April Event: New Maker 'Dual Nation' Jewellery

Way back in 2002 Tatty Devine in London kickstarted a revolution in modern jewellery, using plastics, and bold bright colours, they have inspired a generation of makers to think outside of the box and make fun, quirky, individual pieces that are affordable to all. As a big fan of this kind of thing at reetsweet, we were super excited to welcome on board Zoe, the designer/maker behind 'Dual Nation' jewellery...

'Dual Nation is an up-and-coming jewellery label spearheaded by designer and maker, Zoë Alexandria Richardson.  Draped in silver and adorned with bells, her love of jewellery stemmed from a young age and having already completed degrees in fashion design and marketing, Zoë then enrolled in a diploma of creative jewellery making at the London Jewellery School.
Focusing on handmade, statement pieces, Dual Nation draws inspiration from both British and Australian heritage.


Each piece of Dual Nation jewellery is lovingly handcrafted and we don’t mass produce. Our collections are created in small production runs as we believe in individuality and strive to create bold and curious jewellery that won’t be seen anywhere else. Our products also come beautifully packaged, making Dual Nation jewellery perfect for gifts or as a special treat to yourself.'

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! 

New maker: The makings of Mrs Bertimus...

Are we enjoying the new chill in the air?  The massive influx of freshers and all the new season's collections, collectables and trends?  I certainly cannot wait to start my christmas shopping as I like to get organised!  This lady may have a few perfect presents...

'Mrs Bertimus loves sketching, (especially dogs that she has surreptitiously papped whilst on her travels).

All the bags, scarves, cushions and other fripperies are one-of-a-kinds, and all the fabrics used are vintage or recycled.

The screen printing inks are water based, (they are kinder to the planet and my kitchen sink!)

Everything is made on my trusty (but a bit rusty,) sewing machine, which was a present I was given when I was thirteen, (I was gutted at the time because I wanted a pair of pedal pushers!)'

'The Makings Of Mrs Bertimus' has a face book page, a blog (letitiathompson.posterous.com) and a little Etsy shop which can be found on mrsbertimus.etsy.com .

Find her at reetsweet october 6th, at Leeds Corn Exchange!

memo helen joins reetsweet!

"Hello, I am Helen a.k.a Memo, I work as an illustrator and screen printer and am currently based in Leeds. I graduated in 2007 with a first class degree in Visual Studies at Norwich School of Art & Design. I'd say my main interests are screen printing and collecting. I draw the things I collect and turn them into screen printed zines and limited edition prints. I also print greetings cards, tote bags and brooches amongst other things. My favourite things include coffee, dogs and my big collection of old things- kitsch ornaments and homewares from the 1940s-60s. I like objects that have a history, new things are boring to me, uninteresting.




I regularly exhibit in shows across the UK, currently I have a number of prints on display at the Bowery in Leeds, alongside a mural I just painted there. At the moment I'm working on as number of exciting projects including a book cover design, a new card range and new prints for shows later this summer."

Helen will be appearing at the June show @ the corn exchange on sunday June 5th! Very excited!