Award winning business women in Dorset, Devon and Somerset

Award Winning Craft Parties In The South

May 24, 20181 Comment

Wow! Well, what month May is turning out to be, it’s full of surprises and excitement! I won the Creative Business Award for Made By Me Craft Parties at the Successful Women in Business Awards (SWIB) last week! As you can imagine I’m over the moon (and a little bit shocked!).

There were 33 nominees in the Creative Business category over three counties (Dorset, Devon and Somerset). The awards happened at Weymouth college where they served fancy tapas and delicious cocktails (rather good for settling the nerves). Of course I had the usual ‘what to wear fiasco’ as the dress code was ‘business formal and be as fabulous as you like’. A quick visit to my lovely neighbour Aimee sorted out the jacket issue and I rooted out some gold sparkly strappy shoes and a lacy dress, then I was award ready. Mr Made By Me (Martin) came with me for moral support and we had a lovely evening on our table of fellow creative business finalists and the award sponsors Hannah and Mike from HJ Accounts Management.

Successful Women In Business Awards 2018

Lexy with her Creative Business Award

Award Winning Craft Parties in the South

Made By Me Craft Parties is an award winning business!

It’s cliched, but I really didn’t expect to win. I was totally shocked and shaking at the result, then I had to tackle the tiny stairs up to the stage (you’ll be pleased to know that I didn’t fall over – phew). However, I didn’t have a speech prepared (big error – take note future award nominees!) so I’m hoping nobody remembers that bit!

I was nominated for the award by the lovely Joanne Dewberry and then I had to send the judges some information about my business, including how my creativity has contributed to the success of my business, what’s different about Made by Me Craft Parties and how it’s valued by others. So for those of you who don’t know me and my business, here’s an excerpt of what I said.

Made By Me Craft Parties offers fun, beautiful and personalised craft parties for children, teens and adults for any event or occasion. I run my business around my 2 young children, who are my chief party testers and inspire me daily with their creativity. The parties are unique and tailored to customers requirements, for instance, if a child wants a unicorn themed hot air balloon making party, then I make the magic happen!

I pride myself on attention to detail, excellent customer service and ensure I use the best possible quality products and materials. Offering new innovative and exciting parties is an important part of my business.

A recent customer who hired me for a wedding said ‘Lexy is fantastic to deal with and makes everything very simple. Her focus is on the guests experience and she’s a supplier that actually asks you what you want, rather than telling you what you’ll have. The children absolutely loved the crafts and to be honest I‘ve never seen a room full of kids being so quiet and focused, while having such fun. ‘

Bath Bomb making it great fun and smells gorgeous!

Hot Air Balloon party

Keep little ones of all ages occupied with a craft party during the wedding drinks and photos

Lexy offering advice on how to make pom poms and design tips

Made By Me Craft Parties came about through my own love of crafting. I started out teaching adults to make greetings cards and gift boxes using rubber stamping, my friends began asking me to run crafty birthday parties for their children and I soon realised that there was very little available locally to offer craft parties. Once my daughter started school, I needed a more flexible working environment. As I’d already started to build something that not only did I love but was proud of, turning Made by Me Craft Parties into a full time business was the obvious choice.

I’m absolutely thrilled to win the creative award, all the nominees, finalists and other winners are amazing businesses and business women and I’m honoured to have been in the same room as them at the awards ceremony. I couldn’t run my business without the support and help from my husband, family and friends, but also the networking groups I attend such as SWIB, Lemur Linkup and Dynamic Women In Business they’ve been a lifesaver, especially when you work for yourself.

Find out more about Made By Me Craft Parties and how I can help with your event or party over on the website or contact pages.

Winner of the Creative Business Award

Photo Credit for featured image (group) – Felix

4 Ways to Make Your Celebration Cake and Party Food Look Beautiful

April 19, 2018April 17, 2018Leave a comment

The cake and party food are an important part of any celebration. These small businesses have caught my eye and I think they’ll inspire you to put some wow into your cake decorating and some oooooh onto your party table!

The Cake

As beautiful as they are, you don’t need to spend a fortune on a hand sculpted cake by a professional. Little Bird Craft Party cake toppers do all the talking for you and all you need to do is make or buy your cake and pop the cake toppers in them. I particularly love using cupcakes to give to guests at the end of a party instead of a cut up piece of cake all stuck to a napkin. Susie has also designed some cake toppers perfect for Hen Parties and those who enjoy a spot of adult humour.

