Some Easter Egg colouring for you during the UK CoronaVirus period

Something for you you to do !

As you might know some people are putting artwork in their windows for people and particularly children to see during the UK CoronaVisus emergency whilst they take some exercise.

You might have seen rainbows and teddy bears already!

During w/c 4th April the theme is Easter and I made this to put up in my window .

PLEASE NOTE this artwork is the property of the artist DAWN WITT  ( WittyDawn) you may print for your own use but please be respectful and do not reproduce for resale or profit , many thanks

Buying a Witty Dawn Lampshade - posting or collection

How do I get my WittyDawn lampshade?

Posting: 

Most of my lampshades are posted to customers - I have posted out 100s now - mostly  within the UK but smaller ones have gone to the USA, Russia, EU and Australia ( see note about Overseas Orders*)  .

I wrap in bubble wrap ( I reuse as much as I can and I may change this at some point ) , then I put a layer of corrugated card around lampshade, then I pop it into a cardboard box. You may receive your lampshade in a recycled box - I reuse those as much as possible too. PLEASE RECYCLE THESE PACKING MATERIALS thank you xxx !

I post 2nd class ROYAL MAIL as standard - they have always been reliable for me and I have been posting with them for years now.

Max sizes of lampshades for UK posting

• Widest - Up to 40cm  wide by 30cm high
• Tallest - 25cm wide by 55 cm high 

Max size of lampshade for non UK / Overseas Orders *

• 20cm wide by 24cm high

I will always try to minimise my usage of packing materials and will post lampshades together if you buy multiples BUT only if I can do so without risking damage.


Collection: 

If you live locally or are visiting my beautiful hometown of Cirencester you are welcome to visit to discuss requirements and pick up your purchases.

You are welcome to visit my studio and our retro themed home.

We do have a dog , he normally says hello calmly and goes back to sleep ! ( but let me if that's a concern for ANY reason of course )

 Folksy shop

 Etsy shop 

 WittyDawn UK on ebay  

Buying a Witty Dawn Lampshade - What Size and shape ?

What size or shape do you want ....? 

Well lets define what I can offer . 

I make what it referred to as a RIGID lampshade - lined with a PVC liner - on  rigid frame ( see spec * at bottom of post ) .

Primarily I make a range of drum ,cone or empire lampshades - I do not make SOFT lampshades requiring hand sewing .

STANDARD RANGE

Name /shape	width cm	height cm
LAMPSHADES
Drum	10	22
Drum	15	18
Drum	20	20
Drum	20	24
Drum	25	25
Drum	25	28
Drum	30	26
Drum	30	30
Drum	35	30
Drum	40	30
Tall Drum	25	50
Empire Medium	30	25
Empire Large	30	30
Cone small	20	28
Cone large	25	55

(Edit : I now do another Cone size 25cm w x 37cm h )

I can do other sizes/shapes with the following limitations: 

• Max sizes for posting are : WIDEST -  40cm wide x 30cm high / 35cm w x 40cm  high and   TALLEST 25 cm wide x 55cm high. 
• Largest posted outside the UK is 20cm wide x 25 cm high 
• I can do larger lampshades  if picked up by customer from studio BUT extra charges will apply to cover non standard frame sizes and  more rigid PVC liner which I do not hold in stock
• I do a standard WHITE liner - I can do others ( colours/metallics ) but additional charges will apply as I do not hold those in stock and basically they cost a fair bit more. 
• I can easily customise HEIGHT but I cannot alter width options for DRUM lampshades.
• Any cone or empire lampshade requires a template - I do a limited range - additional charges will apply if you require something other than these. 

Some notes on fabric :

• I use my own fabric , you can send me yours but there will be no reduction in lampshade cost ( I don't do plain ones tho' - honestly if you want a plain colour lampshade there cheaper places to go ) . 
• Vintage fabric generally is 119cm wide - the max lampshade is 35cm wide if working across the fabric width on these fabrics. For wider ones I have to join 2 widths together thus the lampshade would have a seam or I alternatively could  use the length of the fabric ( if I have enough and the design works that way) . This may limit your options for a particular fabric.
• The condition, amount available and design of any of my fabrics can limit the sizes offered
• I use VINTAGE fabric - up to 70 years old - it is rarely absolutely perfect so if brand new looking is what you need you might need to look elsewhere.
• Again I use VINTAGE fabric - if you see something you like don't delay your purchase I have limited available of each fabric and cannot guarantee finding the one you liked again! 

