Catching my Breath

My stand at BCTF

So the "Big Weekend" started on 2nd April at British Craft Trade Fair in Harrogate. My dear friend Valleri kindly agreed to come with me and help.  We left Worcester at around 8.30 a.m. on Saturday and arrived at the Great Yorkshire Showground at around 11.30 ish.  We decided not to stop for lunch but to pop into Betty's in Harrogate for afternoon tea as a treat after we had set up - just to be sociable obviously!

We found my stand really easily - N33 (it will be always etched on my heart!) - and proceeded to set up.  I was in the Newcomer's Gallery and everyone was very busy setting up wonderful displays but I was quite pleased with my stand.  I had wanted to be completely creative but in the end I was limited to what furniture I could fit into Chris's Maestro Estate so I just concentrated on practicality!

Betty's was fabulous by the way - although we had to queue and service was, well let's call it "leisurely" - which meant that by the time we had finished we had half an hour to shop! I am still wondering if my dear hubby called ahead and asked them to stall us!  Anyway, it may have been a good thing because I still managed to spend rather a lot in such a short space of time - mostly presents for the kids from Jack Wills! We did pop into Paperchase too which was fabulous. I do love Paperchase.

The Show was fantastic and we met lots of really lovely people amongst whom are Della Clark, a jeweller from Lancashire, specialising in silver jewellery, who was so funny; Kelly McRobie, a textiles designer from Leicester, whose scarves were to die for and Stephanie Earl, a ceramicist and generally lovely girl whose work is so gorgeous you must take a look. It was also great to meet so many lovely visitors who made such lovely comments about my work. 

Anyway I should be working on some more stuff for the Vintage and Handmade Fair in Chipping Sodbury on Saturday but I thought I would just update you on things.  Must dash!

Maude, Virginia and Hyacinth

I have been so busy getting ready for the British Craft Trade Fair at Harrogate that I realise I have neglected my blog.  So I may be writing this to myself as you will all have left me (and I have no-one but myself to blame!)

Anyway for anyone who is out there I thought I would introduce you to three of my new fairies. Meet (from left to right) Maude, Virginia and Hyacinth. Here they sit on gorgeous vintage tins.  I am really pleased with them. They will travel with me up to Harrogate and then be available to purchase at the Spring Vintage and Handmade Fair in Chipping Sodbury on 9th April.  

I am just working on some lovely silk brooches which I hope will be ready to bring along to V&H and more framed fairies are getting their passports in order so that they won't be left out!

So BCTF is in TWO WEEKS! And I am getting really nervous - excited but scared.  Once I have set up I am sure I will be fine. It's just remembering everything!! My brain is well and truly scrambled! My dear friend Valleri has agreed to come along and help which is brilliant. (Thanks Valleri)

Another dear friend, Gilly Mound, has a gorgeous exhibition on at Blue-Ginger Gallery, Nr Cradley, Herefordshire. Check out her website www.gillymound.co.uk.  They also have a small selection of my clocks there too.

Anyway, nice to be back! Will try not to leave it as long next time!

Didn't we have a luverly time the day we went to ....

My stall

Guardian Angel in waiting!

Stallholders all ready and waiting!

Clocks, fairies, cards and sketch books

Just add customers!

... Chipping Sodbury!  Evie and I had a very busy weekend last weekend.  On Saturday we were back at The Guildhall in Bath.  I managed to find some brilliant collapsible shelves at the local flea market the previous week which meant I could put loads more stock on show. So we met some lovely people in Bath and after we had packed up we went mooching around the Bath Christmas Markets which was lovely.  We had pancakes - maple syrup for me and chocolate for Evie - at one stall and bought some fantastic cheese - which was supposed to be for Christmas Day but I don't think it will make it until then!

Then it was off to a lovely little pub in Ford called The White Hart where it was great to have a hot meal cooked for us and then we tumbled into our Four Poster Bed !! and watched X-Factor! And because we had to leave so early they even made us bacon sarnies to take with us - now that's what I call service.

