Showing posts with label craft fayres. Show all posts
Showing posts with label craft fayres. Show all posts

Friday, 24 April 2015

Upcycled Display Case

Totally inspired by this blog post from Honey Girl Studio I've been after a hard-sided suitcase for a little while. Luckily we're very well-provisioned with charity shops in my town, and one even has a specialised vintage section, which is where I found this:



Isn't she a beaut? The clips work perfectly and it even had two original keys with it. I decided to use wooden pegs covered with the washi tape I've used on the rest of my display to make it tie in, and when I tried those against the lining I found they matched very well, so hurrah - no need to alter the interior! 



This was my first rough layout, using a board I'd used for display previously for size as I knew they were still stocked in my local Wilkinson (and for just £2!). I decided on two rows of pegs for necklaces on the left, and pegs for cards with earrings on under the board. I'd at this point not decided what would go on the cork board (impulsive, moi??)! So the next stage was using blu-tak to mock up the layout and check distances etc.


This was a very useful stage as it helped me to realise I'd need to stagger the pegs for necklaces to allow the upper row space to hang properly. The pegs were then glued down (I used acrylic glue and it seems to be holding well so far, touch wood!) and a new cork board painted and trimmed with lace & more washi tape. For the pendants I made swing tags to hang over the pegs to clearly display the price & any other details from the same Kraft card tags I used for the earrings plus some blue & white twine I had.


The cork board I had a little more trouble attaching due to the slight curve of the outside of the case, so in the end I used Command Strip(TM) picture strips and they were brilliant. Then it was just a case of working out what was to go where!



This Saturday will be the case's first official outing, at De Bradelei Mill in Belper, and I'm very looking forward to seeing how it all works together! I'll be sure to post some 'in use' pictures when it's all set up.





Sunday, 2 November 2014

Christmas is coming...

With seven (SEVEN!?!) events in November, its definitely gearing up for Christmas! Popular so far have been these wine glass charms, an evolution from my butterfly jewellery.


Each charm is totally individual. I tend to use the shapes & patterns from nature but change the colourway, often making it more vivid - after all, once your glass has been refilled a few times you still want to recognise which one is yours, without having to squint!

I've even managed to source some good quality gift boxes for them too, meaning less faffing with cellotape in the run up to the Big Day. This weekend I've been working on a commission of a set of charms using British birds, a bit of a challenge but I'm thrilled with how they've turned out, and I'll be quite sad to see them go! 



With three young children, I'm also chock a block with Christmas prep for the family. Last year I did nearly all of my Christmas shopping from artists & crafters and it was so much fun I'll be doing the same again this year. Just this week I got a fab parcel of goodies from the wonderful Seana Doherty art. Obviously I can't share the contents with you yet, but her page is definitely worth a look - just look at these lovely hearts!

Seana Doherty Art
My order books for pre-Christmas delivery will be closing on 30th November, but I will be posting in stock items from my website up until 15th December. I'll update on my Facebook page if I have to change these dates. 


Tuesday, 23 September 2014

Where to Find Me 2014


I've been busy busy booking in lots of events to take me into the Festive period. Below are the details of the fairs and markets I'll be at, hopefully see you there!

Saturday 27th SEPTEMBER: "We Make It" Artisan Fair, De Bradelei Mills, Belper, DE56 1AR 9.30am-5pm

Saturday 18th OCTOBER: Cathedral Quarter Arts & Craft Fair, Derby Guildhall (off Market Place) 10am-4pm

Friday 24th & Saturday 25th OCTOBER: "We Make It" Artisan Fair, De Bradelei Mills, Belper, DE56 1AR 9.30am-5pm

Saturday 1st NOVEMBER: Attenborough Autumn Craft Fair, in aid of Christian Aid, Attenborough Village Hall, Attenborough Lane NG9 5HZ 10am-12 noon

Saturday 15th NOVEMBER: Craft & Gift Fair in aid of MS Society, Spondon Village Hall, Spondon, DE21 7FG 9.30am-1.30pm

Sunday 16th NOVEMBER: Mansfield Lights Switch On, Westgate, Mansfield 10am-6pm

Saturday 29th - Sunday 30th NOVEMBER: Festive Craft Fair as part of Open Studios, Long Eaton Art Rooms, Lime Grove, Long Eaton NG10 4LD 10am-4pm

Monday, 23 June 2014

Craft Fair Display Revamp


I've been tweaking my craft fair display recently. In the main I've used metal shelf raisers from Ikea and pinboards from Wilkinson that have been spray painted.



To tie everything together and add a splash of my beloved teal to an otherwise monochrome scheme I managed to find a twin pack of washi tape (again from Wilkinsons - bargain!), which together with a little lace create the large display boards.


These are then placed on display easels (I found The Works to be cheapest), which can be bolted down with g-clamps for outdoor events.


The new pendants on chain caused me a little head scratching before I remembered this box. I think it originally housed a toiletries gift set but has been holding tealights in a cupboard forever! I think it works pretty well as I've been able to use the clasp to attach them at the back and a simple tent card slots in nicely to label them.

Overall I'm pretty happy with the effect, and for very little outlay too!

