the final countdown: reetsweet in leeds this weekend!

We also have the amazing Karen Lewis of Blueberry Park in attendence this weekend, exhibiting her gorgeous handmade printed homewares and textiles. She even makes an amazing range of kits to make your own handmade toy...christmas isn't long away and this is the perfect time get one for yourself and a friend too!




Come and see us tomorrow from 10am and 11am on sunday at Leeds Corn Exchange!

sugar and spice and all things nice @ reetsweet tomorrow!

I think one of the best handmade purchases you can ever make is something to keep like a handmade toy or ornament - there's something very comforting and lovely about that handmade toy you got as a child, or the piece of one-off pottery you bought as a treat to yourself one memorable day...



Sian Wheatcroft will be at reetsweet tomorrow exhibiting her fabulous bears - she has a new collection! Her works always sell well so get down early to see her collection of modern, loveable, collectable bears! For more pictures go to www.strawberrrykitten.com



11am onwards tomorrow at the corn exchange x

animals to the rescue!

When times are hard, it's weeks til payday, your relationship is on the rocks and work's a stress, there are so many little things that can make you feel better...a nice cup of tea, a chat with a friend, fresh cookies, watching a bit of trash tv or reading a book, these things save us! One thing that always cheers me up and makes me fall back in love with the world a bit is an original craft idea and Ryanimals is certainly that...





'I'm Ryan and I make Ryanimals. The idea was born when I saw my grandma Margaret dressed in a slug costume. She looked cute, yet utterly bizarre and I decided this was something I would try to emulate in my work. Each doll is unique and lovingly handcrafted, with a handpainted fimo face and a cuddly, plush body. The dolls have varying functions, from simple furry mascots to quirky photograph displays; all of which can be personalised to make that gift extra special.'



They are funny, totally one of a kind, and this is Ryan's first reetsweet...we cannot wait!

leeds made this:

A little chat with Jil from Jilmadethis, a regular at reetsweet:

tell us a bit about yourself, did you grow up in leeds?

I grew up and was artsied up in leeds

what led you to making your own craft business?

It's something I've always wanted to do since I was about 5. I wanted to work in a shop, which I am doing and i wanted to make my own crafts which I've finally begun doing this year. After my degree in Printed Textiles & Surface pattern design, I wasn't sure exactly what to do. I began running a t shirt printing shop 4 years ago and developed my own unique and quirky range of printed items which now say 'Jil Made this' - I hope people can look at my items and think, wow, that is so Jil! I like to to take elements from my past, be it toys or conversations, and mix with my illustrations to create people, animals, robots and more!

what's the most fun part of what you do?

Coming up with new ideas, and seeing them through from drawing and printing to sewing and selling. The fun part is thinking what people think of their purchases or gifts! I love the colours and the characters I've created and am so pleased that I've finally come up with something to be proud of.

what's the least fun part?

I guess hours of sewing can be less fun, my fingers go numb but it's worth it! I struggle to decide things, which can be pain staking - things like deciding which fabric would be best, what colour hair and what sizes!

what's your favourite piece?

My favourite piece is one of my first proper plush items - my rainbow horse - i think I may keep him! Though I do love the others too!

Jil will be at the next reetsweet at leeds corn exchange on sunday 6th feb x

Bears on tour!!

I love a good cuddly toy, I know at my age I should be over this and that perhaps I shouldn't have both a toy collection and a mortgage but that's just how I roll. Sian from 'Strawberry Kitten' is returning to reetsweet in february after a fantastic reception at the last fair...not only are they beautifully made these toys, but they even have accessories! Squeal!



In Sian's own words... "I have been creating plush animals for about 6 months now and love making something that makes people smile, young and old! I'm always expanding my range of creatures and developing my textiles skills. I also aspire to be an illustrator of some sorts, my life goal is to make a children's picture book! so recently i have been working on illustrations that are inspires by my plush animals."



Catch Sian's Bears whilst you can at reetsweet feb 6th in leeds corn exchange.

Come and 'Kiss Prudence' at reetsweet this sunday!

'Kiss Prudence' is the alter-ego of Helen Smithson, lady-librarian by day and fervent crafter by night.

Helen makes handmade toys, accessories and pretty things out of vintage and contemporary fabrics from her ever-growing stash.

'Kiss Prudence' has been up and running for a couple of years now, this is her first appearance at reetsweet. For more pictures visit her Flickr page at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lovekissprudence/sets/72157602734029668/ or to buy online go to her Etsy store at kissprudence.etsy.com.

We can't wait to see what Helen has to show us on sunday!