Behind the red door...

No, 
it's not a new version of the Shakin' Stevens classic but a brand spanking new Art and Craft gallery in the bowels of East Ham!



(Sorry...now that I've added that tune to your brain like a rock n roll loving earwig here's Shakin' Stevens for you though clicking on the video is optional...)

Situated near Central Park on the South Side of the High Street this beautifully formed ex medical glass components factory is the home of a very special place fronted by the lovely Canadian born Dolores.
Once I got over the one hour bus journey ( from Walthamstow on the 58 bus) I approached a cute little side street. On there is a small brick fronted Victorian factory with peaked roof tops, first floor stable doors like the ones you get in Amsterdam houses lined with hanging baskets and a big double door which is painted the brightest RED... hence the name "RED Door Studios".
I stepped through and entered a narrow outdoor corridor come café come indoor walled garden. As you continue down the skinny corridor you arrive into the main entrance of the building where I was  greeted by an upright piano, a few comfy sofas, DJ decks and lots of space to sit and make.
I love the communal feel and I'm told many parties have just sporadically happened due to the nature of the space. I think it will keep happening because it is a very special place.  It's not just an "Arty" space but what Dolores hopes it to be is a space where things happen and where people meet to make things happen!
Dolores took me on the grand tour and though still in the "renovation" stage it looks like it has a lot of potential. She truly is a lady with vision and determination!
She took me through a few rooms one of them to be the Café, the small but perfect studio office then to where a ceramics and multi discipline studio will be set up. As a ceramicist I was very impressed as not many spaces apart from schools have pottery studios so I am very pleased indeed that she will be offering this facility.
Upstairs there are a couple of tidy bright rooms, one of them being an artists studio and a jewellery studio which is still in the planning stage. It will have benches and will be adaptable to other similar disciplines for people to rent out and/or drop in to use tools, benches and all other facilities.
It really is a fantastic space and we hope that you'll be able to visit one day... though the bus trip may have seemed long the moment I walked through the door and was met by the welcoming and warm Dolores...well, the journey just seemed to be worth the slog! I definitely will be going back again and again!

If you fancy going there for some Christmas crafty cheer then have a look at their Face Book Page...there are a few craft workshops to choose from so go and make merry! Otherwise contact them via email: reddoorstudios@ymail.com or call: 07515378548

Christmas Fair Designers. Lets take a sneaky peek...

This lady is a one woman fashion brand! Chloe is the brain child behind  "Dot your teas"  a fresh, sassy hand made label made for modern, eclectic gals with an ethical conscience.

Her accessories are not just fun but also classy...I so can see myself wearing this! Ha ha  ha...I'm not calling myself classy but I do like FUN beautiful accessories.
I really want to buy everything and I adore her fabulous pom pom head band.

If you're after a bit of East London design magic then come and peruse her stall...I promise that you won't be disappointed!

Please note that the images are from Dot Your Teas website and we can't promise these exact items will be on sale on the 3rd of December. If there's a particular item that you like please contact the designer: http://www.dotyourteas.com/port1.html

Got Craft?

Be it a "yes" or a "no" answer to that question we think you really should go and get some of Got Craft's fabulous Christmas fair magic!
Andrea and Rob are fresh over from Canada where they run a very successful events company and highly regarded Craft Fairs. Given time and with your support I think that they will also achieve that over here. I'm so pleased that they've decided to bring their project to London and I welcome them with open arms!

Come on down on Sunday the 27th of November to the Tooting Tram & Social for their first offering and have a look at what all the fuss is about...you will not be disappointed!
Support your local crafts people, designer makers and lets make this Christmas a hand made one!

P.S. And I'll be DJ-ing at the Got Craft fair too! My DJ alter ego Frida Black-Heart will be on the wheels of steel spinning some crafty vintage beats...lots of Deco Jazz, Rag time, 1950's Rock n Roll, Rock a billy, Blues, Latino, 1960's Psychedelia and some good old Chrimbo tunes! Ohhh don't forget to bring those dancing shoes!!!

10 minute project...

This cute pincushion ring can be made in about 10 minutes flat. It's sweet, quick and an easy project to make when you're felling crafty but are pressed for time.
Also you can make it entirely out of recycled materials!!!

