The Button Tin

Last Saturday I was taken away to another era, when I was lucky enough to go to a crafting workshop at The Button Tin, a gem of a place I’ve found out about via Facebook.

For those of you who may not have heard about it, The Button Tin is the work of local crafter, artist and all round lovely person Gemma Nemer, an inspired person with a passion for all things vintage and whose workshops and workplace can only be described as inspirational.

The day began with a quick 15 minute drive over to Rotherham, where The Button Tin is based, for the 11am start. Gemma introduced herself, her background and what the day would entail. I had booked onto an ‘embroidered hoops’ session which was also attended by seven other lovely ladies, one of whom had travelled from London especially for the session (that’s how good this place is!).

I’m getting married in a few months, so with Gemma’s help I quickly decided on a project for the day which can be used for the wedding (sorry, no pictures of the result…it’s secret!). I spent a considerable amount of time perusing the vast amount of vintage fabrics from the treasure chest and settled on a lovely piece to work with. As the saying goes, you learn something new every day…and on this day I learnt a new stitch (chain stitch) and spent the main part of the session stitching away.  All the fabric, threads, hoops, lace, hanging cords, tea, cake were all in and at £30 for five hours, it's great value.

Over the course of the next few hours I was transported into a 40's/50’s style wonderland – Vera Lynne records were playing on a gramophone, proper china crockery were used to serve the tea and cake, doilies were aplenty and the kiosk which houses The Button Tin could not have been any more pleasurable.

I’ve read a number blog posts which say things along the lines of ‘a visit to The Button Tin is like being transported back in time’. I want to say something different, something new…but I can’t. It's really (I’d guess) like being back in the 1940/50’s – Gemma, her style, the venue, the kiosk, the workshops, the fabrics, the accessories, they’re all a present day version of the past. And I, for one, could not have been happier.

It was another amazing day, and I signed up there and then for the next workshop, a ‘Jubilee Special’ being held on 2 June 2012 - hope to see you there.

Happy crafting,

x

New products. I call them goodies.

Just wanted to do a quick post to show off a couple of new items that can now be ordered.

Dribble Bibs

These little beauties have a fabric front and are backed with white nylon making them pretty dribble resistant and saving clothes getting wet. They are in a bandana/neckerchief shape with press-stud fastening and will fit a neck size up to 31cm.

They are priced at £4.00 each and can be made in a range of fabrics....for boys, girls or unisex, your choice.

Dribble away!

Taggies

These are the newest items in the Maple Designs range...welcome to the Taggies. These cute little items are for the little ones when they're teething and just in need of something to cling onto...and to put in their mouths!!

They measure approx 24cm by 24 cm, with fabric on the front and thick, soft felt on the rear. They have a number of different coloured and sized 'taggies' round the edges, made of different shaped ribbon pieces, each resembling a tag. The 'taggies' are double-stitched for additional security and can be made in a range of colours and fabrics.

Currently I have a stock of the 'Strawberry' (however, they may be actually be Apples!) and 'Red Spotty' fabrics, both with red felt backing. These size taggies are priced at £7.00 each.


Strawberries or Apples, you decide!

Red Dotties


To place an order, please get in touch - my e-mail address is lyndsey@mapledesigns.co.uk

Happy crafting,

x

Good news (whoop whoop)

I am the bearer of good news...

First up, I'm very pleased to announce that Maple Designs is now stocked in a local gift shop - The Ice House on Campo Lane, Sheffield.  The Ice House are working with a number of local crafts people and artists to promote local talent and it's been an absolute pleasure working with them.  A range of Maple Designs bibs are now available to purchase both in the shop and also on their online store.

In the coming weeks I'll be updating this with a new range of fabric bibs and some new completed items from the prototypes I've been working on over the past few weeks.

If you get the chance to pop into the shop, let me know if you spot my bibs - I really am chuffed to bits to be in stocked in my first shop, it's a great feeling :o)


Secondly, I've been accepted back to the next Vintage and Craft Market at St Mary's Church, Sheffield, being held on Saturday 5 May 2012 between 10am and 5pm.

