The Amazings are coming to a screen near you!

There's a buzz around the Craft world at the moment and it's all about experienced people teaching the younger generation about making! It goes by the name The Amazings?  Have you heard about it? No?! OK so you've either been on a long holiday or living completely off grid because The Amazings are the hottest topic around at the moment!!! We'll forgive you for it because we know how quick information moves and just how darn hard it is keeping up with everything! But we'll tell you all about it...

Through out time elders have passed on skills to younger folk...

mosaic plant pots...one of the classes available to join!

So what are The Amazings?
The  Amazings  is  an  online  platform  where  retired  and  retiring  people  pass  on  craft skills through  classes and courses.
There  are  now  over  200  real  life  workshops  on  offer.
Demand  for  the  classes  has  far  outstripped  what  the  individual  Amazings  can  provide, so  in order  to  widen  the  availability  of  the  courses, they  will  now  be  available  through  a  digital platform.

Beauty is not just skin deep... learn to make it from the experts!

Knitting got you in a twist and granny doesn't live close enough to pop in to teach you? Fear not you can learn from an elder on line!

We love the concept behind this project and because we've been harping on about "Sharing your craft skills" for the past 5 years or so we're very happy to see it's something others are also aware of and striving to keep alive!
It's so important that we as a society pass on creativity because a society with out CRAFT is like a banjo with out strings!!! More and more people have become engaged with making as the modern world moves at a colossal rate people of all ages have found craft a therapeutic respite from the constant evolution in technology.

Jewellery making!

Learn from others and maybe one day you too can pass it on to the next generation!

So how do you get a piece of the action? Online classes will be offered in everything from knitting and sewing, to bookbinding and retro-hair dos. Courses consist of  2 hour video tutorials, commentary, teacher’s notes and you'll also be able to ask the teacher a question!
Once  enrolled, users will be able to watch  a class anywhere, anytime, and for as long as they like. That's the magic of the inter net and we think this offer is magic too!!! So no hurrying as you'll be able to watch and learn at your own pace and whenever you have time.

Fun and fab... make a dress from a shirt...

...just another brilliant workshop by the people at The Amazings!

So if you're after some creative classes here's a list of what will be available:
*Make Natural Beauty Products
*Three Retro Hair Dos
*Make a Mosaic Flower Pot
*Learn to Patchwork Quilt
*Try Altered Books
*Turn a man’s shirt into a summer dress
*Create a Silver Metal Clay Butterfly
*Loom knit a woolly hat

Altered Book...

And because we love to share the creativity The Amazings have offered an exclusive and brilliant treat for our blog readers... so if you'd like to book an online class visit www.theamazings.com and get your first class for free!
You'll need this code to access the freebie page, just sign in and follow the steps:
http://bit.ly/11tdram

Something for the weekend... Flow Magazine!

We first came across these lovely creative people through twitter and we think they should definitely be better know in the UK.
"Flow" is a Dutch based creative magazine which also manages to create and sell beautiful paper goods plus their blog/website is pretty darn good too!
So what makes Flow different from all the others?

The latest cover of Flow...available to buy via their website: http://www.flowmagazine.com/order/

Stamps available to buy and other paper goods like diaries and wrapping paper!

There are so many Craft mags out there at the moment but what is seriously lacking is a publication which stands out both in the design stakes and the content.
After a huge dry spell of "good looking" UK craft magazines our market is now flooded with a hundred and one "Molly Makes" look-a-likes.
I do Like Molly's, don't get me wrong, but now other magazines are emulating too closely so it kind of loses it's sparkle as everything out there becomes very samey.

I often think that the majority of craft magazines are very one dimensional. OK so it's a craft mag, so shouldn't it be all about CRAFT making? Yes and no. I love the projects and the d.i.y. content but I also don't see the point of a magazine packed solely with projects you can easily find on Pinterest and an endless showcasing of work spaces. 
OK not everyone is a natural born crafter so I understand why all the projects but how many of these magazines can a market sustain?

Not just a note book...but a beautiful ideas note book!

