Vintage war time patterns

I was going through and old bag of 'stuff' today and I came across some scruffy pieces of paper.
When I opened them out (after letting out a little squeal) I saw there were three toy patterns from the 2nd world war. A dog, a duck and the most adorable doll!
The hand writing sent a shiver down my spine, especially when I turned one piece of paper over-it was an envelope with my great, great aunts name and address on. On the revise, written in pencil was "make for Heather"...my moms name, who would have been two years old then.

Each pattern had been cut from old news papers of the day, showing adverts for Bisto etc or from old brown packing paper.

This instantly pricked my 'make-do-and-mend passion. But what amazed me the most was, these patterns had been kept, they were scruffy pieces of paper-nothing special and even many years after the war when my mom must have inherited them, she felt they were special enough to keep...so I will do the same and treasure them for what they are.

A little info for new sellers at markets & fayres

I was recently ask by a couple of fellow crafters about beginning the process of attending Craft fair and markets.
I have penned some advice for this person and thought it might be helpful to add them to my blog/twitter.

I have been standing craft fayres and markets in York, Richmond, Middlesbrough, Northallerton, darlington & many more for 18 years plus....and very little has change all these years.

The approach should depend on the venue, organizer, geographical location and what you are selling.
On a market people want to talk to you and to be approached, at a craft fayre they prefer to browse and chat to their companions.

•The most important things you first need to think of is the insurance. A quality event will always ask to see this before you set up your stall.
And a print out if the information of that days event is always useful-it will help you remember the names of the organizer-a little respect will pay back in spades.
•The overall visual look of your stall (and product) it key-customers go on their visual interest to then find interest in a product-they say it is 90% visual, 10% product.
I would recommend you link the visual aspects if the stall-if you sell rustic or handmade items, use wicker baskets. If your product is modern, try glass stands or mirrors.
•Have some wicker baskets or card/wooden displays to display your products-I even use a some shelves that give hight on the table, adding space.
•If you are outside event remember to take some table cloths-I prefer them to match the signage and keep your look unified-remember you are a brand.
•Take promotional information such as business cards & information of your website, Facebook or twitter pages.
•Take your self a packed lunch and if you are outside, a flask of warm drink is a good idea especially if you will be on your own but also saves cost and you get to keep your profits.
•Use suitable storage, this allows for easy moment of stock but keeping it in in good condition, ready to sell.
•I personally would recommend a money belt or apron-carry at least a£50.00 float, mainly of change but £5.00 notes too.
•Marking your items with prices is important, no customer wants to ask the price & as a customer myself of craft fairs, if items are not priced I won't buy.
•Allow time for traveling and look at where you are traveling to beforehand – You don’t want to be late or arrive at the wrong destination.
•Dress for the season and check the weather for that day – If you are outside in the winter months, rap up in layers or invest in some ski gear-it WILL get chilly.
•Its important to have bags for customers. Not every will want one but offer and let them decide. Its all part of the 'shopping experience' for customers.
•If you are planning to work with children, you will need to have an enhanced CRB check. Any venue worth it's salt will ask prior to booking you. And they will also ask to see it. It is worth remembering that it will need renewing and the rule of thumb is do it yearly. A CRB is technically out of date after six months but most event will accept up to a year.
•it is also a good ideas to take a bag of goodie such as tape, blutak, bulldog clips, sticky labels etc that will become essential.
Andrea from Funk your Denim (http://www.funkyourdenim.co.uk) always takes double sided sticky tape as one of her essentials .

I hope these points will help anyone attending venues and events in the new year. These are my own personal opinions and you will have your own experiences.

*******january Give Away*******

If you want to be in a with a chance if of winning one of three gift packs-all you need I do is ReTweet and join my blog-simple as that! And you could win one of these

January give away

 

January Give Away

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love the beginning of the new year-looking forward to all the new exciting things happening, new years resolutions to keep (I promise!) and

 .....Drawn Threads January Give away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are three packs for goodies to win, all containing a variety of lovely items such as the very popular "Bits & Piece it Together" kits, book covers, stitched pictures and fabric bags.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To win all you need to do is

follow the blog,

ahiveofactivity@blogspot.com

follow on twitter

http://twitter.com/SarahOatley

and

Re Tweet

 

 

And others will know all about the wonderful goodies on offer...and once you have have done that you will be put on the list of lovely people to be drawn out of the hat on 31st Jan 2013

A return to sewn pictures

About 20 years ago I used to sell my sewn pictures in a number of shops and at a local indoor market-they always sold well and thankfully they were a favorite thing to make.
One picture I sold had hundreds of teeny tiny bees see on-depicting a huge beehive. I loved it, I was pleased to sell, but remember the emotional wrench of letting it go.
I tend do that with every picture I make, so much love and time goes in to them.

I have very much returned to this style of imagery again and have sold a few lately.
I've recently begun a series of sewn pictures that are based around my adorable god daughter. I had such a lovely day visiting her today, taking photos to use for the sewn image...and eating cake!

a whirlwind of a year

 

On one the last days of the year, I decided to look through how far I have come in relauncing myself full time back into the creative craft world and in such a short space of time.


Over 18 years ago I was selling items that were handmade through markets and fayres and for a long time it was put on a back burner, done on a much smaller scale...But in May, after feeling quite lost and unsure of the next direction- thought long and hard about what I was good at and what I loved.

High up on that list was design-and considering that was what I trained in, it was a perfect place to start. Very quickly I also became aware that the need for workshops delivering skills such as sewing and crafts.



It was thanks to Cafe Create and Joanne Land that these begun in September and the new workshops planned for the upcoming spring are so exciting. The felt making workshop was popular and such fun, and will be delivered again in the new year.

Attending the Darlington Sunday Peoples Market was another high moment, going back to a platform that I love-There is nothing finer than talking to the public about what I am passionate about-introducing lost skills such as sewing to adults who have never tried but always wanted too is such a wonderful feeling!

 

 

Over the last five months the products sold have evolved and I'm so much happier with the quality and content-I have such pride in every item created, knowing it will bring joy to the person who will own it.

 And I'm astounded as to how well my internet sales have been-through Etsy and receiving emails via the internet, so much so that in the new year there will be E-Commerce added for ease of both selling and for they buyer.









In October I could have burst with Joy at being included in the magazine Craftseller in their 'Ask The Expert' section on the Q&A Page.
I'm very much looking forward to more features in the up coming months as well as having features in two other magazines this spring.













So to sum up-this year begun feeling a little lost and in need of emotional, professionals happiness. I returned full time to a creative platform and so much thanks goes to my family. They have been, as they always are amazing!, Simple amazing!

And not forgetting my very close friends who never once doubted for a second

that I could do what I set out to. It might now seem like much,

but for someone take the time to say "well done" is heart warming.

Next year is going to be so exciting-I cant wait for it to begin!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/DrawnThreads

Drawnthreads.uk@gmail.com

www.Drawnthreads.co.uk

December and Christmas time

Drawn threads has had a wonderful December-from attending the Darlington Sunday people's markets to madly getting a multitude if orders together to post out to customers-I haven't stopped but have loved every minute if it.
From a wonderful event at Carmel college to one of the nicest markets I attended, the 'turning if the lights' event, we had some wonderful customers and despite being very chilly we had an amazing night. My two wonderful Christmas elves were a huge support and I couldn't have done with out them.