Rockin’ Threads Creations Blog

Willeke Koren Willeke Koren

🌼 Joy, Warmth & Chrysanthemums — November’s Bloom and a Little Update from the Studio

November has arrived — the air is crisp, the tea mugs are warm, and Christmas is just around the corner! 🎄✨
Here at Rockin’ Threads Creations, I can already feel the festive buzz as orders start to pick up quickly. It’s such a joy seeing so many of you choosing my crocheted flowers as heartfelt gifts this year.

If you’re planning to gift one of my blooms in time for Christmas, please note:
📦 Last UK shipping date: 17th December
🌍 Last international shipping date: 10th December
So, if you’ve had your eye on something special, now’s the perfect time to order to make sure your flowers arrive in time for the big day! 🌸🎁

A Little Studio Update

Last weekend, I attended the MK Handmade & Vintage Fair, and while it was lovely to meet so many wonderful people and chat about my flowers, it didn’t quite go as I’d hoped. After attending several fairs this year (and many cups of coffee while reflecting), I’ve decided to step back from craft fairs for a while.

I truly love the connection and conversations that come from meeting you all in person — that part I’ll really miss! But the cost of attending and slower sales have made me realise it’s time to focus my energy where it matters most: on my Etsy shop, website, and Love Local Hub MK. These spaces allow me to share my creations with you all over the world — and keep that same personal touch, just without the chilly halls and long setup days! 😉

The Meaning Behind November’s Flower — The Chrysanthemum

The Chrysanthemum has long been a symbol of joy, friendship, and resilience — qualities that feel especially meaningful as we approach the end of the year. In Japan, it’s even called the “flower of happiness,” reminding us to find light and warmth, even on the shortest days. 🌞

Paired with Topaz, November’s birthstone crystal, this duo radiates positive energy and calm strength — perfect for keeping your spirits high and your heart glowing as winter settles in.

In the Studio

My studio has been bursting with autumn tones lately — shades of red, rust, and creamy white — as I’ve been crocheting new chrysanthemums. Each bloom captures that cozy November feeling: soft blankets, flickering candles, and the last burst of colour before winter arrives.

If you or someone you love celebrates a November birthday, a crocheted chrysanthemum makes the perfect lasting gift — a flower that never fades, symbolising happiness and love. 🌼

👉 Shop the Chrysanthemum Collection
👉 Read more about all the Birth Month Flowers here

🌸 Join the Rockin’ Threads Creations Newsletter

Love learning about birth flowers and their meanings? 💐
Sign up for my monthly Rockin’ Threads Creations Newsletter and receive a FREE digital Birth Month Flower Calendar — beautifully designed and perfect for adding a touch of floral joy to your home or workspace.

Sign up here and get your free calendar!

With warm stitches and autumn cheer,
Willeke
Rockin’ Threads Creations – Where flowers last forever

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Willeke Koren Willeke Koren

✨ Behind the Scenes: Dahlias, Craft Fair Prep & a Dash of Rock ’n Roll!

Hi lovely readers,

I know I’m a bit late posting this week, but I didn’t want to skip out completely. As we head deeper into autumn and closer to the craft fair and holiday season, things are getting busier than ever here at Rockin’ Threads Creations! Between making new stock, updating my listings, and, of course, crocheting, it’s full steam ahead in my little creative corner.

Lately, I’ve also been working on some new social media content and videos. One of them gives you a peek behind the scenes at how long it really takes to make a crocheted Dahlia flower. Spoiler alert — it’s not a quick job! Each one takes roughly eight hours from start to finish.

Don’t worry though — I’ve sped the video up to just one minute, because I wouldn’t dream of boring you with an eight-hour crochet marathon. 😄 Each petal, each layer, every stitch is made with care and attention to detail, and that’s what makes each piece unique. It’s also why pricing handmade work can be such a challenge — I never want to exclude anyone from enjoying my flowers, but like everyone else, I’ve got bills to pay (and sadly, the lottery hasn’t decided to fund my yarn addiction just yet!).

So, grab yourself a hot brew and settle in — here’s what’s been going on at Rockin’ Threads Creations lately. ☕💐

What’s Happening Behind the Scenes 🌸

As I mentioned before, I’m preparing for the MK Handmade & Vintage Winter Fair, which takes place from Friday the 31st of October until Sunday the 2nd of November.

It’s not just about building up stock — I’ve been putting a lot of thought into how I want my stall to look this year. I’ve ordered new backdrops and have been sketching out ideas for my setup. (I’ll probably rope Alex into helping soon so we can do a little test run at home — fingers crossed it all comes together the way I imagine!)

