Simply cosie

Can you see in this picture what 'Simply H' as sent for the goodie bags? The sweetest little beach hut key rings! I am really excited about Helen's stall at the 'do'- especially the mermaids! (although if there are more cute beach huts I may be torn!) Unfortunately Leaf Trading Post heard about the do when all the tables had already been taken, I would have loved to have them along and hope that if there is another 'Makey' event they can make it. They have sent some fliers for the goodie bags which will hopefully whet the appetite for any future appearances.

I posted a while back about the knitted stunt cakes that Search Press had lent me for a display I am planning. Well along with the cakes they also sent these amazing tea cosies! They are the models from a book by Loani Prior called 'Wild Tea Cosies'. I have just bought a pretty pink tea pot and so have been able to get some decent pics to show you. These will look so ace all displayed nicely on a table, directing people to the real tea and cake.

Yet more packages have arrived today and I have spent the evening making up the bags with a couple of pals. They are fantastic and I have a felling there maybe even more bits and bobs to go in before the day itself. Pictures of my stacked breakfast bar to follow!

Charming ceramics

Let's meet Theresa Fox, the third ceramicist to sign up for the 'do'

1) If you were a cake, what kind of cake would you be?
Angel – not because I think I am one.


2) What will you be doing at “A Makey ‘do’”?
Ceramics – ranging from buttons, cupcakes, cake stands and nursery lamps


3) Fish and Chips or Curry?
Fish and chips – not very good with spicy food


4) Where else can your wares usually be found?
Etsy and Misi


5) Do you usually hang out in Sandwich, or are you a visitor?
Just a visitor to Sandwich although born and grew up in Kent

6) Who is your all-time hero?
I don’t have one.


7) Who got you started on your crafty journey?
I suppose it must have been my mother – she was a dress making, so I must have inherited her craft skills and more.


8) What colour draws you most?
Red

9) Where do you go for inspiration?
No where in particular ideas just seem to pop into my mind


10) Do you dunk?
Only certain biscuits like rich tea and digestives.

Thanks Theresa! Those ceramic buttons look really tempting.

I had a goodie bag package all the way from America today, and I will show you in my next post. I'll also show you the mad-brilliant tea cosies I have for display at the 'do'.

Card trick

Pick a card, any card! Mels Hadmade has sent something for everyone in a pack of gorgeous cars for the goodie bags. These really show case the breadth of Mels skill. See more at her Folksy shop.

I have had another lovely stallholder send for the goodie bags, Neroli was one of the first to sign up and complete a profile quiz. Her photos of her work are gorgeous but now I see these bag dangles in the flesh I can really see how Nerolis table will shimmer and shine! Neroli is also planning to have an hourly demo from her table to let people see how it's done and have a go themselves! This 'have-a-go' vibe is such an exciting part of the event, and for me will be what makes people stay a while, pick up ideas, chat, mooch and get inspired.

I will be introducing you to another stall holder in the next post. Theresa is a ceramicist whose work is really charming, come and have a look (and see whether or not she's a dunker).

The main newspaper advert is going in soon for the Makey 'do'- the photographer is calling on Wednesday, I am not keen, see what I am doing for the 'do? Is there really no such thing as bad publicity even if she has greying hair and three chins?!

Woop woop for Woobarb

***UNFORTUNATLY WOOBARB WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO ATTEND*****1) If you were a cake, what kind of cake would you be?

Woo - GingerBarb - A Luscious Cherry Cake

2) What will you be doing at “A Makey ‘do’”?

We will be meeting like-minded people, having a good time and (hopefully) selling!

3) Fish and Chips or Curry?

Curry (both of us)

4) Where else can your wares usually be found?

Via our website www.woobarb.co.uk and at 'Made' in Hastings, High Street, Old Town, Hastings (www.madeinhastings.co.uk)

5) Do you usually hang out in Sandwich, or are you a visitor?

We will be visitors to Sandwich although Woo has just moved to Ramsgate so will be hanging out there more often!

6) Who is your all-time hero?

Woo - Elizabeth IBarb - Anyone that faces adversity on a daily basis and manages to keep a positive attitude.

7) Who got you started on your crafty journey?

My Auntie Jean and also my Nan NancyBarb - My Grandma.

