All Things PP @ MArKEt - Old Palace

A big thank you to those of you who came to see us at MArKEt @ the fabulous West Street Loft at the beginning of the month.  This weekend we have round 2.  MArKEt @ Old Palace, Tarring, West Sussex.

Well time really is flying by at the moment, I wonder why that might be.  Now as many of you know I have another pending appointment in 10 days or so, baby no. 2 "Iggle Piggle" .  So if you are in the area on Saturday 23rd March, I would very much appreciate seeing some friendly faces.  The MArKEt will be open from 10-2pm.  I will be the heavily pregnant one, stuck behind her table, panting!!!

Other sellers include Justine Kimmer Illustrations, The Yarn Bunny, Angela Wright Photography, Handmade Unique Gifts, Min Cooper Prints, Karen Mayger, Amy Madge Jewellery, Loulou and Gill, Sewgirl, Lorraine Heaysman Landscape Photography, Naturally Silver, Fledging Crafts, Little Threads,, Kireina Jewellery, Incey Wincey Studio, Oranges and Orchids and I made these Little Mouses.

There will be cheese again from the very popular Dave's Deli.  Yummy Cakes from Honeycomb Cakes and a fabulous refreshment from a very retro Lui Creperie.

There will also be Easter workshops for children, provided by the brilliant Banana Pancakes.

Here's a sneaky peak at some of the items All Things PP will have available on sale.  Many of the items will be reduced.

Boy's Aprons

Girl's Aprons

Needle Books and Pin Cushions  was £3 now £2

Set of 4 Patchwork Coasters was £6 now £4

Kindle Covers

I Phone Covers

Sewing Themed I Pad Covers 

Baking Themed IPad Covers

3 Word Stack Hessian Signs was £10 now £6

3 Word Hessian Signs £8 now £5
2 Word Hessian Signs was £6 now £4

1 Word Hessian Signs was £4 now £2

Crayon Rolls was £6 now £4

Car Rolls was £8 now £6

I look forward to seeing you.

Nice to see you again

Xxx.

Interview with MArKEt

Next month see's the launch of MArKEt craft fairs, so who better to interview for today's blog, the organiser and very dear friend of mine, Rachel Cruz.

This spring you launch your first craft fairs across Sussex, how are you feeling?

Very excited! Everything is starting to come together now. We have a real eclectic mix of makers. I can’t wait to see all the talent on display under one roof and to open the doors to the public.

How did you get the idea for MArKEt?

I love going to similar events. I realized I had to always travel to get to them though! I also felt there was a demand for something bigger than the local craft fair but more affordable than the designers fairs.

What would you like to achieve from MArKEt?

I really hope to provide a platform for new talent to launch their career and to help connect makers and small businesses to potential buyers. I also wanted to create a contemporary shopping experience with only beautiful, up-to-the-minute things.

Most importantly I want to help support The Prince’s Foundation for Childrenand the Arts, one of the only national charities committed to ensuring that all children are inspired by the arts.


Have you faced any challenges in preparing for the craft fairs?

Nothing major yet (she says touching wood!). The trickiest part is finding the venues – I love beautiful venues but they are not always in the right location, the right size or available. I think we have got there though, West Street Loft in Shoreham, The Old Palace in Worthing and St John’s in Meads are all fantastic venues and are as unique as they are traditional which is exactly what I was looking for.

Do you have any recommendations for fellow crafters thinking about selling to the public?

Go for it! Craft has made a massive comeback and I believe people are seeking out things that set themselves or their home apart from the crowd. I know how hard it is to pluck up the courage to turn a hobby into a business but I believe if you have loved making it someone will love owning it just as much.

Are you a creative person, if so what do you like to make?

I like to think I am! I constantly find myself saying, “I could make that” but I never get round to it. I used to work as a seamstress and I recently went back to college to study silversmithing, I now work in interior design. I love trying new things and learning new skills.

