a little bit of what you fancy...the alternative comics fair!

Little bit of news on the grapevine for you! Our favourite bar in Leeds is hosting the 3rd Leeds Alternative Comics Fair! Saturday 1st October in A Nation of Shopkeepers, Leeds, just behind the Leeds City Art Gallery.

Featuring the best Northern, alternative comics makers, print-makers and illustrators, who will be selling their wares!

Don’t like comics? There’ll be lots more on offer, such as craft wear, badges, art and music.

This event’s guest list includes old friends such as Steve Tillotson, Hugh 'Shug' Raine, Gary Bainbridge, Andy Waugh, Helen Memo (a reetsweeter!)and many more...

The event will run from 12 noon until 5pm and is FREE to enter! So please do go up after visiting reetsweet and see them at the top of town - there are some very talented people to be seeing there!

Find them online at leedsalternativecomics.wordpress.com, Facebook search “Leeds Alternative Comics” or follow @leedsaltcomics

quote of the week by reetsweet

Having a bad day?...reetsweet's quote of the week, not that we've ever done quotes of the week before, but this just seems pretty good if you're struggling with your work, your money etc or fed up...

"your journey has molded you for the greater good, and it was exactly what it needed to be. don't think that you've lost time. it took each and every situation you have encountered to bring you to the now. and now is right on time."
-asha tyson

reetsweet @ nation of shopkeepers preview!

So, it's our first mini event at NATION OF SHOPKEEPERS on Saturday May 28th from 12pm to 5pm, this event is a chance for new and established local crafters to showcase and sell their works, alongside lovely music and cakes! We are really excited, so here we begin a short introduction to who's joining us there to exhibit...


New to reetsweet we have Matt Saunders aka RabbitPortal, Matt draws dreamy pictures and makes stunning prints. His work has recently caught my imagination even more as he has begun using pieces of wood to paint on and this adds a lovely texture and earthiness to his intricate and escapist style.






Reetsweet is also proud to introduce to you Katy Kamikaze, the kawaii princess! Katy uses japanese kawaii fabrics to create purses, bags and other small accessories. Everything is beautifully sewn together and has a bright and fun feel...





Kayliegh O'Mara has been to a few of reetsweet's bigger events, her quirky simple style of illustration has always been a huge hit at our fairs and we don't expect there to be much left at the end of the day on the 28th!...tea or coffee?








Lauren Holmes has long been one of Leeds' coolest alternative girls, with the best tats on the planet, we welcome her to reetsweet with her very special modern gothic accessories and some of her orginal photography...







...more to come in this preview! Keep checking back! And see you on May 28th at Nation of Shopkeepers!

a lazy saturday in leeds...

There's so many nice shops in Leeds, but how many of the independents are actually left now in the city centre? Mm, not many. Rather than continue to give money to big companies like topshop, or american apparel etc, why not try some handmade instead? At reetsweet's next fair in the lovely nation of shopkeepers, we will be offering you an afternoon of delights - cakes, food, some value for money craft stalls - and hopefully some sunshine! But whatever the weather - we will be giving away some reetsweet goodies and starting your May bank holiday with a bang - a crafty bang! More details here.

May 28th from 12pm to 5pm, free entry x

Shopping at shopkeepers...

Just announced this week: our special one-off event at the lovely Nation of Shopkeepers on Sat 28th of May (that's the May Bank hol weekend!). It's a day of craft stalls, tea, cakes, nation's tasty food and folksy tunes on the decks...It's a crafty shindig!

Find out more here it's free entry, and will be from 12pm to 5pm and we will be having it come rain or shine! We already have some great crafts lined up for exhibition! See you there!

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!

paper girl leeds!!

Originally created by Aisha Ronniger in 2006 in Berlin, Leeds will be the fourth UK city for Papergirl. 2011 is Papergirl Leeds' UK debut and hopefully the first of many. Laura, the Leeds organiser has been in touch with all the details on how YOU can get involved in this fantastic event!....

'We need artists of all shapes and sizes. Printers and illustrators. Mixed media artists and photographers. Whatever it is that you love to do!

We need your submissions of artwork :)

The art of giving art!

Every single piece of work submitted will be shown in the Papergirl Leeds Exhibition from the 8th to the 17th of April 2011. The venue is a new art space - Unit 2, Melbourne Street, Leeds (behind the Reliance Bar - North Street).

After the Papergirl Leeds Exhibition, all submitted work will be rolled up and distributed to the unsuspecting public by Papergirls (and boys!) on bicycles at the Papergirl Leeds Ride Event in May.

All submitted work needs to be between A4 and A1 in size and must be able to be rolled up. Please write Papergirl Leeds and any contact details you would like for the lucky person to receive your work (perhaps a lovely message too?)

There is no limit to how how many pieces of art you want to submit. The more the merrier!

By submitting your work you are consenting for it to be shown in the Papergirl Leeds Exhibition and to be given away to the general public for free in the Papergirl Leeds Ride Event. Submissions may be shown on the Papergirl Leeds and Papergirl World Blog (credited where URL details are included of course)

The address for submission can be found on the facebook page and the blog.

We also need cyclists to join in with the art of giving art and helpers throughout.

YOU need to get involved!

Help create a creative community!'

Closing date is 31st March, so please get in touch with Laura and support this great event asap!x

Big bear hug!

Although I'm a grown woman, I still have a few plushes hanging around...I'm not a bunny boiler but I just can't let go of a few! Sian, shares my passion, creating 'Strawberry Kitten' her range of toys, sketches and homewares...

'I'm a self taught crafter with a love for anything cute! I currently sell handmade plush animals and have recently added my new range of bear cushions, including a baby blue and baby pink one, perfect for the babies nursery! I also sell prints of my illustration work, all of which is based on my plush creatures. I am currently really trying to push my illustration and drawing work as my dream is to create my childrens picture book'





Her range sells very well at reetsweet..so get down fast to catch her new collection!