Let's meet Jennyflowerblue

That's me!! Yep, here I am, and here is a VERY rare photo of me.

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

I’d be a cookie- so you could dunk me!!

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

I will have my own stall selling my work and giving people chance to pay a pound to make a button ring. I will also be setting up the event and ‘running’ it.

3) Fish and Chips or Curry?

Fish and chips, and beer!

4) Where else can your wares usually be found?

I have a Folksy shop; and sell through a couple of lovely shops including Tamarisk in Deal.

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

I have lived in Sandwich for about twelve years, but am from Dorset and still feel like a West Country girl- my love.

6) Who is your all-time hero?

Marilyn Monroe- just for being a bit curvy and glamorous. On a less shallow level all those who fight oppression

7) Who got you started on your crafty journey?

I come from a long line of makers and do-ers. I have always been surrounded by the opportunity to create but I particularly value the input of my Mum and Dad, the creative sparks just seem to fly when I am around them.

8) What colour draws you most?

I store my materials sorted into colours, purple is the box which is hardest to close but I am a great lover of all things bright and a tiny bit clash-y.

9) Where do you go for inspiration?

Like I said Mum and Dad seem to get the new ideas going but really the materials lead me- a new ball of wool or a few buttons and I’m off!

10) Do you dunk?

Oh yes…..I dunk…..a lot!

If you get a KM newspaper check out the What's On section for the advert for the do. More goodies to show you on the next post and maybe a peek at the finished goodie bags!

It just keeps coming!

I have spent the last few weeks in an almost constant state of pleasant surprise at all the lovely goodies I have received and there has been a final flurry of loveliness. I managed to get my own contribution finished in the shape of 60 bookmarks/coupons. I am primarily a fabric floozy but do like my paper crafts so had a ball making these. If you'd like to see my other work I have a Folksy shop. I had a parcel from the U.S too which is pretty cool. A Rats Pyjamas is my swap partner for A seaside swap and Wanda very sweetly decided to send me snowman buttons and cards and three sets of the most gorgeous Pink persimmon stamps.
My next package was from Nifty Thrifty, a very talented lady who makes rosettes from reclaimed fabric and also works in ceramic to make jewellery. Nifty Thrifty is based in Devon and her work carries the calm that I aassociate with that part of the world, just lovely.
I have two friends that operate as Phoenix card traders, even if you hand make all your own cards their tissue paper, organza ribbon and wrapping paper are excellent materials. Helen has kindly donated these colour in mask packs as part of the children's colouring competition prize. I have so far resisted colouring them myself, good job I won't be bored between now and the big day!
Finally, contributions from Original Minnie, these cards so appeal to me, obviously I love my fabric, but I love the ethos too; vintage fabric, a one off item, well made.
The paper with the main advert is out tomorrow so word should really start to spread and I may well be able to offer some more pitches for the 'do', they would be outdoors but if you are following this wishing that you hadn't missed the boat, do drop me a line, you might not have!

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!!

Turner Rowe Designs, pleased to meet you!

Lets meet Jo, another very talented jeweller, and all round lovely person;

1) If you were a cake, what kind of cake would you be?
Lots of fairy cakes, decorated with different coloured fondant icing and sparkly dust!

2) What will you be doing at “A Makey ‘do’”?
I will be selling my hand made jewellery and demonstrating how to make simple earrings.

3) Fish and Chips or Curry?
Mmmm…depends on my mood, but right here, right now, I think curry – with naan bread!

4) Where else can your wares usually be found?
On my website http://www.turnerrowedesigns.com/ , I also do jewellery parties for a fun girlie night, where everyone gets to make a pair of earrings and the hostess receives a discount based on sales, oh, and don’t forget the silver clay workshops, wedding and craft fairs!

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

Well, I used to live in Worth and work at Pfizer, so hung around in Sandwich a fair bit but am now a visitor, as I have lots of friends locally.

6) Who is your all-time hero?
Charles Darwin – such a brilliant thinker!

