Volunteers needed!

What better way is there to learn the ropes on how to organize and run craft events then by volunteering with us?
OH YES, we'd love to have you on the good ship Craft Guerrilla...and we'd captain you into the creative seas of CRAFT and successful event management! Did you know we were voted the "most influential" Craft Group on TWITTER? I think we can proclaim to know a little bit about organizing hip,fun and original EVENTS - and we're not the ones saying it!
We need guys and gals for a couple of events in 2011 so if you'd like to help (and you are welcome to advertise your creative project while you're giving us a hand) then please email us: craftguerrilla@yahoo.com

Openings for 2011...

We're looking for all sorts of crafters to help out at our d.i.y. craft events.
From knitting tutors to embroidery wizards...if you can teach others and make craft packs to sell then we want to hear from you!
Also we'll be scheduling our mini workshops for the year so if you can host a 2 hour workshop please email us with your workshop proposal. We're looking for easy, fun and "pub friendly" disciplines. In the past we've had: Monster making,introduction to crochet,Dorset button making,paper flowers,needle felting,jewellery making etc.
Email us with a brief intro letter and your creative "CV" (a web site or blog which showcases your work) to: craftguerrilla@yahoo.com

Xmas Craft Emporium photos...

We managed to raise over £600 for the William Morris Gallery and had over 1,500 visitors to our event through out the two days! Thank you to all the lovely shoppers,designer makers and all that helped on the day. It was a truly magical weekend!!!

A few of our favourite things...hand made Xmas gifts!

When I challenged myself to find a dozen hand made gifts solely on the internet I couldn't help but think there was a definite change in e commerce. With new CRAFT based sites like CraftNation.com leading the way there is truly lots of gorgeous hand made shopping out there to be done!
Last week internet sales were at their highest as many buyers hit the computer to find one off presents.
Personally as much as I like shopping the blandness of the High Street has much to blame for the way we now shop. There is a distinct lack of original buys and the fact that so many chain shops copy independent designers work just makes it even worse...well it puts me off buying from them though unfortunately the majority of shoppers have no idea this is going on.
So looking through two big craft web sites (Etsy and Folksy) I began to choose my top 12 items which I thought would make awesome X-mas gifts.
There isn't a theme...well there wasn't one when I started but it seems that ANIMALS are pretty much popping up on my hand made gift radar! Enjoy!!!


Beggars Bowl


Sweet Suzy


Sweet Suzy


Miquemoriuchi


Laura Baillie Designs


Oosie


Tibor Leather


Gemma's Little Shop (of Joy)


House of Chintz


Nadinoo



Jimbob Art


Sew You Hand Made

*Items selected by Debbie

"Most Wanted" d.i.y. craft chalange....

Christmas is definitely the season for sharing and we were asked to pass this on to our lovely craft loving people so here goes...
The VoucherCodes.co.uk - Most Wanted Christmas DIY Challenge. We want to celebrate the start of the festive season by getting crafty and spreading a little bit of DIY know-how. We are inviting craft bloggers to take part in the challenge by creating a craft tutorial that we can share with the Most Wanted audience. We want to spread the word on an affordable Christmas and what better way to do this than showing people how to make things themselves?

This is the first time we are running the Christmas DIY Challenge and would love for you to get involved. Of course we do not want you to be out of pocket from taking part in the challenge, so to cover the cost of materials, we want to give everyone who takes part £25 to stock up on the best crafty bits possible. This challenge aims to bring education and inspiration to the Most Wanted readers on Christmas DIY projects that they could undertake. We look to gather all the craft tutorials produced and give them all coverage over on Most Wanted with a big shout out and link to blogs and bloggers that produced them. To find out more including the finer details please take a peek at and read our post on Most Wanted here.

Just to let you know a little bit about us, VoucherCodes.co.uk and Most Wanted is making a real name for itself now with over 2.5 million registers users, a super successful weekly newsletter and some lovely press mentions in everything from The Guardian and Evening Standard to Closer Magazine and The Times. We have stacks of brilliant savings at top stores including discounts from Habitat and Marks & Spencer, Debenhams, Cath Kidston and The White Company. We are hoping that the challenge will raise a little awareness for Most Wanted and also how easy it is to create your own items for Christmas.

