hello leeds...

something dead good at test space...

Check out this amazing poster by Kristyna Baczynski! Rabbit Portal presents "Dead Good" a new and exciting show at test space. And on oct 31st - the guys will also be screening a double bill of Monster Squad and Night Of The Creeps...that evening fancy dress is mandatory but the show runs from 31st oct - 6th nov.


You can view work by the likes of Rabbit Portal, Drew Millward, Jay Cover, Luke Pearson, Kristyna Baczynski , Steven Chan, Jack Teagle, Lesley Barnes, Ubberkraft, Guy Mckinley, The Pern, Kate Prior, Muxxi, James Burlinson, Helen Entwisle, Seb Mesnard, Gemma Correll,Owen Davey and many more!!



So why not come down soak up some great art, wear a costume, and drink a beer and then snug up and watch a movie on the launch night...dead good! See you there!

leeds uni fair preview: wivwuv!

I am delighted to introduce you all to 'wivwuv' a sweet and delectable jewellery label appearing at reetsweet's university fair in leeds nov 8th...

'Lineke, originally sprouting from somewhere in Africa, is a self taught designer and maker who founded 'wiv wuv creations' in 2010. Her collections include contemporary jewellery, interior decoration pieces, paper cut art and bespoke wedding stationery. Inspired by nature, literature, travelling, music and playfulness (amongst other things), she is drawn to the beautiful and unusual side of everyday life, moving her to create elegant and quirky pieces. Lineke fills her creations with all her care, attention, passion and love for design - hence the name 'wiv wuv'.

Her designs are dynamic, imagery bold yet organic, and she continuously evolves her hand-made collections with new designs, techniques and use of materials. You can find out more about Lineke & her products at wivwuv.com.'

leeds uni fair preview: fluffsstuffs

On nov 8th we head to leeds uni riley smith hall (in the union!) for our first ever student fair. Can't wait! ...You've met fluffsstuffs before if you came down to our last event - their first! And after much success they return to show us some more super kawaii madness!...








Button earrings, brooches, amazing bunting necklaces, all in bright and fun designs, with many colour and style options to add a hint of fun to your day! Enjoy!

leeds uni fair preview: yuyu

Appearing at the leeds university fair, Nov 8th for the first time reetsweet are proud to introduce to you yuyu...




The people behind Yuyu are Mark McKeown and Julie-Anne Hughes, both designers but with different design disciplines. Julie started her textile design journey at art school in Scotland. Over fifteen years on, having worked in top design studios in New York and London; Julie now lives in Leeds and divides her time between designing for Yuyu, teaching Illustrator to the textile students at Leeds College of Art, and most recently new mum to son Bertie.

Mark has nearly twenty years of experience in graphic and editorial design. They met back in 2004, since then Julie’s passion for surface pattern and screen-printing started to influence Mark’s everyday graphic design work. In 2007, they decided to combine their different skills and love of bold graphic prints (often influenced by the retro patterns they grew up with in the late seventies), to create Yuyu. They launched their first collection at Top Drawer in September 2008.

Nearly five years on, with a new baby and studio puss called Doris, they continue to design cards which are sold to independent retailers throughout the UK, Europe, America and Canada. They also undertake freelance commissions and licence their designs for a variety of different products.

www.iloveyuyu.com

leeds uni fair preview: jodie anna jewellery

And another great exhibitor at the leeds uni fair nov 8th...

Jodie Anna works from her home studio in the small village of Carlton in West Yorkshire famous for its Rhubarb; she creates illustrations based around the idea of childhood memories.

Captivated by the idea of how an object or any image can trigger memories and feelings of nostalgia; Jodie Anna creates illustrations narrating some of her happiest childhood memories, such as summers spent along the east coast to long evenings building dens, in the woods surrounding her childhood home. She is also hugely inspired by the Great British pastime, Afternoon tea which takes her back to Sunday afternoons spent at her Grandmas.

Jodie Anna then develops her illustrations in photoshop to add lovely vintage patterns to each item and to create a crisp finished image. All illustrations are then printed onto shrink plastic and heat shrunk to create beautiful pieces of wearable memories, which she hopes will bring a smile to its wearer.

leeds uni fair preview: memo helen

I tend to get a bit geeky around people I admire, and I have a total craft crush on this lady - helen memo - appearing at our next fair nov 8th leeds uni:


'hi there, my name is helen, my surname is entwisle and my alias is memo. i am a freelance illustrator and screen printer currently based in leeds. i graduated from norwich school of art and design in 2007 with a first class degree in visual studies. my work includes hand drawn and screen printed illustration, self-published zines, greetings cards, hand printed stationery, limited edition prints, tote bags and accessories. i put together a collaborative zine called ten fingers'

Her simple visual style, coupled with a sense of fun are quite uplifting I think, and I find her to be very original - I hope you love her too!

