I haven’t done an Etsy update since February so I thought it was time to do another update. I have been busy with the shop and I have been creating new items to go in the shop.
I love these bookmarks because they are great for Halloween and for just witch lovers in general. They really remind me of some of my favourite characters from Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series.
This bookmark is something new that I am trying. The picture of Bath is one that I have taken and turned into a bookmark. I am planning on doing more of these bookmarks from other places I have visited.
I have more products arriving soon so watch this space.
I haven’t done a This and That Thursday post for a while so I thought I would do one. It has mainly been work and my Etsy shop recently but we have tried to fit in some adventures.
Walking Lent Challenge
For Lent this year we decided to do a walk everyday of at least a mile. These walks have mainly been local but with all this lovely weather we have been having it has been wonderful to get outside into the sunshine, especially when I have been stuck inside for most of the day teaching.
Lunch
We have also managed a few nice lunches out which have included some nice walks as well. You can’t beat a nice walk followed by a good lunch! One of our favourite places for walk and lunch is around the Wyre Forest.
Decorating
Work on the house still continues and recently we have been working on the music room door which needed some work and prep before repainting. It is hopefully ready now for the undercoat. The library is slow going but we now need the electrics sorted which we can’t do ourselves so hopefully we can get that sorted next.
I thought it was time for an Etsy update because I have been quite busy recently adding new products. I love my little shop and one of my aims for 2025 is to really build it up and add more products.
I love making new bookmarks for the shop but I must admit I do end up wanting them all for myself and have to resist because I will end up with way too many. I am like a magpie for shiny pretty bookmarks!
The Cake Cards have just landed in the shop over the last few days. I have made a few for private orders so I thought I would add them to my Etsy shop.
TBR Prompts
I have also done my first digital download in the shop which is TBR Prompts that you just download, print off and cut out all from your home. They are also currently on offer!
I am always struggling to work out what to read next so I came up with the prompts to help myself and decided to add them to my shop as well. I also still have the very popular book shaped TBR Tickets available in the shop.
I thought it was time to do a non bookish post as I haven’t done a This and That Thursday since November 2024.
Bath
December was super busy work wise but we also managed a little holiday in Bath to visit the Bath Christmas market. I love visiting the market to buy Christmas presents and this year Abbie who owns the Etsy store Britishbookart was doing a stall so I bought several Christmas presents for my niece and myself. I have also since bought more items from her site. If you haven’t seen her book trackers please visit her Etsy and have a look.
We also did some sight seeing and did our traditional afternoon tea at the Pump Rooms.
I have also been super busy with my own Etsy shop and the TBR Tickets and Bumble Bee Bookmarks have been super popular. I love my little Etsy shop and love making and designing the bookmarks.
National Trust
We have been visiting some of our favourite local National Trust places. At this time of year a lot of National Trust places are closed but we like to support any that are open. Berrington Hall is definitely one our favourites.
Walking
We have been trying to get back into our walking again because we are still trying to finish our Mordor medal with the Conqueror Challenges. However, the house is still undergoing building work so have we have been a bit house bound at times. When we have managed to go for a walk it has been really nice to see the sheep and the horses that are in local fields near where we live.
Centre of Excellence
I have also been back to studying with the Centre of Excellence. I am currently about a quarter of the way through the History of Art course and I am absolutely loving it. I really enjoy their courses and find them perfect introductions to subjects that I might decide to do further reading around.
It has been really busy recently with my Etsy shop and I am loving it. I am also throughly enjoying coming up with new designs of bookmarks and other products. As I have been quite busy on the creating front I thought I would share with you some of my latest creations.
Christmas Bookmarks
I now have 14 designs of Christmas bookmarks available in the shop.
Now I will be honest but I haven’t been up to much other than work and been stuck in the house due to the ongoing building work but I have tried to do some other activities.
Northern Lights
This month we were very lucky to see the Northern lights from our back garden which obviously meant a photo opportunity. It was amazing to be able to see them and I couldn’t believe the colours the camera picked up.
Wightwick Manor
Wightwick is a favourite of ours and we managed to go there last week for a break from building work. It was really interesting as they are having restoration work done and it is always good to see how they do everything.
Christmas
I love Christmas and I love visiting garden centres and seeing their Christmas displays. We went to our local on the first day of Christmas decorations and it was beautiful. I can’t wait to visit some more soon.
Etsy
I have been quite busy this month with my Etsy which has been wonderful and I have more products planned which I want to sort out during half term.
Knitting
I have started knitting again. For my birthday I got a Lord of the Rings inspired knitting book which is fantastic! I have started the pattern for a throw and so far I am really enjoying it. I love knitting but haven’t done any for ages. It is a perfect activity for a winter evening.
I’m really hoping we get to go on some adventures during half term as it will be nice to get out and about.
I hope everyone is having a good week so far. I have spent a lot of time today working on my Etsy shop which has been really nice as I really enjoy making bookmarks and creating new things for the shop.
Here are some of the latest products to land in the shop.
The TBR Tickets are definitely the most popular item in the shop so I thought it might be nice to have a Blind Date with a Book option as well. It is always nice getting a mystery book to add to your TBR pile.
The Treble Clef Bookmark has just been put up. I made one of these for a private order and the customer was really pleased with it so I thought I would make some more for the Etsy shop.
I thought it was high time for an update about my Etsy shop. I think this is probably the first update this year so I am rather slacking.
My little shop has been going steady but the most popular item in the shop has definitely been the TBR Tickets. I have sold thousands so far this year and I have had to upgrade my Cricut machine to keep up with demand. I have also received some lovely reviews about these tickets which is always nice to receive.
I have a new Blind Date with a Book parcel available which also comes with a choice of hand creams. I love these hand creams! My personal favourite is the Moringa cream but the others are also fab. These are the perfect size to fit in your handbag.
The musical instrument bookmarks are expanding and I’m hoping to add more instruments soon. The Saxophone and Flute bookmarks have been quite popular so far.
So what has everyone been up to outside of reading good books?
I will be honest and say work has been taking up a lot of my time but I have managed to do some other things as well.
Duolingo
My husband and myself have started learning Greek again. It has been so long since I last attempted it that I have forgotten everything so I have started from scratch. We are using Duolingo at the moment but I would like some other resources to help so any suggestions would be gratefully received.
Walking
We are really making an effort with our walking again. We have been doing the Lord of the Rings virtual challenges on the Conqueror Challenges and we have now completed 4 medals and are on the last one. However, the last medal is 282 miles which is going to take us a while but we will keep plodding along. If anybody would like to try the Conqueror challenges this code will give you 10% off. The walking has also meant some lovely views as well.
Etsy
I have been really busy with my Etsy recently which is wonderful but it has meant I have needed to upgrade my Cricut from a Joy to a Maker 3. This has meant spending some time getting used to a new machine and adapting my designs for the new machine. It has been so nice to make several things at once instead of one thing at a time. If you want to visit my Etsy shop here is the link.
Welcome to my first This and That Thursday of 2024.
I will be honest I have been rather hectic with work so have had less adventure time. I am now teaching at three different schools as well as teaching from home and doing playing work but I can’t complain as it helps me do the things I love, oh and pay the bills.
Walking and Pokemon Go
During 2023 my walking really took a hit so my husband and I have decided to really make an effort and get back into our walking again. This has also meant I am playing more Pokemon Go. I am in a bit of a competition with my sister-in-law with Pokemon Go but sadly she has really pulled ahead due to my lack of movement and playing. However, I am determined to catch up again! If anybody would like to add me as a friend my friend code is 6008 1727 2520.
National Trust
We have managed a few of National Trust properties so far this year. We went to one of my favourites in the New Year to see their Christmas displays before they took it all down. Berrington Hall does one of my favourite Christmas displays and they never disappoint. We have also been to Hanbury Hall which we haven’t been to for many years. I had forgotten just what a beautiful property it was and what beautiful gardens it has. This week we went to Benthall Hall which also included a lovely walk and a trip into Much Wenlock for lunch.
Etsy
I am still running my little Etsy business and I am absolutely loving it. The TBR Tickets are proving very popular and keeping me busy. I just love creating new bookmarks and coming up with new products for my fellow book lovers.
So there are a few things I have been up to. I am really hoping for more walks and more adventures soon, I just wish it would stop raining!
Lady Book Dragon 