A Million Uses for Mugs # 1

For the first in our new series "A Million Uses for Mugs" we thought it was perfect timing for a Mother's Day idea! What better treat for Mum than a lie in followed by breakfast in bed? How about making her tea in a mug which she can treasure forever! Finish with a ribbon, some chocolates and some flowers to make it extra special.

"10 Things I Love About Mum" mug is a new edition to our 10 Things collection - pink, lilac, blue and mint with cute floral numbers. You can choose the title and totally personalise the list of things you love about Mum. Get the kids involved for a list full of love and giggles!

If you'd like to order in time for Mother's Day (Sunday 6th March) the last day for guaranteed delivery is 3rd March. These mugs are currently £11.50 (usually £13.50) and include gift wrapping - we can even post direct to the recipient with a note from you for no extra cost. [Shop Here]

We'd better get brainstorming some other uses for mugs! Have you got any ideas for us to feature?

Stockist Spotlight // The Treasured

www.thetreasured.co.uk

Laura wrapping orders

Gorgeous gifts: Cloud Desk Tidy £14 by Pygmy Cloud // A to Z of Unicorns Colouring Book £10 by Neon Magpie // 'More Gin Please' Cross Stitch Kit £8.95 by The Make Arcade // Old English Company gifts from £9.95

The Treasured became a JillyJilly stockist late last year. Today on the blog we get to know the lovely Laura who runs the cute online shop!

Can you tell us the story behind The Treasured?

I’ve always loved supporting small creative businesses – they each offer something unique and beautiful – but I began to struggle to find what I was after on sites such as Etsy. They’ve got so big now and when I did finally find what I was after the multiple postage costs often put me off. 

I wanted to offer online shoppers handpicked products that were guaranteed to be beautiful and high quality – things to be treasured but that wouldn’t break the bank. Once I realised that was my main aim, the name ‘The Treasured’ wasn’t far behind…

What sort of goodies might customers expect to find in your shop?

The Treasured sells gifts, homeware, stationery, jewellery, wall art and more. Every product is from a British designer/maker that I’ve chosen for their loveliness – in terms of their products and their personalities.

What are your current favourite products you sell?

It’s so hard to choose but, JillyJilly products aside, my top three at the moment are the Pygmy Cloud desk tidy, the A – Z of Unicorns colouring book by Neon Magpie and The Make Arcade’s ‘More Gin Please’ cross stitch kit.

What do you like best about running The Treasured?

I love introducing people to brand’s they might not have discovered otherwise, and finding those brands is definitely my favourite thing. 

Do you have any advice for someone starting an online shop?

Your investment isn’t just in money but in time too. You need a good dollop of patience; it’s incredibly unlikely you’ll become a success overnight. Do your research, make a plan and then give it a try…

The Treasured is now four months old and it has a long way to go! It is incredibly rewarding though - every time someone buys something I do a little dance. 

Finally, which is your favourite JillyJilly product and why?

The ‘Good Things Come To Those Who Bake’ quote mug. It is incredibly cute and calls to my love of cake!

Thank you Laura! You can pop over to the Treasured shop here: www.thetreasured.co.uk and say hi over on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Photo a Day // January Catch Up

This year I decided to set myself two challenges; to learn how to sew and to enjoy photography again. David thinks I should have a hobby which isn't work (but work is fun when it's running JillyJilly). Anyway, the photography goal brought me back to the Fat Mum Slim Photo a Day project which (if you've been following us for a while you may remember) I did a few weeks of last year then life or something got in the way. This time I've already gone and completed January and now have a whole month of photos to show for it! I'm so excited about this but mainly because I have been enjoying photography again, getting the proper camera out and looking for my own ways to capture each day's prompt. Plus I've already started February so not giving up yet!

I've decided to keep a Pinterest board of all the photos too as although they are scattered around our Facebook and Instagram I don't want to overload you all with random photographs every day. If you do want to see the pictures with prompts, dates and captions you can do so below or here.

As for sewing, you might notice a couple of the photographs feature my first project! I made a little bow cushion thanks to Sew Crafty's adorable booklet which was in Simply Sewing magazine last year. I can't wait to get started on some more and am determined to make a JillyJilly fabric skirt eventually!