Monday, 16 June 2014

Poor Neglected Blog! New Products and Upcoming Events

Poor poor blog, how I have neglected you! Lots have happened since my last post. I am now stocked in a real bricks and mortar shop! Ragdoll Embroidery & Gifts in Arnold have a lovely range of handcrafted gorgeousness and are having lots of fab crafty events too, including an upcoming Pattern Swap for charity, check it out!


My new jewellery range is the Rose Collection. These handcrafted polymer clay roses are available in all the colours of the rainbow and can be ordered as pendants (£16.50), hair grips (£6.50), cufflinks (£10), stud earrings (£6.50) or a brooch (£15). Until Saturday there's also a giveaway on this range to enter via my Facebook page.


This week I'm building up to the Furthest From the Sea festival in Derby. I'm taking part in the craft fair around the Guildhall area, but there's also comedy, music, street performances and craft workshops taking place all over Derby Cathedral Quarter.

Thursday, 17 October 2013

Christmassy Makes!

As I have so many markets coming up as we head towards Christmas I thought I'd have a go at some fun 'stocking fillers'. These earrings are pure Christmas, and just £2 a pair (or £4 if you prefer sterling silver hooks), making them perfect for the office Christmas lunch!


And I just love these charm bracelets, available in child or adult size, with green or red ribbon and your choice of charms. Again, perfect price for a stocking filler, just £4.50.


These are the events I'm at in the build-up to the festive period, hope to see some of you there!

OCTOBER
Saturday 26th - Derby Arts & Crafts Fayre, Market Hall, Tenant Street, Derby DE1 2DB 10am-4pm https://www.facebook.com/derbyartsandcraftsfayre 

Thursday 31st - SpiritualEyes investigation at Gresley Old Hall, Swadlincote https://www.facebook.com/events/549063768465578/ 

NOVEMBER
Saturday 9th - Mind, Body & Spirit Event at Derby Spiritualist Church, Charnwood Street, Derby DE1 2GU 10am-4pm https://www.facebook.com/events/525126530901824/ 

Tuesday 26th - SpiritualEyes investigation at Tutbury Castle, Tutbury https://www.facebook.com/events/1383526548527066/ 

Thursday 28th - Treetops Hospice Christmas Shopping Event, Derby Road, Risley, Derbyshire, DE72 3SS 7pm-9.30pm https://www.facebook.com/events/192282284278271/ 

Saturday 30th - Derby Arts & Crafts Fayre, Market Hall, Tenant Street, Derby DE1 2DB 10am-4pm https://www.facebook.com/derbyartsandcraftsfayre 

DECEMBER
Saturday 7th - Christmas Craft & Gift Fair at St Peter's Church, St Peter's Street, Derby DE1 1SN 10.30am-3pm

Saturday, 14 September 2013

DIY Metal Bookmark Display


I have wasted spent many an hour on Pinterest looking at jewellery displays for craft markets. I've worked on a new table layout for my upcoming events, but I was very stuck on how best to display my beaded bookmarks and bag charms.

So, inspired by this image, I decided to have a go at making my own. Starting with an Ikea RIBBA picture frame, I painted the back board in black poster paint. Once this had dried I laid two lengths of thin ribbon around the frame, leaving the ends loose and untied at the side (well, this isn't what I actually did, but is what I'd do if I tried again!). I then replaced the glass and back board and secured the clips. I then pulled the ribbon tight and tied the ends, snipping them close to the knot.


I'm quite pleased with the finished article, it fits in quite nicely with my new logo, and I'm very excited about using it on my table at Derby Arts & Craft Fayre in a fortnight!

Wednesday, 11 September 2013

All go, go, go!


Its been quite a busy few days here, working on a new logo and branding, new packaging ideas and finalising my Christmas events. Not only that but settling my eldest into her new reception class at school! 

Today I've arranged to have a stall at the Christmas Shopping Event at Treetops Hospice, Risley, Derbyshire. It'll be on the 28th November, 7pm - 9.30pm and all of the profits of the event go to this excellent cause.

My next event is alongside Spiritual Eyes at the Galleries of Justice in Nottingham, where these haematite designs I've done today will be going, then Derby Arts & Crafts Fayre on the 28th, which is running alongside Derby Feste, so it should be a good day!

Sunday, 1 September 2013

New Gift Designs and Upcoming Craft Fayres


I've been working on beaded gifts recently, ready for *whispers* Christmas. I'm doing bag charms and bookmarks this year and I've had pretty good feedback on the ones I've done so far. I've stuck with using gemstones to give the pieces a quality finish, and the uniqueness that is so important to me.


I've also booked a few events to get me back to craft fairs after the birth of my little boy in July. The dates are as follows:

Saturday 26th October - Derby Arts & Crafts Fayre, Derby Market Hall 10am-4pm https://www.facebook.com/derbyartsandcraftsfayre 
Saturday 9th November - Mind, Body & Spirit Event ay Derby Spiritualist Church, Charnwood Street 10am-4pm
Saturday 30th November - Derby Arts & Crafts Fayre, Derby Market Hall 10am-4pm https://www.facebook.com/derbyartsandcraftsfayre 
Saturday 7th December - Christmas Craft & Gift Fair at St Peter's Church, Derby 10.30am-3pm

Hopefully I may see you there!