from reetsweet with love x

illustration by lizzy stewart
who will be at loop arts festival

There are some fantastic arts, crafts and creative events going on in and around Leeds in the next few weeks and reetsweet will keep you up to date! Firstly, we have Loop Arts Fair this weekend, for more info visit http://www.looparts.co.uk/.

It's not just exhibitions from artists, illustrators and graphic designers, there's a shop curated by the wonderful nous vous and also workshop talks from the likes of THE james jarvis. It runs from 17th to 19th June at Marshalls Mill, Leeds.

For tickets visit their website here! Check back as we preview more for you to do in the next few days (whilst you await the next reetsweet!)...

Wrestle with finest imaginary!!

Kim Lawler is the genius behind 'Finest Imaginary' - a brand of fun, eyecatching, conversation piece jewellery. Appearing regularly at reetsweet, Kim has a brand new necklace I wanted to share with you. If any of you, like me, loves the mexican wrestler outfits...you'll enjoy this, her latest necklace called 'Luchador'!

Well hard, and well fun I think you'll agree, and certainly a fun way to brighten up anyday...who's ready for a fight!? See Kim's collection at reetsweet's craft fair, at leeds corn exchange april 3rd...

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.

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!

Reetsweet the sequel!

It's just been confirmed, reetsweet will be returning to Leeds Corn Exchange on sunday 5th Dec...more information and booked stallholders to follow...are you excited?! Iam!

Reetsweet neo craft fair is JUST 2 DAYS AWAY!

In the words of a my friend Lee who enjoys speaking in text speak just to be silly...O.M.G.!!

Reetsweet is in two days...this sunday 7th Nov at the Leeds Corn Exchange! If you haven't read about us already or need all the deets please go and check out our facebook event page here. Alternatively if can't make this one, join our group to stay in the loop!

Can't wait to see you there and for Leeds to get to see all the fresh crafty talent it has at it's finger tips!!

Becki from reetsweet
x

'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...

Re-used loveliness by Zinc White

It's amazing how differently people can approach their art and design work - Zinc White produce some truly original work featuring reused, and recycled materials, from found objects to cast off fabrics. At reetsweet this sunday Zinc White will be showcasing their handmade homewares and accessories....

Worn men’s shirts become handbags, old tents are reinvented as wallets and from melted audio cassettes we mould lampshades. Children’s toys are transformed into personal memories to be loved again and we use broken typewriters and recycled colouring pencils to create jewellery.

Zinc White have gift boxes that are created from unwanted record sleeves and product labels are printed onto artists’ canvas off-cuts.

None of this is your typical handmade from recycled either, cool design is also their primary driving force. Zinc White are Lidia & Paul and they come from fine art and architecture backgrounds...see them at reetsweet this sunday 11am to 4pm!

Ginger is the new blonde...'Knock off ginger' By Hollie Kritikos-blades

My natural colour is a murky blonde, far from the warm ginger my Dad naturally once was, so I help nature along and go all out ginger because the little hints of it I have naturally just aren't enough. You could say that I am a 'Knock of ginger' (cringey link but who cares?) which is the name of the label Hollie Kritikos-blades is presenting at reetsweet this sunday...today Hollie tells us a bit about what she does...

'I use archival paper scraps, found objects and images to produce handmade zines and artist’s books, as well as illustrative prints. Being specifically interested in the aesthetics of memento, time, and human interaction, the outcome of my work often resembles that of a diarist. By combining old, and often kitsch imagery, with gritty prose my prints can be at once charming and melancholic.

After working within this medium for almost 6 years I have recently enjoyed exhibiting work around Leeds; including Woodhouse, Headingley, Holbeck, Hyde Park, and Burley.'

Hollie will be appearing at reetsweet art design and neo craft fair this sunday in the Leeds Corn Exchange!

Let them eat cakestands!...Lianne Mellor at Reetsweet!

Another beautiful attendee at reetsweet will be non other than Lianne Mellor creator of 'Mellorware'...designed and made in the UK the range of china Lianne produces has been created to evoke a nostalgic, story-telling, vintage inspired feeling, her works are something I can imagine fitting into almost any home and being cherished for a long time! Lianne Mellor's illustrations are derived from observations of British wildlife, mixed with a generous helping of imagination and a pinch of the bizarre. This quirky portfolio of illustrations, combined with the finest bone chine Stoke-on-Trent has on offer, results in a range of timeless tea ware with a contemporary feel.

The range of products on offer includes everything from sugar bowls and cream jugs, to cake stands and teapots. Allowing you to build your own unique tea set, and tell your own unique tale of British wildlife enjoying a good old fashioned tea party!

Come and see Lianne's stall at Reetsweet on Nov 7th at the Corn Exchange!

