Throwback Thursday: Brentwood Craft Fair 2010

Pictures from my second craft fair at Brentwood Leisure Centre in December 2010 :)

I really enjoyed this fair - there were lots of people there and a lot stopped to talk to me about my work and how much they liked it, which is so nice to hear! 

Note the yarn wig in the first pic - I made it using my Amigurumi Hair Tutorial :)

Throwback Thursday: Neon Pink Jellyfish

Neon Pink Jellyfish

Another Work In Progress post: I was busy at the time making items for my first craft fair. I'm happy to say this little guy found a lovely new home, yay!

Read the blog post here: Pink Jellyfish: A Work In Progress

Throwback Thursday: My First Craft Fair

Me at my first Craft Fair

My first craft fair was at James Hornsby High School in Laindon, Essex - way back in December 2009. I was very nervous, even though it was a very quiet evening. I'd never taken part in anything like this before - I'd never even sold my work before, so this way a massive step for me. 

As you can see in the picture, I busied myself with more crocheting lol It was something to keep my nerves down and helped pass the time in quiet periods :)

Read the blog entry: Glad That's Over!

Southend Craft And Vintage Fair 2011

Currently Listening To: My Poor Brain - Foo Fighters/ Drinking: Pepsi Max/ Wondering: How Corals deboxing went!

Yesterday I took part in my 5th craft fair, in Southend at the Now, Voyager Summer Craft and Vintage Fair! Here are some pictures of my table :)

It was a great day, and 70% of my stuff found new homes, which I was really happy about! I talked to one lady who bought an ami chicken, who said she was there especially to see me, which was lovely to hear! There were also people who remembered me from last year, and a little girl bought my Ted replica (far right-bottom of the first picture). She was walking round the fair with him under her arm, which is how I used to carry my Ted! I'm so glad he found a loving home :)

Also, a couple of days before the fair my Mum found this in the local paper...


Yay! Glad to see amigurumi getting some press attention! :D

I'd like to say a massive Thank You to Felicity and everyone at Now, Voyager for letting me take part in the fair, and for their continuing support. I always have fun at your fairs and would love to take part again, so keep me in mind!

Little Mouth, Summer Fair and a Royal Wedding

Currently Listening To: Stranger Things Have Happened - Foo Fighters/ Drinking: Blue Charge/ Feeling: Hyper!

Loooong post today!

First up: Remember Morris Mouth? Well I needed some testers for his pattern before I can put him in my Etsy shop, and I got loads of takers from my Facebook Fan Page! Here are a couple of the Morris' made!

Teeny Tiny Morris!! This little guy is only 4'' tall, including hat, and was made by Linda. He was made with craft thread! *Squee!*

This cute Morris is by Courtney, and is named Maurissa! I love the use of buttons for her right eye! Also in the picture, for scale, is Courtneys lovely cat Bella!

Thank you both for testing Morris for me, you did a fab job!

Ready for the Royal wedding?! It's been mad on the telly over here in England. People have been camping outside the palace and the cathedral for weeks. We're even having a street party in my area lol I only live 30mins away from central London, so I could go and have a look, but it's gonna be sooooo packed. Might just watch it on BBC from the comfort of my house instead and do some crocheting lol!

But I do think they make a lovely couple, and I wish them all the best for many happy years together :)

Alllllso this weekend I have the Now, Voyager Craft and Vintage fair coming up! I am mostly done with all the crocheting, just need to price up and everything. You can checkout the fair and all the stall holders (including me!!) at the official blog here!

Hope everyone has a great weekend! :D

Brentwood Craft & Gift Fair 2010

I'm back from Brentwood! It went brilliantly! Yay! Here are some pictures of the stuff on my stall...

That's a whole years work of crocheting right there lol! It's a bit sad seeing it be sold - I've become so attached to the things I make :( I was especially sad to see Emo Maria, Pip the Bunny and Gibbley go :(

I gave out lots of buisiness cards and met some lovely people, all very supportive of my work. I want to thank everyone that purchased from me, or even just took a look at the stall, it makes all the work I put in this year worth while when I see people smiling at the stuff I make :D I'd also like to say a big Thanks to my Mum who did the fair with me, and my Dad who drove us all the way to Brentwood in the snow *hugs* :)

Although I had a fab time, I'm not sure if I'll be doing it again next year. I felt under alot of pressure this year crocheting stuff for the fair so I might have a rest next year :) But I'll still be making stuff for Etsy, so I'm not going to dissapear lol!

Crocheting For Craft Fairs

Hiho! Hows everyone?! I hope you all well. I'm sorry it's been a while but, again, I haven't really been up to much crocheting. The little I have made I will share with you here...

