Goodbye to the fairs

After 4 years of organising the handmade and vintage fairs it is time to hang up my shiny shoes, put away my polka dot dress and move onto a new type of fair. As my focus, interests and life has changed over the past few years I thought I would pass the fairs onto someone new. Thank you to all my amazing stallholders over the past 4 years, the entertainers and visitors too, without you it would not of been possible.

  As a popular events organiser and crafter I have written an eBook just for you in 12 sections from how to apply and secure a place at a good venue to how to use social media and propel your business forward. You will learn how to fill in risk assessments,how to brand your products, pricing formulas, ideas for setting up your stall for the best profit, how to research the best fairs, an essential checklist for attending fairs and much more, this guide is perfect for people just starting out and has helpful tips for regular stallholders too. If you would like a copy email me at craftyvintagefairs@hotmail.co.uk all for the bargain price of £6.99! 


You ca catch up with me on Facebook, on my website or read my latest ramblings on my other blog.

Now on my fourth event!!

Gosh I didn't realise how long its been since I posted on here, since the amazing event in June 2012 I have had fairs in October 2012 and December 2012 and am now organising the next one for March 2013. The year has flown by and myself and all my lovely stallholders have enjoyed fabulous times, I have made some brilliant new friends and learnt so much!.

The March event is going to be a two day spectacular of crafts, vintage, artisan food, collectibles, entertainment and music with craft workshops, a vintage hair and makeup makeover, a vintage tearoom and lots of handmade goodness.

There will be over a 100 stalls selling the northwest's finest gifts, clothes, toys, accessories, food, art, cards, homewares and much ...more..

We shall be having various performers over the weekend on the stage including the lovely Baxter Rhodes who has become a firm favourite and regular performer at the fairs, also Bill Orrick (shown in above picture) singer songwriter, who is also back after playing at previous fairs before, Laura Catlow, this guitarist and singer is coming back for her second time, a newcomer to the fair this year is Ricky Hunter who is a 40s wartime singer and trumpeter, we will have some street dancers, belly dancers, a young local lad who plays guitar and is just 14, Another new pretty face will be Jess Roberts who has just formed the band Flaws! with two other talented ladies. Jamie Brewer will be back too with his acoustic melodies.

Plus we will be serving tea and cakes on vintage china all in the beautiful art deco surroundings of the Pavilion theatre at the Winter Gardens situated in the middle of Blackpool town centre 2nd March 10am - 5pm and 3rd March 2013 10pm - 5pm Free entry.

Photos used taken by Tom Holmes Photography

Truly scrumptious handmade and vintage fair

Last weekend was my biggest ever fair in Blackpool at the amazing surroundings of the art deco style Winter Gardens.
There was 122 stalls, all very different selling all sorts of amazing things from handmade scrapbooks to glamorous vintage dresses.
There was a full line up of entertainment on both days, something different every hour. We had a flashmob in Saturday afternoon arranged by the clever Mimi from urban dance project.
There was a vintage tearoom with old china and scones with jam and cream.
This was a completely different fair for Blackpool and I was thrilled the customers and public who attended thought so too.
I was rushed off my feet so didn't have much time to take photos but here's some that I did take.
I have set up a Flickr group called truly scrumptious vintage and handmade fairs if you have photos of the fair to share.
The stalls looked amazing, the stallholders were so friendly and the customers a joy, I can't wait for the next one happening on 6-7th October at the horseshoe pavilion in the winter gardens building in Blackpools town centre x

Introducing The nosuch disco!

I am The Nosuch Disco! but you can call me Dave. I am an artist based in Stoke on Trent and I like to create colourful little characters!

You will probably already know me as the guy that made Waldo the Worm, its a jolly good read, so if you haven't already, then I suggest you pick him up today :).

Aside from that I am your average 16 year old boy trapped in the body of a 32 year old man. Just to clarify, I am 32. I love Queen, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and The Smiths. I always wanted to be the lead singer in a band, but i can't actually sing for toffee! so I have decided to just look like one, and if anyone asks I just tell them that I AM a singer in a band!

You can find Daves work here

Introducing Urban Vagabond

Welcome to Urban Vagabond where we mix old with the new! Some of the materials we use are vintage and pre-loved, therefore some variation is likely due to the nature of the products. All our products are lovingly created and handmade with care.

We are Val and Vikki, mother and daughter and have been crafting all our lives. Mum was taught all she knows by her Nan and passed it all on to me. Mum would make all our clothes and as a child and I would sit in my room making something and talk to the wall (my imaginary TV camera) and pretend I was on Why Don’t You!!

Our love of crafting comes from turning old into new. We particularly love old and vintage buttons and this is the thread which holds all our items together.
Lots of things inspire us but ultimately crafting is just who we are. We are always coming up with new ideas, but there aren’t enough hours in the day, as at the moment this is part time – but I have my dreams of a studio in St Ives to keep me going!

We are currently preparing for our first craft fair which is exciting and terrifying in equal amounts, but having decided that this is the year to put ourselves out there we are doing it in style by showing our wares at the Truly Scrumptious Vintage and Handmade Craft Fair, and if we don’t sell anything it will be a great experience and lovely to meet other crafters.

As relatively new sellers in this market place, bar the odd commission over the years, this crafting community is a lovely place to be. Everybody has been so supportive, friendly and helpful and are always there to spur us on and provide us with confidence.

urban vagabond - Folksy

urban vagabond -Facebook

Truly scrumptious biggest handmade and vintage fair

The fair is going to be a two day spectacular of crafts, vintage, entertainment and music with craft workshops, a vintage tearoom and lots of handmade goodness.

A two day spectacular of crafts, vintage, entertainment and music with craft workshops, a vintage tearoom and lots of handmade goodness. There will be over a 100 stalls selling the northwest's finest gifts, clothes, toys, accessories, food, art, cards, homewares, antiques..., collectables and much more. We are lucky enough to have two performances on the sunday from the very lovely burlesque performer Kitty Koko.https://www.facebook.com/KittyKokoUK We shall be having various bands performing over the weekend including the very special and amazing Kirsty Almeida https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=815834520, the talented Laura Catlow https://www.facebook.com/lauracatlowmusic the lovely vintage duo Goodnight Astor https://www.facebook.com/goodnightastor

We shall be having various bands performing over the weekend on the stage and tea and cakes served on vintage china all in the beautiful art deco surroundings of the Pavilion theatre at the Winter Gardens situated in the middle of Blackpool town centre 23rd June 10am - 5pm and 24th June 2012 10pm - 4pm Free entry

https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/344605302224954/

Olympic rules - pah!!

Seriously crafters read this, now we are NOT allowed to use the words London and 2012 together in our creations, the words gold and silver are off limits too, obviously invented by power hungry greedy tw*ts this list is bonkers. I can understand logos not being copied ( who would want to anyway!?) but words come on, next we won't be able to use the union jack!!

http://ukhandmade.ning.com/forum/topics/the-do-s-mostly-don-ts-of-the-olympics-trademark?xg_source=facebookshare

Our saturday entertainment line up so far....

On the saturday we have some fabulous acts:

At 11am on the theatrical horsehoe pavilion stage we have Goodnight Astor. This duo present to you a unique mix of pop, jazz and dark cabaret, bringing you through the case and illuminating the answers. The girls have been writing and performing music for the past three years, up and down the UK, loving nothing better than being on stage, and putting on a good show.

At 1pm on the stage I am honoured to announce, the amazing and incredibly talented Kirsty Almeida

in 2010 the Guardian described her as "mystical folkie to jazzy chanteuse and soul belter, this newbie sounds like several singers in one cute package".

Since then the manchester based singer has released 5 albums and special limited edition singles, her newest single Cool down rewind will be available in a couple of weeks. She has also  written and recorded five songs for the movie Albatross which hits UK cinemas in October last year. Her single 'If You Can't Make Me Happy' features after the enchanting title sequence Kirsty composed. She goes on a European tour in March.

At 4pm we will be listening to the guitar playing acoustic, folk, indie, punk chic Laura Catlow.

Stewart Darkin of Blend Magazine said "She produces such poignant, funny, and at all times, delicate vignettes of modern life.. Just once, you might be able to say that, yes, you were there at the very beginning. The name's Laura Catlow and you heard it here first." She has been featured in Diva magazine, NME online and The Guardian.