I've always loved velvet...

Reetsweet is proud to introduce yet another fine stallholder for the event at The Corn Exchange on Nov 7th...'Velvet Noir' aka designer Jeweller Luke Anthony has been crafting fine luxurious jewellery in Hatton Garden, London for the past seven years. Frustrated at the absence of quality found in today’s accessory jewellery, he conceived Velvet Noir - a collection of affordable, unique and modern jewellery per diem. Fusing meticulous design with dedicated craftsmanship, Luke Anthony has created a fresh and original range of handcrafted accessory jewellery. Taking it's inspiration from symbols, nature and imagination the Velvet Noir collection is the ultimate, individual style statement for the modern woman...

Velvet Noir will be making its first visit to Leeds at the Corn Exchange on November 7th and to celebrate this will be introducing some new and exciting additions to the collection... including ‘love is in the air’ themed pendants and rings, lightning – star – feather drop earrings and floral pendants inspired by the wonderful British countryside...

old friends...introducing lolo holmes!

A very long time ago in a shop far far away I used to sell all manner of fantastic skater girl and japanese clothes and Lolo aka Lolo Holmes Photography & Jewellery was one of my customers. All grown up, with ace style and the most beautiful tattoos Lolo is making an appearance at reetsweet...

'My true love is experimental film photograhy but I've recently branched out into re-purposing antique items into necklaces and brooches. I also love taxidermy and bones and this is slowly working its way into my work too. I've got some exciting new things planned for Reetsweet'

Reetsweet is at the Corn Exchange on Nov 7th from 11am to 4pm...

Steph says hello to reetsweet!

I am really excited to announce our newest stallholder for the reetsweet craft event in leeds - Steph Baxter from 'Steph says hello'.... Steph is a freelance illustrator from the fair city of leeds. Her drawings are full of very bright colours and happy little creatures.





When Steph isn't illustrating things for people she can usually be found drinking lots of tea and crafting little lovely things out of felt and paper for people to enjoy. One day she would love a little shop selling only cute things. Steph has worked for clients such as Mother & Baby Magazine, Dentsu Agency, Goodbyn and Sainsbury's.




...Steph will be hosting a stall at reetsweet's art design and craft fair in Leeds on Nov 7th at the Corn Exchange...

Sneak a peek in this box...

....Ohh saucy today! Introducing Beky as well today who runs 'The Vintage Jewellery Box' and is coming to showcase at reetsweet...perfect christmas pressies ladies (and boyfriends!)

Tell us about how you got into this craft?

I first got into making jewellery in my early teens when I mostly worked with beading but then I more or less forgot about it when I went away to university. I got back into making things about five years ago after being a bit bored of what was available in the shops and wanting to be able to create something a bit different to wear. This progressed to me deciding to sell some of my pieces on-line and I’m now in the process of setting up my own website. I mainly focus on necklaces, earrings and bracelets but have also just started to play around with some cute little broaches and hairpins that will be available soon.

What keeps you motivated?

There are two things really, the idea of being able to create and wear something individual and different to what’s around in most shops 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.

Beky will be bringing her lovely stall to Leeds Corn Exchange with reetsweet Nov 7th...

Oui Oui Elodie G!

Hi there all! I have been slacking off this week as I had a nasty bout of tonsilitus! But I'm back with a vengeance with two new peeps to introduce you to, beginning with the works of Elodie G... Tell us a bit about youself!!..

I started doing indie pop fanzines in the mid-90s when I lived in France. It was all about D.I.Y. at the time, not 'crafting'.

Some of my cartoonist friends started a fanzine, around the same time, in my city (Nice) and I joined in to write about music.

But it totally inspired me to start drawing my own cartoons!

I moved to England in 1997, on the day of Lady Di's funeral (and the pilot asked for a minute silence on the plane... So it's stuck in my mind forever).

I had a few years of Indie pop madness living with the legendary Shaun Alcock from The Real Losers and even shared a house with Mr James Green.

I started a band, joined another, did lots of fanzines, started making bags that I sold at gigs... I even met Daniel Johnston and Jad Fair slept in my bed!

One fine day, I moved to Sheffield, got married, started a comic called 'Chop chop' which was an anthology of people I knew in Sheffield who drew comics.

Another fine day, I gave birth to teeny twin girls and got the sewing machine out again and slowly got back into sewing and making little handmade comics again!

I get inspired by everyday things that make me smile, laugh or sometimes totally annoy me!

Mr James Green and I decided to start doing craft fair this year. We are thoroughly enjoying it and I am very much looking forward to Reet Sweet as I lived in Leeds for 5 years!

Elodie G will be appearing at reetsweet on Nov 7th at the leeds corn exchange selling her fantastic zines, prints and doodles...I can't wait!