Forest Arts & Crafts...

Our good friends over in Chingford are planning a very busy summer! The Forest Art & Crafts group have quite a busy diary so no excuses...you really must pop in to see just what they are up to!

"A Summer of Art Exhibitions on Chingford Green
June 4, July 2, August 6,
September 3....
Between 10am and 4pm on North Chingford Green outside the Library

As well as fantastic artists we are hoping to have some of our makers and crafters along as well this Summer..........
For further information please go to www.forestartandcraftse4.blogspot.com"

I knit Guernsey Competition!

Guernsey knitting competition to revive tradition of family patterns

Visit Guernsey has joined together with knitting shop and community group I Knit London to launch the 2011 "iKnit_Guernsey competition". The winner will receive an idyllic break for two to Guernsey courtesy of Fly Guernsey, with £50 iKnit London vouchers available for four runners up. The winning pattern will also be published in a leading UK knitting magazine.

The contest seeks to revive the tradition for families on the island having their own, unique pattern for the iconic maritime sweater. Patterns that re-interpret this tradition should be submitted via pdf upload on the VisitGuernsey facebook page by July 4, 2011.

Gillian Lenfestey, costume curator for the National Trust Guernsey Folk & Costume Museum advised on the project: “The traditional guernsey has evolved from one of Europe’s oldest knitted garments, out of a community knitting tradition on the island that pre-dates the Middle Ages.

“Originally, each Guernsey family had is own distinctive pattern variation which would also indicate which parish they were from. The designs were passed down through the generations orally," Gillian explains.

During the German occupation of the Second World War the community on Guernsey suffered huge upheaval, and even once the younger generation of evacuees returned, many local traditions - such as the local Guernsey-French patois language and the family knitting patterns - were affected: "The guernsey pattern was saved and written down by the Federation of Guernsey Women’s institutes in 1945,” explains Gillian.

According to guernsey manufacturer Guernsey Woollens, patterns on the traditional guernsey, which developed as practical work wear for sailors, are significant: The rib at the top of the sleeve represents a sailing ship’s rope ladder in the rigging, the raised seam across the shoulder a rope, and the garter stitch panel; waves breaking upon the beach.

Those entering the competition are encouraged to creatively re-interpret the original garment, imagining how the family patterns might have looked, or would look today if the tradition had continued and evolved. However, to maintain the guernsey tradition they should attempt to incorporate the following features:
• Inclusion of the traditional box shape
• Using British [or Guernsey!] wool with four or five ply
• Pattern designs for size 10-12

The competition first prize is only available to knitters and designers able to travel from UK daily departure points to Guernsey, however anyone inspired by the idea is welcome to take part on a non-competitive basis.

Gerard Allt owner of I Knit London said:
“The fact that these jumpers went on to influence traditional “Gansy” designs all round the UK coastline is fascinating. We also loved the fact that the guernsey comes from a culture of community based knitting, which is the very thing that we are nurturing with our iknit links local knitting groups initiative.”


Competition guidelines:

The competition will be judged in two rounds. Round one will comprise a paper pattern design and accompanying notes via pdf file upload. Those taking part will need to enter via the VisitGuernsey Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/VisitGuernsey. The deadline for first round entry is July 4, 2011.

Five finalists will then be selected to knit their designs by a panel of experts including Gerard Allt of I Knit London, historian Gillian Lenfestey, Arthur Eldridge co-owner of Guernsey Wollens, and Guernsey knitter, craft teacher and iMake blogger Martine Ellis.

The final garments will be judged during UK national knitting week and announced on October 10, 2011.

What makes a guernsey a guernsey?
• Guernseys are made of single colour worsted yarn, usually four or five ply, tightly knit using fine needles [as small as size 13 or 14].
• The guernsey was originally knitted in the round, with a purl stitch to mark the side seam.
• Patterns are made up of simple knit/ purl combinations, the most elaborate of which would have covered the top half of the body and arms. Patterns on Tudor knitted stockings produced in Guernsey had names such as Turk’s Head, and Peacock’s Tail, which may have also been used on jumper designs.
• Jumpers have a boxy shape which means that they can be worn both ways; front and back (originally to prolong life-span).
• Other common features include a funnel neck, triangular inserts under the arms and at the neck edge, and side splits in the hem for ease of movement.

Crafting it the vintage way!

