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