Well the work on www.nvcrossstitch.com has proceeded well. We have now populated over a hundred cross stitch kits onto the site with new pictures and descriptions. This is a daunting task though as there are still over 1000 more kits to get listed.

 

 http://www.nvcrossstitch.com/william-and-catherine-cross-stitch-kit-by-john-clayton-90.html

Whilst we are getting the new shop established we are offering a 10% discount on our kits. This has proven to be quite popular and we have had to restock some kits as they have sold out.

http://www.nvcrossstitch.com/2012-cross-stitch-kit-88.html

Something which has become apparent to me is the proloific production of new kits from manufacturers, and the way some really nice kits are no longer produced. There are some kits we have which we will be unable to restock once they are sold. This brings in an interesting observation, we have many satisfied customers who have been looking for out of production kits that we still have. This is probably a reflection of the high stock levels we keep - everything listed on our websites is available in stock!

 

http://www.nvcrossstitch.com/curious-kittens-48.html

 Well back to the task of listing then. Once all of the cross stitch kits and accessories are listed we can turn our attention to the www.nvwools.com website where there are hundreds of wool, yarns, knitting needles and patterns to be listed.

David, August 2013.

Neath Valley Wools and Cross stitch shops now on-line

I love my blog title knits and fleece, for some reason my better half was less than amused!

We have been working hard to bring Neath Valley Wools www.nvwools.com and Neath Valley Cross stitch www.nvcrossstitch.com to the market place. We have both shops on line and we are currently running a 10% discount on our cross stitching kits whilst we populate the shop.

The shops are both internet based and will eventually replace our SmallsCrafts website at www.smallscrafts.co.uk. The new branding identifies our position in the Neath Valley and once we get our High Street shop open hopefully it will be a magnet for locals and for people visiting the area (or making a short detour from the M4 to find us).

http://www.nvcrossstitch.com/the-snowman-flying-45.html

 Yes I know its only 5 months until Christmas and here is our first Christmas picture for the blog, this kit is discounted on our cross stitch site - just follow the link. There are loads more cross stitch kits with a Christmas flavour too follow this link for more http://www.nvcrossstitch.com/christmas-stitching-gifts-26/

Although populating the new shops is quite time consuming it is also good fun and gives us a chance to review our stocks and to decide which we will add to. Janet is currently looking at the new range of Heritage Crafts kits and we will put them onto our site as soon as we receive them into stock.

We do appreciate your feedback so do not hesitate to email us with your thoughts, suggestions and special requests.

Until next time.

Stockings, cards, gifts and cross stitch - Getting ready for Christmas

Janet and I had a chat about our Christmas range this year. I was ready to get advertising now and make everyone aware that Christmas is coming but Jan's a bit more cautious. I think that if you are going to make an advent calender or cross stitch kit you need to start now if you follow this link crossstitch Advent calenders you will see what I mean ! There are lots of Christmas gifts on the SmallsCrafts website  and not just in the Christmas section, there is a huge range to choose from.You will find  Christmas stockings on the website and a host of stocking fillers.



At the moment there's about 97 days and 1 hour until Christmas 2011  check out this link - Christmas  Countdown 9I think I'll try to put this on a window on the website !!!!).

So I say If you want to make some cross stitch cards now is the time to start, Don't wait until December the 1st.

David.

Cross stitch kits come in such a diverse range of styles.

 Do you ever look at a shop either on the high street or on the internet and just feel overawed with the number and range of cross stitch kits on offer ?  I do !
My better half owns and runs Smalls Crafts a knitting and cross stitching shop, currently internet based (www.smallscrafts.co.uk), and she keeps a massive stock of kits and designs. When we go to the trade shows we always look at the entire ranges of kits and designs on offer but we never agree on the same ones to buy and I usually end up buying a different range to Janet.
Anyway not that I am a cross stitching expert, my best example was a kit depicting a horses head through a stable door and it took me months - it felt good when it was finished. Currently I am working on a kit with a Hawker Harrier but I am already looking for the next project. I like looking at the kits and I enjoy seeing the projects coming along. When you see the finished article it's almost always a pleasure and I have been left in awe with some of the work I have seen.
When you look at the range of diverse kits do you search for something you want or do you meander, getting caught by the look of a different design and then get drawn down a different path. Last week I was looking for a kit with a picture of a dragon, I wanted a classic serious design ( I did not find one so if you can send me suggestions I'd be happy to follow them up) but I ended up looking at a cross stitch kit of New York from Thea Gouverner. I was intrigued by the outline of the Twin Towers in the picture, I suppose you have the choice of including them or not. Janet has the range of cities kits from Thea Gouverner and they are truly superb and challenging. There are kits depicting London, Amsterdam, Sydney, St Petersburg, New York and Paris available on Black or White Aida or linen backgrounds.
The John Clayton kits from Heritage crafts are excellent and my personal favourites are the 'Power and Grace' collection. I have been planning to have a go at one of these but then my attention gets caught by something different. Jan brought some new stock into the workshop and I was looking at the Derwentwater designs 'Storm Point kit'. It is a complete kit and visually wonderful, a range of cross stitch kits from Derwentwater Designs are available from Smalls Crafts and well worth a look.
With so many designs available and so many different makers and artists it leaves my head in a spin. I think you should shop with a kit in mind and go and find it.

Right, now where can I find that dragon kit...............