Efcolor Enamelling System

Joanna asked me to write some words about our Efcolor enamelling demonstration that was held last Saturday, but I disappeared and had a few days off – so it has taken a little while to get it sorted out. I am sorry.

We had the lovely Fiona Jones come along and demonstrate the versatility of the Efcolor.


It is so simple to use and is fantastic for making jewellery, embellishments and all sorts. Fiona had a range of examples that she has made. They included the gorgeous Gecko, which she has used to decorate the front of a notebook.

Fiona showed the enamelling being done on mountboard and chippies as well as the copper blanks. She also showed how you could add pieces to the enamelling to give textures as well as patterns.

A great day was had and we managed to eat many mince pies as well as drinking much mulled wine.

So this weekend I am going to be making loads of last minute Christmas pressies all with an enamelled theme.

Have a great weekend. See you all soon.

Lynn x

Decorated Platter with Jo Sonja's paints

If you are stuck for last minute ideas for Chrismas gifts why not visit the shop and see what items you could decorate for your friends and family.

Lynn has decorated this lovely platter using Jo Sonja's acrylic paints and mediums together with napkins.

If you pop into the shop, we have a huge amount of napkins that you can purchase, together with lots of wooden shapes and articles.

If you need some advice and ideas to get you started, chat to Lynn who will be more that happy to advise you exactly what products you need to decorate your project.

Latest Newsletter

Hello Everyone

I hope you have all kept safe during this all this cold weather. Can you believe it? I know that we (technically) are in the Winter, but did we have to have the snow this soon? And, so I understand, we are only going to get a very quick respite of warm weather before the ice and snow comes back. Ho hum!! Still it will soon be Christmas and if we ask Rachel nicely, she will tell us EXACTLY how many minutes we have got to go.

This newsletter is going to be another quick one. For those of you that have been in the shop recently, you will know that we have been having issues with our website server. This has resulted in us nearly loosing our database. The site has just been re-instated, but we are not sure how long for. So I am trying to get this out before it dies again.

I am going to start with the important business, because I am running short of time to let you all know.
I should have got this information out to you last week but, when I tried originally writing this, the website was not working - so I am sorry that it is a bit late. Anyway, here goes: We are launching our new product range - The Efcolor Enamelling system. It is fantastic. I have had such fun with it. Because I think it is such great fun and I think you all will like it, I have arranged for Fiona Jones to come to the shop to demonstrate the system.

Fiona, the author of Papercraft Weekend Workbook, has just launched a new website http://www.projects4crafters.com and she is the UK demonstrator of Efcolor Enamelling System. Indeed, some of you might have met Fiona at the NEC last month or when she visited us couple of years ago.

Fiona will be with us this Saturday, the 11th December from 10am 'til 4pm. She will be demonstrating the Enamelling system and she will have details of the Enamelling workshop that she will be running, for us, later in January.

Enamelling is a great technique for all crafters. It is a good way to make very individual pendants for your jewellery making, it is great for making individual embellishments for the Cardmaking and for scrapbooking. If you are not sure, look at the projects Fiona has put on her website http://www.projects4crafters.com/userimages/Enamelling(2043211).htm

The other new thing that we have in the shop is Fimo – I know it probably is not new to you, but it is to us!! At the moment we just have the colour blocks in and, in time, we will be getting in the tools required for playing with it.

Also, remember that it is the final Jo Sonjas Saturday workshop for this year. 1pm until sometime hours later up in the workshop. Ideal place for making the last few Christmas pressies.

For those of you that are waiting for the new workshop list, it will be out soon. Joanna has been working on it, but she now needs some input from me before she can finish it. I will try to get it sorted over the weekend.

Also, watch the blog for the Christmas closure times. Basically, I will be closing up shop at lunchtime on Christmas Eve. I will open the shop from 11am ‘til 3pm on the 29th & 30th December (Wednesday and Thursday), then we will be closed until the 6th January. Watch out for some special offers occurring on the 29th and 30th. Further details will be on the blog. http://www.flutterbycraftsberkshire.blogspot.com/

There is probably a lot more that I can say, but I need to get this out while the website is still viable.
Have a wonderful weekend and remember to come to eat a mincepie with us on Saturday (oh, and watch Fiona!!)

With regards

Lynn and the Girls

Website Problems

Hi Everybody

Just a quick hi-jack of the blog.

We are experiencing a problem with the server that runs our website, as a result our website is not working at the moment. The lovely Karen is trying to rectify this as we speak. Whatever happens we will be having a new website sometime in the near future.

In the meantime, if you keep in touch with the blog you will be kept up to date with things that are going on at the shop.

Tallking of which, remember that it is Mince Pies and Punch this Saturday (11th December) and while you are partaking of said tasty treat you can watch Fiona demonstrating the new enamelling system. How wonderful is that!?!

