UK Handmade

SCENE: Eco Crafts Market - Frugal Cool

2009-11-10T19:43:00.003+01:00

Frugal Cool is community of designers and makers in Musselburgh that create one off, ethically produced pieces that are re-used, green, vintage or fairtrade. This weekend they are holding a christmas eco crafts market at the Loretta Gallery in Musselburgh which will feature a wide range of sustainable crafts from local designers.

Find out more on their website.

Christmas Eco Crafts Market at Loretto Gallery, Musselburgh

Friday 13 and Saturday 14 November 2009
10am to 4pm

Sunday 15 November 2009
12 noon to 4pm

FREE ENTRY

MEET: Jo Askey

2009-11-08T07:36:00.005+01:00

UK Handmade owes it's clean, modern look to the talents of our designer, Jo Askey.

Please tell us who you are and what you do.

My name is Jo askey and I am 'askey illustration'. I am an illustrator - I create artwork, illustrations and greetings cards. I am also a graphic designer specializing in branding and corporate identity.

How long have you been creating for?

It all started when I returned to study after having my second child, four years ago. My business seems to have progressed naturally and I have been kept fairly busy ever since.

Describe your work setting.

My work setting is minimal to say the least - I have a corner of our dining room with a mac and a graphics tablet - I also often take over the dining table with my paper, prints, sketchbooks and packaging materials.

What inspires you and keeps you motivated?

I am often inspired by my two kids, and their many items of 'kid paraphernalia’. It’s the details that inspire me, little buttons, children's shoes, mittens, and retro toys. I am also inspired by architecture and typography so sometimes just combine everything.

How do you keep a balance between work and home life?

I maintain a balance by working when my kids are at school, and not working when they're at home - If I tried to do it any differently I would go insane.

What is the most rewarding aspect of what you do? And the most frustrating?

The most rewarding aspect is the flexibility to be able to work the way I do, and to have the best of both worlds. The most frustrating aspect is never really being able to predict how much money I'll make next month - but I guess all freelance people have that frustration!

What are your long term goals?

My long term goals are to maybe find an agent - and to keep working!

Is 'handmade' a lifestyle choice for you and if so why?

For me, 'handmade' is a lifestyle choice. Handmade items that I look for are created with care and imagination. They are an environmentally kind haven in an increasingly mass produced world. As the mother of two kids I can't escape the mountain of plastic toys that we have accumulated over the years of birthdays and Christmases, but I can try to balance it out by buying only handmade natural products where ever possible.

If you had time to learn a new skill what would it be?

I am always trying to learn new skills - I have asked for a Ukulele for my birthday in a few weeks, even though I have never played one in my life. I hope my neighbours own earplugs....

Find more of Jo's work at http://uk.moo.com/en/designs/designers/askeyillustration
http://askeyillustration.co.uk/

FINDS: Wishlist

2009-11-02T21:29:00.008+01:00

Here are a few of my favs from the UK Handmade Magazine flickr group...

Carybdis Pin
Snapdragon Beads

Anodised leaf earrings
Corrina Smith

Cashmere Scarf
AmandaSainsbury

Crochet Handbag
Hooked Yarn

Leaves in Khadi
Illusio Creative

Lapin de Lune
Loulou and Oscar

Handmade Tote
The Beauty is in the Detail

MEET: Anna Hull of Half an Acre

2009-10-28T14:41:00.003+01:00

This week it's the turn of Anna Hull of Half an Acre. Anna is the lady behind many of the Finds posts on UK Handmade as well as being author of some of our fabulous articles in the magazine.

Please tell us who you are and what you do.

I am Anna and I design and paint wooden decorative inconsequentials. I also make Sock Bunnies – by the hundred!

How long have you been creating for?

I started the designing and painting about 4 years ago now, and the sock bunnies this time last year. They are threatening to swap me now!

When did you first realise you could turn your craft into a business?

When people started saying how lovely they were. I really started out to be a business – be it a small one. The sock bunnies are a different thing altogether as I never set out to even sell them! I made one for my eldest son and it escalated from there until I was almost forced to open a new shop for them!

Describe your work setting.

It is meant to be ‘the study’ as stated on the house particulars! Now it it ‘My Room’. When the kids call me my answer is nearly always “I’m in my room”. It is totally my space, with all kinds of bits taped to the walls, quirky things on the windowsill and shelves of paints. Oh, and its a horrible mess.

What inspires you and keeps you motivated?

Self-belief. I know that inside of me there is something successful waiting to get out. The only time I have lost motivation was in the beginning when I had no past experience to draw on. Selling nothing at expensive craft fairs was sole destroying and it was only people’s compliments and my own bloody-mindedness that kept me going. I also don’t think that I could stop what I am doing. What would I do with my time!

How do you keep a balance between work and home life?

I’m not sure that I do! My workroom is the door next to the kitchen and when the kids are home from school I’m still to be found in there, darting in an out between shoving food in the oven. I’ll pop water on to boil then zoom in and put another coat of paint on something. My three boys are all in school so I do have all that time to myself. I work every evening too – with my laptop on my knees. The first thing I do every morning is switch it on.

What is the most rewarding aspect of what you do?

Definitely when someone ‘finds’ me from the internet, especially if they want to feature me in a magazine or enquire about wholesale, then I know that I have been doing a good job of promoting myself. I put in a tremendous amount of time promoting myself so it is very, very satisfying when I can see that it is working.

