Too Early for Chrismas???

Afternoon everyone,

Yes, I am sure most of you are saying, it IS too early to be thinking of Christmas, but in the business world, it started months ago. In my business world it has just started. In my personal world, forget it! At least until the start of November.

However, I have had to start on the Christmas lines because I when I am exhibiting at fairs, most of my customers will see me only once before the big day, so I need to hit them with the stuff! I have a few things already made but I wanted to show you this:

This is Mini Burlap or Linen Christmas Bunting and I think that explains a lot (!) but I will add that it is made using really soft material that I have secured then frayed and adorned with cut little Christmas 'emblems' shall we say? The bunting can be hung anywhere, but would look really cute on a mantle piece or shelving unit. It is approximately 3' 6" long and has 12 flags.

So far I have made three sets and I will be taking them to my next fair - details coming soon.

Also on the Christmas theme, I was thinking parties and so have revived a line from the past:

These sold quite quickly the last time I made them and so I will make quite a few, Chalk Board Coasters. They are incredibly handy when entertaining as you simply write your guest's name on the coaster, so their drink doesn't become confused with somebody elses. They are also good for labelling food items that may be on the buffet, like nuts and sweets, so they are versatile and cute too!

Again I will be taking these to my next fairs and we'll see what happens.

This weekend I am going with my husband to the Bakewell Town Hall as there is a craft & gift fair on from Saturday to Monday, and he sells items donated to him to raise funds for the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution). He asks for and people very kindly donate unwanted goods including ornaments, vintage glass wears, jewellery, wood items, antique items and silver wears and he sells them at prices much lower then in a retail shop, making it that the people who donate the items are giving to a great cause, and the consumers are gaining an actual physical item for giving to a charity. It's a win-win situation! On Monday there is a cafe in the hall too which is in aid of the Goboka Rwanda Trust, and over the three days there will be an interesting array of crafts-people displaying, talking about and selling their goods. Also on Monday, it is Market Day in the town and there is always a great atmosphere. So, if you want to start early with your Christmas shopping, you know where to come!

That's all for now, thank you for reading, either pass this on or leave me a comment. Thank you.

Julie. :)

(C) FMN Crafts 2015

Final Post This Week: Bakewell and New Items

Evening all,

For the last post of this week I would like to show you a couple of things, but before that details of my fair as mentioned in the earlier post.

I am at the Bakewell Town Hall tomorrow and Sunday from 10am to 4.30pm for a Craft and Gift Fair, organised by Dawn of Craftwise Art and Craft Markets.

The Craftwise Art & Craft Markets have been held regularly in Bakewell Town Hall since 2002, they are held in the downstairs room and admission is free.

There are a range of quality gifts available including handmade cards, knitted baby clothes, wrapped gifts, fabric crafts, a variety of different styles of jewellery, art work, photography and others - it sure is a great fair to visit and I for one am looking forward to it.

OK, so just a couple of things to show you that i have managed to make before tomorrow, firstly these:

 
You will recognise the new style rabbit from the previous post but I have also tweaked some of the others, either in design or materials used. These are part of my selection of Freehand Machine Embroidery Cards which I think are little pieces of art in themselves.

 

Plus, they can be framed after standing on the shelf or fireplace and hung on a wall :)

And finally for the week, this:

This is a Freehand Machine Embroidery Bunting Door Stop. It is made using sturdy denim and hard wearing linen, it has a webbing strap handle and is decorated in cute little bunting pieces. It is filled with sand, stones and padding and holds open a door just as it should. I like this. :D 

Click to enlarge

As you would expect, this will be going with me the the fair tomorrow.

If you feel like a day out, please go to Bakewell in the lovely Peak District, it is a fabulous little town that has all you need - including our craft fair! You will not be disappointed. 

Thank you for reading, please leave a comment if you wish.

