a bctf time of year...

it's my favourite trade show of the year this weekend...

british craft trade fair in harrogate is full of designer makers. 

there isn't a mass produced imported item anywhere in the building...

just talented makers displaying their wares...oh and me!

it's a wonderful show to exhibit at and a really lovely show to visit. i'll be there with all my new screen printed pieces on stand 102 so please, if you are planning a visit do pop by and come and say hello. it is always lovely to see friendly faces.

and i'll be back next week to report back...after i've picked myself up from the enjoyable but exhausting few days!

We are very lucky to have The Bowery in Leeds. The Bowery is that great combination of gallery, workshop, gifts and cafe.

It's a great place to meet friends for a coffee and it's always nice to have beautiful contemporary Artists' work on display to have a little peruse at after.

I have bought quite a few cards and gifts from here and currently have my eye on a lampshade that I keep seeing. One day soon I think I'll not be able to resist any longer...

As well as being lucky enough to live close by to The Bowery, I am also lucky enough to call them a Stockist. They came to see me at BCTF last month and it seems that other people must be as fond of the place as I am as things are selling really well and today I delivered my second box of goodies.

I haven't been in since delivering the first pieces and so hadn't seen the display. I have to say I was chuffed to bits to see all my things looking so bright and eye-catching. I am so pleased my things are doing so well here.

The only thing that isn't going too well, however, is my camera...the lead to my Mac is playing up and so am having to take photos on my iphone and as you can tell, it isn't quite cutting it. It was a pretty grey day too which didn't help much.

If you live near to The Bowery (it's in Headingley, Leeds) and haven't yet managed a trip, you won't be disappointed. And bear in mind it looks more tempting than it does in my dreary photos...

As you have seen from all the printing I have been doing recently for BCTF last week, there has been a lot of new work going on. Most of it was for actual items, but some has been for a couple of new kits I've been developing.

I have 2 new kits that I launched last week - 'Gerry' and 'Steve'. Who's Steve you may ask? Well, he's an elephant of course. (A very good friend of mine put me straight on the over obviousness of Ellie the Elephant. Steve was the next natural choice...) And Gerry? Well, he's so a 'Gerry'.

That aside, Gerry and Steve went down a storm at BCTF and they are now wending their way across the country from Lavender Lakes up in the North, down to Hawthorn Gallery down in Dorset.

I'm just waiting for the new labelling for these kits to be back from the printers. I just love how they are looking though. And that side is all thanks to my brilliantly talented designer friend who is the brains behind all my Kit labelling.

I'm very excited about these kits and already have plans for similar ones that hopefully I'll have time to develop very soon.

Tomorrow sees the finishing touches being completed for BCTF.

Or should I put it this way - tomorrow MUST see the finishing touches completed, as Saturday I head over to Harrogate to set up my stand.

I probably won't be around again until after it's over, so I just wanted to say thank you for all your lovely comments of support. I really do appreciate your support and encouragement and I hope I can report back that you were right and it all went well.

I am a tad nervous...

Final countdown week in the BCTF preparation stakes this week.

I've had a bit of a breakthrough this weekend with getting the stand how I want it. It's been in the preparation stages in my head and I have finally got around to getting it sorted in practice. 'Bout bloody time, you may say, and you'd be quite correct.

As well as making sure the display is as I would like it, it's all systems go as far as making sure all the samples are completed. There's still a fair amount of work to be done in that area, but I'm sure it will all get done...quite frankly it has too. There's nothing like putting yourself under a bit of pressure.

If you happen to be in the vicinity of Harrogate next Sunday, Monday or Tuesday, I'd love to see you. So please come and say hi - Im on stand D399. And if you need a ticket, just give me a shout and I'll pop one your way.

In about 10 days it's the British Craft Trade Fair and less than 10 days ago I signed up for it, which gave me at the time less than 20 days to prepare.

Quite a mountain I'd say.

One reason I hadn't decided to go before now was all the personal stuff going on here and to be quite honest the whole timing completely passed me by.

Having made the decision and been accepted (again - as I did show there a couple of years ago) it's been all systems go.

I'll be there with my Take Away Craft Kits, with a couple of new ones added, as well as various accessories that I have been working on this year.

There's going to be an emphasis on hand-printed fabric to go alongside the items I already produce and it's this that I am most excited about showing and having on my stand.