And of course, it’s also time to spread the word. This is where you can help — tell your friends and family that I’ll be at the MK Handmade & Vintage Winter Fair! If they’re after an everlasting flower or a unique handmade gift, this is the perfect time to find it.

October’s Birth Month Flowers 🌼

October is the month of the Marigold, a flower that symbolises warmth, passion, and creativity. But did you know that October actually has two birth flowers? The second one is the Cosmos, also known as the Tiger Flower or Mexican Aster.

The Cosmos symbolises balance, harmony, peace, and modesty — beautiful traits to reflect on as we move through the season of change. I don’t have a crocheted version of this one yet, but never say never! It might make its debut in the future.

Would you like to see a crocheted Cosmos flower from me one day? I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below!

A Touch of Rock ’n’ Roll 🎸

On the personal side of things — we’re heading out tomorrow to see a Dutch Rock ’n’ Roll band called The Explosion Rockets! They’re doing only two gigs in the UK this year. One of them is tonight in Wales (a bit too far for us), so we’ve got tickets for their Swindon show tomorrow instead.

I’m really looking forward to catching up with my sister and her family, who are the band’s road managers for the weekend. And yes, I’m finally getting the chance to dress up again — vintage dress, petticoat, and all! Though after a few too many “quality control” snack breaks while crocheting, it might be a bit of a squeeze. 😅

What about you? Do you have any fun plans for the weekend?

That’s all from me for this week. Thank you for following along with all things Rockin’ Threads Creations — I can’t wait to share more behind-the-scenes peeks, new designs, and crafty adventures soon.

Until next time,
Willeke 🌸
Rockin’ Threads Creations

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Willeke Koren Willeke Koren

Why Handmade Matters More Than Ever – The Heart Behind Every Stitch

Hi lovely,

This week’s post is a little different — it’s educational but still full of hope, heart, and handmade love. 💕

I just want to let you know how things work here at Rockin’ Threads Creations and give you some insights into how it all affects my small handmade business — the time, love, and care that go into every single piece, and why handmade truly matters more than ever. 🌷

As autumn settles in, the world outside bursts into colour, and indoors my crochet hook is flying! I’ve been busy making stock for the upcoming winter fairs and festive season — including my absolute showstopper: a stunning crocheted Christmas tree. This Christmas Tree is only available at the MK Vintage & Craft Fair or as commission order. Get in touch if you are interested. 🎄

💕 The Heart Behind Every Flower

Each crocheted flower I make takes hours — not minutes. Every petal, leaf, and stem is created with care, patience, and love. 🌸

What makes crochet truly special is that it can’t be done by a machine — every single stitch must be made by hand. That means every flower you see from Rockin’ Threads Creations is completely handmade, one loop at a time. 🧶✨

When you buy a crocheted flower from me, you’re not just getting a decoration — you’re getting a piece of art filled with time, warmth, and soul.

🌿 Why Handmade Matters More Than Ever

You might have seen crocheted flowers popping up on sites like Temu for unbelievably low prices. While tempting, these prices often come at a high cost — both to people and to small artists.

🧵 Ethical and labour concerns: Many mass-produced crochet items are made under poor working conditions, sometimes involving unethical labour practices.
🌸 Design theft: Sites like Temu are known for copying designs from small crochet artists without consent or compensation. I use patterns of designers but I always buy the pattern and ask if it is ok to sell the finished product.
💔 Impact on small businesses: Some people even buy these mass-produced flowers and resell them on Etsy or at craft fairs, falsely advertising them as handmade — still at “too good to be true” prices. This hurts genuine makers and confuses buyers.

That’s why buying handmade truly matters. It keeps creativity alive, supports ethical craftsmanship, and ensures that your purchase carries a story — one made by human hands and a caring heart. 💖

🛍️ Shop Small, Support Local

If you love discovering unique handmade creations, visit Love Local Hub MK in Milton Keynes City Centre. It’s home to so many incredible small handmade businesses — including Rockin’ Threads Creations! You’ll find one-of-a-kind pieces made with heart, not haste.

💌 Spread the Handmade Love

If you love what I do, help me grow this community of makers and flower lovers! Invite your friends and family to subscribe to the newsletter and be part of the handmade movement. Together, we can keep craftsmanship alive. 🌷

Rockin’ Threads Creations — handmade with heart, not haste.
🧵 Follow on Instagram | 🌸 Visit on Etsy | 🛍️ Shop at Love Local Hub MK

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