Cartography Exhibition at The Royal Exchange, Manchester

I was very excited at the end of last year when The Craft Shop at The Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester got in touch to ask if I'd like to be part of their Cartography Exhibition which starts today - and of course I said 'yes'!

The Craft Shop has regular exhibitions concentrating on different themes, and from today until 25th March 2015 it's all about maps.

I've sent along some keyrings, cards, bookmarks, magnets and pin badges all made with original vintage maps which feature places all around the world. I also sent a selection of places local to Manchester.

A range of Manchester map items from Pink Flamingo's 'Made with Maps' range

A range of world map items from Pink Flamingo's 'Made with Maps' range

As well as my work you'll also find map inspired items, including prints, jewellery and textiles from:

ILLA Studio
Made With Maps
Paperboat Jewellery
Bryony Fawn
Hannah Grace
Studio JCF
Jane Revitt

Cartography Exhibition, 7th January - 25th March 2015,  The Craft Shop,  The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester

Art in the Gardens

I've been very busy lately (hence a little absence from here). One of the things that's been keeping me busy was preparing to take part in Art in the Gardens in Sheffield's Botanical Gardens which took place over the weekend. It's a popular annual event showcasing arts and crafts from all over the UK which I go to every year as a visitor, but this was my first year as a stall holder.

My friend Sue from Apple Harvest suggested we should apply for a joint stall earlier in the year as it's an event we both loved, and were thrilled when we got a stall! Like me, Sue uses lots of vintage papers and upcycling in her work so it seemed natural to show our pieces together.

The weather forecast had promised us a lovely weekend outside, but when the Saturday morning came it was a different story. Setting up was a little dull, and then the rain started - and didn't stop all day! It didn't prevent some determined visitors though and we had some customers to chat with. Being quieter than the event usually is also meant that we had plenty of time to wander around visiting other stalls and talking to other artists and craft makers.

Saturday was dripping wet...

...and very grey.

Sunday though was a completely different day. The sun shone, the sky was blue and the event was packed! It was wonderful seeing so many people enjoying the art and the gardens in the their full glory. 

Bargain Craft Supplies at Bird's Yard - and some ideas on what to do with them

It's sale time at Bird's Yard (Chapel Walk, Sheffield city centre)! The designers have been having a sort of their supplies and have brought them in to make a 'pop up craft shop' full of bargains.

It started with me having to move a cupboard in my house that was full of supplies. After emptying it (and wondering how so much stuff could fit in one cupboard) I realised there were things I'd had for years, that although pretty, weren't being used. So the idea was sparked and here it is.

Here are some of the bargains you can find if you call in, and some ideas so they will get used.

Craft Supply Sale, Bird's Yard, Chapel Walk, Sheffield - Thursday, Friday, Saturday this week 10.30-4.30

Ceramic animals

Galabeer and the Dog have brought a large selection of Wade Whimsies at £1.50 each of 3 for £4. They're lovely to collect or here are some ideas on how to get crafty with them...

Fun jar lids. Find the tutorial at House to Home

Paint them to make fun decorations at Doodle Craft

Buttons

There are a selection of vintage buttons from various designers starting at just 50p!

And The Life of Jennifer Dawn has lots of quick and simple ideas on how to get crafty with them...

Fairs, Markets and Unique Shopping Events in Sheffield - July, August, September

There are lots of events that happen around Sheffield which are great places for local artists, crafters and producers to share their work...and for customers to find unique treats, do some one of a kind shopping and meet the makers. 

Here are some that are coming up in the next few weeks...

July

4th-7th
The Steel Stage for the Tour de France 
Music, stalls, entertainment, beer festival and lots more. And on the Sunday you get to see the Tour de France go passed too!

5th
Sheffield Country Market
A regular Saturday morning market at Broomhill with locally made food, crafts, plants and produce. Spooner Road 9am-midday.

Sheffield Alternative and Burlesque Fair
A shopping event full of burlesque, rockabilly, vintage, gothic and much more at the Corporation nightclub.

10th, 11th, 12th 
Craft supply sale at Bird's Yard
The designers based in Bird's Yard on Chapel Walk are having a clear out and selling lots of supply based bargains in the shop.