The challenge is really simple, all you have to is create a craft tutorial showing how to make something related to Christmas, be it a Christmas gift, Christmas decoration, Christmas cookies, Christmas cards etc. Document the creation process, post up templates if you have any, take a picture of the final product and remember to post it up on your blog and let us know it's there so we can share it and shout about it on Most Wanted.

Really hope you are interested in taking part! We are trying to make this a regular community challenge that really inspires people to leave the Christmas decorations, cards and presents in the shop and head home to make their own!
For further information and to participate please email: emily@vouchercodes.co.uk
or visit : www.vouchercodes.co.uk

Happy holidays...

That's it folks...another year crafted and hand made into something real special! We've had so much fun and lots going on but we wouldn't change it for the world. From books deals,Weekend Christmas Craft Emporiums to the Knitting & stitching shows...wowzers it HAS been a busy year...AND already we have a few events penciled in for 2011!
Don't forget that we're taking January off...well when I say off I mean just not doing the D.I.Y. Craft Night because you know how it is...we really can't stop, we're just too darn crafty!
So guys and gals make sure to check for updates but we'll be back soon.
Hope you have a wonderful Chrimbo and all the best for the new year! Feliz Navidade, Joyeux Noel and all that jazz!

PS we'll be recruiting craft helpers in the new year so if you can master crochet or tinker with a knitting pattern email us!
craftguerrilla@yahoo.com

Cat boy... A Christmas Sale!

Join Cat Boy aka Carl Harris at Beyca Retro on Grove Road in E17. Our fave local illustrator will be selling his prints at knock down prices. Want a cool Christmas present? Then go people, go and buy illustrations!!!

Thank you all for making it another successful event!!!

A big warm thank you to all the lovely shopper...over 1,500 visitors over the two days...that made their way to the Weekend Christmas Craft Emporium!
We're honoured that so many of you chose to come along and shop in the home of the father of the Arts & Craft movement.

Also a big thank you to all the gorgeous designer makers that chose to come to us to showcase and sell their wares. So many beautiful, quality items...truly, this year it's been the best so far!!!

Hand made shopping is so much more then "affordable" or "unusual" items...we want to redefine the value of HAND MADE. It really doesn't make sense that a HAND MADE item is sold cheaper then a mass produced one! It's a premium product, well priced and worth it's money...and most of all it's made with integrity, love and without exploitation!

This year we were sponsored by CraftNation.com. If you haven't heard of them yet... you will! Check them out because if you love hand made shopping they are starting a new way of e commerce and production!


Craft Guerrilla managed to donate a staggering £600 plus to the gallery and that was because of all you lovely people!

Designer, shoppers, young makers and gallery visitors...Thank you for your support,we HEART you!

PS
Pictures will be added as soon as possible!

THIS WEEKEND: Christmas Craft Emporium!

This is it...get your warm woolly jumpers,over coat and snow boots on!!! The Weekend Christmas Craft Emporium is this weekend the 4th and 5th of December.
Warm your self with the glow of beautifully crafted gifts and shop til you drop in a cozy gallery. This is the perfect event to find all you need for a hand made Christmas and it's all under one roof...so no traipsing around in the snow looking for presents....OH NO!
We can help and you can help us too by buying local hand made,hand sourced, non mass produced, guilt free gifts!
Ho ho hope to see you soon.

Launch night of a new concept in entertainment.
For people who like to sing classic karaoke (nothing later than 1973) and also be entertained by some wonderful period 78rpms and live music, all wrapped up in a vintage theme.

Jazz, Blues and classic karaoke and live music from 20s, 30s, 40s, 50, 60s and early 70s

A vintage evening blend of classic Karaoke from the 50s, 60s and early 70s and live cabaret music from the 20s -- early 70s.
Evening wear dress so let your glamorous side shine!

Future events are already being planned so this is not a one off evening but will hopefully become a regular fixture on the local social scene.

Tickets can be purchased by emailing vintage@cabaraoke.co.uk

A little craft tutorial to help feed wild birds this winter...

Wild birds will thank you for this treat...bird seed cup cakes are easy,quick and very good for your tiny feathered visitors!


make a small hole at the bottom of your paper cup cake case. Thread a bit of twine through leaving the knotted end on the bottom outside of the case


Place case into a silicone cup cake case. This will help keep it shape will it solidifies and while you make up the seed cake.


