reetsweet valentine's fair: 'Et Respice Finem...'

Yet another maker to introduce all our followers to for the valentine's fair in Leeds:

I have known Ms Lauren Holmes a long time and it has delighted me to see her grow into a strong and very sexily tattooed lady, and also into an amazing maker. Her range of jewellery 'Et Respice Finem...' ('Look to the end') is a very wearable and hip collection which has a broad appeal...

' My jewellery is created using semi precious stones, silver and leather. Usually assembled by me in the middle of the night while listening to an unofficial Game of Thrones podcast and eating Party Rings. I'm inspired by nature, the past, the sky, the sea, taxidermy... all manner of odd things.

I'm pleased to say that at the February Reetsweet I'll be launching the first of my Spring pieces! Expect more statement necklaces, brass, pale shades of blue and green...'

Head to her excellent blog here nightofbones.blogspot.com to see more of her life, loves and makes.

reetsweet valentine's fair: gingerbread cupcake

Well all love a bit of homemade shabby chic, and new to reetsweet Kate Baker aka Gingerbread Cupcake is going to be at the Valentine's fair on feb 11th 10am to 5pm with her loveable bags and accesories...




'I make Gingerbread Cupcake in my studio at home in Leeds. I have a love for all things artistic and have painted since I was a child. After leaving my job when I had my children, I found the time to explore my creative side. I took a fashion and interiors course where I began to sew.




I discovered my passion for textiles and found that I can use my sewing machine as my paintbrush. I use appliqué and freehand machine embroidery to create my designs, using gorgeous vintage and new fabrics, buttons, beads and ribbons. Each piece is unique and most of my products can be personalised. With my fun and functional personal and interior accessories, I hope to make someone smile.'

They make the perfect gift for that special lady in your life for valentine's day!

a hopeful potter joins the reetsweet team...

It is always a great pleasure (and big endeavour!) going through all the submissions for each event and picking the best - the most original, the highest quality local craft. I have always had a great respect for the art of ceramics - my mother was a huge collector when I was younger and I am sure she would love the earthy, yet chic simplicity of our newest maker...

His name is David Worsley, of Dove St Pottery and he has an excellent blog here all about his wonderful work:




' I make functional domestic ware to be used in people's homes everyday. My pottery is about combining aesthetics with functional and practical use, bringing form and glaze together into one harmonious whole. I want my pots to be accessible and affordable, so that people feel able to use them everyday without them being thought so precious that they can only be brought out when Aunty comes round - 'handmade', as part of people's normal, everyday lives.'




We couldn't have put it better ourselves...go to www.reetsweet.com for more info and times for the up and coming fairs - Dove St Pottery will be at our valentine's fair feb 11th.

the brilliant lives of reetsweeters continues...

At reetsweet our aim is to promote handmade shopping - providing you the public with a cool and local alternative to mainstream high street shopping - why buy something mass made abroad when you can support british handmade by coming to an ace fair? Exactly. You'd rather get something one of a kind and super cool - some of the best makers in britain are part of our network, just look at some of the press they've been getting - well done to all!

See some of these makers and more at our next fairs - feb in leeds, march in sheffield and april in leeds...go to www.reetsweet.com for deets...

Fenton have been the darling of the blog scene of late - featured here on the print & fabric blog, and also on the beautifully designed first2print blog.

Kim of Finest Imaginary is going from strength to strength also, she has been part of a number of big fairs last season, and has secured some great press with this sunday mirror feature - her 'golden' necklace:




In more jewellery news Rowan of Kitschensink had a piece on the telly box!! On none other than Mr Rusell Kane wore her POW brooch. Nice. And to top it all off her Jezebel necklace was worn by Eliza Doolittle!

another amazing design by stephsayshello

Just wanted to quick post these new flyer designs by steph baxter aka stephsayshello reetsweet's resident illustrator and designer! Check her website here. We are loving the spring colours - just the ticket in january - yeehah! Roll on 2012...

reetsweet valentines fair: preview of becky hodgson

There are two things I love 1) bears and 2) illustration, so if you put the two together it's like crack for me - I'm so so excited that for our valentine's fair on sat 11th feb at the leeds corn exchange we have becky hodgson joining us - a very talented young designer and illustrator...


I'll let her introduce herself, but the bear above is part some of her newer work she showed recently at the lovely headingley arts trail...

'Bonjour! My name is Becky Hodgson. I like to illustrate, design and make a variety of things. I do enjoy drawing animals (bears in particular) and spent a good majority of my university time doing so. I have recently graduated from Leeds college of Art with a 2.1 in Printed textiles.'

And yes, below that IS a repeat pattern design of an owl with a handbag - I almost squealed at it:



Catch Becky at the next reetsweet leeds sat 11th feb from 10am to 5pm...go to www.reetsweet.com to register for our newsletter to keep your inbox updated!

Leeds preview: February fair featuring Kristyna Baczynski

As we continue our campaign against crap craft, I am very proud to announce that one of my favourite illustrators will be joining us for the next event in Leeds on Sat 11th Feb.




Kristyna Baczynski is an illustrator, designer and comic book artist with a Yorkshire accent and Ukrainian blood. Self publishing and freelancing since 2008 from her studio in Leeds, she has been awarded a Northern Design Award, had her work continually and internationally published and she was the 2011 Though Bubble Artist in Residence. She is happiest when she is drawing.


See her work at reetsweet's valentine's fair sat feb 11th from 10am to 5pm - free entry at leeds corn exchange!

The great british january!

Hello people!

I hope you have all enjoyed a nice festive period, and the doom and gloom of rain smacking your face with a 60 mile an hour wind isn't crushing your january buzz too much! Reetsweet is back on the scene, we have new dates for your diaries - bigger, better events, new collaborations and secret plans....

Leeds February 11th The Corn Exchange - Our Valentine's Fair
Open 10 am to 5pm, free entry

Sheffield March 10th The Millennium Gallery - Our Spring Spectacular
Open 11am to 5pm, free entry

Leeds April 7th The Corn Exchange - Our Easter Fair
Open 10am to 5pm, free entry


Makers, head to www.reetsweet.com/submissions to apply to take part, visitors - get ready as we are already amazed at the work coming through for the 2012 events - the economy may be pants, but the makers of the north are going wild with their talents!

Big thanks to everyone that has visited or taken part last year, plus all the people helping spread the word - we hope you continue to enjoy reetsweet events...in 2012!

Over and out!