Unicorn Cake Toppers by Little Bird Craft Party

Sprinkles

OMG, bespoke sprinkles through the post – who knew that was a thing? Well, it is and The Happy Mail can hook you up with some mighty fabulous sprinkles for your cake! Sprinkle them on your cupcakes or celebration cake or they’d be amazing as part of a dessert station too.

Cake Sprinkles by The Happy Mail

Party Ware

Say goodbye to boring white paper plates and say hello to disposable partyware you’ll want to display on the wall! The Jelly Rabbit offer so many beautiful paper plates and wooden cutlery to choose from, I’m not sure where I’d start.

Paper plates from The Jelly Rabbit

Cool wooden cutlery from The Jelly Rabbit

If you’re based in Dorset and you’re organising a wedding, hen party or birthday party you could consider hiring beautiful china from Granny’s China Cupboard. Not only will you have a gorgeous set of crockery to serve your food on, but you don’t need to wash up afterwards! This award-winning family company also caters for children’s parties and up to 300 people!

Beautiful china for hire from Granny’s China Cupboard

Hopefully that’s your party extras nailed, check out my blog on unique party favours to end your party on a high note!

I’d love to hear what tips and tricks that you recommend for making your party table special.

Five of the Best Independent Party Suppliers

March 22, 2018March 22, 20182 Comments

So, you’ve got a special party to plan. Perhaps a birthday, hen party or wedding? Wouldn’t it be nice to support small businesses and buy unique, beautiful or handmade party supplies?

I’ve scoured the internet to bring you five of my favourite party supply businesses suitable for adults and children alike, I hope you’re going to love them too!

First up … badges and hats …

If it’s a special birthday, Ellie’s Beautiful Mess hand makes fabric hats and number badges that will make you squeal! The sparkly, glittery, squishy numbers will have everyone singing “happy birthday to you” all day long!

Personalised Felt Party Hat By Ellie’s Beautiful Mess

Let’s talk about party decor

Hello Party sell the most fabulous balloon garlands kits that really stand out from the crowd (I really want to cover my whole house with these). I also think a tassel garland brings a bit of sparkle to any party, plus you can keep it up long after the party is over!

DIY Balloon Garland Kit by Hello Party

Best party suppliers, by Made By Me Craft Parties

Tassel Garland by Hello Party

Balloons to Behold

Bubblegum Balloons make it easy to brighten anyone’s day, celebration or party with their inflated and personalised Bubble Balloons – arriving perfectly party ready by post. Whether you’re hosting a Mermaid themed soiree or a Superhero extravaganza, there’s something for everyone.

Tropical Bubble Balloon by Bubblegum Balloons

Perfect Pinatas

You’ve decorated your venue and you’ve nailed the badge or hat to wear. Surely every party needs a pinata? Kate from Pinyatay hand makes every pinata to order and they’re absolutely BEAUTIFUL. Possibly too lovely to smash up, so you could just use them as a centrepiece if you can’t bear to destroy them or you could purchase one of the pull string options.

If you’re organising a hen party you might just want to check out one of the listings at the bottom of the page (I won’t say anymore, chuckle, chuckle!)

Cloud Pinata by Pinyatay

DIY Photo Booth

Foil letter balloons are bang on trend at the moment and Best Day Ever supply some excellent choices which are perfect for photobooth backdrops. Add in some tissue paper pom poms or honeycomb balls and a tinsel curtain and you’re good to go!

Foil Letter Balloons by Best Day Ever

These lovely small businesses are my personal favourites, but I’d love to discover more. Who do you recommend? Which party suppliers, trends and brands are you coveting on Instagram?

Thanks for reading, my next blog is all about independent suppliers of sweet treat and party table accessories, so please get in touch if you can recommend someone who fits the bill.

Crafty, sparkly hugs,
Lexy x

Cute Snail and the Whale World Book Day Costume

February 26, 2018February 26, 2018Leave a comment

My Son Austin isn’t a big fan of dressing up and it’s World Book Day on the 1st March (ahhhh). Luckily, I’ve managed to convince him to go as the blackboard from The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson. He’s quite happy to wear a fun t-shirt but full on costumes are too much for him.

This costume uses a few supplies that you can get hold of quite easily and the kids can get involved too. So there’s still time to put this together if you’re stuck for ideas!

Materials needed

Fabric pen
T-shirt
Brown wool
Pom pom maker
Scissors
Brown felt/material
Glue gun or strong glue
Googly eyes
Brown pipe cleaner

Alternatively to make this a really easy costume, you could buy a small soft snail toy and sew or glue it to the t-shirt.