7) Who got you started on your crafty journey?
I have always been interested in arts and crafts and have tried my hand at all sorts of things but the jewellery making has really overtaken me in the last couple of years and of course, as I am getting married soon, I wanted to make my own wedding jewellery and things have snowballed since then!

8) What colour draws you most?
Blues…..aqua and turquoise and of course, silver!

9) Where do you go for inspiration?
Inspiration tends to jump out at me at anytime – I just find myself making things and wondering how I got there!

10) Do you dunk?
Of course!


Whoop! Another dunker! I have Famous Shamus now confirmed as attending, a local character who makes 'dunkable cookies'- yummmm. I do love reading these interviews and do hope you find them interesting too, I am looking for my next willing stall holder to be profiled, otherwise it might be me!!! I have had three more gorgeous parcels containing goodie bag items and I have some photos to share later in the week.

I have a big decision to make regarding the budget for the 'do'- I have a quote from the East Kent Mercury for an Ad in the 'What's on' section which has a very good spread and readership. The cost is high and placing the ad would mean little left over for the free activities I was planning for local school children. I will put up a voting box on the blog, please do let me know our thoughts!

Beardy lathe-ers

As I mentioned in the last post the next person to be officially signed up for the 'do' is........my Dad. Meet Larry, my own beardy lathe-er. Let's find out more;

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

A dough cake

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

Probably looking after the grandchildren!

(well if you're offering!)

3) Fish and Chips or Curry?

Fish and chips.

4) Where else can your wares usually be found?

Cluttering up the living room.

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

Frequent visitor.

6) Who is your all-time hero?

Eric Clapton

7) Who got you started on your crafty journey?

My brothers-in-law

8) What colour draws you most?

Anything that doesn't show the dirt.

9) Where do you go for inspiration?

Museums, magazines and china shops.

Do you dunk

All the time!

Thanks Dad. I think that sums you up, traditional, practical and a bit cheeky around the edges! Larry will be selling his dear little ring pots and dishes. The perfect packaging for all the lovely jewelery that will be available. He will also be bringing along some doorstops made by my brilliant Uncle Ben, (the dude in the hat)- I swear to you for Dorset these guys are fairly hair-free. And anyone who makes any jokes about the beardy family resemblance is off the guest list!

In other business I am having such fun with the goodie bags, I have loads to show you in the next post, but for this one how about these darling promotional cards from Raffique. Aren't they charming?

I am beginning to realise that the way to spread the word about the 'do' is to do just that. Talking to everyone about it is opening up so many possibilities. Yesterday I visited Quex Park Craft Barn and spoke to three lovely unit holders. All had different ideas about how they might want to be involved, from displaying posters in their windows to having a stall, to sending fliers. I thought I might ask the Hotel in town where we went for a rare glass of wine if they wanted to put some vouchers in the goodie bags and found that the receptionist was a Brownie leader who offered to give fliers to all her pack.....it just grows and grows! I would be very grateful if you could join me in wittering on about it to all your nearest and dearest too!

Freebies!

Progress continues on the plans for the 'do'. I had a meeting last week with the local charity B.A.S.H who are supporting the event and they have now given me a copy of their logo which needs to go on the advertising material- after that?-all systems go. I will add the logo to the sign-up forms which should make them ready next week. I have been thinking more about creative ways to promote the event and have contacted the local Adult Education marketing department. I have offered to display their September prospectus at the event in return for them displaying posters advertising the 'do' at all their centre across Kent, which is nice!

I have also been thinking about goodie bags. Lots of people have kindly expressed an interest in this event who cannot actually make it in person, well I plan to make up 60 goodie bags to give out at the event and if anyone would like to send cards, products, fliers, anything really, in any number, I would ensure they were shared out across the bags. It would be a good way to get your name into the minds of people who are already hand-made fans. If you are interested, please leave a comment with your e-mail and I'll be in touch.

On the subject of giveaways I am having a little one on my own personal blog so pop over if you'd like a chance to win the hair ties!