Handmade Halloween

The October fair at Handmade at Ilkley has a hallowe'en theme as we will be giving away black and orange balloons to any child who crosses our path (and adults too). 

We have a great selection of artists and makers with lots of new people joining some of our favourites. Who's who?

Textile jewellers Wychbury and Daisy Florence Design will be joining us, along with textile artist Diane Jones and surface designer Nimanoma. Swirly Arts and Roger's Ink are representing paper with Sid Barlow and Wicked Gen bringing the glass. Classic jewellery comes courtesy of Olinda Jewellery and Petit Bijoux.

Sid Barlow glass designs

We have lots of new traders too: personalised signs from Fairy Angel Cake, soft toys from Molly and Mum, hand printed items from Mint Print, bespoke pens from Bespoke Pens (!) and so much more.

Molly and Mum

Have I forgotten anyone.....? Ooh yes - our fabulous tearoom courtesy of Trufood Catering! They will be brining our visitors winter warmers with tasty soup, filling sandwiches and delicious cakes and scones. Their fayre never fails to please.

Come and see us this Saturday at Riddings Hall, Riddings Road, The Grove, Ilkley 10am to 4pm ENTRANCE FREE (look for the big church). See you there.

Quernus at Handmade @ Haworth!

Mice with Meaning

Guess who will be at Handmade @ Haworth on 15 October, selling her wonderful Fimo creations? That's right - Quernus Crafts! 

There will be plenty of cute and whimsical animals, from mice to cats, ponies to highland coos. Kirsten also takes commissions so why not have a cute model of your favourite pet or a character mouse?

Tiny Love Mice

Kirsten's creatures are very popular with both children and parents and very collectible too (you should see her version of the Beatles from the Sargeant Pepper era).  For a taste of Quernus Crafts' creative creatures pop into her Folksy shop for a preview of just some of the delights at Handmade @ Haworth. 

Palomino Pony

 

It's never too early for Christmas!

Have we gone mad, you say? Christmas in June??? Well, not quite, but now is the time to tell you about our autumn and winter Handmade events in Ilkley and Haworth - so that you can put them in your diary.

Handmade at Haworth Saturday 15 October 2011 at The Old School Room, Church Street, off Main Street, Haworth, West Yorkshire 10am to 4pm ENTRANCE FREE

Opposite the famous Bronte Parsonage, The Old School Room is where Charlotte Bronte taught sunday school. Situated on a  cobbled street, just off Main Street, it has a quaint atmosphere and a cosy feel to it. There will be 15 stalls of handmade loveliness and Trufood will be there with their old fashioned tea room and superb cakes.

Handmade at Ilkley Saturdays 22nd October and 3rd December 2011 at Riddings Hall, Riddings Road, The Grove, Ilkley, West Yorkshire 10am to 4pm ENTRANCE FREE

This is our third year at Riddings Hall which is the ideal venue for our handmade events. We can accommodate up to twenty stalls in the large hall, just off The Grove in Ilkley, and we are planning some Christmas entertainment on the stage again this year.  We will have everything you need for a handmade christmas gift and stay a while at our cafe, courtesy of Trufood. Yum!

Who's at Handmade at Ilkley on Saturday

Petit Bijoux

Teazle Handmade

Gary Keat Photography

Alys Power Designs

George & Lilly

Smashing China Mosaics

Milliesuds

Maneggi

Jennifer Duenas Glass

Kath Williamson Photography

Amy B Textiles

Joan Lawson Artist

plus Mary Shadbolt Candles and Debbie Alstead Photography.
Doors open for visitors at 10am at Riddings Hall, Riddings Road, Ilkley LS29 9LW Saturday 28 May. Come in and enjoy cake and tea at our old fashioned tea room. Have a go on the Tumbling Tombola - your chance to win a handmade gift - and indulge yourself by purchasing a beautiful hand made gift, courtesy of our designer-makers, photographers and artists. 