What Flow manages to do is offer a magazine which is bright, inspiring and inviting without making you feel like all the people featured in the inside pages are living a dream while you fester in reality... a bit like being tormented by a fantastical cake shop which never opens though you have the munchies like no body's business so you're left tapping on the window, wishing it was you on the other side of the double glazing stuffing your face with sweet fluffy cake and not just left out in the cold looking in!

So why all the love? Flow does tap into the hand made zeitgeist yet it's done in an original way. Though it features projects, recipes, freebies and even life mantras it's definitely a marriage of the creative and the philosophical world.
You'd be forgiven for thinking that an article titled "Life is about finding the balance" would be all about offering advise on how to run a designer maker business while balancing a home life but far from it. It taps into a shared aspect -humanity- and it offers content which is open to all and not just to people working within the creative industry. That my friends is awesome... there isn't one mention of craft but it's all about living a better life as a human being and we can all relate to that!

©flow magazine blog

I do like our UK magazines but sometimes I wish they would just "be themselves" rather then try too hard to be a copy of someone else.
Though Flow does subscribe to a certain aesthetic it still comes across as fresh! With a sub heading of: Simplify your life - feel connected - live mindfully- spoil yourself... It's not surprising there is such a huge worldwide following.




This is what they say about their magazine... Flow is a magazine for women who are looking for more peace and quiet in their busy lives. Flow offers inspiration, insights and solutions. Authentic, made with love, a magazine with lots of extras. Each issue has four parts: 1. FEEL CONNECTED: about family, relationships, friends, but also about the world around you. 2. SPOIL YOURSELF: indulge yourself with pretty and fun products. 3. LIVE MINDFULLY: living with awareness, attention for the now, mindfulness and psyche. 4. SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE: practical solutions to make life easier, even inside your head

Got an iPad? Get your Flow app here: https://itunes.apple.com/nl/app/flow-magazine/id632643685?mt=8

We hope Flow manages to keep going in this fast paced multi media world, though I'm sure they will, and if anything we hope we've managed to turn you on to something a little bit different and exciting... so go on if you have some time this weekend go check out their blog... it's definitely worth a few hours of your time!

If you'd like to subscribe to Flow please go to their website:
http://www.flowmagazine.com/order/

Ahoy! Yard Sale in East Ham E6!

Are you at a loose end this weekend?

Then let me invite you down to the Red Door Studios biggest ever Yard Sale!

From the creators of the successful 'Homemaker Pop-up Sale' comes THE YARD SALE on the 14th to 16th of June, for a bohemian collection of pre-loved items – ready to take home for cheap as chips prices! They have a jumble of retro, new and used items for your to re-love and re-cycle. 

Hours of the sale are:

Friday 14th June: 7pm to 10pm

Saturday 15th June: 10am to 4pm

Sunday 16th June: 10am to 4pm

Red Door are located in East Ham, just off High Street South on Masterman Road, the address is:

Rear of 120 High Street South,

East Ham, London

E6 3RW

For those anxious 'early birds' there is a pre-view sale on the Friday evening from 7pm to 10pm where you can browse and buy with a glass of wine in hand, entrance fee for the evening event is £1.00

The Creative Director of Red Door Studios has lived in the UK for 14 years and has collected a lot of stuff so before her shipping containers leave for North America, she is offering bargain hunters a chance to re-claim many collected British items including;  
1950’s retro furniture, architectural salvage, sewing and haberdashery supplies, fabric ... and millions of buttons!

The Red Door Cafe will be open with garden treats from the local gardening project 'Grow together, Be Together... Eat Together'.

Proceeds of the sale will go towards renovations at the Studio as well as go to the East Ham Air Cadets Squadron and 'Grow together, Be Together' gardening project in East Ham. 

For inspiration do take a gander at my blog post Yard Sale Bohemia I'll hope to see many East End locals at the Studio over the weekend!

The Hand Stitched Home...

The Hand Stitched Home is the new book by self taught embroidery artist Caroline Zoob. It's filled  cover to cover with amazing and beautiful projects that wouldn't look out of place in a petite maison Française. 