First up is the army of Monsties I've been making; some plain ones...

... and 2 striped ones...

I made them using my Monsties pattern, a 3.5mm hook and I used 2 different sized eyes. After making Mr. Wonkey I thought it looked cute :)

Next I made another Mutant Cactus...

... No.103! He's a little cactus this time, and again I used different sized eyes and a 3.5mm hook.

Last but not least I made a big Eggbert...

... again using a 3.5mm hook and this time stick on eyes, which I glued on for extra strength; I also sewed the pom poms on. All these guys are going on my craft stall, which is just a week and a half away! Getting nervous!

Mutant Cactus 102

Sorry for not being around much lately - to tell you the truth I haven't been crocheting much :( But I did make another Mutant Cactus last week, and thought I'd share :)


He/she is Specimen 102, totally freeformed - no pattern was used :) I liked the idea of a cactus with multiple growths growing off of it, and then I gave them eyes for cuteness lol!

In other news - the craft fair I'm taking part in is only 3 weeks away now, and I still have quite a few little bits to make. So far I have about 12 medium sized ami's, including Flumplebees, Super Monsties and dolls; and smaller things like keyrings, mini octopus', scarfs, bear ear headbands and pin cushions. I still need to make some Monsties, Eggberts, birdies and a Uniloomph. So that's what I'm going to be up to - I'll post pics when I'm finished! :D

And tonight I'm off to London again to The 02 Arena to see Paramore with my brother - good times! :D

The Birth Of Mr. Wonkey

I was actually in quite a crochet mood tonight, so I decided to get some stuff made for the craft stall I'm doing at Christmas. I need to make some Monsties (about 10) that I can bundle into a big bowl and sell.

So I started one. Then I thought 'Wouldn't it be weird to have a multi-coloured Monstie?'. I've never made or seen one before so I gave it a go. I then thought I'd give him different sized eyes. I've recently bought some lovely safetly eyes from 6060 on Etsy, and have been trying out different sizes (They are great eyes btw - I ordered some more a minute ago).

I was almost finished with him when I noticed his legs were totally different sizes. I was gonna frog him, but felt kind of sorry for him so I decided to make a 'Wonkey Monstie'. This is him in all his wonkey glory:



Bless him!! His left leg is a full 3rd smaller than his right, his mouth is on wonkey, he has different sized eyes and he's all randomly stripey! I like him - I kind of don't want to sell him! I think I will be making more Wonkey Monsties! <3

Blog Neglect and A Craft Fair

Hiho!

I do appologise for my absence of late - I am guilty of Blo Neglect. I haven't been busy - I just haven't been bothered lol! But I'm back now and hopefully normal service will resume :)

Yesterday (Sunday 2nd May) I took part in the first 'Now, Voyager' Craft and Vintage Fair, and it was great! I sold most of my stock and made a big profit! Plus it was a really fun day with some very talented people, and that's the most important thing in doing these fairs.

I arrived at The Railway Hotel with my helper and driver (Mum and Dad...) at about 10:45am, and was set up and ready to go by 12pm. There was a queue outside the venue when it opened, even though it was chucking it down with rain! Typical Bank Holiday Weekend weather!

I was angry with myself for forgetting my camera (which is why you won't see any pictures in this post...) so I had to use my Mum's camera phone. We haven't worked out how to get the pictures off of it and on to the computer yet lol!

I learnt alot of things at the fair which will all help me get ready for Brentwood at Christmas. It was a great day and I'd just like to Thank Felicity & Lauren of Now, Voyager for all their hard work! :D

New Craft Fair Appearence!

I've signed up to do another craft fair! Yay!


It is being be held by Now, Voyage, this coming Sunday, upstairs at The Railway Hotel in Southend. It starts at 12pm and goes on until 5pm, and entry is £1.

I will be selling my various amigurumi creatures and bits there, so if you're in the area come and say hi!

Sell, Sell, Sell

I'm baaaaack! It went really well! I even made a profit, which is unbelievable as the stall cost me a small fortune to begin with!

We arrived at a dark, rainy Brentwood Leisure Centre at 8am, unloaded the stock, chairs and other bits and pieces and went to the hall. We found our table - a great space along the outer wall of the hall, which looked right down one of the inner aisles. Next to us on our left was a lovely man and lady selling homemade Christmas crackers, and on our right were another couple selling pretty jewellery.

This is how we set up the stall, that's my Mum in the background lol


I am ashamed to admit I got really stressed and moody whilst setting the stall up. I was like that at Laindon too. I don't know why. After I'd calmed down and everything was done we had to wait around for about an hour before the hall was opened to the public. So I took the opportunity to have a look round at the other vendors. There were some lovely crafts and gifts available.