You'll need: a scrap of fabric (outer circle)
a piece of felt or denim (inner circle)
thread
stuffing
a plastic top from a drinks bottle
elastic
ribbon
drill or dibber
a needle and a pin
a glue gun
scissors

So come one...get your bits and bobs together and lets start making:

Before we start : plug in your glue gun (if you haven't one use a strong adhesive and leave to dry overnight)

Step 1: cut a circle out of some fabric and a smaller circle out of a stiffer material like denim or felt.

Step 2: centre and pin the inner circle into place. Sew a running stitch on the outer fabric just short of the inner circle. I've used red thread so you can see but I would have used white cotton thread otherwise.

Step 3: pull the stitches together to form a ruff and so your circle becomes a little pouch...

Step 4: fill with stuffing or roving (wool for needle felting), pull tight and stitch into place so it doesn't undo. You should have a tight little bundle.

Step 5: drill a hole with a craft drill or use a dibber to make two holes in your plastic bottle top.
Step 6: cut a piece of elastic and place through the holes to make the base of your pin cushion ring.

Step 7: once you pulled through your elastic, place on your finger and tie a knot on each end so it fits perfectly. Snip any surplus elastic.

Step 8: place a dab of glue under the knot so to keep it in place and a large dab over the elastic plus around the inner rim of the bottle cap. Place your stuffed pincushion top into the glued cap and press down firmly into place. Leave to dry for a minute.

Step 9: place a few dabs of glue and add the ribbon on the outside and tie both ends into a bow. Stitch a small tack stitch to keep the bow secure.

Step 10: Et Voila, C'est fini!!!!

Help us get the word out...

Post it on your Face Book page, on Twitter and where ever you can...yup people, I'm talking about our gorgeous poster which was designed by the talented illustrator Rebecca aka "One Sugar Please"!

A big thank you to our lovely sponsor Ship Shape Studio for being so awesome and generous plus we also need to say TA VERY MUCH to Sanna Panda for screen printing a cute limited edition tote which will be given to the first 25 people to visit the Craft Guerrilla table on the 3rd of December.

Christymas fair designers. Lets take a sneaky peek...

Miwary

I love Miwa and her absolutely bonkers but totally wearable stylish creations. She'll be at the Craft Guerrilla Christmas Fair on December 3rd at Vestry House Museum so pop in and see what gorgeously fab, inspired by nana's attic creations she's ll be showcasing!

I love her 3D fabric tea cups and I'm hoping she'll be bringing a few. I know someone who'll be very pleased if she gets one of those for Christmas!!!!

BUT...If you can't wait...have a peep here: http://www.miwary.com/

Remember that it's free to get in... and the first 25 people get a special edition printed tote courtesy of Sanna Panda & Friends!!!

Decorations a go go!

OK I'm maybe asking too much of myself but I really like the idea of making my own Christmas decorations...even though I realistically don't need the extra work this is something which I know would give me immense pleasure.

I'm fed up of shop bought, loud, glitter & tinsel overloaded decorations and as much as I love a bit of "bling" sometimes I crave a little bit of visual quiet.

So could paper/felt decorations be the answer? Personally I'd say yes.
Simple non fussy and pretty decorations that you can make and enjoy at the fraction of the price plus come the end of the season you can recycle as next year you'll be able to make some fresh ones out of scraps from your December recycling box or out of any pretty wrapping paper you've kept from the previous year.

I have so many Christmas baubles and decorations at the back of the cupboard that I fear one day that it'll come to life and will start giving out advice like "the trash heap" in Fraggle Rock!

There are so many types of on line paper decoration tutorials and by far this blog has been one of the favourite ones : http://www.curbly.com/chrisjob/posts/9452-how-to-make-modern-paper-ornaments

Not just one tutorial but a whole selection of really lovely
projects...which is rare.
Have a look at the gorgeous yet simple tutorials and get making!

These paper baubles are great and I've made some similar ones with recycled high quality paper magazines.
I'm definitely going to try making the paper trees...and the paper strip decoration...and the wreath...and...Oh darn...I think I'm going to try to make them all!