I hope that helps you pick out what you need but contact me if you need some advice on what might work for you - I would say about a 10th of my customers do so don't be shy ! 

 Folksy shop

 Etsy shop 

 WittyDawn UK on ebay  




( Spec * - lampshade is made with new white coated metal rings . The lampshade WHITE inner lining is made from UK supplied PVC - Supplier specs are : ' 300micron thickness ,Excellent tear resistance. Anti-static treated to minimise attraction of dust.UV stabilised - Anti Yellowing. Engineered for lampshade making, passed the glow wire test carried out by the Lighting Association)

Buying a WittyDawn Lampshade - Where can I find one ?

So these days I tend to make more lampshades - from vintage fabric of course! - than anything else. 

I find that customers need guidance on the same sorts of things most of the time so I thought I should just write a few posts to help. 

Firstly where to find me! 

1. Just search ' WittyDawn'  - and lots of links will pop up ! that's the easiest way.

2. Look at my  Folksy shop - ALL my  100s of vintage fabrics are listed as lampshade options . Buy from there if you want to support my UK based business on a  UK marketplace exclusively for UK based craft.

3. I have a smaller selection in my Etsy shop as well - I also take custom orders here too

4. Check out WittyDawn UK on ebay  - I regularly list my ready to send out ex-display/old stock / seconds on here with some reductions in price.

5. Email WittyDawn - d-witt@sky.com

6. Via any of these options you can also arrange a visit to my home studio in Cirencester .

Each of my outlets has my red hatted lady  WittyDawn logo

Hope to meet you soon

The Summer is over and the NIght comes earlier - Bring in the Light!

Oh wow that was a nice Summer , good holidays, family time and days out !

BUT … have you noticed … yes it's getting darker earlier and Autumn is knocking at the door . 

Maybe it's  time to spruce up the lighting in your home  … well I can help with that with a funky lampshade!

Check out my shops,  : 
WittyDawnUK on Etsy  ( many to choose from) 
WittyDawn on Folksy ( 100s of fabric options listed ) 

I can post out easily - don't worry I pack my lampshades well -  over a 100 posted out now to happy customers , I've even posted a few overseas ( USA, Russia,Australia ) by special request. 

Need a lamp to go with your WittyDawn Lampshade ? check out  Scandiwegians  on Etsy they have LOTS of cool things !   Here is their Lamp Section

As you can tell I LOVE my 50s, 60s, 70s textiles but I have plenty of more traditional and children's fabrics too! 

By the way … these guys are available too (as well as bunting, cushions etc)  - popular little critters! lots of colours available

WittyDawn Vintage Fabric Lampshades

I started making Lampshades earlier this summer and they have been rather in demand … should have done this YEARS ago ! it's a lovely way to showcase vintage fabrics.

Here's a few that I have made in the last few weeks, but as I have over 300 vintage fabrics this is just a selection of what I can make for you from genuine 50s bark cloth, to funky 60s and 70s prints, plus some classic ' modern country ' / shabby chic / classic Sanderson fabrics.

But don't worry …. I still make a range of other items including my mice! Check out my Etsy Shop and my Folksy Shop 

 

When I say I have a lot of vintage fabric..... ( studio video )

I really do mean I have A LOT of vintage fabric....


I thought it was time  I showed you. Here's a quick look around my studio

So if you should want a custom made lampshade chances are I will have SOMETHING that'll ' float your boat' just ask me !

Christmas 2018 Markets and Fairs - where to find WittyDawn

 I will MAINLY be at the Cotswold Craft Market,CORN HALL , Cirencester, GL7 2NY,   throughout Nov and Dec ,
Please come and say hello to myself and all the other talented makers - there is a huge variety and ALL original and well made . The Cotswold Craft Market on Saturday , FREE ADMISSION . www.cotswoldcraftmarket.co.uk/

Visit my stall on :

November 10th   9:30am to 4.15pm Cotswold Craft Market 
November 24th   9:30am to 5pm Cotswold Craft Market 
November 29th   4.00am to 9pm  A Very Victorian Christmas ' at The Lakes Care Centre * 
December 8th     9:30am to 5pm Cotswold Craft Market 
December 22nd  9:30am to 5pm Cotswold Craft Market 
  

 *The Lakes Care Centre, Spine Road East' , South Cerney , Gloucestershire, GL7 5TL 

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PLUS you can visit me at my Cirencester home by arrangement :
email Witty-dawn@sky.com
text me on 07802 594087

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Visiting Cirencester :
I am fortunate to live here! it is a beautiful Cotswolds town, lovely places to walk - why not do the 'Hare Trail ' ? and award winning Museum , Street markets several times a week, Antiques centre and regular markets in the Corn Hall - including an Antiques Market each Friday, Brewery Arts centre for local / uk designers, one of the oldest spring fed outdoor pool in the UK. All of these are within the Town Centre!!! so you don't have to walk miles and there is a very wider selection of Pubs, cafes and restaurants. It is a very DOG FRIENDLY town - most shops allow dogs as do most cafes and pubs and even the posher hotels !

( one of the sculptures on the Hare trail - my hound is more interested in the treat on the floor )

More information about Cirencester

Obsessed with RAG DOLLS

Oh dear can't seem to stop making these....

BUT what a lovely way to make use of and also display some of my lovely vintage fabrics.

It was inevitable really that I would end up making these I suppose and it was a case of the design being right almost straightway . As usually I started with drawing our a design on paper an made a prototype. This was the first one and really all  I had to do was make a few changes to the arms and legs and very minor tweaks to head and body. Each one  take 4 to 5 hours to make and each one is UNIQUE.

There's a bit animal theme - so far I have BearCubs, KittyKats and RabbitRascals although I expect I'll do a few more variation ! Each one  take 4 to 5 hours to make and each one is UNIQUE.

There's a heck of a lot of pretty pale skinned Rag Doll girls out there so I though I ought to introduce a bit more variety too :)

Anyway you can find them in both my Folksy and Etsy shops . I hope you love them as much as I enjoy making them

( as I am a twin - I have a brother - I have made a few sets of twins too )

SALE !!! 40% off in my Folksy Shop this January ( 2017 )

Hi all !

I want to clear some stock to make way for new items so time to have a SUPER SALE!!!


40% off ALL items until end of January 2017 in my Folksy Shop:    WittyDawn on Folksy -

Just use code 40OFFWITTYDAWN at the checkout








This includes ALL items in my Folksy shop - even those already in my clearance section - so lots of AMAZING BARGAINS

... and yes it even includes my mice !

as well as cushions, bunting and other great things ....

VINTAGE HEAVEN 12th Nov 2016 !!! at Cirencester in the Cotswolds

Once again I have a stall at Vintage Heaven!!!

It is pretty much the only event I do because it is EASILY the best round here.

Why ?

- It's for two great charities - Paternoster School in Cirencester and JDRF( the type 1 diabetes charity)
- It is a STRICTLY vintage and eco charity - no new stock allowed unless from a eco or freetrade source, and the organisers do ask stallholders to remove anything that doesn't stock to this standard
- It has a fabulous selection of stalls with great items and lovely stallholders
 - It is at a super venue, there is a fabulous café and a beautifully stocked organic shop.

.... and my friend Emma organises it and it is just down the road from me , we visit this café/shop regularly.

This was all  my stall last year





It's just outside Cirencester and all the details are at Vintage Heaven at The Organic Farm Shop

I'm also taking lots of vintage fabric 'y things , crockery and small furniture items - now I do hope there won't be any bickering over this sweet sewing box! ?

( I am also taking I'm taking a LOAD of my clearance things on Folksy see above - so LOTS of under £10 items just in time for Christmas shopping eh? )

Macmillan Sept Coffee morning and WittyDawn Autumn Sale

Well another Macmillan coffee morning has come and gone !

Thanks too all my friends and customers who supported this event- my goodness what a lot of cake was consumed.

As usual the coffee morning coincided with my Autumn WittyDawn Sale and I donated 10% of my sales to the final donation amount.

THE FINAL AMOUNT RAISED WAS JUST OVER £227 !!!!

EDIT: due to a late donation the final total went up to £253.57  !!!!


This is a regular yearly event for WittyDawn - in it's 4th year now.  Macmillan is a charity we as a family have supported for many years via monthly donations too.

However this event also  gives me a chance to get all my stock out and review it for the Xmas period , it MAKES me tidy my studio and not least I get to catch up with lots of people and make a few new friends too.

