I made a decision not to do any craft fairs this year, to take a break and concentrate on making and selling online.
I'll still be visiting a few though, to check them out as possible venues for the future and to review them on here. I'll be reviewing them as both a potential seller and customer, looking at the venue, facilities, number of stands, customer numbers and demographic, quality and diversity of crafts, whether goods are handmade or not, and the general atmosphere of the event.
The first one I plan to visit is the Contemporary Textiles Fair at Landmark Arts Centre in Teddington. It starts on Friday 16th March, open in the evening from 6-8.30pm, and 10-5 Saturday & Sunday 17th/18th March.
"The Contemporary Textiles Fair 2018 brings you over 70 stands featuring the best contemporary textiles in the UK. This annual event is almost unique in its focus on textile artists and makers, unencumbered by suppliers and other craft disciplines. Our exhibitors show and sell a vast range of contemporary textiles, from needle-felted wool portraiture, to silk-knitted garments, stitched mixed media canvases, to geometric weaving."
I've thought about selling at this event for the past couple of years, but wasn't sure whether it would work for me or not, so it will be interesting to see what it's like.
Other events in March/April that I've sold at previously, and might do again, are the Lancing College Craft Show on Saturday & Sunday 7th/8th April and the Farmers & Makers' Fair at Architectural Plants, near Pulborough, on Saturday 31st March.
Both of these are 'handmade-only' events, so there shouldn't be anything bought-in or mass-produced, and sellers/goods are carefully curated and checked by the organisers when booking.
I've sold at Lancing College for a few years, mainly at the October Craft Shows, and really enjoy it there. It's well-organised, friendly and usually quite busy. It's certainly one that I'd consider doing again.
Architectural Plants started their Farmers & Makers' Fairs last year, with the first one in September 2017. I had a stand there and did very well. It was busy, with a good visitor demographic, and had obviously been well-advertised. They followed up with a Christmas Fair in December, which I didn't go to, and they have three more fairs planned for 2018. I hope to visit at least one of them to see how they're doing now, and whether they're still as well-attended as the first one.
Wednesday, 7 March 2018
Tuesday, 6 March 2018
Making Memories 1
Patterns are something I have far too many of - both sewing and knitting patterns.
For many years I made my own clothes and built up a huge collection of sewing patterns - from 1970s Style and Simplicity ones, to 1980s and 1990s Butterick and Vogue Designer ones (I was able to afford them back then!). I made hundreds of dresses, jackets, skirts, blouses, trousers and tops...even a few coats and bridesmaid's dresses. I did get rid of a box of patterns when I moved house - older ones, in smaller sizes that I knew I'd never use again - but I always regretted not keeping the envelopes, or at least photos of the envelopes, so I could recall the many outfits I made.
I also gave away most of the clothes I made over the years - I had far too many in my wardrobe - and often wonder what became of them. I kept a few items, special ones, but most have long gone. Every now and then I see a vintage pattern for sale online that I used to have, so I take a copy of the image and save it in a special file. I still have a few scraps of fabrics that I used as well, so I'm keeping small pieces - I plan to start a scrapbook, with the patterns and fabric scraps, to remind me of all the clothes I made over the years. I've also unearthed a few photos of me wearing items I made, although there aren't many, so I'll include those too.
This is one of the earliest dresses I remember sewing. I made the maxi version to wear to my cousin's wedding in 1970 - it was in a deep royal blue and white and I loved it! I can still recall tacking the massive frills onto the bottom of the dress the night before the wedding, with my Mum's help. We always left it a bit late to make our outfits, but always managed to complete them just in time! I also remember the blue platform shoes with chunky heels I wore with it...so stylish!
For many years I made my own clothes and built up a huge collection of sewing patterns - from 1970s Style and Simplicity ones, to 1980s and 1990s Butterick and Vogue Designer ones (I was able to afford them back then!). I made hundreds of dresses, jackets, skirts, blouses, trousers and tops...even a few coats and bridesmaid's dresses. I did get rid of a box of patterns when I moved house - older ones, in smaller sizes that I knew I'd never use again - but I always regretted not keeping the envelopes, or at least photos of the envelopes, so I could recall the many outfits I made.
