i've never felt like this before...

Pardon the terrible pun, I couldn't resist! I suppose for many craft enthusiasts handmade is comforting, it takes us back to our past - simpler things we liked as children, handmade always seems s bit more lovable. Especially felt work..it evokes an innocence and cuteness just by way of it's soft texture. Lucy Bowring introduces us to her work today, which will be showing at the feb fair and is aimed at adults and children...

"My name is Lucy Bowring and I have been running my craft company George & Lilly Crafts and Gifts for the past three years. Though a trained graphic designer, I've always been interested in textiles, arts and crafts.

The George & Lilly range consists of a large collection of handmade felt gifts and accessories including decorated purses, felt brooches, baby booties and book covers. Accompanying these is a variety of special one off felt framed pictures which are completely original in both design and concept.

I have always be interested in designing and making textile products and really enjoy selling my items to the public as it's nice to hear first hand feedback and see people enjoy what I have made. I get the influence for my pictures from stories, nursery rhymes and fairy tales. Ideas for badges, purses, booties and book covers come from things around me and experimenting with different techniques and materials.

I sell my items through my website shop and in several shops around Yorkshire including a group venture called the Plum tree in the historic Kirkgate market. I regularly attend craft fairs and run a weekly and a monthly felting workshop."

The vintage jewellery box..a treasure trove of loveliness!

Whats the name of your stall and how did you choose it? 'The name is The Vintage Jewellery Box and it’s basically just what it says…I’m a pretty straightforward kind of a girl! I offer hand-designed vintage inspired jewellery with a modern twist made up of a mix of vintage and reproduction charms.

How did you start out making handmade? I’ve been making jewellery for as long as I can remember but got back into it more seriously 3 or 4 years ago. I love the idea of being able to create and wear something individual and different to what’s around in most shops.

What keeps you inspired? That idea of making something new and unique and the pleasure that I get from having other people choose to wear my pieces as well! I also just really enjoy browsing for new charms and lockets whether this is in antique shops or on-line and just getting inspired to make new pieces out of the things that I find, I’m currently most inspired by all sorts of different lockets, cameos and cabochons and finding new ways to use them.'

...Come and see Beky's stall at reetsweet's christmas fair next sunday 5th dec at the leeds corn exchange!

Steph says hello designs our new flyer!!!

A preview of steph's new flyer for our next event - Steph will also be exhibiting her work to buy at the event at the corn exchange on dec 5th! See her more of her work at here website. Thank you so much to Steph for her fantastic design!

Debbie Greenaway @ reetsweet in dec!

As you can probably tell I love illustration! It's one of my passions collecting and enjoying the work that other people do, and I want to introduce you to a new stallholder for the next reetsweet... Debbie Greenaway works on ceramics, canvas and fabric creating limited editions of her optomistic uplifting works. Circus animals, smiling characters and weather feature strongly, she graduated from the northen school of design in 2008 and is currently working on a children's book. Here are a few snippets of her work to tantilise you!

Velvet noir return!

One of the busiest stalls at reetsweet's last fair was Velvet Noir by Luke, he creates stunning jewellery which is very fashion conscious yet handmade and stunning! Here's a few tasty pictures of what's to come, I hope you ladies (and gents) are ready for Dec 5th!