All photos belong to the people who took them not me x

Introducing the marvelous Mrs Marmalade

There is the most wonderful lady sewing away in Blackpool, she makes the most adorable pincushions with kitsch trinkets on top and gorgeous patchwork quilts that make you think of home, her designs are bright, cheerful and unique just like her, as a stallholder and a good friend I asked her about her crafting:

She said "The joy of homemade has always charmed me - reworking vintage loveliness into "new" and finding lost treasures appeals to the Mrs Marmalade in me. Making quilts is a pleasure I have been making baby and dolly quilts for 10 years and just can't stop :O] x!"

 Always on the look out for unusual finds she scours charity shops and boot sales looking for interesting pieces to add to her wonderful kitsch collection of trinkets .

She takes pieces of vintage and retro fabric and turns them into the most lovely fun

items for your home, she explains she was a late starter, just a decade of making and a dreadful sewing student at school she is only too happy to sew and make in place of everyday busyness, she is most happiest sewing, creating and reading blogs!

Her displays at craft fairs make you instantly smile, so cheerful and full of colour, she would love nothing more than to give up the day job and craft full time, she has got a keen eye and a natural flair for putting colours and fabrics together.

I asked her if she had three wishes what would they be?

Three wishes ........
1. Wear glasses that stay on my nose ! :o]
2. Remember to put felt tip lids back on ! :o]
3. .... and not to behave too starstruck ..... Oh My Gosh .... Dottie Angel :O] x !!
Joking aside, I really only need happy and healthy and my family and friends for my dreams to come true xxxxxxxx

When she isn't at home she spends time walking Walter the adorable family dog and being generous to her friends by finding just the right things she knows we like.

Lately she has made some gorgeous dresses for the girls at Children of Watamu, since the year 2000 the charity has been very hard working in Watamu in many ways, The Happy House opened in March 2010. It is home to children who have been orphaned, abandoned, and in some cases cruelly abused. It is a Happy home for children. When you stand outside you hear laughter and singing. When you come inside you see happy, healthy, smiling faces

Here are two of the girls wearing Mrs Marmalade's latest fashion range, she is also busy making bunting for the shelter charity shop and trying out new patterns to add to her range of crafty makes.

Her life motto is "Work hard and be nice to people :O]"

You can find her on facebook where it would make her day if you "like" her page and folksy where she sells her peg dolls and quilts x

3 of the best

Well the planning for the amazing fair is underway and it's all coming together nicely, we have a great array of stalls, all quality and all different, I want to share some of our stall holders with you, please like their pages, leave them a nice comment or just say hello, creating can be a lonely business when your at your studio or home all day and I know every comment and like is truly appreciated

.

http://infectedbydesign.blogspot.com/

This guy paints onto vinyl records, he has a bold, colourful way about him and he does take commissions. He shows his work in galleries and sells at festivals and fairs, he is one to watch I think he is going to be big.

Next we have a lovely lady who embroiders, sews and creates lovely pieces Netty Zenner handcrafted pretty things. Each piece she makes is a unique creation, from a small bookmark right up to a stylised personalised wedding picture perfect for a special mememto of an extra special day

Introducing Boo-tique

This lady is an excellent felt maker, her designs are quirky, fun and feel fabulous,

	she makes jewelry and accessories from various materials including beads, silver, wool, felt and wood.

Biggest ever vintage and handmade craft fair!!!

I have taken the plunge and gone and book one of Blackpool's greatest landmarks The winter gardens for a summer vintage and handmade craft fair!!

its going to be a two day spectacular of crafts, vintage, entertainment and music with craft workshops, a vintage tearoom and lots of handmade goodness.


There will be over a 100 stalls selling the northwest's finest gifts, clothes, toys, accessories, food, art, cards, homewares and much ...more. We are lucky enough to have two performances on the sunday from the very lovely burlesque performer Kitty Koko and I am so hounered to annouce that the amazing Kirsty Almeida will be performing too - how amazing is that.
We shall be having various bands performing over the weekend on the stage and tea and cakes served on vintage china all in the beautiful art deco surroundings of the Pavilion theatre at the Winter Gardens situated in the middle of Blackpool town centre 23rd June 10am - 5pm and 24th June 2012 10pm - 4pm Free entry.

Stalls are still available but going fast £25 for one day or £45 for the full weekend. We can set up from 8am and as it is a secure locked area you can leave your stalls set up overnight if you are doing a full weekend. You will get a table and 2 chairs with extra space around you if you want to bring rails, furniture etc, please let me know in advance of any requirements you have regarding this so I can accommodate you.