And the most frustrating?I have had quite a few wholesale enquiries and I find it very frustrating that my prices are always found to be a bit too high for the retailer. It is also especially galling when I see, for instance, sanded wooden fish at the local garden centre, hanging in their gifty section, imported from India and priced at £2.99 a bunch. I don’t want to compete but I know that it makes people not buy my sanded fish because they are at least quadruple the price.

What are your long term goals? I have a little list! Be featured in a magazine you can buy in WH Smiths (done this one!). My fish feature in Coast Magazine Me to be featured in Country Living as a small handmade business To sell enough things over the year that I can truly say that it is a proper, earning business, instead of a bit of a worrying going concern!

What advice would you give someone trying to start their own creative business?Whatever you do, do not underestimate how much time you will need to spend promoting yourself and how creative you will need to be thinking up ways to do it!

Is 'handmade' a lifestyle choice for you and if so why?

No, it is not a choice for me it just ‘is’. I’ve always wanted something unique, something to visually excite me, something different. You simply can’t find that ‘on the high street’ and I will choose handmade or mass-produced a hundred times over, regardless of price.

If you had time to learn a new skill what would it be?

Definitely Letter Press printing. I love how that looks and I think some of my fish designs would translate really well into hand-printed cards.don't forget pics and links:D She wants it all!!

You can see more of Anna's work on her websites www.halfanacre.co.uk and http://www.folksy.com/shops/TheWarren

FINDS: A Cuteable Halloween

2009-10-27T12:58:00.004+01:00

Lynsey from Cuteable has written our Finds post this week; who says halloween has to be scary!

I like cute so here are cute Halloween things from UK crafters!

How adorable are these pumpkin cats from Quernus Crafts? Perfectly adorable I say!

I know that Dracula shouldn’t be cute but Count Dracu-bear is kind of cute isn’t he? Get him and other one of a kind bears from Clarebears.

These cards from Tiny Island are so cute and would make great Halloween or party invitations. And they have googly eyes too which gives them extra points on the cute scale!

Another cute pumpkin but this one is an amigurumi one from the aptly named Cute Designs.

Nifty Knits and her meerkats are fabulous and I couldn’t resist showing off this cute witch meerkat with fully removable costume – just so she doesn’t look silly wearing the same thing after Halloween!

You can find more gorgeous handmade cuteness over at www.cuteable.com and if you would like to be a guest author for ukhandmade don't hesitate to get in touch - info@ukhandmade.co.uk

LIFESTYLE: the joyful warmth of pumpkins

2009-10-25T21:39:00.000+01:00

For this recipe, I let Borough Market guide me by walking around and seeing what leapt out from the myriad of beautiful stall, piled high with seasonal bounty. Firstly, I spotted a basket full of Turk's Turban squash, an unusual edible beast, and rainbow carrots, a yellow type, full of flavour and point-scoring unusual-ness. From a different stall, I bought the small pumpkin, or is it a squash? Pumpkin soup it is then!
This soup is based on a recipe from the marvellous New Covent Garden Soup Company's Book of Soups, which I heartily recommend. I love the fact that it is ringbound - such a practical idea for a book you need to refer to constantly whilst cooking. They used pumpkin but go with any edible squash that garners your favour.
You will need a massive pan as this yields about 3.5 litres of soothing soup and a lot of patience when peeling the squash - I found listening to Huey Morgan kept me going (on so many levels...)

Pumping Smashkins Soup.

25g unsalted butter
1 onion, chopped
2 sticks celery
200-300g potato, chopped
900-1.5kg pumpkin / squash, chopped
300g carrots, chopped
1.2 litres (2 pints) vegetable stock (I used Bouillon powder)
150ml (1/4 pint) milk (semi worked well)
freshly grated nutmeg
pepper

Melt the butter in a large pan, add the onion and celery and cook gently over a medium heat until soft.
Add the potato, pumpkin, carrots and stock and bring to the boil.
Turn down the heat, cover and simmer for about half an hour, or until the veg are soft.
Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
Puree in a liquidiser and return to the pan.
Stir in the milk and season with nutmeg and pepper to taste. I personally don't think it needs salt, but that's up to you.
Warm through and serve with warm crusty bread.

Smashing!

FOCUS: The Power of Networking - Johanna Basford

2009-10-22T12:45:00.004+02:00

I guess many of us have set up accounts with most of the network sites expecting increased sales and a little bit of fame overnight but then realise how much work it really is and wonder is it really worth it?

One thing I've always been guilty of over the years is spreading myself too thin. I'm slowly realising that less is most definately more. It's all very well signing up to every website on the planet but if you don't have the time to produce the work you intend to promote its a big waste of time and energy. Concentrate on your work first, decide who your market is and send press releases and samples to places who suit your style. And more importantly take the time to do something a little bit different to stand out from the crowd.

Johanna Basford is a perfect example of this. I first saw Johanna's work on the Creative Review Blog where she had sent them a reworked copy of their magazine with a CD of her work inside, which they thought cheeky enough to blog about. As a consequence they were happy to promote her next project on twitter which involved asking people to give her suggestions of things to draw, the resulting artwork would then be for sale in the form of limited edition screenprints.

