LIVE BLOGGING: Today's Fair at Leeds Corn Exchange Continued...

(katie kitzpatrick's lasercuts)

One hour to go, catch us until 5pm at leeds corn exchange, then we return on sat 7th april...

(Kristyna Baczynski)

(fenton)

(alexia claire)

see you tomorrow leeds!

Bob down to the corn exchange from 10am sat, or 11am sun for some reetsweet goodness! We have many stalls - from cool jewellery, to vintage reworked homewares, amazing knits, cakes, stationery, prints and trinkets...you will not be disappointed! Check out www.reetsweet.com for more details, to view the gallery and to see what we are all about - local, cool, craft!

oct fair preview: omg i love you fluffstuffs!

FluffsStuffs is the brainchild of Rosanna Brooks, and her range of accessories has a unique indie and kawaii feel, she has been featured in Elle Maagazine France, Make Jewellery Uk, NEET and Quick and Crafty! (to mention just a few!) You can follow her on facebook here.

To see her work in person, and buy some goodies - get down to Leeds Corn Exchange in two weeks on Oct 1st and 2nd...see you there!

oct fair preview: new friends!

Here at reetsweet we are always looking for new crafty talents, and are proud to introduce to you Natasha Kidd - aka 'theknittingkidd' knitter extraordinaire!

'I am a knitter with a serious case of the 'knitting bug' interested in creating, making, colour, texture and all things handmade.

I design and hand-knit unique and quirky felted bags. My bags come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours, with embellishments including knitted toadstools, mushrooms, flowers and other flora, fauna and buttons. Alongside bags I make knitted and felted purses, brooches, pencil and laptop cases. Most recently I have started to develop a range of small knitted toys. All products are made with high quality wool.

I have been knitting for about a year and a half after a random knitting lesson with my mum one Christmas. Since then I haven't stopped knitting and I have been selling my wares for about a year, first to friends and family and since April 2011 I have started selling at craft and handmade fairs.

I studied an Art and Design degree at Leeds Metropolitan from which I graduated in 2003. I have always been interested in making work including sculpture, model making, animation and drawing and painting. I have found my passion in knitting and textiles.'

http://www.knittingkidd.co.uk/

October's reetsweet on the 1st and 2nd will also showcase the work of Memelou - Michelle Gemmel! Her charming designs are the perfect antidote to the nights drawing in...

'Michelle Gemmel has been a designer for many years. She studied textile design at York St john University. After graduating she worked for large companies designing Underwear, swimwear, nightwear and housewares but most recently became a freelance designer. Michelle has always been in love with surface pattern and decided to follow her dream and design patterns all day long! She also now has the time to be more creative and has decided to pursue her love of craft. She loves making quirky, fun purses and printed tote bags as well as cards and other nic naks. Everything is handmade and designed (with love) in Michelle's micro studio in Leeds- it's really that small!'

http://me-melou.blogspot.com/

august reetsweet preview: spotlight on james green

James Green has appeared at one of our earliest reetsweet fairs and continues to support us and promote his work with reetsweet, you can also see him this weekend at craft candy's last fair in sheffield, James took some time today to tell us a bit more about what he does...


'I'm a printmaker based in Sheffield and I specialise in linocut prints. I've been working in the medium for around eight years, and I'm a little obsessed with it. I produce prints of people, animals, landscapes and the occasional absurd dream. I've produced commissioned work for Domino Records, Paul Smith Menswear, Tramlines Festival and I also run linocut workshops, teaching people how to make prints. Oh, I've also recently produced some mugs with my prints on (with the help of Lianne Mellor), so might bring them along to Reetsweet!'


Find James's work at: http://www.folksy.com/shops/jamesgreenprintworks http://jamesgreenprintworks.blogspot.com And of course at Reetsweet's august fair, the corn exchange leeds august 6th and 7th!

rainy days and reetsweet sundays...

A few more pictures today from the last fair, we are also please to announce our next fair on august 6th and 7th...a whole weekend of craft! However, if you can't wait that long we also have a sister event 'Handmade at the Corn Exchange' on July 2nd and 3rd, 'Handmade' is a more grown up affair featuring glasswork, textiles, precious jewellery and woodwork and promises to be something for everyone...come take a look!