Julie.
(C) FMN Crafts 2015

The Goboka Rwanda Trust Cafe and Craft Fair

Hi everyone,

Just a small blog to advertise the event we will be attending tomorrow, The Goboka Rwanda Trust Charity Cafe and Craft Fair at the Bakewell Town Hall tomorrow, 20th April 2015.

Please see their Facebook page for details, they are a group of wonderful people helping make the lives of people in Africa that little bit easier. The Goboka Rwanda Trust is a small UK registered charity that supports and delivers projects to help the Rwandan people, their families and communities.

The fair is a monthly one held in the town hall and has a fabulous little cafe with some craft, gift and artist stalls selling lots of lovely things you wouldn't usually see on the high street, all designed and made by the stall holders. It has a lovely atmosphere and is a relaxing environment - the charity and the stall holders appreciate all the support they recieve.

My husband also runs his Royal National Lifeboat Institution stall, where he sells quality bric-a-brac items donated by very kind members of the public, who no longer have a need for their items and who would love to help support the charity. His stall is becoming well known for the quality of items, including such things as crystal decanters and glasses, named crockery and glass wears including Crown Derby, Moorcroft and Beswick etc, as well as antique jewellery, fountain pens and silver wear all at rediculously low prices. Buyers gain beautiful items whilst giving to the RNLI at the same time. It's a win-win situation. If you have any items you would like to donate for him to sell, please contact me or come along tomorrow and speak to David, or bring your items! Here is a look at part of his stall:

Each fair will be different with new items each time as the items sell quickly - piece of advise here: If you see it and you like it, BUY IT! It will probably not be there 30 minutes later. Bring cash. Lots. ;)

Anyway, enough plugging, hope see you tomorrow, doors open at 10am, The Bakewell Town Hall, Derbyshire, DE45 1BT. Plus, Monday is market day in town and always has a fabulous atmosphere.

Julie.

Fab New Items

Evening all,

Just one little post today, to show you these:

This is my first batch of three Mixed Linen Patchwork Cosmetic Cases.

David and I went to Bakewell yesterday on a day trip (can't seem to get enough of the place!) and on the market, we came across a stall run by a lovely lady named Sue, who runs a business called Wonkey Donkey Bazaar. She has a fabulous collection of all things crafty including the gorgeous new linens you see above (the cream based ones). As soon as I saw them, I knew I had to have a load of them! 

These cases measure a generous 7.5 inches wide by 5.5 inches tall and are roomy enough for all types of cosmetics and toiletries. They have pretty embellishments, fabulous red zips and are lined in complimentary cream cotton. They also have fancy stitching and just look at the buttons! Even though I made these myself, I must say, I love them!

 

What do you think? We are in Bakewell again next Monday exhibiting in the Town Hall so I will be taking these with me - details of that and more later.

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment below if you wish, or Like me on Facebook.

Julie.

(C) FMN Crafts 2015

Craft Fair

Well actually these details came a little later than expected...sorry about that.

The Crafts, Gifts and Food Fair has it's final day for the Easter break at the Bakewell Town Hall, Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1BT tomorrow, Monday 6th April 2015.

There are some fabulous stalls there, including textile creations - all owner designed and hand made, local beautiful photography and that of further afield, unusual and impressive hand made jewellery, a chocolatier with some truly yummy goods, my husband's charity stall raising funds for the RNLI and many more.

It is market day on Monday's in Bakewell so there is something for everyone and as it's a Bank Holiday it will be lively! A great atmosphere no doubt.

Doors open at 10am, if you don't know where it is once you have arrived in Bakewell, just look for the signs that say 'Follow the Sheep!" And don't worry, there is PLENTY of parking available and if you'd prefer, you can walk, cycle or bus it in. There are no excuses...

So, see you tomorrow!

Oh, and if you mention this blog, I'll give you 10% off any order over £10 :)

PASS IT ON!

Julie.

Good evening all,

Just wanted to show you a couple of things and then tell you about my weekend...