Johanna is an award winning illustrator that hasn't succumbed to the vices of vector art and produces her beautifully intricate line drawings by hand, which makes the twitterpicture project even more remarkable as she faithfully drew every single request (including my own little dandelion clock!).

A whopping 238 Tweets, 48 Hours and 14 Fineliners later produced this:

You can read the full story and purchase one of the screenprints from Johanna's blog.

http://www.johannabasford.com/
http://www.johannabasford.com/blog
http://twitter.com/johannabasford

MEET: Sakura Jewellery

2009-10-21T12:12:00.007+02:00

Over the next few weeks I will be introducing you to the people behind UK Handmade, without whom none of this would have been possible! First is my right hand man (lady) Anna, deputy editor of the magazine who keeps us all wonderfully organised.

Please tell us who you are and what you do.

My name is Anna Stassen and I am a self-taught jewellery designer/maker. I live in Surrey with my Dutch husband and 2 Siamese cats.

How long have you been creating for?

I started making jewellery as a way to relieve stress about 5 years ago when I still worked in the city as a lawyer. A good friend of mine bought me a jewellery making kit one Christmas which got me hooked. This gradually evolved from a hobby into what is now my full time job.

When did you first realise you could turn your craft into a business?

It was a lucky coincidence that I became friends with a very talented Australian lady who used to sell her beautiful Japanese yuzen paper and mother of pearl jewellery on Etsy. I had made her some jewellery as a thank you for something she had given me and she encouraged me to open my own shop. I took the plunge back in 2007. I think my business and law background may have made the idea of starting up my own business a little less daunting than it might have otherwise been and I have never looked back.

Describe your work setting.

I have a dedicated studio room in my house and a small workshop outside where I have all my jewellery tools and materials. Having this space is a relatively new luxury as we have recently moved house and I find it gives me a wonderful, peaceful environment in which to create my designs. Our new house is also surrounded by beautiful woodland so I have plenty of nature to inspire me.

What inspires you and keeps you motivated?

As well as my immediate surroundings, I am inspired by many of my artist/designer friends who have grown to be part of my daily support network both on and offline. I find that being surrounded by creative people keeps me inspired and motivated. If I have a creative slump I can count on one of my creative buddies to kick start my creativity again. Being half-Japanese, I am also inevitably influenced by my Japanese heritage and have a particular passion for “Sakura” cherry blossoms which you can spot in some of my designs.

What is the most rewarding aspect of what you do?

Sending something that I have created with my own two hands off into the world and to a new home is the best feeling. There is such a sense of satisfaction in the art of creating. I suppose the cherry on top is when customers give me great feedback and tell me they love their new pieces or when someone commissions me to make a piece for a special day like their wedding.

And the most frustrating?

Creative slumps, postal strikes and life getting in the way lol.

What are your long term goals?

Just to keep going steadily and continue to enjoy what I do and expand my skill range. Thus far, I have incorporated wire-wrapped semi-precious gemstones and ceramics into my designs but I am always looking for new things to try. I recently took a short course in Precious Metal Clay at my local adult education centre which was a wonderful experience. I hope to continue my foray into PMC and integrate it into my future designs.

What advice would you give someone trying to start their own creative business?

Research your market, setup costs, suppliers, tax regulations etc. There is nothing worse than getting these fundamentals wrong and having to back track to sort issues out after you’re up and running. Other than that do something that you love and success will follow.

Is 'handmade' a lifestyle choice for you and if so why?

In an ideal world the “good life” would be our goal. Where possible we try to reuse, recycle, buy handmade and live an eco-friendly lifestyle so yes I’d say it is a lifestyle choice. I find that handmade items always feel that little bit more special and I love to have bespoke items made especially for me. Perhaps I am a bit of a handmade snob…I like knowing that something that I have is one-of-a-kind made specifically for me.

If you had time to learn a new skill what would it be?

There are so many things I’d love to try….lamp work, furniture restoration, glass blowing to name but a few.

See more of Anna's work on her website www.sakurajewellery.com/

Autumn Giveaway!

2009-10-20T12:46:00.007+02:00

With Halloween coming up most of us will be carving pumpkins so we thought we would have a little giveaway. All you have to do is post photos of your pumpkins to your blog and leave the link in the comments to this post and we run a poll to choose the winner!

There are 2 categories, one for the scariest and one for the most decorative pumpkins so let your imaginations run wild!

The prizes have been very kindly donated by members of the UK Handmade Team and are as follows...

1. The winner of the scariest pumpkin category will receive:

3 bookmarks, a sketchbook and a necklace from http://www.chalkhillstudio.co.uk/, a monster babygrow from http://www.giggleicious.com/, 2 sweetie greeting cards from artyallsorts, 3 stunning prints from http://www.illusiocreative.co.uk/ and 2 plush from http://www.pouchbags.co.uk/.

2. The winner of the decorative pumpkin category will receive:

A calendar and 3 book marks from http://www.chalkhillstudio.co.uk/, 4 pretty greeting cards and felted heart decoration from http://www.giggleicious.com/, a stunning flower necklace from http://www.gillyflowerjewellery.co.uk/, 3 large prints from http://www.illusiocreative.co.uk/ and a wooden chicken from http://www.halfanacre.co.uk/!

