Characteristic Arts and Crafts

29/09/2026

Pet replica commissions are always incredibly special to me, but even more so in circumstances like these. ❤️🌈

Gorgeous Kimba recently crossed over the Rainbow Bridge, and I was honoured to be trusted with trying to capture a little piece of her spirit in yarn.

There’s only so much that can ever fit into a handmade plush, nothing could truly replicate a much-loved member of the family, but I hope this little Kimba brings her family some comfort and gives them something soft to hold when they're missing her.

I hope her family are doing okay, although I know she’ll be missed every single day.
Run free, gorgeous girl. 🌈🐾❤️

If you would like a handmade plush created in memory of your own furry friend, please feel free to get in touch. Pet replica commissions are currently open. 🧶🐾

23/09/2026

🐰🎃 Something a little strange has been stitched together… 🎃🐰

Two bunnies.
One body.
Zero regrets. 😂

I'm currently working on some new creations for my next market, and I genuinely can't decide whether these little Franken-Bunnies are adorable or mildly horrifying… which probably means I've got them exactly right. 👻🪡

Bright, squishy, cuddly and quite literally joined at the hip, they're for anyone who likes their cute with just a tiny touch of creepy. 🖤

And you'll be able to meet these weird little creations in person at my next market on 31st October at Argyll Gardens! 🎃 Perfect date for them, really… 😂

I'll have plenty of spooky creations joining me, so keep an eye out over the next few weeks for more Halloween makes. 👀

Would you adopt one? 🐰💀

18/09/2026

✨ Sorry I’ve been a little quiet on here lately! ✨

I’ve been taking some time to focus on family stuff, as well as working away behind the scenes on some lovely commissions — including this one! 🥰

A first for me, and one I’m very proud to show off… a Couch Organiser Caddy. Or should that be a Couch Catty? 🐱😂

I’ve never been asked to make anything quite like this before, but I absolutely loved bringing it to life! A big sleepy kitty that drapes over the arm of the sofa, complete with deep pockets for remotes, phones and all those little things that somehow disappear the second you put them down. 😂

This is exactly why I love taking on custom work. Someone comes to me with an idea, and I get to figure out how to turn it into something real. 🧶💕

So when I say custom commissions, I truly mean it! If you’ve got an idea — even if it’s something I’ve never made before — you can always ask. Sometimes those turn out to be the most fun ones. 🥰

And yes… I’m absolutely calling this one the Couch Catty. 🐱🛋️✨

01/09/2026

30/08/2026

A little update regarding crochet lessons 🧶❤️

After a lot of thought, I've made the difficult decision to stop offering my crochet lessons for the foreseeable future.

I've absolutely loved getting to teach and share my love of crochet with you all, and I'm so grateful to everyone who has booked a lesson with me.

However, between running Characteristic Arts & Crafts, keeping up with markets, wholesale orders and commissions, alongside working my other jobs, I've realised that I've simply taken on too much. Something has to give, and I need to allow myself a little more time away from work to concentrate on home, family and actually having some downtime.

This hasn't been an easy decision, but I know it's the right one for me at the moment. ❤️

Thank you so much to everyone who has supported the lessons, learned with me and trusted me to help you on your crochet journey. It's been a genuinely lovely part of the business. 🧶💕

For now, I'll be concentrating on my handmade work, commissions, wholesale and markets — just with a little more breathing room in between. ❤️

29/08/2026

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💕 WHAT A DAY! THANK YOU, COWAL! 💕🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

What an absolutely fantastic Cowal Games day! A HUGE thank you to everyone who came down to the Summer Market on Argyll Street today — whether you stopped for a chat, had a wee browse, admired the crocheted chaos or took something handmade home with you. 🧶🌸

An extra special thank you to every single person who made a purchase today. Supporting a small handmade business genuinely means more than you know, and after another amazing market day I'm heading home feeling incredibly grateful (and with considerably less stock than I arrived with! 😂). ❤️

And a VERY special shout-out to my wonderful colleagues at Kents for ferrying both our stock AND ourselves around over the last 24 hours. 🤣 Between collections, lifts, tea deliveries and generally looking after us — you absolute life savers! 🥹❤️

Now it's time for me to spend the next few days getting stuck into your orders and custom commissions before the inevitable begins...

