Although there were just a few of us, due to some last minute cancellations by stallholders, we had a whale of a time on Saturday!
It was fairly quiet at the Custard Factory, but the visitors who did stop by were genuinely interested in the range of different handmade items on offer. I think it was one of the most successful days for sales!! Well done everyone!
(Cupcake sales were doing well too ;)
With us today were:
Newbie Jeanette Hill from Jin joined us with her amazing display of handmade individual gifts from ceramics, fabric or knitted wool. A personal favourite were her little knitted houses and a church which, if bought together, made up a little village.
Sarah from Magpie Jewellery joined us for yet another crazy Handmade Saturday! Which paid off, as she had some good sales today. She also brought along some little children’s bracelet demonstrations with her, so children were able to put their own jewellery together whilst parents were busy shopping at Creative Open Workshops.
See her work on www.magpiejewels.webs.com
And Emma Blundell and Emma Thompson set up another beautiful & colourful stall with new additions such as appliqué and embroidered shopping bags. New website coming soon!
Another new addition was our FREE mini drop-in workshop which we set up in the shop. People were able to join in to a 10 minute session and learn how to make a felted pebble to take home with them. People really enjoyed taking part and felt very proud of their own handmade items at the end of the activity.
Pass it on! We’ll be running this FREE drop-in session again next Saturday!
This week we are working on getting the word out to more people about our Handmade Saturdays at Creative Open Workshops.
Wednesday 15 July 2009
Yay! Join us for tea & cupcakes:)
Handmade is back with a celebration of local & regional artists and designer-makers! Come and join us to take part in our Saturday Market, drop in for a mini workshop or find out what other great creative sessions will be on offer during the summer months!
E-mail for enquiries or to book a £15 table space: creativeopenworkshops@gmail.com
Francine x
E-mail for enquiries or to book a £15 table space: creativeopenworkshops@gmail.com
Francine x
Handmade 4th July CANCELLED
I'm sorry to have to inform you that this weekend's Handmade fair has been cancelled.
We have just been made aware that the Custard Factory has been booked for a big event on Saturday Evening and that they will start building the main marquee tomorrow morning at the main pool. Although people will have access to the shop, we will be out of view from potential customers, as our shop is situated behind the main pool marquee.
We feel that it would be unfair on our stall holders to go ahead with the event knowing that customers might find it hard to find us.
I'm sorry that it is at such short notice and hope that you might be available to join us next weekend 11th July instead.
Francine x
We have just been made aware that the Custard Factory has been booked for a big event on Saturday Evening and that they will start building the main marquee tomorrow morning at the main pool. Although people will have access to the shop, we will be out of view from potential customers, as our shop is situated behind the main pool marquee.
We feel that it would be unfair on our stall holders to go ahead with the event knowing that customers might find it hard to find us.
I'm sorry that it is at such short notice and hope that you might be available to join us next weekend 11th July instead.
Francine x
Handmade 27th June
Remarkably we had 3 visitors before 11am already! The day was off to a great start!
Although the sky was overcast for most of the day, we had a lovely warm temperature which invited people to take a stroll into town and the Custard Factory. There was a theatre performance on at the CF Theatre, which brought lots of people to the pool area waiting for the show to start. On the whole there was a really lovely buzzing atmosphere about…
To enhance our visibility at the back of the pool, we installed a large cardboard painted Zebra-Cow on the stage. This helped with attracting people’s attention to our presence. Furthermore we placed a little table with cupcakes for 10p each in the middle of the space. Now this was really drawing the people in!
