Happy Friday!
Claire & I in Malaga
Happy International Women’s Day!
Hello everyone. Happy International Women’s Day! To celebrate #InternationalWomen’sDay I want to not just put the spotlight on Sister Makes but on all you lovely women out there. You do amazing things every day. We come in all shapes and sizes and we all have an interesting story to tell. We need to be kind to each other and help empower each other in all that we do.
We have got our first market of 2024 tomorrow and Sunday. We are in The Waterfront Museum, Swansea Marina at The Vintage and Makers Market run by the fab Cow and Ghost team. We are very excited as we have got some new makes which we will be showcasing there and then we will be putting them on our website www.sistermakes.co.uk. I will put a sneaky photo on here for you. We have started to make kimono style jackets which look equally lovely paired with jeans or a little black dress. Pop in and say hello.
Our new kimono style jackets
They are unique and quirky but also so easy to wear. We hope you love them as much as we do.
Claire and I have just come back from Malaga where the weather was fab! There was sun, sun, sun and it was warm. I had forgotten what that feeling was like. Malaga is a great city with lots to see and do. It was a fab break and a chance to recharge our batteries. Spring is definitely on its way here in sunny Swansea. The daffodils are looking bright and sunny and the nights are getting lighter. Have a lovely week x Suzanne
Hello Friday!
Hello how has your week been? Happy St David’s Day. The daffodils are out and looking gorgeous. They make me think of Spring. The colour yellow always makes us feel warm and make us smile.
Our first Market is coming up soon. Come and join us if you can. We will be at The Vintage and Makers Market held in The Maritime Museum, Swansea Marina on Saturday 9th March and Sunday 10th March. There will be lots of fabulous stalls with great gift ideas for Mother’s Day and Easter. We will have some new items which we will be showcasing. I can’t wait to get some feedback. Have a look at our newsletter to see what they are.
Happy St David’s Day
Have a great week x Suzanne
Hello Friday!
A new fabric - certainly makes our Japanese Knot Bags pop
It’s a lovely gift for Mothers Day
Hello everyone how has your week been? At Sister Makes HQs we have been busy making and sewing. I have put a little taster of what we are up to on the front cover of our blog. All will be revealed in our March Newsletter! Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter. All our subscribers get a special discount each month. We have been dodging the showers. Yes it is still raining although there are signs of Spring all around us. The daffodils are looking lovely. They always make me feel happy. I think it is all the shades of yellow. It is so nice to see the seasons change and flowers starting to bloom. We enjoy Clyne Gardens when all the Magnolias and Camellias show their amazing colours. The Japanese love using flowers in their art including in their fabrics. We in turn love using these fabrics in our makes. Talking of fabric, we have some great new patterns which Claire has transformed into some Japanese Knot and Rice Bags.
Had a great day in Cowbridge today. We went to take some stock to Cortile Coffee but we always end up spending a few hours having lunch and looking around the independent stores. There is something for everyone. We always love an excuse for coffee and cake. Have a fantastic week x Suzanne
Some of our stock at Cortile Coffee
The colours really pop against the bare stone
Hello Friday!
Adelante, Newton Road, Mumbles
What a fabulous display even better with our scarf and rice bags. They look great.
Hello everyone. I hope you have had a great week. Apologies to you all as last week the blog went out before I had completed it. I am not losing the plot honestly! I don’t know what happened. Half term has been and gone. The weather hasn’t been co-operative although it was glorious on Monday. Looking forward to spring. It’s great seeing the daffodils starting to come out. They make me smile. We had some good news. Naomi from Adelante in Mumbles has started stocking some of our Japanese rice bags and knot bags. There are also a selection of our infinity scarves. We always feel so proud seeing our products displayed in the shop window. If you haven’t been in to Adelante you are missing out. It is full of quirky and interesting goodies. Naomi loves to showcase local makers but also stocks vintage and retro clothing, jewellery and homewares. There is something for everyone. You can find Adelante on Facebook and Instagram as adelante_mumbles. We are busy making some new stock at the Sister Makes HQs. Lots going on which I will be sharing with you in our March Newsletter. Have a great week x Suzanne
A new rice bag
Claire has been busy. We have got some new fabrics with gorgeous designs on them.
Hello Friday!
Hello everyone. How has your week gone? Hope you have got lots of lovely things planned for the weekend. The weather is starting to feel a bit more spring like. I spotted some snowdrops when I was out for a walk. It is so lovely when you see the flowers starting to bloom.
Claire and I have been busy getting back into our sewing spaces. I am writing our newsletter. It will be going out on the first Friday of the month. I shall be sharing a peek of one of our new makes. We hope you like them as much as us. Part of what we will be making in 2024 will be tied to one of our passions which is quilting and we belong to Swansea Quilters. Claire and I are always inspired every time we go to meetings by the skills of the lovely ladies many of whom have been members for many years.
