamped Accent Pillow – Vintage Inspired by NestaHome $24

Maybe Necklace – all sterling silver by PianoBenchDesigns $32

WHATEVER YOU ARE, BE A GOOD ONE by palomasnest $22

I was watching TV the other day, one of those house programmes that neither me or my mum can get enough of, and there was the most amazing little house full of shabby chic decor – pastel colours, distressed wood, twigs, hearts, tin containers, floral fabrics, pre-war furniture and vintage signs. It was AMAZING. Inspired by shabby chic, here’s a few of my favourites discovered while browsing Etsy:

PARIS vintage inspired shabby cottage chippy sign by SignsByDiane $42.95

Shabby Vintage End Table by paintedcottages $110

Angels Tears. A necklace of peace and praye by NewFashionedWhispers $32

shabby by CalviRee $62

BALLET Pale Pink Silk Dupioni Magnolia Flower Comb by ThreadRare $34

vintage tray by sadieolive $16

I sleep, eat and dream greeting cards – not literally as I’m sure Ellie Poo is not too nice to eat but my life revolves around cards and card making nonetheless.

Friends have received Ruby Wren cards for Birthdays but I wanted to create something a little different for my boyfriend’s Birthday and Valentine’s Day cards (coincidently occurring in the same week). He loves food, computer games, and we both share a soft spot for Saturday afternoon Columbo-watching. All three of which are themes which currently do not occur in my current range, and most definitely in the case of Columbo, never will. But, I was up for a creative challenge and had some ideas.

For Valentine’s I created a card piled with paper nachos, salsa created from confetti hearts and some green paper jalepenos. My original photo didn’t look too good, so will add a photo of the card when I can take a better picture.

After getting such a good response from the Valentine’s card, I was full of inspiration for his Birthday card – and my family comissioned me to create a card on their behalf, so I had two cards to make. The Columbo card I made for myself was such a difficult task. In my mind, I knew I wanted to layer and overlap paper to create something that looked almost like a paper doll (yes, that’s probably the first and only time you’ll hear Columbo compared to a paper doll!). Everything that could be built up in layers was – the collar of his shirt, the collar of his coat, his cuffs on his sleeves – even his belt is an extra layer of paper. I then used ink to emphasise and outline…I love my ink pens I am really happy with the result – a lovely graphic, comic-book style Columbo! The boyfriend knew exactly who it was and loved it!

The card I made on behalf of my family is xbox-themed! I was considering doing a logo from one of his favourite games, but decided to opt for something simpler and understated. I’ve thought about doing an Xbox controller for my current range of cards, especially to appeal to male recipients, so thought it was an excellent opportunity for a creative experiment! Again, I wanted to layer card and create raised buttons on the controller. I’m really happy with this card, and so was my family who sent it and my boyfriend who received it. He held it as if it was a real controller and pressed the paper buttons Luckily, the gluey residue on the buttons is only really noticable in the photos – I got in a bit of a mess!

Would love to know your thoughts on the ultimate of bespoke cards: