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.

Whats the world coming too?

Lovely Bits and Pieces posed the question on a social networking site about finding it worrying these days to put any photos of your work on the net, she said "all us crafters have load of designs and ideas, and some are very similar to others based on things we have seen when out and about, but sometimes ideas overlap, its a hard situation, here's hoping the crafting community doesn't start falling apart"

This made me think, with all the media coverage of the latest cases of copying, this whole thing about pinterest's T&C's not being moral and being sued for sharing ( has any case happened so far?) has things gone too far?, are we all getting too paranoid?, I love the net and all the diversity it brings but it makes me wonder if we couldn't share our ideas and photos on line how much of this would disappear, I wouldn't know what someone in another town had made unless that person had a shop or I knew them in real life. I think you have to question your beliefs about humans and the way in which everyone is scrutinised and made to feel like they have done wrong when they are genuine.

I think people are overreacting with all this coverage at the moment, agreed copying is awful, the Tatty Devine case is justified, as is some of the other blatant copying going on and this must be tackled and reported and shared. But I often have ideas, I draw them or talk about them and even make them and then lo and behold weeks later I see a similar/same thing in a magazine or on line. I know I have not copied but if the designer in the magazine or on line saw what I had designed or made I could be accused of copying, it's a shame that such a lovely community is becoming paranoid and has this "sue" mindset.

I went to a ladies shop the other day and her workspace was awesome, I asked if I could take a photo to put on my blog and asked if she wanted to be in the picture, she declined, I took all her details to share them on my blog I then was about to take a photo of her makes and she got quite bolshy and told me not to as I might copy her designs, I asked if she has a website (she does) so if anyone wanted to copy they could just go on there, its madness, I didn't blog about her and deleted my photos, I was surprised by her reaction, I thought I was doing her a favour spreading the word and recommending her work to my friends on line, to bring her more custom, how wrong could I be!

I think that in a world where an enormous amount of things have been made it is hard to find new ideas, it is rare nowadays that I am truly in awe of something someone has made because for the most part in one way or another I have seen the same things again and again.

The other more scientific part of this not considered is your long term memory which holds millions of bit of information, ideas and images, maybe you saw something briefly without even realising, it lodged in your memory without you being aware of it and then a time later you start designing, without knowing this memory comes back to you and you believe you have thought of it.

This is not meant to be a get out clause for copying someones work, its just another angle. Unfortunately people are scared and worried about saying and doing the right thing, not actually speaking from the heart in case it causes controversy, I am not one of those people, I say it how I think it is, if you don't agree, that's perfectly OK, share you opinions on my comment box, I would love to hear what you all think about this whether you agree or not, don't be shy and cautious, take the step and be bold!

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

Introducing Littleowll

I would like you all to say a big hello to Mary from Littleowll, Mary studied textiles and art and design at college and has now opened her brilliant etsy shop to sell her crafty makes. She has a passion for cats and shoes and would love to meet up with other crafters from the Longridge area of Preston.

"Mary, who inspires you?"

 "Cath Kidston I would say when I saw her stuff when we were doing a project at college I was like WOW I would love to do that"

"what type of crafting do you like to do most"

"Well I did textiles at college for 2 years so mainly interior textiles like cushions and bits and bobs for homes.. and I have just started doing the jewelry side of things.

             "is there any kind of craft you would love to be able to do"

               "I would love to do proper jewelry making like with silver and things"

 "if you could have 3 wishes what would they be, remember dream big"

"I would love to be able to make my crafting into a career and have lots of cats and possibly be able to work with animals like conservation or something"

                                                   You can find Mary's designs on Etsy

                         Go on spoil yourself and help out a new crafter, much love Dotty x

lovley links

I spend ages looking at other blogs and would like to share some inspirational ones with great pictures ( I love blogs with pictures!), if you have any please comment and share, I'm always wanting more, "Hi my names Ruby and I'm a craft addict" - that would make a great T-shirt! Anyway enough rambling here are some lovely links x

                                 http://cinderberrystitches.typepad.com/cinderberrystitches/page/2/

                                                      http://carinascraftblog.wardi.dk/

                                                     http://www.printpattern.blogspot.com/

                                                          http://craftblog.com.au/

All photos above each link belong to the link underneath, they are owned entirely by the website owners and I have only used them in this post to show the kind of thing that is on each site x

tips and tricks for setting up your stall

Hello lovelies, just though I would do a post about some great help and info on the web for first timers and even stall holders who have been doing craft fairs a while, about how to set up, what you need etc, there are loads of ways to set up your stall, you will get into the groove of how you like things and its always worth looking around for ideas to help you have a great display. A couple of important things which I think are worth knowing are:

 I always take a table cover, this can be a double duvet cover (perfect size), a tablecloth, a sheet etc, make sure its ironed and folded in your bag so it looks crisp and fresh.

 A cushion for your bottom, I have been caught out lots of time with all day on a hard chair - not very good for the posterior!