There are people coming from all over, Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool, Cumbria, Yorkshire to name a few so if you want to have a stall but don't drive just get in touch Im trying to organise a lift share.

Any questions please feel free to ask, I know this is going to be an awesome event and can't wait to see you there. If you can will you share this link with your friends and followers, if you share it leave me a comment in the comment box on here or send me a message on facebook (Dotty D Lightful) with a link to where you have shared it and you will be entered into a prize draw to win some lovely handmade goodies x
https://www.facebook.com/events/274062292649467/

Jan 1st

Happy new year fellow crafters, it's been a while since my last post and I'm sorry for that but I have been so very busy attending craft fairs in the lead up to Christmas, I have been making like Santa's elves!! It has been a great time even though it's been a tiring one too, here are some photos of my stalls set up at some of the recent fairs I have done, hope you had a lovely Christmas and are looking forward to this new year as much as I am, I predict great things for us all, lots of love Dotty x

A bit of promoting!

Been super busy crafting, homeschooling, trying to keep warm and sleeping lately, each day whizzes by and before you know it it's bedtime again, I have tons of fairs coming up over the next few weeks so have been neglecting my blogs, so sorry readers for that normal service shall resume soon!,

This week we did a photoshoot for our local newspaper, its for ladies pamper night on 15th December in Blackpool at Cafe Dolce on Abingdon street, 7pm - 9pm if you live locally and dare brave the seaside weather pop down, the lady on the left, Anne does angel (oracle) cards and readings, me in the middle will be selling my sewn items and Fran the one on the right does amazing vintage clothes, there will be other stalls too and lots of cake :)

Hope to see you there xx

Links to Lancashire craft fairs

Full list of the upcoming fairs in our area that I know of, please feel free to share more if I have missed them out x
https://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=219421421446578  26th November, Lancaster
https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=152296604864954 3rd December, Cleveleys
https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=226412290754487 4th December Preston
https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=116557488451272 4th December Fleetwood
https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=228784553845722 10th December Blackpool
https://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=260995687271255 10th December Poulton
https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=144635952305352 15th December Blackpool

Christmas craft fair 10th December!!!!!

Our amazing fair

 What a brilliant day the handmade and vintage craft fair was here in Blackpool, Lancashire UK. The sun came out after a week of rain and despite issues like the cake lady dropping out the night before and the karate group not leaving the building on time it all was a great success. Lots of visitors came to look at the stalls and have cups of tea in vintage china, the stall holders were all amazing, really friendly and had a great day too. Here are some photos of the day:
Here is Fran on her vintage boutique stall, so many lovely clothes - ohh to be a smaller size so I could fit in them!

 Here's me Dotty Delightful setting up, sold all my lavender rabbits so was very happy

 beverleys vintage cake stands, all upcycled by the lovely lady herself, very reasonable prices too

 Here is Claire (Mrs Marmalade) setting up her pretty stall, she is such a lovely lady who made everyone feel welcome

 Birds on the beach's stall, loved their handmade felt rabbits with a twist and shabby chic style bunting

 All the above photos are the birds stall, royal memorabilia galore!

The happy house ladies and Rob (happy house Elizabeth's son)

 Colette makes fused glass items like pendants and coasters which can double up as tiles, she uses natural items like leaves and fuses them in her studio

 My darling friend Melodie and her amazing felted items, these tea sets are adorable she takes orders and can make them in any colour.

 More Mrs Marmalade and her peg dolls and girly bunting

 Here is handmade by Lucy, this was her first fair and she makes Japanese style brooches and head bands in liberty prints

 More upcycled vintage tea ware cake stands by Beverley

 Alice in wonderland inspired canvases by me Dotty, I really enjoyed making these, they are still for sale £35 for the pair if your interested email me

owls on my stall (Dotty)

 The very busy cafe area served homemade gluten and dairy free cakes to very pleased customers all day, in fact we needed more chairs because it was so busy!

 Here is Paula from Bellaboos attic, lovely rag dolls for sale and cute pincushions

 Here they are Birds on the beach, doing what they do best - posing with tea!

Here is another shot of Bird's stall - lovely, it was their first craft fair experience too.

More photos to follow in the next post, we really did have a great time, it was lots of hard work setting it up and I got blisters from posting flyer's but it was so worth it, can't wait to do the next one in December, ready for Christmas shopping! Hope to see you there x