Welcome to my little corner of the blogosphere to share the ups and downs of starting a craft business, with plenty of tips, mishaps and the odd glass of wine!

Monday 22 December 2014

VAT Rule Changes - VATMOSS and how it will affect Small Businesses

As some of you will already know the EU are changing the VAT (Value Added Tax) rules for Digital Products on the 1st January 2015.

This has proven to be a very complicated change, which means that instead of the VAT being dependent on where the seller is based, the VAT will now be charged at the local rate of the buyer. So if I am based in the UK and I sell to a customer in the UK, I would only charge VAT if my turnover was more than £81,000 (I wish!!) as that is the threshold for the UK. However some countries within the EU do not have a VAT threshold, so as soon as I make even 1 digital sale to someone in an EU country with no threshold (such as Spain or Sweden) I would have to pay VAT on that product.

Not only does this mean that I would be losing out on income, as some of all my EU sales would have to go to the VAT Man, but it is also unbelievably complicated in terms of filing a tax return, the amount of data that needs to be collected and stored about each sale and then there are the dispute issues, such as what if a customer lives in one EU country, but is travelling and makes a purchase whilst in another EU country?

HMRC does not have answers to these questions yet. The likes of Etsy & Craftsy do not have answers to these questions yet. It's nearly the end of December and time is running out to get answers.

SO.

I had decided that I would simply stop selling digital patterns on the 31st December 2014, which is a real shame as that was the direction I was trying to push my business towards. It would mean that I cannot grow my business in the way I want to.

However. I have just this morning discovered this from HMRC:

Examples of electronic supplies and whether or not they are ‘digital services’

ServiceE-service?Electronically supplied?Covered by the new rules
Pdf document manually e-mailed by sellerYesNoNo
Pdf document automatically e-mailed by seller’s systemYesYesYes
Pdf document automatically downloaded from siteYesYesYes
Stock photographs available for automatic downloadYesYesYes
Live webinarNoNoNo
On-line course consisting of pre-recorded videos and downloadable pdfsYesYesYes
On-line course consisting of pre-recorded videos and downloadable pdfs plus support from a live tutorYesNoNo
Individually commissioned content sent in digital form e.g. photographs, reports, medical resultsYesNoNo
Link to online content or download sent by manual e-mailYesYesYes
So this does mean that my Craftsy and Pattern Mart shops will have to close on the 31st December 2014 as they do not currently support anything other than automatic downloads.

But the good news is that you will still be able to purchase patterns from my Etsy shop as I will simply be removing the automatic download option and will email the pattern out, in PDF format after it has been purchased.

This means only a tiny bit more work for me, but luckily no increased cost for you or me! Yay!

It's not an ideal solution, but it is a workable solution for now.

If you want to read more about this subject, Rosie Slosek's Blog One Man Band Accounting is very informative and full of useful info and tips on how you can help make a difference.

Wednesday 17 December 2014

Christmas Inspiration from Pinterest

Now, we all know how much I adore whiling away hours on Pinterest, looking up cool new things to make... and usually, like most people, I pin away and never actually find the time to make things!

But this year I promised myself it would be different... so when I found some fun and easy pins, I made time to make them too....

What do you think? I don't think I failed too badly ;-)

Source - Pinterest

My version


Source - Pinterest
My version, with more candy canes and a sack full of chocolate presents!
Source - Pinterest
My version (please excuse all the kids artwork - the mirror is in their playroom!)

I had so many others that I wanted to try out, like these:

Source - Pinterest
And this one:

Source - Pinterest
But as usual at this time of year, I have totally run out of time.

I'd love to see some of the creative things you've made for Christmas, especially if they were inspired by something you've seen on Pinterest!

Wednesday 3 December 2014

Christmas VW Cuddly Campervan Giveaway... And the Winner Is.......!

Thank you to everyone who entered the Cuddly VW Christmas Camper Giveaway:



And the Winner is......


Well done Joanne :-D

I'm sorry that you couldn't all win, but I will do another giveaway in the New Year - maybe a sewing kit... watch this space!

Wednesday 26 November 2014

Christmas VW Campervan Giveaway!!!

As I mentioned in my last post (somewhat belatedly!) I should have run this giveaway at the beginning of October :-/

Still... better late than never, right?!

Here's what's up for grabs - A Christmassy VW Cuddly Campervan!