As you know we love making,crafting,creating,wearing and salvaging vintage clothing,vintage style,snazzy hair do's and doing lots of general girlie things! OK but not sickly, pink hued, flowery infused type of girlie things...Not that there's anything wrong with that but it's just not us!
And lets not be sexist neither,all the above are not exclusively for girls we welcome blokes with a dapper sense of style and appreciation for good old fashioned crafty fun plus we love guys who can use their hands! (now,now ladies!)
And so we thought:"Hum, JUNE, lots of summer weddings coming up, festivals, pic nics, parties...What can we do to mark the beginning of the warm,sunny season and the launch of the play "girlfriend" at the rose & crown theater pub (our lovely host venue)?"
Alas the idea of doing a 1940's VINTAGE INSPIRED D.I.Y. CRAFT NIGHT was born!
We'll have a selection of very lovely guests Frill Seekers Vintage and Claire Hair to help us host this event plus you'll be able to make a lovely vintage inspired fascinator in our mini workshop. Keep those peepers pealed as we'll be announcing details very soon.

Serra Vista Studios...

Calling all hep cats, dolly rockers and all good old rocking rollers...If you're wanting to record your album in the gorgeous sunshine then really you need to visit Lyn and Boz at the Serra Vista Studios up in the Monchique mountains in the Algarve.
Nestled up in the hills this fab music studio has played host to the likes of Murdering Tripping Blues, Richard Dutton and other talented musicians!
For further info take a peep at the Serra Vista Studios blog.

May is Craft Month!!!

As we get closer to the end of month we look forward to the lovely,shiny and very creative new month that is MAY!
After the very rowcus and festivias shinnanigans of April we think that this is positively the best wedding/Bank Holiday(s) hangover cure...

Printing card and fabric work shop
5th of May 7.30pm - 9.30pm
To kick it all off we have a fab workshop featuring the splendidly talented Sarah Butler.
A 2 hour introduction to relief printmaking, learn to make your own unique stamp to be printed on card and fabrics. A skill you can continue at home!
Number of places available: 12
Cost: £15 [includes all tools and materials and you can make two stamps, two cards and some fabric prints to take home with you] Pre-booking advisable.

Felted Flowers work shop
13th May 7.30pm - 9.30pm
Ever fancied trying your hand at needle felting? I can honestly say, needle on heart, that it is so very addictive! Here's your chance to get started with a fab workshop by Gai. Make your own needle felted Flower Brooch/Pin in this fun and creative workshop. She's an amazing needle felting artist and she'll have you hooked in no time. Because May is Craft Month Craft Guerrilla have teamed up with our lovely friends at Creative Biscuit and so get on down and make something!
Learn easy one step free form needle felting. No applique moulds used to create your very own original piece of wearable art.
If you have never tried needle felting this is a good workshop to get started. Your kit will contain everything you need, foam pad to work on, instructions, wool, needles etc.
Number of places available: 12
Cost: £15 [includes all tools and materials and two cards to take home with you]
Pre booking advised.

Make your own owl work shop
19th May 7.30pm-9.30pm
We're very pleased to announce that Zeena Shah is hosting a very special and very cute workshop for craft month! I absolutely love her textile designs and here's your chance to make a gorgeous little owl to take home with you!
Print your owl, stitch & stuff and hey presto you now have your very own little plushie!
Number of places available: 10
Cost: £18 [includes all tools and materials and a very cute hand sewn owl to take home with you]

Jewellery Making/Wire Wrap work shop
26th May 7.30pm - 9.30pm
This is the last Craft Month work shop but it's a good one.
Learn a new skill or brush up on your technique at this fun and
very useful workshop with Jeweller extraordinaire Ellen Jones!
Students will learn the basic technique of wire-wrapping for jewellery making as well as an introduction to the tools and their usage.
The wire and components used will be either silver-plated or gunmetal, and there will be a variety of crystals, pearls etc. freely available to create your own personal piece of jewellery. By learning the wire-wrapping technique, students will be able to make charm drops and continuous chains.
All abilities welcome!
Number of places available: 10
Cost: £28 [includes all tools and materials and at least one piece of jewellery to take home with you]

East London Craft Guerrilla Crafternoon!
27th May 6pm - 9.30pm
Come celebrate the end of Craft Month with a fabulous "Craftea Party". As we bid a fond farewell to our lovely hosts Creative Biscuit we definitely leave with a full heart and so we'd like you to come and share the LOVE!
We'll be offering a selection of quirky and cool Craft Guerrilla signature craft packs which can all be done quickly and easily. Or you can take them home to do in your own time. In house tutors will be on hand should you need some help or some crafty tips.
It's what it says in the title: Craft,Tea and Party with a cocktail thrown in into the mix! There's a great selection of tea, coffee and delicious cake.
Cost: £5 - includes tea and cake
Small charge per craft pack.

