Live it: We Make London 5th Birthday Event

Last Friday we were invited to the We Make London Pop-up shop in Camden for their 5th Birthday event. You may remember I went and checked out the shop a few weeks ago and bought a couple of necklaces! oops. You can see that post here.

Love it: Pop Up Shops

Pop-up shops are currently opening up everywhere you look and if it's not a shop it's a restaurant in a retail unit or living room (for a supper club type affair).  For anyone who doesn't already know pop-up shops are basically short-term sales spaces that are fitted out to utilise a retail unit whether that be in-between lets or more recently for units that are laying empty for longer periods of time. 

As I mentioned these first started coming about with restaurants and perhaps even Christmas time short lets, but now these pop-ups have been utilised by craft collectives to showcase their work and use the designer/makers as volunteer shop staff to keep them going.

I thought I would talk about a couple that I have come across and perhaps you can find some and tell us where they are to check them out.

I am sure you have heard us talk about the Craft Coop over in Maidenhead and you can see a few posts here and here.  We also did a who's who with them right back in early 2012 and you can also find out a bit more about their current pop-up in Maidenhead town centre here.

I also managed to have a look at the We Make London pop-up shop in Camden Market this week, which I have been meaning to go to for a few weeks.  A few of our friends have got some of their wares in the shop and so it was a good excuse to go take a nosey when I knew Becky from The Craft Closet was on duty. You can see their kits in the photo above.

Plus I had seen a sneak peek on their website and had my eye on one of the 'I am acrylic' blackbird necklaces - top picture.  (which I can safely say I got, oh yes and another necklace from Boobou jumped into my bag!) I did just about manage to leave the rest of the shop behind though, but Kate Rowland's rocket earrings are next on my list I think! (see below)

So, if you see a pop-up shop go check it out and if you happen to be in Maidenhead or London, do check out the shops above as you won't be disappointed.  You will, however have a lighter purse when you leave as there are so many lovely products in store for you to buy something really unique and special as a present or just for yourself!

Live it

H

Review: The Make Escape

A few weeks ago I managed to drag myself over to good old Hackney to finally make it to The Make Escape at Hackney Picturehouse! It's been a long time coming and have been meaning to go for ages but not living in London anymore just means going to things is that little bit more effort! I had some time off so spent a few days in London staying with a friend and managed to convince her to come with me too!

The session was to Drop-in and Draw but there was a plenty of things on offer: Knitting, crochet, comic strip storyboarding, still life drawing and collage!

After getting to the top floor - or the attic as its known - we bought a drink and headed for a look around at all the different things on offer!  We decided upon the collage as who doesn't love a bit of cutting and glueing! I watch the kids when I am at work do it all the time but I don't get a look in - so this was my time! 

We sat on a large bank of tables and everyone around us got stuck in.  There were plenty of bits and bobs to use but I must admit to my inspiration being a bit thin on the ground - even though this was the day of me going around the V&A, I think I must have looked at too much!

This was my effort - You can tell I work with children most of the time

My friend Vic's collage - You can see who is the Illustrator!

We had a great time and it was nice to sit down and do something creative of an evening that wasn't a particular workshop.  You could spend time doing whatever you wanted and all for free!  Just keep buying the drinks to keep you going for the night.  You can see more about the night on their blog here.

They usually have guests that help with the workshops throughout the night and the lovely Becky from The Craft Closet was helping with the knitting and so it was a good chance to catch up in person for a change!

The next event is their Easter Extravaganza on Tuesday March 26th at the Hackney Attic. Drop in any time from 7.30pm to 11pm.

Live it

H

Workspace: Craft Closet

This month's creative space comes courtesy of Becky from The Craft Closet, which we featured in one of our who's who's last year.

Where is your space?

In our little rented flat I have taken over a corner of the lounge with my big desk and some shelving.  Because I can't close the door on my creative space, I need to keep it reasonably tidy.

What do you do in it?

Because The Craft Closet is an online business mostly, I spend lots of hours at my computer, so I have a gorgeous, puffy Donna Wilson cushion to keep me comfy on my chair!  When it comes to designing new kits I have a nice selection of trusted books and pretty magazines for inspiration.  The desk is also pretty big so I have room to make up all our craft kits before a Market or Craft Fair.

Why do you like it?

Because it’s quite a small space, everything is accessible and I can easily surround myself with bits and pieces I love.

What would make it better?

It would be nice if I had some better storage, my stash of wool is currently stuffed in a bag under the desk along with my boxed up sewing machine.  I'd also like to have a little more room for all the supplies for The Craft Closet kits, which we make at home ready for Markets, Etsy & Craft Shows.

I dream of having my own Creative Room full of crafty goodies, one day . . . .

Thanks go to Becky for sharing her space and her book collection with us.

