Get your knickers in a twist: meet Colie co

Here at reetsweet we love a bit if luxury: whether it's tea with posher than usual biscuits or a piece of pretty silk - we all need some treats in life!

Colie co got in touch with us and will be coming to the next fair with their handmade knickers, pj shorts and other luxury, ethically made treats.

Colie Co is a brand that specialises in ethical but beautiful fashion all hand made in a studio in Yorkshire. All fabric is sourced locally or scraps that were going to be thrown away are used or they are made from old garments that have reached the end of their life. All buttons used are vintage or are re-used from old garments, and the sew in labels are even woven in the UK.

We're very excited about meeting them at our next event, head to www.reetsweet.com for more info.

April Event New Maker: Charming illustration work by Ed Boxall

We all need a little bit of magic in our lives, and we have a new maker for April who specialises in just that; meet Ed Boxall...

'Ed Boxall is an artist, writer and printmaker.  In Ed’s work, warm, earthy images of family life mix with magic and myth.

Many of his handmade prints capture moments from life: children’s encounters with animals, walking on the beach, eating porridge and peas. Other images have a more ambiguous poetry: people light fires in sea shells and drift on empty seas'

 

'His ‘Pearbox Books’ explore this world including ‘The Rooftop Garden’, and his popular ‘Storm Tree Stories’.

“The Books have... an almost spiritual sense of connection between people and places and the natural world” (Katriona Chapman)

Ed performs his stories with his own ‘magic lantern’ style projections and giant pop-up paper   cut out silhouettes, illuminated with fairy lights.

“Beautifully, wonderfully, inspiringly tingle-making” (feedback from a story telling session)

Ed graduated from St Martin’s College in 1999. He had several books published by Walker books before independently establishing his practice.'

Find out more at: www.edboxall.co.uk

 

Feb Fair Preview: Two amazing ladies...

We have two makers for your perusal today, (I know my generosity knows no bounds!) Jenny and Lucy, two very talented designer/makers who will be sharing a stall at the Feb event on the 2nd. 

Old friends, with big ideas, I think you'll find it hard to pick what to buy from these beauties, I pretty much want it all, as always!...

Coo & Co
The Coo & co brand was established in 2011 as the vehicle for the work of designer/ maker Jenny McCabe.

The mission behind Coo & co is to use natural and where possible recycled and upcycled materials, to make useful and stylish textile items.

All of Coo & co's work is printed and made lovingly by hand one at a time, it is produced in a small studio near the beautiful Lake District in the northwest of England. All our inks are water based and environmentally friendly, we reuse as many off cuts as possible within our designs so nothing is wasted.

Jenny’s designs are inspired by her observations of the natural world, all the designs come from original drawings and are worked with in the sketchbook until a pattern starts to emerge. The choice of fabrics is very important to the style, natural and raw linens and cottons work best, lending their beautiful imperfections to each piece.

Little lost soul
Lucy Pass has worked as a freelance artist since leaving college in 2005, producing commissioned oil paintings and expanding her personal port-folio. Her work is figurative and often interspersed with geometric shapes and blocks of colour. More recently she has rekindled her love of printing and fashion design. This has allowed her to look at her work from a new perspective, taking the strongest sections of her paintings and translating them into simplified, streamlined images. These images can then be printed as repeating patterns or as one distinct design, to be used on a broad range of products.

Not content unless her hands are busy making something, there has never been a time when art hasn’t dominated Lucy’s life. She believes that being surrounded by art and design can only have a positive impact, so making it accessible to everybody, even to the smallest degree, is extremely important.

Feb Fair Previews: Oldies (but goodies!)

Hello again from us!

Happy New Year, we trust you had an excellent rest over the festive period? So, January, not much fun, or glamour to it is there? Well for a bit of brightening up, we thought that throughout January we shall be posting our top picks and previews for the Feb event in Leeds on Feb 2nd. 

To get us started we thought we might give your appetite for sexy craft a little tease with a look at some returning makers who have taken part before in the last 3 years who will be with us in Feb....these folk represent the very best in handmade and they epitomise what reetsweet is all about!

