End of a Journey

It is upon us so soon: the final day of the Me&FYC boutique!

As one of the designers I can say it has been an enjoyable journey and though I haven't been able to go in as often as I'd have liked as I've been up in the Lakes this past week, it's been a pleasure to craft for. In addition to the excellent orchestration by Me&Yu in simply creating this stall, there have also been an array of events taking place, such as pamper evenings and discount nights, as well as specific talks arranged with those expert in making and marketing their crafts. I haven't been able to take advantage of many of these wonderful events, though the Making to Sell workshop with Me&Yu and Collette Halstead, was one I did get to and I felt it was really informative and well organised.

On a whole it has been a great opportunity for the town (and I hope its artists) and I do believe it is a small stepping stone from which we will propser.

So this is to say: Thank you to Me&Yu, thank you to the other designers, and thank you to those who have been in and looked around and even supported the local crafters. I hope we will see more of this in the future!

Witchy Woo Crafts on sale in Me&FYC!

Me&FYC is Open!

It's official - the pop-up boutique Me&FYC opened on Friday 17th with a launch night that evening. The event was attended by the designers and local people hungry for new and exciting crafts in Blackpool, with live music and a chance to buy some of the items which will be on sale until 1st September.

The boutique is housed in the gallery space of FYCreatives on Church Street and is kitted up by Manchester designers Me&Yu into a seaside themed outlet. I urge everyone in the area to make a trip as a lot of effort has gone into the products on sale, and on the concept itself, creating something alternative for shoppers in Blackpool, taking in the wealth of talent in the town that otherwise goes unrecognised.

In the image to the right you can find a list of all the designers taking part and if you pay a visit to the shop you will also see a slideshow of the creative process, showing you exactly how your treasured item has come together! Now you don't get that on the high street!

Opening times Friday 17th August - Saturday 1st September 2012, 9am  5pm Monday to Saturday

FYCreatives, 154-158 Church Street, Blackpool, FY1 3PS. Tel: 01253 477147

Bunny Love

My race to the finish to get all the hair grips completed for Me&FYC might have come to an end, but I'm still trying to keep motivated by working on other projects I've had shelved in the interim. Things such as my bunny canvas.

I've had this in the pipeline since making the bunny garland for my friend earlier in the year, when I ccidentally cut out two bunny shapes I didn't need. Not to put anything to waste I decided to make a cute wall hanging. 'Bunny Love' is all but finished, I just need to search for a compatible trim to finish off the edges and screw its hooks into the back. However, you can see it's a fairly simple design, with my nana's vintage fabric bunny shapes fixed onto burgndy felt and stitched with metallic thread onto the A5 canvas. I've used sequins and bows or details and matching roses to fill out the top and bottom opposing corners. In order not to leave a lot of blank space I've stitched (again with metallic silver thread) the phrase 'bunny love' onto the canvas, and painted over it in pearlescent rose and silver fabric paint.

Once I get my paws on some peach lace to trim it'll be finding its way to Folksy, Etsy and my 'Haunted Houses' page on this 'ere blog of course - so watch this space!

4 Days To Go...

Only four days until Me & FYC opens its doors to craft hunters and those with an eye for unique design. Created to celebrate the rich pool of talent in the Fylde coast area, as well as the town itself, Me & FYC will run for two weeks in the gallery space of FYCreatives on Church St, Blackpool, from Friday 17 August (11am) to Saturday 1 September. The boutique will be open daily 9 am - 5 pm and there you shall find accessories and arts items by designers across the area as well as Witchy Woo Crafts. Check out the Me&FYC page right here on my blog for more info!

 

Me & FYC Countdown!

It's only 10 days and counting until the deadline for the finished products for Blackpool's exciting Me&FYC boutique! That means hurried and stressful times for the crafters! However, I thought I'd take some time to stop and tell you all about the dates which have been confirmed for the shop, and create a brand new page on this 'ere blog, to record all my step by step agonising and late nights, trying to get myself sorted in time! You can find said page, next to the Home tab at the top of the page!
In the mean time, here are some dates to note:
The Me&FYC pop-up boutique establishes itself on Friday 17th August at 11am. The shop will then run for 2 weeks until Saturday 1st September when it will close at 5pm. Opening times will be Monday-Saturday 9am to 5pm. There is no excuse not to pop down and check it out!
You will be able to find the boutique at FYCreatives on Church St, Blackpool. But in case you're about to rack up your excuses I've helpfully posted a link to a map here. Enjoy!

Me & FYC & My First Commission!

I can't believe how long it's been since making a post. The reason for this is I have been very very busy crafting away and (sigh) working... Yet I have two pieces of good news!

