To lay the table in a trice we use these slate placemats (£43.80 for four). They look great on wood or wicker garden tables and are food safe, so you can serve cheese and bread straight from the slate surface, as well as creating a setting with them. If it rains, they look great indoors, too.

To be ready for barbecuing, we’ve planted herbs we can use fresh in this patio table planter (£40). It’s made from reclaimed oak, and looks great on the table or you could group a few on a plant stand.

To serve afternoon tea, we pile up the sweet treats on this upcycled cake stand (£17.50), so friends and family can each pick a favourite cake. We love its vintage style, too.

To create a pretty look, we’ve complemented the flowers and shrubs in our garden with a sculpture. This sea horse (£105) is made from reclaimed sandstone, and helps make a terrace or patio look fabulous.

To make time outdoors even more relaxing, we’ve hung a dancing trees mobile (£16). Spinning gently in the breeze and sparkling in the sunlight, it’s the perfect focal point, distracting from worries and helping you enjoy the moment.

Share your tips on getting set for time in the garden onTwitter @MakeTheMostOfUK. We’d love to hear from you.

‘Why write this blog? Well, I read something inspirational recently on a website which can be summed up as, "Do you not tell anyone you’re selling because you are afraid of failing?" This rung slightly true with me.

'All my family and friends know I do this, but am I afraid it will become more than just a few sales, or do I really want it to take off and make some real money in order to live off it? I, like many artisans, have a dream of success, but being creative alone is not enough for your products to make you a living: you must also plan and act on plans.

'Recently, I have been in discussions with various groups in order to try to secure a couple of big show events later in the year. Although very expensive, I believe that joining forces with like-minded people will allow me to experience the market, share the anxiety, fun and hopefully success, as well as advertising this fantastic website and enabling customers to see the quality first hand.

'More importantly, it will focus me to ensure I create enough stock level to meet the anticipated demands. In both 2011 and 2012, I under-anticipated Christmas stock levels and in December struggled to keep up, so I am determined this year to be prepared by August – products, promotional literature and photos. This is hard to think about early in the year, but I know it must happen if I want it to succeed. This will definitely tell 300,000 people I exist – this surely will satisfy my first statement.

'Valentine’s Day passed me by, and I was slightly better at Mothers’ Day and then the wedding season – all events for which jewellery is a key special gift. I have been working on some heart designs in glass, ready for wedding season and then next February.

'For me, designing is the hard part – making the first piece, getting feedback, re-trying until someone is prepared to pay the correct market price. Non-artisans often think designs just come and get made on the workbench, but when you buy a piece from any artisan – it will have been thought about for hours in one way or another.'

Pam Peters, Silversmith and Glass Artist

Take a look at a selection of Pam’s fabulous jewellery:

Top row, from left: Silver cufflinks with side bar pattern, £55

Ring, example of Pam’s bespoke commissions, price on application

Daisy made to order stacker ring, £100

Second row, from left: Love letter pendant necklace, from £40

Stephanie link bracelet, £120

Palette silver bracelet, £280

Get more Make The Most Of news on on Twitter @MakeTheMostOfUK.

Driftwood mobile

Inside or outside, the dancing trees mobile (£16), made by Sarah E Wilson will catch the light beautifully as it spins in the breeze. It’ll take you straight to the beach with its combination of driftwood and seashells – as well as pretty glass beads – and its fishing twine hanging.

Beach huts artwork

Made in fused glass, this beach picture (£45) from Pam Peters, looks fabulous hanging in a window, but works on a wall, too, recreating a classic British coastal scene.

Cafetière cosy

You can almost smell that sea breeze as you have your morning coffee when you use the beach hut cafetière cosy (£61.50) by Linda Pugh to keep the pot warm. In felted merino wool, it feels ultra luxurious, too.

Nautical bunting

A fabulous way to dress up a kitchen, living space or kid’s room, our nautical bunting (£34.45) is made by Yvie Johnson, who hand paints the designs onto wood against a backdrop of muted blues and greens.