Instructions

Make your small brown pom pom
Cut a small leaf shape out of some brown felt, then cut a small section of pipe cleaner (about 4 cms). Make 2 small holes in the felt and thread the small pipe cleaner piece through to make the antennae.
To create your shell, use the remaining bit of pipe cleaner and put one end into the centre of the pom pom to secure it and create a spiral, secure the other end of the pipe cleaner into the pom pom too. Then glue the pom pom to the body.
Now it’s time to write ‘Save the whale’ on your t-shirt. I used a fabric marker, but your could sew the word on in long stitches too.
Finally, glue, sew or velcro your snail onto the t-shirt. I’ve used some sticky velcro so that Austin can take the snail off if it gets annoying during the day.

I hope this tutorial inspires you! I’d love to know what your children are dressing up as in the comments.

Bye for now, Lexy x

How to make a December birthday special

November 23, 2017November 22, 20172 Comments

My birthday is on the 1st December and do you know what used to bug me? An advent calendar as a present! (Ungrateful child I know). The thing is, everyone else got them anyway, but mine would be part of my present. (Having said that, I often ended up with 3 chocolate calendars, so it wasn’t all bad!)

I used to think it was bad enough having a birthday 25 days before the big day, but one of my close friends has a birthday on Christmas day – now that sucks! Especially when you’re a mum!

So how do you make a birthday special in December? It really can be the most wonderful time of the year, but birthdays sometimes get a bit lost and overlooked in December because it’s also a hectic time. I asked friends, families and local parents and it seemed to strike a chord with so many people!

Presents
With birthdays and Christmas so close together you can end up with gift and toy overload! A top tip from Laura from Max and Mummy is ‘Max’s birthday is the 1st December. We tend to do presents for one and an outing for the other. This year we are going to see School of Rock for his birthday and he’s got some presents for Christmas!’

Emma, mum to teenage twins with birthdays on Christmas Eve says ‘Always use birthday paper even when tempted to use the Christmas stuff!! Also give separate birthday and Christmas presents as you wouldn’t buy someone with a July birthday a joint Christmas present.’ These two tips alone were mentioned by nearly everyone I spoke to … you have been warned!

Birthday Cards
The card shops turn red and green from November onwards, so make sure you buy birthday cards well in advance, as the shops assume no-one has a birthday in the month of December and hide the birthday cards!

Decorations
Unless it’s a few days before Christmas, try not to put the Christmas decorations up until after the birthday is over. If it falls soon after Christmas, consider taking the decorations down early.

Louise from Bournemouth says ‘Noah loves telling people that his birthday is on Christmas Eve! …it can be hard to fit birthday things in when everyone is so busy and focused on Christmas, but it is such a magical time of year that so far he hasn’t felt as if he’s missed out at all. The Christmas tree gets a ‘Happy Birthday’ banner wrap for the day.’

Party Time
If the birthday falls between Christmas Eve and New Year’s day, consider having a half birthday and have a party or special day out in the summer. For birthdays in the run up to Christmas, think about having parties or celebrations as early as possible because everyone gets so busy.

Dawn Cook from Dynamic Women in Business says ‘My son is the 13th and my daughter is Christmas Day so on the 25th its birthday half of the day, with the other half Christmas. We used to have a party for them in the summer when they were little but now they’re both teenagers! She does feel hard done by, bless her, especially as there is nothing you can do actually on Christmas Day apart from go to a pub or restaurant for lunch, but she doesn’t miss out!’

Rebecca from London says ‘As a Christmas baby, from an entire family of Christmas babies, I recommend treating it as a normal birthday. You can’t ignore Christmas (and I love Christmas), make sure you have a separate celebration for the birthday (never one tacked onto a Christmas celebration).

Special Touches
‘Daddy Moo’s birthday is Xmas Eve! I think for children it’s the little touches which are important. Having somewhere separate to Christmas cards to put their cards. Having a birthday cake making the day about them and not an extension of the Christmas celebrations.’ Joanne Dewberry from Charlie Moos

My birthday is 3rd January and everyone’s partied out by then and completely skint. The little things like breakfast in bed and no cooking or chores helps. Recommends Grianne from Times To Treasure.

So do you or one of your family members have a December birthday? What special things do you do to celebrate? Can you recommend somewhere to eat on Christmas day so that those poor souls who have Christmas day birthdays can eat something other than Turkey? Or perhaps that would cause uproar with the rest of the family! I’d love to hear your family traditions.

Happy first birthday to me!

How I Created A Beautiful Children’s Craft and Pamper Party

November 11, 2017November 9, 2017Leave a comment

My daughter recently turned 8 years old (how did that happen?!). She decided that she’d like a pamper party, however I couldn’t resist adding in a little of the Made By Me Craft Party magic and sparkle!