Here's a few shots of my studio in sale mode:



I now have Clearance Sales running in my Etsy and Folksy online shops

My next event will be VINTAGE HEAVEN, at the Organic Farm Shop , Burford Road, Cirencester on Sat 12th November. Free entry, teas and raffle proceeds all to Paternoster School in Cirencester and JDRF - the type 1 diabetes charity, improving lives until they find the cure. They fund research to cure, treat and prevent type 1 diabetes. Lots or really excellent quality genuine vintage and eco friendly gilts and collectables from a super group of vendors.

Hope to see you there!

AUTUMN SALE AND STOCK CLEARANCE AT WITTY DAWN !!!

So it's time to clear a few product lines to start fresh on new ideas .... THIS means is bargain time for some lucky folks so check it all out

At time of posting I have:
- About 80 items in my FOLKSY CLEARANCE SECTION
- About 30 in my ETSY CLEARANCE SECTION 

Here's a few examples of what's on offer

It's a GOOD time to grab a bargain with Christmas not that far away !
 

Another recipe - but this time for Dog Treats !

A couple of people have asked me for dog treat recipes so here are the ones that I have used - passed onto me by other kind folks and seen on some great Facebook pages ( eg Lurcher Appreciation Page) :

TUNA BAKE - the one I use the most
1 Tin tuna in sunflower oil, 100 g Self raising flour, 1 egg plus some grated cheese if you like.

Mix, press flat in an oiled microwave dish ( I use a pyrex bowl glass lid) , cook on full full power for 6 to 7 minutes.

Corned Beef bake -
I tin of corned beef , 1 egg, 60 ml water, 300 g plain flour, 100 g cheese
Mix, press into a grease and lined baking tray, cook for about 25 mins at 180 ( 160 fan ) - although I admit I am a bit casual/check it and see about cooking times LOL .

Liver Bake- current fav this makes LOADS
400g liver, 1/2 pint cold water, 400g plain flour ( although last batch I did was 50: 50 SR and plain and was good also, 1 egg, 2.5 fl oz of olive oil

Blend liver and water, mix in other ingredients, bake in shallow greaseproof paper lined tin 30 - 35 mins at 180 degrees. Might have to prick with fork halfway through.

FOR ALL THE ABOVE RECIPES
Allow to cool
Cut into small dice shapes
Freeze and then defrost small amount  

Variations ?
You could try rice flour instead of wheatflour
You could try other tinned fish in oil
I only had 250g of liver last time did liver bake so I substituted apple and sweet potato - worked just fine and might be useful if you need a lower fat treat for your dog.

 I have tasted the Tuna and Corned beef ones and the am VERY nice .... but I haven't tried the liver one!

 Here is Tom waiting for a treat - By the way the photo was taken by Steve Shepard - Candid Canines

New Rescue Dog ! that's my excuse for my dusty blog ....

Let's blow a little dust of this eh??

Ok been a while but I've been busy.

Back in February we adopted a lovely hound from the fabulous people at the Blue Cross!  he is a lovely chap but was terribly thin. So I had a couple of months off from doing much work whilst I concentrated on feeding him up and training him. His name is MAJOR TOM - or Tom for short, he is a lurcher (with a good deal of greyhound in him ! maybe some staffie/collie in the mix too?)

As you can see he has developed beautifully :)

He came to us healthy, neutered, chipped, vaccinated and with a trusting,  happy personally - just thin and in need of a comfy, warm place. he has since been back to visit his Blue Cross friends and from his waggy tail it was clear he had formed a real bond with then during his stay. He is a lovely chap - obedient ( except for when he see cats/rabbits/squirrels - they flip his CRAZY switch, sighthounds like him do have a high prey drive!) , gentle and my how wonderfully he looks when he runs! He has even won a best trick prize at a local show !

If you are thinking of getting a dog PLEASE consider a rescue .... don't assume you are getting a dog with 'issues' many are simply unlucky or have had to have been given up by caring owners due to changes in their circumstances. We do not know Tom's history other then being found as an unchipped stray but we have yet to see any behaviour issues or signs of abuse.

So... what with a couple of hours of walks a day we have been busy - but as he sleeps about 16 hrs a day as well he's no bother!!! sighthound types are notoriously lazy once they find a comfy spot .

Also I have been making stuff for him - his coats, his beds and even his toys and food LOL . I had A LOT of interest when he was wearing his coats earlier this Spring and I think I will be offering these as custom makes soon WATCH THIS SPACE!!!!

(BTW do you like his smart collar ? - made locally by a super lady called Fleur - she has a shop on Etsy called The Artful Lurcher )


Better sign off.... I need to walk the dog...XXX!