Get on board with our campaign...

You'll know by now that we champion all that is hand made and independent! By supporting your local economy -buying from small indie makers, bakers and sugar shakers!- we believe that the possible outcome is a positive one and that you'll be helping transform your community into a thriving and prosperous mini economy! This is one campaign that we really want to see become a norm and not just an alternative way of living.

Please download and share on your page and join the campaign!

It's all about being more localized, self sufficient and thoughtful with what you buy! Let's give the mass produced corporates a run for their money... High Street aren't all bad but do you really want to fund slave labour?
We don't want to lay down the "guilt" card but we all know the extreme poverty that the majority of workers live in which are associated with cheap mass production and that is something very difficult to ignore!
Though we are aware that people need to buy cheaper products...well I for one can not say that I have never bought anything from Primark...because I have! But the important thing is to demand change, pressure companies to check their suppliers and where possible to be supportive of your local makers.

So for this Christmas please be aware of any local independent companies who offer services or any designer makers who sell at a craft fairs! They too are working there little fingers to the bone to make great, original gifts for you and your family to enjoy! It's not easy living solely off what you make and as a designer maker I can vouch for that. But it ain't all bad... consumers are more and more aware of the virtues of buying hand made goods and are definitely not hoodwinked by those naughty companies who use cheap labour and substandard materials.

In no way would I try to compare the standards of living or working as a designer in the UK to that of a worker in a sweat shop in Bangladesh for example... they too need our help and by no means do they deserve to lose their jobs because of an embargo. It's not about that it's about balance and demanding what is right. You can help by taking small steps... like signing petitions -see below- and by contacting any companies/shops that you know have a bad track record with using factories who do not comply with safety and health standards. Get them to take action AND....


                                            

Because we believe in being the change we want to see in the world we urge you to sign the petition demanding fairer wages and better conditions to exploited workers...
http://www.change.org/petitions/demand-fair-trade-labeling-of-all-foreign-manufactured-clothing


So remember check out your local talent... you might just be amazed at the variety and quality of products and services available!

Hallow's eve!

As far as holidays go Halloween has to be one of our favourites... actually IT IS our favourite holiday so we're super excited about getting the Craft Guerrilla castle all kitted out so it's nice and spooky! Cobwebs at the ready though we need to add a bit more to get it really spook-a-licious!
But if like us you're strapped for time -There's always so much to do and we can't seem to find enough hours in the day... but you know....it's Halloween!!!- then why not at least get the pumpkin done to put you in the Halloween spirit!

Below are a few projects which have been selected for their beauty, ease, originality and making speed.
Carving a pumpkin can be messy (OK but it's fun too!) and time consuming but the majority of these  projects are easy and quick so you can achieve a really modern take on the traditional pumpkin in no time!

You don't need to stick to the typical spooky pumpkin either but if you like the idea of skulls, ghosts and scary faces then take a look at the black board pumpkin. It's a great new alternative to the traditional Jack-o-lantern!

We hope you enjoy our selection... this is just a taster... but here are our top 5 Halloween Pumpkin makes...


For an up to date fashionable look try the Ombre pumpkin:

photo via FunkyTime©

Ombre effect pumpkin tutorial here

For a little bit of humour try these cute vamp pumpkins:

Via Martha Stewart©

 See the Fanged Pumpkin tutorial here

For a smart and beautiful look that even Dracula would be proud of:

via chatelaine ©

See the tutorial here

For a minimalist take on the traditional try the chalkboard pumpkin:

via real simple ©

See the tutorial here

Or for a chic look try the puffy paint pumpkin *not a quick one but so worth the time and effort, don't you think? :

via Alisa Burke ©

See the full tutorial here

HAPPY HALLOWEEN CRAFTY GHOULS AND GARGOYLES!!!

An Amazing day!

For many people learning craft skills form their mum, nana or aunty are no longer an option. The pressures of leaving home to look for employment in far away cities/countries is a common reality and so the family unit becomes more disperse which can mean that passing down ancient craft knowledge is something they can no longer tap into quickly and directly.

image © http://cphpost.dk

Fortunately there is an alternative! "The Amazings" - I'm sure you've heard all about it already, they are creating quite a buzz!- is just that... a web site where learning and passing down skills through the generations is encouraged!

You can sign up and buy on line classes from elders who are experts in many fields. Not only do they have years of experience but they are still practising and making beautiful craft.
You might think it's all about dated crafts like doilies and crocheted tea cosies but you'll be glad to hear that it's far from that... these elders are truly in tune with today's modern craft trends, are engaged with technology and ready to collaborate with new designers. And collaborate we did! I had the privilege of  working with Sue Pearl, a fab felter with a huge heart, an amazing eye for colour and an awe inspiring Juke Box collection! I have worked with needle felting and used felt as a material for a long time but I had never actually made the stuff.

