Wishing you all a very happy yule...

As the end of year and the prospect of mid winter approaches we're snuggling down and getting ready to face a new year!

©Enfants Terribles Magazine

Yup, it's been another year of great -and not so great!- ventures and lots of thinking and letting go of "old" things... mainly projects and ideas which are no longer working for us or making us happy but also the revaluation of what we want to do, where we go from here and our place in the craft world!

And so it's with an open heart that we wish everyone a very happy yule filled with love and joy plus a genuine wish that next year all your dreams come to fruition and that the universe answers those calls.  We're positive that it's going to be an awesome year...
so look out for our new events coming in 2018 because we are back and raring to go!


Keep it crafty and remember: Makers gonna Make!!!

Lots of love.
Debbie

Edinburgh Craft Guerrilla needs you!

We're looking for a few crafty people to take over the Edinburgh CG army in the new year.
If you've got what it takes and you'd like to run our Scottish sister army get in touch...
you can read more about it here on the Edinburgh Craft Guerrilla blog!

Please apply by sending your craft "CV" in an e-mail: hello@craftguerrilla.com

Recipe: Vegan Super Snack!

Hello there craft lovers!
It's been quite a while... yup, we've been away from our lovely blog and it's not because we don't love you or that we've been lounging around in a tropical island... no, no, no... that would be amazing though not this time -maybe when we win the lottery!- but suffice to say we've had a busy old summer and because of it we're pooped! So much so that while we were thinking of ways of finding some extra energy that we came up with this awesome recipe...

Oh yes crafting and creating is hard work and we need tons of energy especially now that we're entering Autumn.
As the nights draw in and the warm sunlight fades we need to find energy in other ways and one of my favourites is through food.

And because we know most of you have also been super busy I'm sure you'll love this simple and quick energy rich recipe which we've developed here in our Craft Guerrilla kitchen. You could call them the Crafter's version of Scooby Snack and that's fine by us because they are packed with amazing super foods and nutrients... and just like that crime fighting mutt you'll be bursting with energy to get stuck in fighting to finish all those WIP's!
You'll be pleased to know that apart from the fact that these super snacks are healthy, tastefully packed with energy and are totally delicious... that they take under 10 minutes to make!Whoop, whoop!!!

So here's what you need to make our Craft Guerrilla Vegan Super Snacks:

• 100g pecan nuts (or any nuts you fancy)
• 75g soft pitted dates
• 1 tbsp Agave Syrup (or maple syrup) 
• 1tbsp Sugar free cocoa powder 
• 1tbsp Chia seeds (you can replace with almond flour or sesame seeds or 50/50 mix of both) 
• 2tbsp organic peanut butter
• Desiccated coconut, cocoa powder or chopped hazelnuts to cover

This what you need to do to make them:
Blitz all ingredients in a food processor until you have a chunky paste. Don't over do it as you'll still want some larger nutty bits for extra texture.
Form into small golf sized bites giving them a gentle squeeze while rolling so they're nice and solid.
In a plate sprinkle some desiccated coconut (you can toast some for extra flavour) and roll the Super Snacks to cover them with lovely sweet coconut!
You can also melt some dark chocolate (the darker the better as you'll want very little or no sugar for this recipe) and dip them for an extra lush coating.
Pop into an air tight container and refrigerate, eat one whenever you need an extra boost of energy!
Makes about 10.

P.S. Don't be afraid to experiment with your ingredients! For example you can add matcha tea powder instead of chia seeds (but be careful, you'll need to add less matcha powder, maybe 1 tsp or it'll have a strong fishy flavour!) and replace the pecans with lovely pistachios and substitute the peanut butter with almond butter. It's all good just don't forget that the only "bad" stuff that we don't recommend adding is sugar... substitutes like dates, apricots and agave provide natural sweetness so go on, get making!

Work with us...

We're on the look out for talented London and South East based designer makers for an exciting new project! We can't say too much but if you are interested then drop us a line at: hello@craftguerrilla.com

 

Please apply with a brief introduction and some examples of what you make... a web site or face book page which showcases your work is fine, we just want to see what you make so we can consider all items! 

Also please do not be offended if your application isn't accepted as we are looking for a particular aesthetic and type of hand made product. This is by no way a reflection on you or your work and we'll keep everyone on file for future opportunities!

What we're looking for:

* Illustrations & Paper goods (note books and stationery)

* Home decorative items and home wares including soaps, candles and home fragrances

* Kids and baby products (toys and decor) and new parent products

* Accessories and jewellery

* Man friendly gifts

* Hand bags, totes, purses, wallets etc.

* Eco friendly and recycled hand made items

* Plants, plant pots and gardening gifts

* Ceramics and table ware

* T-shirts, ties, bow ties etc.

* Kitchenelia including oven gloves, tea towls and aprons

* Craft kits including knitting and crochet projects

* Pet products/gifts

* Small furniture 

etc. etc. etc. and anything else which we've forgotten to mention but all good quality hand made goods are up for consideration! 

Thank you and hope to hear from you soon!

Turning Earth!