I'll be back with my stall selling a range of baby clothes and accessories - more bibs, baby grows and some new additions for this market.

Is anyone else attending the market either as a stall holder or just coming down to have a look round?

I had such a great time at the last market that I'm eager to spread the work of Maple Designs!


The only sad news is to report the sale of my original craft cupboard, sold on ebay this week for a meager £22.00 (someone has got a bargain).  Whilst the cupboard was never officially named, it will forever hold a special place in my heart.  Hand crafted by my other half as a Christmas present a few years ago, it was the starting point for Maple Designs when we lived in a flat and space was tight.  The shelves had all the room for my craft books, the pull out shelf was great for the sewing machine...even the pinboards were full up.

But, unfortunately, after moving home last year to a house with an attic studio, the cupboard was made redundant and was just sitting in a corner collecting dust.  I hope the new owners take good care....or else there'll be trouble.

Goodbye sweet craft cupboard...

...you'll be missed

Happy crafting,

x

Oh sweet St Mary's

Last Saturday was the St Mary's Vintage Market & Craft Fair and the first ever craft fair for Maple Designs.  Here's a diary of the day:

06:30 - Alarm goes off, an early start for the day (after a late night babysitting!).  Nerves are kicking in.

07:30 - Arrive at St Mary's, car parked up and greeted cheerily by team and shown to the pitch

07:31 - Handed a voucher for a free coffee - result as it still feels early

08:00 - Putting the finishing touches to the stall....I think it's looking good even by my standards, I'm a happy girl!

Setting up the stall...

09:30 - Get chatting to my lovely stall neighbour for the day, the incredibly talented Plain Jane Dawson.  Amazing to have such a great companion for the day, also attending their first craft fair (check out her blog)

10:00 - Doors open, Maple Designs is open for business...I'm a little nervous, but so proud of what's been achieved over the past few months.

Maple Designs....open for business!

The stall, stocked and ready to go

10:00 - Doors open, we're off...

10:45 - After a quiet start I sell my first items....a bib and a babysuit!!  A very, very happy moment....the relief is pretty immense (to be honest!)

11:00 - 17:00 - Things are a blur to be honest, there were busy times and quiet times....lots of cups of tea and lots of chatting to lovely customers and equally lovely people just perusing.  Lots of friends and family made the effort to come down which was just amazing and so appreciated.

17:00 - All over, I'm absolutely shattered but so pleased with how the day has gone.  Next please!!

19:00 - Mmmmm, wine!!


It was a brilliant day, I learnt so much and gained inspiration from the day - I've got lots of ideas for new products to take to  my next fair....bring it on.

A big thank you to everyone who purchased something, St Mary's, friends and family for their support and to Plain Jane Dawson for making it such an amazing day.

Happy crafting,

Lyndsey x

Craft Fair reminder (this coming Saturday)

Sorry for the lack of blogs over the past couple of weeks, it’s been a busy old time in the studio and also being out and about.

I'm just putting the finishing touches to another blog entry, but I wanted to post a quick reminder of the Vintage Market and Craft Fair being held at St Mary's Church, Sheffield, this coming Saturday, 31 March 2012.

I've got a stall where I'll be selling a selection of the items I make including, baby bibs, baby grow, greeting cards, tags and some easter goodies.

Really hope to see you down there - make sure you pop into say hello!

Happy crafting,

Lyndsey x

My time at The Makery

A couple of weeks ago I was down in Bath for a long weekend with a special purpose.....attending a crafty workshop at one of my favourite places, The Makery (somewhere I had wanted to go for a very long time!).

I travelled down from Sheffield on the Saturday and spent the day and evening catching up with a friend in Bristol (another great city that I will be returning back to), before moving on to Bath on the Sunday.  A leisurely and relaxing day was spent perusing this beautiful city - I was in shock at how achingly beautiful the buildings, parks and city is....a real feast for the eyes.

