The Handmade Fair - Kirstie Allsop

Hello there my lovelies, happy Fri-yay to you all. 

This time last week I had travelled to Ragley Hall in Warwickshire with my lovely friend Andrea to visit The Handmade Fair which is run by Kirstie Allsop (Location, location, location). To be honest the weather wasn't much better than it was today, grey and raining....however that didn't bother us one bit. We were far too excited to see if we could spot Kirstie and we were looking forward to the two workshops we were booked into doing.

Its quite a long time since I visited any kind of craft fair/show and I was particularly looking forward to a bit of girlie time. It was definitely what I needed to give me a boost!!! I mentioned last week that its been a bit stressful for me lately so it was nice to forget about everything and emerge myself in the craft world. We attended Dot daisy painting and Modern Calligraphy workshops and they were great fun, I even bought one of the painting kits so that I could carry on learning at home. The selection of exhibitors in the shopping village tent was fantastic, what I would call 'real handmade' stands. I managed to just about stay in my allowance and bought 2 brooches, a pin cushion, painting kit and I even brought Mr.B a gourmet brownie home. I had the most delicious paella and finished off my day with a portion of churros.....yum!!!

Oh yes and we even bumped into Kirstie!!!!!!!

The only thing that could have made the day better was if the sun was shining......other than that brilliant. Can wait to go again next year :D

.......Emma xxx

Here we go again

Its only been 1 week since the end of BCTF 2011 and already I feel like my feet haven't touched the ground. And its looking very likely that they're not going to anytime soon either. In the middle of getting orders ready and contacting possible new customers I am trying to compose myself for longer than 5 minutes to prepare for this..... Handmade in Britain 2011 at the very gorgeous Bath Assembly Rooms. It is a trade and public fair, which I have never attempted before. Talking to buyers, selling and networking at the same time....easy (I hope) ;) I am so excited its ridiculous, especially since I received my Exhibitors manual and floor plan today. Look at where my stand will be situated (little red box)..... ....right next to one of the very beautiful fireplaces, how apt :D If you would like to come down and have a look/shop/natter here are the details:

Bagladee

Stand : HIB 49

Handmade in Britain 2011

Assembly Rooms, Bennett St, Bath. Avon BA1 2QH

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17th-19th June (Private view evening 16th June)

Tickets are £3 and that's including a catalogue (BARGAIN!!)

I still cant believe how bagladee is blossoming and how far we have come since last year, its amazing. Doing something that I truly love for a living, I never thought that would happen. I hope that I have made the right decisions for this year and I am writing something towards the end of the year along the same lines.

I LOVE BAGS!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

I ache all over :(

Had you wondered where I'd disappeared to (as if you'd noticed!)? This weekend I set up a stall at the Rufford Country Park Christmas Gift Fair and boy was it cold.

The stalls were set outside and they didn't provide much protection from the cold and blustery wind. I have to admit I was a little unprepared for it all. In my mind I was thinking that they would be those wooden covered stalls, but they were more like the run of the mill market stalls.

I was up with the birds on Saturday morning to travel to the venue, Chris came with me to help set up. It was bitterly cold but when there were some lulls of no customers I got to know some of the other crafters they were all so lovely (with the exception of one that drove us all bonkers!!) I met a lovely lady called Joy and her husband who made some of the most loveliest things and some very friendly girls who were on the stand behind me their embroidery work was beautiful.

Towards the end of the day I got drenched as it poured down....luckily my stock was kept bone dry shame I couldn't say the same for myself. By the time I got everything packed up at the end of the first day I was was soaking, I looked like I had just stepped out of the shower. It was back home for a hot bath and some food.

After frantically sewing some more cosmetic pouches together (as I had totally sold out) it was off to bed for some well deserved rest. Up early again this morning to hear a torrential down pour.....thankfully by the time I arrived to set up the rain had stopped and by mid morning the sun was braking through the trees. At one point it did start to snow but that lasted all of 10 minutes. Today I was better prepared, Chris bought tarpaulin from B&Q last night to cover the back of my stall so that me and my stock were safe from the wind.

All in all it was a successful weekend, first day I made enough to cover the costs so today was a bonus. And bagladee did quite well. I didn't get to take a photo of my stall but I have taken some photo's of the new stuff I made for the fair which I plan showing you tomorrow. I will have to get some listing done as my website is looking pretty bare.

OK off for a hot bath and a cup of Ovaltine :D Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh just what I need after a long cold weekend of selling.

Rush, rush, rush!!

Time is running out and fast. The craft fair is on Saturday and there is soooo much to do :(

on the list:

Aprons to sew
Brooches to finish
Purses to sew
Cosmetic pouches to make from scratch (me thinks this will not happen)

On top of that I have:

The final edit on my book to check over
Christmas shopping to do (I haven't even thought about it let alone start)
A bomb site of a house to clean and tidy so that we might be able to get a tree up
'Mount Everest' of a washing and ironing pile to get through

Oh yeah and go to work full time during the day......I'm sure there's a word for people like me, Oh yeah I know what it is.....CRAZY!

Even with all that going on I'm getting right into the Christmas spirit and feeling jolly already....orders have been coming in and I LOVE wrapping!! Edinburgh was great, we all had a fab time, went out for some lovely meals, drank plenty, walked miles, went to the Christmas German Market and drank 'Fire Punch', Yum! Did some shopping, and laughed lots. Although it was absolutely freezing, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, especially the birthday girl. Thanks Kelly :D

Right must dash, have to get to work.....then home for lots of sewing. Anyone else feeling the strain of crafting before Christmas.....I feel for you!! Hugs