Introducing: Pat Bown aka. Tricoteuse.

Pat is a Stockport based maker who has sold at our markets before… She keeps coming back because we are so well organised (why thank you!) and because she always find the markets productive and a great place to meet other interesting people – both shoppers and makers alike!

Pat says; “I love experimenting with yarns and fibres, taking inspiration from nature, just having fun and “me time”.” but as she is planing to knit, crochet and felt all her Christmas gifts this year, it sounds to us like most of her “me” time will be spent making for others.

Well it ’tis the season to get crafty!

In addition to looking forward to the market, Pat loves this time of year because she gets to get outside and enjoy the countryside, landscape and watching leaves change colour in the autumn. Now that it’s rounded Dec. 1st, it’s a little colder, and most of the leaves have fallen, we hope you’re tucked away somewhere nice and cozy and making for the market!

Have a look at some of Pat’s lovely knitted and felted goods, and while we’ve got your attention visit her blog to see more!

When asked about her craft inspiration Judith shared;

“I love beads, wool, fabric and sparkly things!  I’m never still. I always have to be doing something with my hands, I must drive my family mad . I love trying something new. But my biggest thrill still comes from someone wanting to pay money for something that I’ve made!!”

Judith’s favourite item on her stall are her little hand-felted bags (see below).

"It still amazes me how different they look when they come out the washing machine. They are so yummy to touch."

Another favourite and long standing success of Judith’s are her ‘Molly’ bracelets.

"They're my best sellers still and were there at the start!"

Judith enjoys the pre-festive season by taking Autumn walks with her family in all the lovely green areas around us… as well as making handmade gifts for many of her friends and family! She shared some of the things that she’s making with fabric bought from ‘Stitch Me Lane‘… but just in case the people on her ‘nice’ list are reading, we don’t want to give any details away!

No Spoilers Here!

If you want to know more, you’ll have to ask Judith on December 10th at the Whitworth Gallery, or visit her on

www.athingofbeautygifts.com

Presenting:

Andrea Banks – New-Creations Jewellery and The Little Craft Box Company

Andrea is a Rochdale based maker, who will be joining us for her THIRD Manchester Craft Mafia Market! The first market she attended selling her jewellery and the second market her little craft boxes!

“I had a great time both times…meeting new people and had quite a few sales! Very enjoyable.” She also did a bit of cheeky shopping while she was selling; “I bought a grater lamp, some Christmas bunting, an urg arg necklace, a needlecase and some crocheted mistletoe.”

.

What is your favourite item that you are selling this year and why?
I think I like my new leaf pendants the best…they are a revamp of some of the very first pendants I made about…aherm *cough*…years ago!!!

Andrea tells us a bit about her Christmas plans this year, and what she’s up to when she isn’t making:

“I can’t wait for the outdoor Manchester Christmas Markets…just having a wander around and looking at all the decorations and lovely things for sale. Like most of us, I’m on a tight budget for Christmas Presents this year, so everybody’s getting something handmade…shhhh…I can’t tell you what…it won’t be a surprise!!! I have some ideas for special Christmas Tree decorations though. When I’m not crafting, I’m usually watching live music and occasionally even joining in!”

You can find out more about Andrea and her work by visiting her on facebook

http://www.thelittlecraftboxcompany.co.uk/
http://www.facebook.com/newcreationsjewellery
http://www.facebook.com/thelittlecraftboxcompany

Upcycle your t’s

Tomorrow night LoFi from 6pm

This month we are gonna dig out forgotten t-shirts and turn them into wonderous jewellery!

Myself and Nico Dawson will show you how to make necklaces, rings, bracelets and brooches. It’s really easy peasy and very experimental.

We will aim to provide all the materials for a mini fee but if you have any old forgotten t shirts bring em along.

Anything you’ve made recently please bring it along for show and tell, we’d love to see.

Common will take orders for our tea or whatever drinks and nibbles make take your fancy?

See http://www.aplacecalledcommon.co.uk/food

To let us know you’re coming email nico@opheliabutton.co.uk

(Acceptance of your invitation helps with numbers for food if you plan on eating? And also for the demo and materials so please do try to let me know if possible?)

Lo Fi DIY is brought to you in association with Manchester Craft Mafia, a friendly bunch!

Making things happen!

On Tuesday 3rd of May 6 till 9 at Common Edge St

(Edge St, Northern Quarter)

Crafty City 2

Wanna make a building to be exhibited at Fred Aldous as part of their 125^th Birthday celebrations?

This is what we will be up to this month at Lo Fi and would love for you to join us in this crafty activity.

We will aim to bring a variety of materials to hopefully inspire you but feel free to bring down anything you wish to use in your building construction or any bits you have to share.

Please see below for full details of the project.

Anything you’ve made recently please bring it along for show and tell, we’d love to see.