I spent a lengthy time browsing - in great detail I might add - The Makery Emporium, which can only be described as my (or any other crafter's) paradise.  An idlyic shop which can be found by meandering down one of the main cobbled streets in the centre of Bath.  The shop/emporium stocks a wide range of ribbons, buttons, thread, wool, craft magazines, scissors, needles and a whole range of crafty tools that I didnt even know existed.  I cannot underestimate how good this place is...heavenly.  My bank did not like me visiting.




The Makery Emporium, Bath (aka Heaven)



That evening was spent relaxing and, if I'm perfectly honest, whiling away the hours until the next morning.  After a few hours of sleep mixed with giddy anticipation, the morning arrived.  Breakfast was quickly demolished before the 15 minute stroll into the centre of Bath, stopping for an excellent coffee at one of the great independent coffee bars along the way.  And then it was just before 10am and 'time'.

I'd made my way to The Makery on Walcot Street and took my place in the lovely workshop-cum-workplace.  Katie and her colleauge took excellent care of the eight of us in the group, expertly telling us what we were going to be doing on the freehand embroidery course.  Tea was served (on tap) and expert tips, advice and tuition was provided without ever appearing pushy and always with a smile.

After a bit of practice I soon got the hand of things and started working on my project for the morning.  An hour or so later and, I have to say, I was pretty chuffed with the result. Picture (proof!) below...




My station at The Makery Workshop

 



The Makery Workshop (aka, erm, Heaven II?)



The end result...happy times

 A massive thank you to Katie and everyone at The Makery for making it an amazingly perfect weekend and helping me realise one of my many crafty ambitions.  And, to be tagged in one of The Makery's Facebook pictures and followed on Twitter?  This is one very happy crafter!

I loved every second and recommend you go and visit and attend one of their workshops.

Happy crafting,

Lyndsey x

Going global (well nearly)

CHAPTER 1 - And then there were readers...

It's a Sunday morning and I'm sat typing away listening to the simply beautiful Agnes Obel album 'Philarmonics'.  Not a bad start to a morning. Whilst having a browse on here, I thought I'd look at the stats for the blog over the past few weeks, and came across a lovley suprise - people are reading the blog!

The helpful stats guide tells me that I'm getting people reading if from afar too (Country and number of views this week are below):

United Kingdom (76)
Italy (11)
United States (6)
Hong Kong (4)
Singapore (2)
Costa Rica (2)
Czech Repulic (2)
Russia (2)
Germany (1)

If you're one of these lovely people, firstly, thank you.  It's one of the nicest feelings knowing that people are taking an interest.  It would be great - and I mean really great - to hear from you and which country you're reading from.  Please, please feel free to post a little comment below, even if it's just to say hello.


CHAPTER 2 - And then there was a Craft Fair...

I received one of the best e-mails ever this week advising I've been accepted into my first ever craft fair.  I can't explain how happy this made me, I was literally dancing round the room with the biggest smile (it meant a lot if that's not clear!).

It's the Vintage and Craft Market at St Mary's Church in Sheffield and being held on Saturday 31 March 2012.  If you're in the area, please come down and say hello.  I went down to the last one, which I mentioned in previous blog post, and it was a great event and sounds like well over a thousand people turned up for that one.

I've got lots of great ideas for a couple of new items for my first range, so lots of work to do over the next couple of weeks.  It's really exciting - and nerve racking at the sametime - to be working towards my first craft fair...but this has been what it's all about...getting my work out there and hoping you love it as much as I do.

I'll keep you posted with progress, both before and after the event, on here in upcoming posts.  In the meantime here are a few shots from this week.

I've also been getting myself organised and received my first lovely pack of business cards. I can highly recommend the team at Moo (easy to use website, very reasonable prices and quickly despatched. Also great to be able to purchase cards that are 100% recycled card and are made in a factory using wind-power, amazing to do my little bit).

The next few weeks are going to be very busy and very very exciting...and I cannot wait!!

Happy crafting,

x