Nottingham Craft Mafia

Handmade Nation film tickets are selling fast!

Hannah — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:26:18 +0000

Handmade Nation is a film that comes highly recommended for everyone who’s interested in seeing what is possible for the UK’s growing creative arts and alt-craft scene!

There are still tickets available for both the 10am and 12pm screenings but there’s been a gathering pace in the last week… so get them while you still can!

The market is totally free of charge and you can also peruse some finely made products and supplies from a wide range of local Nottingham creatives upstairs in the Mezz Bar and learn some nifty skills too.

Don’t forget the after-party at The Art Org hosted with I’m Not From London – http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=325163017095

See you on the 20th!

Han x

February Workspace feature – Liz Crowcroft

Helen — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:10:28 +0000

This month we are having a peak at Textile designer Liz Crowcoft’s beautiful garden studio:

My workspace is at the bottom of my garden. It is a large summerhouse that has been insulated and turned into a year round studio. It’s quite a large space, however its filled with fabrics, beads, buttons,thread, frames etc etc. I have designs and inspiration up on all of the walls practically covering every space. They can range from 18th century inspired floral designs I did while designing in London to the current childlike designs that I do now. My sewing machine sits on my desk which is also covered in beads, buttons etc, I find it very hard to be a tidy worker and find that whenever I tidy it up it quickly becomes messy again!

My favourite things about my workspace are

1) its quiet and peaceful,
2) Its inspirational, before I had the studio I had to clear everything away every day I found it very hard to get back into working when I next had to work, with my studio I just step into it and can start being creative.
3) It’s cosy!
4) The hours pass by in what seems like minutes
5) I have fairy lights in it and it looks pretty!
6) I can escape my boys!
7) I always work listening to music so it is filled with my CD collection.

If I could change anything about it, it would be tidier, my fabrics would all be stored in cupboards in colour coordinated drawers!

You can see more of Liz’s work at www.notonthehighstreet.com/lizcrowcroftdesign. Thanks Liz.

Premier Vision and Indigo, Paris 12th Feb 2010

Jo — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:19:51 +0000

We visited Premier Vision a show of fabric swatches being sold to buyers from the different fashion houses to use in their S/S 2011 collections. It was so big and overwhelming, there were lots of different sections; dividing up the different materials and also putting them into sections of how they would be used.

The part I enjoyed most was Indigo, the area with ‘textile design and creation.’ In this part there were lots of digital prints and floral was a very popular theme running through the show. The University stalls were probably the most interesting as they were not as commercial as some of the other stalls and mixed disciplines more than others.

The Mod Amount area was full of stalls with buttons, trimmings and zips, all created for the S/S 2011 garments.

As students we were often told to not touch the samples as we wouldn’t be buying them and we were not allowed to look at some if the button books for some reason! The companies generally don’t like the Friday as it is the student day and they wont make as much money as they would on the other days, and we could sense this.

Colette, Paris Feb 2010

Jo — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:45:56 +0000

Erdems S/S 2010 Collection

While in Paris we visited Colette a shop which people often go to be seen in. It is like a mini department store, with books and gadgets, cds, phones, shoes, a perfume section and Erdems S/S 10 collection. It also has a restaurant and a gallery upstairs! It wasn’t a very big space but it was laid out well. The down ground floor felt a bit like Urban Outfitters in London.

The slightly rude staff also went round cleaning up with disinfectant spray, spraying air freshner and straighting things up people had moved them.Photographs weren’t allowed that’s why they are all a bit rubbish, security guards jumped in front of my camera on two occasions!

Erdems Spring Summer 2010 Collection was lovely to see up close, the fabrics were printed with a bright large floral pattern.

Handmade Nation -20th March at The Broadway Cinema.

Helen — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:13:26 +0000

Nottingham Craft Mafia is proud to present Handmade Nation Nottingham on the 20th March at the Broadway Cinema.

We will be screening the acclaimed craft documentary ‘Handmade Nation’ by Faythe Levine. This is only the third time that the film has been screened in public in the UK

As well as seeing such renowned documentary dedicated to the revival of art, craft and design you will be able to find an amazing selection of locally handmade unique gifts, prints, cards, textiles, jewellery and accessories at our craft fair upstairs in the Broadway Cinema Mezzanine Bar.

There will be plenty to see and do at Broadway so come and say hello to the makers at the fair upstairs and take a peek at the crafty activities taking place throughout the day. These shall be hosted by a wealth of crafty Nottingham folk who make the goodies on sale and are all part of the magnificent art scene right here in the city.

We will also have badge-making sessions, colouring competitions and an amazing raffle with a top prize of a hamper full to the brim with inspiration: including lovely fabrics; beads; vintage buttons and craft books galore!