If you're thinking this book is just for the seasoned embroiderer think again! What Caroline manages to do is offer beautiful projects which can be finished by anyone and not just the accomplished sewers.
Easy, step by step and beautifully photographed projects which will get you making.
I for one can't wait to get my hands busy... there are at least two projects that I'll be trying this summer and I'm in the process of  starting on some shelving edging for my mum's new kitchen!

A page from the book... lovely shelving embroidery edging... might have to make this!

I absolutely love the way you're taken on a journey as Caroline explains the origins and the inspirations about her work and it's far from twee but it definitely touches on the naive and the "French Country" look. Also I'm so please to read that Caroline herself a former opera singer and solicitor came into embroidery in her late 30's so definitely it's something which everyone regardless of age can pick up and master. What an incredible woman and what a brilliant story!

Lovely embroidered towels, cloths and table runners...

I also love the way it reminds me and transports me back to my Granny's holiday cottage in "Pedorido"- a very small village near Porto, in the Douro Valley between hills and terraced vineyards... and if it brings back fond memories then that surely can't be a bad thing!

Granny Maria Adelaide with my daddy in "Pedorido" circa 1946

It's the perfect book for finding guidance and for rekindling your creative love affair with vintage fabrics, patterns, the art of embroidery and getting some needed inspiration. Reworking vintage patterns into usable modern and eclectic home wares is something I absolutely enjoy and know lots of crafters do too so if you think this sounds like a good book for you then take a look at our special offer because the lovely people at Jacqui Small have a special promotion code which entitles you to a discount if you order through us.
Due to be released this summer but available to pre-order now... just read the instructions below....

To order The Hand-Stitched Home at the discounted price of £16.00 including p&p*, telephone 01903 828503 and quote offer code JS217. Or send a cheque made payable to: Littlehampton Book Services Mail Order Department, Littlehampton Book Services, PO Box 4264, Worthing, West Sussex BN13 3TG. Please quote the offer code JS217 and include your name and address details. *UK ONLY - Please add £2.50 if ordering from overseas.

Treat your dear old dad this Father's Day!

If there's any time where making is more important then buying a gift then it's gotta be on a day like Father's Day! What better way is there to show that you truly love someone then by making them a very special gift?!
It shows that you've actually thought about what they'd like and I for one know my pappy appreciates hand made things... so here are a few ideas which I hope you're daddy-oh will also enjoy:

Smokey & hot chili BBQ sauce... it's exactly what every man needs! I hate to generalise but we know how fond the male of the species is of cooking outdoors so why not make up a batch and name it after your lovely dad... here's a great recipe: www.grouprecipes.com

But if you're not quite a "domestic goddess" or can't stand the heat of the kitchen then you can purchase some amazing chili sauce from a small independent company from "Brum".
I know, "make it, not buy it" but if you are spending your hard earned cash then spend it on something hand made or from a small indie company and "Pip's Hot Sauce" is an amazing little indie business!
We think their hot sauces are one of the best in the world... and that's not the chili talking - chili can make you quite giddy, fact - but I absolutely love their smoked garlic & chili sauce "La Boca d'el Daiblo" and I know my chili!
http://www.pipshotsauce.co.uk/

Paint your dad a special little something and you don't need to be a Michelangelo or a Constable! Be it a ceramic mug or a plate tell your dad just how amazing you think he is by painting your very own piece of ceramics! This way he can look at it every breakfast time... what a splendid way to show him your love! Aw!!!!
Our friends at www.creativebiscuit.co.uk are a fab little ceramic café and we know they'll have something just right for you and your old man but if you're stuck for ideas ask the friendly staff as they'll be on hand to help or advise should you need it.

