I promised I’d do a post about this event.

Made in WA is all about supporting designer makers, crafters and artists in the Warrington area – those living and working in the WA postcode.  It’s hosted by Warrington Retail Market, in their events area to the rear of the market hall.

The first ever one happened on the 23rd July – and was well received by the public and stallholders alike.  I want to introduce you to a few of the stallholders . . .

Floral Gifts 4 U make gorgeous bouquets from socks

Floral Gifts 4 U stopped me in my tracks when I was on a quick walk round the stalls.  I’ve seen lots of people making bouquets and cakes from nappies, socks and other practical necessities – but these are truly beautiful and would make a gorgeous gift.  My photo really doesn’t do them justice.

in the dog house sign

Michelle Burgess uses a chainsaw to carve owls, toadstools and even large garden signs from natural wood.  The results are stunning and looking at the website, it seems like this is very much a family business. I’m in awe of anyone who can make such fabulous things using a chainsaw!

upcycled furniture

I was opposite this stall (above) and it really caught my eye.  Old and unloved furniture is wrapped in wallpaper or fabric (and then varnished) by a husband and wife team, and the results are just stunning.  They work with found pieces, or will work on your own furniture to create something really special.  Their prices are really reasonable and the finished pieces showed a superb attention to detail.  You can find out more by emailing twolous@hotmail.com.

Have you ever heard of a quillo?  It’s part quilt, part pillow (or cushion, if you’re English, but that doesn’t work so well, linguistically!)

folding a quillo

A quillo looks like a cushion to start out with, but it can be opened out into a quilt – and here’s the really great bit: it even has a pocket for your cold toes!!  Ideal for on the sofa, you always have a quilt to hand to snuggle under on chilly evenings.  Squidgy soft, too!!

quillo unfolded

They come in all sorts of printed fabrics and there’s even a little quillo poem!

quillo poem

Find out more about these quillos (or even buy one) by emailing dana.martin@btinternet.com

And me?  I loved this event – and because I was allocated such a superb space, I was able to use a six foot trestle table as my little mobile factory.  I usually use a tiny folding table behind my stall – partly for personalising items for customers and partly for finishing off things for sale, so it was a treat to be able to spread out (and show off some of the processes) a little bit!

my little mobile factory

If you’re a designer/maker living in the WA postcode and want to find out more, visit the organiser’s website – Helen also organises contemporary art and craft fairs in the nearby village of Lymm.

The next event is 15th October but we’ll be back in Warrington town centre before then with a street market on Saturday 3rd September! It’s a farmer’s market and art/craft market combined, so you can pick up your lettuce and tomatoes along with your personalised plaque!

If you don’t live close enough to Warrington for a trip into town, you can visit my website anytime for a browse. Don’t forget to pour yourself a nice cup of tea or coffee first and put your feet up (actually, that sounds a bit more inviting than a trip into town ).

If you want to keep up to date with what’s going on in Warrington Market, they have a Facebook page that will keep you in the loop!

Just a short post today (that doesn’t happen very often with me, does it?) to say that I’ll be at the Vintage and Craft Fair this Saturday in Warrington Market.

The stalls will be inside, at the rear of the market hall, and (if last time is anything to go by) it’ll be a lively, fun event.  There should be loads of variety, lots of vintage and lots of handmade too.

A fabulous place to shop if you like something a bit different.  Mark it in your diary now:

Saturday 12th February 2011, 10am – 4pm, Warrington Market

. . . make your way to the town centre, there’s plenty of parking and it’s well signposted.  If you can get there, it’d be great to see you there!

Every once in a while comes along something that looks exciting.  And I think this does: http://greatbritishcraftbazaar.com/

The Great British Craft Bazaar isn’t just another craft fair.  It’s aiming to offer the very best experience for anyone interested in handmade goods – so, as well as being able to buy gorgeous goodies from UK designer/makers, you’ll also be able to see demonstations of a variety of crafts and buy supplies for crafts too.

craft demonstrations

It’s being held on the last weekend in March (26th and 27th) in the new Culcheth High School building, which is on Warrington Road in Culcheth (WA3 5HH).  It’s a straight road from the East Lancs, and it’s easy to find from both the M6 and M62 too.  For any potential stallholders  who live some distance away, they’ve even negotiated a discount at a local hotel.

I know the organisers are already full for jewellery, but they still have vacancies for lots of other things – including craft supplies.  They’re specifically looking for card making suppliers, art materials suppliers and bead suppliers – and similar!  It’s a juried event, so you need to submit an application to them via their website, but that only serves in keeping the standards high, which can’t be a bad thing!

personalised campervan clock

My personalised campervan clocks are of course available at www.1stuniquegifts.co.uk – but as usual I plan to have some with me at the Great British Craft Bazaar.  I can of course personalise these (and other gifts!) while you wait at fairs.  I’m hoping to be doing some painting there, too! 

Might see you there!

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