Me and Sue making beautiful felt!

We started off the day as strangers but by the end of the class I felt a huge affinity and craft crush for Sue plus now I can make my own felt too! She is quite an inspiring teacher!
If I could chose a surrogate family member she'd be at the top of my list! She reminded me so much of my great aunt Lila both in a physical sense but also in her humour, wit and love for craft.
We laughed, we made some awesome things that afternoon and I for one think that there is still so much to learn from our elders.
Having this on line resource is both practical and a stroke of genius. To begin with; and I have to admit this; I was sceptical at how that human contact we get from craft making would translate into a pre filmed tutorial but... it works! Having watched a couple of The Amazings on line tutorials I can say that it's... erm, Amazing! You can pause, rewind and watch over as many times as you need to. It's fab and the personalities of the elders shine through so each class is engaging, interesting  and endearing plus by having the option to contact the tutors leaves you feeling like you are being lead by a caring expert hand!
So if you would like to see more or even sign up to the class then visit The Amazings web site:
https://www.theamazings.com/online_activities/21

A special thank you to Claire Hair for the amazing hair cut and styling... she is a phenomenal hair magician! For hair and beauty appointments please call: 07963057210

Craft Guerrilla & Mrs. Bear's Presents...

As summer has definitely left us we're in the mood to sort out our wardrobes! So what better way is there then to get a whole new cozy look by joining us at a massive Swish?

 

Mrs. Bear's is the amazing wardrobe mistress and she'll be rocking up at Old Spitalfields market to bring you a whole lotta fashion love and we'll be there bringing the crafty element to the shindig.

a happy swisher!

  Choose from a selection of fashion based craft kits that'll help you add a bit of crafty magic to your "swishing swag" -Try saying that quickly- as will our amazing seamstress Nicola who'll be on hand with advice on how to up-cycle and revamp your fab new wardrobe! 
 

Our gorgeous Nicola... a seamstress with a talent for remaking and up-cycling!

 We're so happy to collaborate with Mrs. Bear's & Old Spitalfields Market to bring you a brilliant "Up-Cycled" themed event so bring along your unwanted clothes and apparel -must be clean and in good condition- and prepare yourself to kit yourself out in beautacious clobber! Check out the Mrs. Bear's web site for further info, rules and event details: www.mrsbears.co.uk

Browse the rails and find your perfect Autumn wears!

Date:
Saturday the 28th of September
Time:
from 12 pm.  to 4 pm.
Location:
Old Spitalfields Market

Brushfield Street,
Spitalfields, London
E1 6AA

www.oldspitalfieldsmarket.co


 

Throwing shapes-Tutorial!

Hello, my name is Karen and, with my partner Tim, I run Creative Biscuit Ceramics Café in South Woodford. When not doing freelance writing or sewing up little dresses and kid’s paraphernalia under the guise of Crème Anglaise, I like to potter and paint in the café (as well as doing slightly less fun stuff like the accounts). However this was a fun week when not only did I get to do some printing with CG, but they asked me to write this guest blog too. How utterly lovely…

 

There have been some fantastic collaborations over the years. Aerosmith and Run DMC, Kate Moss and Topshop, Alexander McQueen and Damien Hirst, Timmy Mallet and Bombalurina (OK, maybe not such a great example).
Last week we ( I have my Creative Biscuit hat on today, and a fine hat it is too even if I do say so myself) took part in a collaboration with the fantastic Craft Guerrilla to create some geometric printed tiles and we were pretty pleased with the results!



Hand printing on ceramics can be a tricky business because the type of paint we use (Gare Fun Strokes , fact fans) doesn’t particularly like staying on most surfaces without a slightly messy fight. However, we believe Ms Craft Guerrilla AKA Debbie Daniel has found a nifty way of defeating the Gare, with this handy little tutorial.



Rather than using lino the key seems to be printing with craft foam, which not only holds the paint better, but is a darn sight cheaper. You can get it from Hobby Craft – although always remember other smaller independent craft foam suppliers are available!
So how do you do it? Here goes…

• Cut your craft foam into the shape you would like – we went for a simple triangle shape as you can see above.

• Cut two or even three of the same shape so you can build it up to a good thickness.

• Get a small square of wood (we got ours free from a local timber yard who were happy to give it away rather than stick it on the rubbish pile) and take your chosen foam shape and draw a pencil outline around it in the middle of the wood – This will help you know exactly where you are printing on the ceramic and help you line up your next shape.

• Then, on the other side of the wood, use a strong adhesive to glue your foam to the wood.

 You are now ready to print. Exciting!
 

Apply a thin layer of paint to the stamp with a sponge – not a brush as it’s tricky to get it as even and thin enough – and get stamping on your unglazed bisque. There are no rules. Do it as few or as many times as you like, change colours. Go crazy. Well, as crazy as you can with a delicate ceramic.