Common will take orders for our tea or whatever drinks and nibbles make take your fancy?

See http://www.aplacecalledcommon.co.uk/food

To let us know you’re coming email nico@opheliabutton.co.uk

(Acceptance of your invitation helps with numbers for food if you plan on eating? And also for the demo and materials so please do try to let me know if possible?)

More info on Crafty City…….

Mini Manchester. A Not So Big Up North.

Following the success of MCM’s crafty city, MCM and Fred Aldous are teaming up to create a Mini Manchester!

Manchester Craft Mafia are inviting as many people to create a little building using any art material or method. The only restriction being the size and we hope the ‘Crafty City’ will grow and develop. Our city started on Thursday 19th August 2010 during MCM’s re-launch night with about thirty seven mini buildings and MCM hope it will grow from a village, into a town and then into a large ‘Crafty City’. We hope this will reflect the history of how Manchester grew from a little camp to what it is today, a large and very busy city.

The ‘Crafty City’ is a project for everyone. For crafters and non-crafters, for people living in Manchester or further afield in the UK and if possible people from overseas. Creativity is everywhere and in everyone, and we would like to encourage it out by providing the chance to contribute, share and make.

The only restriction is the size; it should be no bigger than 15cm by 15cm by 15cm – including the roof.

Inspiration can be taken from the buildings of Manchester or from the one you live in now, in the past or where you would like to live in the future or it could be one created from your imagination. Buildings can be sewn, knitted, cross-stitched, drawn or painted. You could make one out of wood, paper, Lego, card or clay. Anything goes!

The finished city will be exhibited at Fred Aldous Ltd. in Manchester city centre from 16^th July – 31^st July.

If you need one, there is a template available to download from the MCM website www.manchestercraftmafia.co.uk

You can deliver your submissions to our drop of point in store at Fred Aldous Ltd. or alternatively post them to:

Fred Aldous Ltd.

37 Lever Street

Manchester

M1 1LW

The Deadline for submissions to arrive is 24^th June 2011.

Next Lo-fi is on Tuesday 5th April

Lo-fi is a relaxed social crafty get together on the first Tuesday of every month

This month Manchester Craft Mafia Member Jane Dennerly is going to teach us a fabric manipulation technique called ‘star puff gathering’ what a special name! Once learnt the technique can be used to make cuffs and collars but also for larger projects like cushions.  We should be able to make a cuff within the session.

All materials will be provided for which a small £1 donation will be requested (although if you have a ruler? bring this along). Anything you’ve made recently please bring it along for show and tell, we’d love to see.

Common will take orders for our tea or whatever drinks and nibbles make take your fancy?

See http://www.aplacecalledcommon.co.uk/food

places must be booked  nico@opheliabutton.co.uk

I taught a lovely group how to make some simple little artist books/ scrap books. the results were lovely using ribbons, buttons even old map some beautiful books were created. for more of the finished books check out my flickr

to see a little more about me check out my blog

LO-FI is a monthly get to together at Common in the Northern Quarter

taking place on the first Tuesday of the Month. starting about 6pm costing

just £1 towards materials

The next session will be run my textile Artist Jane Dennerly who will be demonstrating some simple stitches that create fantastic results beginners and experienced crafters welcome.

to hav a nosey at some of Jane’s work check out her blog

places must be booked to book and for more details contact Nico on nico@opheliabutton.co.uk

Ministry of Craft has been gathering lots of attention lately for its wide range of fantastically fun courses… did you spot them in this month’s ‘Making’ magazine?  There’s a huge spread featuring Sam Sterkin and her collection of crafty classes. So we figured why not feature them here for all our Craft Mafia followers?

Ministry of Craft are going from strength to strength this Spring. With last season’s newbies Cupcake Decorating and BathBomb Making already having become firm favourites, they‘re always reinventing their programme, this spring even more than ever – with brand new courses all taught by local makers and crafters – some of whom you may recognise!

Their new courses include Lino Cut Pattern Printing, Origami Jewellery, Knitting a Wire Bracelet, and Making Your Own Bunting – there’s got to be some new skills there, for even the most seasoned crafter! Get the full list at www.ministryofcraft.co.uk

Ooo its that time of year again, when its the Manchester Craft Mafia’s annual xmas fair held at the Whitworth Art Gallery. This year I have been busy organising the event and selecting some of the best crafters in the Manchester area. I will be selling my own work too and I’ve been busy making bags, bows, scarves and corsages from beautiful Harris Tweed and silk. There will be plenty to choose from, in lots of different colours and patterns. Hope you can come along and buy something unique for yourself or as a present for someone special.

Here are a couple of photo’s of Mafia member Debbie Greenaway’s work that will be on sale on Saturday to find out more about Debbie’s craft and illustration see her website http://www.debbiegreenaway.com/ and on her blog http://www.theimaginationofladysnail.blogspot.com/