Deadline 6th November 2009

Terms and Conditions

1. Competitions and prize draws are available to UK residents only, aged 18 and over.
2. Prizes are non-transferable, non negotiable and no cash alternatives will be offered.
3. UK Handmade reserve the right to substitute a prize for one of equal value.
4. All prize draws have free entry, no purchase is necessary.
5. By entering the competition the entrant agrees to be bound by the rules governing that particular promotion that will be set out in the accompanying material.
6. Any personal information collected by such promotions will not be passed on to any third party as set out in our Privacy Statement. Promotions are usually organised through our mailing list only.
7. Winner(s) of any promotion consent to any publicity generated by the promotion being used on the UK Handmade magazine and website (including the blog)
8. Prize draws and competitions are open to all UK residents except for members and contributors of UK Handmade and their immediate families.
9. Only one entry per email address per person. Spammers will be disqualifed.
10. UK Handmade does not accept responsibility for loss of entries due to technical problems. Subscribing to the mailing list is not a guarantee of entry to any promotions or giveaways.
11. UK handmade cannot accept responsibility for prizes lost in the post.

These terms shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

FINDS: Beautiful Berry Hues

2009-10-19T11:12:00.000+02:00

I love plum and berry colours, especially in autumn; here are a few treats that have caught my eye this season.

LIFESTYLE: more autumnal appley joy

2009-10-18T16:18:00.000+02:00

This delicious recipe is based on one from possibly the finest book on muffins, 'Muffins Fast and Fantastic' by Susan Reimer and I urge you to buy it if you haven't already.
What I love about this recipe is that it uses eating rather than cooking apples, so that I could use what I had rather than buy cooking apples specially. Seduced by the delicious aroma, I increased the amount of mixed spice and also added a dash of vanilla essence: it doesn't feel like baking to me if there's no vanilla! Usually when I make muffins from this book, I use sunflower oil, which produces fantastic results, but, because it was there (I've developed a love of unsalted butter on my toast in the morning: who needs salt!) and as it felt inkeeping with creating a delicious Sunday treat, I used melted butter. The results aren't dramatically different, but the butter has made them that bit richer.

This recipe produces 12 muffins.

Spiced Apple and Walnut Muffins
225g plain flour + 3 tsps baking powder (or 225g self raising flour + 2 tsps baking powder)
1/2 tsp salt
2 teaspoons mixed spice
125g golden caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling
1 egg

150ml milk (I used semi-skimmed)
1 tsp vanilla essence
approx 170g apple ( I say 'approx' as I used one large Pink Lady apple and put to use a small abandoned Cox's)
85g unsalted butter, melted (or 90ml sunflower oil)
100g chopped walnuts (or pecans, mixed nuts or dried fruit...or all three!)

Preheat the oven to 200oC / 400oF / Gas Mark 6 and line a muffin tray.
In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt, mixed spice and sugar. I'm with Nigel Slater on the sieving front in that I have yet to see a discernible difference between a cake that has had its flour sifted and one that hasn't, but sieve if you wish.
In another bowl, beat the egg, add the milk, vanilla essence and beat together.
Finely chop the apple/s and add to the liquid. (you don't need to peel them.) May I recommend using a corer: they really do get rid of a tedious job!
Add the melted butter (or oil) to the appley liquid and mix well.
Pour the liquid into the dry ingredients and stir till just combined: the secret to fabulous muffins is NOT to overmix. Add the walnuts with the last couple of stirs.
Plop into muffin cases, sprinkle lightly with sugar and bake for about 20 mins until golden and firm yet yielding to the touch.
Technically, you should allow them to cool, but they are utterly delicious warm.

Have a snuggly Sunday.

SCENE: Great Northern Contemporary Fair

2009-10-15T15:40:00.007+02:00

The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair is back! And for its second year of showcasing the most up-and-coming and leading designer makers, the event will be held in Manchester city centre.

Just off Deansgate, Spinningfields is to host this year’s Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair. Set in an open space, surrounded by cafes and restaurants, the exhibitors will be housed in a large hard-sided pavilion.

The event provides a unique shopping experience where original contemporary craft can be purchased and commissioned directly from the UK’s leading and emerging designer-makers.

With more than 140 exhibitors showcasing the finest works of contemporary craft, including jewellery, interior textiles and fashion accessories, ceramics, glass, metal-work, furniture and more. Established makers and emerging talent have been selected by a panel of experts to ensure work is both innovative and of the highest quality.

Organiser Ann-Marie Franey said: “We want visitors to appreciate how much work goes into each unique piece and encourage them to buy items that will last decades, rather than years. As we move away from excess and mass production this event is about finding something you love and buying it directly from the person who made it.”

Organiser Angela Mann added, “This year is thoroughly exciting, and we were incredibly pleased to received Arts Council funding. We’re looking forward to growing this event, which was set up to champion designer-makers in the North and bring their work to new audiences.”

The event at Spinningfields will allow visitors to spend the day in a relaxed yet inspiring atmosphere, chat to the makers and find out the story and making process behind each unique piece.

The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair will take place on Thursday, October 22 to Sunday, October 25 and promises to be a great cultural event, offering a refreshing alternative to the ubiquitous high street. The fair provides a perfect opportunity for visitors to treat themselves, buy one-off gorgeous gifts for Christmas or invest in a distinctive piece for their home.

