Emma Mitchell

Author, designer-maker, naturalist, illustrator, mum

By 81 Comments

Country Living: ‘Turn Your Hobby into a Business’ (necklace giveaway)

I’m so thrilled to have been included in in a special one-off Country Living magazine that was published a week or so ago entitled Turn Your Hobby into a Business. I say magazine but it’s really more of a book (230 pages long). It’s absolutely packed with tips on starting a small business based on creative talent, from business plans, through to finances, networking and ensuring you have a little space in which to work in even if it’s the corner of the kitchen.

I’m really enjoying the exquisite photographs of other makers in their studios, their wares and, of course, the beautiful styling accompanying the inspiring case studies.

I’m immensely honoured to have been selected to be included alongside Poppy Treffry, Merchant and Mills, the Stiffkey Stores, Pump St Bakery and, one of my favourites, Eve O’Neill , whose exquisite needlefelted and intricately detailed British birds (shown above) have rushed to the top of my wishlist.
My studio was photographed in 2011 by Alun Callender, along with several of my designs including birds, hares, enamelled floral motifs and a necklace made using 19th century and wartime buttons and vintage beads.

Today I made another button necklace. Each of the mother of pearl buttons I have used was made in the 19th century for handmade baby or dolls’ clothes and has been intricately handcarved.

These buttons were treasured and saved for just the right little frock or Christening gown. I have built up a small collection of them in the last few years. I interspersed the buttons with a 1920s freshwater pearl, a facetted aquamarine and two tiny genuine Roman* beads (I’m very excited about these)
I am giving this necklace away along with a copy of this wonderfully inspiring Country Living publication.

Pop a comment here if you’d like a chance to win both the necklace and the magazine. Oh and *whispers* if you mention this giveaway on your blog I’ll enter you twice. Please ensure that you leave an email address if it’s not on your google profile so that I can let you know if you’ve won. Many thanks!

Good luck!

Note: there are just a few spaces left on the silver flower necklace and jamjar posy workshop at Common Farm Flowers on 5th May. Click here to find out more

*made between 100 and 400 AD.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Thanks for your generosity! Your blog is a wonderful source of inspiration to me. (Please delete the other comments I submitted if they come through, I couldn't sign in for some reason)

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  2. That is a most beauteous necklace, as are all your works (girls, garden and your good self included). x

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  3. That necklace is a real treasure and the book looks fabulous. If I lived in England, I would definitely be coming to one of your workshops. Although my creative talents are limited, I think the process would be wonderful. Thanks for sharing your beautiful creations on the blog.
    Susan at http://www.dontforgetyourshovel.com

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  4. Another piece of beautiful work, am so in awe. Not sure I would be brave enough to start up and run my own business. May be I should read the magazine and then think again, would love to do something crafty as that is my passion to make things

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  6. Congratulations on your gorgeous Country Living mag feature Emma! I saw it a few weeks ago in waitrose but haven't bought it yet so would love to own it. And of course it goes without saying that I'd LOVE to own your gorgeous button and bead necklace (I love the blue beads going on) so please put me in your list. Will also blog about your give away when I get home from work so include me twice when you see it later!!! Fingers crossed! Have a great wkend 🙂 Safxxx
    p.s. I just read that article about IBS in the Standard Issue magazine, was SO funny and so true, have had IBS for years and its good to laugh about it for once!

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  7. Emma, it's grand that CL have included you in the special issue. I've actually saved my issue of the magazine that originally carried the article about you, and recommend it highly to all!

    Perhaps the special issue will be available over here at B&N…i'll keep an eye out.

    Meanwhile, you newest button necklace is exquisite! Having all those delicate treasures with their individual histories is rather wonderful.

    Wish I could attend your workhop, and envy those lucky enough to live nearby.

    xo

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  8. What a beautiful necklace, and the book looks amazing, very inspirational. Thanks for the generous giveaway Emma. CJ xx

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  9. Congrats on the publication, country living is such a nice a magazine. You are so generous giving away such a special necklace. Thank you for the chance to add a special piece of jewelry to someone's collection.

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  10. Many congratulations Emma…what fun it must be to see yourself in print. Your work is gorgeous and you really deserve your success. Your necklace is so pretty , so many treasures there. Thanks for your generosity in offering this great giveaway. Happy Spring xx

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  12. Dear Emma
    Please enter me for your giveaway – how very generous of you (and how lucky someone will be!). Congratulations on being featured in the 'bookazine'.
    Have a craft-filled weekend.
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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  13. Congratulations on being included in the lovely book. Though of course it is well deserved as your lovely creations show. Sombody will be a lucky winner to get that pretty necklace but since I have won far too many giveaways please count me out of this one in case I won yet again!

