HEY GOOD LOOKIN'

So, it's been a while! Reetsweet had a bit of break in 2014 due to my ever so hectic schedule as a social media monkey for a fashion brand!  I've learnt a LOT in the past year and I miss the buzz of the fairs and so I'm back and planning a fair in Nov and again in Spring '16...

This is my face - hi!

Submissions are open, and you can apply here until 16th August, the after careful deliberations the stall holders will all be notified by Aug 23rd so you have plenty of time to get yourself ready!  A big thanks to all the makers who have said such kind things about the fairs, the Leeds Corn Exchange for hosting us and the awesome customers who make it all happen!!

See you in November and look out for sneaky previews and competitions on here and on our new Instagram page so get you in the mood for some awesome handmade...

The first of the gang... Mulberry Bush

The first of our December reetsweeters is a a very clean and sweet smelling lady; Rachel Beardsmore of 'Mulberry Bush' - a luxury soap company...

'My foray into soapmaking began earlier this year following a purchase of a handmade soap bar for a friend as a birthday gift. I found myself wondering how soap was produced, googled it and while searching I stumbled across a "soap school" close to home with an introductory course in how to make cold process soap only a matter of weeks away. I thought it was fate and booked myself on it immediately, since then I've been hooked!'

We love the chocolate easter-egg feel of these beautiful objects, they are full of personality and humour. The scents are intriguing and at christmas these are the perfect antidote to those difficult to buy for folk everyone knows! We welcome Rachel on board.

Dec fair preview: The Leeds Soap Co Return!

We have hosted them before, and are delighted to welcome back for the Dec fair the lovely folk at the Leeds Soap Co., purveyors of vegan, handmade, yummy smelly products - perfect for gifting!

'The Leeds Soap Co. was started because we were tired of using products that contained a worrying number of artificial chemicals, and we were struggling to find available alternatives. We also wanted products that were kind and gentle to skin, nourishing rather than drying.

So we set about learning how to make soap using the old fashioned method (Cold Process), which is a long slow process but well worth the wait. Each bar of soap cures for at least 4 weeks before its ready to be used.

We only put ingredients in our product that need to be there. So there are no unnecessary chemicals included such as  Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLS/SLES), our soap lathers really well without it! We have avoided artificial fragrances and use only essential oils. We don't use any artificial colours, instead we infuse oils with herbs and introduce natural clays, and there are no artificial preservatives used (parabens). 

We also don't use palm oil, which is in virtually everything these days, and doesn't need to be but it does make for a softer bar, so we recommend using a soap dish that drains well.

And a note for vegans out there, we don't use any dairy products in our soap either!'

Catch them at our fair on Dec 1st at Leeds Corn Exchange from 10am - free entry to over 30 stalls of handmade goodness!

Something for the ladies: 'Ruby Tuesday'

Who doesn't love upcycling and saving the planet in a stylish way?..Exactly.  And show me a girl that doesn't love jewellery...and I'll show you a fibber...

That's why we are certain that you're going to enjoy meeting our friend Rebecca aka 'Ruby Tuesday' at the next event with her unique homewares and jewellery:

'I started making and selling jewellery just over a year ago. I’ve always loved jewellery, in fact in my year 10 year book my ‘most likely career’ was to own a jewellery shop! 

I sell online but I love doing craft and vintage fairs where I get to a chance to see people reactions to my collection. I also have a unit in the Nichols Building in Sheffield where I display most of my larger items and furniture. 

 

I started upcycling vintage homewares after seeing an article on the Guardian website.  Scouring carboots, charity shops and auctions is all part of the fun; I love anything pretty and shiny! I then use my finds to create unique and interesting pieces.

I’m currently at Sheffield Uni studying philosophy but when I finish next year my plan is to open my own shop in Sheffield.'

 

Find Ruby Tuesday at Leeds Corn Exchange on Sat Oct 6th - reetsweet is always free entry!

reetsweet's tour dates!

(alexia claire - leeds & sheffield event)

(when the music's over - sheffield event)

Well hello there reetsweeters!

We have two main dates we are promoting at the moment, firstly - Leeds date for your diary is next sat - feb 11th at Leeds Corn Exchange, and secondly, we are delighted to be returning to Sheffield on sat march 10th at The Millennium Gallery!

(fox bunting - sheffield and leeds events)

It's a good time to remind everyone that whilst we all know things are tight right now, our fairs are always free to attend, and prices start from just £2 - support handmade and have a great day out with us!

I am so excited about our makers at both of these events and can't wait to share them!

We at reetsweet would also like to pass on our support the the galleries in sheffield who have just had their funding slashed, please continue to visit them and show your love...

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.

come rain or shine @ nation of shopkeepers sat!

Tomorrow we roll! It's finally reetsweet @ nation of shopkeepers, whatever the weather we will be on the balcony from 12-5pm with art, crafts and cake.

You'll find prints from some amazing artists, cushions, other homewares, jewellery, toys, accessories and more...everything is one of a kind and a little bit different! See you there from 12! Free entry!

And don't forget, if you can't make it tomorrow, there's this next sunday! Our super duper massive fair @ the corn exchange....

Going down a storm in a teacup!

Lianne Mellor will be joining us again after taking part in the November fair last year - here are a few images to tickle your fancy!! Lianne creates just the kind of craft I like, fusing vintage style with modern techniques to produce one of a kind printed chinaware. We are delighted to have her back in Leeds at the next reetsweet feb 6th.

Did you miss us??!

Hello!

Wishing all reetsweeters a bright and prosperous new year! Hope you had a wonderful 2010 and this year is looking even better!

