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. 

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!)

Let Me Introduce You To...some talented local designers

In my last post I wrote about the 'competitive craft fair' I'm helping to organise at Bird's Yard in Sheffield this coming Saturday (11-4 on Chapel Walk!); here are the 'competitors' who'll be displaying their work hoping the customers will pick them to be the shop's latest designer.

All the sellers are local, independent small business owners and make wonderful, unique pieces. Click on the titles to find out more...

Tommy and Zac

Cute and Quirky Girl

Apple Harvest

My Vintage Sister

Strangelord

Natalie Burton

Sillie Billie Designs

Maker's Meadow

A 'Craft Fair' with a Difference - Bird's Yard 21st June

Craft fairs are great places to find unique items, local interest products and good deals. I love shopping at them and selling my own creations at them too. But now I also have a  new way of approaching them...helping to organise one.

I love organising. Any excuse to make a list and use colour coded folders makes me happy! So when Bird's Yard in Sheffield was looking to hold some events, I jumped at the chance to help out and get out my notepads and highlighters.

The event I came up with is a 'competitive craft fair' where potential new sellers for the shop get to hold a stall and tell customers about their work, as well as letting them buy it. The customers can then give their feedback and the stall with the most votes gets to be Bird's Yard's latest designer rent free in July! (And of course if our customers fall for other stalls too I'm sure they'll be space for them along with our other sellers).

As well as the craft stalls there'll also be live music to entertain us and the customers throughout the day, tarot and playing card reading and face painting too. Lots to keep you entertained on a Saturday afternoon!

To find out who's selling there visit the event page

or visit on the day!

Bird's Yard, Chapel Walk, Sheffield, S1 2PD

Made with Maps...a new collection from Pink Flamingo

I admit it. I have an addiction to maps. And it's spilled over into another Etsy shop for Pink Flamingo - introducing Made with Maps.

Following the success of my 'I Love This Place ...Sheffield' range which are made out of vintage maps of Sheffield, I've now made keyrings, bookmarks and cards made with maps from around the world.

And there's more to come too. Ready to be made and become available are magnets, gift tags and badges so watch this space.

So far a few items have been listed in my new shop, but there are plenty more to come - I was just too excited to wait before they're all there to spread the news! And if there's a place you'd like to see featured, custom orders are welcome too.

 

Visit Pink Flamingo's new shop Made with Maps here - www.madewithmaps.etsy.com 

All Good Stuff in Sheffield

A couple of weeks ago I shared the news about All Good Stuff opening on Arundel Street in Sheffield and added some photos of the artists whose work would be available there. Well, now it's formally opened I've been back to take a look myself and I couldn't help but take my own photos to share with you!

There are lots of beautifully handcrafted and produced gifts, art, jewellery and more from a range of talented makers all connected with Sheffield and Yorkshire. It was nice to see some familiar items there from some of my favourite local makers but there was also a great variety of (new to me) work to discover. Here are some things I found...

All Good Stuff at Butcher Works, Arundel Street, Sheffield city centre

Opening Hours:
Tues - Sat 10.30 - 5.00

All Good Stuff on Facebook

Places I've Been, Things I've Seen...

Here are some places Pink Flamingo has been to lately...

Fairs, Markets and Unique Shopping Events in Sheffield

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...

 

April

26th 
Burton Street Spring Fair, Hillsborough
A mix of stalls, activities and farm animals with proceeds going towards the Burton Street Foundation's work. 1pm-4pm

Sheffield Country Market
A regular Saturday morning market at Broomhill with locally made food, crafts and produce. Today they're promoting their 'One Stop Shop'. 9am-midday.

Up Market 
Visit the vintage and craft market in its new location at Sellers Wheel Courtyard on Arundel Street in the city centre. 10am-5pm Saturday 11am-4pm Sunday


27th
Sheffield Antiques Quarter Vintage Spring Market
A mix of Sheffield's vintage and craft sellers to be found at Abbeydale Picture House in the Sheffield Antique Quarter. 11am-5pm

May 

3rd
Sheffield Vintage Fair
The ever popular Lou Lou's vintage fair returns to Sheffield Town Hall. Lots of vintage clothes, accessories and homewares. 11am-5pm

10th 
Sheffield Alternative and Burlesque Fair
Burlesque, vintage and alternative finds of all kinds. Corporation, Milton Street. Midday-6pm.

11th
High Storrs Craft Fair and Carboot Sale
Various ways to shop at High Storrs school! 10am-1pm.

17th
Mary's Marvellous Vintage and Craft Market
They market themselves as 'Quite possibly the best vintage and craft market in the world...ever!' They do have a lot of great stalls there! St Mary's church, Bramall Lane. 10am-4pm

17th - 31st
The Hat Stand
The latest pop up shop in the Winter Gardens in the city centre. This fortnight it focuses on all kinds of headwear. 

31st 
Lou Lou's Artisan Market
Following on from the success of their vintage market, Lou Lou is hosting their first Artisan market in Sheffield with lots of crafts, arts, clothing, food, jewellery and more. Midday-5pm.

Devonshire Market
A popular outdoor market at Devonshire Green. Find foods, crafts, clothes and more. 11am-6pm.

 

June 

3rd
Tapton Spring Food and Craft Fayre
Lots of tempting local foods and crafts on a Tuesday morning 9am-2pm.