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  14. I have been having a lovely catch up with your blog, again. I should say that bourbon were my favourite biscuit when I was younger but you're, right, they don't taste like anything these days. I'm delighted to see you honoured in print and your necklace is very special. You're being very generous in giving it away. Keep enjoying the lovely Spring days in your gorgeous relaxed garden.

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  15. It looks like an excellent magazine – I haven't spotted a copy but I'll be keeping an eye out now. Very well deserved recognition of your work. and, yes, I would love to win the gorgeous necklace – especially with so many special treasures all collected together. Juliex

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  16. The magazine and necklace look wonderful Emma. Both very inspiring. I must say that I love your garden too – a feast for nature lovers! I wonder if you will get any bee fly visitors this year?! (thanks for the re tweet!) x

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  23. Congratulations on getting featured in the book/mag. The magazine looks great. Its amazing that you have genuine roman beads in your necklace!

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  30. Such a beautiful necklace! And the book looks wonderful as well – Thanks for the chance to win!

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  31. Please enter me into your draw. Your designs and jewellery are exquisite. This piece ticks all the boxes for me; beautiful design and craftsmanship, history and re-cycled buttons. I wish my button tins held Roman treasures!

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  33. Congratulations on being in the bookazine!
    I'm not sure if you remember me, but I was the one who got very excited about a bucket at your Open Studio a few years ago… Needless to say it was a little silver bucket and it has held many teeny flowers since. 😀

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  34. It has been many years since I ordered some fabulous ear rings from you. I still wear them and treasure them. Your work has always been beautiful and that necklace is gorgeous. You are very clever Mrs pebble! X (mrs stashbasket – this seems to be my sons account!)

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  36. Ah, those Romantic beads. I see my self in a gleaming villa on Capri, azure sea below and Richard Burton pouring a large glass of red…..

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  37. I am so envious of you and your life. You seem to have such a perfect little place. Your photos are also so perfect. Grrr!? where do you find those antique button and ancient beads? Your garden??

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  40. Please do enter my name in your lovely giveaway, Emma! I would be absolutely thrilled to have one of your beautiful creations! The magazine would be icing on the cake.
    And thanks for linking to the felted birds, which are amazing…in recent months I've been playing around with felting a little bit – started with making felt buttons, actually! – and it's inspiring to see what a really talented person can achieve.

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  41. Hello from Greece! I'd love to take part in your giveaway if it is open for international readers as well. I came to find your blog through a Bristish friend. I am an avid collector of sea glass and love making crafts, jewelry and paperweights with it. The magazine would be really usefull as I am trying to figure out ways to start my own little shop somehow.The necklace is adorable!Thanks for the chance! ariadnesky(at)hotmail(dot)com AriadnefromGreece!

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  42. How lovely! I had a quick flick through the magazine in the newsagents the other day but managed to miss you… I'll have to get a copy and take another look!

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  43. How lovely to be featured in the Country Living book, I can remember your studio shed from the magazine a few year ago. I hope to get to one of your Open Studios event one day. I do love your ball of wool and knitting needle necklace. Thank you for sharing your wonderful designs with us.

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  44. I've just found your blog and it's gorgeous. I need to go back through the archives. Congratulations on the Country Living feature. I will look out for it. Hilary

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  47. Oh heavens, that necklace is beautiful and congratulations on your inclusion in the magazine 🙂

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  50. I haven't seen a copy of the book yet, but will look out for it as I have been thinking about starting a business for some time. Your jewellery is exquisite, and your place in the book well deserved.

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  53. I would love to enter the contest for a chance to win your lovely necklace and the book. Silver clay is something I want to get into and I find your work inspiring – who doesn't like tiny, intricate flowers and birds?

    Thank you for makng these goodies available to win, keep up the lovely work and blog!

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  59. I have been following your blog for a long time now & love it! Your jewelry is beautiful. I think I discovered your blog from reading Lucy's at Attic24. I am so envious of your garden & like it when you share photos of it & your work space. Thanks for this opportunity. Have a blessed day!

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  63. simply stunning piece of jewellery a true representation of the beautiful countryside that we live in, would love a copy of the publication. Keep you the excellent work.

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  64. Vintage buttons are such a pleasure, something easy to collect, and they do make such pretty jewellery, especially when put together as you have done with other treasures. The bookazine is quite an inspiration and encouraging read.

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  71. I saw you in the Country Living book today and felt inspired to make my first vintage button bracelet! A beautiful matching vintage button and bead necklace would be perfect! Please button fairies help me win!
    Janice from Woolly Days
    woollydays@yahoo.co.uk

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  75. It would be a dream come true to have my own little business making and selling lovely stuff. Great competition, thank you 🙂

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  77. I would love to be entered into the draw for your beautiful, delicate necklace. I was thinking about you last week when I was on holiday picking sea glass out of the shingle…. Bliss

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