The first picture I want to show you is this:

A lovely lady called Gaynor approached me at my last Fair in Bakewell and asked if I would provide her with some of my Freehand Machine Embroidered cards for her Farm Shop in Rowsley, of course I jumped at the chance! So far, I have made these as pictured and have many more to come. Hopefully they will sell well, I think this style of item will look great in any farm shop and I was really pleased at being asked!

Next I would like to show you these:

You may remember similar ones in my previous blog, these are Freehand Machine Embroidery Lavender Bags. I simply love lavender and these bags are filled with lavender heads from Provence - they smell wonderful. Again like in the last batch, I have made four and have more lined up, which I hope will sell well at the fair tomorrow - details in a moment.

And finally for tonight, I'd like to show you this:

This is a small Freehand Machine Embroidery Throw Cushion. I was in Hobbycraft recently and came across a mass of materials in fat quarters and these patterns/prints appealed to me right away. I bought some small pillow forms and this was created. It is so cute! (If I do say so myself). It measures just 12" square and has an envelope back so the cover comes off easily if it needs cleaning.

And so to the fair - my husband and I will both be exhibiting at the Bakewell Town Hall in beautiful Derbyshire from tomorrow (Saturday) until Monday, me with my crafts and David with his charity RNLI stall. If you fancy a day out, you know where to come; there promises to be some great stalls including photography, gretings cards, art work and jewellery etc so please come along if you can. Remember, next Sundays is Mother's Day so you will no doubt be able to pick up some wonderful items.

Thanks for reading, comment if you wish or say hi on Facebook.

Julie.
(C) FMN Crafts 2015

Afternoon all,

This is just a short message to say that tomorrow, Monday 16th February 2015, I will be exhibiting at the Bakewell Town Hall, Derbyshire, in the beautiful Peak District.

The Bakewell Town Hall

There is an organisation called the Goboka Rwanda Trust which is a small UK registered charity that supports and delivers projects to help the Rwandan people, their families and their communities, and once a month they run a Cafe and Craft Fair in the Town Hall to raise funds.

Goboka School Project

It is such a great atmosphere and there are around 8 stalls peddling their wears as well as the cafe selling teas, coffees, hot chocolate etc - where I can thoroughly recommend the chocolate cake!

If you fancy a day out in Bakewell, Monday would be a good day not only for the fair, but also because it's Market day and there is always a great buzz. Plus, you can visit The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop...

The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop

Doors open around 10am, hope to see you then.

Thanks for reading,
Julie.

This Weekend...

Hi all,

Just a quick one to say that this Saturday and Sunday I will be exhibiting at the Matlock Bath Methodist Church, Derbyshire again, from about 11am - 5pm each day, with all my goods and some you haven't seen yet...! It's Father's Day in the UK this Sunday, so why not pop along, with the old pops, and see if you can buy him a well deserved treat?

A tiny section of my stall last time

Just before opening time

The entry is free, you will be subjected to fine foods to sample including locally produced cheeses, chutneys, honey, fudge and muffins as well as sampling the finest of craftsmanship in sewing, jewellery making, painting, card making, and artistry you don't find on the high street as well as a few branded named stalls. There really is something for everyone and with numerous car parks, even more chip shops and amusements, Abrahams Heights, Gullivers Kingdom and much, much more, it will be a day worth spending out with us.

See you there!

Oh, and if you come and say hi and mention this blog, there's a free gift in it for you! ;)

Thanks for reading, pass it on if you will.
Julie.

Bakewell Craft Fair

Afternoon all,

Just to let you know that tomorrow I will be exhibiting my hand made goodies at the Bakewell Town Hall Craft Fair, from around 10am - 4.30pm, so if you fancy a drive out to purchase some gorgeous items you don't usually find on the high street, do so! It promises to be a great fair. It's also Market Day, so the town will be buzzing. Go on, take a day off, get there early to park, stroll around the fair and the shops, have a nice pub lunch and drive on home when you feel like it... :) Sounds good to me!

Looking forward to seeing you there - make yourself known! And bring some cash ;)

Happy Sunday,
Julie.