Bec Gilray from 'Doyoupunctuate?'
Letterpress obsessive, this lovely lady makes all manner of printed goods, cards, stationery, gift wrap, all with a unique and refeshing tone, we love her.

Sarah Fordham aka 'Magasin'
Mental crosstitcher the likes of which can either delight or confuse, (we frickin' love her humour!) she handstitches badges, earrings, cufflinks and even makes crosstitch boobies! One to watch! We love her giant crosstich brooches the best.

Kim from 'Finest Imaginary'
Has blossomed from being a part time jewellery designer in to a top class independent full time maker, an incredibly popular blogger and stationer.. there doesn't seem to be much she can't do and every event she has new ideas and seasonal items! 

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.

See you in December!...love reetsweet x

So we are back Dec 1st at Leeds Corn Exchange, we had a great fair Oct 1st...here is a rundown of the best picks of the day!...

 try on a moustache with ladybirdlikes...

 ...there was amazing tiffin by that old chesnut

 more goodies by www.finestimaginary.com...

we all fell in love with gallons of ink...

 stunning printwork by bec gilray!

 ...the ever popular crochet-dermy by foxbunting!

 newcomer jamie mills wow-ed us all...

...and these tremendous pieces by Victoria Woodward SOLD OUT!

All the photos have been released on our gallery at www.reetsweet.com/gallery, please contact us if you need to be put in touch with any maker to buy direct and we will be back dec 1st at the corn exchange!

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!

Oct fair preview: 'Ladybird Likes'

 (maker zoe)

 

I can't get enough jewellery, it's an OBSESSION I have, that I have to be careful of.  Tatty Devine, Mawi, and many many etsy makers...my pinterest jewellery board is overflowing!

So, I am delighted that one of my all time top makers is coming to the Oct Reetsweet fair on Oct 6th at Leeds Corn Exchange...so exciting!

 

'Ladybird Likes' was started by Zoe Jade as a way to sell the things she created out of repurposed vintage doodads. It has since evolved into a business selling handmade jewellery and paper goods, all of which are still heavily influenced by the things Zoe finds at car boot sales and junk shops, and many items are made using original vintage papers and fabrics. 

From wooden butterfly necklaces made using French nature illustrations, to vintage ephemera packs containing papers handpicked from Zoe's personal stash, there is sure to be something to please everyone!

My Blog - http://ladybirdlikes.blogspot.

com

My Etsy Shop - www.etsy.com/shop/
ladybirdlikes

My Twitter - http://twitter.com/
ladybirdlikes

why buy handmade? a call to arms (and local shops and events) from reetsweet...

I still meet a lot of people (young and old) who don't really 'get' what handmade is all about, and why businesses like reetsweet and other great fairs and events do what we do, or why handmade shops sell what they do.

We generally find once you've seen one of our events - you get it, but in case you haven't - here's a guide to why you should buy handmade this christmas:

You buy something unique - handmade with care - not made in a huge foreign factory

You support local businesses - keeping retail going in this difficult time - not the big retail outlets

You support local artists and makers to continue refining their work, keeping talent going

Art markets provide a great stepping stone for new business - vital in these times when rents are going up and shops are closing

Your support keeps creative people in your area - rather than going down to Old Landan

We have our next event in Leeds this weekend, and I will be posting lots of previews this week to tempt you in. Come and see what the handmade revolution is all about - buy handmade, and buy local this christmas!

x

reetsweet

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

...more for august...

Carrie Ann Coupe continues to delight us with her lovely designs...

From Greeting cards to notecards and bookmarks to magnetic notepads, Carrie-Ann Coupe offer’s a variety of handcrafted paper goods. Having recently developed her range further to feature some non-paper products there are now badges, pocket mirrors and tote bags on offer!

Zinc White return to reetsweet with some more uplifting upcycling! Check out these new necklaces! Zinc White's mission is simple: to create accessories and homewares by reusing old matericals - they are always very popular so get down early! August 6th and 7th Leeds Corn Exchange...

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!