🧶 THE STOCK-UP. 🧶

Because the next market will be here before we know it!

🍂🎃 MARK YOUR CALENDARS — 31ST OCTOBER! 🎃🍂

We'll be back for the Dunoon Presents Autumn Market, hopefully with another stall bursting at the seams with handmade goodies!

Thank you again for an absolutely brilliant day, Cowal. See you at the next one! 🥰🍂🧶❤️

29/08/2026

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿✨ ALL SET UP FOR COWAL GAMES DAY! ✨🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

The stall is packed, the tartan bunting is up and Characteristic Arts & Crafts is ready for a fantastic day on Argyll Street! 🧶🌸

If you're out enjoying the Cowal Highland Gathering today, make sure you take a wander down to the Summer Market between the bands, dancing and all the Games excitement!
There are 30 stalls to browse, with loads of fantastic local makers and traders to discover. ❤️

I've brought along plenty of crocheted chaos, Forever Flora, Adoption Station favourites and lots more — so come down, have a browse and say hello! 🥰

📍 Argyll Street, Dunoon
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Cowal Games Day Summer Market
We're ready for you, Cowal! See you soon! ❤️✨

29/08/2026

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 IT’S COWAL GAMES DAY! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Wishing the very best of luck to all the competitors taking part in The Cowal Highland Gathering today! 💪💃🎶 Whether you’re competing, dancing, piping or cheering from the sidelines, I hope you have an absolutely fantastic day!

And while you’re out enjoying all the excitement, don’t forget to take a wander down Argyll Street! 👀

Between the bands and the dancers, come and have a browse around the Summer Market, where over 30 fantastic stalls will be lining the street! 🛍️✨

I’ll be there with plenty of colourful, crocheted chaos from Characteristic Arts & Crafts 🧶🌸 — so make sure you pop by and say hello!

With the Games and the market both in full swing, Dunoon is going to be absolutely buzzing today. ❤️

Have an amazing Cowal Games Day, everyone — and I’ll see you on Argyll Street! 🥰🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

27/08/2026

Even small business owners deserve a proper day off every now and again, right? Especially when it coincides with days off from BOTH her day jobs lmao 😂🙈

So today, Characteristic Arts & Crafts is officially CLOSED! 🧶🚫

The office has been tidied away, the crochet hooks are staying firmly put, and I'm spending the day baking, playing video games and generally enjoying having absolutely nothing that I have to do. 💕🎮🍪

Because sometimes resting is productive — especially after a busy Gala and with another big day coming up!

I'll be back refreshed and ready to go for the Cowal Games Street Market this Saturday! 🎉

📍 Argyll Street, Dunoon
🗓️ Saturday
⏰ 10am–3pm

I'll have plenty of your favourite crocheted creatures and handmade goodies with me, so come along, have a wander and say hello! 🥰

For today though... I'm going back to my Pokémon. 😂🎮

27/08/2026

🎄 CHRISTMAS ORDER BOOK IS OPEN! 🎄
Yes... I know it's still August. Don't come for me. 😂

But handmade takes time, and with my little creatures already keeping me VERY busy, I'm officially opening my Christmas 2026 order book! 🧶✨

If you've got a particular cuddly creature, Forever Flora piece or handmade gift in mind for someone this Christmas, now is the perfect time to get your name on the list. ❤️

I'll only be taking a limited number of Christmas orders so that everything can be handmade without me turning into an exhausted little crochet goblin by December. 😂

Drop me a message to chat about what you're looking for! 🎁💕