Live it.  Love it.  Make it

H & Sammy

Who's Who: The Craft Closet

After a bit of a Hiatus, our Who's Who interview is back, so if you would like to be featured in the future, please do send us an email us at liveit.loveit.makei@gmail.com

So, to kick off the new season it's the turn of the Craft Closet. I had the privilege of work with both of these lovely girls when I did my stint at The Make Lounge in London.

They have started up their own business and have managed to get themselves in a book and plenty of magazines since they got going, so they are definitely doing something right!

So let's see what they have to say ...

What is Craft Closet?

We are The Craft Closet and our aim is to inspire and encourage that crafty side in you! The Craft Closet provide the finest materials in each of our unique craft kits so that you can make a beautifully designed gift for yourself, friend or loved one. The designs and instructions are simple, easy to follow and most importantly the kits are great fun!

The business is run by myself (Nicola) and Rebecca. We both have a creative background and a multitude of experience.  I have a degree in Fashion and Textiles specialising in Knitwear design and have worked within the Retail Buying Industry since graduation. Rebecca has a degree in Contemporary Decorative Crafts and experience of working for the V&A and various Artist Studios.

I had always dreamt of starting my own business, using my design and buying skills to create my own brand. Rebecca similarly wanted to create her own niche business in the creative world incorporating her experience, skills and passion for crafts, so after far too many tea and cake catch ups we decided to join forces and take the plunge!

Where do you sell your work?

We have a busy Christmas planned with a string of market dates around London, which are always great fun as it's fantastic being able to chat with our customers.

Upcoming Market Dates:

Saturday 10th November - We Make London Market at Spitalfields (also Inspired:London Book Launch)

Friday 16th November - Greenwich Indoor Market

Saturday 17th November - Designer/Makers Market at Spitalfields.

Saturday 24th November - Greenwich Indoor Market

Sunday 2nd December - Greenwich Indoor Market

Sunday 9th December - Designers/Makers Market at Rotary Walk, Clapton

Saturday 15th December - Designers/Makers Market at Spitalfields

Sunday 16th December - BUST Craftacular at Bethnal Green

We are also currently stocked in 3 London boutique craft shops and of course have a shop on Etsy - www.TheCraftClosetUK.Etsy.com

Or find us in the following shops:

The Make Lounge, Islington

Love 13, Enfield

Creative Biscuit Cafe, South Woodford

What do you sell?

We have a range of 10 Craft Kits which currently include Knitting, Sewing and Cross Stitch.

We are busy working on Crochet and Embroidery Kits for our Spring range which we're really excited about!

Anything coming up that we should know about?

We're really excited about the launch of the new book; Inspired:London which has been created by We Make London to showcase over 150 handpicked London designers and includes a feature on The Craft Closet. The public launch event was on Saturday 10th November at Spitalfields Market where we also had a stall, so you may have seen us there!

What does the future have in store for Craft Closet?

Lots! We have a long list of new Craft Kits we would love to create, so we'll gradually be working on these and bringing our a few new one's in the New Year.

We would also love to reach a few more people out side of London by finding a few boutique craft shops a little further afield to stock our kit range. We're also hoping to start a Blog soon called Tea, Cake & Make which will be full of all our favourite things!

We both love London, it's such an amazing city and the craft and handmade scene has really exploded. It's great to be able to be part of such an exciting and inspiring community, so the future really is looking very exciting for The Craft Closet!

Find us online:

Facebook - The Craft Closet

Twitter - @CraftCloset

Or drop us an email! hello@thecraftcloset.co.uk

So, please do go check them out, they have plenty of stock for fun Christmas presents, I particularly like the knitted purses, but I think I am going to have to get my knitting skills up first!

Live it.  Love it.  Make it

H

Live it: Kings Place and The Cally Festival

What a difference a week makes. This time Last weekend we were down at Kings Place Music Festival making all manor of paper accessories out of recycling their old leaflets.  We made beads and badges, wands and hats and even a few pairs of glasses on sticks!

We had great fun down at the event and were kept very busy with children of all ages, so thank you very much Kings Place!

We then decided to take a little trip further down the road to The Cally Festival which is on Caledonian Road.  We went last year and so decided to go back this year for another look!  And luckily it wasn't like today and was a lovely slightly warm day.  They picked the right weekend! There was an array of stands with craft supplies, vintage goods and of course cake!  Along with sports and local community groups out in force to show off what they offer!

We saw some artists painting some cubes with illustrations and images on all sides.  Its always nice to see what other people are up to and see some new talent!

There was also a large painting which had been done by artists and local people which means you cannot forget which road we were on!

Whilst walking around H saw some of her friends she had met at The Make Lounge, with their own stall, so go check out their online shop Craft Closet!

Lots of lovely things to buy and make, I have my eye on the knitted purses!

All in all a good day of Living it, Loving it and Making it

H and Sammy