The preview evening will see a whole host of awards up for grabs, including Best Northern Maker, with a £500 prize, sponsored by the Co-operative Bank. The inaugural event in 2008 saw approximately 3,500 visitors spend in excess of £150,000 highlighting the demand for high quality, hand-made craft and a desire to spend one’s money in a more thoughtful way.

Having moved to the city centre, this year’s event is going to be bigger and better! Come down and check it out for yourself.

Make designs on Manchester craft event

The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair at Spinningfields

October 22-25, 2009
Spinningfields, Manchester city centre
www.greatnorthernevents.co.uk

MEET: Kat Dibbits

2009-10-14T12:49:00.004+02:00

This week Kat from Made With Love by Kat talks to us about her work and inspiration...

Please tell us who you are and what you do.

I'm Kat Dibbits and I turn unloved pieces of vintage jewellery into wearable new items. I team vintage finds that might have missing stones, broken pins or just that have been left in a box and forgotten with Swarovski crystals, freshwater pearls, semi-precious stones and ribbon so something that was initially flawed becomes beautiful again! Can you tell I'm a bit of a sentimental soul?

How long have you been creating for?

It started just before last Christmas. I was going to make my friends fudge as a present, but it turns out my culinary skills were a bit rubbish. However I had loads of vintage jewellery that I never wore so I decided to do something with that instead, and it just grew and grew.

When did you first realise you could turn your craft into a business?

I told some people at work (I'm an arts journalist by day) what I was doing and they said I should bring some items in for people to see. They bought them (I had to invent prices on the spot) and it occurred to me that this could turn out to be quite lucrative. Then I discovered Folksy, set up a shop there (www.folksy.com/shops/madewithlove) and I haven't looked back since.

Describe your work setting.

I work in the front room of my house, it's a little cottage-style terrace based on the outskirts of Horwich in Bolton, right near lots of lovely countryside. I have boards all around me where I've pinned up images I like, and I tend to spread myself out - it's very disorganised.

What inspires you and keeps you motivated?

At the moment I'm looking at lots of pictures of ballet dancers because I love the colours and textures of their costumes. I have old film promo pictures of actresses like Vivian Leigh and Ingrid Bergman too - I love that glamour of Hollywood in the 1940s.

How do you keep a balance between work and home life?

I don't! I spend my days working at the newspaper, then I go and ride my horse (we do dressage, so I have to keep her in tip top form, plus it helps me chill out), then I'll go and make some jewellery, work on my website (www.madewithlovebykat.com) or try and do some marketing. Sometimes I'm up until midnight. It's lucky that my boyfriend is very understanding...

What is the most rewarding aspect of what you do?

Taking something that looked like it was past it and turning it into a really beautiful piece. Like my "Rose Cascade" necklace, which was very sorry for itself but now is one of my favourite pieces... although it took ages to thread all the crystals and pearls down the side.

And the most frustrating?

Having something which I know will make something great but not quite being able to grasp what it's going to be. I spend a lot of time picking stuff up then putting it down and sighing.

What are your long term goals?

I have a vision of a shop that sells my jewellery but is also an art gallery and an old fashioned tea room where cakes come on stands (I had afternoon tea at the Ritz once when I was little and it's stuck with me). I don't know if it will ever be more than a dream, but it's definitely something to work towards.

What advice would you give someone trying to start their own creative business?

Look at the forums on Folksy and Etsy - you can pick up some brilliant advice about product photography, marketing etc. And just be brave - value your work. Don't underprice it thinking it will sell better because you're doing yourself a disservice and it won't necessarily attract more customers.

Is 'handmade' a lifestyle choice for you and if so why?

I try for it to be, simply because I prefer things that you won't see everywhere. I try and buy all my presents from Folksy sellers or from handmade fairs, and whereas in the past I would just go to a shop and buy a cushion or some napkins or whatever, now I'll have a go at trying to make them myself first... although not always very successfully. My cooking skills have improved though, and I avoid ready meals wherever possible. And I would never, ever, ever set foot inside a fast food restaurant. The smell makes me feel a bit ill.

12. If you had time to learn a new skill what would it be?

I'd like to be able to make my own clothes, but I think I have too much on the go to learn anything new, what with my job, the horse, and my jewellery business. Oh, and I'm writing a play, although it's not coming along very quickly.

You can see Kat's beautiful reworked vintage jewellery on her new website - http://www.madewithlovebykat.com
Read about what inspires her www.madewithlovebykat.blogspot.com
And follow Kat on Twitter: www.twitter.com/made_with_love

MAKE: Recycled Packaging

2009-10-13T14:25:00.000+02:00

Reduce costs and do your bit for the environment by recycling old boxes to make new packaging for your goods. Claire Louise from Created and Felted shows us how on her blog.

Find more fab tutorials over on MADE IN THE UK.

Autumn Issue 2009

2009-10-13T13:42:00.001+02:00

Our Autumn Issue is available to download now from our main website. Hope you enjoy it!

We are already starting on the Winter issue which we have brought forward to be out just in time for Christmas so if you are UK based and wish to contribute in some way please email us at info@ukhandmade.co.uk.

Also if you know of any UK events/craft fairs that are happening over the christmas period please let us know, we can help spread the word here on our blog. Look forward to hearing from you!