Red Heart Rag Wreath
A beautiful mixture of textures and colours make up this lovely heart shaped rag wreath.
Valentines Day is coming up on the 14th February. We still have some heart wreaths on our website. Check out our shop on www.sistermakes.co.uk/shop. There are also some lovely new Japanese knot bags which Claire has made. Leave our website open for your partners to see.
The Six Nations rugby tournament is due to start this weekend. Rugby is part of our Welsh DNA. We have some welsh themed knot bags which are great for being hands free when you are cheering your favourite team or celebrating with a drink or two!
Welsh Theme knot bag
Ideal for all you Welsh fans.
Have a lovely week. See you next Friday x Suzanne
Hello Monday!
Happy New Year everyone. Apologies for lack of a blog over Christmas and New Year. For a change I have chosen Monday this week but will be back to Fridays after today. As we start to sober up from the festivities and merriment of Christmas and take our first steps into 2024, we can’t help but look back at 2023 - and what a year it was! Our knot bags were a huge success both with old and new customers. We created our very first kits which were mini rag wreaths. These proved popular and Claire is working on new ones for different seasons. We introduced Infinity Scarves and started to make homeware. Our most popular bags often had cats on them and of course you continue to love our Japanese prints. And finally, before we throw ourselves into all that 2024 has to offer, we’d like to say a big thank you! We love what we do and sharing our makes with you. Here’s to a happy and healthy 2024 - cheers x Suzanne
Which prints do you like best?
Cats were one of the most popular prints in 2023
Hello Friday!
Our mini rag wreath in red, green & tartan
This kit makes a lovely gift or if you don’t want to give it away would be great in your home
Hello everyone. I hope you have had a lovely week. Everywhere is gearing up for Christmas. The Christmas lights are on and everywhere is starting to look so festive. When do you put up your decorations? Are you a beginning of December person or just before the main event person? I am hoping to do mine next week. That’s when I start feeling Christmassy. I love seeing all the houses and gardens lit up with Christmas decorations.
We have a few Christmas Wreaths left and if you fancy having a go there are our mini rag wreath kits which also make a lovely stocking filler for the crafter in your life. The mini wreaths look lovely on a mantelpiece or as a table centre piece with a battery operated candle in the middle. You can get them on our website Sister Makes. If you live locally we can deliver and will refund the postage - what a bargain. We have also put together an infinity scarf gift set on the website for you. You can choose a scarf, rice or drawstring bag and three pieces of jewellery that are listed on the gift page in our shop. This weekend we are in Kidwelly on Saturday and on Sunday we will be at The Gower Dough Co pop-up Christmas Market. I have got my Christmas Jumpers ready to go. Have a lovely week x Suzanne
Our pink & gold rag wreath kit
We have a few different colour options for you
Happy Friday!
Hello everyone. This week I am still dog sitting but this time a lovely retriever called Benji. He is lovely and has a fab temperament. Luckily the weather has been dry so Rhod & I have been able to take him out for longer walks. I can’t believe how quickly Christmas is approaching. We have got a few Christmas Markets coming up. As well as being able to showcase our makes, these markets give us a chance to buy our Christmas presents from local crafters and small businesses and the gifts are unique and quirky.
Christmas Markets:
Sunday 26th November - RSPCA Lays Nini, Penllergaer
Saturday 2nd December - Kidwelly Pop-up Market, Sunday 3rd December - The Gower Dough Co Crafty Pop-up Market
Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th December - The Vintage & Makers Market at The Maritime Museum Swansea
Hello Friday!
Hello I hope you have had a lovely week even with all this rain. Have you ever had a week where you haven’t stopped but don’t really know what you have done? This has been me. I went to Devon with Rhod for a week then came straight back into dog sitting. I have been looking after two cockerpoos called Ethel and Gwen. They are beautiful and so loving. I have enjoyed looking after them but must confess that I have not done any sewing. I have got a busy week next week. Claire & I also did a lovely Christmas Fair at Dunvant Rugby Club the Sunday I came back. What a lovely community spirit they have. Next Sunday I am at a Christmas Fair in Llys Nini RSPCA cafe in Penllergaer. Come and say hello. See you all next Friday x Suzanne
Hello Friday
Hello everyone and happy Friday!
Its been a busy week with prep for the next upcoming Christmas Fair in Dunvant Rugby Club which is on Sunday 12th November 10-2.
There was also a visit to Cowbridge to swap over some makes at the Cowbridge Craft Hub. If you haven’t been there yet then please do go - its full of beautiful hand crafted gifts and the very talented Jenny Lambert art features upstairs. Have a look at the Facebook link below for a peek at the shop. Its looking very festive as more and more Christmas makes are being put on the shelves.