Alys Power at Handmade @ Ilkley

The wonderful jewellery of designer Alys Power can be found at Handmade at Ilkley on Saturday 28 May. "Found" is the operative word here as Alys' jewellery is made using materials which are reclaimed, reused, reinvented and recycled. 

These base materials are mixed with fascinating and beautiful found objects, sterling silver and semi-precious stones to create unique jewellery and accessories. 

Here is what Alys says about her work: "My work explores the challenges of turning base and 'scrap' metals and other discarded articles into objects of beauty and value. Working in a broad range of materials, I am inspired and led by the materials available and consequently many pieces are completely unique.

"Humorous, quirky and full of personality, my work maintains the look of the handmade, hammer and file marks are often left to illustrate the process each piece has gone through in its creation. The themes of my work are eclectic and varied. Often narrative, stamped words and phrases are used to expand on ideas and as decorative elements. Small found objects and pieces of reclaimed and vintage jewellery are frequently used and the notion of each piece is dictated by the materials themselves".

If you can't make it to Handmade at Ilkley at Riddings Hall, The Grove on Saturday 28 May (why not???) then you can see Alys Power's delightful jewellery at The Beetroot Tree and Design Circus or buy direct from her website Alys Power Design but we hope that you will come and meet her in person. 

Smashing China

One of our newest traders is Katherine Sainsbury of Smashing China Mosaics. Unlike the usual smashing of tiles and pasting random pieces, Katherine's designs are planned and considered, using vintage china.

"I began creating mosaics around two years ago when I had the idea of combining my passion for colour and pattern with my love of vintage and retro china. I see pieces of old patterned china as fluid, malleable materials that inspire the composition of evocative and vibrant mosaics". 

Katherine's art reminds me of the mosaics of artists and designer Candace Bahouth whose fantastic mosaics can be seen HERE. 

Smashing China Mosaics will be at Handmade at Ilkley on Saturday 28 May at Riddings Hall, Ilkley.  Come and say Hello and see Katherine's beautiful mosaic mirrors and candle sticks. 

Displaying your Creativity

Over the past three years I have seen a lot of table displays at craft fairs - the good, the bad and the ugly. So I thought I would take an opportunity to talk about displaying your work and, hopefully, help you to sell your product.

Rachel Lucie Designs - a great example of how subtlety can enhance the product. 

There are lots of different ways you can make your stall eye catching and appealing.  The worst thing that can happen is that people pass you by without stopping to see what you sell.  Most visitors will only glance as they pass your stall so think about ways that you can catch their eye and draw them in. If your art is large and colourful you have less work to do than if your art is small, delicate or mono-chrome.

Leigh Shepherd Designs at the British Craft Trade Fair

Signage
       Do you have a trading name? If not, your sign could say Fine Art Painting or Hand Made Jewellery.  Make that sign bold and clear (remember, some people struggle to read text with serifs so choose a text sans-serif).  Your sign or banner can go on the front of your stall or on the boards behind.

Display furniture
       The flat surface of your table is only the start of your display.  If you have a van you can bring your own furniture (ceramics look good displayed on a painted white dresser or old cupboard) or glass display cases for jewellery.  If you are limited to the flat table top think about displaying your work in layers with taller display such as shelving or boxes, at the back.  3ddisplays.co.uk has a large range of perspex display items.

Arranging your work
       It’s difficult to gauge how much to display on your stall.  Visitors like a visual feast but they don’t like to be overwhelmed with items to pick through. (This is not a car boot sale). You may want to group your cheaper items together and your more expensive items nearer the back or group your work in “themes”.  Make sure your price labelling is clear – you don’t want to sell a large ceramic vessel for the same price as one of your “sale” items by mistake or lose a potential customer because you had to explain your pricing to them. 

      Do you package your work in lovely boxes or bags? How does your customer know this? Enhance their buying experience by displaying some of your packaging alongside your product. A stack of three jewellery boxes or a ribbon festooned bag will show your customer what to expect with their purchase.