FINDS: Gothic Halloween

2009-10-12T21:43:00.000+02:00

It's creeping up on us! Tapping on our shoulders with its long, witchy fingernails..... Halloween is lurking around the corner. So, to get things started today's finds are designed to get us all into a spooky mood....

Batwing pencil case from The Dreaded One

Gothic Skulls and Roses Charm Bracelet from Rose and Raven

Purple Pirate Skull Coin Purse from 365 Feet

Gothic Black Onyx Dagger Necklace from Beaded Boutique

and just for being totally cute ........

Dr Strangebones from The Other Mousie

Wanted!

2009-10-06T15:30:00.004+02:00

If you are an artist, designer or maker based in the UK and wish to contribute to the Christmas edition of UK Handmade please email us at info@ukhandmade.co.uk. We are looking for original tutorials, stories and events with a Christmassy theme plus we are putting together the ultimate gift guide for all things handmade. If you have something suitable then please let us know!

(Unfortunately we can't accept every submission we recieve, please read our submission guidelines here to increase your chances of being accepted.)

image courtesy of http://www.askeyillustration.co.uk/

FINDS: Red, White and Stripey!

2009-10-05T23:57:00.000+02:00

There is something about stripes. They are satisfyingly neat, undoubtably parallel, uncomplicated, stylish and timeless.

British Cream Tea

Suzanne Porter Boutique

Kirsty Elson Designs

Odd Girl Creates

Wildcat Designs

CreamBun Bakery

Paisley Chainsaw

LIFESTYLE: nutty apple flatbuns

2009-10-04T00:50:00.000+02:00

There is something about autumn that makes me crave a little spice. Currently no dish in the yumptatious household goes without either cinnamon or nutmeg, which are just the fellows to keep the effects of those chill winds at bay.
This recipe is based on an old Cranks recipe, although I've swapped wholemeal flour for less wholesome plain white, added walnuts, grated nutmeg and I've utilised my trusty food processor. I've also increased the sweetness with an apple liqueur glaze, because that's the joy of home-baking: you tweak it til it suits. The original recipe says that these buns are 'Rich, unusual...', and they are in the fact that they are like a flat cake, although they look like crisp biscuits. You could try baking them for longer for a drier, crunchier texture, but keep an eye on them. The apple keeps them moist so you may be fighting a losing battle. However, these are delicious, and, if the sheer amount I've managed to put away whilst typing this so far is anything to go by, very moreish so go carefully.

This will make approx 18 buns.

500g (approx) cooking apples
225g plain flour (or wholemeal if you have it)
1 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
1 tsp ground cinammon
a good grating of nutmeg (approx 1/2 tsp)
175g butter or marg
50g dark brown sugar
100g walnuts (or pecans, or whatever nut you favour)
1 egg, beaten

for the glaze (optional):
100g icing sugar
2 tsps (approx) apple liqueur
couple of drops vanilla essence

Preheat the oven to 190oC (375F).

Peel, core and dice the apples.
Mix the flour, baking powder and spices together and then rub in the butter so that the mixture looks like breadcrumbs.
Add the remaining ingredients and mix well.
Look at the mixture and think, 'This mixture is very uneven - there's no way these buns will work!'
Wizz the mixture in a food processor using its chopping / slicing blade to the consitency that reminds a 9 year old boy of porridge (optional).
Drop onto a prepared baking tray (line a couple with baking parchment etc) in dessert spoon-sized dollops.
Bake for 20-25 mins until golden.
Allow to cool a little before transferring them to a cake rack.
Make the glaze, if using, by mixing the icing sugar with the apple liqueur and vanilla essence. (you may prefer more liquid for a runnier glaze or add more icing sugar for a thicker one.)
Spread on each cake and finish of with a sprinkle of cinammon.

Best served with tea after a brisk autumn walk.

MEET: Julene Harrison

2009-09-30T23:25:00.003+02:00

Julene Harrison is a London-based paper-cut artist. I decided that I needed to know more about her beautiful creations and the techniques behind them.

I studied textile design at Manchester Met, specializing in weave, graduating in 2001. I worked as a textile designer for Womenswear for six years until I was made redundant last September.
I work from home, designing the paper-cut on the computer using Photoshop, in my sitting room. I have a tiny mini 'office' behind the couch. Then I normally cut them out at the kitchen table. The beauty of them is I can do them almost anywhere there is a chair and a flat surface. I can cut on the go, the garden and I am so busy I even took some on holiday. I love that the equipment needed is so minimal.

I just use a common or garden scalpel (with a plaster wrapped around it to stop me cutting myself as I hold the scalpel pretty low down for precision) and have recently started using a self-healing cutting mat. Why I never used one before is a mystery to me! It keeps the blade
sharper for much longer.

I made the first one a birthday present back in mid March, then the second two as wedding gifts. I showed them to friends online who asked me to make some for them. I then made a blog (which has now morphed into my website - www.madebyjulene.com) mainly as a place to keep all the work together. I added my email address and let people know that I was available to take on commissions. This is when it really became exciting. People started to feature my work on their blogs/online magazines/fffound/facebook/twitter etc. The amount of traffic I was getting was amazing. I haven't done any advertising myself, I really have the online design community to thank. None of this would have been possible without the internet.