I will post worldwide and the giveaway will run until the 3rd December (just in case someone from New Zealand wins as that is the last posting date for NZ from the UK!) and I would love as many shares & shout-outs as y'all can manage!


Here's the entry bit:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Confessions of a Craftaholic!

I have a confession.

It's not a life-altering, want to hang my head in shame kinda confession (I'm sorry - if that's what you were hoping for, there might be racier blogs for you than this one!)

It's an 'Ooops, I was planning something and I totally forgot all about it' kinda confession!

I have just passed, well actually Grace's Favours has just passed it's 3rd Birthday! Whoop!

Which means, the giveaway I was going to hold to celebrate my/our Birthday didn't happen.

Bums.

I wanted to do one on the scale of the other Giveaways I've held - like the Rainbow one or the Christmas Wreath one.





However, to make up for it... I thought I'd run an 'It's now the end of November, which means nearly Christmas Giveaway'!

Soooo.... how would you like to win A Merry Christmas Cuddly Campervan???




The giveaway post will go live within the next couple of hours... keep your eyes peeled!

Thursday 13 November 2014

Christmas Crafty Tutorial Link Up

Yesterday I posted a Christmassy Tutorial - A Mini Teddy Bed as part of Laura (Lupin) Howards' Crafty Tutorial Link Up:


And today I've got the other bloggers' makes to show to you too.

If you click on the links below that will take you directly to the individual blogs with their tutorials.


Mini Teddy Bed - Grace's Favours
http://www.gracesfavours.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/how-to-make-mini-teddy-bed-free-tutorial.html

Shiny Reindeer Embroidered Hoop Art - Candyfloss Ramparts
http://www.candyflossramparts.com/free-pdf-pattern-shiny-reindeer-embroidered-hoop-art/

Teeny Tiny Snowman Pendant - i ManuFatti
http://imanufatti.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/crafty-christmas-tutorial-link-up.html

Nativity Bunting Tutorial - Hoogally
http://hoogally.com/2014/11/nativity-bunting-tutorial/

Floating Pompom Garland - RetroDelicious
http://www.retrodelicious.co.uk/2014/11/floating-pompom-garland.html

Printable Colouring-In Snowflake Labels - It's Organised
http://itsorganised.com/printable-colouring-in-snowflake-labels/


Patchwork Christmas Bauble - Made by Mrs M
http://madebymrsm.co.uk/2014/11/12/patchwork-christmas-bauble-tutorial/



Upcycled Jumper Christmas Stocking with Robin Appliqué - Halcyon Threads
http://halcyonthreads.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/tutorial-christmas-stocking-from.html

Felt Christmas Mouse Ornament - Molly & Mama

First Flake, Snowflake Ornament - Betz White
http://betzwhite.com/2014/11/first-flake-felt-ornament-tutorial.html#.VGRyNMnCnzQ

Gingerbread House Ornament - Shiny Happy World
http://www.shinyhappyworld.com/2014/11/gingerbread-free-felt-christmas-ornament-pattern.html

Mod Winter Table Runner - Tumus / Little Red Thread
http://tumus.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/blog-hop-mod-winter-table-runner.html

Shabby Christmas Denim Heart - Cocojude 
http://cocojude.wordpress.com/2014/11/12/shabby-christmas-denim-heart-tutorial/

Fairy Lights Christmas Cake - Cupcakery
http://www.cupcakerys.com/2014/11/a-christmas-cake.html

Washi Tape & Button Christmas Card - The Lilac Linnet
http://www.thelilaclinnet.com/blog/washi-tape-and-button-christmas-card


Christmas Card String & Pegs - Fizzi Jayne Makes
http://fizzijaynemakes.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/christmas-card-string-and-peg-tutorial.html

Felt Christmas Stocking - Vicky Myers Creations
http://vickymyerscreations.co.uk/tutorial-2/felt-christmas-stocking/

Felt Holiday Wreath - The Felt Store
http://thefeltstore.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/felt-christmas-wreath-tutorial.html

Penguin Pocket Friend or Ornament - Lulu & Celeste
http://luluandceleste.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/felt-penguin-ornament-or-toy-diy.html

Saint Nick Ornaments - Homemade at My Place

Modern Felt Advent Calendar - Hugs are Fun
http://hugsarefun.com/modern-felt-advent-calendar-tutorial/

Felt Christmas Ornaments - Marc's Treasure Basket
http://marcstreasurebasket.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/diy-felt-christmas-ornaments-from-marc.html

Hope you all enjoy all these fab tutorials - I'm off to check some out now with a cuppa - enjoy!