See you all on Saturday.

Lynn x

Napkins and Jo Sonja paints

We have some lovely wooden monograms in the shop at the moment and they are perfect for decorating using your Jo Sonja paints and napkins. With the addition of embellishments such as pearls, flowers and ribbons they would make a gorgeous Christmas gift.

Catherine has decorated this lovely wooden HOME monogram with napkins, of which we have a huge selection available in the shop.

Here above, is a close up photo of the crackle she has created using Jo Sonja paints and mediums.

The wooden monograms we currently have in our shop are BABY, HOME, LOVE and our latest delivery, NOEL.

We would love to see your NOEL creations, so why not drop them into the shop and we will showcase them here on the blog.

If you would like to order through our on-line shop take a look here.

Mince Pies & Punch with some Cold Enamelling

What more could you want?

Hi Everybody,

I am hi-jacking the blog because I cannot get onto the website to get a newsletter sent out. I think Karen (the web Lady) is trying to force me to make a decision about the new website and she has stopped the old website from working. Ok, but it means that I cannot send out newsletters.

Karen - I promise I will pull my finger out.

Anyway, I wanted to let you all know about next weekend.

We are launching our new product range - The Efcolor Enamelling system. It is fantastic. I have had such fun with it. Because I think it is such great fun and I think you all will like it I have arranged for Fiona Jones to come to the shop to demonstrate the system.

Fiona, the author of Papercraft Weekend Workbook, has just launched a new website http://www.projects4crafters.com and she is the UK demonstrator of Efcolor Enamelling System. Indeed, some of you might have met Fiona at the NEC last month or when she visited us couple of years ago.

Fiona will be with us next Saturday, the 11th December from 10am 'til 4pm. She will be demonstrating the Enamelling system and she will have details of the Enamelling workshop that she will be running, for us, later in January.

Enamelling is a great technique for all crafters. It is a good way to make very individual pendants for your jewellery making, it is great for making individual embellishments for the Cardmaking and for scrapbooking. If you are not sure, look at the projects Fiona has put on her website http://www.projects4crafters.com/userimages/Enamelling(2043211).htm

So, come and have a look. Be prepared to love it. Enjoy a Mince Pie and a glass of hot punch (non-alcoholic, because if I cannot partake in the hard stuf, neither can you!!!)

See you there, next Saturday.

Lynn x

ps We, also, now stock Fimo!!! Does your fun never end?!?!?

Beaded Christmas Bauble

Here is the Beaded Christmas Bauble that Ruth designed for last Tuesday's class. It's beautiful and quite easy to make.

Sorry, the photo doesn't do it justice because I couldn't avoid getting my reflection on the bauble whilst I was photographing it! However, if you pop into the bead shop you will see how stunning it really is.

Scraps of ribbon

You may remember an earlier post here, when Lynn made a card decoupaging ribbon. Well, she pondered over what to do with the left over bits of ribbon.

Now, Lynn like most crafters does not like to waste anything so, she came up with these quick cards using some of her scraps.

If you still need some Christmas embellishments such as these Die Cut Banners in silver and gold, and don't want to venture out in the car please take a look and make the most of our on-line shop.

Newsletter - Nov 2010

Hi Everybody

I hope you are all very well.

I am sorry that I have not been sending newsletters out as regularly as I should. I have been so busy trying to organise so many things and there are still a lot of things that I keep forgetting to do. Ho, hum. I will catch up soon.

Anyway, I have just been sitting here decorating a bauble with some beads (I know, I should have been sending out logos for ads & sorting out the new website etc, but.....) and I thought 'better whip out a quick newsletter' to let you all know about these beaded baubles. If you have been into the bead shop recently you will have seen some samples of them.

Ruth designed the pattern, she is a Christmas Star, and tonight (Tuesday, 30th November) she will be teaching how to make them. So if you are not doing anything and you fancy having a go, come and join us up in the workshop - 6.30 'til 8.30 - it is £12.50 and includes all beads, baubles and pattern. They are easy peasy but so effective. I am sure Joanna will have a picture on the blog very soon.

The other thing that is happening this week is the arrival of two new things. Firstly we are about to become FIMO stockists - Fimo beads here I come!!

Secondly (and you are going to love this) we are going to receive our first order of Efcolour Enameling system - I cannot wait to get my hands on this!! This is a 'cold' enameling system (which means you do not have to spend a fortune on a kiln) and is great fun. I have had great fun playing with it already.

Does your fun never end?

And to introduce these two products we are going to have a Mince pie & Hot Punch Day on Saturday 11th December, when we will have demonstrations going with the Fimo and the Enamelling. How great will that be?