Make him a tie...
OK my dad no longer wears ties on a day to day basis but some sharp dressers still do. Anyway there's always an opportunity to wear one like for examples weddings, christenings etc. so I'm sure that he'll love it regardless... besides it'll be extra special if it's saved for only the most important of occasions!
Here's a great tutorial though I think I'm going to use a vintage silk scarf so it's also recycled:
www.purlbee.com

©purlbee

Make him some pampering products...
Here's a great d.i.y. shaving lotion tutorial. Use a nice vintage bottle or mason jar with a pump and decorate with some vintage labels:
http://blueeyedbeautyblogg.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/diy-shaving-cream.html

(Note: the only thing I would add is  masculine essential oils like sandalwood, moss or even Bergamont for a fresh clean scent. Also using unscented ingredients will work best otherwise it might smell a bit too girlie as most creams/conditioners are perfumed but it is possible to find something neutral!)

Make him smell good! Perfume/after shave tutorial:
Here's a great and very complete guide to learning how to blend and create scents.... http://mamabearssoaps.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=3
For the actual making bit I used this tutorial which is very easy and less complex then the previous:
http://www.designsponge.com/2012/05/small-measures-homemade-eau-de-perfume.html#more-136965

perfume tutorial by "Small Measures"!

For label art work...

And don't forget the card...

Print out and make your very own Mr.Printables DAD spex!
http://www.mrprintables.com/fathers-day-printable-glasses.html

"Forest creatures and other animals"

From the 1st of June we'll be showing our first Illustrators show at Black Duke & Cashman.
"Forest creatures and other animals" is a showcase of work including prints and original art work by the very talented Isobel Kho, Deer Little Forest and Jim Ward aka Jim Bob Art.

 Isobel Kho

Craft Guerrilla are very proud to showcase a plethora of creatives ranging from designer makers, musicians to artists and illustrators so it seemed quite natural to include some of that talent in our concession space.

Deer little forest...

The guys at Black Duke & Cashman have been really supportive of us and when we mentioned the possibility of having a show they kindly obliged and let us use their walls!
So if you love illustration as much as we do then pop in and have look...

James Ward...

"Forest Creatures & other Animals"
Showing from the 1st of June to the 30th of June
Open Thursday to Sunday 11am to 6pm
Venue address
Black Duke & Cashman
83 Grove Rd
Walthamstow
E17 9BU


To see more by the illustrators or our host's beautiful stock please visit their websites:
Isobel Kho http://www.isobelkho.co.uk/
Jim Ward http://www.etsy.com/shop/jimbobart
Jo Rose aka Deer Little Forest http://www.deerlittleforest.com/

Black Duke & Cashman: http://www.blackdukeandcashman.com/

Craft Guerrilla goes to Porto (part 2)...

I've known Carina Constantino for a long time - I'll spare the details as neither of us look our age so not wishing to give that away I won't say how many years it's been - anyway a girl's gotta keep some secrets... BUT me and Carina go back a long time and what never ceases to amaze me is the energy she still harnesses both in her work, attitude and spirit!

"Qusiloja" http://quasiloja.blogspot.co.uk/

Address: rua Ribeiro de Sousa 225-229
4250-408 porto

The window display tease viewers to what awaits inside to be discovered....

I visited her beautiful studio in Porto, a former car show room/garage though you'd never tell by the facade, beautiful wooden framed windows in a sweeping art nouveau style greet visitors as they step through the threshold and enter a welcoming, soft, dreamlike space which is also dark and mysterious which simultaneously embraces and smacks you with the full force of her creativity.

Light bulbs carry wings to guide visitors in...

The main gallery space... a creative area lives behind a beautiful red curtain keeping an air of surprise, theater and promise to all who visit!

Carina uses everyday materials like card and paper to make 3D pieces...as you'll read houses feature heavily in her work...

I've been meaning to visit "Quasiloja"* for a few years now and I'm so glad I finally did because apart from visiting someone I absolutely love and admire it reminded me just why I still keep working in the creative sector. Carina is an inspiration and a true force of nature!

*"Quasiloja" which translated means "almost-a-shop"

"Quasiloja" is both a creative space and a venue which hosts exhibitions - both Carina's work and that of guest artists - workshops, parties and also works as a creative space open to all! To say it's a shop is not correct, hence the name, as it encompasses a whole way of life... it's much more then any label or title could ever explain.