Since I was accepted last Monday I have been working like a maniac to get all the work done, so that next week I can focus on the stand itself. One of these days I'll get into the rhythm of doing regular trade shows so that it all happens as a matter of course, rather than being a starting from scratch each time.

I am getting there - sort of - but there's still a lot of blood, sweat and undoubtedly tears to be had first.

Home & Gift

I keep forgetting that I'm exhibiting in 2 weeks (yep, Manda, 2 weeks) at Home & Gift. At least you'd think I had by the fact that I have done zero preparation both in terms of thinking about my stand (I have an extra side wall than at BCTF) and getting my Christmas Kits ready (yes, Christmas, you heard correctly).

The preview magazine came in the post yesterday and look who made it into the Intro North section? Yeah, little ol me!! Guess, I'd better go get ready.

Good enough to eat

Whilst I was at BCTF last month I was multi-tasking as only a good woman can. Not only was I presenting my own work, but I had my buying hat on too. This made me feel quite schizophrenic at first and I was getting a bit manic not sure what I was focussing on. I did eventually manage to calm down and focus on one thing at a time.

In doing so I saw some gorgeous things that are gradually making their way into Blueberry Park. Remember Jane's gorgeous Pocket Mirrors? The latest addition is some amazing soaps by Maria Clark.
I kid you not when I say I could smell these soaps from the other end of the hall. Honestly, they are the most exquisite things you have ever seen. Perfect little fairy cakes.

I really admire Maria's business ethos. Not only does she use all natural products in her amazing range of soaps, but she runs an ethical business, where she supports women in the community who, for one reason and another, can not hold down regular employment. We are all striving to make our mark in this world and running our own little businesses and to be able to do so in a way that helps others too is important.

Preaching over...hope you enjoy the images :-)

Snapdragon

I first met Jane at Top Drawer in January and instantly fell in love with her beautiful work. It is stunning. I was desperate then to get my hands on her things for Blueberry Park. So when our paths crossed again at BCTF I was determind to order some things.

Today the order arrived and boy are they fab. I was very restraint (mainly because I've blown my buying budget for now, but hey, a girl has to buy what a girl has to buy) but seeing the little Pocket Mirrors is definitely a case of Less is More.

I couldn't decide between these 3 designs, so you guessed it, I went for all 3!

I'm sure I'll be adding to the collection, but in the meantime you can choose one of these little lovelies for yourself (or a gift, if you are feeling nice). They are in the shop now.

(P.S. Don't forget... Just 3 more days to enter my 1 Year Giveaway...xx)

Easter Break

Well that has been more of a break than I anticipated. But really should have been no surprise as it is impossible to have normality during the school holidays. And with more than the usual amount being crammed into this one, I really should have been prepared for no Blueberry Park/Blogspot/Crafting time. And boy am I eager for tomorrow 9am. Everyone back to school and me able to devote my days to everything right here. I need to make a start on fulfilling my new stockist orders which fills me with lots of excitement.

Don't get me wrong. We've had a really lovely time this holidays and had a real break which we all needed. We went out for dinner with my parents last night who thought we all looked very rested - which wasn't what they were saying about me the week before. And we had a fab fab time in Northumberland with our great friends.

(Views from the bottom of the garden)

But I'd left Leeds on a real high after the success of BCTF and am just desperate to get going on it and immerse myself in it. And I guess with the forced break I have renewed vigour to do so. I was pretty run down by the end of it.

(Quite an inspiring cricket pitch)

So lots to report over the next week. But just before I go I want to thank you all for your amazing support and congrats on the back of BCTF. It really means alot. x


(Ooh and I haven't forgotten to post the Lemon Curd Recipe btw for all those that requested it - it was delicious by the way and gobbled up by anyone who was quick enough to visit whilst there was still a scraping)

BCTF over but not out

I need a badge making saying 'I attended BCTF...and survived'. What an experience the last 4 days have been. It was one of the most exhilarating, over-whelming, moral boosting, exhausting times of my life.

I met so many amazing talented people, who I will give more time and space to in the coming weeks and share some of the fantastic work that they produce. It was of course wonderful to have my partner in crime just around the corner. What was fun was realising that whoever liked her also liked me and vice versa.