I think the reason people like them is because they are fully customizable. They can say and therefore mean anything to anybody. It is this reason I have had a few advertising/magazine jobs. One for an advertising agency in Finland and another for a European paper company.

Feature opener for HOUR Detroit.

I made the backdrop for a De Beers mini website and also magazine illustrations for WIRED (UK) and HOUR Detroit (USA). These are the ones that are completed, there are one or two more in the pipeline. The Art Group have also added two pieces of my work to their poster and canvas trade catalogue.

You can see more of Julene's work on her website www.madebyjulene.com and in her Folksy shop.

PICKS: It's a dog's life....

2009-09-28T22:38:00.000+02:00

Man's best friend, the dog. Is a home complete without one?
If you don't want the walks, the hair, the 'being stared at with pleeding eyes', then perhaps one of the below is a good way to have that dog in your life without all the hard work!

Canvas Shopper from Fabric Nation

Birthday Dog card by Elli Moody

Pawline Howler from Hotdog and Me

"A Little Affection" Giclee print from Almost An Angel

Quilted 'Hot Dog' Clutch Purse from Lillidrawspictures

Toby The Dog from With Hugs and Kisses

Lambs wool Dog Cushion by Sara Carr

LIFESTYLE: a hug in a mug

2009-09-27T20:49:00.001+02:00

You could be forgiven for forgetting that we were now officially in autumn, thanks to the beautiful warm days we've been having recently, although the low lying sun, casting crisp long shadows are ever prevalent to remind us! However, if you happen to be outside just as the sun dips further down, autumn smacks you in the face with a fresh cool evening chill, accompanied by the smell of woodsmoke or whatever the scent of autumn is. And its at this particular time, you need this drink, lifted with love from the excellent 'The Happy Campers' book. They call it 'Sunset Chai', although it doesn't have any tea in it - you may wish to add some if that's your bag.

All you need are cinammon sticks, cardamon pods, nutmeg and cloves in equal amounts. (You may wish to add some ginger too for a more traditional flavour.)

It looks rather fantastic in the jar.

You can use your preferred milk: semi, whole, soya etc. I personally think it tastes delicious with sweetened soya milk.
I tend to make this in a pan but you could always use a teapot or cafetiere (add the milk and allow to steep before pouring through a tea strainer, or plunging your cafetiere.)

Pour a cupful of milk into a pan and add approx 1 dessertspoon of the mix.

Heat gently on medium heat for about 5 mins.

Pour the milk into a mug through a tea strainer and sweeten to taste: as well as sugar, you could try vanilla or maple syrup, or honey. For a little extra kick, add a drop of whisky or brandy.
Bung on appropriate knitwear and drink outside in order to properly experience 'hug in a mug' properties.

(cake and knitting optional)

REVIEW: Wemake London Autumn Fair 2009

2009-09-26T08:00:00.000+02:00

Autumn Craft Fair, Wemake London and Of Cabbages and Kings, 5-6 September 2009

Review by Fionnuala of Basil Exposition.

This was my first visit to a We Make London event, and I was extremely impressed with everything about it — the selection of exhibitors was nicely varied (and even included a couple of [gasp!] male stallholders) and they were all of a very high quality, both in terms of ideas and execution. In addition, there was no door charge and prices at individual stalls were very reasonable. Aside from the stalls, there was also a busy café area selling salads and cakes, and a few tables helmed by the ladies of Make Do Mend, who were in the midst of teaching cake decorating techniques when I went past. Definitely worth the trip from the wastes of Souf London up to Stoke Newington, all in a very pretty hall with enough space and air in which to wander peacefully.

I met first with knitter Sara Carr, whose jauntily patterned cushions and scarves appealed very much. I was surprised to learn that this was only her second craft fair — her wide range of stock suggested a longer career.

Next up was Helen Rawlinson’s table, with excellent screenprinted graphics in bright colours on lampshades, tea towels and other textiles.

While I liked Namolio’s whole range, above, I went absolutely spare over her gorgeous pincushions with a crochet/lacework design, below. I didn’t buy one, mostly because I couldn’t settle on my favourite colour, and regret not getting one, but they are available on her Etsy shop.

Kate Beckett and Hello Memo, old art school pals, shared a table displaying their mixture of cards, notebooks, badges and the like.

I was really drawn to Atherton Lin’s selection of stationery and the general style of their illustrations, as well as the quality with which their range had been produced. However, I only put my hand in my pocket when I saw the March page of their calendar, the rain-themed drawing below left, and realised that it included a suggested playlist; on seeing the names Scott Walker and Richard Hawley, my £10 was theirs already. On closer inspection, they also included “Rip It Up” by Orange Juice! Clearly, these are young men who deserve to go places.

For me, the hit of the show was the table of Claire Scully, of The Quiet Revolution, and her sister, whose name I didn’t catch, who runs London Clay Birds. I just loved their styles of illustration with incredible amounts of detail, which featured on cards, tea towels, totes and other unusual textiles (an elbow cushion, anyone?).

After much hemming and hawing as to what I would take home with me, I plumped for this octopus cushion, which was only £20, as a present for the BF.

For more photos, visit my Flickr set.

Thanks to Fionnuala for letting us repost this review, originally published here.

Business: Viral Marketing

2009-09-24T15:25:00.000+02:00

Viruses are big in the news at the moment and spreading his own online version is Widget Sockbunny – a fuzzy bunny-shaped infection travelling with growing speed around the world.