Because of wanting to add my European crafty adventures to the blog and wanting to expose true talent along my travels I asked Carina if I could interview her and she kindly complied. So if you'd like to know a little bit more about this amazing artist read on...

Carina at work...

Tell us a bit about you?
My name is Carina Constantino. I was born in Brussels, but I'm Portuguese, and I've lived in Porto since 1987.

What makes you wake up in the morning?
The smell of coffee...

little figurines adorn pretty painted shelves which were selvaged and transformed by Carina.

Little houses & animal masks live on the walls of the gallery...

Why use craft methods to create your work?
It's the most effective method I've found to recreate my universe, tap into my visual taste and to materialise my dreams. I have lots of dreams and I love the deconstruction of the conventional...

A small selection of Carina's work which is available to buy in the shop...

You offer workshops to people, what are the greatest barriers in getting people to join?
Certainly it's what happens every where else - the lack of correspondence to reality and to what people say they want! The problem with living in such a virtual world is that sometimes we put it out there and nothing else comes from it because that's all it is and it remains there (online) just as information...

As a gallery and shop owner what are you greatest challenges?
Creating a specific world where a visitor can enter and leave reality at the door. I look for an oneiric language which offers a common link within humanity. To dream is a very common human wish.
Also a desire to forget the formality in form which exists far too much in the day to day, everything has a rule to follow, a pattern... I'm not a great fan of this! And seeing the light in things... if something seems really dark I like to look deeper.

How would you describe "Quasiloja" to someone who's never been here?
A place which allows anyone who enters to engage with the fantastical side. The objective in itself is a pretext, I use the materials to create a a palpable dream scape.

"I dreamt of a house like this" Carina's take on her dreams which feature heavily in her work...

How do you describe your work?
Intimate, something which I grab from my memories. That's pretty much the patent in my latest project: "I dreamt of a house like this"
I'd like to live in a world like this, a world of possibilities... the deconstruction of reality, the conventional, a world of possibilities where my artistic language is concrete and becomes a reality. It's like giving a voice to the many inner worlds I hold in me.

The walls of the gallery were painstakingly and lovingly made from a rescued shed which was dismantled and re-used to cover the walls of "Quasiloja"

How do you work through the process?
The work begins in a very instinctive way, evolving like a dream which is dependent on the materials, the way they relate to each other and like a dream they grow and evolve through the process of execution within the piece I'm working on. The materials in themselves become the fabric of the dream. The memory of the materials also take on their own space, incorporating a new destination incubated within my own artistic expression. For example I cut the boards which once formed a shed and working in true scale I re created a door which once held the history of all the people who once crossed it, a memory, a genetic mark of every and each material which is involved in the process.
The symbolic meaning of the door, the window is always present in my work, like a passageway, an opening and a closing, a thread which marks the trajectory to the window which is tense and fine.
Are we looking for a way out? Or looking to keep a connection? There's always two sides which cohabit like light and dark, but what is always left open is the possibility of dreaming!

Mixed media work by Carina...tiny little fragments of dreams which have been translated into beautiful paintings which you can buy and take home...

Miniature dresses sweetly hang on the walls like pretty little ghosts waiting to be noticed and remembered!

Houses, fairies, creatures and dream like imagery feature in Carina's amazing work!

Why do you choose to work in Porto?
I didn't but I came to Porto when I was 17 years old to study for only a year or two without ever intending to stay... but I made a life here and I like Porto though I could be somewhere else, somewhere where I could be happier!

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
There's a lack of love... we need more love... universal love... true love!

Thank you Carina for being you and for being so welcoming! We're honoured to have been let in to your world any for you allowing us to share it with our readers!!!

Any advice to budding artists/ designer makers?
I haven't any advice to give but I would suggest that most importantly that you follow your heart!

To find out more about Carina and her amazing work visit:
Blog: http://quasiloja.blogspot.co.uk/

Shop online: http://www.etsy.com/shop/KikiWonderland

Face book: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Quasiloja-Galeria/204033556301528

If you have any crafty superstars that you'd like us to check out leave a comment or if you like Carina's work don't be shy... we'd love to hear your thoughts!