So Sunday dawned and, with bacon sarnies in hand we made our way to The Vintage and Handmade Christmas Fair.  What an absolute treat!  The atmosphere was brilliant and it was so lovely to see blogging friends in person!  I met Donna from The Fabric of my Life, had a good catch up with Viv from Hen's Teeth and Katie from Textile Treasure Seeker and Lizzie from The Washerwoman.  And of course Michele and Jayne who worked so hard to organise it all. Thank you both.

It's made me realise that I must get back to blogging on a regular basis.  Yes,  ... I know you've heard it all before! And before you say it I know I'm a hopeless case!

It was also good meeting all the lovely people who came to support the event. Thank you all for all your lovely comments and feedback.  

BIG WEEKEND AHEAD!!

Me hiding behind my stall at Bourton-on-the-Water!

I am just about to go into my studio to make more scrumptious goodies to put on my stalls this weekend but I thought I would just drop you a quick email to remind you that there are some fab events on this weekend.

Firstly, to coincide with the Bath Christmas Markets, I will be at The Guildhall in Bath on the next two Saturdays - 27th November and 4th December. The Guildhall is right by the Abbey so if you are attending the Christmas Markets and want a bit of a thaw out please do pop in and say Hello!

And secondly I will be at The Vintage and Handmade Fair at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall from 10 - 4 p.m Sunday 28th November. Just click on the link to go to their blog which has a full list of very talented exhibitors.  This will be my first time as a stall holder at The V&H but I have been on many occasions as a customer and I can assure you it is well worth a visit.

My daughter, Evie, will be helping me on the stalls and we are having a girly sleepover on the Saturday night which we are both looking forward to.  I think Evie has packed the "Bop It" already - although I'm hoping Twister gets left behind!!

As always, it would be great to see you!

Christmas Approach-eth

It has been SOOOOOO very long since I posted an entry on my blog.  There are even new buttons I can use that I know nothing about!! - Alright so I didn't know many buttons before!

Anyway I just wanted to say that, if any of you happen upon this blog in the coming weeks - I am in Craft Market Mode - I will be at the following Craft Markets as listed and would love to have a few old friends pop by to say Hello!  Even though I am a hopeless blogger!!

6 Nov - The Brunswick Room, The Guildhall, Bath - THIS SATURDAY!! (so not panicking at all!)

20 Nov - Contemporary Craft Market,Victoria Hall,  Bourton-on-the-Water

27 Nov - The Brunswick Room, The Guildhall, Bath

28 Nov - Vintage and Handmade Fair, Chipping Sodbury Village Hall

4 Dec - The Brunswick Room The Guildhall, Bath

11 Dec - Hereford Contemporary Craft Market, Hereford Town Centre
12 Dec - Hereford Contemporary Craft Market, Hereford Town Centre

My work is also available at blue-ginger Gallery, Cradley, Malvern, Worcestershire WR13 5NW
and Fisherton Mill Gallery, 108 Fisherton Street,Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP2 7QY and on
exhibition from 13 Nov - 24 Dec at the Gifted Exhibition, Newcastle-under-Lyme Museum and Art Gallery

I have been working very hard making some gorgeous pieces and it would be great to see you if you are in the area. 
Please do come along and say "Hello!"

Vintage and Handmade Fair II

I have had SUCH a LOVELY day today.

My daughter, Evie, and I went along to the Vintage and Handmade Fair in Chipping Sodbury. I have uploaded photos of the things that just HAD to come back home with us. How lovely are they!! Plus an added bonus we met loads of really lovely people - most of whom blogs I have visited this week!

The little turtle pin cushion was from The Washerwoman. We bought cards and an I Spy book from Cowboys and Custard. I bought a gorgeous bracelet for Evie from another stall - that I can't remember the name - with lovely sailing boats.

So thank you girls - I've had one of the best days ever.

Vintage and Handmade Fair

I am SO looking forward to the Vintage and Handmade Fair at Chipping Sodbury on Saturday.

I've never been but found the link via http://infocowboysandcustard.blogspot.com/. This is a lovely blog with inspiring photos. I've never been to the Fair but it sounds right up my street and I am getting very excited!!

Promise I'll report back.