Today’s guest stallholders were:
Sisters Natalie and Danuta from Lemon-aide set up their table outside, displaying print designs on bags, t-shirts and handmade cards. They also do custom print designs. Have a look at their website on www.lemon-aide.co.uk
Sarah Roberts made use of every little space on the table, floor and in the display cabinet behind her with notebooks, wrapping paper, cards, badges and mirrors all adorned with her delicate flora inspired prints. Have a look at her work on www.sarah-roberts.co.uk
Rachel Warren is a jeweller working in silver, polymer clay, and glass (lampwork, fused & enamels). Some of the jewellery is very organic and resemble silver clusters of seaweed, whilst her handmade glass beads are in stunning shades of green and blues. Visit her new website on www.silverfusion.co.uk
Laura Cameron and Richard Johnson shared a table displaying their work. Laura’s work consists of beaded jewellery crafted with a mix of glass, semi precious stones and resin. Richard is a writer and photographer, but also brought some paintings along today. His photographs display landscapes and breathtaking architecture from Florence and places closer to home like Lichfield and Worcester. Their work can be found at:
www.lauracameron.co.uk and www.RichJohnson.folksy.com
Sarah Robinson of Magpie Jewellery baked some lovely mini cupcakes for today. She had another beautiful display today and some new additions too! Thank you so much for taking part all three weekends!
Gosia from OhGosh! had another colourful table full of leather goodies today. She has just moved studios this week and her head office is now based at the Jewellery Quarter. All of her pieces are one-offs and tend to be made from small lots of leather, so you won’t find a similar bag design with the same colour combinations or textures. Bag yourself one whilst you can! See her work on www.ohgosh.etsy.com
Emma Blundell and Emma Thompson set up at the same spot this week with their gingerbread men cards and beaded & charmed necklaces. No plants this week though, but hopefully we’ll see them return soon. They’re currently working on a website.
It was lovely to have the shop space filled with browsing customers… even if it was still a bit on & off.
Our Zebra-Cow got some company in the afternoon as the stage was being built up with a lighting rig. We managed to keep the cow onstage until 4pm, but then the curtains had to go up for tonight’s gig. Credit to Oda Valle for the design of this magnificent creature!!!! Check her work on http://odadesign.carbonmade.com
More flyers have been distributed and more publicity is being chased this week. Fingers crossed for next weekend!!!
Although the sky was overcast for most of the day, we had a lovely warm temperature which invited people to take a stroll into town and the Custard Factory. There was a theatre performance on at the CF Theatre, which brought lots of people to the pool area waiting for the show to start. On the whole there was a really lovely buzzing atmosphere about…
To enhance our visibility at the back of the pool, we installed a large cardboard painted Zebra-Cow on the stage. This helped with attracting people’s attention to our presence. Furthermore we placed a little table with cupcakes for 10p each in the middle of the space. Now this was really drawing the people in!
Today’s guest stallholders were:
Sisters Natalie and Danuta from Lemon-aide set up their table outside, displaying print designs on bags, t-shirts and handmade cards. They also do custom print designs. Have a look at their website on www.lemon-aide.co.uk
Sarah Roberts made use of every little space on the table, floor and in the display cabinet behind her with notebooks, wrapping paper, cards, badges and mirrors all adorned with her delicate flora inspired prints. Have a look at her work on www.sarah-roberts.co.uk
Rachel Warren is a jeweller working in silver, polymer clay, and glass (lampwork, fused & enamels). Some of the jewellery is very organic and resemble silver clusters of seaweed, whilst her handmade glass beads are in stunning shades of green and blues. Visit her new website on www.silverfusion.co.uk
Laura Cameron and Richard Johnson shared a table displaying their work. Laura’s work consists of beaded jewellery crafted with a mix of glass, semi precious stones and resin. Richard is a writer and photographer, but also brought some paintings along today. His photographs display landscapes and breathtaking architecture from Florence and places closer to home like Lichfield and Worcester. Their work can be found at:
www.lauracameron.co.uk and www.RichJohnson.folksy.com
Sarah Robinson of Magpie Jewellery baked some lovely mini cupcakes for today. She had another beautiful display today and some new additions too! Thank you so much for taking part all three weekends!
Gosia from OhGosh! had another colourful table full of leather goodies today. She has just moved studios this week and her head office is now based at the Jewellery Quarter. All of her pieces are one-offs and tend to be made from small lots of leather, so you won’t find a similar bag design with the same colour combinations or textures. Bag yourself one whilst you can! See her work on www.ohgosh.etsy.com
Emma Blundell and Emma Thompson set up at the same spot this week with their gingerbread men cards and beaded & charmed necklaces. No plants this week though, but hopefully we’ll see them return soon. They’re currently working on a website.
