Reetsweet's Christmas Wonders from Dec 1st...

Hey campers!

Are you feeling christmassy yet? Here at reetsweet we certainly are after last saturday, there were so many talented makers and so many lovely things! Here's a few photos of our very favourites, plus you can check out the whole fair's gallery here.

We have a nice long christmas break now, so get your biscuits out, your big socks on, and have a wonderful, handmade christmas! We will see you again in February (meanwhile click on the pics to buy from the maker!).

Love

Rebecca @ reetsweet
x

New maker profile: 'Hand over your fairy cakes'

 

We love jewellery, and we are super duper excited about our new friend Sally from 'Hand over your fairy cakes'.  An original, quirky and fun artist working in acrylic jewellery:

'I'm Sally and I've been designing and making jewellery in the living room of my flat in Glasgow, much to my flatmate's annoyance, since 2006...

...I like to use bright colours and multiple layers of acrylic to make bright, unique jewellery.  I begin designing my jewellery by scribbling my ideas onto paper then turning my favourite ones into vectors using Inkscape. I then send these designs to be lasercut from bright 3mm acrylic sheets. 

 
...When my newly cut shapes arrive I then glue the pieces together to form the final piece. Sometimes they don't quite work the first (or second, or even third!) time and I have to alter the vector drawing and have it re-cut. It's a great feeling when it all comes together though!'

Sally joins us for the 1st time at reetsweet on Dec 1st at Leeds Corn Exchange...free entry as always!

Dec Maker Spotlight: Bec Gilray from 'Do you punctuate?'

Bec Gilray has taken part in reetsweet a few times now, and she holds a particular warm spot in my heart.  She is absolutely lovely, and also utterly nuts about printing.

She began her studio 'Do you punctuate?' after completing her MA and making this personal statement to start off her blog:

April 6th 2009
'We use it everyday, for all manner of purposes. It helps define the written language, possession, voice, emotion, emphasis, illustration. It is given an immense task in a world that is weighed down by its demand for more information. The collection of punctuation marks that litter the English language, to some have become redundant and to others, are precious gems that define English, giving meaning and purpose to ambiguity and chaos.

 I have wanted to explore the uses of punctuation for many reasons. The first came about when text messaging became popular and a new language developed. I briefly touched upon the text language for my degree and it hasn’t left me since. With the MA, I wanted to understand how a ‘tool of typography’ could possibly survive in such a small place, with fewer than 160 characters for each SMS message. This interest however, has moved into how other electronic devices are changing the way we communicate through the written.'

She then went on to become a collector of printing tools, an avid pupil of the differing styles and techniques and bringing us a wonderful collection of cards, gift ware and printed ephemera all year round.

I for one will be purchasing only 100% handmade cards this year!

...We did in fact interview Bec way back at easter time so you can watch our little video and meet her here.

Reetsweet's Easter Fair: A big thank you!

(foxbunting's brionny chatting to us at reetsweet easter)

Wowsers! There were some amazing makers on show at the easter fair, big thanks to The Corn Exchange for hosting our event, we are back in Leeds on June 2nd.

Head to www.reetsweet.com for more details. Thanks for visiting and spending your pennies on 100% British Handmade! Meanwhile, here's a few of our top picks from the fair...

(finest imaginary)

(magasin)

(witshop)

(Do you punctuate?)

join us on fb for updates and announcements!

Keep up to date with all our events, submission dates and musings on the facebook page here! We have a two day event coming up this august @ the stunning Leeds Corn Exchange - more details here for saturday 6th august, and here for sunday 7th august...both days are free, we just wanted to give as many crafters, and customers alike, the chance to come on a day that suits them to take a look at what we have on offer!

Watch this space for our very own reetsweet competition coming up soon!

August reetsweet preview!

OMG! Doesn't time fly when you're having fun? Just thought I'd post as it's been a few days and give you all a sneaky peaky of the august fair - it's coming together nicely! As usual, we will have lovely refreshments in cake form from the marvellous tea dance co, and we have a number of new crafty people to surprise and delight you! With prices starting at just £2 for a real piece of gorgeous handmade craft!



We have Jodie who has some great new nautical jewellery, ahoy! Some great new luxurious jewellery by Ruby Spirit designs - nicely does it! And last but not least - Laura Black rejoins us with new knitted loveliness!

Dreamy! See you at the corn exchange on sat and sun 6th and 7th august! Reetsweet!

O-M-G it's nearly nation time!

brilliant flyer by stephsayshello

I am very excited that it's only two days now until reetsweet @ nation of shopkeepers, for those of you with your heads in the sand, or you have been too busy knitting/dancing/drawing/traveling/any of the above...here's what you need to know...
Nation of shopkeepers is a cool little place in Leeds on Cookridge street (between the Leeds art gallery and Millenium Sq), it's very homely and equally well informed...it usually showcases the best new music loooong before the music press even get whiff of them. The XX played there when they were like 5 - they get every major new alternative act first. Added to this they do lovely food, have really friendly staff and a wicked courtyard and lots of comfy seats, it's basically dreamy.



So, this sat, if you know it or you don't, come down to the first 'Reetsweet @ nation' which is reetsweet's first mini - fair. It's a smaller affair than our main events, and is meant for new crafters and graduates so they have a starting point for growing their business, we'll be selling work, and be joined by the marvellous tea dance co with their very ace cakes! It's free to come, and crafts start at £1-£2, cakes from £2.20...the perfect way to start the crazy bank holiday weekend!

a bit more of what you fancy @ nation of shopkeepers this sat!!

I am not going to spoil it by revealing all the artists coming to show and sell at nation of shopkeepers this saturday, but here's a bit more to tickle your craft fancy. We will definitely be joined by ryan stead aka ryanimals! And as if that's not enough...pictured above is work by bianca prince, lover of hats and maker of all manner of headwear!