Appleby 10th November 2012

Yesterday I did a craft fair over in Appleby. I really like travelling over to Appleby as I think it's a lovely little town. I didn't do so well but I had lots of nice chats with other crafters and have come back with new plans and ideas for the New Year. I also got plenty of knitting done which is always good! My next craft fair will be at Tithe Barn in Carlisle on Saturday 1st December, 10-4.

BOB!

Watch Key-rings. Hand stitched felt and fabric.

Coming up this weekend is BOB, the underground craft festival down in Bakewell. I am now entering full panic mode getting everything organised/made/packed and so on. One of the little things I've been making is watch key-rings. I made some for my summer craft fairs and they all sold so I bought some more watch faces and have made some more. I'm not sure I like these watch faces as much as the previous lot but we shall see how they go. They are all different, all hand stitched and I think they'd make really sweet little presents.

Stitch detail

Detail

Detail

Flyer for BOB (the buttons are mine!)

Craft Fair Jumper

The finished jumper

I've done a few craft shows this summer and most of them have been pretty quiet. The plus side of this is that I've got a lot of knitting done. For example, this jumper was knitted entirely at the craft shows I've done since May. I've just finished sewing it up today as I had a spare half hour (well, I should have been invoicing but that's dull!) It's a lovely variegated wool/acrylic mix called Riot and it's made by King Cole yarns (not the merry old soul.) The pattern is from Debbie Stoller's Stitch'n'Bitch, probably my favourite knitting book.

Bell sleeve detail

If I were to use this yarn again I would probably knit the jumper in the round as the bright pink stripes are in different places on each piece. This doesn't actually bother me too much but with a bit of forward planning all the stripes could match up. I've used this pattern a few times over the past 8 years and each jumper I've made I've worn literally until it fell apart so I think I'll get plenty of wear out of this one!

Inside sleeve

Colour detail

Warwick on Eden Craft Fair and Two Commissions

My Stall

Close up

The craft fair I did on Sunday at Warwick on Eden went very well; it was quite quiet but I still managed to do fairly well and it was a nice, relaxed affair. I met some very nice people and one of my friends from work came down to support me and my friend Helen (I offered Helen half my table as she wanted to do a fair but hadn't done one before.) I also was asked to make two pieces for presents, I like special requests as it means people like my stuff (always a good ego boost) and it's fun to make things for specific people rather than just making a product.

Cat head brooch

Cards and frog 'phone case

Hedgehog 'phone case

Polymer clay 'lace' brooch

The first commission was for a cream cushion with a swallow on, I'd taken an aqua coloured cushion with a swallow on but the lady wanted a cream cushion with a 'proper' coloured swallow. I'm really pleased with the way it came out and may well make something similar for my next craft fair. The second commission was for a doggy doorstop. This was more of a challenge because I really don't like dogs. However, I decided to rise to the challenge and after a bit of planning and experimenting I came up with a design, made a pattern and used this to make a little hound doorstop. I hate to admit it but I think it's quite cute! I hope the recipients are pleased with their presents, I did have fun making them!

The original cushion

The commissioned cushion

Detail of the swallow



Hound doorstop

Detail