Meet the Maker - Amanda Mercer

One of the most beautiful stands at Country Living was that of Amanda Mercer, who won the Editors Choice Award and her ceramic star decoration was used in the promotional adverts for the show. 

More exciting is that she lives in my home town, I remember seeing her graduation show in 2009 at University of Cumbria and thinking what intricate work it was then, it's wonderful to see how far she's come.

The stand was well laid out and oozed vintage Christmas, I think I'll be having a tree like this in my house this year, her decorations looked so delicate.

Yet by far my favourite item is these ceramic earrings, I couldn't get close enough and her stand was packed out but they have vintage bird and insect pictures on them. 

Her designs would make great Christmas gifts but I'd be too tempted to keep them all for myself.

Amanda's site can be found here.

Thanks for reading

Love Amanda.x.

Country Living Christmas Show, Glasgow.

Well I've been so busy with shop job work I've not had the chance to blog about the wonderful 

Country Living Christmas Show which was held in Glasgow, they do quite a few shows all over the country.

This was extra special though as my friend Catherine Ball was having a space there and had asked if she could take some of mine and another friends stock too. This post shows that stand and gives you links were you can buy from these lovely ladies, but I'm going to do some other posts showing stands of note.

 This is Catherine unpacking stock quick as possible as it was selling out quickly, I loved her space using antique furniture, especially the letterpress tray she uses to display rings and small items in.

 You can see some of my stock here, my crocheted covered tea light holders sold well.

 The drawers attached to the wall worked really well showing off the pieces but making them very shop-able, Catherines pieces are all unique and incorporate laces relief texture or are stitched, which is beautiful.

To keep up with Catherines latest news and products click the link here, Stitched Ceramics.

 Above you can see her amazing hand stitched vessels, I love the flower design.

 I think my crocheted pieces work really well along side the textures of her ceramics, here you can see my Hurricane Lamp, I've only made the one so far, but think they could make lovely wedding centre pieces.

 Showing my pieces here, tea light holders, purses, cosy cups; it was great to hear feedback from customer at this, and other stalls. I'm thinking of going back next year but with my own stand. 

Below is a suitcase of treasure from the other seller in the stall Natalie from Flossy Teacake, she is certainly a crafter to watch out for. Her work has instant appeal styled from her childhood memories, using mixed media, she creates amazing 3D models of buildings and townscapes. 

Click the link for her facebook page, Flossy Teacake.

The atmosphere around all the stalls was amazing, and it was great to see that even in the grim economic climate we currently have people still treasure the quality and uniqueness of the handmade.

Hope to be there next year,

Amanda.x. 

A bit of a show, and some crafty business.

April has been full of mayhem, making and madness. On bank holiday Monday while my Hubby and children were playing in the sunshine,  I had a stall at Rheged Discovery Centre Food and Gift fair. I've not done a fair for a long time and was very jittery about this one, having been told it should be very busy. However that was not the case, I don't know if it was the lack of advertising and communication from the centre or the good weather but it was very quite, and not just for me but for all the stallholders. Below is my table for the event.

 

It was such a shame the event was quite as the level of the artists was amazing, below is 

Weft Studio which is an independant gallery and studio, they had a display of all their 

crafters work.

Then my other neighbour at the event was Jenny Lockwood Designs, as a seasoned fair trader her display cases put my stand to shame. 

I especially liked her tea holder birds, and ceramic bunting. 

She'll be at the Country Living Fair later in the year and is definitely a "next big thing".

One stand which really stood out at the fair was Rachel Gaw Jewellery, it was mostly resin pieces and so funky, full of sparkles and funk. A must for any Alternative girl wanting to make a statement.The love heart necklace and sugar mice were my favourites.

The other stall to pull me in was K.A.H Ceramics, her stand was full of beautiful yet 

simple designs.  

Well made, functional and yet so stylish, I loved her vases covered with product labels and the bird feeder bowls. With their cute Owl and bird designs, I wouldn't be surprised to see them in a magazine soon.

So although a bit of bad day for making money and missing out on family time, I did meet some lovely makers and chatted to plenty of(hopefully)would be customers.

Thanks for reading, your comments as always are welcome.

Amanda.x.