8) What colour draws you most?

Woo - Turquoise although funnily enough, I actually dislike blue.Barb - 'Murky' colours.

9) Where do you go for inspiration?

Woo - The beach and inside my own crazy head.Barb - My surroundings and 'boodie'

10) Do you dunk?

Woo - Only if it's a digestiveBarb - yes.

What a lovely pair of ladies! Thanks for doing the interview. I have yet more goodie bag items to show you tomorrow. I am planning an evening of packing the bags up on Tuesday and have a photgrapher coming round from the local paper on Wednesday ready for a feature....argh! I do loathe cameras!! Still all good publicity!

The sweet smell of freebies

I'm so glad 'Pants and Paper' are having a stall at the 'do'. Sam has been so friendly and supportive , but I was still taken aback to receive a big box stuffed with goodies for the bags. These beautiful beach huts smell delicious, check out more of Sam's gorgeous work in her Folksy shop.

Another Folksy shop keeper has also been kind enough to send a package this week. WOLLIES makes the coolest softies, quirky and individual. I love them and am so pleased to have some vouchers, cards ad some very intriguing little envelopes which I have used all my will power to resist opening! If you are looking for an unusual gift do check of Wollies shop

In other Makey 'do' news, I have a proof to approve for the KM 'What's On' and a 6ft x 3ft vinyl banner on order for the outside of the Guildhall. I have sent a second mailing to all stallholders, so if you think your name is down and you don't get any post this week do let me know. There is still time for more profiles if anyone fancies having a go. Must get on--lots to do!!

Locus Arts- down to earth strawberry dunkers!

I thought I'd check what 'locus' means and although I don't know if this is the definition the group uses I really like this;

'A center or focus of great activity or intense concentration:'

For me this is creating- intense concentration, which banishes all other worries or concerns! Let's find out more about the group and their work.

Answered as ‘Locus Arts’ art group, not as individuals.

1) If you were a cake, what kind of cake would you be?
We’d be a fruit cake, because it includes lots of different elements, working together to make one fabulous whole.

2) What will you be doing at “A Makey ‘do’”?
We will be bringing out range of Butterfly Cottage ceramics. These are bought-in ceramics decorated by hand that we sell as a sort of ‘side line’ to help boost our funds. This means we can put on bigger and better exhibitions each year. This year, we have been able to book The Horsebridge Somerset Maugham Gallery for two weeks in August. If anyone would like to come along, our exhibition runs from 5th –18th August, and is open daily

3) Fish and Chips or Curry?
I think we’d all be fish and chips – we’re rather down-to-earth!

4) Where else can your wares usually be found?
We don’t have a permanent home, but we exhibit regularly at venues across East Kent. If anyone wants any pieces in particular, we can be contacted through our website www.locusarts.co.uk.
5) Do you usually hang out in Sandwich, or are you a visitor?
We don’t actually live in Sandwich, but it’s our spiritual home! We have been running arts event here for almost a decade now, and we love it here.
6) Who is your all-time hero?
We like Picasso, because he did what he wanted, how he wanted, against public taste and opinion. We also like his ability to create in many different media – he was never shy of having a go!
7) Who got you started on your crafty journey?
We love colour, shape and form wherever it pops up. Craft shows are full of creative people working in diverse media with a range of highly developed skills. We love to browse, wonder, and take inspiration from other people’s work.
8) What colour draws you most?
Blue – the colour of the seas and the skies.
9) Where do you go for inspiration?
We find inspiration anywhere and everywhere. It might be a face, a landscape, a piece of fabric or a magazine photo, or even a film on the television.
10) Do you dunk?
We dunk strawberries into chocolate ……………

Right I'm definitely sitting with you lot at dunking time!

I am now getting interviews back every day which is so exciting! I am trying to blog daily now, but am balancing this against other preparations for the big day. I have also received some more amazing contributions for the goodie bags, all I can say for now is that the bags are going to smell fantastic! I also am expecting a parcel from over seas. I can't quite believe a friend from the U.S has felt able to contribute to the goodie bags. I am so excited!

Miss makes buttons?

I promised I'd show you what Clover crafts had sent for the goodie bags didn't I? Well each of her fliers has a little pack of buttons attached- very nice! I promise I haven't pinched any out but I'll just say the little fish are very tempting! Don't forget you can tempt yourself at Sheilas E-bay shop.