My printer has been playing up recently and caused no end of headaches, so I cheated with the invitations and bought some on ebay, but I think they’re very cute!

Personalised pamper party invitations

I tend to get a bit over excited about party planning and decided to make life a bit less stressful this year, so we served the girls with a simple bbq and cake at the end of the party and nibbles to keep them going. So once I’d booked the beautician, I was free to knock myself out with the details and some extra fun activities.

Previous experience has taught me that people don’t always arrive on time to parties, so I got the girls going on a fun activity while they trickled in through the door. This also allowed our beautician to set up in peace!

I purchased some plastic champagne flutes and the girls decorated them with foam stickers, gems and Sharpies. Once they’d completed their masterpieces, I added some Pop a Ball rose gold shimmer to some flavoured fizzy water. Oh my goodness, they absolutely loved it and felt so grown up! Not only did the drink become all shimmery, it went into bubble overdrive!

As the girls arrived to the party, they each personalised a plastic champagne glass with stickers and Sharpies

Each girl created a beautiful personalised glass to drink from at the party and to take home at the end.

I was worried about keeping the girls captivated throughout the pamper element of the party as they needed to wait around to have their nails done. (I was worrying unnecessarily because the girls loved the foot spas!). Once the girls had been beautified with face masks, nail varnish, hair curling and makeup, they came over to the lip gloss making station. This activity went down a storm and the girls loved it so much that they asked for extra pots to fill and decorate. The pots looked like giant gemstones and I gave them more gems and the trusty Sharpies to decorate the lid.

All set up for eager 8 year olds to make lip gloss

A couple of the girls checking out each others lip gloss results!

Once the lip gloss is all mixed up, it goes into beautiful gemstone pots

A dash of glitter finishes off the handmade lip gloss beautifully!

Finally, I set up a photo booth so the girls could show off their new looks and use some fun props. I decorated it with bunting, circle fan decorations and a sequined backdrop. We themed the party in pink, turquoise and a spot of gold and I think it looked stunning!

Say Cheese!

A friend made the cake and did an awesome job of it, but I think we were eating cake forever because it was so big!

If you’ve been following my party adventures for a while, you might know that I’m a huge champion of party favours that are useful, unique and fabulous. This party was no different and I spent a happy afternoon trawling the shops for pamper themed goodies. I’m rather pleased with myself and came up with a clear makeup bag filled with; a body pouffe, lipstick eraser, lipstick pen, nail varnish highlighter, nail file and a packet of tissues. As most of the girls were only 7 and 8 I felt that make up wouldn’t have been appropriate. Of course, I had to do a bit of personalisation and hand stamped each girl’s initial onto a tag and tied it on with some ribbon. The favours were surprisingly reasonable in price but looked stunning.

Grown up party bags

I loved planning this pamper party and I’ve been inspired to add a pamper craft party option to my packages, so watch this space as I’ll be launching it soon!

The birthday girl and I 🙂

Five of the Best Party Favours and Party Bag Ideas

October 21, 2017November 9, 20175 Comments

There’s something really exciting about party bags and favours for children and adults alike. I know some people are from the school of ‘whats wrong with a bit of cake and a balloon?’ But I love it! I love hunting for little bits and bobs that fit the party theme or even better finding a single item that is both useful and fun!

I also love supporting small and local businesses, the chain stores and pound shops are great for a bargain, but it feels amazing to know that your purchase from a small business is going straight into paying for football or ballet lessons for someone’s child. Plus you get something unique, made with love and generally awesome!

A rainbow paint pallet for a My Little Pony Party

I’ve trawled the internet to bring you a selection of fun and quirky party favours. So first up is the trusty party bag itself. It’s so exciting to rummage through a party bag of goodies, but what if the bag was part of the favour too? Charlie Moos is a family run business specialising in handmade fabric party bags. They can tailor their designs to suit most party themes. People have the tendency to overfill party bags but with a gorgeous handmade reusable fabric one, it becomes the gift. You really only need to add cake and a token item. Prices start from £1.85.

Beautiful Handmade Fabric Bags from Charlie Moos

Here at Made By Me Craft Parties it’s all about the arts and crafts so the perfect party favour to pair with our parties would be from the talented Cotton Twist. An inspiration for parties & play, they pride themselves on making activities & gifts you’ll love to give, & children will love to receive. Nostalgic, chic, simple & inherently satisfying, crafts draw upon a palette of raw materials from lolly sticks to boxes, & from twine to felt. Wave goodbye to all that plastic! And just look at those tins, they are so cute!