Good to go

The goodie bags have been assembled! I have one last contribution to show you with these brochures from the fabulous Clothkits. Making these bags has certainly put my budgeting at risk! Clothkits produce pre-printed fabric from which clothing, dolls accessories can all be cut with no need for a pattern, all the markings are on the fabric. What could be better for a new sewer or a quick and very stylish project? So with all the goodies in, well maybe there will be a couple more bits to pop in on the day it seemed a good idea to cross 'make up bags' off my list. Two friends helped and we were very well organized, except that I hadn't really reckoned on how much space 60 big juicy goodie bags would take up. Here they all are on my breakfast bar, just waiting, waiting for the first through the door next Saturday.
Here is a picture of the typical contents but I had to crop it, all the goodies just wouldn't fit into one little picture!

I'm still to confirm the final stallholders list and am looking for a face painter to come along, and hopefully an ice cream vendor. The long range weather forecast is good, so fingers crossed for a calm week followed by a busy weekend!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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

Cut-offs and cards

Nuada Accessories have sent some business cards for the goodie bags. (you will have to keep an eye on my other blog if you want to see what I ordered form there!) I was really pleased with my purchase and am happy to recommend a look at the shop.

I have had a measure up at the Guildhall and have started to look at a table plan. Places are filling up and I think I will make the 11th of June a provisional cut off date for stallholder sign up. If you have a form kicking around that is waiting to be posted to me, please do send it. I will keep a short reserve list so if you miss the deadline but are happy to be 'on-call' do please get in touch.

I am looking for more stall holders to take part in the profile interview. It will be me next otherwise!! I could also do with some help making a button for the blog, I have a jpeg of the logo if anyone can help. Thanks xxx

Search no more- for a brilliant craft publisher!

So, as you know I have been working on the goodie bags for the do, trying to get a really good mixture of relevant items I haven't phoned loads of big companies, I wasn't sure I'd have any joy and the ethos for the event is very much local and handmade. I did however contact Search Press. Their brochure dropped out of a magazine and whilst I was flicking through it getting all excited I remembered that they are a Kent company. Anyway I bit the bullet and picked up the phone; Would they like to send me 60 brochures- Yes, would I like a coupon in them-Yes please! Would I like to send them more details of the event?-Sure thing. Would I like some books to have as maybe a raffle prize?-Ummmm YES!!! Would I like them to put the word out amongst their authors and see if anyone wants to do a demo/book signing-Ummm Yes please, thank you very much, that would be lovely, gush, gush, giggle, gush!

Honestly they have been amazing and just look at what we now have prizes for our colouring competition; I will be printing off sheets with an outline of the Makey 'do' logo for adults and children to colour, decorate, draw a background for, generally go wild all over. The best from each category will then be the logo for the next Makey 'do' summer event. The colouring competition will be free to enter and I would encourage anyone in the area to drop in and have a go. If you have time on your hands I really would highly recommend a visit to the Search Press website. The books are excellent and the site also has a forum, competition and free monthly projects and printable designs. I think it's a fantastic resource. This months printable is from a book of Aboriginal designs so anyone doing school projects (groan!!!) might want to keep an eye on this page!

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!

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!

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.