I also gave away most of the clothes I made over the years - I had far too many in my wardrobe - and often wonder what became of them. I kept a few items, special ones, but most have long gone. Every now and then I see a vintage pattern for sale online that I used to have, so I take a copy of the image and save it in a special file. I still have a few scraps of fabrics that I used as well, so I'm keeping small pieces - I plan to start a scrapbook, with the patterns and fabric scraps, to remind me of all the clothes I made over the years. I've also unearthed a few photos of me wearing items I made, although there aren't many, so I'll include those too.
This is one of the earliest dresses I remember sewing. I made the maxi version to wear to my cousin's wedding in 1970 - it was in a deep royal blue and white and I loved it! I can still recall tacking the massive frills onto the bottom of the dress the night before the wedding, with my Mum's help. We always left it a bit late to make our outfits, but always managed to complete them just in time! I also remember the blue platform shoes with chunky heels I wore with it...so stylish!
Monday, 5 March 2018
I Love Vintage
One of my other loves is vintage - fabrics, patterns, linens, brooches, books and anything a bit quirky!
I have a massive collection of old linens, lace and doilies, sewing patterns, knitting patterns and yarns stashed up in the loft, and I really, really, need to clear them out and either do something with them or let them go!
I do have some items listed in my Etsy Vintage shop (see link on the right), but there is so much more, it's scary!
My huge collection of vintage brooches is being steadily sold off - some are very hard to part with, as they're so gorgeous - but a girl can only wear so many sparkly brooches, so I'll keep a small collection and reluctantly part with the rest. Here are a few examples currently for sale:
Aren't they stunning? They really brighten up an outfit, especially during the duller months. Great on a jacket or coat, to fasten a shawl or scarf, or to add interest to a hat or bag. Perfect for weddings too, to add a bit of bling to a simple outfit.
The brooches won't clear much space, but it's a start. Tackling the mountain of linens etc is a much bigger challenge. I've used some smaller pieces on my lacy book covers, and made a few cushion covers, but I really need some bigger projects to use them on. I'm thinking patchwork quilts maybe....or long table runners for vintage-style weddings...or more cushions...
I have a massive collection of old linens, lace and doilies, sewing patterns, knitting patterns and yarns stashed up in the loft, and I really, really, need to clear them out and either do something with them or let them go!
I do have some items listed in my Etsy Vintage shop (see link on the right), but there is so much more, it's scary!
My huge collection of vintage brooches is being steadily sold off - some are very hard to part with, as they're so gorgeous - but a girl can only wear so many sparkly brooches, so I'll keep a small collection and reluctantly part with the rest. Here are a few examples currently for sale:
Aren't they stunning? They really brighten up an outfit, especially during the duller months. Great on a jacket or coat, to fasten a shawl or scarf, or to add interest to a hat or bag. Perfect for weddings too, to add a bit of bling to a simple outfit.
The brooches won't clear much space, but it's a start. Tackling the mountain of linens etc is a much bigger challenge. I've used some smaller pieces on my lacy book covers, and made a few cushion covers, but I really need some bigger projects to use them on. I'm thinking patchwork quilts maybe....or long table runners for vintage-style weddings...or more cushions...
Sunday, 4 March 2018
2018 - New Year, New Blog
Welcome back to my blog - it's had a bit of a makeover, with a new name and new colour scheme to celebrate my first post after a gap of four years!
March 2018 has certainly come in like a lion...so let's hope it goes out like a lamb! I could certainly do with some warmth and sunshine after the icy weather of the past week. We got off quite lightly here on the south coast, compared to other parts of the country, with just a thin covering of snow and some icy rain....but, oh, those winds, they were bitingly cold!!
Now the days are getting a bit longer and lighter, I'm feeling more like sewing again. My Etsy shop is pretty slow at this time of year, but I'll be adding more of the 'Kimono' planner covers that have been selling well, and a few more of the 'Indigo' covers, which have also proved to be quite popular.
The new 'Indigo' fabric is lovely - it's cotton but feels more like linen, with a looser weave. The designs are reproductions of traditional Japanese cloth designs, using indigo dyes, and they really are quite special.
The covers come in A6 and A5 sizes, to fit Hobonichi-type planners, or you can buy them with a standard page-a-day diary.
I also have a limited number of 'Batik' planner covers - trimmed with gold, glittery, organza ribbon - in various colours. These are fabrics I picked up at a show last year, and they're gorgeous, but I only bought a FQ of each, so can't repeat them. These are all A5 ones...
...but there are also a few A6 covers without the organza ribbon, such as this one.