It was lovely to have the shop space filled with browsing customers… even if it was still a bit on & off.
Our Zebra-Cow got some company in the afternoon as the stage was being built up with a lighting rig. We managed to keep the cow onstage until 4pm, but then the curtains had to go up for tonight’s gig. Credit to Oda Valle for the design of this magnificent creature!!!! Check her work on http://odadesign.carbonmade.com
More flyers have been distributed and more publicity is being chased this week. Fingers crossed for next weekend!!!
Handmade 20th June
It would have been great to have had some more visitors today, but the British weather was working against us. However there were a few brave people stopping by to have a chat with the artists and buying some goodies.
Nevertheless we had a good day sharing ideas and planning how to turn the Digbeth High Street into a proper creative shopping street, connecting the Bull ring shoppers to the Custard Factory.
Sarah of Magpie Jewellery was with us again today and really splashed out on her display this week. She brought in lovely feathers, crystals and flowers to complement her colour beaded jewellery designs.
Emma Blundell and Emma Thompson had a surprising display with actual potted sunflowers to buy! The plants added a frivolous touch to the room, with their tall organic silhouettes between the charm necklaces and gingerbread men cards.
Helen Woodward’s table was filled with gorgeous handmade jewellery using vintage beads, semi precious gems, crystals and freshwater pearls. She made you feel very at ease trying all the various designs on, which is an experience in itself! You can find her at the Moseley Craft Fair on 27th June. Visit her site at www.helenwoodward.co.uk
Gosia from OhGosh! set up her space outside to attract visitors with her colourful range of leather bags, purses, wallets and bus pass holders. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, she also works on commissions so you could put in a custom order for your own bag design! Have a look at her etsy shop on www.ohgosh.etsy.com
Lisa from Handmade by Tigerlily joined us again today as well with a new range of handmade gift boxes, build-your-own cards and felt tea-cosies. This lady has been working her socks off this week to present us with her latest craft ideas! See her items on www.tigerlilyol.etsy.com and read her creative musings at www.craftbugs.blogspot.com
Becky from Becky is my name set up a space for herself today, which again burst of colour!
Since taking part last week, she has made several sales through her etsy shop and will be stocking her work in The Framers next door to us as well. This has been a good craft week so far! Please visit www.beckyismyname.etsy.com
Creative Open Workshops also had a table display, due to a last minute cancellation. We had some information to take away on children’s and adults workshops and people could express an interest for summer workshops. We also offered our Kitsch Kitchen aprons, oilcloth and adhesive plastic for sale and a range of bags by Said Label. View www.kitschkitchen.nl and www.saidlabel.com for more information.
Laura from Glue+Glitter stopped by today as well to drop off a custom order and Liz from Phyllis B came in to see how we were doing.
We all agreed that our cupcakes were pretty good this weekend and visitors seemed to be highly interested in them too… so we’ve decided to have a little cupcake table space on the 27th June too!
There are still at least 2 tables up for grabs for this coming weekend! Do get in touch if you’d like to take part!
Francine x
creativeopenworkshops@gmail.com
Nevertheless we had a good day sharing ideas and planning how to turn the Digbeth High Street into a proper creative shopping street, connecting the Bull ring shoppers to the Custard Factory.
Sarah of Magpie Jewellery was with us again today and really splashed out on her display this week. She brought in lovely feathers, crystals and flowers to complement her colour beaded jewellery designs.
Emma Blundell and Emma Thompson had a surprising display with actual potted sunflowers to buy! The plants added a frivolous touch to the room, with their tall organic silhouettes between the charm necklaces and gingerbread men cards.