You have an amazing eye for beautiful unique products, how do you know what goes well together? 

I don’t, I think that’s the key. The more eclectic and mis-matched things are I think the better they go together. Wherever possible I try to avoid matching, symmetry and uniformity. Sometimes it works and sometimes it completely doesn’t!

How would you describe your style?

Like the above. Mis-matched! I love mixing old with new, bright colours and monochrome and vintage florals with deckchair stripes.

Do you have a favourite designer, crafter or seller at the moment?

This is a difficult one as I have so many. I have spent a lot of time this last few months researching local crafts people and I have been completely astounded by the amazing talent in Sussex alone. I had to create a board on Pinterest so that I could remember all the wonderful things I was coming across everyday. I must admit I have made a shopping list for MArKEt of things I have already got my eye on!

Which blog is a favourite stalk of yours at the moment?

I wish I made more time to read blogs. I love freebies and tutorials and I am constantly getting new ideas from I Do It Yourself, Eat, Drink Chic and The Making Spot. Probably my favourite locally has to be Pearl and Earl. 

Thanks Rachel, wishing you all the best with your new venture. 


If you are free please do pop along to one of the Sussex MArKEt events in Spring.

All Things PP will be showcasing, so I would certainly appreciate some visitors.

Nice to see you again.
Xxx

Like Mother Like Daughter

This post has been inspired by an article in this months Mollie Makes ... Like mother, like daughter.  The article features some fantastic business, mother and daughter partnerships, including Cambridge Satchel Company, Miss Print, Ink Kit and my favourite local haberdashery Eternal Maker.

It's a bit early for Mothers Day I know, but there is no harm in saying thanks today, tomorrow and any other day.  I would most certainly like to give thanks today to my mum.

I have a lot to thank my mum for at the moment.  Along with a long list of unconditional things my mum does all the time for me and my family, she has stepped up once more, in response to yet another one of my requests.

On March 2nd, I will be selling All Things PP products at my Craft Fair debut at the West Street Loft, Shoreham, hosted by MArKEt.  This was another one of my grand ideas, perhaps another rushed decision, as once I committed to the idea, the realisation that I would be 8 months pregnant in March gradually hit me.

So what did I do?  

As I always do and always have done, I called on my mum for help.  

My mum is amazingly talented when it comes to sewing, knitting and other crafty creations.  Since I can remember mum has had her sewing machine out, in the early days it was mostly about making her own clothes.  I recall dresses, skirts, jackets, patchwork quilts, roman blinds, cardigans and jumpers.  Then as she became 'Granny', there followed a variety of knitted toys, blankets and clothes.  

I have definitely inherited some of her creative bones, and although on a much smaller scale, I am really enjoying following in her footsteps.

 So when I asked, as she always did and continues to do so...she agreed to help.

So our mother, daughter relationship ventures into a new stage as we enter our 'business partnership'.  Not only will she help me out on the day, she has offered to share her talents and create products for sale.  Yipppppppeeee!

If you are free and have time why not pop along to MArKEt and come and say hi to us both.

We will be selling hand-crafted gifts, such as Cross Stitch Hessian Signs, Utensil Rolls, Needlecraft Accessories, IPad and Kindle Covers as well as a variety of Fun Gifts for Children.  Check out All Things PP Facebook Page for up dates on all our products.  

I love being a mum to Little Miss P and I hope that as I venture into motherhood again next month, this time with a baby boy (better known as 'Iggle Piggle'), I can echo just a small portion of the example set by my mum and all she has offered me throughout the years.  I am forever grateful.

Nice to see you again

Xxx

A busy 2013

Yet again I am 3 weeks into January before I get to wish you all a Happy New Year.  

It's a bit strange this year as everyone around me is making the usual resolutions of loosing weight and getting fit, as I get ... fatter and lazier.  Then again if there is one time when you do not have to worry is if you are 30 weeks pregnant!  I will start my health kick in the Spring when the time is right!!!