I got another parcel this morning. This one came from Kent, which is always nice. 'Miss Makes Stuff' will becoming to the 'do' as a guest, maybe next time (if I can manage a next time!) she will come and sell her lovely wares. I love these shrink plastic badges and Angela was kind enough to pop a button brooch in for me. Visit her Folksy shop for more accessories heaven.

Another stall holder profile coming along next. A group of ceramicists this time and some very tempting images of their work.

Clover Crafts, the lady with amazing buttons.

1) If you were a cake, what kind of cake would you be?

A fruit cake- I have a mixed range of interests and for a fruit cake you need lots of ingredients.

2) What will you be doing at “A Makey ‘do’”?

I will be selling buttons-mainly from the 1940's- plastics, pearls, glass, wood, buckles and vintage haberdashery.

3) Fish and Chips or Curry?

Definitely Fish and Chips with tomato sauce

4) Where else can your wares usually be found?

I have a shop on Ebay- Clover Crafts and Curios, my ebay ID is sheilajuno. I also have a stall at a Vintage Fair that is held in Whitstable each month. Occasionally I can also be found at local groups/exhibitions.

5) Do you usually hang out in Sandwich, or are you a visitor?

Yes I visit Sandwich on a regular basis, not as much as I used to since many of the antique shops and the dolls house shop closed, both of which are my passions.

6) Who is your all-time hero?

Beatrix Potter for her wonderful tales and the legacy she left to the Lake District. Many women writers, Enid Blyton, Agatha Christie being two favourites.

7) Who got you started on your crafty journey?

Meeting lots of talented people when I was living in Rutland, which lead to opening a craft shop in the 1980's. When I moved to Kent in 1986 I began a career in social work, since retiring I began 'thrifting' and moved into buying and selling, something that I have always wanted to do.

8) What colour draws you most?

The colours of the rainbow.

9) Where do you go for inspiration?

Antique and Collectibles Fair, Dolls House Shows, exhibitions of craft work.

10) Do you dunk?

Most definitely-hate it though when the biscuit breaks and ends up in the bottom of the mug!

Thanks so much Sheila! I nearly got sucked in to browsing your e-bay shop for hours. I know from experience that Clover Crafts is a hard stall to walk past, but the buttons are really special, so who would want too?

I will show you what Clover Crafts sent for the goodie bags, in case you couldn't guess, but not today!

Brewing up a silver storm.

The day spent talking about the 'do' with local shop keepers has certainly borne fruit! Everyone asked has displayed a poster and three business have already provided goodie bag items. Kim Wood has given fliers advertising his jewellers. Jutsons have given me some very glossy brochures from which I could make a very long wish list!

Brewers shoe shops were particularly helpful and nice, as always! They have given me lots of fliers, accessories for the goodie bags and a back pack as a prize for the children's colouring competition. It's all brilliant! I am really glad that the local shops are behind the event, Sandwich is very unusual in that 90% of the shops are independents. This makes mooching the shops a real pleasure and people are all too happy to help and advise.

I've also had two more packages from crafters, and stall holders at that. Woobarb has sent these knitting row markers. They are so pretty and beautifully packaged. Woo is moving to my this part of the world soon, how nice!

I have also received some cards from Karen of Contemporary embroidery. The cards give a really good impression of the delicacy of Karens work, and I can see them going on peoples
notice boards for their aesthetics as well as for the contact details on the back.

Since taking these pictures I have received another exciting bag from a stallholder and a profile interview. If you want to find out more about Clover crafts, drop by again soon!

Let them eat cake

I don't know if I mentioned it here or on my personal blog but Search Press were good enough to send me the book '20 to make- knitted cakes' so that I could knit some stunt cakes to promote the 'd0' and to display on the day with a sign directing people to the real cake. I made a Swiss roll and realised that getting a decent display made might take a while. Search Press came to the rescue once again offering that I could borrow the sample cakes that were made for the photographs in the book. They arrived along with some mad and brilliant tea cosies, 60 brochures for the goodie bags complete with vouchers for money off the first order.

I just know this is all going to look ace on the day, and Paulines real cakes they taste just as good as these look!