      Table coverings are tricky to get right. Highly patterned cloths can seriously detract from your product as can bright colours. And as for creased tablecloths... if your cloth creases in transit take an iron and extension lead with you.

Vintage-style jewellery display by Wychbury

       When I started to write this blog post I asked a few crafty friends for their tips. Here's what they said.


      Shell B Creations: "Shoe boxes are an easy way to raise your display - just stack them under your table cloth"

       Lisa Holker: "Our display changes every time we set up, we've got a frame my Dad made that attaches to the back of the table to hang items off to add height and a foldaway book case which we tag on the end if we're allowed. We are gradually coming round to the idea that less is more but its always a battle"!

       Sarah Fitton: " Wychbury's table tops always look stunningly coordinated, as do Tracy of Ruby Spirit Designs. Mini shelves, boxes under fabric, suitcases, diddy chairs, hinged pin boards...I've seen all of these as ways to add height. Having your business name very visible is good, I always want to know who the items are made by...maybe a banner/bunting/plaque? Plenty of business cards, postcards, mini Moo cards on the table for customers to take. Neutral back drop if you have patterned items ...these are all the things I've seen work really well at fairs BUT I'm no expert at all".


      Kirsten Miller: having different heights is a must and a few focal pieces (of higher value) help give context to your work. I love Rachel Lucie's displays - she makes great use of accessories to display her jewellery well (books, photos and picture frames). Colour is important to give a cohesive look and less can sometimes be more - too much choice can be off-putting. Investing in some display furniture is a good idea - shows there is a professionalism about what you do".


      Tracy (Ruby Spirit Design): "My stall is a real 'Blue Peter' affair, couldn't find the kind of display items I wanted so I made some and customised others, much happier with it now"  


       Paula Perrins (Wychbury) "BE ACCESSIBLE to buyers. Even if you have most of your work on boards or behind glass, make sure that your customer always feels like they can pick up, examine or ask to try on your pieces. Customers may walk away without buying if they feel intimidated by a perfect display they are afraid to touch or an unpriced piece of jewellery they are worried they may be embarrassed by not being able to afford. Lovely Leigh Shepherd displays in one of the clearest aways I've seen, I've minded her stall for a minute and it was easy-peasy for me and the customer and gorgeous to boot!
        Try to BLOCK similar items and keep your range as simple as possible to avoid 'Busyness'. If your items are one of a kind they need to be clearly priced. Customers will be confused by a 'Handbags-doilies-cheese' approach and contrived, themed displays can result in you having to price every single item. Blocking means you can go with 'Earrings £20 per pair' on a neat card and be done with it! This will also avoid the inevitable 'Why is this necklace £2 more expensive than this one' questions!
       BRANDING...extend your company's branding into your display by choosing image-appropriate display items for your work.Cathy Emmott's stall is a fantastic example, her reclaimed wooden shelving is the perfect backdrop for her items. Incongruously paired work and display can distract from the work itself - you also sometimes run the risk of people attempting to buy your display items instead of your work. I've nearly lost my bathroom mirror several times!"

Start Spreading The News

Keighley News 21 April 2011

Who's at Haworth?

We have a brilliant selection of designer-makers, artists, photographers and jewellers at our Handmade at Haworth Event on Saturday 30 April. Here's a taster....

Pincushion from Wychbury

Jewellery by Jennifer Duenas, Lilac Moon, Rachel Lucie and Wychbury

Debbie Alstead

Photography by Debbie Alstead and Kath Williamson, original paintings by Richard Hawkin

Bath Melts by Milliesuds

Soaps and bath products by Milliesuds and handmade candles by Melanie Flears 

Vessel by Kath Bonson

Smashing China Mosaics and Ceramics by Kath Bonson

My Furoshiki

Furoshiki Recycled Gift Wrap and Dinner Party Pinnies

Don't forget that you can also see great artisans, designers and artists at Handmade at Ilkley on Saturday 28 May, Riddings Hall, Ilkley, West Yorkshire

Entrepeneurs at Handmade at Haworth

Two of our newest traders, exhibiting at Handmade at Haworth, are candle maker Melanie Flears and ceramic artist Kath Bonson. 

