Christmas is a coming!

Another little look at what will be on offer at the Brighton Open House Fair, which opens it's doors next weekend!

Those teacup candles are my absolute favourite, I am almost sad to part with them. Weep.

They are laced with lavender as it's lovely and calming after a hard day's Christmas shopping, and they are all sourced by me, quite literally from all over the country.

I have also been playing shop with my awesome new stamp as modelled by Edward the royal bear. He has a little rosette made from a 1900's edition of a women's newspaper, and is made from reclaimed tweed and my Grandmother's finest blanket.

He will also be making an appearance at the fair.

Brighton Open House Fairs.

These woolly creatures are ready to be stored away in their little travelling case and sent down to Brighton for the lovely Open House Fair where I will be selling some of my wares. It will be full of splendid handmade festive treats and gifts and artwork, check out the list of participating artists here.

Some Right Bobby Dazzlers.

A sneek peek of some little friends from the Brick Lane studio of Bobby Dazzler.

I am nowhere near as fast as Rosie and Fumie who make them, but my stuffing and stitching is getting super fast (for me anyway).

Click here to see my favorite.

Christmas shopping ahoy!

I am very excited to announce that I think I have just confirmed a stall at this years Craft Guerrilla Christmas Market. It looks to be a lovely festive day with a Christmas Choir and crafty DIY lessons being held. I will be selling my brand new range of writing paper and lots of friendly creatures too. Come and say hello!

I am also taking part in Ourhouse Brighton Fairs which look splendidly fabulous too.

Open for 3 weekends:
November 27th 28th 29th 
December 4th 5th 6th 
December 11th 12th 13th

Opening Times:
Friday evenings 5 - 7pm 
Saturdays 11 - 7pm
Sundays 12 - 5pm

Why don't people yodel more?

this. is. amazing.

Treasure Chest.

What a splendid surprise. I was instructed to visit Spitalfields Market on my Thursday lunchbreak, and what a delightful sight to behold. It was filled with beautiful curiosities and antique treasures; I admit, I was foaming at the mouth.

Anyway, as I was speeding around trying to sneak a peek at everything without being late, I picked up this creation for my imaginary stall that I do not have yet.

Note to self: visit every Thursday.

The chap inside is my experiment of how to put a crown on a bear...not yet perfected.

Lenka and Micheal.

I am thinking about new projects to do now that I (think) I have found a printing studio, and new writing paper is on my list. While I was working on new designs I remembered how inspiring this 'Mysterious Letter's Blog' is.

'In April 2009, we sent a personal, handwritten letter to each of the 467 households in the small Irish village of Cushendall. We hoped these unsolicited letters would prompt neighbourly discussion, spreading across the town, promoting community curiosity.'

An Excellent Weekend.

This weekend I went exploring at Broadway Market and had my usual 'Island Refresh' juice, and then had a jolly walk down the canal to visit Craftaholics. The amazing Emily Warren was there and I bought my very own bear head.

Now I'm saving up for an owl head.

Artist of the Day.

I bought one of her matchbox books at Bust Craftacular earlier this year, but I have just discovered that Emily Warren is also the creative genius behind these amazing giant creature heads.

Mmmm. Woodland creatures.

Craft. Craft. Craft.

Mmmm lovely craft fairs that I will be visiting.

Artist of the Day!

Well well well. What a find. I have just stumbled across Victoria Whincup's work and I like it very much! 

Letters are better.

Best letter award goes to: Lucy Jane Batchelor.

This morning I received these lovely blue objects to make lovely things from!

The bear chocolate packaging will stand pride of place.

I am currently rounding up all my crafty bits and pieces to send off to the Brighton Art Fair, which is on from October 1st-4th. The lovely boys from Just Us are holding a stand for all members of the collective to sell our work, so there will be stacks of snazzy things to buy.

I am a sheep.

Here is a sneak peak of a new collection of creatures I have been making! There will be a little deer and a bear too.

Razzle Dazzle.

I am so excited on Friday I am going to work for Bobby Dazzler for a day!

I love their converted horse box and they make very fine creatures indeed.

Pom Poms and Harlequins.

I love Holly's circus collection, she is a fine knitter.

Otherwise known as Lola, she was a fellow Bath student and she has been featured in a very snazzy interview here.

One day I aim to own a piece of my own. I will dance and skip everywhere I go.

Here is her blog.

A tribute to Kirstie. (I love you.)

The time has come to abandon shame and celebrate the marvelous Kirstie Allsop.

I couldn't help but be addicted to her series, 'Homemade Home'.

I have been making more things ever since, and, more unfortunately, it fuelled my desire to fill my room with lovely old things.

So, in tribute to you Kirstie, I have made tea cup candles and created a wall of crocks (yet to be completed).

A few teacup candles that I can't quite squeeze in anywhere are available at my Etsy shop.

A lovely day of sewing.

Today I was lucky enough to go to one of Jessie Chorley's story book workshops for a day of biscuits and making on Columbia Road.

It was delightful to be surrounded by her collection/ museum of beautiful things; a feast for the imagination. Whenever I visit I can't help but daydream about the stories behind each piece of fabric or book.

I decided to make a sewing book so I can take it with me on the train, which was a bit of a cheat as there is not much meaningful narrative going on there, but I will work on it and post the finished article!

Craftwerk

On Saturday I visited Craftwerk at St Aloysius Social Club to find lots of nice things.

Visiting such crafty fairs is always my favorite as you can buy direct see and the face behind the work, although I always get to shy to talk to anyone...

I really went to get my mitts on some of Julia Pott and Gemma Correll's work, but there were lots of other treats too.

I was very pleased to stumble across Helen Friel, a paper engineer/illustrator, whose little books and cards were so beautiful, I had to buy one. Amazingly she has just graduated too, which made my heart sink a bit...anyway, take a peek at her website and her etsy shop.

I also picked up a flyer for a monthly event that goes on at the same venue, a jumble sale!

Set up by Wills Moody, it has become quite the event. Huzzah for jumble sales.

Artist of the Day

I love this work...

Check out Caitlin Shearer's shop it is full of wondrous images.

But don't buy this one because I want it...

Happy Belated Birthday Pandora!

I must admit I feel a little guilty making one of these when Esther Coomb's actually lives in the same village as Pandora (what are the chances?).

This is a particular favorite of mine though, I hope she likes it.

For the real deal visit Esther Coomb's etsy shop.