Hello folks. Now I know that If you're anything like me and have been crafting a while and you are based in the UK, that it is often easy to get stuck in a craft shopping loop. By 'craft shopping loop' I mean the endless cycle that is watching all the latest releases and feeling inspired to see what you get at your chain local shops only to find that they hold the same craft products as the last 10 times you went. Of course you can buy direct from your favourite demonstrators but at the cost of the postage from the US generally costing more than your chosen products, I don't think so.
Shop Local but for the right products
Don't forget to keep going to those small local craft stores that need every bit of support, but if they don't offer anything new, politely give them a nudge and keep buying those basic adhesives and tools to help them out.
What I enjoy about shopping in a store is the benefit of discussing new products and often learning from other customers about new techniques or ideas, but best of all you get an opportunity to have a look at the quality, detail and size of the products you're thinking of purchasing. How many times have we all bought something and it slipped our minds to check the size of the item? Yes, me too.
If you look online for distributors and shops who are also based in the UK you'll find a whole array of amazing products to indulge in and yet we somehow still can't get hold of those particulars that originated from the US, with the exception of those larger companies such as Sizzix that create both for the UK, Europe and the US.
UK based craft company Heroes
Well, I wanted to share with you two companies that I am aware of that stock US craft goodies all year round and try their upmost to keep on top with new releases. Now it's impossible and unfair to expect them to have absolutely everything that is exposed to us through social media and Youtube videos but they sure are US craft heroes right on our doorstep!
I would like to introduce Seven Hills Crafts based in Sheffield. Their whole business aim is to keep on the pulse of those new blog releases and try and give us Brits the opportunities of the craft splendours of the USA without those uncomfortable import costs.
Owners Tara and Rick with the help of his sister Liz run this amazing company. The business has changed hands a few times but has had crafters running it each and every time with the sole purpose of bringing in those US goodies. They often manage to stock US company products that aren't available anywhere else in the UK.
There are too many to name all of the companies they stock but here are a few; Lawn Fawn, Avery Elle, Hero Arts, Colorado Craft Company, My favourite Things, and Waffle Flower.
If there's too much choice for you or you're trying to buy a gift for a loved one or friend, don't forget those lovely things called gift vouchers. That's right! They have them, so you don't have to worry about getting mixed up with which company products to purchase, give them all the choice and freedom to create with options they've never had before.
Sign up to their webpage account in order to review your past purchases and best of all to make your own wish list, because I think you'll need it after you review all those gorgeous brands. When you sign up you also get some fab loyalty points with each purchase you make to help make savings on your next purchase at Seven Hill Crafts.
The
second online store to share with you is
Bumbleberry Papercrafts based in Barrow-in-Furness. Owner Katrina runs this company single-handedly. She set up the company because she too found that the US craft companies had amazing quality products and couldn't find the craft items she was looking for solely in the UK.
Bumbleberry's stocks; Altenew, Mama Elephant, Birch Press Designs, Gina K, The Ton, Concord & 9th and many, many more.
Join with Bumbleberry's to get your own account, keep up to date with their new stock and make those all important wish lists. If you're trying to purchase for a friend or loved one, don't forget the Gift Card options at Bumbleberry's. Let them choose from the library of goodies and you walk away as a superhero knowing you've spent your money well and guaranteed to make your loved one smile.
Bumbleberry's also goes the extra mile featuring the famous Jennifer McGuires's Favourite Crafty Things from the most recent years. Jennifer McGuire (US Craft Influencer), well known for her youtube craft demonstrations and techniques, releases yearly recommendations of her 'Favourite Crafty Things' and Bumbleberry accommodates for this by making it an easy and accessible list of goodies that they have from McGuires endorsement.
Both
Seven Hill Crafts and
Bumbleberry's have been a breath of fresh air from the UK craft options and help bring new life to all your existing craft items. You don't have to feel left out or buried under those extremely high import costs. These two companies have you sorted. Having bought from both of them, I can say it was unbearably exciting to wait for the post and reinvigorated my crafting experience.
(not sponsored by anyone) #wantasponsor
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