Meanwhile...enjoy these goodies from last weeks' fair...

more from 'the vintage jewellery box'

new brooches by debbie greenaway

amazing work by jil made this

more lovely headwear by bee anchor

introducing bear follows cat

Phillipa from Bear Follows Cat creates intricate and original papercuts and screenprints, they have a a naive and dreamlike quality, full of animals, woods and wonder! This will be her first reetsweet on june 5th at the corn exchange but here are a few pictures to preview of her works. I will be adding more of here for you to see over the next few days...

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!

take me away...

A new addition to reetsweet for spring, we introduce...

'King Top Takeaway is the brain child of designer Hanan Qattan. The whole project started as a simple idea of wanting to create a brand that sold bold t-shirts with modern graphics that didn't cost the earth. I wanted something that was eye catching both from up close and from afar and that catered to women primarily. With help from friends and family, KingTopTakeaway.com is born!'

Remember the next event is sunday feb 6th! Leeds Corn Exchange, free entry...

you little scamp!

It was when sisters Stacey and Jennifer had children of their own that Scamp Baby Gifts was born. The company, which launched in 2010, began with an exclusive hand made collection of embroidered and personalised appliquéd pictures but the products proved so popular the range has quickly grown.

Now the Scamp studio produces everything from quirky bunting to 'Cuddle Up' buggy blankets and Little People Pictures, personalised with a child's name. There are also funky elephant mobiles, beautiful framed keepsakes and hand stamped new baby cards and gift tags. So whether you're looking for something a little different, need to find a special something for a new arrival or christening or just want to spoil your own little scamp,visit www.scampbabygifts.co.uk. Scamp Baby Gifts will be making their first appearance with reetsweet at the february fair on sunday 6th feb...

reetsweet mentioned in leeds guardian blog!

Fancy a nosey into my past and my inspiration behind reetsweet? Check out my little guest blog on the guardian leeds blog at http://www.guardian.co.uk/leeds/2011/jan/07/reetsweet-leeds-independent-handmade-craft-talent . If you live locally I definitely recommend following John Baron's excellent posts to see what's going on in and around Leeds.

How do you like your craft fairs in the morning?...reetsweet!

It's that time again everyone! It came so quick! Reetsweet will be hosting it's 2nd art design & neo craft event at Leeds Corn Exchange from 11 am to 4.30pm tomorrow.


Come and have a look around, it's free! Featuring the best of leeds' local design and craft talent....just peruse the latest blog entries and preview tomorrow's fair...Don't miss it!


reetsweet x

ps. no cats were harmed by reetsweet in the stealing of this photo!

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

Charley dreams @ reetsweet next sunday!

'The name 'Charley dreams' came about from my name (obviously!) and the fact I always have a dream in my head about one thing or another, usually about being at home warm and cozy watching a good film while crafting away. My passions are vintage stuff, cute things, and crafting .....My creatures combine all of these! I have always been a crafter from being small. Everyone got hand made gifts for birthdays and christmas's.....and nothing has changed, I just can't help making stuff!


I have a love of pattern and colour and all things vintage. Inparticular vintage fabrics from the 60s and 70s the patterns and colours are just so fun. I am also a hoarder, so after amassing a huge collection of these fabrics, I had to work out what to do with them. I love the Japanese cute Kawaii design style and love plushies and soft toys, so I started making simple little plush creatures. It seems fitting to make something cute and fun out of these cheery fabrics.

Each one is individual due to the vintage fabric used. These little guys are great to add a bit of vintage cutness to any home perched on a shelf or on a settee and Kids love them too!...look out for my new squeaking ones! they have a squeaker in their tummy!'

Meet Charley from 'Charley Dreams' sunday 5th Dec at Leeds Corn Exchange!

The vintage jewellery box..a treasure trove of loveliness!

Whats the name of your stall and how did you choose it? 'The name is The Vintage Jewellery Box and it’s basically just what it says…I’m a pretty straightforward kind of a girl! I offer hand-designed vintage inspired jewellery with a modern twist made up of a mix of vintage and reproduction charms.

How did you start out making handmade? I’ve been making jewellery for as long as I can remember but got back into it more seriously 3 or 4 years ago. I love the idea of being able to create and wear something individual and different to what’s around in most shops.

What keeps you inspired? That idea of making something new and unique 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, I’m currently most inspired by all sorts of different lockets, cameos and cabochons and finding new ways to use them.'

...Come and see Beky's stall at reetsweet's christmas fair next sunday 5th dec at the leeds corn exchange!

Make your home pretty with 'Eclectic Chair'...