When I heard that Turning Earth were opening up a second studio a 15 minute brisk walk from my house... to say that my heart stopped for a beat or two wouldn't be an exaggeration! This weekend saw the grand opening with a two day market featuring over 60 artists who operate from the studios. 
Nestled in an industrial complex on Argall avenue just between The Marshes and Leabridge Road Over ground Station this cute brick built set of units houses not only Turning Earth but a host of other small design businesses and including LightHus which some of you might recognise from the Saint James Street end of Walthamstow Market.

I must confess that with so many beautiful things on sale that I had my eyes on the end of sticks!
I found an array of amazing pieces from pretty and dainty cake like vases to wild and colourful spiky pots which wouldn't look out of place in Salvador Dali's home!
So here are a few favourites designers who's work I fell in love with on the day... all though there were so many more ceramic pieces I could have easily given a home to. Click on the links under the images to visit individual websites and on the photos for larger images...

 *From left to right: Azem Willam Ceramics // Natascha Madeiski

 * Ceramicist and illustrator Noa Weintraub

 *From left to right: AR Ceramics // Lily Pearmain Ceramics

The light and airy warehouse studio is not just beautiful but I can imagine it must also be an inspiring place to work in.
Membership fees are on a monthly basis and allow makers a weekly 15 hour working time, plus a shelf, glaze room and use of kiln as well as expert lead technical staff.

Having studied ceramics and have had previously worked in a tile studio in London the draw to this place is immense!
Yes it's been a while since I've thrown anything onto a wheel and all though I did specialise in traditional Portuguese tile painting throwing was always something which had proven to be a skill  I've always wanted to improve!
And to be honest after almost 26 years I can bet that my skills are going to need a lot of honing! BUT with the arrival of Turning Earth I'm hoping to change all that!
If you'd like to learn more about membership, location etc please visit the Turning Earth web site:
www.e10.turningearth.uk

2017, the year of living greener, hacking and sharing skills!

It looks like the trend for greener living is one that's not going away anytime soon nor is the philosophy of sharing knowledge and finding eco friendly solutions to improve life in general!

101 Organic Gardening Hacks by Shawna Coronado is published by Cool Springs Press

Looking through this book at a first glance you'd think it was a straight forward gardener's encyclopedia but it's far from that!
What we do find is a book with a different way of doing things -actually you'll find it has 101!- of improving your green spaces through using simple everyday gardening skills to rejuvenating your garden with amazing recycling based projects or hacks.

This new title by Cool Springs Press, 101 Organic Gardening Hacks by Shawna Coronado is all about sharing her tips, tricks and showing you how to find practical solutions for the home garden. From practical time savers, clever up-cycling projects using everyday items to help you achieve an environmentally friendly, organic green space.
Divided into categories for easy reference the 101 hacks are accompanied by clear photographs and easy to follow instructions.

Having just recently moved into a house with a garden I found the prospect of using this book in my own little space extremely exciting! I can't wait to get my hands dirty come Spring time!
And also because I'm usually on a tight budget recycling and using found objects is something I also find really attractive and interesting.
I know I'll finally get the perfect garden with the help of this title by reproducing quite a few projects as well as put into practise some of the planting and growing advice.
We've inherited someone else's gardening choices and as much as I do love the Japanese style of our tiny garden I also feel that due to years of neglect that it could do with some attention and a good old re jig!
It's also super shady so any vegetable growing has been limited. Last year's tomato crop yielded 4 tiny little berries... though the quince tree is thriving and happy -we got 8 kilos of plump fruit in early Autumn- so it's never going to be a bountiful vegetable field!
Coming to the conclusion that it won't be like Tom and Barbara's small holding in The Good Life was tough to accept! My planting will have to work around its natural geographical placement so it will be more of an ornamental garden with a few choice veg... And that's OK!
I will however have lots of nifty tricks to make my space an insect friendly, chemical free paradise using what I've learned... from weeding the environmentally friendly way (OH yes it can be done!) to harvesting seeds!

101 Organic gardening Hacks is for those who love experimenting and creating a space which not only looks great but also gives untold amounts of joy and by following an eco-friendly regime you'll be  giving back to mother nature too!
Thanks to Shawna Coronado and her quirky and creative ideas and her absolute love of gardening, this book will undoubtedly help both novices and the seasoned gardeners who are after a bit of inspiration.
There are lots of projects from simple decorating techniques to useful hacks like creating your very own irrigation system with a drip line kit!

I particularly love the outdoor chandelier and the pallet furniture but also the useful tips like how to keep your garden pest free with zero pesticides! There is so much to take away from this book so if you're looking to become the new Monty Don or just after a animal friendly, eco friendly garden then I'd totally recommend this new title.
Though I won't be creating the gardens of Babylon I have faith that my little patch of urban greenery will become my very own private garden of Eden! Minus the snakes... no, really, no snakes even though I love them but hedgehogs, birds and insects will be most welcome!

To order 101 Organic Gardening Hacks at the discounted price of £9.99 including p&p* (RRP: £12.99), telephone 01903 828503 or email mailorders@lbsltd.co.uk  and quote the offer code QPG466.

*UK ONLY - Please add £2.50 if ordering from overseas.