Wednesday 12 November 2014

How To Make a Mini Teddy Bed - Free Tutorial

I know today should be Wordless Wednesday, but instead I've got a little Christmassy tutorial for you. Last year I took part in Laura's Christmas Tutorial Link Up and my submission was the Felt Gingerbread Man Gift Tag

Well, this year Laura's running another Christmas Link Up and this time round, I've created not one, but two makes!

The first, which is going to be in the Link Up is this Mini Teddy Bed:



You Will Need:

A mint tin (if you want to use the templates I've drawn, it'll need to be an Altoids Tin)
2 Pieces of Red Felt - 2.5" x 2"
1 Piece of Seasonal Material - slightly larger than your mint tin
1 Piece of white Fleece (or felt) - 3.5" x 3"
1 Piece of Ribbon - 4" long
White & Green Embroidery Threads
Small Piece of Wadding or Small Amount of Stuffing for the Pillow
Pinking Shears
Scissors & Pins

Instructions:


Either using the template provided, or by drawing round your tin, cut out the bottom sheet from your seasonal material, using pinking shears to prevent fraying - if you've drawn round the tin you will need to cut just inside the line to get a good fit.


Next cut out 2 pieces of red felt and if you are using wadding, cut out a smaller rectangle, so the wadding sits nicely in between the 2 pieces of felt.


Using 2 strands of white embroidery thread, back stitch round the pillow shape and tie off your thread neatly at the back. If you are using stuffing, make sure you leave a small hole for stuffing before you close up the pillow.


Cut out the blanket from the white fleece (or felt) and using 4 strands of green embroidery thread, add a decorative bit of running stitch, about 1/4" away from the edge.

Then add the ribbon, making sure you fold the edges over behind the blanket so the sides are near and sew onto the blanket using a running stitch. I have used white thread, but if your ribbon is another colour, use a matching thread.


And Viola! You have a Mini Teddy Bed! Yay!


Now all you need is a mini teddy for the bed.... like this one! I will be putting up another tutorial to show how to make the Mini Teddy next week, so don't forget to check back for it.


These Teddies in a Tin would make a GREAT stocking filler and my two munchkins LOVED theirs when they spotted them yesterday (so much for keeping them till Christmas!)

You can make the beds (and teddies) in any colours you like.


I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial. Please feel free to make as many as you like for personal use, but please do not either sell the end product, or the pattern and if you do wish to refer to the tutorial, please do borrow a couple of photos, but please link back to this post somewhere too.

Happy Crafting!


Monday 10 November 2014

Post-Halloween Post

I know it's a bit late and sadly things have been so crazy round here that I've been neglecting you guys.... but better late than never, right?!

Now, I love Halloween - I did a couple of fun tutorials last year and I was all set to do another one this year, but I kinda ran out of time... you'll see why below!

So for Halloween I had a request (the DAY BEFORE HALLOWEEN - DURING HALF TERM!!) for my gorgeous boy to be an Owl. Eeek! Cue a panicked Mummy frantically sewing into the night and.... Ta Da!



Excuse the photos taken on my phone, early in the morning in my messy workshop!

Patrick had a friend over for Halloween Tea and we made them Bloody Fingers and Nasty Gnashers:

Apples, Peanut Butter and mini Marshmallows
Frankfurters, lots of ketchup & hot dog buns
 Whilst I decided to have a go at carving a VW Campervan into my pumpkin this year:


And Seren went to a party dressed as a Witch (thankfully no Mummy-help required with her costume!):


All in all a very happy and silly Halloween! Hope you had fun too - what did your little ones dress up as? I'd love to see some pics... especially if they had handmade elements to their costumes!

Wednesday 22 October 2014

Wordless Wednesday - Rainbows

I'm starting a new theme which I know a number of other blogs do, called Wordless Wednesday (so after this one they'll be wordless!) and I'll be sharing some of my favourite photos from around the webisphere.

This week is one of my favourite topics - Rainbows, more of which can be found on my Pinterest Board

Source - Meditation Temptation Tumblr

Source - Most Beautiful Pages

Source - Imgfave

Source - The Fox Is Black










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