Travel journal

Planning a trip to the beach in the UK or further afield? This personalised travel journal (£29.50) will help you get organised. Made by Sue Gray with a linen and cotton embroidered cover, it’s made to last as you can pop in a new notebook when you’ve finished the one it’s supplied with.

Seaside canvas

When you don’t have a coastal view of your own, hang one on the wall with our original seaside canvas (£65). Made by Hollie Caley in watercolour and mixed media on canvas, it has unique style.

Love coastal style? Tell us about your favourite seaside-themed buys on Twitter @MakeTheMostOfUK.

'I am only happy to sell my wreaths if I’d be happy to hang them on my own front door. Above, you can see me assembling and making - plus a finished wreath. Every piece is so unique that I find it hard not to keep it for myself! I am just so pleased to have met up with Louise and Lynne from Makethemostof.co.uk – they have given me the break I needed to turn the love of my craft into a business.'

Where I find wreath materials

'I like to upcycle and scour car boot sales in search of hidden gems. I’m always on the look out to find what I can use to create a design I’ve thought of. Charity shops are my first port of call on a visit to any town I may be visiting or passing through. Even on holidays with my family in our camper van I’m always on the look out for bits and bobs I can buy to add to a project. Although I try to upcycle as much as possible, I also have to buy in materials to achieve that certain desired look especially for specialised designs, such as wedding or seasonal wreaths.'

Why fabric door wreaths?

'When researching, I found out that North Americans seemed to be very big on door wreaths, from a show of patriotism to simply welcoming in the seasons. This gave me inspiration to design my own fabric door wreaths, or indeed a wreath to hang practically anywhere in the home. I started simply by making rag-style wreaths, then began to add crystal beads, sequins and tails. I like to make the tails on my wreaths my trademark niche that stands out from the rest.'

My ivy twig wreaths

'Every Christmas my Mum would (and still does!) go foraging in the woods behind her house and then make pretty door wreaths from holly and ivy. Last year I wondered what I could do with the idea of using this method to create something that would last not just one season, but for many years. I now regularly go foraging in the same woods (which happen to surround a medieval castle) and collect fresh ivy vines, which I strip of their leaves and twist into the desired shaped while still damp to create a naturally beautiful wreath base I can then make my designs around. I am currently working on combining the natural beauty of the ivy vines with crochet flowers.'

Solid frame wreaths - my new designs

'I have recently begun on new designs using fabric-wrapped solid wreath forms. These ideas are currently in the very early design process and include use of ribbons, lace and crystal beads finished off with secondhand and vintage brooches, many of which are encrusted with lots of sparkly stones.'

'As summer approaches, I aim to release my nautical range too… Watch this space!'

Fabric centrepieces for weddings

'Fabric wreath-style table centrepieces for weddings and other occasions are another project in the making. Again, with hanging tails and lots and lots of sparkly fabric to catch the light given off by the central candlelight.'

Garden patio lanterns

'I am currently upcycling glass jars and turning them into garden/patio lanterns, too. By covering the jars with sheer organza fabric, lace and nets, the light shines through perfectly for those long summer nights… As I like to work with crystal beads on wire, ribbons and sequins, it’s no surprise that I like to decorate the jars with these too! Each lantern is supplied with a battery-powered tealight.'

Frances has a wide range of wreaths, from the multi-coloured fabric wreath shown above (£28) to the perfect-for-weddings linen heart wreath (£28). You can also commission Frances or ask her to make you a bespoke wreath (£28) to suit your decor.

Want to keep up with our latest artisans and products? Follow us on Twitter @MaketheMostofUK - and let us know if you'd like to join us!

Square basket, £38

I love these baskets - one of a collection of shapes and sizes made by the talented Ted Bruce. What would I use these baskets for? Displaying dried flowers, piling logs by the fireplace, heaping toys onto in a kids' room, carrying laundry up and down the stairs, as a gardening trug... You name it, I'd find a use for it. In fact, one might not be enough.

Plastic bag organiser, £19.85

Groan... I looked under the kitchen sink this weekend to be confronted by a swelling mass of plastic bags from the supermarket. No matter how many times I intend to take my shopping bag out with me, there's always an occasion when I pop in unexpectedly and don't have it. So, I've bought myself one of these by Shirley Price, hung it on a hook by the front door - and done away with all excuses for forgetting to take a couple of recycled bags out with me every time I leave the house.

