Brentwood Craft and Gift Show

The last few months have been working towards the weekend just gone - to make things in order to sell them at the Brentwood Craft and Gift show.

This was a 2 day show and comprised of several different stalls selling various different crafts, gifts and foods as well. It was advertised as being the biggest of its kind in Essex and even some reindeers popped in on Sunday.

We worked hard to get the stall set up on Saturday and although it started off slowly, we had quite a good day - mainly due to several family members and friends paying the stall a visit and parting with their money.

There were several different items for sale including patchwork cushions, magnets, handmade cards and decorated candles:

 

 On the second day the heavens opened - so the hall was very busy. The stall had a bit of a change around to make some items more visible (and us - there was no hiding behind the card stands on day two.....)

The fleece baby blankets proved a very popular item, probably due to the cute animals printed onto some of them as well as the very soft feel of the snuggle fleece.

Although none of them sold, the mice pin cushions were also a big talking point, with lots of comments that they were cute. However, they are still sat on my shelf until they can find an owner:

I now have time to do more work on the blog. so over the next few weeks there will be several 'How to' guides showing various different techniques - so why not follow the blog so you get regular updates on the information and news.

I will also be putting some of the unsold stock onto my Etsy page shortly, or if you would like anything please leave a comment on this post.

Claire

Sewn Items

I decided to take a bit of a break from papercrafting to make some sewn items. I have booked a stall at a local craft fair in November and am busy making lots of gift type items to sell. Although papercrafts is what I am best at, I thought that the sewn items would sell slightly better (fingers crossed!)

First of all, I found this pattern for pin cushion mice over at Bustle and Sew's website. I thought they would make really cute gifts so I tried one out using pink felt and contrasting pink flowery ears:

He was very easy to make and looks very sweet. I now need to try and make some more with some different material. This one's staying with me though and not being sold!

I then found some bag kits from My Mind's Eye in their See Me Sew range, which I just had to have. Here is the messenger bag which I am very proud of. It's even got a pocket inside it.

I have made a note of the dimensions and am planning to make some more just like this to sell. I think they will go down well and would make great gifts.

Now, the next item is a bit of a bug bear of mine. I really like the effect that blanket stitch has round the edges of items such as these flowers, but for the life of me I cannot seem to get it right when I am starting the stitch and it's very frustrating! Once I have started the rest goes well I think:

I have made these as brooches which could be added to a bag or a jacket. The white one is my favourite which has probably got the neatest stitching. I will certainly be making more of these and possible making some as keyrings as well?

That's all for now, back to the needle and thread.

Oh yes, if anyone has any tips on the blanket stitch then feel free to send them over!

Claire