The Who

No, not the band. Unfortunatly I haven't been able to book any live music yet for the 'do'. BOOO. But I have booked the amazing, the celebrated, the local; NiftyKnits YYYYAAAAAAYYYYEEE!!

Let's find out a bit more about Nifty;

1) If you were a cake, what kind of cake would you be?
I wouldn’t be a sophisticated gateau, I’d be something chocolatey, maybe with smarties on top. Or if I’m to be a homemade cake, I’ll be a quick and easy vinegar cake – recipe here http://niftyknits-somuchyarnsolittletime.blogspot.com/2009/01/vinegar-cake-or-dietwhat-decision.html


2) What will you be doing at “A Makey ‘do’”?
I’ll probably be looking a bit sleepy as I’ll be coming home from holiday the night before! I’ll be manning (womanning?) my stall full of knitted and crocheted novelties – animals, jewellery, flowers, morris dancers and even an occasional scarf or glove.

3) Fish and Chips or Curry?
Fish and chips every time.

4) Where else can your wares usually be found?
I can be found at http://www.niftyknits.folksy.com/ for those of us who like spending £££ and http://www.niftyknits.etsy.com/ if you can handle $$$. Last year for the first time I held a stall at the Tenterden Folk Festival, which is where my knitted Morris Dancers were launched. I shall have to make sure I bring along a mini dancer dressed in the Wantsum Morris kit, I believe they’re the local Sandwich side.

5) Do you usually hang out in Sandwich, or are you a visitor?
I am a true Maid of Kent: I was actually born in Deal, almost next door to Sandwich, but moved away at the age of 10 and only moved back to live in Kent (Tenterden) a few years ago.

6) Who is your all-time hero?
Steve Irwin is my family’s hero, he inspired us to own quite a few reptiles when my children were growing up, and we always wanted to go Australia Zoo to meet him. Sadly, we’ve left it too late. I’ve just finished knitting a mini-Steve for my son’s birthday – I’ll show you if you promise not to let him see it!

7) Who got you started on your crafty journey?

My Grandmother taught me to knit more years ago than I care to remember, but I only took it up again a few years ago when I was off sick from teaching. When the house started to fill with knits my son’s girlfriend, Lenny, told me about Etsy and the rest, as they say, is history!

8) What colour draws you most?
Tricky one! I love bright colours (you don’t have to spend long in my shops to work that out!) and purple is probably my favourite – if you’re looking for me at the MakeyDo, I’ll be the one with purple hair!

9) Where do you go for inspiration?
Out in the countryside works every time, I love walking. Sometimes it’s direct inspiration (for instance my knitted spring flowers) and sometimes it’s just being outside and having time and space to think without wandering off to the computer to check emails and chat on the forums.

10) Do you dunk?
Absolutely not! I’ve even broken my husband of the habit. Bleurgh! Nasty soggy bits in the bottom of a cup!

Thanks Nifty, really looking forward to meeting you face-to-face! Now that wasn't such a scarey interview was it? Who'd like to go next?

The When

So the big day for the Makey 'do' is................................

Saturday July 11th.

Set up from 9a.m.

Doors open-10am.

Doors close-4pm.

Be there or.......miss out on all the fun and games.

The venue

This is the Sandwich Guildhall which has been booked, and a deposit paid as the venue for the 'Makey do'. Part of the building is very old and is used for wedding and other ceremonies. We will be using the modern extension which has a lift and floor to ceiling windows for excellent natural light. In the summer the forecourt is bustling with people. The bus stop for the town is here and there is a chip shop so plenty of people enjoying an al fresco lunch. There is a very large pay and display car park at the rear of the building and from here to the town people pass through the alley in the building and therefore past the main entrance to the event. Sandwich is so picturesque, and I'm getting more takers for tables every week. I am looking for a volunteer stall holder to be my first 'interview-ee', I would like to have a picture of you, but a least some nice images of the sort of thing you'll be bringing with you. Fancy it?

We got it covered!

A Makey 'do' is not being held for profit to the organiser, (me!)- had I mentioned that? I just want to cover my costs and maybe sell some things from my own stall. When I was trying to work out if this whole idea was viable I got a quote for the venue and one for the insurance. The insurance was nearly as much as the hall hire, this meant I would have to be really creative with the advertising and that I might end up out of pocket. Sandwich is a great community with lots of do-ers. Not least of whom are a group called B.A.S.H (Bringing Alive Sandwich Heritage) I was chatting to one of their number she said that as the group has annual insurance they may be able to cover my event, I'd just need to mention them on the posters. I was invited to their committee meeting last week and the vote was unanimous- a Makey do is now officially 'supported by B.A.S.H'-cool. This means I can really promote the event and do nice things like get these badges made by Swirlyarts. (Aren't they Ace?- do you think I could get some made with 'princess' and 'genius' for daily wear?)

Next there was the 'where'?

I live in a beautiful town. Sandwich is in East Kent and has a ram-shackle mix of very old houses, quaint narrow streets and great facilities. What better place to hold the first makey do? There are lots of lovely village halls and old churches which hold regular events but I have reserved the Guildhall for 'A Makey 'do''. Although probably the most expensive this venue has a large car park next to it, a nice kitchen, a lift, lots of toilet facilities, is in the centre of town, is a nice big space with lots of natural light, really friendly staff........I mean it's perfect. (for anyone who likes to know these sort of things there are at least four pubs within 2 minutes walk.)

Please excuse the lack of photos on this post, Iwill be out there with my camera the minute we get a nice day-meanwhile check out the links.

In the beginning there was.....

the idea. And the idea was good....I hope! The 'idea' is this;

Wouldn't it be nice if crafty types wot make things could have a nice place to sell them once in a while-not to become evil capitalist consumer types but just to share the love. Wouldn't it be ace if people could come and meet the crafty types and see how nice they were and actually get the chance to make something, with their own little hands. If other crafty types came along but didn't actually want to sell anything perhaps they'd like the chance to buy some more materials. If everyone could do those things whilst drinking tea and eating cake wouldn't the world-or at least East Kent-be a nicer place?