reetsweet's christmas at sheffield: final countdown previews

I think it would be fair to say that I am a big kid, and here at reetsweet I get to let my inner child take over - the ethos behind reetsweet is about bringing a piece of handmade joy into people's lives, getting them away from the high street, buying local, handmade beautiful things!



One of my first reetsweet moments of amazement was seeing this lady's work the first time...Sian Wheatcroft of strawberry kitten; she makes utterly original toys (for big kids) that are so well made...a total joy! Sian began with the larger bears you see here, but has now moved on to making stunning jointed bears, and she also offers a range of prints, small accessories and the bear cushions. She will be at reetsweet's fair in sheffield's millenium gallery this sunday 27th with us from 12pm to 4pm...see you there!

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

last reetsweet...

We've asked our fans to contribute to our craft blog this week, and they've been emailing in what they bought last reetsweet for a competition....





First up is Hayley McColl...

''I love quirky, eye catching jewellery. It's such an ice breaker and conversation starter, people always come up and ask me where I got bits and pieces from or just to tell me they like a necklace I have on. It's a great way of making new friends because I can be a bit shy until I know someone. So when I saw this necklace I had to have it!

I loved it because it's so unusual, I've never seen anything else like it, it's a bit off a one off and I love things that are individual and make me stand out from the crowd a bit. It's really bright and eye catching and most of all it's FUN! It'll brighten up dull work outfits and make me and everyone else smile.

It's my new favourite thing because it just makes me happy to look at it. What more could you ask for?'' (Hayley's necklace is by Kim of Finest Imaginary)

I thought Hayley's description of what led her to buy it was just delightful and she is entered into our competition to win a voucher to spend at the next fair! Woop! If you would like to enter, email us over a picture of your last reetsweet purchase and a bit about why to reetsweetevents@gmail.com

one sleep til reetsweet!

Hello!

Thanks for supporting reetsweet! We have many new followers on the blog and on facebook, I can't wait to meet you all on sunday!

We will be in the Corn Exchange, as usual from 11am to 4.30pm sunday, exhibiting the freshest crafts around - big shout out to all the new people from the crafting scene that are showing, including Fox Bunting, Maneggi and Amy Panda.

I think the sun should be shining, and it's Mothering Sunday of course - so you've got an excuse to swing by for a last minute pressie for her and yourself! Support handmade!


See you tomorrow! x

pocket locket!

'My jewellery making obsession started when I was a student and I started selling at the weekly union market. From then on I have continued to develop my jewellery style and have become obsessed with all things vintage and now produce a range of vintage inspired charm necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings and hair accessories. The name Laura’s Locket came from my favourite charm!...

Each piece of jewellery is designed and handmade by myself using all sorts of charms, flowers, pearls and bows and anything that I can find that’s pretty and a little bit quirky! I’m always on the look out for new and interesting charms and try to ensure that all my jewellery is as unique and individual as possible. I love designing as I go along and find this makes the prettiest items by finding colours and charms which work well together...

I am a Sheffield based maker having lived here for the last 5 years and have regularly attended craft fairs and markets. I also have an online shop on my website www.lauraslocket.co.uk and an Etsy shop (http://www.etsy.com/shop/lauraslocketshop) which are updated regularly with new items and my whereabouts at craft fairs. Attending craft fairs has been a great way to find out which items people like and I really enjoy the feeling of giving my jewellery a new home!'

Laura's Lockets will make their first reetsweet appearance this coming sunday april 3rd!

Visit our friends!

Craft Candy's next event is coming up people...an excellent fair, very well established and just over in sunny sheff!

The Craft Candy Spring Fair 2011 is THIS SATURDAY!

10-4pm

Millennium Gallery, Sheffield

FREE ENTRY - ALL WELCOME

This March, the Craft Candy team is out to Galvanize their reputation as most capable hosts of contemporary craft fairs. Now in their third year of producing highly successful maker fairs and showcasing cutting edge crafts, Craft Candy have teamed up with the Galvanize metalwork festival to bring you their biggest fair ever!


Spring Fair 2011 is to be held at the Millennium Gallery, Sheffield on the 26^th March, and more than 50 hand-selected exhibitors will represent the cream of the UK craft and metalwork scenes, cramming two galleries with on-trend, one-of-a-kind pieces. The guest experience is very important to Craft Candy and as always their fairs are completely free to attend. You are most welcome to browse the stalls, enjoy a coffee in the cafes, and soak up the creative atmosphere. Choose from a huge selection of jewellery, bags & accessories, stationery, home-wares and ceramics!

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!

foxy ladies!

I love to rummage around Leeds, in and out of shops, markets and craft fairs, trawling for new stallholders and finding gems! Fox Bunting are a regular fixture on Leeds' craft scene, a team of two, creating heartbreakingly funny, cute and original prints, paper craft and felt pieces. I have a few peices of theirs and they raise a smile on everyone's face when they see them - I think you'll love them and they will finally be working with us at the april fair showing us their latest works on a reetsweet stall!





Fox Bunting is Lucy and Brionny, they have been working together as a team since they began to give their crafts to friends and family as gifts. Living together, Lucy's illustrations seemed to perfectly compliment Brinonny's felt work and their brand was created.

They've done a couple of the Mini Craft Candy Fairs in Sheffield and last summer did the Craft Candy Candy Floss fair, they've also exhibited in Bradford and Armley.

Come down and meet Fox Bunting at the corn exchange, sunday 3rd april 11am onwards!

Bonjour miss o'mara!

Kayleigh O'Mara introduces her homely illustrations and gifts...