Thread the twine loops onto a chopstick or skewer and place onto a couple of glasses. This will help keep the twine out of the mix and held into place.


Place a third of the seed mix into the paper cases. Maje sure you are using a suitable wild bird mix which feeds the type of birds that visit your garden.


Melt enough fat - vegetable based or lard- into a heat proof bowl in the microwave until liquid. Beat in a tea spoon of brandy, whiskey or rum. Do not add too much spirit as this is only to provide extra heat to the little fellows...we really don't want them getting drunk!Spoon in enough to cover the seeds.


Add more seeds to fill up the paper case and spoon on the remaining fat to cover completely.


Leave to solidify.


Once it's completely set and ready to go onto the branches peel off the paper case.
You might need to snip the twine to tie it onto the tree.

Now watch happy little birds get through a very cold winter. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

Au revoir Harrogate...

Thank you to everyone that made it to Harrogate and for making us feel so welcome! We had an fantastic time in this very pretty place. We managed to make it to Betty's and it didn't disapoint. Though Gok was in the building we didn't see him. Too many security guards and way too many people trying to get into the set.
I hope to visit again but in warmer times as slogging up a steep icy hill with a wheelie suitcase in tow is not the best way to see this gorgeous spa town!
See you again soon.
X
Debbie

Knitting & Stitching Show: Harrogate 2010

Goodness, my feet have only just touched the ground again after Dublin and now me and my spotty shoes are heading North! The Craft Guerrilla girls are packing our craft cases for the final Knitting and Stitching Show this year. We will be in Harrogate from Thursday 25th - Sunday 28th November demonstrating upcycling and customising clothes in the swishing salon and teaching various workshops (and plenty of Gok gawping if I know Debbie and Louise).

It is my pleasure to give you a sneaky peak of the designers that we will be showcasing at the exhibition. I'm pretty sure that you can sort out all your Christmas shopping just by visiting these wonderfully talented ladies, leaving you plenty of time to indulge in mince pies and mulled wine for the rest of the festive season!

Joanna Teague

www.joannateague.co.uk

I have always enjoyed making things. all sorts of things. I have always sewn and over the last couple of years my work has developed into small pieces using hand stitching. I use fragments of recycled cloth, pieced together and embroidered over with words and phases. Words and phrases that I want to absorb into me. Recently I have been exploring how I might use my work and so I have started to exhibit these panels with a local art group and with a small solo exhibition. I have also been collaborating with a local Mother and Baby group to explore the language of childcare.

Kandy Diamond: Knit and Destroy

www.knitanddestroy.co.uk

Kandy Diamond from Knit and Destroy makes machine knitted items with a sense of fun. When pushed by Craft Guerrilla for further for information, well, why type it when you can have a little stitched self in a vintage tea cup hold up a typewritten postcard all about you? Genius!

Louise Owens: Love Little

www.lovelittle.co.uk

Because it’s not about the big car, the big wage, and big factories in China. It’s about the little things in life. And so “LoveLittle” was born... During the last 6 months I have developed my style and my printing skills, and I now have a solid collection of hand screen-printed pictures, gift

paper, bags, baby clothes and cards. I am also learning traditional crafts like letterpress and book binding at a local workshop. I am truly passionate about what I do and love creating my quirky, naive and yet beautiful designs that people of all ages can appreciate.

Rowan Grant: KitschenSink

www.kitschensink.com/

Rowan was born in June 1982, to possibly the least creative two parents in the UK. Both worked full time jobs, so on holidays and mornings before school, Rowan went to Grandma’s. Grandma didn’t like the TV to get hot, so after Saved By The Bell, it was switched off, and the paints, pencils, knitting needles, pins, wool and felt came out. Grandma spent a lot of time showing Rowan how to draw, knit, sew and the like, and it’s all Rowan ever wanted to do with her time from then on (plus catching Pugwall whenever possible!).

KitschenSink Jewellery and Accessories are the result of quality time with Grandma, a fascination of colourful branded toys, and a desire to repurpose mass-produced materials into handmade, wearable fashion treats.