Both artists will be selling as part of the Bradford Enterprise Academy, which delivers inspirational and exciting enterprise programmes to Bradford College students. In collaboration with Bradford Kickstart (LEGI programme), Bradford College has designed and developed a new academy for enterprise. 

Bradford Enterprise Academy supports both artists in their new business ventures with advice and access to business counsellors. Here's what they have to say.

“Our vision is to enable all students to have an equal opportunity to access Enterprise Learning through a range of learning mediums thereby equipping them with the skills, knowledge and attributes to be successful both in the world of work and in their personal lives.”

Bradford Enterprise Academy will be supporting more entrepeneurial artists at our 

Handmade at Ilkley event on 28 May at Riddings Hall. 

Rachel Lucie at Haworth

Zest Necklace

Jewellery designer Rachel Lucie will be selling her desirable, vintage-inspired jewellery at Hand Made at Haworth on 

Saturday 30 April. 

Rachel uses sterling silver, semi-precious stones and freshwater pearls to hand craft earrings, necklaces and bracelets that are romantic and contemporary, yet have a unique vintage style. She is very meticulous in her work and strives to ensure that every piece, from a bespoke bridal bracelet to a pair of casual earrings, is something beautifully made that you will feel great wearing for years to come. Rachel's designs are simple, clean and distinctive with many being

 one-of-a-kind.

Briar Rose Earrings

Hand Made at Haworth will be at The Old School Rooms, Main Street, Haworth on 30 April from 10am to 4pm

Our "Hand Made" Designer

We are delighted with the publicity material created for us by designer Sally Boyle. From sock monkeys to teapots, paper cuts to heather, Sally's work has a distinctive style.  Her designs epitomise our hand made fairs and markets.  
We are in love with her peacocks, fairytale characters and her latest designs "Spring Wren" and "Summer Fox". 

You can find out more about Sally's design work on her blog Sallywag and buy her prints and greeting cards on Folksy and Etsy. 

Hand Made at Haworth

You are all invited. 

Artwork by Graphic Designer Sally Boyle. See more of her work here SALLY BOYLE

Jewellery Showcase

We have a fantastic range of jewellers who show at our arts markets and handmade events - ranging from the sophisticated to the quirky, the shiny to the subtle.  Jewellery makes such a lovely gift to receive and buying it from an artisan gives it added meaning - that you chose it yourself, that it wasn't made in China and that the designer put their individual style to that piece.
As Mae West is reputed to have said "I have always felt a gift diamond shines so much better than one you buy for yourself."

Maneggi

Wychbury

Ruby Spirit Designs

Daisy Florence Design

Petits Bijoux

Lilac Moon Designs

You won't see all our jewellers at one event but, if you have a favourite, please email Jo.artsbiz@gmail.com to check if they will be there. 

What's New at the Arts Markets?

We are now taking bookings for our Arts Markets at Ilkley and Handmade at Haworth events in 2011.  Every one of our traders is selling quality handmade, from textiles to ceramics. 
As well as our regulars, we will be showcasing new traders. Here are two of our latest and we are excited to see their wares for the first time. 

Sid Barlow of House Glass makes windchimes and mobiles, mostly using recycled materials. He also makes fantastic stained glass windows so check out his website! 

 

Come and see Sid at our Ilkley Arts Market on 22 October

Milliesuds Handcrafted Soaps doesn't just sell soap and their repertoire also includes lip balm, bath melts, shaving oil and bath sherbet. You can almost smell the products here - just don't eat them!

Come and take a sniff at Milliesuds at our Handmade at Haworth event on 30 April