I spent some time last week visiting Sandwich businesses. I handed out posters for display and asked if people wanted fliers in the bags. It was really good to chat about the 'do' and people were really excited. We have an amazing house and garden in Sandwich in the 'Salutation'. I have leaflets from them to go in the goodie bags and they have agreed to hand out our fliers to everyone from their ticket booth. If it is a nice day (fingers crossed) I think a visit to the 'do' and the gardens would make a brilliant day out and well worth a little drive!

I am waiting to hear whether we will be able to put stalls on the guildhall forecourt if we can this adds a whole new dimension to the do and would give a very visible presence in the town. I have no more fingers left to cross!

Simply H? - simply gorgeous!

Simply H is a fair professional, running her own events in Whitstable. It will be lovely to have Helen at the do for experience, but more especially for the gorgeous items she makes!

1) If you were a cake, what kind of cake would you be?
Well, I am away with the fairies most of the time and love chocolate so a chocolate fairy cake!

2) What will you be doing at “A Makey ‘do’”?
I will be selling my handmade fabric bags, dolls, mermaids, appliquéd kids t-shirts and clothes and handmade cards.


3) Fish and Chips or Curry?
I do love fish and chips, but it would have to be a curry – preferably Thai!

4) Where else can your wares usually be found? I am about to set up a Folksy shop, but apart from that I run craft fairs in Whitstable where I sell them and also sell a few bits in the little shop in Whitstable where I work part-time ‘Taking the Plunge’.

5) Do you usually hang out in Sandwich, or are you a visitor?
I love Sandwich; we have been a few times, but not as many as we should since it is so near to us! It is a lovely little town.


6) Who is your all-time hero?
Ohh, do I have to pick one! A new hero is Heather Ross because not only does sew, create patterns and fabric but she is also an amazing illustrator too! I love illustrators Julie Morstad and Edward Gorey and Felicity Wishes illustrator Emma Thomson - anyone who illustrates or creates at home as an actual career is a hero to me!


7) Who got you started on your crafty journey?
My dad, sister and nan are all very artistic and I have always drawn and went to art college. I am not sure where the sewing came from! My mum had a sewing machine, which she gave me a couple of years ago as she never used it and I just fell in love with sewing and making things

8) What colour draws you most?
Blues and greens – but funnily enough I don’t seem to have nearly enough fabrics in these colours!

9) Where do you go for inspiration?
I get lots of inspiration from reading blogs, my kids and family and their funny ways and living by the sea is very inspirational – Whitstable has some lovely, independent shops, which are very inspiring such as Taking the Plunge for lovely gifts and Frank – which sells work by British artists and crafty sorts!

10) Do you dunk?
Oh no! I’m afraid I don’t really understand soggy biscuits! I like them nice and crunchy!

I know my little girl is going to be spellbound by the mermaid dollies, well actually I am!

Thanks for telling all Helen. (even if you are a non-dunker!)

I have been out all morning talking to local shop keepers and handing out posters, I have had some lovely conversations and am confident that anyone having a mooch around town can't fail to see the adverts for the 'do'. Next I shall spread the net a little wider......watch your local notice board- you never know where I might pop up next!

Help wanted,

More bits coming in for the goodie bags....a selection of hand printed lovelies from The Birch Tree, including the cutest baby grows, buttons and shopping bags. I am again sure that the people who receive these in a bag will be thrilled to bits, I would be! The Birch Tree also has some lovely clothes on Folksy, really unique!

I had a lovely parcel of goodies myself from Daisy Davies this morning and she has put some business cards in for the goodie bags. The smocked dress she made for Anna is very very cute and again a bit different from what everyone else is wearing. I'm sure if people visit her website I will see many more little smocked dresses popping up around here!

I will be finalising the table holders for the do at the end of the week and after that will begin my campaign of poster distribution. B.A.S.H have been very supportive again with mailing to their supporters, lending pencils and crayons for the colouring competition, a clicker so we know how many visitors we get and another huge stack of envelopes. Thanks guys.

I am looking for some more help for the big day in the form of 'stewards'. If you are having a stall and bringing a friend, live locally or wanted to get involved but were too shy to have a stall do please consider volunteering for an hour of 'meet and greeting' on the door, or of being a 'spare body'- helping with general gophering etc. Please let me know what you might be up for, I'd be very grateful!