Tania Sneesby

www.taniasneesby.blogspot.com

I want to make people smile, to look at my work and feel a connection with the piece, be it a picture, a doll, or a brooch. My creations are playful and fun, I use a variety of new and vintage fabrics, to create beautiful tactile craft pieces. I don’t like to over plan my work, and prefer to start with a simple sketch, and let it evolve naturally, enjoying the flow of extemporizing, letting the fabric determine the outcome. I love the imperfection of working this way, leaving edges raw, and threads loose, emphasizing the hand made care and fragility of the work.

******

Now that I've tantilised your craft-taste-buds I'd better get myself to bed as I've got a train to catch in the morning. Hope to see you there!

Lisa Margreet

x

Lili Spain..."Memento Amour"

I love this ladie's jewellery. I first came across her work a couple of years ago quite by chance. Her work is amazing. Part sculpture,part fantastical almost dream like and with a touch of iconography... and the good news is that she's running a workshop!

Details below...

Discussion and Sculptural Jewellery Making Workshop

Using a miscellany of once treasured but now discarded objects; trinkets, vintage jewellery and ephemera, artist and self confessed hoarder Lili Spain leads a discussion and workshop which will breathe new life into forgotten things. Each participant will create and take home a unique and wearable sculpture.

Participants are invited to bring along a piece of jewellery, a trinket or a locket sized photograph to use as a starting point, then they will weave and sculpt a new narrative around it using items from Lili’s collection of treasure.

No prior jewellery making experience is required, just a little imagination and the ability to use a pair of pliers.

This workshop is part of a wide range of exciting events we have planned at the Freud Museum to coincide with the Objects in Mind exhibition which runs from 24 November 2010 - 27 February 2011.

Tickets:

£35.00/£30.00 Concessions or Friends of the museum.

Booking:

You can book online at http://www.freud.org.uk/shop/TALKS_AND_EVENTS.html

For further information please contact us at eventsandmedia@freud.org.uk or call +44 (0)20 7435 2002

Advance booking is essential as the number of participants for this event will be purposefully be kept low

OH MY GOK!!!

I can't believe that I am becoming quite hysterical at the thought of possibly meeting GOK WAN! OK,maybe I won't meet him but he'll be there and so will we! His loveliness will be at The Harrogate Knitting & Stitching Show on Friday with Rock Chick come fashionista Brix Smith (another legend! I loved her in the Fall). Apparently they're doing a full on Fashion Fix catwalk show on Friday the 26th from 5pm. We'll be helping out with the swishing area so fingers crossed...he'll come by to say Hi!!!

For more details visit: http://www.twistedthread.com/

The art of writing a good press release, naming your event etc...

It's come to my attention that how ever much we try it's not easy finding your own voice especially when the platform is so huge. The Internet is a great tool and we've met friends, made a fair share of contacts and made our mark! BUT it's not easy protecting your creations, your intellectual properties, your image and now your language. When I say language I'm referring to tone...IE how your blog,your web site and even your press release reads.

Writing a good,easy to read press release isn't difficult. Lots of people just end up giving too much information therefore loosing the readers attention. Short,quick,blast of key information are essential.

Launching your brand: find your costumer. You might be offering a niche product but there's someone out there ready for it. Brand your self accordingly and coherently. Plus consistency is also good and find your voice and language you want to use and that your followers/customers can relate to and understand. Decide what message you want your creations or events to convey and make it happen.
Stick to it and believe in it! That's the first bit of advice and it's on the house.

For example we get a lot of people from other craft groups/event organisers, which will remain nameless for now, that come to our blog copy and paste word for word and even name their events quite similarly to our own in a feeble attempt to associate their events with ours. All it does is create confusion and unpleasantness. I hope that if you're reading this that you'll understand and respect what we're saying. Don't do it again or you wont remain anonymous.So what is it that you want to offer your customers? A copy of something else? It's easy to get lost and look at others work but looking for inspiration doesn't mean you can carbon copy it.
Initially I felt like it was a compliment,that others loved so much what I was writing that they couldn't find their own words to match my message. That's naive. It's frustrating and it grinds you down. By doing this they're just being lazy. What I propose to these people is that they contact me and I'll write them a nifty little press release but I'll write it for them in their own language and appropriate to their project but...there's a catch...you'll have to pay me or be really nice and offer me a trade off. It's simple.

But that's not what this is about but speaking of which ,and it all ties in nicely, is that if you do want to use our PR services visit our web site and get in touch. We can help you feel a bit more confident and help you on your own crafty adventure!
Now let us get back to the important stuff!