To buy tickets for the screenings, please visit www.nottinghamcraftmafia.com and follow the link provided. Tickets are priced at £4.50. There are only 100 tickets available (50 per screening) so be quick and snap them up while you can.

Super Fast Speedy Sugar Fix

JoJo — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 19:22:31 +0000

A little Valentines treat from me to you! This recipe will have your sugar cravings calmed within moments. There are no measurements as it’s a ‘make as much as you like’ kind of recipe… just take it easy so you’re not bouncing off the walls for the rest of the night but more importantly… ENJOY!

Nut Crunch Recipe from the 'Merchandising Recipe Book'

The Apples and Pears Market is back!

Hannah — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 18:09:10 +0000

The girls from Curiosity Haus are back with a new market just in time for Valentine’s Day!

More details below:

APPLES AND PEARS AND CRAFTY WARES Arts Market
at Hopkinson Gallery
The Art Organisation, 21 Station Street, Nottingham. NG1 3AJ.

SATURDAY 13th FEBRUARY
12pm-5pm

Apples and Pears and Crafty Wares is the Arts Market established in May 2009, by curiosity.haus. Aimed at promoting local artists and designers, from graduates to established artisans, as a platform for independent creatives to showcase and sell their wares.

The newly refurbished Hopkinson Gallery will host the first ‘Apples and Pears..’ arts market of 2010, with over 25 stalls! Come and check out the eclectic mix of arts, crafts and fashion items on offer. From textiles to jewellery, canvases to vintage clothing, illustration to t-shirts, bringing together some of the finest designer makers, artists and crafters Nottingham has to offer. The perfect place to get your valentines cards and gifts from independent makers.

There will also be entertainment with live music on the day.

Give it a Whirl: Upstairs will be a series of free workshops brought to you by The Art Organisation residents including Yoga, Salsa and Samba Drumming to name but a few…

There will be tea, coffee, cakes and snacks available at the all new Hopkinson Tea Bar at the front of the gallery.

Check out the facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=263004107457&ref=mf

Invite your friends and see you there!

curiosity.haus xx
http://applesandpearsandcraftywares.blogspot.com

February blog giveaway!

Kate — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 01:00:41 +0000

Another month another craft mafia giveaway to be won… Each month a member of the craft mafia donates one or more of their handmade items for the prize and to enter all you have to do is leave a comment below and at the end of the month a name will be picked at random and we will post your prize to your door!

This month’s prizes come from Jo Williams AKA Avant Garde Crafts:

Mini handmade bunting (above)… the perfect way to brighten up a shelf so bring a bit of the sea side to your house! Approx 120cm long. And a Hand Knitted Bow Hair Clip (below)… cute little bow hair clip in a bright yellow to welcome in the spring!

For your chance to win, just leave a comment below and your name will be put into that hat! good luck!

(comments on this post on our Facebook page will also be counted)

P.S. The winner from January’s giveaway will be contacted this week so good luck to everyone who entered!

Make its 4 – Make a Valentines Card!

Jo — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 18:53:46 +0000

This Valentines Day why don’t you spend a little bit extra time and make your loved one a card instead of buying that tasteless teddy one from the supermarket! (Or buy one from Get Made the Nottingham Craft Mafias shop in Nottingham) I have used some of the techniques that I have shown you over the last few months, so if you haven’t tried them out, now is the time. Happy Making :)

January’s Workspace Feature

Helen — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:22:24 +0000

This month we are taking a peek at ceramicist Charlotte Hupfield’s workspace.

Briefly describe your workspace?

My ceramic creations are all produced in my workshop out in my garden. It is a perfect little den where I sometimes hide out to get away from the rest of the world. Although very cold during the winter months, it can get roasting in the summer and that’s when I like to keep the door open. As well as using plenty of room to leave my work to dry out, I also use my workshop to store clay, glazes, tools, books and packaging.

Favourite things about your workspace?

The view of the garden right on the doorstep where I can watch the birds and the odd squirrel who jumps onto the roof with a thud from the trees. It’s good to be so close to nature as it is what I am inspired by. It’s nice to be able to go out an pick a few leaves if I want to impress some into the clay. Also the light shining in through the windows, and the fact that my workspace is right outside in my garden.

Is there anything you would change?

In time the space will probably become too small, so I may change to a larger size although I’m happy with my space at the moment.

Links:

You can see more of Charlotte’s work at the following sites.

www.charlottehupfieldceramics.com

www.charlottehupfieldceramics.folksy.com

www.charlottehupfieldceramics.blogspot.com

Thanks Charlotte.