The reetsweet and handmade Super Fair lands soon!

(a picture of one of amy's best finger puppets)

Are you ready? Cake, craft, GO! reetsweet aka me and handmade aka amy panda have joined forces for a huge, almighty craft extravaganza - Nov 8th, Leeds University Riley Smith Hall.

It's FREE! And runs from 11am to 4pm featuring over 30 one of a kind stalls - prints, jewellery, accessories, homewares, we even have a nail art stall offering quirky nail art by the amazing katy kamikaze, and the marvellous tea dance on hand with a cake fest! So, with christmas creeping up on us, it's time to make that list, add some stuff on just for yourself and meet us there! I may just wear a panda suit to celebrate. FACT.

insider info leeds: bird's yard

Handmade is definitely a collaborative pursuit, and not only do we all inspire one another, but we all like to celebrate one anothers' success! I just wanted to take time before beginning the BIG countdown to the Leeds Uni fair and introduce you to Birds Yard...

Bird's Yard is a 3 floor emporium of local designers, crafts, vintage, jewellery, milliners, homewares, crafts, street wear, ladieswear designers and a hair salon.

Having just celebrated its first year in business, it recently was shorlisted in many categories in Leeds Retail Awards, and managed to walk away with Best Vintage, Best Designer and Best Jewellery, and came a close second to Harvey Nichol's in best department store.

The owner Michelle is always on the lookout for new designers, anything goes (within reason), and the quirkier the better need apply! She offers really affordable rates, and a 50% off for your first month to anybody that joins mentioning reetsweet... (just £10 per month, plus 10%sales) Get in touch with her by email michelle@birdsyard.co.uk - Or pop down to 83 Kirkgate, just near the very lovely Leeds Corn Exchange.

www.birdsyard.co.uk

a big thank you to leeds!

A big shout out to everyone who took part in our fair at the weekend, especially all the customers that supported us, and a fond farewell to Kayleigh O'Mara who is bidding us goodbye as she moves down to the big smoke! See you all again in December at the leeds corn exchange on the 3rd and 4th! (if you can't wait until then we have our super student fair at leeds uni nov 8th, and the amazing sheffield fair at the millenium gallery nov 27th!)

Watch out for reetsweet.com launching shortly too!

LIVE BLOGGING SUNDAY: Today's fair

LIVE BLOGGING SUNDAY: Today's fair

Carrie Ann Coupe brings more of her intricate and delicate designs to reetsweet's fair - from prints to useful paper goods!

LIVE BLOGGING SUNDAY: Today's fair

Karen Lewis is here from blueberry park with her bright and cheerful handprinted textiles:

LIVE BLOGGING SUNDAY: Today's fair

More handmade than you can shake a stick at! Shelley Warne's lovely upcycled accessories:




Amazing knitting alert! Laura Shelton's Folky Boutique bring you knitted hair bands with bows on - c'est super geek chic!

LIVE BLOGGING SUNDAY: Today's fair

Jil Smith returns with her magical cushions, badges and homewares - stuffed with love:

LIVE BLOGGING TODAY: reetsweet sunday!

Hello! We will be continuing our coverage of the reetsweet fair today at leeds corn exchange as we open from 11am - come down! As always - it's free entry and you can even stop for a gourmet hotdog in primo's and look around all the great new shops opening at the corn exchange!

TODAYS WEATHER AT REETSWEET'S FAIR:

LIVE BLOGGING FROM TODAY'S FAIR:

nellie & clara by Helen Masding - beautifully handcrafted customised bunting, luxury scarves and vintage style patchwork blankets:

WE LOVE THIS AT REETSWEET'S FAIR TODAY:

Bee Anchor aka Bianca Prince's cool and quirky accessories featuring birds, bows and cherries:



Pineapple Princess by Katy Kamikaze - a bright selection of kawaii inspired homewares, accessories and jewellery:

LIVE BLOGGING FROM TODAY'S FAIR:

Naoco's Art by Naoko Greenhalgh - stunning handmade felted toys and gifts - we love love love:






Gorgeous handmade boxes and printed goods by Naomi Southon - perfect for christmas gifts:

LIVE BLOGGING FROM TODAY'S FAIR:

We have some amazing craft on show today at the corn exchange, we love this nautical themed necklace made from a vintage coin by Louis Brown...