Countdown to Craft Guerrilla Christmas Craft EMPORIUM

It's official...we're excited about Christmas!!! Well, about the Christmas Craft Emporium to be exact!
It's only 16 days to go before the hand made gorgeousness begins!
This year we have a whole bunch of new guys and gals as well as some of the faves from last year. From children's clothing & apparel,jewellery,illustration, prints,paper goods,soft furnishings to beautiful hand made leather bags and shoes. It seems quite apt having such quality craft in the home of the man that started it all...I think William Morris would be proud!

Please note that there are quite a few events happening in the area and that some have named their event quite cheekily to sound like ours but I can tell you that they aren't associated with Craft Guerrilla. Whether or not it was on purpose...we'll never know but we wish them luck though why people can't come up with their own ideas is beyond us. Anyway...

Paper crafts!

We occasionally get asked to feature people on our blog mainly to help advertise their craft business or projects.
I absolutely love the zeitgeist for all things hand made which we're living through at the moment.
People like Kirstie Allsopp might think they started a revolution but it's been quietly happening for quite a while now. Sorry Kirstie but you're about 5 years too late!
If by bringing it to the mainstream it means people are more aware of CRAFT and gain a newer and more respectful understanding to it then...it's a good thing!
Craft Guerrilla is all about teaching,sharing techniques and spreading the D.I.Y. CRAFT message to all and by working with real crafters we hope to make that possible....so it's not difficult to introduce you to the lovely Sharon Curtis.
So if you fancy learning the art of card making get yourself to Crouch End and pop in to see her.
As we're so close to the festive season why not go and make your own Christmas cards?
For further information visit: http://www.glitterangel.typepad.com/

Craft Guerrilla at the TATE MODERN....

Last weekend at the TATE MODERN I spotted a lovely little book... Indie Craft by Jo Waterhouse.
It took all my concentration and will power not to scream and jump around like an A.D.D. child but I did stand there and snap someone perusing through it though I did have to stop myself from saying..."we're in there you know!"
I did restrain myself but what I felt was a sense of pride and sheer happiness to have in some shape or form my work in the TATE MODERN!
As you know by now CRAFT GUERRILLA are showcased in this lovely publication. Myself (munano) and the gorgeous Peppermint Twist have been selected to appear among some fine designer makers like: Angela Chick, Knit the City, Kate Jenkins and lots of other talented crafters.
I love this book...even if I am bias...but if we weren't in there I would still go out and buy it!
For more titles check out the Laurence King web site
Available to buy at the TATE MODERN shop, Amazon and all good book shops.

Cross stitcher Magazine...

Cross Stitcher Magazine....
When the Lovely Charlie asked me to review their magazine I didn't know what to expect exactly. I had seen Cross Stitcher Magazine on the supermarket shelf but it had never really attracted me before...well not enough to buy it.
There is a sea of craft publications and I have to confess I am a sucker for a good cover and usually go by it when I choose one to purchase.
I was told it had been "revamped" and that this was the new look Cross Stitcher.
When the package hit my entrance floor I was on my way out and decided it would make perfect reading material on the Tube into town. Not only was it a great read but as it had a free project pack*(Gingham Tree decoration) it kept me busy on the way in! I truly was impressed and surprised! *note I always have a sewing set in my bag and a pair of embroidery scissors. These are not included in the free pack!
The pages are filled with interesting and easy to follow projects with clear instructions. If you're a beginner you'll love this and if you're a dab hand you'll be as equally content as their are so many lovely things to make plus a great source of inspiration. This year I will not be making Chrimbo cards but decorations instead to gift family and friends.
So what's it like? I love the look and the feel of it. It reminds me of French craft magazines which I always buy when I go over.
There's an elegance but also a vibrant and young element to it so it's not at all a "granny makes" magazine. It's grown up but fun and definitely a magazine I will buy again so you can say...The cover has done it's work!
Out now in all good newsagents...go buy it...
Cross Stitcher magazine: £3.99

Christmas Craft Emporium...

For further info please visit our web site: www.craftguerrilla.com

*Thank you to the lovely Rebecca Emery aka one sugar please for her beautiful illustrations!
http://branchlet.wordpress.com/

A few of our favourite things...The Aviary!