22nd
Nether Edge Farmer's Market
A mix of lots of delicious local food with some crafts and entertainment thrown in too! Midday-4pm.

28th
Devonshire Market
A popular outdoor market at Devonshire Green. Find foods, crafts, clothes and more. 11am-6pm.

29th  
Crosspool Festival's Street Market

A mix of stalls outdoors in Crosspool.

Sheffield Country Market - Local homemade food, crafts and produce

Sheffield Country Market is part of a network of Country Markets which offer local food, crafts and produce all over the UK. They have a co-operative approach with a variety of members from all walks of life working together to run regular local markets offering great quality items. In Sheffield these markets are every Saturday morning at Broomhill, but we also join in with other popular markets in the city.

The market in Sheffield offers a range of tasty treats and handmade crafts, as well as locally grown produce when it's in season. There's an array of breads, cakes, savory dishes and preserves (amongst others!) alongside cards, jewellery, cosmetic creams, knitted baby clothes, glass wear and wood turned decorations. I've been attending as a producer for a few months and can't resist coming home with more than I went with!

As well as the regular Saturday morning markets, we also have stalls the very popular Nether Edge and Sharrow Vale markets. Last weekend it was Sharrow Vale's turn to offer up its range of treats and Sheffield Country Market was right there amongst the other talented stall holders who provided Sheffielders with meats, cheeses, breads, chocolate, art, vintage finds, plants, books, jewellery and lots more too.

If you visited the stall you could have got yourself a prettily decorated Easter cake, daffodil decoration and Easter cards (all set for the weekend after!); a baby's cardigan, new baby card and chocolates for the new mum; or venison pie and porter cake for a tasty supper. Or you could visit the market on any Saturday morning in Broomhill to see what you missed!

Mary's Marvellous Vintage and Craft Market - a scrapbook of my day...

Let Me Introduce You To...

This week I'd like to introduce you to somebody I know. Usually I find gorgeous shops online and share my finds, however this time (as it's their 2nd birthday this week!) I'm going to show you some beautiful jewellery I discovered right here in Sheffield.

This post is in no way sponsored or influenced. All opinions are my own and any quotes are taken directly from the people I'm writing about.

This week I'd like to introduce you to...

Mia Peony is a range of jewellery designed by the talented Magdalena. They feature a range of vintage images, artworks, local scenes, flower fairies, hot air balloons... and whatever else Magdalena finds inspiration from!

Magdalena - the designer behind Mia Peony

Magdalena is from Vienna, Austria where she was involved in 'different art and performance projects' before she decided to come to the UK as it's somewhere she'd always wanted to visit and live. Luckily for Sheffield this is where she chose to stay and started her jewellery design business in the city in 2012. At first her creations were for her or gifts for friends, but their popularity spread and she was soon selling them in various outlets around Sheffield and now in her native Vienna too.

The name Mia Peony was chosen as peonies have 'soft and dainty blossoms as well as its opulent appearance' which I think describes the jewellery perfectly. The images Magdalena chooses are often delicate but they're given a twist with a burst of colour and glossy finish to create eye catching pieces - just like their name sake flowers. 

The first range of Mia Peony's I saw were the vintage hot air balloons which are a core range which are instantly recognisable. As well as the images, I also love how the jewellery is available as separate parts so you can choose exactly what you'd like - you can choose a chain to go with your pendant, charms to fit on your bracelet and, an exciting new addition, rings and bracelets that you can 'pop' the image off and replace it with another!

Mia Peony's jewellery is made with either glass cabochons over the images chosen or with resin for 'a lighter look and wearing experience' which is particularly good for some of the chunkier bracelets which are surprisingly light and easy to wear. Some of the images are also works which are based on collaborations with other artists from the UK, Austria, Germany and Poland to create a fresh and continually developing feel to the jewellery. One of the latest of these was with Sheffield photographer Charlotte Newton who Magdalena worked with to turn her local photos into jewellery which has proved very popular - especially this Henderson's Relish factory image with the blue background below!

Mia Peony's new display at Étagère in Vienna

If you'd like to find out more about Mia Peony then visit Magdalena on Facebook.

Millennium Gallery Craft Fair

On Saturday I had another lovely day at one of the Millennium Gallery's craft markets right in the heart of Sheffield. The fairs here always attract lots of customers who come to browse the work of talented local artists, makers and designers. This is the second time I've had a stall there and I have to say it's now a firm favourite!

The market takes place on the upper floor of the gallery and I was lucky enough to have a stall along the windowed wall so I had lots of lovely spring sunshine and a great view across this part of the city.

 

I had a chance to take a look around the other stalls just before the market opened (once it's underway it's busy so this was the only chance I'd get!). There were a whole range of treats and gifts to be found including jewellery, art, cushions, decorations, cosmetics and stationery. I'm always amazed at all the talent in Sheffield and how there's always someone new to discover along with some well loved favourites. I bought myself this vintage style pin brooch with hot air balloons on it from Mia Peony.

Then it was back to my stall to meet the all the lovely customers and chat about what I make. I love to hear people's comments and suggestions and it's particularly nice to hear stories and associations people have with particular books or maps that I use in my work. 

The only disappointment is that this event only takes place twice a year and I have to wait all year until November for the next one. If you happen to be in Sheffield on that day it will definitely be a place to visit and do a little shopping!