Helen Woodward’s table was filled with gorgeous handmade jewellery using vintage beads, semi precious gems, crystals and freshwater pearls. She made you feel very at ease trying all the various designs on, which is an experience in itself! You can find her at the Moseley Craft Fair on 27th June. Visit her site at www.helenwoodward.co.uk
Gosia from OhGosh! set up her space outside to attract visitors with her colourful range of leather bags, purses, wallets and bus pass holders. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, she also works on commissions so you could put in a custom order for your own bag design! Have a look at her etsy shop on www.ohgosh.etsy.com
Lisa from Handmade by Tigerlily joined us again today as well with a new range of handmade gift boxes, build-your-own cards and felt tea-cosies. This lady has been working her socks off this week to present us with her latest craft ideas! See her items on www.tigerlilyol.etsy.com and read her creative musings at www.craftbugs.blogspot.com
Becky from Becky is my name set up a space for herself today, which again burst of colour!
Since taking part last week, she has made several sales through her etsy shop and will be stocking her work in The Framers next door to us as well. This has been a good craft week so far! Please visit www.beckyismyname.etsy.com
Creative Open Workshops also had a table display, due to a last minute cancellation. We had some information to take away on children’s and adults workshops and people could express an interest for summer workshops. We also offered our Kitsch Kitchen aprons, oilcloth and adhesive plastic for sale and a range of bags by Said Label. View www.kitschkitchen.nl and www.saidlabel.com for more information.
Laura from Glue+Glitter stopped by today as well to drop off a custom order and Liz from Phyllis B came in to see how we were doing.
We all agreed that our cupcakes were pretty good this weekend and visitors seemed to be highly interested in them too… so we’ve decided to have a little cupcake table space on the 27th June too!
There are still at least 2 tables up for grabs for this coming weekend! Do get in touch if you’d like to take part!
Francine x
creativeopenworkshops@gmail.com
Tuesday 16 June 2009
We need Moo!
We’re super excited about setting up shop with lots of local creative talent!
People have commented on how there aren’t many opportunities for creatives to showcase their work in the
If you’d like to have a stall (150 x 75cm) at our unit in the Custard Factory on Saturday 20th or 27th June then DO get in touch with us! (£15 offer for a place still stands!)
Of course we will also bake a fresh batch of cakes…
Francine
creativeopenworkshops@gmail.com
Saturday 13 June 2009
First Handmade Market!
Great!
We had our very first Handmade market this weekend with lots of lovely people and very lovely products! The sun was out, people made cakes for us to sample and we didn’t do that bad on visitor numbers either.
Laura from Glitter+Glue had a lovely range of illustrated jewellery, screen-printed accessories and haberdashery. See her work at www.glueandglitter.co.uk
Lisa from Handmade by Tigerlily showcased a very unique and diverse range of papercraft gifts, wool felt bags and the most amazing mixed media cards. Her work can be viewed at www.tigerlilyol.etsy.com
Sarah set up shop with a multitude of beaded jewellery, spanning every colour and shape you could think of. She also made a fantastic chocolate cake!
Isobel had a lovely range of illustrated prints, hand painted cups + saucers and the most amazing cards. Her work displays vivid colour, pattern and a love for crafts. See her work at www.isobelblake.etsy.com
Liz from Phyllis b and Becky shared a stall (see photo) showing a combination of handmade textile, needlecraft and graphic design prints. The vivid yellows in the printed posters really caught your eye and the eye for detail in the miniature needlework frames is astounding. See their work at www.beckyismyname.etsy.com and http://quiltgeek09.blogspot.com
Sue’s jewellery conjure up images of landscapes, hedgerows and the windswept seaside. Wire, beads and other precious metal forms all become amalgamated in a piece of treasure to adorn a wrist, neck or hand.
Elizabeth’s colourful display attracted people of all ages. Her pencil hair slides in particular were a big hit, to which I had to succumb myself too. See her profile on www.myspace.com/zebedee_boing
The main thing for us was that there was a very positive vibe around, with people brimming with ideas and looking to get involved in organising more creative events at the heart of the Custard Factory. Ideas being launched were organising a monthly pudding party to share ideas and hosting Open Studios for artists to come along with work from different backgrounds and see if we can cross-fertilize ideas and advice.
Anyway, we have another Handmade market planned for this coming weekend! If you would like to get involved, please contact us on creativeopenworkshops@gmail.com
More cupcakes are in the offering!!
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