Chalk board, £40

While I was hanging up the plastic bag organiser, I hit upon the idea of doing away with the various piles of shopping lists and reminder notes I've written for myself and replacing it with this handy (and may I say good looking) driftwood chalk board by Sarah Wilson. Getting there!

Peg bag, £18.35

I swore to myself, as I hunted for fallen pegs on the lawn this weekend (found one with my bare foot - ouch!), that I'd finally get myself a peg bag. It can hang on the line in the summer and look decorative in the kitchen when it's wet. And I'll ALWAYS be able to find pegs quickly. Another great buy from Shirley Price.

Fabric Memory Board, £13.50

I have to admit to having invested in more than one of these - one for practical stuff, like receipts, train tickets and vouchers, the other for memories: postcards, wedding invitations and pictures. They're sooo handy for all those bits of paper none of us can function without... but hate to look at when they're piled up. Available in various sizes and fabrics from Sian Walker, they're a must-have.

Got any fantastic tidying tips to share? Post them to us on Twitter @Makethemostofuk

The shop moves into its third month since opening and each week brings new contacts, new makers and new customers. A rhythm is beginning to develop and I am learning what matters to the people who call in to the shop.

Denbigh - or Dinbych - is turning out to have some similarities to Caerwys, not least, the role of a shop as a gathering place.

The Make the Most of Shop in Dinbych

Given the concerns about our high streets nationally and how to keep them viable, I have had plenty of food for thought lately. Virtually everyone who calls into the shop loves its atmosphere and the fact that it’s an interesting space. The shop offers an antidote to the corporate shopping experience. It’s personal, eclectic and at times idiosyncratic. In other words, there is something of us all at work here!

Kids are doing it for themselves

Today, as the shop was closing, Ann arrived. She was calling to replace the pieces I’d sold through February. Ann works at Ysgol Plas Bron Dyffryn (Dufrin). This is a school for pupils with special educational needs. Their Young Enterprise scheme has a product which is so brilliantly simple and yet so arresting that I think genius is at work here. Ann buys eco-friendly, plain jute bags and the pupils needlefelt a decorative panel. The completed product is then sold and the proceeds go to the school.

The pupils develop a skill and an understanding of money and generate income, customers get a practical and beautiful product and the school gets a continuous income. A win, win, win situation.

It may be small scale but how fabulous is this story? Proof that winning does not have to mean that someone must lose. Everyone wins. I think we need to tell our political leaders about this revolutionary concept!

Find out more about our work and the shop in Dinbych and let us know about your local business battles on Twitter @Makethemostofuk

Poor dads – their national day takes second place to Mother's Day (let's be honest!). So we were surprised to discover that it's a day that's been celebrated for more than 100 years, starting in 1910 in the USA. Like Mother's Day, we think Father's Day shouldn't be about quick commercialism. We think dads deserve a great gift that not only shows how much we appreciate them all year round, but also one that won't break, go out of fashion or say 'I just found this in the bargain bin at the local garage'. Looking for something special? Shop here...

1 A leather wristband

If your dad is a jewellery lover, this wristband will make a unique and unusual gift. Handcrafted by Rob Ross from 225 year old Russian reindeer leather recovered from the wreck of the Metta Catharina, which sank in the Plymouth Sound on 10 December 1786, it comes with a photo showing the recovery of some of the hides, and a signed certificate of authenticity.

Club together with the rest of the family to buy it for £99.60.

2 Silver cufflinks

Dad still young enough to hit the office on a daily basis? He will always appreciate a pair of cufflinks. These silver cufflinks are made by Pam Peters, who mainly works in sterling silver, and look good on a dress shirt, too.

They cost £55.

3 Walking sticks

Perfect for keen walkers, these whittled walking sticks look great leant up against the wall by the front door, too. Created by 11 year old (yes, really) Christy Owens, each hazel stick is carefully selected from family-owned ancient woodlands.

They cost £23 each.