You will have heard the term ‘Viral Marketing’, it sounds technical but really the concept is a simple one. Viruses spread rapidly from one person to the next, the more people who ‘catch it’, the more people it will spread to. To sell online you need to put out little feelers wherever you can, forever spreading, trying to ‘infect’ as many people as possible, trying to be remembered and talked about, or, if you prefer, catching a vibe of something being passed around.
The easiest way to illustrate it is to tell you how I sell my sock bunnies online – using a bunny named Widget.
Widget did not exist until I discovered a 365 project on Flickr.com. One object, one picture a day for one whole year. I was already selling the sock bunnies online and building up recognition in the craft forums such as Folksy, so I grabbed this marketing opportunity and chose a bunny. I named him Widget and began to take pictures. When I post the days’ images in the photo pool people see them. If they like what they see they can see all my other pictures too.
In my profile are links to everything I do including diary blog for these Widget photos – Widget’s Year - and another blog for the other bunnies living at The Warren. I created an environmental concept for them, a warren, nestling in a sunny corner of my original company Half an Acre. Luckily it all seemed to fit! People liked reading about this little world and kept coming back to ‘check in’ on what was going on.
Global Bunny travels around the world with her little suitcase sending back news and images, Geocache Bunny comes out on walks with me and my family (geocaching.com). All these pictures are posted into the appropriate Flickr group pools for more and more people to see. Widget even collects ‘sea glass’ so I can add pictures of him with his collection to the Sea glass Lovers group pool! All this is blogged about too.
When blogging it vital to post as often as you can, at least 3 times a week, to generate a ‘happening’ feel.

When anyone buys a bunny they receive a printed card inviting them to send in stories and pictures to this blog. This makes the blog interesting and tempts the readers to want have their own bunny.
Flickr is vital. I get on average around 120 views of my photostream each day. Being ‘seen’ is essential. I looked for all the groups dealing with socks, bunnies, sewing, rainbows (for Rainbow Bun!), anything vaguely applicable, and joined them. Spreading pictures of Widget and his friends anywhere and everywhere. It is vital not to spam. It has to be relevant or you will annoy the very people you want to draw to your shop.

I gave Widget his own Facebook profile and, ignoring the fact that you need to be a ‘real’ person to register! I then set about ‘friending’ people. I already knew a load from promoting Half an Acre and I sent friend invitations to ‘friends of friends’. I found out that people give pets their own pages and that meant bunnies! I also sent requests to any other ‘sock toys’ out there. To date Widget has just over 300 friends – generated in around 5 months. Every time I post it shows up in the news feeds of all those 300. I made a ‘Send-a-Bunny’ application using pictures of Widget and his pals and send them out to all my new ‘friends’. The whole of Facebook can use that application and therefore see from where it originates.

Widget has joined Postcrossing.com. He has his own postcards, with a cute picture on the front and subtle blog link on the back. I had my first sale as a result the other week.
Next on the list is The Toy Society where I’ll be leaving bunnies in bags around the place with a big label saying ‘Take me home’. Reaching more people and drawing them in to the whole concept. Everything leads back to one central point - my shop on Folksy.

Give people inspiration, a new idea, something to talk about, smile about and eventually news will spread, the virus feeding itself as it travels. It takes lots of time and dedication but it does work. The bunnies are spreading like ….. bunnies!

LIFESTYLE: Delicious Un-cakey Nibble

2009-09-20T00:01:00.003+02:00

It is important that, once in a while, us crafters take a (small) break from cakes as our snack of choice and opt for something that has Actual Real Health Benefits. No, please don't leave just yet: read me out. I know some of you may argue (or perhaps just me) that cake making is a form of calming meditation that helps to ease the creative chatter in your brain and allow those fresh ideas to come pouring in, or that the magical symbiosis of sugar, butter and egg has mystical powers, first discovered by our pagan ancestors, that actually stimulate the rapid growth of creative cells, whilst keeping demons and scurvy at bay. But if the revitalising nutrition of which I am about to impart is anathema to you, think of it like this: you will appreciate cake more when at last you have some or, alternatively, you could sprinkle it on a maple or vanilla frosting on the cupcake of your choice.

This is so simple, I'm almost embarrassed to tell you.

The measures are guessed as I just pour it in the pan, all nonchalant-like, till it looks right. Use the nuts and seeds you favour: these are the ones I particularly like.

approx 1 tablespoon each of:
hemp seeds
pumpkin seeds
sesame seeds
sunflower seeds
dessicated coconut
pecans / walnuts (or mix)

approx 5 splashes tabasco sauce
approx 4 ring spiral of balsamic glaze
pinch or so of salt (to taste)
a few cracks of pepper
*for a sweet, woody tang, add a few reticent (it's expensive stuff!) splashes of maple syrup*

Place all the seeds and nuts in a dry non-stick frying pan and heat through on a medium heat.

When you hear them start to sizzle, stir them gently so that they don't burn on one side.

When you hear a hemp seed crack or pop, add the tabasco, balsamic shenanigans, salt, pepper and a surreptitious glug of maple syrup, if using.

Stir over the medium heat until all those seeds are wearing those flavours like a rather fabulous frockcoat.

Allow to cool.

Devour.

Happy Sunday!