Monday, 16 November 2009

It's all in the details...

A weekend Craft Fair in a very grand National Trust House - Canons Ashby, Northants.
Sooo pretty and so old! A perfect setting. Don't get me wrong though, it is still local to me and has the same feel as smaller events. It was predominantly "crafts" and the people were almost all locals. This was the backdrop to my stall, from Friday eve through to Sunday later afternoon... i know! WoW! An 'oh so very old' stone fireplace.
And i could try to photgraph the whole stall... but by doing that, i miss out the details. So craft fans, it's all in the details:
My cards at the front of the stall in a giant teacup - help yourself to my contact details and a chocolate (especially for bored little hands with faces at table height)

Baskets arranged all around my sparkling mirror Christmas Tree. Each basket stuffed with felt decorations. I did a mix and match discount thingy....

Giant bells all tumbled into a glass trifle dish. I think the dish was thrifted locally some years back. It has never seen a trifle in my house but is often used for fruit, sweets, or bells!

Mini bells interspersed with the felt decorations....

All the "Gingerbread Life" collection a sweet little basket - i think that was from my local Vintage / Antiques Bargain cellar - all priced so customers can see straight away without having to ask.
Yet another vintage item. An old wooden Apple crate - this was great to hold purses and craft packs all in an orderly fashion. Hanging the button embellished purses over the edge, just to catch your eye.

My faithful old shop dummy bust. fantastic to give height and interest to the display. Things are easier at eye level and customers can handle to brooches without worrying about delicate displays.

The overall effect - it is hard to give you a general impression but i hope i did okay? This was a whole long weekend so it was worth making a real effort with the display. Under the tables i had all my boxes to hand to replenish sold stock. Also, behind here, i had a small table with my till and my bags and pen / paper so i could keep organised.
I hope to show you a few other stalls too (when i get the photos edited) just to show you i do go round (and shop) and other stalls and i'm not completely self obsessed!
p.s. *waves* to my 'stalker' lady and her mum who travelled over from Wolverton!! i was touched and so pleased to see you :) thanks for coming all that way x
also *waves* to stranger man who made me blush by telling me he reads my blog - thanks!
and *wave* to anyone from my Fairs who has found their way to my blog. You peeps make it all seem worth while.
K x

Thursday, 12 November 2009

Craft Fairs...

A word about Craft Fairs... You can keep your expensive exhibition halls, miles up the motorway, with 'Booths' costing Hundreds of pounds....

You can keep your 'terribly exclusive' designer fairs with people who think they are "People" and with their 'networking' and their "Ya, i'll email you"...
You can keep your private house parties "by invitation only" where it's all about who does what for which "chariddy darling" and where Tarquin is attending Pony Club....
Beacause really, i am happiest in a local Church with tables balanced on pews. With the WI cake stand and Beryl running the raffle and cups of tea in utility china....
I am happiest when i am local and my mum comes to help me for the day.
And i am happiest talking to other people who love crafts and want to know how my daughter is and 'people' who "don't do email" but 'could i pop that item round when i'm passing by next week...?'
I like real people and real craft fairs. It makes the day much nicer :)

Wednesday, 11 November 2009

*new* trim and matroyshka....

A Pink polka dot Matroyshka NeedleBook in PaperFish. I wasn't planning on making this but some things just 'happen' in my hands whilst doing something else..... And these are Mini-Flowers - too cute and now for sale in BigFish.
1 inch daisies - i have bought these for my project but i have so many.... there are a few metres for grabs in bigfish also.
Oh, i adore this ribbon, called *Vivant* YUM! i don't want to sell any because i am selfish but a girl needs to make a living.

Craft chaos at The KirstyFish house xxx

Tuesday, 10 November 2009

More Flora and a Rudolph...

A few more of the *all new* singing and dancing Flora Brooches - into the PaperFish shop today. I think i enjoy making these because they are all a little different and it can get tedious sewing the same designs over again. I love discovering a new colour scheme and thinking "why haven't i mixed these colours before?" (i do talk to myself alot, i am terribly fascinating...)
Some are pastel-y, some are BrIgHt as can be and others are all muted and subtle.


I think i need to photograph a big batch of them and make the piccy into postcards... i might have to wait till slightly sunnier weather tho - anyone seen the sun of late? or has it gone on a small vacation?

And.... a Rudolph. A silly little something that might find its way into the SmallFish's Advent Calender - it has little pockets and i put a gift in for each day. HEY, she's my child and i will spoil her if i want to :)
Felt fancies do you good x

Monday, 9 November 2009

Teal, Claret, Lime and Flora....

Just updating on what's *new* in the shops.....
Deliciously rich CLARET polka dot buttons. 1cm - very berry x Me, in a strange, clandestine "you've not seen me right?" *might be a spy* sort of a pose...
wearing a new FLORA brooch. So in love with these babies.
There are more of these being listed in PaperFish tomorrow. I listed 4 on Friday and sold 2 in the space of about 20 minutes so that was a lovely feeling :) They are about 2.5" across 5.5cm and made out of yummy soft felt but backed by a metal badge so sturdy enough for any coat or bag.
I'm thinking gifts for friends or a fun teacher (or yourself! you know who you are shopper x)
They are about £4.90 each in the etsy shop. I might put them in the Folksy shop but that seems so crowded at the moment... i might wait till Spring? Well, you know where i am if you want any in GBP
And then... LIME and PINK PinPot - be still my zinging heart, J'love this fella!


Oh, and TEAL polka dot 1cm buttons too - these are a beautiful colour and i will wait till the Spring to play with these as i have enough on my Christmassy plate right now, but they are in BigFish if you want to play.

Gotta go - keep crafty x

Monday, 2 November 2009

Gingerbread....

What is it about Gingerbread i love?
(everybody wave at MrsB down there, looking all Christmassy - and notice the Gingerbread style house at the back of the table. The B's own it and i sorely wish i did!) I have been thinking about my obsession... i couldn't find all the Gingerbread item photos in my PC picture files, they've all gone wandering...
What IS it about Gingerbread?
Most probably my love of baking, coinciding with my love of crafting...

My love of storytelling....
Devotion to working with and being with children, that began long before i became a mamma.

I lived in Germany for a while and they *know* how to do Christmas. I love the real German Markets full of wooden stalls like an imagined Gingerbread village. Maybe it's nostalgia?

I love to change my colours and 'themes' for Christmas decorating too. Last year was WHITE with lots of snowballs and white bunting....

This year.....? It is Gingerbread. Red / Brown / Orange / Pink with a huge helping of Gingerbread style.

I love Gingerbread.
How can i turn the outside of my house into a Gingerbread Grotto, hmmmm....? answers on a postcard please x

Wednesday, 28 October 2009

Meet my little Elven Boy...

Many of you know, i have a *real* girl to play with - she is fun and obviously i love her but... i needed a little boy to love too. ...and here he is!
Meet George. I think i am in love....

Oh, he is such fine quality. Soft yummy fabrics. Aawww, little button arms. A rustic bell. Oh that hat....
LOOK at those LEGS! *sigh* he has a big brother and little brother in the shop where he was made. I don't whether it would be really naughty of me to buy another one......? would it also be naughty of me to have him in my home ALL year and not just in that brief yuletide period?


I bought him HERE - and he is yet another example of how much 'JOY' handmade treasures bring to my life :)
P.s. That bunny picture next to him in the top photo? - Bought from HERE (the amazing Dee Beale) so many things to love, so little cash x