Both these products are great fun and both can be used for all the crafts that we cover - jewellery making, card making and scrapbooking (and gift making for this Christmas). So everybody is welcome to come and see what it is all about (who know, this could answer the Christmas Fairies prayers!)

Also, watch out for news coming up about the Jo Sonja's New Vintage Collection background colours - I will tell you more in my next newsletter which will be out before the week is out.

So there you are, just a quick one. Time for my bed now. Hopefully we will not be too snowed in and we will see you at the beading class tonight and on the 11th!!

Have a good day. With regards

Lynn & Girls

Decorate your tree with ornaments!

It's official.........today I have seen the 1st Christmas tree up, lights on, but no decorations hung yet!!! Maybe I should tell them where to go for Christmas Ornaments...........that is Flutterby Crafts.


We have a wide range of Kaisercraft wooden shapes in stock at the moment. Above is one of the undecorated ornament shapes ready to be decorated using Jo Sonja paints. They can be covered in paper or napkins too!


Lynn has decorated this ornament using paints, napkins, gems, ribbon and beads.

If you would like advice on how to decorate your Kaisercraft wooden shapes why not speak to Lynn when you visit the shop and she will who will point you in the right direction.

Painted glasses

These beautiful glasses and tumblers were painted by one of our Jo Sonja Creative tutors using Jo Sonja paints.

Be warned they are all stunning........

Don't forget, Flutterby Crafts are the UK Distributor of Jo Sonja acrylic paints and mediums. If you have chance to come into the shop, have a chat with Lynn who runs our Jo Sonja workshops and she can give you lots of advice on decorating your projects with these truly wonderful acrylic paints.

Decoupage using ribbon

Lynn has made this card decoupaging ribbon with a Poinsettia design onto the square shaped topper.

These new photo corners have just arrived together with lots of glitter card, ribbon, and Christmas peel offs.

Prince William and Kate

Just heard the news.....Congratulations to Prince William and Kate. What wonderful news and what a wonderful morale boost. We wish them all lots of best wishes and hope that they have a lovely wedding & a great life together. It is a moment to celebrate something good.

Lynn x

Painted vase and new flowers in stock

Lynn has decorated this vase using Jo Sonja paints and mediums. If you would like to have a go at a similar project why not come to one of the Saturday or midweek Jo Sonja workshops (click here for workshop brochure).

Here is a close up of these gorgeous netted Ponsettia's that have just arrived! The vase would make a lovely Christmas gift, so if you have some time free and need some Christmas gift ideas why not join Lynn at the....

Jo Sonja midweek Club
Wednesday, 17th November
12.30 'til 2.30 pm

To book yourself a place on tomorrow's Jo Sonja midweek Club, just give us a call on telephone number, 01635 860900.

This afternoon was manic but fun!!

Shhh!! I am hi-jacking the blog, but I just had to let you all know what fun we had this afternoon.

It was the Jo Sonja's class and we playing with napkin art on glass bowls & vases, candles, wooden boxes, canvass bags - you name it, we did it.

We painted, we crackled, we had a great time.

Thank you, Maria, for all your help and inspiration. Thank you, Ladies, for your laughter and enjoyment. See you all next month.

Lynn xx

Adorable gift boxes

We have these ribbed kraft gift/favour boxes that come flat packed ready for you to put your special gift or favours inside. All you then need to do is fold the boxes and add your embellishments.

Catherine has made these boxes decorating them perfectly with ribbons, flowers and embellishments found here at our on-line shop (take a look in the wedding section too).

The boxes found here come in all sorts of different sizes which are a perfect accompaniment for your handmade jewellery Christmas gifts and wedding favours.

Jo Sonja and Serviettes!

Lynn has been decorating flower pots again using Jo Sonja paints and serviettes.

As Flutterby Crafts are the UK Distributor of Jo Sonja paints and mediums we have a large collection in stock together with serviettes (at our bricks and mortar shop). We also have serviettes and Jo Sonja paints at our on-line shop if you are unable to call in.

Jo Sonja Saturday Craft Club

Saturday, 13th November

2.00 'til 4.00 pm

Jo Sonja midweek Club

Wednesday, 17th November
12.30 'til 2.30 pm

If you wish to learn how to decorate these flower pots why not book onto one of our Jo Sonja workshops and make some lovely Christmas gifts (more detail here).

Die cut ornament boxes

Nicky has made some lovely ornament/gift/favour boxes which come flat packed, printed and die cut in different designs exclusive to Flutterby Crafts.

Add a few embellishments and they will look as stunning as these......

Ornament #1

Ornament #2

Ornament #3

Ornament #4

Why don't you let us know
which is your favourite ornament ......#1,#2,#3 or #4?