The Venue:
Creative Biscuit
61 George Lane South Woodford, London E18 1JJ

Please contact and book your place on the workshop with Creative Biscuit directly on: 020 8532 2824

Are you the next Crafty Super Star?

Once again we're launching the Craft Guerrilla NEW* Designer Makers Competition! We'll be working with Twisted Thread the organizers of the Knitting & Stitching shows to showcase the best new talent in British and Irish Arts & Crafts!
We're looking for talented Designer Makers who are passionate about all things hand made, have a high level of craftsmanship and make beautiful, modern, high quality, hand made Designer Maker items!
We have 6 stall spaces up for grabs in each "Knitting & Stitching" shows in London, Harrogate and Dublin.


If you're looking to start your own creative hand made business then this might be the launch pad you need!
One of last year's winners Lindsey O'Harrow of BooBou Designs said:
"Good luck to anyone who enters, I won a place last year and my business is thriving! I'm going back this year so I'll see you there!"


What do you need to do?
To apply simply e mail Louise (louise@craftguerrilla.com) a short description of your hand made business, send a few images of that work (or a web site address which stocks your wares) and a brief covering letter on how this opportunity would help you.
*note: When photographing your work please take clear images, do not use fussy backgrounds and use good lighting. I can't stress enough how important it is to have good shots of your work! Don't send in anything which you wouldn't be happy being used as a representation of your work.

Criteria,who's eligible?
We're excepting applications from British and Irish based Designer makers and also you must work with in the area of the show or near. For example for the London show we're excepting people from London and the South East.
If you've applied last year and weren't successful you are welcome to reapply.

What's on offer?
You'll get a highly coveted stall at the Knitting & Stitching show. With so many visitors we expect you to sell and promote your creative company to thousands of people!

How much will it cost me?
Nothing! All you need to pay for is your own transport (getting to and from the show), your own expenses (like hotels, parking,meals etc), any stall decoration, stall staffing and any personal promotional materials like posters,business cards etc.
Please note that if you were paying for this stall it would cost you over £600 for the four days!

How do we chose the winners?
We'll chose 6 successful applicants to exhibit from all entries for each show. We will choose only designer maker items which we deem to be of outstanding quality and originality. Please do not be offended if you're not chosen. We get lots of applications so we're choosing only items which we think fulfill the brief and represent the ethos of Craft Guerrilla.

What are we looking for?
Though it's called the "Knitting & Stitching" shows Twisted Thread is very keen for us to introduce other craft disciplines like ceramics but all your work must be hand made! No mass produced tat thank you!
Indie crafters, designer makers and artisans this is your chance to take your work from a hobby to a business!

When will we let you know?
The deadline is the 30th of June but...you can start applying now. A full schedule for the competition will be announced soon and winners will be announced mid to late July.

Good Luck!


Also please pass the opportunity onto your friends and fellow crafty colleagues as we want to spread the word far and wide!


*NEW as in non established,in the process of taking your craft business into the next level or even if you've been making for years but you've never taken the step!

POM POM necklace work shop...

Our lovely East London Craft Guerrilla member A Alicia is a very talented designer maker and she'll show you how to make a fab necklace which you can wear with pride...after all it will be your handy work!

"Ever fancied making your own jewellery? Well here's your chance to design and make a gorgeous, on trend, pom pom necklace to add to your summer wardrobe, at this A Alicia workshop!
I'll be running the workshop on Saturday 30th April from 1pm-3.30pm, at Create Boutique's lovely central London space: http://create-boutique.co.uk/
The lovely ladies at Create Boutique have let me offer you a special discount so you can book the workshop for £35 instead of the usual £40 - just mention this email when you book.
Places are limited, and booking is essential - to book or for more info email: info@create-boutique.co.uk

In the workshop you'll get to design your own pom pom necklace using a range of fairtrade organic wool, vintage ribbon and vintage or handmade beads. Once you've chosen your colours and materials, you'll learn how to make wool pom poms and how to assemble your finished necklace - then it's yours to wear and enjoy!

Hope to see you there, and feel free to pass this email (and the discount) on!"