Spring will be upon us soon, and with that we will clean our homes, brighten up our bedrooms, spruce up our hairdos and have some romance! On feb 6th we return to the corn exchange for our next craft fair from 11am to 4.30pm...Reetsweet's Valentine's Craft Fair!

I am very excited by the selection of new talents we are bringing to you - be sure to bob down and see us - it's free entry as always and I will give you a run down of who and what to expect to see on the day on the blog.

Happy new year

x

It's cold outside, but not at reetsweet!

Reetsweet is proud to introduce to you all 'Strawberry Kitten' - aka Sian, a very gifted designer and maker of plushes, Sian told us a bit about herself...

'I am a self taught crafter who currently creates plush animals. Crafting is what I want to do in life, I recently became a mum and am using this somewhat hectic time to set up my crafting business. I am new to the craft fair scene but am loving it so far and hope to make it a regular thing. Im always on the look out for new products to sell and crafts to learn, I love photography and drawing and hope to start selling my own illustrations very soon, I will also be expanding my range of plush toys and pushing my textiles skills as I feel I have so much more to learn!'

I think you'll agree with me that these are something very special and the attention to detail on them - including scarves, fang teeth for halloween, the cute little paws - give them a truly luxurious feel for a plush! Come and buy some of Sian's beautifully made gifts at reetsweet this sunday!

Mother Eagle @ reetsweet christmas edition..

Mother Eagle is the brainchild of Katie Tume and appeared at our last event, Katie continues to keep up the standard of her fantastic work, creating timeless pieces of handmade jewellery.

Whats the name of your stall and how did you choose it? Mother Eagle...the reason is a bit of a secret, but if you listen to the song Wrong Girl by Jane's Addiction, you might get it ;)

How did you start out making handmade?

I guess back when I was about 11 or 12 was when i can first remember seriously making stuff. it was even jewellery back then actually - i used to sell it at school. Miss Richardson my textiles teacher was particularly keen on my hand painted peruvian clay earrings as i recall.

What keeps you inspired? Halloween, love, Japan, pirates, Rock and roll, toadstools, pumpkins, skulls and bones, Deer and Owls, all of which can be made better by being zombies.

What kind of customer do you find enjoys your work?

I am always surprised by this, as I'm always thinking of a specific kind of girl i'm making for, but I think it has a pretty wide appeal - I think most people can find something in there they like.

...Just a taster here of some more of her work. See her on Dec 5th at the Corn Exchange, Leeds...

Thank you very muchly!!

A big thank you to all the stallholders and attendees who came down today to the reetsweet fair at the corn exchange, we had a great turn out and there was a ton and a half of talent! We hope to be back again soon with some more reetsweet treats so keep checking back on the blog and on the facebook page and see you all soon! Meanwhile, we will be posting some pictures in the next few days so if you came you can find yourself in the mix or if you missed it you can see what you missed out on!

Thanks again!

Becki from reetsweet
x

(special thanks to elodie g for her lovely crafty picture to the right!)

'Forget me notes' by Katie Marie Knapp..

'My name is Katie Marie Knapp and I tend to have two real joys in life... The first is a nice cup of tea and the other is making Forget Me Notes, sweet nostaligic cards and postcards to send to your friends.

I currently display and sell my work in the award winning 'Sunshine Bakery' Chapel Allerton, where the mis matched teacups and vintage decor send me giddy with excitement, much like a child in a sweet shop! I would describe my work as that of a magpie, somebody who collects all those lovely things from times gone by and stores them in their head or under their bed incase one day they find some use for them! Lucky for me, I've managed to relay some of this childhood nostalgia to paper, just in time for the Reetsweet Craft Fair this sunday at the Corn Exchange!'

You are my 'Finest Imaginary'...Kim Lawler

I have always loved the clean and fresh, and our next exhibitor has a wonderfully upbeat and happy take on crafts...

FinestImaginary is the working name of designer/creator Kim Lawler. Kim graduated with a BA (hons) in Interactive Arts back in 2007 and then FinestImaginary became the outlet for all the things Kim creates. She uses paper, plastic and print to express her multitude of ideas - throughout the past couple of years FinestImaginary has produced many items of laser-cut jewellery, with designs ranging from the comical to the peculiar.

Kim references fables, stories, monsters and make believe in her jewellery and this range sits alongside her printed apparel and plushes!

See her work at the corn exchange on sunday 7th nov (this sunday!) 11am to 4pm...

all hands on deck at reetsweet HQ!...and check out these sexy people:

We have been very busy here typing, printing, emailing, sending carrier pidgeons and drinking tea, tea and more tea...and we were delighted to get an email today saying that our event has been featured by the lovely people at CREATIVE BOOM in their news section:


http://www.creativeboom.co.uk/leeds/2010/09/28/reetsweet-invite-you-to-a-showcase-of-local-talent/


Don't they look lovely? And we are super happy to have been featured! CREATIVE BOOM are an online magazine and network community that aims to celebrate, inspire and support the creative industries throughout the UK and the rest of the world - so get involved!

www.creativeboom.co.uk

...OMG! Imogen!

Here's a sneaky peek of one of our confirmed exhibitors....get those pennies out!!...

Reetsweet Craft Event is on 11am-4pm, at leeds Corn Exchange sunday nov 7th! x

calling all crafters and grafters!

We are currently sorting through the applications for stallholders for the craft fair in November - all crafters, artists, jewellers, papercutters, photographers should send an email with an example of some of their work to me at: reetsweetevents@gmail.com