4 A piece of affordable art

We’ve got tons of artwork in our Men’s Gifts section, from modern photography, such as this Cafe Kino print by photographic artist Sian Tudor, to original oil paintings (that you'll need a bigger budget for) to more affordable limited edition prints.

Print only, £18; also available as a canvas and block mounted.

5 Nightlight Globee

If your dad has a home office, this is the perfect buy for him. The Globee by David and Harriot Sinclair doesn’t just look good as a piece of art – it lights up, too, creating unique accent lighting for a desk. The nightlights are available depicting a range of the world’s most famous cities, and come with a fact-packed booklet.

Globees cost £24.90 each.

Follow us on Twitter @MakeTheMostOfUK for regular tips, tricks and the latest additions to our collection - and let us know what you'd like as a gift for Father's Day or if you've bought anything unusual for your dad!

Find more gift ideas in our Pinterest board, too!

Add a mirror

Or better still, add two mirrors. It’s the simplest way to make sure your room is light filled, and when there are no shady corners, every space feels bigger. One mirror works perfectly, but placing two opposite to each other keeps the reflections going. Plain mirrors work fine, but who wants to miss the opportunity to buy a design with a fabulous frame like this round driftwood mirror, from £170?

Improve the lighting 

If you’re relying on a single central pendant to light up a living space or bedroom, parts of the area will be gloomy when the sun goes down – and your room will look smaller. To light a room fully you need layers of light, including floor and table lamps. Tired of your existing lights? You don’t need a whole new version, simply swap the shade. Each one of our handmade 1st class lampshades, £36, is unique.

Get clever with colour

Walls painted or wallpapered in dark colours will appear closer than they really are because they absorb light, so if you want to stretch your room’s dimensions, pale tints are the solution. This doesn’t mean boring walls, though. You can still add pictures to give the space style and character – and if what you pick is pale and light reflective, like our tawny owl wall art, £48.95, so much the better.

Sort out your clutter

Nothing compromises the spacious feel of a room quicker than an accumulation of, well, stuff. A good sort out, recycling and donations to charity work wonders, of course, but when you’ve done that, add in the storage you need and your room will feel bigger instantly. Choose designs that earn their place in your scheme. Our oval shopper basket, £52, is perfect for magazines, newspapers and more and adds natural beauty to your room.

Remember your windows

Are your curtains covering up part of your window even when they’re open? Is your blind blocking the top of it? Then you aren’t making the most of the natural light that’ll make your space seem bigger. Fit a wider curtain pole or swap a roman blind for a roller that’ll pull right up. Or why not leave the window undressed if you aren’t overlooked? If it looks a little bare, simply dress it up. Our pink heart garland, £18.50, will look pretty.

Follow us on Twitter @MakeTheMostOfUK for regular tips, tricks and the latest additions to our collection.

1. Change the view

How to do it: If what you see from your window isn’t the idyllic summer scene you’d like it to be, hang artwork that gives you a new view.

Result: A vista you’ll love and, if you choose a sunny picture, a real boost to your mood.

Try this: Country cottage garden original hand-painted and embroidered picture, £85

2. Get a new look

How to do it: Dress the bed with a patchwork quilt and give it a touch of modern country style in an instant.

Result: A different scheme for your bedroom without having to swap all the bed linen for new designs.

Try this: Patchwork quilt, £142

3. Freshen up

How to do it: Open windows and doors and let in the air. Rooms that have been tightly sealed in the cold weather can feel stuffy – and make you feel tired.

Result: Better air quality all round your home. Just make sure your doors don’t slam by using a doorstop.

Try this: Stanley dogs doorstop, £16.20

4. Bring in nature

How to do it: Show off decorative accessories made from organic materials rather than manmade versions.

Result: An interior with objects you want to touch as well as admire, and a closer connection with the outdoors even when you have to be inside.

Try this: Standing hearts, £45

5. Dine out – or at least be ready

How to do it: Plant up herbs, and swap dried for fresh.

Result: A fab centrepiece for your table as soon as you can eat in the garden, as well as better tasting meals now.

Try this: Patio table planter, £40

How do you like to get your home ready for summer? Tell us on Twitter @MakeTheMostOfUK.