Happy Friday!
Friday blog from Sister Makes
Hello everyone. I hope you have had a good week. My partner Rhod & I went to Cardiff to see the amazing Ludovico Einaudi. He is a modern classic composer. His music is beautiful and full of feeling. Check out his website or have a listen to his latest album ‘Underwater”. We enjoyed looking around the shops in Cardiff.
Claire and I have been busy getting ready for the Autumn Vintage & Makers Market at the National Wool Museum, Drefach Felindre. It is run by the lovely Cow & Ghost Vintage Team. This is a first for us and we are looking forward to being at such a lovely venue. We have made our Christmas present shopping lists so can’t wait to see the other stalls.
Celebrate Halloween in style
A Red & Black Skull & Roses Japanese Knot Bag
Do you celebrate Halloween? We still have some lovely Halloween wreaths and knot bags on our website Sister Makes. We are also back on The Big Local Christmas Market which is online on Facebook. There are lots of lovely crafters, makers and traders offering great ideas for presents. Have a look and support local.
Ready for Christmas?
This lovely Red, Green & Tartan Christmas Rag Wreath makes a great addition to your Christmas decor
Have a lovely week and see you next week x Suzanne
Happy Happy Friday…
Friday again - where is time going?
Sue and I had a fantastic evening last week watching the Flamenco. We had wonderful pizzas at Hoogah (Hoogah - Bar & Kitchen (hoogah-swansea.com) not to mention a very divine cocktail each…
Mini Rag Wreath Kit
We are very excited to show you a little project we have been working on - our mini rag wreath kits. These kits contain everything you need to make a mini 6” rag wreath. Easy to do and in several different colour ways we hope you will love making these as much as we love making the large versions.
Still in the process of getting the kits ready for sale they are not going on to our website quite yet. We are planning to have them all ready to showcase at our next Fair which is on 28th October in the National Wool Museum, Drefach Felindre. If you are interested though and not able to visit us at the Fair pop us a message - we can always put one aside for you.
Happy Friday!
Traditional Christmas Rag Wreath with tartan and lace
Hello everyone hope your week has been good. Claire and I have been busy with some commissions. We are off tonight to The Brangwyn Hall to see the amazing Daniel Martinez Flamenco Group. We saw them last year and had a blast. Last Saturday we were at Kidwelly Market as guest traders. Everyone was very welcoming and friendly. Next week Claire is finishing making her Christmas rag wreaths. She’s got a few new ideas. More about that in the next newsletter. Have a lovely weekend and see you next Friday x Suzanne
Japanese Knot Bag with a beautiful butterfly print
Happy Friday!
New Japanese Knot Bag with the gorgeous parasol design on one side
Hello everyone. I hope you have had a good week. I can’t believe our second newsletter is going out this evening. This month I delve into the history of the handbag and look at trying to live more sustainably. I hope our subscribers enjoy it and to say thank you we are offering 10% off our Halloween Wreaths and Knot Bags. Don’t forget to pop on to our website Sister Makes and click on subscribe at the bottom of our homepage if you would like to receive a newsletter. This is the time when we are gearing up for Halloween and also Bonfire Night. The nights are drawing in and the air is autumnal.
Claire’s been busy making Halloween Rag Wreaths
Have a look at our website for more options
Claire & I are busy gearing up for the Kidwelly Market on October 7th. We are looking forward to this as it is a new market for us. There are lots of amazing stalls selling all sorts of food and crafts. We always get a buzz from seeing people’s joy when they look at our lovely makes. We recently went to Cowbridge to restock at Cortile Coffee and The Cowbridge Craft Hub. It was so exciting to see our stock in the windows.
It’s International Coffee Day on October 1st
Cortile Coffee do a great selection of coffee and also coffee makers and accessories
You can visit them in Cowbridege and Pontypridd and also buy online
See you all next week x Suzanne
Happy Friday!
My own crossbody handbag using material gifted to me by my lovely neighbour Mako. To keep with the recycle and reuse ethos I used a belt from trousers that I don’t wear anymore
Happy Friday lovely readers! I hope you have had a good week and are looking forward to the weekend. This week I have made a crossbody bag for myself using gorgeous fabric given to me by my neighbour Mako. This leads me on to a subject which is very dear to my heart.
My Own Crossbody Handbag
Made from fabric from my lovely neighbour Mako….the strap is a belt from a pair of trousers
September is all about ethics and the environment as it is Secondhand September and also Organic September. Claire & I love to reuse fabric & haberdashery given to us by friends who have no further use for them. We turn it into makes such as rag wreaths and fabric art pictures. We also love to make patchwork fabric which we then turn into bags and homeware. This means zero waste and no landfill plus all the items are unique. Some of our makes are below….