Linky- buttony type bits....Me? I'm a techno goddess!

I really hope that those of you who are coming to the do and have a blog might be able to copy the link in the side bar should you so wish. I had no offers, and not a clue how to write a proper button so this is my (rum and raisin) fudged attempt. Perhaps you could let me know if it works for you? Thanks! xx

I hate doing a post without a picture so here are Nifty Knits latest creation. Cool or what?

Hotting up!

Just over a month to go and boy are things hotting up around here! The goodie bag box is now full and has now spilled into the second huge cardboard delight in the dinning room. But look what amazing stuff is still coming in; Bespoke silver designs, who will be at the event (look back a little for her profile) is offering 10% off on her stall to goodie bag holders with her flier...great plan!

Another stall holder has sent goodies in the form of these super-cute felt/button pins from Dottybird. Sam is a total felt genius and she'll be selling fibres and equipment for needle felting as well as other loveliness on the big day. I may have to plead a bit with Sam though. one of the buttons she has used on these says 'Simon' and is all mounted on a little heart; the love of my life?-Yep Simon, I'd love one of these to wear close to my heart!

I thought that might be the end of the goodies, I thought surely surely there won't be anything else! Oh how wrong can you be.....just look at what flower power has sent, a whole box full of little envelopes, each containing two of her bright and smooth polymer beads. I have done some polymer clay work myself but Flower Powers work is very very polished, in all senses of the word. I was so thrilled to find a necklace in the box just for me, you can see pictures on my blog soon.

Thank you all, if anyone else out there is planning to send a package can I ask please for them to reach me before the end of June. As far as tables go I can only take a couple more stall holders so please get your forms in this week if you are interested. There is a chance that we might be able to use the Guildhall Forecourt. If anyone may be interested in having an open air table at a reduced price then do let me know. I would also love to fit in some more profiles before the 11th of July so please have a go if you haven't already. xx

Lovely Leonie- what a pro!!

Do you remember that I said that Search Press were being all amazingly helpful with the do? They've sent prizes, brochures and they also put the word out amongst their authors and asked if any of them wanted to come along. Leonie said 'yes!' and I am really looking forward to meeting Leonie as I get the impression that apart from being very talented she might just be a bit cheeky-silly!

1) If you were a cake, what kind of cake would you be? Well, I’d like to think I’d be a little fruity number, but I’d probably end up being a massive chocolate fudge cake, with the fudge bits missing.

2) What will you be doing at “A Makey ‘do’”? I will be signing my book and demonstrating some card making and stamping techniques (probably talking to much and eating cake)

3) Fish and Chips or Curry? Chips n curry please, on a bap!

4) Where else can your wares usually be found? My book can be found in good book shops and crafty venue’s, and I can be found demonstrating on QVC from time to time (or hiding in the background every Tuesday when I’m in helping my boss Dawn Bibby, set up her weekly craft shows)

5) Do you usually hang out in Sandwich, or are you a visitor? I love Sandwich. We have recently moved to Canterbury, so it’s now somewhere we like to nip for a visit.

6) Who is your all-time hero? I think Joy Adams, Born Free lady. There are lots of people who are truly amazing though, so it’d be a long list

7) Who got you started on your crafty journey? When I was a wee one I always crafted with my parents, so they were my inspiration. My journey became my occupation when I left my “proper” job for a life of beans on toast and craft fairs!

8) What colour draws you most? Blue, brown, purple, green…….It’s mood dependant.

9) Where do you go for inspiration? On a day to day basis I get craft kits to work on, so get inspired from them. I’ve also started an Art and Design course so that’s helping keeping new idea’s flowing. I think my main inspirational time is when I’m walking the dogs – it must be their happy faces and the fresh air.

10) Do you dunk? Absolutely and generally plop then fish.

Thanks so much Leonie for doing the interview. I hve had even more stunning loveliness for the goodie bags so photos will be here in a couple of days. I have also placed a very pricey newspaper ad to go in the KM What's on the week before the event. This insert goes out all over Kent and apart from posters and fliers will be my main advertising. I still have some budget left so lots of opportunity to spread the word.