12th & 13th
Kelham Island 1940s Weekend and Vintage Fayre
Lots of wartime themed entertainment including a tea dance, vintage hair and beauty, swing dancing and live music as well as vintage and craft stalls.

20th   
Sharrow Vale Market
The popular street market returns with a mix of food, entertainment and crafts along Sharrow Vale Road. 12-4   

26th
Bird's Yard Craft Fair
A mix of food, craft, art, handmade and other entertainments in the city centre shop on Chapel Walk. 11am-4pm.

Devonshire Market
A mix of food, drink, vintage and handmade at the outdoor market. 11am-6pm

 

August

30th
Devonshire Market
A mix of food, drink, vintage and handmade at the outdoor market and this time it's a Street Theatre Special 11am-6pm
 

September 

6th and 7th 
Art in the Gardens
A two day celebration of handmade, crafts and arts in Sheffield's Botanical Gardens.

14th
Whirlow Farm Fayre 
Stalls, food, entertainment and animals all set on a farm!

Sheffield Antiques Quarter Late Summer Market
Both indoors and outdoors at the Abbeydale Picture house, this market offers vintage, antiques, crafts and food. 

20th
Mary's Marvellous Market 
A mix of vintage and craft at the popular market held in St Mary's church, Bramall Lane.

21st
Nether Edge Market
An outdoor street market packed with food, craft and art. Lots of entertainment too! 12-4, Nether Edge and Glen Roads

27th
Devonshire Market
A mix of food, drink, vintage and handmade at the outdoor market and this time it's a Sheffield Jazz special 11am-6pm 

Lou Lou's Vintage Fair
Lots of lovely vintage clothes, accessories and home wares at the city hall. 

Inspirations from Vintage Greeting Cards

I love to make greeting cards using vintage papers from all kinds of sources. Sometimes an image is so beautiful I just cut it out of a book (a damaged or unwanted one) and use it in a card. Sometime I use book or music pages to make shapes and patterns to create designs. I also like to look at original vintage cards for inspiration...and here are some that I bought recently.

These wedding and engagement cards look to date from the 1960s and 1970s and feature gorgeous colours and interesting details. There's lots about them that I like and these are some of the details that will be inspiring some new designs from me.

Craft Supply Sale Preview

On the 10th, 11th and 12th July Bird's Yard in Sheffield is holding a special sale...and not just any sale - it's all about craft supplies! Their independent designers have been having a sort out and are setting up a special section full of bargains for customers to get crafty with.

As one of the sellers in the shop I'll be taking along some supplies, but I've also been having a little nosy through what others are selling too. I've just got to make sure I don't come home with more than I take...

There'll be supplies from lots of the shop's designers covering lots of crafts. Expect to see treats from: Galabeer and the Dog, Handpicked Books, Inkling, Life's Big Canvas, All Wrapped Up By Alice, Atelier Raniera, Talented, Shadowcrafts, Molly Rouge and lots more!

Here are a few sneak previews of what you might find (if you're quick enough!)...

Pink Flamingo (me!) ... lots of embellishments. Look out for fabric, scrapbooks, stamps, vintage papers, craft kits and beads too.

Galabeer and the Dog will have lots of vintage choices... this is just a little taster of what you'll find

Life's Big Canvas is bringing lots of origami inspirations... as well as buying packs to take home you can also learn how to do it yourself on Thursday the 10th July.

My Weekend...

I had a fun weekend with two different events where I was able to meet people, do some organising and a little shopping too!

Saturday

I helped to organise and run a 'competitive craft fair' at Bird's Yard in Sheffield where customers could vote for their favourite stall from independent designers. We also had live music and tarot card readings!

The winners were My Vintage Sister who make scented candles in vintage teacups and glasses as well as pretty paper creations. They'll be joining the shop in July for free!

Sunday

On Sunday I went to Nether Edge Farmer's Market as part of Sheffield Country Market where I had items for sale along with other local handmade craft and food treats. I also treated myself to lots of local food from the other stalls too including delicious marshmallow from Sociably Sweet, oat and apple bread from Forge Bakehouse, beetroot sour dough from Seven Hills Bakery and some lovely curd made with goat's milk (as well as chutney, ice cream, burgers, stuffed vine leaves, raspberry shortbread, mushroom flan, coconut and rice milk drinks...there's a lot of tempting stuff there!)