I'll be making some more felt very soon. I still have a box full of yummy wool tops and silk fibres that are crying out to be felted, and felt-making is guaranteed to warm me up on a chilly day. It's a bit hard on my dodgy shoulders, so I have to limit the hours I spend rolling it, but it's well worth the effort to create such lovely, tactile fabric.
So, that's my week planned. Have a good one!
March 2018 has certainly come in like a lion...so let's hope it goes out like a lamb! I could certainly do with some warmth and sunshine after the icy weather of the past week. We got off quite lightly here on the south coast, compared to other parts of the country, with just a thin covering of snow and some icy rain....but, oh, those winds, they were bitingly cold!!
Now the days are getting a bit longer and lighter, I'm feeling more like sewing again. My Etsy shop is pretty slow at this time of year, but I'll be adding more of the 'Kimono' planner covers that have been selling well, and a few more of the 'Indigo' covers, which have also proved to be quite popular.
The new 'Indigo' fabric is lovely - it's cotton but feels more like linen, with a looser weave. The designs are reproductions of traditional Japanese cloth designs, using indigo dyes, and they really are quite special.
I also have a limited number of 'Batik' planner covers - trimmed with gold, glittery, organza ribbon - in various colours. These are fabrics I picked up at a show last year, and they're gorgeous, but I only bought a FQ of each, so can't repeat them. These are all A5 ones...
...but there are also a few A6 covers without the organza ribbon, such as this one.
I'll be making some more felt very soon. I still have a box full of yummy wool tops and silk fibres that are crying out to be felted, and felt-making is guaranteed to warm me up on a chilly day. It's a bit hard on my dodgy shoulders, so I have to limit the hours I spend rolling it, but it's well worth the effort to create such lovely, tactile fabric.
So, that's my week planned. Have a good one!
Sunday, 13 July 2014
NEW! Workshop in a Box
NEW! You can now purchase a 'takeaway' version of my felt-making workshop.
'Introduction to Felt-making: Workshop in a Box' is now available to buy online and at craft fairs.
The box includes clear, printed instructions and all the materials and equipment you need to start making felt (just add water!).
A great gift idea at just £19.50 plus postage. Contact me on my website to order one.
'Introduction to Felt-making: Workshop in a Box' is now available to buy online and at craft fairs.
The box includes clear, printed instructions and all the materials and equipment you need to start making felt (just add water!).
A great gift idea at just £19.50 plus postage. Contact me on my website to order one.
Saturday, 10 May 2014
Summer Craft Fairs Begin...
My first summer fair of the year takes place at the end of this month at Knepp Castle, in West Sussex. The 2014 Floral Fringe Fair is a quirky, arty, foodie, quintessentially English country fair - with a vintage twist - that celebrates locally produced food and crafts, wildlife and wild flowers, plants, gardens and all things natural. It's open from 10.30am to 5pm each day over the weekend of 31st May/1st June.
There will be vintage cars, vintage tea rooms, traditional music and dance, picnics by the lake, open gardens, great food and wonderful crafts, all sprinkled with a bit of English eccentricity. I can't wait!! Join us if you can, and bring along the sunshine.
There will be vintage cars, vintage tea rooms, traditional music and dance, picnics by the lake, open gardens, great food and wonderful crafts, all sprinkled with a bit of English eccentricity. I can't wait!! Join us if you can, and bring along the sunshine.
Saturday, 7 December 2013
Directory of 'handmade-only' craft fairs
I've attended (as a seller) and visited (as a buyer) quite a lot of 'craft fairs' over the past year or two, and am increasingly frustrated by the inclusion of sellers who either buy-in products or have them made by someone else, usually a factory somewhere miles away.
Are there any 'handmade-only' craft fairs out there, where products have to be designed AND made by the person selling them? I'm only aware of a handful, but would like to promote those and any others that cherish and support genuine handmade crafts.
Are there any 'handmade-only' craft fairs out there, where products have to be designed AND made by the person selling them? I'm only aware of a handful, but would like to promote those and any others that cherish and support genuine handmade crafts.
I'm going to add a Directory of Craft Fairs to my blog, and will be very happy to include any that sell only handmade crafts. They must be fairs that are held on a regular basis (at least annually), anywhere in the UK, and must include the condition that 'all goods are designed and handmade by the seller'.
If you know of any and would like them added, please let me know.
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