OH MY GOK!!!

I can't believe that I am becoming quite hysterical at the thought of possibly meeting GOK WAN! OK,maybe I won't meet him but he'll be there and so will we! His loveliness will be at The Harrogate Knitting & Stitching Show on Friday with Rock Chick come fashionista Brix Smith (another legend! I loved her in the Fall). Apparently they're doing a full on Fashion Fix catwalk show on Friday the 26th from 5pm. We'll be helping out with the swishing area so fingers crossed...he'll come by to say Hi!!!

For more details visit: http://www.twistedthread.com/

The art of writing a good press release, naming your event etc...

It's come to my attention that how ever much we try it's not easy finding your own voice especially when the platform is so huge. The Internet is a great tool and we've met friends, made a fair share of contacts and made our mark! BUT it's not easy protecting your creations, your intellectual properties, your image and now your language. When I say language I'm referring to tone...IE how your blog,your web site and even your press release reads.

Writing a good,easy to read press release isn't difficult. Lots of people just end up giving too much information therefore loosing the readers attention. Short,quick,blast of key information are essential.

Launching your brand: find your costumer. You might be offering a niche product but there's someone out there ready for it. Brand your self accordingly and coherently. Plus consistency is also good and find your voice and language you want to use and that your followers/customers can relate to and understand. Decide what message you want your creations or events to convey and make it happen.
Stick to it and believe in it! That's the first bit of advice and it's on the house.

For example we get a lot of people from other craft groups/event organisers, which will remain nameless for now, that come to our blog copy and paste word for word and even name their events quite similarly to our own in a feeble attempt to associate their events with ours. All it does is create confusion and unpleasantness. I hope that if you're reading this that you'll understand and respect what we're saying. Don't do it again or you wont remain anonymous.So what is it that you want to offer your customers? A copy of something else? It's easy to get lost and look at others work but looking for inspiration doesn't mean you can carbon copy it.
Initially I felt like it was a compliment,that others loved so much what I was writing that they couldn't find their own words to match my message. That's naive. It's frustrating and it grinds you down. By doing this they're just being lazy. What I propose to these people is that they contact me and I'll write them a nifty little press release but I'll write it for them in their own language and appropriate to their project but...there's a catch...you'll have to pay me or be really nice and offer me a trade off. It's simple.

But that's not what this is about but speaking of which ,and it all ties in nicely, is that if you do want to use our PR services visit our web site and get in touch. We can help you feel a bit more confident and help you on your own crafty adventure!
Now let us get back to the important stuff!

Countdown to Craft Guerrilla Christmas Craft EMPORIUM

It's official...we're excited about Christmas!!! Well, about the Christmas Craft Emporium to be exact!
It's only 16 days to go before the hand made gorgeousness begins!
This year we have a whole bunch of new guys and gals as well as some of the faves from last year. From children's clothing & apparel,jewellery,illustration, prints,paper goods,soft furnishings to beautiful hand made leather bags and shoes. It seems quite apt having such quality craft in the home of the man that started it all...I think William Morris would be proud!

Please note that there are quite a few events happening in the area and that some have named their event quite cheekily to sound like ours but I can tell you that they aren't associated with Craft Guerrilla. Whether or not it was on purpose...we'll never know but we wish them luck though why people can't come up with their own ideas is beyond us. Anyway...

Paper crafts!

We occasionally get asked to feature people on our blog mainly to help advertise their craft business or projects.
I absolutely love the zeitgeist for all things hand made which we're living through at the moment.
People like Kirstie Allsopp might think they started a revolution but it's been quietly happening for quite a while now. Sorry Kirstie but you're about 5 years too late!
If by bringing it to the mainstream it means people are more aware of CRAFT and gain a newer and more respectful understanding to it then...it's a good thing!
Craft Guerrilla is all about teaching,sharing techniques and spreading the D.I.Y. CRAFT message to all and by working with real crafters we hope to make that possible....so it's not difficult to introduce you to the lovely Sharon Curtis.
So if you fancy learning the art of card making get yourself to Crouch End and pop in to see her.
As we're so close to the festive season why not go and make your own Christmas cards?
For further information visit: http://www.glitterangel.typepad.com/

Craft Guerrilla at the TATE MODERN....

Last weekend at the TATE MODERN I spotted a lovely little book... Indie Craft by Jo Waterhouse.
It took all my concentration and will power not to scream and jump around like an A.D.D. child but I did stand there and snap someone perusing through it though I did have to stop myself from saying..."we're in there you know!"
I did restrain myself but what I felt was a sense of pride and sheer happiness to have in some shape or form my work in the TATE MODERN!
As you know by now CRAFT GUERRILLA are showcased in this lovely publication. Myself (munano) and the gorgeous Peppermint Twist have been selected to appear among some fine designer makers like: Angela Chick, Knit the City, Kate Jenkins and lots of other talented crafters.
I love this book...even if I am bias...but if we weren't in there I would still go out and buy it!
For more titles check out the Laurence King web site
Available to buy at the TATE MODERN shop, Amazon and all good book shops.

Cross stitcher Magazine...

Cross Stitcher Magazine....
When the Lovely Charlie asked me to review their magazine I didn't know what to expect exactly. I had seen Cross Stitcher Magazine on the supermarket shelf but it had never really attracted me before...well not enough to buy it.
There is a sea of craft publications and I have to confess I am a sucker for a good cover and usually go by it when I choose one to purchase.
I was told it had been "revamped" and that this was the new look Cross Stitcher.
When the package hit my entrance floor I was on my way out and decided it would make perfect reading material on the Tube into town. Not only was it a great read but as it had a free project pack*(Gingham Tree decoration) it kept me busy on the way in! I truly was impressed and surprised! *note I always have a sewing set in my bag and a pair of embroidery scissors. These are not included in the free pack!
The pages are filled with interesting and easy to follow projects with clear instructions. If you're a beginner you'll love this and if you're a dab hand you'll be as equally content as their are so many lovely things to make plus a great source of inspiration. This year I will not be making Chrimbo cards but decorations instead to gift family and friends.
So what's it like? I love the look and the feel of it. It reminds me of French craft magazines which I always buy when I go over.
There's an elegance but also a vibrant and young element to it so it's not at all a "granny makes" magazine. It's grown up but fun and definitely a magazine I will buy again so you can say...The cover has done it's work!
Out now in all good newsagents...go buy it...
Cross Stitcher magazine: £3.99

Christmas Craft Emporium...

For further info please visit our web site: www.craftguerrilla.com

*Thank you to the lovely Rebecca Emery aka one sugar please for her beautiful illustrations!
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