As well as actually getting orders for new stockists, several other opportunites arose that had never entered my consciousness. One gallery want me to come teach some children's workshops. Another want to include me in an exhibition they are doing. Even an interiors stylist gave me her details and wants to 'talk'.

There is definitely alot going to be happening in my life as a consequence of doing BCTF and most of all the confidence to do so. I'm very excited about the future.

A welcome distraction

Well tomorrow is when life takes on a rollercoaster mentality for the next 8 days. BCTF is finally here and setting up day is tomorrow. No sooner is that over than Passover begins and there will be a cross-over of a couple of days of being in the midst of BCTF and getting ready for Passover.


As you can imagine my head is all over the place at the moment and I can't focus on anything for more than a few minutes (so nothing new there then :-))


I've been quite pleased to have a little distraction of making a few of my stamped cards for an order and for some up coming birthdays. There is something quite therapeutic and mind numbing (in a good way) of repeatedly putting these little stamps in the ink. The most concentration I need is making sure the correct letter goes in the correct colour ink. Otherwise it's start over again time. (which happens with a fair amount of regularity)


Hopefully I'll remember my camera at BCTF and I'll be able to report back on the whole experience. It may take a while. I think I'll be floored and out of touch for a while.


So Happy Easter and have a great holiday whatever you do. x

(This last card is obviously not one of my creations, but by the fabulous Rachel of Lollipop Designs and is available right here)

Off on A tangent

I've got a hellava week. BCTF is no longer round the corner (look away now, Manda), but at the end of the road. Saturday is set up day. I'm beginning to feel a bit nauseous about the whole thing.

Not only that but Passover is next Wednesday and I have 22 for dinner that night (note: that's the day straight after BCTF) and 13 for dinner and guests for the week the day after.

So not much going on then.

A good friend of mine always quotes Parkinson's Law to me at times like this. Parkinson's Law states that everything that needs to get done always gets done in the time available. I think that means if it has to get done it will get done. Even if you have to stay up all goddamn night to do so.

This week is definitely stretching the limits of ol' Parky's Law and only time will tell if there is ever an exception to the rule.

Consequently, do you think this week was the week to indulge in my latest obsession? I think not. Ruby and I went to the The Beadwork Fair in Harrogate yesterday. I'd made a couple of lariats a while ago and was looking for some inspiration for some more. As you do. WHen you've time on your hands. With nothing better to do.


I was fairly restraint. There were stands and stands - and more stands - of strings and strings - and more strings of the most delectable stones and my head was spinning with all the things I could make with them. I came away with a very small collection (but many cards of which to contact at a later date when I have a smidgin more time than I do now)


These first ones are Thai Silver from the Hill tribe 'Karen' women (well it would have been rude for ME not to!) I've actually been there and can picture these women skillfully creating these pieces, which I thought would look fab on a simple leather tie.


I wasn't going to buy these denim stones. I haven't time to play with them right now and they are certainly distracting me big time. BUT these Dumortierite stones are just so fresh and springlike in their colour and so tactile it hurts that I could not leave them there. Tied on a simple light blue ribbon and voila, a new spring necklace. (And enough left over to make a little bracelet too.)

Finally, one for the boys. My boys love pendants and I thought these lead and nickel free metal stars would look really cool on a leather tie. They thought so too and now they are up in the shop.



Now I need to put everything in a box, literally and figuratively and wait for all this to pass and then I can get it all out and have a good ol' guiltless play.

Life is very distracting. Or maybe it is just my inability to stay focussed. Or maybe it is the same for most of us out there. There is so much crafting to do and oh so little time. Life is definitely a whirlwind tha leaves me very dizzy, but I really wouldn't have it any other way.

As for yet another new possible prospect... Let's just say, watch this space.

BCTF Prep

There are less than 3 weeks to go (I'm saying that very quietly, because it's too scary) before BCTF, I'm slowly getting everything together. It is fair to say it is taking over my life at the moment. I'm either thinking about it, doing something for it or tearing my hair out as a result.


I am very excited about taking my kits out in the big wide world of trade fairs, but unbelievably nervous as well (that was a polite way of putting it). It could be a very costly mistake. But you don't know unless you try.

If you live in the vacinity, or are planning to make a specific trip up to Harrogate to come, please let me know and I can send you an invitation.


(And I've learnt the art of mosaics - albeit it's a bit on the small side. So I need to look into lesson 2 on that - unless anyone has any tips?)