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 Midlands, so we are thrilled to be part making stuff happen. But, we can’t do it without you!

If you’d like to have a stall (150 x 75cm) at our unit in the Custard Factory on Saturday 20^th or 27^th 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

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!!

Handmade Saturday Markets

This coming Saturday 13th June we will kick off with our first 'Handmade' Saturday Market at the Creative Open Workshops.

Our workshop space will be given over to local creative people to show, share and sell their artistic endeveours.
It is promissing to be a fantastic day with products ranging from screenprinted accessories, handmade cards, jewellery and illustration.

Now all we need is the sunshine!

Hope to see you all there!

Creative People wanted!

Hello!

The Creative Open Workshop (COW) is an unfunded, artist-run project based at the heart of Birmingham’s Custard Factory. We deliver arts workshops from our colourful venue as well as going out into the community to work our creative magic. We have a shop space attached to our workshop room, where we want to create a platform for the work of local and regional artists/designer-makers.

We are looking to put on a series of Saturday Markets in June to create an exciting opportunity for artists/designer-makers. (We promise tea & biscuits!)

The market will run alongside the long established Saturday Flea, where stall holders sell their vintage, customized and home-sewn wares.

In order to complement the Flea Market and our friends at Urban Village and the General Stores, it should be noted that our stalls will not contain in any situation Vintage clothing.

Submission deadline is 5pm 7^th June 2009

Tables cost £15 for the day (promotional offer) and come with kitsch kitchen tablecloths, but feel free to bring your own decorations.

Time: 11am – 4pm

If you would like to be considered for a space to sell your handmade products, please send a short statement about your work along with up to 5 images to Francine at creativeopenworkshops@gmail.com