Change - make sure you take some, sounds obvious but it is important, especially if you have odd prices ie 99p

A price list of you items, I stick this to the spare chair so I can see how much things are without having to lean over the stall, especially if you have a few items priced differently
A drink and a snack, unless you plan to buy one at the fair (unless your at my fairs when you will get complementry teas and coffee for free!)

Cards/ leaflets with your name on and a contact number and website if you have one, so many order come after the fair from people who take your details.

Carrier bags, even though we all want to cut down on plastic bags some people will want a bag, I love paper bags with things stamped on them or if your handy with the sewing machine then some bags whipped up on that and maybe charge 50p or something to cover costs.
A calculator - in the hope someone will want to buy loads!

A couple of tricks and tips:
I always price things on a round number or to the nearest 50p, this way it is easier for me and my small useless maths brain to add up and not look like a fool!

If you are going to be brave and use 99's then a psychological tip is someone will be more willing to pay £9.99 than £10.00, they think they are getting a bargain and your only losing out on a penny.

Try and add height to your table, if its eye level its better, make good use of your table space by using bookshelves, rails etc

right here are some great sites to look at and see how the professionals do it!:
flickr craft fair displays
great tips
do it yourself jewellery displays
craft fair displays (including mine Dotty)
more displays

Introducing Boo-tique......

My name is Steph, I'm from Blackpool, I recently graduated from UCLAN having studied Product Design for 3 years.

I looooooooooooove to craft, day or night! I have been crafting since I was a tiny tot and think I will be forever.

Over the last few years I have moved from making jewellery from beads to card-making to crocheting and knitting and now I find I most enjoy working with 100% wool felt. I started 'felting' using a technique called needle felting when a barbed needle is jabbed in an out of a ball of fluff a million times to bind it together. I still use this method occasionally ( when I'm feeling adventurous) but tend to prefer working on a larger scale so now a work from sheets of felt. I like the idea of mixed media so try to incorporate other materials and techniques into my work.

I am always on the look out for inspiration whether walking the dog in the park, on holiday even on a night out in town, it can come from anywhere, and it's the best feeling when it does!! :D

I'm always on the lookout for new outlets to sell my crafts, up until recently I had some at The Garden Place, Cropper Manor but due a business take over this is no longer an option. I now currently sell my crafts online at www.facebook.com/bootique82 and as many craft fairs as I can, hope to see you at one!!! :D

Introducing BellaBoos Attic.......

My name is Paula, married with three kids aged 15, 19 and 21

I live in Warrington, Cheshire. I am a self confessed craftaholic.  I love making things, especially sewing and knitting.  My Mum taught me how when I was a little girl and I have been crafting ever since.

 

 

 

 

I recently started volunteering one day a week at a place called Long Lane Garden Centre which is a charity which helps adults  with learning disabilities to access gardening and crafts.  I make lots of things for them to sell at craft fayres and in their shop as well as getting stuck in with the gardening and crafts when I go and do my volunteering.  Their claim to fame is that they appeared on an episode of Secret Millionaire (long before I started there), so are well known around Warrington.  It is a truly lovely place to spend a day and we have a lot of fun.

I have sold a few of my crafty things on ebay in the past, which is ok, but what I really want is to do a few craft fayres, partly to sell some of my ever growing collection of makes but also to meet other like minded crafty people.  I recently started my facebook page called BellaBoos Attic where I can show off all my things, but also find other crafters and admire their work.

Introducing Mrs marmalade, one of our stall holders.....

My name is Claire and I live and work in Blackpool. I am married to Bob and am mum to my lovely children, Sophie and Harry.

My family nickname is “Mrs Marmalade”, because I love to craft, it makes me happy!

My favourite things are preloved treasures and vintage lovelies and when time allows I make.

In the beginning my true love was patchwork, now anything goes.

I would like to add what a lovely person Claire is, I have only known her a short time but she is a true gem, her quilts really are lovely and lately she has been making fab lampshades and custom pieces for the home, check out her makes for sale at folksy

also make sure you visit her facebook page and click the like button, her stall is featured in our crafty vintage logo top left x

Truly scrumptious vintage and handmade craft fair, 10th september 2011. Blackpool

This Fair is different, unique and special, it brings together handpicked designers, crafters and vintage dealers who either make wonderful Handmade items or sell gorgeous Vintage treasures. If you love Vintage and Retro items and appreciate the love and time gone into creating unique items, then the vintage and handmade craft Fair is for you! Also there will be a cafe area serving delicious homemade cakes as well as a selection of teas, chicory drink and coffee on vintage tea ware. We also cater for dairy free and gluten free dietary needs. This is going to be held at Claremont community centre, Claremont Road, Blackpool, UK, which is a great space in a lovely area, the building opens out onto the park. If it is sunny we may even have a marquee outside for extra seating and stalls. Please do come along and support us, free entry. There is on site free parking. If you would like a stall please get in touch with a link to your website or a photo of what you do. Stalls are £10, set up from 12.30.