When the hall opened at about 10:15am I was really nervous, and didn't think I'd sell anything. But I got my first sale after about 30mins; a lady bought a scarf and a pink Monstie (the pink Monstie that was guarding my money at the last fair!). After about an hour my Dad turned up to see how we were doing.


A fire alarm went off at about 1pm, and we all had to evacuate. It was bloody cold outside! My Mum and I spotted my Nan, cousin Clair and her daughter Katie standing round waiting to get in. We went and talked to them, and when the hall was opened up again they came over to my stall. They insisted on buying some stuff, although I said they didn't have to pay!


By the end of the day I'd sold 45 items, including 30 members of my Amigurumi Army! They have now been dispatched all around Essex, I hope they'll do me proud! I'd cleared over half of my stock, so I was well pleased with how the day had gone. I think the highlight was a little boy that bought a teddy bear ami. He was so sweet, and really seemed to love the bear! It makes all the time I spent making them ami's well worth it when you get reactions like that!


I'd love to do the show again next year. I may book it up soon, so I know I'll definitely get a place. It's been a great experience, and has kept me busy all year round. I'd definitely recommend doing a craft fair to anyone that makes their own items, it's great to see people's faces when they see your work. The money is a plus point, but not the main reason I did it.

Oh, and when I turned on my computer about 30mins ago I found an email from a lady offering me a shop of my own in Wickford! A SHOP! I was so stunned and happy that someone thought that much of my work that they'd offer me a whole shop! I'd so take her up on the offer, but unfortunately I can't afford the rent at the moment, and I couldn't make up and maintain a stock big enough for a shop. But it's so great to be asked!

This week I have some custom orders I need to work on - I'm really busy at the moment, it's great! I don't know if I'll get time to do Best Of tomorrow so I may do it Wednesday instead.

Preparation And Expectation

A busy Saturday lies ahead for me!

I have the big show at Brentwood tomorrow. I've got all my stock made - a whole suitcase of amigurumi and crocheted items, with a few sock monkeys too! It's taken me a year to prepare for this fair; I hope it's all been worth it!

I have to get up at 6;30 am, which for me is very early! We'll be traveling to Brentwood, which is about 30 mins away by car, and set up by 10am. My Nan is coming along with my cousin Clair and her daughter Katie. I think Clair is wanting to buy some crocheted flowers for her childrens teachers, so I know I'll be getting at least 1 customer!

In the past week I've got several requests for custom orders, and that's been taking up most of my time over the past few days. I've finished one order, he's all ready to be posted off. I have another order for 2 personalised Wekeshi Dolls that I plan to start tonight. Busy! I like it though - gives me something to do!

Oh, and yesterday the draw for the 2010 World Cup was made. England got drawn against Slovenia, Algeria and USA. It's a really good group, everyone's saying it's one of the easiest so it's great news! I have some American friends on the internet, and it's causing some discussion already! Let the taunting commence! :D

Ok, better get crocheting. Wish me luck for tomorrow, I'm nervous!

Glad That's Over!

No Etsy Friday this week, instead..

I'm back from the 'craft fair'! It went ok for a first go, though it wasn't really a craft fair. It was more of a shopping evening, as I was one of about only 3 stalls that had handmade items.

I turned up at about 6pm armed with my army of ami's, and set up the stall. As it was in a nursery the tables were tiny so I had 2. Here's me *waves* sat behind my ami table, crocheting to keep myself amused lol!


Here's my second table, with bits like stress balls, flowers, keyrings, scarves and magnets. And Pet Rocks. I had loads of Pet Rocks lol! Check out that tiny chair in the background! They're toddler chairs! I had to sit on that for hours!


I felt really exposed sitting behind my tables. I'm very judgemental about my stuff and felt like people were, well, judging me lol! I didn't like it atall and wanted to go home, but I stuck it out and stayed.

Here's a pink Monstie guarding my money, and the square I was crocheting for the Knit-A-Square charity.




I took my Mum along for help and support, and about an hour in my Dad, Nan, Auntie and Uncle turned up. Also at the event was an old friend from school; she had a stall selling jewellery and cards. I really liked her stuff, especially the bracelets. I haven't seen her since leaving school in 2001 so it was nice to catch up.

Here's me hiding from my Mum. I hate having my photo taken lol


All in all it was a good experience. There weren't many people there to be honest, but I made a profit so it wasn't all bad! Now I have the big one at Brentwood coming up. That IS gonna be busy!