Craft Life

If you're a fan of art cards depicting nature, you're likely already familiar with the gentle beauty of Nuala Brett-King’s work - a long-time favourite here at Parade Handmade. From her kingfishers and hares to the florals and feline friends, Nuala’s work always brings a lovely balance of colour, feeling and quiet Irish atmosphere. This summer, she’s added some gorgeous new designs to her collection - including two floral watercolour pieces called Wild Fuchsia and Misty Rose, and a lovely series of animal portraits. I asked her to share a few words about how her latest art cards came together,...

Every now and then, a story comes along that’s just too charming not to share. I always think that handmade items carry little sparks of the maker’s memories in their seams - and in the case of my new Miniature Mouse Keepsakes, that’s quite literally true. When Margaret from Ditsy Designs first showed me her new collection of handcrafted mice, I was instantly enchanted. Each mouse had a hobby, and a look of joyful mischief stitched into its whiskery little face. Then they got names too. But it wasn’t until she told me how they came to be that I...

 There’s something undeniably uplifting about a tiny mouse with a watering can, a paint palette, or a pair of knitting needles. A mouse on a mission, if you will. I don't know about you but anything that draws a smile these days is priceless. A little bit of whimsy and fun lifts the spirits and ads another little hit of dopamine. That's what I get when I look at my next enchanting collection. Read on for all the news.... I’m delighted to introduce Miniature Mouse Keepsakes – a brand-new Parade Handmade collection direct from the workshop of Ditsy Designs. They're handcrafted...

I have always felt an affinity with animals. To me, they are not lesser beings, nor are they insignificant. I’ve always been aware that every form of life—be it animal, insect, bird, or plant—has its own intricate existence, deserving of respect and appreciation. The complexity of the natural world is something we are only beginning to understand, and I am often struck by how much there still is to learn. Beaded Felt Butterfly by Parade Funky Felt Gifts by Parade - The Collection One of my earliest significant memories is of a little puppy. It was early in the morning...

Weddings are such a joyful occasion, aren’t they? And if someone close to you is planning one—whether it’s your child, grandchild, niece, or godchild—it’s only natural to want to help in some way. You may already have plenty of wedding experience of your own, or you might be watching all the new trends from the sidelines, wondering how things have changed over the years. Either way, this post is for you—someone who cares deeply about the person getting married and, given the opportunity, is keen to offer calm, kind, and useful support as they plan their big day. Lapanda Desgins...