Woodware Christmas stamps

Have you seen these new Woodware Christmas Tree stamp sets which are now in stock?

Woodware Patchwork Christmas Tree Stamp Set

Woodware Tipsy Christmas Tree Stamp set

With this card Nicky has coloured the trees from the Patchwork set using her ProMarkers which are available at our shop or online.


This is a close up showing one of the border and corner Martha Stewart punches with glossy accents used on the tree.

Here Nicky has paper pieced another Xmas Tree from the same set using the Karrs speciality paper pad. She has stamped the greeting and the bows....what a versatile set!

And finally, this card uses the adorable Tipsy Tree from the other Woodware stamp set with the same speciality papers which has also been paper pieced.

We have lots of Christmas papers and pads including Karrs embellishments here for you to see in our Christmas category on-line.

Is this enough to inspire you to start making your Christmas cards!

Wild Rose Studio - New Fairy stamps...

Here are the gorgeous Fairy stamps and Wedding stamps that have been designed by Dulcie Jackson and are in STOCK NOW!

These stamps are great to use with your ProMarkers and I am sure you will have a chance to play with them at the next ProMarker Club on Saturday, 6th November (click here for details).

However, if you are unable to come into the shop you can always order them through our on-line shop here.

Jo Sonja Club - Wednesday

This glass dish would make a beautiful Christmas gift. It is soooo easy to decorate especially once you have been to one of our Jo Sonja Workshops and Lynn has demonstrated this wonderful craft!

We have monthly Jo Sonja Workshops, the next one being on the 13th November and a mid week Jo Sonja Workshop, scheduled for this Wednesday, 3rd November (click here for Jo Sonja Workshop details).

So rather that just admire.......why not book yourself into a workshop and make some lovely Christmas gifts for your friends.

Newsletter - Nov 2010

Good Morning, Everyone

I hope that you are noticing that it is NOT the middle of the night. I am actually typing this while I have my first cup of tea of the day!!

I am sitting in bed at my Mum & Dads house. I was at my last show of the year the weekend (hooray!) and because the venue was halfway between home & the parents, I thought I would come over to see them. What a wonderful daughter I am, allowing them to give me a bed for the night!

Actually, Mum is not too well at the moment. She has had a nasty reaction to the flu jab which has left her with a bad dose of flu. Poor the Mummy. I did not make her wait on me too much last night! She is on the mend now, though.

Anyway, there are two reasons that I am writing to you all this morning, so I will get on with it.

The first one is very exciting. Today is the launch day of the new Wild Rose Studio stamps (just in time for ProMarker Saturday next weekend!!) AND we have got them in the shop!!

Unfortunately, though, because I am in Essex and the shop is shut today you cannot get your mits on them until tomorrow. Not fair! But, Catherine has put a sneak preview of them on one of our facebook pages:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/themulberry-bush/128263370536574

so you can order them from her, or you can drop me an email (lynn@flutterbycrafts.co.uk) and I will put them by for you, or you can pop into the shop tomorrow.

How exciting is that?!?

The other thing that I wanted to mention is the coach trip next weekend, to the NEC. When I left on Friday there was still some seats available for the trip.

I will be sorting out the advanced tickets tomorrow, so if you still want to come and have not booked yet, you have until mid-afternoon tomorrow to sort it out.

The details are:

The trip is to the Hobbycraft & Arts show at the NEC, ticket to include entry to the Crafts at Christmas show. We leave the Flutterby car park on the 7th November at 8.30am (next Sunday), to get to the NEC for 10ish. We leave the NEC at 4pm to get back for 6ish.

The cost is £25 per adult, £24 per concession and £17.50 per under 16's. This includes the entrance ticket.

Anybody wanting to book onto the coach after Tuesday mid-afternoon will have to arrange their own advance ticket or pay on the door.

So there you go. That is what I wanted to say.

After next weekend life should (I say 'should'!) slow down a pace for me. No more weekends away working for a couple of months, at least. And I will get back on track with the newsletters and such like. It has been a busy few months.

I will get to spend some time with my very long suffering hubby and my dogs - especially the puppy!! He is growing somewhat, without me being there to keep him in check. So I think there is some serious training about to start!!

I will also get some photos of him up on the website and the blog.

Talking of website, we are about to change ours to make it bigger and better. I will be looking for input from you all. Start photographing your favourite pieces that you have made. We will be having a customer corner with a monthly competition!! Watch this space for more news about that.

Also, I am going to change the newsletter system because I know that a lot of you are not getting this regularly. Hopefully the change will sort that out.

In the meantime have a good week. Take a look at the Wild Rose stamps. Come with us to the NEC for a day out. But, most important of all, take time out to relax and craft.

See you all soon.

Lynn and the Girls.