So looking back on my goals for the year just gone, I am actually quite pleased with how I (WE, must credit Mr P, Little Miss P as well as family and friends) have got on.

2012 - Goals Achieved!

Learn how to cover a lampshade

Build and maintain a healthy vegetable patch

Make a log shed

Learn to bake

Plenty of mini projects with Pop's

Landscape the garden bit by bit

Frame photos and create a photo wall

Not Quite!

Organise more storage solutions (just started this in 2013)

Introduce lots of colour (the nursery will be the first place to start)

Probably won't bother!!!

Recondition second-hand furniture (not sure about this one, not sure I have the patience for painting)

I am actually quite impressed I have to say.  While I have achieved 70-80% of last years, I am also amazed at how many other projects and skills I have taken on.  Keeping this blog has enabled me to track every step of the way and it is not until you look back that you realise how much and how far you can come in just 12 months.

Bonus Goals

Learnt to crochet

Fell pregnant 

Organised a roman blind workshop 

Well 2013 is definitely going to be a busy year.  As the 3 Little Pigs become 4, I am really looking forward to seeing our house come into its own.  I can already feel my nesting instinct kicking in and can not wait to continue to make our house for life a home.

So what is in store for 2013?

As always I must remind myself to be realistic about how much I can take on, especially during my last 2 months of pregnancy, manage my career, as well as spend time with and love my husband, a nearly four year old girl and a baby boy.

1. Create and sell some of my creations at a local craft fair
2. Complete a granny square blanket
3. Make a patchwork quilt
4. Get better at baking
5. Complete a photographer course
6. Learn how to use photoshop elements
7. Sort my blog design out
8. Stop swearing 

Nice to see you again

Xxx

MArKEt - Handmade

I never thought I would be able to actually sell anything I handmade, especially as I am my own worst critic.  However, recently I have been thinking, just maybe, just maybe I could do this!

So I would like to say a big thank you to my dear friend at MArkEt who has started organising local craft fairs in Sussex.

 MArkEt

 MArkEt 

Despite my lack of confidence, I am really excited to announce that I have taken the plunge and put my name down (provisionally) for a craft stall.  I say provisionally as the dates fall very close to my due date.

 MArkEt 

 MArkEt 

Luckily I may have convinced my very creative mum to join me.  This will be a big help on two levels, one she is talented across all spectrums of craft and all her contributions will only add to the appeal of my stall, but more importantly she will be able to run the show just incase I am otherwise engaged!!!

I will also add if Little Miss P keeps up her creativeness it might be the first craft stall selling 3 generations of handmade.

I also want to credit two more friends, the lovely Mrs K and Mrs K (sister-in-laws creative) at SoMO  and Justine Kimmer illustrations who have both given me the confidence to commit to the commercial creative world of the handmade.

SoMO  

 Justine Kimmer illustrations

So hear I am mid-December, desperately finishing various handmade Christmas bits, already thinking about and forward planning for Spring and Easter ideas for my first craft stall at MArkEt.

Book your place today.

I would really appreciate any advice from fellow sellers.  I think I may need it.

Nice to see you again
Xxx

Crochet Creations

I could not wait to share with you how busy I have been creating crochet.  I am really quite pleased with myself, this is all within two weeks of learning.  I am still very much a beginner, but I very excited about the results already.  

I had to get some new funky crochet needles!

An urgent run to Angmering Framing and Stitches to purchase some practise wool for my granny square blanket.

 Isn't it great to see them all together, I can almost see myself snuggled underneath it already.

Check out this colour selection of Rico Designs Cotton I used for my Deryn Relph flower crochet workshop at Clothkits

I love the colours from Rowan by Amy Butler, I brought mine from A Bit Woolly who were very helpful.

 Cute and Easy Crochet by Nicki Trench has some beautiful crochet projects for all levels.  It seems so far the easiest crochet instructions to follow.

Nice to see you again.
Xxx