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?!

Too, too cute!

Three more parcels to share with you, literally! I was blown away by the class of these labels and pegs from Magenpie. The work that Magenpie sells on her Etsy and Folksy shops is equally unusual and well crafted. I am definitely tempted by the large key fobs as I am a real key worrier!

Next up these cute clutch of owls stamped on the back of all these different sample cards, just ready to send as a really individual little note. More of Creative Cards paperwork can be found here all with a really funky feel and a personality which means the cards almost choose themselves for an individual. (if you know what I mean!!)

Finally a parcel from Treaclezoo. I had hoped Treaclezoo might be there in person at the 'do' but she is otherwise engaged. Seeing her work 'in the felt' has made me want to see her whole stall even more! Check out the winking ravioli!

Thanks so much for sending you three! Still more to come in the goodie bags, and another post in a couple of days with the contents of my biggest parcel yet!

Flower fairytales

It may not be immediately clear from the photo but the lovely Hatastic has sent the sweetest floral hair clips for the goodie bags! These really are darling and I have a lovely mental image of big and little girls running around East Kent sporting these on July 11th. If you have a summer wedding and a good dose of panache do check out Hatastic fascinators, they are really special!

The other contribution comes from a Misi seller. Photo fairytales get creative with your photos and can put your children in new and exciting settings, (not literally un fortunately!) and your friends and families on the front of magazines. These would be lovely gifts so if you have a 40th or a 4th birthday that you are struggling to find something unique for do check out their website.

Thanks so much for these lovely contributions. I have lots more going on behind the scenes here, and a substantial 'to do' list. I am expecting a very exciting parcel next week and then can reveal more loveliness. Meanwhile watch this space over the next couple of days for another Maker profile.

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!

More good (ie) s

The goodie bags for the Makey do will be amazing. I know that's a big statement, but it's also something of which I'm confident. I ordered my pay-day treat from Folksy and cheekily asked Viv from Concept Design Form if she'd like to put some extra business cards in for the bags, she did just that and I'm sure people checking out her shop will be really impressed by what they find. I also had some 'products' in the post which is really exciting! Meplusmolly had said she would send some lovelies and before I even opened the package the scent of lavender got me all excited.

I wasn't very disciplined about opening the parcels with lots of photos- I was too excited!

Yep, that's right there are sixty beautiful badges brooches and lavender sachets all with the most amazing textures and colours. I am so impressed. I would say this was worth a 10a.m visit to Sandwich Guildhall on July 11th, wouldn't you? Do have a mooch around meplussmollys other work, it really is beautiful.

I am obviously more than happy to receive more contributions for the goodie bags. The bags themselves have arrived. I am using nice brown paper bags with handles and will stick the Makey do logo and blog address to the front for advertising on the day, so plenty of room for more loveliness. Looby was kind enough to post the event on Misi and I have two more offers from sellers there for items. Neroli has kindly offered to do the same on Coriandr- (thanks, I promise I will send you the press release soon!)

All coming along nicely, the next stage is getting quotes for other advertising, finding more stall holders and talking to the local schools about getting fliers in book bags. All good!

Goodies!

I have had more free lovelies for the makey do! Firstly a big wodge of envelopes, courtesy of B.A.S.H (thanks!) it might seem a small thing to be pleased about but anything I don't have to pay Makey 'do' money for means more promotion for the event. If you have been waiting for a receipt for your table money the arrival of these means you should receive one soon! Talking of table money, the last cheque I needed to cover the hall hire arrived yesterday form an unexpected corner- I had begged and nagged Dad to bring along some of his and Uncle Bens lovely wood work to the 'do'. I knew he wouldn't let me down and now it is his table cheque that has put me in a good place to start the exciting bits next. Thanks Dad! I will be posting Dad out an interview tomorrow so hopefully the next Makey do artist to be profiled will be my favourite beardy wood turner!
I also received a big package yesterday which has given me the backbone for the goodie bags. I e-mailed Workbox magazine to ask if they could put the event in their 'What's on' section and offered to put fliers in the goodie bags. They said 'yes' to the first and 'no' to the second-fliers aren't very exciting, we'll send you 60 copies of the current magazine! I love Workbox, it is a really well balanced magazine and I hope that the first 60 through the door love it too! I have had some more kind offers of goodies from my friends on Folksy, I also have a Misi stallholder who has offered to put the event on the forums there. I just need a Coriandr seller and maybe an Etsy seller who is a member of a U.K sellers group. Any help for that very gratefully received.

First Freebies

Look what the postman bought this morning! Swirly was the first to respond to the call to arms for freebies for the Makey 'do' goodie bags and I can't believe what a great start we have! In the box was Swirlys' business cards, (which are punched and stitched!), Cuteable business cards which Swirly writes for and 60 samples of Swirlys work which you can see more of in her Folksy shop. I just knew I'd be a bit jealous of the goodie bag recipients but Swirly put prezies in for me and my children (THANKS SWIRLY!) so I shall live with it! I have had another three offers of freebies so far and a confident that I should be able to put together something really lovely, if you'd like to contribute do please let me know.

I have e-mailed or posted out the sign-up forms for the event so if you would like one and have not yet received one; just ask! I have even had my first cheque back. I need to 'sell' ten tables at £15 each to cover the hire of the hall so will be really happy when that is under my belt. Poster design has now been approved by B.A.S.H and they have started going up around the town. If you live in Kent and could display a 'do you want a table?' poster please leave a comment and I can send one.

Thanks all of you for all your support, I do see this as a joint effort and a real community event---it's great!!!! xx