The first being, I was commissioned by my good friend Esther to make a present for her friends' wedding coming up at the end of the month. My first commission! And for that I am eternally grateful Esthula! So I thought what would be better than to make a lovely, homely garland to display in their joint abode.
I followed my usual pattern of hearts and gingerbread folk, this time stitching their names into their hearts strung along on cream canvas ribbon and a lady gingerbread and man gingerbread at either end...complete with pearl necklaces and bow ties. Of course!
Homely and personalised, I thought this made an ideal wedding present. I shall attach photos soon and hope in the meantime that if anyone else has any requests you will e-mail me and I'll see what I can do! Or alternatively, check out my page on Folksy where you can see an example of a personalised garland which you can commission for yourself!

My rough design for Esther's wedding gift

And now onto my second piece of good news...

You may remember before my long absence I brought you news of the Me & FYC Blackpool Fashion Boutique making its way to the town. Well, I submitted several designs (which you can see below) and a sample item, and have been chosen to create some hair grips for the event! Essentially my second commission!


My beloved Seaside Pride themed Union Jack Purse



I chose two predominant themes to represent Blackpool, Seaside Pride and Blackpool Lights. The first was centered around Blackpool being a staple of British holidaying; the lovable rogue in the makeup of our national identity. Bright and breezy are definite connotations of the resort, so I opted for a colourful take on the Union Jack, using tango orange grosgrain ribbon to signify the sand and sun of the town, as well as the football team (the Tangerines, of course!) along with white double satin ribbon and thin rainbow grosgrain ribbon which reminds me of the Gay Pride and general vibrancy of the town. I made a purse, brooch and hair grips using this theme, which you can see below. The purse was by far my favourite design and I made myself a version anyway! Unfortunately it didn't make it through the selection process; however, I will be making something very similar again and putting it up for sale on Folksy so if you're interested e-mail me and let me know! I'd be very glad to hear from you.



The inside of my Seaside Pride Purse



The other theme I used, Blackpool Lights, was inspired by some ribbon I came across in my local haberdashers, Blacks, which is entitled 'Party Time' and instinctively reminded me of the famous Blackpool Illuminations. So I used this black satin ribbon featuring multi-coloured polka dots on top of the tango grosgrain ribbon to create a powerful contrast. In this theme I only submitted a brooch and hair grips, but the hair grips (in both themes) made it through!

Party Time Ribbon which will feature in the Blackpool Lights theme of my hair grips



Although I'd have been delighted to see my union jack purse for sale in the boutique I can't deny that it would have been a lot of time and effort as the stitching on each piece is very intricate and would have made it difficult to create more than just a few items.



Soon however I will be displaying images of the first completed hair grips. My ribbon is ordered and on its way and I'm looking forward to getting cracking on a new project! In the meantime peruse my designs below and if you have any questions do get in touch...

 



My Seaside Pride Union Jack Brooch



My selected hair grips designs

Spring Bunnies

Owing to my profound lack of cash at the moment, you will already be aware that making presents for people has become both a well beloved past time and a financial necessity. And so it was no different when my best friend turned the dreaded year older...
As a bunny fanatic the only logical answer was something down that path. Having unearthed all of my nana's vintage fabrics not long ago I realised that the bright and fun patterns were perfect for a spring-time birthday and spring-time theme.

You can see that I have gone with my old favourite garland design. I just like the idea that a bland doorway or wall can instantly be improved with a simply string of happy little bunnies! Not to mention that it can be hung anywhere and folds up very small. I spruced up the bun-buns with neck bows and sequins for eyes, padded them with Vilene, and in addition created a beautiful little glamour bun of a brooch (featuring an array of marabou feathers for a bright and bushy tail!). A simple design, once again, but the use of busy patterns works well to give it that truly unique feel. Certainly something you won't find on the high street.

Although I said this making presents lark has come out of necessity, the truth is, however, that I now no longer fear occasions the way I used to. That probably sounds silly to the very shopping-friendly of you, who love lavishing gifts and money on people! And that's not to say I don't; I in turn love to give things and surprise friends with a display of generosity. But what I love more than that simple act, is knowing I'm giving something that's truly them. The thought of having to buy a present for someone always filled me with fear because I resent having to spend time (and money) looking around chain stores in order to find something which I can just about excuse as being an item they might give a second glance to. Nothing I could find would ever live up to an even better idea I had in my head. And now I don't have that worry! True freedom!

If you can get over the fact that there's a small possibility in your head that said friend could have reason to accuse you with stinginess, merely shrug it off with the validation that, unlike so many others can afford in the modern day, you have been generous with your time...