The Craft Guerrilla gals are born magpies...we love pretty,reinvented and quirky things!
We first came across The Aviary last year and even featured them in our zine. But it was last summer that I met the lovely Aviary gang at the "Art Boot Sale" in Brick Lane. Strangely I was drawn to their beautiful fineries before I even noticed it was them!
Of course the swallow brooch caught me eye and as I looked at it I was thinking "wow that reminds me of the Aviary's stuff!" Surprise...It was! So let me introduce you to them and for those that already know about them, sit back, grab a cupper and get reacquainted!


The Aviary.A brief bio and introduction....
Having begun as a pleasurable past time for Ben and Victoria, two young, indecisive (and flat broke) fine artists, The Aviary has quickly blossomed into a fledgling small business.

We graduated from art school in 2006 and have kept up our fine art practices, individually making one off pieces of work ranging from small drawings to site specific installations, but have often found that the real pleasure in creating is the hands-on ‘doing’.



Both of us have always loved all things vintage and preloved, spending a lot of spare time and money trawling through charity shops, second hand stores, flea markets, bootsales and, of course, eBay. Subsequently, our house and studio are packed full of out-of-date maps, retro knitting patterns, old books, field guides, anonymous sepia photographs, clock faces, vintage fabrics and odd buttons.



The Aviary brings together our passion for collecting and making. Turning old into new, through redesigning, reinventing and finally rehoming. All of our items incorporate preloved, reclaimed and recycled materials that, wherever possible, have been sourced locally and saved from becoming unnecessary landfill.



Our range is continually evolving, but we specialize in handmade, decorative home-wares, gift items, stationery and original, affordable jewellery utilizing our treasure trove of vintage ephemera. Popular products include hand-bound journals, diaries, notebooks and cards, as well as pin-badges and brooches.



We also love working to briefs to create bespoke items and encourage people to come to us for unique gifts. There’s nothing more rewarding than someone being delighted with one of our handmade items.

Visit The Aviary: www.the-aviary.co.uk

Next Up: Knitting and Stitching Show at RDS in Dublin

This week I've got a suitcase full of wool, knitting needles and crochet hooks (yes, literally!) and I'm flying to Dublin on Wednesday to teach some workshops and have a bit of a Irish jig! We've selected four Irish designer makers who will be exhibiting and selling their items at the show and I'm very excited to introduce them to you now.


Carla Johnson is an Irish textile designer from Dublin. Her work involves hand painting, screen printing, photographic imagery, digitally enhanced design, devore and foiling. According to her website she finds inspiration in "marine shapes and forms, from iridescent fish scales to the vibrant array of coral and diverse and often outlandish and somewhat absurd creatures found below the ocean surface.When designing interiors for her own home, this attraction to marine imagery found a natural home in the furnishings she began to create. Her designs are made up of an assemlage of drawn and photographic images, printed on silk mixed with reptilian patent leatherette." www.designsbycarla.co.uk
















Kate Ramsey makes the most amazing felted items including sculptural felted scarves and I'm immensely excited to see on her blog, she has now started hatmaking. In her own words: "My creations focus on sturdiness and colour. I emphasize the quality of felt, and its long lasting features. Therefore I create dense, sometimes thick (slippers) sometimes thin fabrics that in both cases are meant to last." www.fabulousfelt.blogspot.com















Laura Hogan has a connection to the Knitting and Stitching show - it was here that she learnt how to spin wool. (It's a slippery slope, you have been warned!) As she told Craft Guerrilla: "My background is in Printed Textiles but my love in Textiles has flourished in Knitting. I am passionate about colour, different fibres, creating different textures and knitting. Such interests motivated me to learn how to spin wool. When I went to the Knitting and Stitching Show in the RDS, Dublin I was able to meet people in Ireland who were able to teach me how to spin and who shared a common interest. Knitting led to spinning and spinning led to dyeing and it all inspired my small business. I sell hand dyed yarn, hand dyed rovings, spinning batts and hand spun yarn. My unique colour palette is my forte. " www.etsy.com/shop/LHogan















Sorcha Gillet work as a fashion based textile designer and creates really unusual sewn and hand-embellished images incorporating "vintage fabrics and materials, leather, stitch, beading and painting, with a slight fashion edge. I generally work on canvas and card." Follow this link to watch a video from her blog to see her making one of her one-off art pieces. www.sorchagillett.com
















There will also be a Swishing Salon (see this post from the London blog entry for all the details about how to swap, what to bring etc) with a small fee being charged to swap with all proceeds going to support the Innocent Big Knit and Age Action Ireland. We will also have various 'cusomisation stations' where you can learn different techniques to upcycle, recycle, embellish, accessorise and generally breathe new life into your wardrobe.