Heather Linnitt, owner and maker of 'Eclectic Chair' told me a bit about herself, her business and inspirations today... Heather makes pretty and arresting handmade limited edition cushions in kimono silk and vintage fabrics.

Whilst reading a feature in an interiors magazine about an upholstery course in Wales a few years ago, Heather took on a totally new career path. She signed up for the course and never looked back, setting up her own upholstery business in 2005 alongside developing a range of handmade cushions in rare and vintage fabrics.

Favourite piece? The acid hydrangea cushion is my current favourite. The colours are amazing, almost fluorescent, and the design is so pretty and unusual.

What’s your passion? Looking for fabric. I often spend hours at the computer, searching for silk scarves, vintage fabric and kimono silk. I love it when the kimono fabric arrives as it’s always exquisitely packaged, wrapped around a small tube, sealed in cellophane fixed with pretty floral tape. It’s like receiving a gift!

What’s special about your collection? It is extremely limited edition because the kimono fabric, for example, will often never be found again and each piece that I buy will only provide me with enough to make 3 cushions.



What inspires you? Many things! I am attracted to pattern and colour. From folky bohemian to Scandinavian minimal to 1950s floral to 1970s geometric. A real eclectic mix. I am always buying interiors magazines and I keep them for years as they are a wonderful source of inspiration. I am also a massive fan of Emily Chalmers’ eclectic styling (of the London boutique Caravan) .

Press! On seeing Heather’s range of cushions, Suzie Forbes, Editor of Easy Living magazine, immediately bought four cushions for herself and featured them in the June 2010 issue’s editor’s letter. Heather’s eclectic cushions are a chic and cheap way to add a designer punch to your living space.

See and buy Heather's work next sunday 5th dec at Leeds Corn Exchange!

Prints by Alison Deegan!

Introducing Alison Deegan in her own words...

'My stall is the unimaginatively titled "Handprinted by A. Deegan", so no mystery there...I've always been a maker but in a sort of scattergun random way without any focus. After I had my son I realised the value of time and began to concentrate first on watercolour painting and then on printmaking. Pretty soon the printmaking became a bit of an obsession and I rarely get around to painting these days.

I draw inspiration mainly from nature and old stuff. I am an archaeologist by training and profession and spend a lot of time looking at old aerial photographs so landscape is important to me. Rarely a day passes that I don't catch a glimpse of some little vignette that I would like to re-create in relief print, but unfortunately few make it that far.

I like to think that a broad range of people would be happy to give a little wall space to one or two of my prints. I have sold to teenagers, to people in my parent's generation and all ages in between. Some of my prints have a simple aesthetic appeal, others are a little darker or have smidgeon of humour'

See and purchase Alison's work at reetsweet's fair in the corn exchange leeds on sunday dec 5th!

New and exciting reetsweeter Mr PS!

Mr PS is Megan Price and all her work is designed and screen-printed by hand by Megan in Salford.

Megan studied Printed Textiles and Illustration at Middlesex University, London and holds a BA (hons) degree in Visual Communication Design. Megan loves print, and wanted to create a range of contemporary interior accessories based on her adventures at home and abroad. Her works include the signature range of tea towels, as well as mugs and screen-print artwork.

Tea towels are cut, printed and finished by hand, so each has a touch of handmade charm. Colourful prints are inspired by vintage signage and the great British seaside, as well as a love of tea and cake.

Magazines and publications which have featured Megan’s work include The Guardian, British Vogue, French Elle, Easy Living, Ideal Home. Now Megan brings her fantastic wares to reetsweet@ the corn exchange on dec 5th!

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!

Zincwhite by Lidia and Paul...

'Lidia and Paul are ‘zincwhite’, a creative adventure that started two years ago when we decided to combine talents (art and architecture backgrounds respectively). Our hoard of found treasures, known as ‘rubbish’ to other people, became the source and the inspiration for creating unique pieces. Zincwhite then became the place where discarded objects become desirable again.

Against the throw away society we live in - particularly in fashion, we enjoy re-inventing with waste materials, to bring them back into life to campaign for a new way of thinking and living.

We also aim to bring fairness into fashion by recognising the need to avoid falling into the trap of superficiality and frivolity. We wish to offer an affordable alternative to spending hundreds of pounds on what many believe to be designer ‘tat’.

Having already modified our way of looking at typewriters, colouring pencils, shirts, zips, buttons, audio cassettes, tents, plastic toys, records and cutlery we are still on the look for new challenges and materials.

Come to Reetsweet 2 to discover all the new goodies we have been working on.'