Secondhand September began as a campaign by Oxfam as a way of getting people to donate, reuse or rewear their clothing. A frightening statistic from The Ethical Consumer is that around 360,000 tonnes of clothes are thrown away every year. The Ethical Consumer does say that over the last few years this figure has been improving with more people (of all ages) stating they are buying more secondhand clothes or supporting small businesses and buying handmade.
Organic September is the UK’s largest campaign for the organic market. This year celebrates the 50th anniversary of the organic certification in the UK. In Wales there are more and more companies encompassing the organic ethos. In Swansea we have the amazing FarmCo who celebrate both organic food & drink and local businesses. Check out their website as they showcase different farmers and growers every week.
This week they are highlighting grass fed beef produced by the Douglas family in Penmaen, Gower, Swansea
Have a look at their website (link above) for opening hours and even recipes
Thank you for reading and I will see you next Friday. This will also be the day our second newsletter goes out. We have had lovely feedback from our subscribers. For October we will be looking at sustainability and also starting a series looking at the history of the handbag x Suzanne
Hello Friday!
Hello Friday. The sun is shining.
Hello and happy Friday. I hope you’ve had a good week. Claire & I were at The Vintage & Makers Market in the National Waterfront Museum Swansea last weekend. It is run by the lovely Kevin & John of Cow & Ghost Vintage. As usual it was a busy weekend. We met lots of new people as well as some of our regular customers.
I’ve been away for a few days this week staying in Llangennith. It has been fab waking up to the sound of the sea and being able to see it through our window. Even though it’s only half an hour drive from home I feel like I’m a million miles away. I love walking barefoot on the beach and watching the waves. It blows away the cobwebs and clears my mind.
We’ve got a busy few weeks ahead preparing for some new markets. October 7th we have a guest spot at Kidwelly Market. This is a lovely market with lots of interesting vendors. We are then at The National Wool Museum in Drefach Felindre on October 28th. This is a Vintage and Makes Market hosted by Cow & Ghost Vintage. We are excited to be part of these markets. It’s always great to meet new people…vendors and customers alike.
Have a great week and see you next Friday x Suzanne
Hello Friday!
A new crossbody everyday handbag. At Sister Makes we have been busy sewing up a storm ready for The Vintage & Makers Market at Swansea Maritime Museum this weekend.
New crossbody handbag
Loving this new style
It has a detachable adjustable strap and a zipper closure with an outer zipped pocket and inner slip pocket
Well hello everyone on this gorgeous sunny Friday. How has your week been? We’ve been busy at Sister Makes. We were at The Heart of the Valley Show in Pontardawe last Saturday. It was a really lovely show. There was something for all the family plus the weather was great. It was a lovely start to September. We debuted our integrity scarves which were well received. Everyone loved the different colours.
This week we have been busy sewing for The Vintage and Makers Market at the Swansea Maritime Museum. We are there for the Saturday and Sunday. It is always a great weekend with many stalls full of antiques, vintage items and different crafts. Support your small local businesses. They have beautiful and unique gift ideas. There is a lot going on outside with a food festival in the museum square for the weekend and the Marina Outdoor Market on the Sunday.
We look forward to seeing you
It is free to get in
We have lots of bags including some new handbags as well as our signature rice and knot bags. They are all individual and quirky. Claire & I do love a bit of colour. We are showcasing our new handbags at the market this weekend but they are also on our website Sister Makes. Let us know what you think of them.
I know the children have gone back to school but hopefully you will get a chance to get out this weekend and in the evenings and enjoy the fabulous weather. Even a short walk in the evening is good for the soul. Have a lovely week and see you next Friday x Suzanne
Crossbody Handbags
Again these are great everyday bags which will get loads of use. The main body closes with a magnetic clasp on the flap and has a zipped outside pocket and an inside slip pocket.
Hello Friday!
A beautiful purple floral Japanese knot bag
Always a lovely market with lots to see and buy
Come and say hello
Hello everyone it’s very exciting our newsletter is launching this evening. I hope all our subscribers enjoy it. I had fun putting it together and am looking forward to writing the next one. For our first newsletter we are offering all our subscribers 10% off anything on our website over the next month. We have been busy this week sewing for our next fair which is on Saturday 2nd September. We will be at The Heart of the Valley Show in Pontardawe. This is a new show for us and it looks fantastic with lots of activities and stalls. There is something for all the family.
The following weekend 9th & 10th September we are at The Waterfront Vintage & Makers Market held at the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. Lots going on. I can’t believe that September is almost on us. I hope you all get to enjoy the Bank Holiday Weekend. Hopefully we will get some sunshine. I would love to visit one of our lovely beaches and dip my toes in the sea! Have a lovely week x Suzanne
My cutting table….my favourite space
Prepping some patchwork place mats ready for The Heart of the Valley Show