We are still looking for Dublin based designers and other crafty minded people who might like to help out either in the swishing salon as an extra pair of hands or if you have a great idea to help people recycle/upcycle or customise their clothes and have an hour or two to spare on one of the days of the show then please let us know by emailing craftguerrilla@gmail.com by Thursday 28th October. Please pass this request on to anyone you know who might be interested in helping out. Thanks!

Hope to see you at the RDS in Dublin from 28th to 31st October!

Lisa Margreet
x

CRAFT EMPORIUM FULLY BOOKED!

Thank you so much to all that applied. We've had a huge amount of requests and we've booked people in order we received them.
We're really sorry if you haven't been successful but we were fully booked in record time. Literally hundreds of requests greeted our inbox...there's just too many talented people out there!
Because everyone's pre vetted we have quite a lovely selection and variety of hand made goods. We hope you'll try again next year throughout the summer and next Christmas too.

However we'll be putting people that haven't made it through onto the reserve list so you might be in with a chance!

Craft Nation...

There's a new kid in town and it promises to change the way we sell hand made goods. Designer makers keep reading.

So what's it all about?
CraftNation.com is a showcase for artisan craft designers to show and feedback their designs to a worldwide audience.
CraftNation.com features the best of these designs and sells them through it’s London based web boutique.

The vision behind CraftNation.com is to challenge traditional supply chain methodology. Products which have the potential to be future-vintage artisan crafts, can be pre-ordered.
Drastically reducing manufacturing waste and intern enhancing an ethically supported supply chain.

You design handmade, artisan gifts, CraftNation.com process the orders.

CraftNation.com - Gets personal!

A new creative space...

Our very own Craft Guerrilla Karen Dunn aka Creme Anglaise has ventured into the wilds of South Woodford to set up her very own craft cafe.
At the moment she's taken over "Creative Biscuit" an established ceramics cafe but come the new year she'll be re launching it as her very own creative space cafe. With a selection of craft workshops, designer maker items, hand made gifts, hen and birthday bookings accompanied by lovely cakes, tea and coffee!
So if you're in the mood to make something go and check it out!!!
ALSO if you're not planning to make anything you're very welcome to come and eat,drink and enjoy the creative space.

For more info visit: www.creativebiscuit.co.uk

Candid Art & Design exhibition...

Candid Arts Art & Design Fair is now on!

I usually go every year and as usual the selection of designers doesn't disappoint. A splendid showcase of high quality,desirable hand made wares that will have you reaching for the purse. If you're already thinking about Chrimbo...go! It's just around the corner from Angel Tube station and a hop and a skip from Islington on the Victoria Line.
You won't find hoards of shoppers elbowing their way through the stalls,the shopping is relaxed and friendly. It's not quiet but it's calm...the kind of atmosphere I like to shop in. You can take your time, browse, look without feeling you're in some one's way and you can even talk to the designers!
You'll find absolutely gorgeous gifts and lots of temptation. Personally the intention was to go shopping for others but...I ended up treating myself!
Here are a few of my favourite things...


Alice Rose Lewis...www.aliceroselewis.co.uk

Alice Rose Lewis


Alice Rose Lewis


Cherry Loco...www.cherryloco.folksy.com

Alison Lewis...www.alisonlewisdesigns.blogspot.com


Kayleigh Biggs...www.kayleighbiggs.com


Kayleigh Biggs...


Lisa Bliss...www.cupiditasmanus.blogspot.com


Lisa Bliss



Amy Broclehurst...for info email: a.k.broklehurst.88@googlemail.com


Holly Fulford...www.wix.com/fulford123/holly-louise-designs



Holly Fulford...



Conte de fees...www.contedefees.com



Chantelle Pett...French Living and all things romantic! www.chantellepettdesigns.blogspot.com


e mail: chantelle_pett@hotmail.co.uk