When you are done marvel at your handiwork and get it glazed and in the kiln. Wait 72 hours and then impress your friends with your super modern and funky geometric tile.



Admittedly this can’t be done at home, unless you have a kiln of course, but then I don’t imagine you have a double coffee machine at home and quick access to Tim’s brownie, so it’s probably best to come to Creative Biscuit to give it a go. You could also use the same technique with different paint to print on all kinds of things.

X
Karen

 
** Creative Biscuit is a family run ceramics café in South Woodford, London. We -Craft Guerrilla- love this kind of crafty business and we'd love to recommend them to you all! It's a creative place where you can buy designer maker gifts or make your own. 
They run a host of workshops from ceramic painting, kids craft workshops, hen do's and parties all with a crafty theme... or just pop in for a hot cupper & cake! Plus they also sell a ceramics D.I.Y. take away painting set so you can host your own house party and bring it back to be fired! How awesome is that? If you'd like to book please contact Karen or Tim via their Face Book page! **




 

Something for the weekend...check out Cat Boy and his travelling circus!

Something for the weekend....

The bears and circus animals have settled in at Blackduke & Cashman. You can find them nesting in between high quality hand picked mid century furniture and amongst adorable hand made gifts! This collaboration is one based on a love for  beautiful design and tapping in on local talent. This friendly trio -Black Duke & Cashman, Cat Boy and Craft Guerrilla- are proud to present the best of the best in art, design and hand made goods!

Pop by on the weekend and see the exhibition which will be on until the beginning of September (from 3rd of August to 1st of September )... though please don't feed the bears!

Black Duke & Cashman/Craft Guerrilla : 83 Grove Road Walthamstow London E17 9BU
Open:
Friday 12 pm to 6pm
Saturday and Sunday 11 am to 6 pm
Or by appointment please email: info@blackdukeandcashman.com 

How to get there:
Tube Victoria Line North Bound to Walthamstow Central
Train: From London Liverpool Street toward Chingford get off at Walthamstow Central
From town on the bus: 48, 56 or 55






 

Lemon ripple ice cream!

Well as it's still summer and the weather's feeling glorious we really wanted to post another ice cream recipe! Not that I need much convincing but I have to say that I'd never thought that I would make my own ice cream with such diligence!
The idea of having an ice cream maker at first made me think that it would become just another gadget sitting in the back of the cupboard... but far from it.
By having a little machine it's made it possible to experiment -as well as follow a few recipes- and it has been so much fun making up my own flavours. And one of my all time favourite -apart from chocolate of course- is lemon!
 Lemon is one of those flavours that you either love or hate. It's divisive but what you can't get away from is the cleansing and refreshing quality of lemons especially after a hearty meal so... this is just the tonic after a big eat! Though of course you can eat it on it's own and skip the meal entirely!

For this recipe I've added yogurt to the cream (a 50/50 split) as I wanted it to be less fatty then others made with just full double cream but it's still smooth, rich and packed full of flavour.
You can't see it in the photo but there's a "vein" of lemon curd running through it and lots of zesty lemon which looks inviting and yummy! A jolly, bright, mellow yellow treat for all...

Ah Lemons... use the best quality ones you can find/afford. Preferably Sicilian lemons would have been used but these are run of the mill veg market fodder but the ice cream still tasted amazing! I'm going to try this recipe again when I visit my mum as she has an amazing organic lemon tree in the garden...

For this recipe you'll need:
An ice cream maker; fear not if you haven't got one you can slightly adapt it so it can go directly to the freezer! I'll add the directions as we go along...
zest and juice of 2 lemons
100g of icing sugar
300ml of double cream -for straight to the freezer use whipping cream-
300ml of honey Greek style yogurt
3 tbsp of lemon curd

The ice cream maker method:
In a large bowl which all the ingredients together. Add to your ice cream maker and leave to thicken. In mine it took circa 30 minutes but please refer to your maker's manual.
Right at the end add the curd just so it ripples but doesn't  mix in completely. Transfer to a freezer safe container.

The freezer method:Whisk the whipping cream until it forms soft peaks. Add the sugar, lemon zest and juice to the yogurt and mix well. Take a small amount of your yogurt mix and add to the whipped cream so it's incorporated. Now gently fold the remaining yogurt making sure not to knock out too much of the air from the whipped cream.
Add the curd and mix just so it ripples but doesn't  mix in completely. Transfer to a freezer safe container.
Leave for at least 4 hours to set. Remove a few minutes before serving.

It's also a great base for smoothies and shakes... add fresh berries and whiz to make a refreshing summer drink or spooned over home made meringues with a generous sprinkling of flaked toasted almonds for a gorgeous desert...

We'd love to know what you think and if you've tried this recipe let us know.
Share your ideas, tips or how you've adapted this recipe to create your own in the comment section below... we'd love to try your recipes too!!!