'I have a strong, and simple illustration style which is mostly hand drawn outlines and digital colouring. I enjoy making greetings cards, button badges, magnets, children's books, and zines.




I am currently selling my crafts to fund a course in screen printing to take my images and put them on anything and everything . I am hoping to print on to notebooks tote bags and t-shirts.

But for now i am creating new badges and magnets, cards and zines. '

Kayleigh has attended a few reetsweet's now, and her stall is always popular so please get down early to pick up some of her top treats!

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!

join in today!

Reetsweet takes over Leeds Corn Exchange today from 11am with Leeds' freshest Designer and Maker fair - full of jewellery, accessories, homewares and oddities for your buying pleasure! Entry is free so pop down!
x
reetsweet

ms lawler i presume...

I heart Kim Lawler, aka Finest Imaginary, she creates irreverant, bright, hip accessories and art that most girls I know adore (great pressies boys ...hint hint!). She is a regular reetsweeter, and I just wanted to show off a few of my faves she makes... she will be with us too this sunday 11am onwards at the corn exchange. She has even been featured recently in the Metro. Boom! Epic.

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.

Christmas Competition and a christmas cat!!

Hey there reetsweeters, have you heard about our christmas giveaway yet? We are on a mission to bring you a veritable feast of handmade goodies for christmas, all for free in our reetsweet facebook competition!

Your goody bag will include - a handpuppet theatre by little fingy, a zinc white ring, a signed print by alison deegan, a signed print by stephsayshello (our resident flyer designing wizard!), a item from imogen's imagination, a cushion by eclectic chair, a necklace from finest imaginary, a tee by rockbabyrock, a brooch by jilmadethis and even more!


All you have to do is sign up to the reetsweet fan page on facebook by Dec 5th and one lucky reetsweeter will be picked at random and receive our special lot of reetsweet treasures...you'll be able to check out the prizes at the fair, so sign up, sign up and follow us!

reetsweet x

It's cold outside, but not at reetsweet!

Reetsweet is proud to introduce to you all 'Strawberry Kitten' - aka Sian, a very gifted designer and maker of plushes, Sian told us a bit about herself...

'I am a self taught crafter who currently creates plush animals. Crafting is what I want to do in life, I recently became a mum and am using this somewhat hectic time to set up my crafting business. I am new to the craft fair scene but am loving it so far and hope to make it a regular thing. Im always on the look out for new products to sell and crafts to learn, I love photography and drawing and hope to start selling my own illustrations very soon, I will also be expanding my range of plush toys and pushing my textiles skills as I feel I have so much more to learn!'

I think you'll agree with me that these are something very special and the attention to detail on them - including scarves, fang teeth for halloween, the cute little paws - give them a truly luxurious feel for a plush! Come and buy some of Sian's beautifully made gifts at reetsweet this sunday!

COMPETITION TIME! An amazing chance to win a reetsweet goody bag for christmas!

Now guys, we know we get lots of readers on the blog, but are you committed? Are you interactive? How much do you love handmade? We are on a mission to bring you a veritable feast of handmade goodies for christmas, all for free in our reetsweet facebook competition!

Your goody bag will include - a handpuppet theatre by little fingy, a zinc white ring, a signed print by alison deegan, a signed print by stephsayshello (our resident flyer designing wizard!), a item from imogen's imagination, a cushion by eclectic chair, a necklace from finest imaginary and even more!


All you have to do is sign up to the reetsweet fan page on facebook by Dec 5th and one lucky reetsweeter will be picked at random and receive our special lot of reetsweet treasures...


So add us if you haven't already started following us, bring your friends, sign up your nan, your cat and that ex boyfriend who stalks you - make use of him for once!! Good luck! Thanks to all the stallholders for donating prizes for this! Merry Christmas!
reetsweet x

Imogen's Imagination will be at reetsweet 2 dec 5th...

Come down on Dec 5th to the corn exchange to see first hand the beautiful millinery of Sophie Cooke who owns 'Imogen's imagination'. Here are just a few pictures of her recent works, Sophie uses indulgent velvet, felt and netting to produce pretty one off hats, fascinators and hair clips to suit any taste. The perfect gift for any vintage lovers or burlesque queens!

Mother Eagle @ reetsweet christmas edition..

Mother Eagle is the brainchild of Katie Tume and appeared at our last event, Katie continues to keep up the standard of her fantastic work, creating timeless pieces of handmade jewellery.

Whats the name of your stall and how did you choose it? Mother Eagle...the reason is a bit of a secret, but if you listen to the song Wrong Girl by Jane's Addiction, you might get it ;)

How did you start out making handmade?

I guess back when I was about 11 or 12 was when i can first remember seriously making stuff. it was even jewellery back then actually - i used to sell it at school. Miss Richardson my textiles teacher was particularly keen on my hand painted peruvian clay earrings as i recall.

What keeps you inspired? Halloween, love, Japan, pirates, Rock and roll, toadstools, pumpkins, skulls and bones, Deer and Owls, all of which can be made better by being zombies.

What kind of customer do you find enjoys your work?

I am always surprised by this, as I'm always thinking of a specific kind of girl i'm making for, but I think it has a pretty wide appeal - I think most people can find something in there they like.

...Just a taster here of some more of her work. See her on Dec 5th at the Corn Exchange, Leeds...

Hot off the press from the last reetsweet...

Hi all you reetsweeters!

For those of you who came down sunday - take a trip down memory lane and check out our photo coverage - for newbies - look what you missed! Get down to Corn Exchange Leeds Dec 5th to get a slice of the craft action!...more photos on the facebook page here!