Let Your Creative Spirit Free. (docrafts.co.uk)

Member Name: QueenElf

Product:	docrafts.co.uk
Date:	02/07/08 (130 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lots to see and do. Things to buy.

Disadvantages: No good for ordering online.

When I was forced to give up work some years ago I found myself at a loose end. After all, I had worked for most of my adult life. I was also a divorced mum trying to give my daughter the best possible life, whilst still being around for her as much as possible. Imagine then wondering what to do after over thirty years of full-time work?
I'd managed to keep up some of my hobbies over the years, but it was hard to find both the time and space to indulge in my painting and sketching. So after giving up work entirely, I looked around for something that would be creative, but also manage to make me a bit of pin money. I chose card-making as this satisfied my creative urge and wasn't as all-consuming as painting or sketching.
My first port of call for craft materials was on Ebay where I soon found myself so carried away by the various products that I was soon running up a fairly hefty bill. Eventually I came to my senses and saw that the materials I was buying didn't really add up to anything that would make a decent card, let alone make a saleable one.
I needed help and there was one place I found on the Internet where help, advice, and wonderful products were available.

~~ The Docrafts site. ~~

I honestly can't remember where I found this site, but I've been a member for about two years now, possibly longer. It's a site that covers most of the outlets available around the country and the various products can be found on sale at these particular stores. I found my shop as a concession inside a large store called The Range. My local one is very large and stocks almost all the various products, and believe me, there are many and varied products available within these stores. In fact, it can be a bit of a nightmare just browsing around the goods and wondering what you can make with the things that you have just bought.

The staff in these stores are as helpul as possible, but they are no experts, so just how do you go about finding someone who can lend a helping hand?
Well there is the online site which has been active for many years now. Craft making is a growing industry with so many people having to take early retirement. (Before the government realised what they were doing, of course). There are various aspects to the site, but I don't want to bore you, so will try and keep each section short.

~~ Finding Your Way Around.~~

The first thing that hits you about this site is the colourful appearance and the sheer welcoming look of it as well as greeting you by name. Joining the site is easy to do and doesn't require loads of passwords, just your name and e-mail address. This is mainly because it started as an information site and not a site that sold products. What it does do is make a kind of crafter's club where people can share their own card-making tips and show their gallery of past and present projects.
The home page describes what you can expect from the docraft name. It also shows you the location of your nearest store once you have joined up online. (this is free).
From there you progress to different sections which will only increase your appetite for more information.

~~ Projects ~~

An invaluable guide to customers old and new and essential for those just wanting to browse. I cheated a bit here and used my frequent online newsletter to see what was new in store. Craft-making is not cheap and sometimes you have to decide where you will buy certain items from. The projects page shows you ideas for all sorts of craft projects, including what is new or seasonal.

~~ Gallery~~

A member's site where you can look through various other peoples efforts and get ideas of your own. This is the one great thing about sharing, you are sure to find something that inspires you.
Once you have made some cards, a scrapbook, jewellery, sewing etc, you can post your own efforts here. It's a good place to show what you can do and also to make friends at the same time. You will not find my own efforts on here as I use other craft outlets as well. I also have my own website, so don't think it completely fair to show my projects on this part of the site.

~~ Events~~

Craft is so popular that many stores now have weekly events where you can attend on that day and watch an expert in action. Once you join the e-mail listings, these events in your area will be sent to you weekly.
These are very popular with goody bags worth about £30 on sale for £9.99.

~~ Products~~

The heart of the site and in some ways the most interesting of all. Although the site is called Docraft, you will find many other names here that come under the general name. Since most of the shops stock products from many other places, it's good to find these online and in the stores if you go to visit. There are links on the site to other suppliers sites, but many of these are still under creation, so one central point for all kinds of crafts is a big plus in anyone's book.
Under this heading you will also find special offers on sale items, new and hot stock, basically anything you need to make a special card, scrapbook, jewellery, embroidered cushion etc. If you have the creative urge, imagination and plenty of time, then you could soon be indulging in a captivating hobby that can also bring in a bit of money as well.
This part of the site is where you can also look for a product by using the online search engine. The basic one is good if you are looking for a particular product, the advanced one is better for finding anything to make a particular project.

~~ Craft Talk ~~

Like any other site, this one has a lively forum which is easy to access. I don't think I need to tell you much more about this. Most dooyoo members have already belonged to other sites so active forums are not that new a concept. Basically it's where members go to "shoot the breeze" and swap ideas.

~~ Stockists ~~

Want to know where you can buy the goods on the website? This part has a postcode search to bring up your nearest stockists. This can prove useful when the concession might be in a number of main stores.

~~ Videos ~~

Watch online as the newest project is explained in easy to understand step-by-step instructions. For an example I have just watched how to make a pop-up card for a child.
I have been making cards for many years now, but there's always something new to learn.

~~ Summary~~

Like any site that is worth visiting, there is a FAQ section, where you can find an answer to most of the questions about the site. You will probably use this a lot in the early stages, there is quite a lot top learn about the site, your membership and the frequent e-mails that you will receive about events, the latest magazine and the newest products.
Don't forget that we are talking about not just one line of products but many and varied. My local store alone has about ten full aisles dedicated to general crafts alone. There is an entirely different section for Painting and Art materials.

The only problem I've found with this site is that offer online ordering, but the proceedure is almost impossible to follow. Better to find what you need onsite and then phone or visit your local store.

If you are completely new to crafting then it can all be a bit overwhelming. After all, there is so much choice and a range of prices to suit the new crafter and the seasoned crafter who is probably one of those people that can spot a bargain a mile off.
One thing you should never do is to lay out a lot of money on what people tell you are essential to making cards, embroidery, glass painting etc.
I have been making my own cards for three years now and I also sell them on my website. The competition is very fierce since it's a popular pastime, but the rewards are worth the effort. I have never laid out a fortune, except for those early days, and now I can spot what will become popular within days of receiving a newsletter.
I slot my hobby in with my writing (stories, poems etc) and my reviews for dooyoo.
My card making is part of who I am now. I enjoy the basic cards I make as much as a one-off that I have been commissioned to do.
The monetary reward may be slight, but this depends on the person. Personally I get a lot of satisfaction in making a one-off card, a Wedding Scrapbook or a Baby Welcome. It's fun, it draws you into a celebration and keeps the old hands from seizing up with arthritis.
Docraft is an excellent starting point. After that you choose what you need from wherever you find the best bargain.

Happy Crafting !

© Lisa Fuller June 2008.

Summary: A great all-round site for Creative Crafts.