WOYWW - craft fairs don't you just love 'em?

The fall out from a craft fair

I had to go and look at my desk to see what was on it.  Yep it feels so long since I was last there.

I was working there on Thursday night, and stacking boxes on it on Monday morning, but I just couldn't remember.

So this is the chaos left after a craft fair. Jewellery display stands to put away, boxes of stuffing to empty, so that Polly Polkadot bags can be safely stored away from the dust.  Oh and in the background, can you spot my cash bag, a trip to the bank too - yippee!

Short and sweet today to help you have time to visit everyone else at Stamping Grounds What's on your workbench Wednesday.

WOYWW - Tasting Day

It is getting worse!

Today is what's on your workbench Wednesday, and believe it or not, there is a workbench under there somewhere!

I removed my Polly Polkadot jewellery and bags from the RSPB craft fair on Monday, and I appear to have just dumped it in my corner.  Actually I'll have you know I have tidied it into that arrangement, I just don't know what to do with it next!

I really do need to make a decision about my storage problems, because I have a pair of curtains just out of sight that need hemming.

In my life away from this workbench I have been baking, (please read Mondays post if you need to be filled in, or have forgotten already), and today was tasting day.

I did consider photographing todays newspaper alongside, in case you don't trust me - but I don't buy newspapers!

So at 7.03 this evening I cut into the Tomato and Raisin Loaf...
First let me rename it: Tomato and Raisin Cake.
I think if you didn't know the name, you would say something like 'a pleasant, moist, light fruit cake' (I just double checked with OH, and he says 'more like a pleasant moist not too sweet tea loaf')

But I can't get over the issue that it has got Tomatos in it, surely that makes it savoury?

I think I felt the same when I first tried carrot cake, and courgette cake so maybe I just have to think about it for a few days.

I was wondering whether I should bake another, slice it up, seal it in poly bags and post it out to you all, that way it could mature in the post, and then you could tell me what you think. Any takers?!!

WOYWW - Can you keep a secret?

I know, a mess as ever

Now I know I haven't been around for a while, but I can trust you can't I?

You see that white polythene bag on the workbench?  Well I shouldn't really have bought it.

Alvin Hall used to say, do you need it? or do you want it?  (I think you know the answer to that).

Its perfectly understandable really, I'm sure you would have done the same.... Yesterday morning saw me childfree.  So I whizzed to Machynlleth to check out Polly Polkadot stock in The Emporium,  Quilling Crafts have kindly kept an eye on my jewellery over the summer but I really need to get back in the swing of things.

Anyway, I arrived at 10, but the shop doesn't open until 10.30, so where better to shelter from the wind and rain than Wheelers Fabrics.

And I'm sure you would agree that it would have been rude to abuse their hospitality, so I felt obliged to spend a little money in there.

Unforunately I may, perhaps have paid for it from the joint account, but I'll trust you not to tell the OH (don't worry I paid cash he won't spot it on the bank statement!).

But I did make a promise before buying it ... I said I won't buy any more material until I've used this piece.

Why not take a trip over to Stamping Ground to see if anyone can have a messier desk than me, or have committed worse crimes this week!

Handmade Monday - To craft fair or not to craft fair?

I have just returned from a few days in Cornwall.  So a refreshed and rejuvenated blogger is typing this.

On Mondays I partake in Handmade Monday, hosted by Wendy of 1st unique gifts.  HM is a way of seeing what people have been up to during the week, but it also helps me realise what I've achieved (or not).

In April I arranged to rent a cabinet in a shop, in Machynlleth.

By May I decided that I was not going to another craft fair (OH let me down twice for childcare, and attendances were very poor).

So in June I kept my jewellery stock at a limited level.

And on Friday 1st July, The Emporium, Machynlleth opened its doors. (read all about it here - well my cabinet anyway!).

So back on my workbench, there sat my earring rack, empty.

But then the voices in my head began:
What NO more craft fairs?
Not even at Christmas?
What about Dolgellau farmers market?
What about the Dolgellau Country Market?

By Saturday 2nd July I was back in the studio filling the earring rack!  I concentrated my efforts on glass bead earrings, but my real joy is wirework jewellery so roll on next week!

 So I guess I'll be going to a few more craft fairs!

Ding Ding, Shop's Open!

(Title is a reference to under 5's TV - if you don't do Groovy Moves, then don't worry about it!!)

After a few delays by the builder (totaling 30 days, so not bad really)
The Emporium in Machynlleth is now open.

The building was converted from offices back to retail and a brand new shop has set up business. As you may or may not know, I have rented a space in this shop.

I had a panic in May that the shop might open for the Spring Bank Holiday weekend so I went into mega production mode.  I continued making things throughout June, until I read a blog by Ros Made Me, where she wisely wrote - no one but the cupcake seller ever actually sells out!

When the opening date was finally set for 1st July, I had to sheepishly say I was on holiday, and passed all responsibility to Sue, the owner of the shop!

To cut a long story short, I persuaded OH I would take him out for lunch and we would finish off the display.  (I had handed Sue a basic display to fill each shelf).

There I was tying a few price labels on to a few extra items and OH sudden showed his true colours.  He dived into the cabinet and began rearranging everything - he was brilliant!

None of this 'what do you think?' 'How about this?' that I would have done, dragging it out for hours.  No, he dived in, re-arranged, instructed me what he wanted. And finished the job in half the time.  Obviously it remains to be seen whether he would be quite so efficient if his stomach wasn't rumble-ing!

shelves 1 and 2 are similar

The shop is vintage and craft - so there is quite a bit of costume jewellery, but I am the only handmade jewellery cabinet.

I was concerned about lighting on the lower shelves so I wanted lots of colour to encourage people to look at my jewellery.  So I made some of Dreamstar's flowers to accompany my glass bead jewellery.

The shop is very light and airy and there was a really good footfall whilst we were there.  Machynlleth has an excellent market along the main street every Wednesday and coach trips stop off at it.  So here's hoping some of them want to buy from my cabinet!

Bracelets and teeny tiny gift bags

A Sunny Week

It has been a good week for me.  We have had most of the week together as a family.  We decided not to go away, but instead, take trips from home.

To our 4 and 2 year olds, the trips to Fairbourne beach just 6 miles away has been magical.  We camped one night, so that allowed beach, tent, campfire, picnic and ice cream to occur in the same 24 hours - the children were fit to burst!

I attended the Dolgellau Country Market on Thursday and hit my sales target - two weeks ahead of schedule (are you impressed with my business planning or my sales rate?!!).

Copyright William Metcalfe

So I was already feeling very happy, when I was invited to join some of my Country Market Collegues at the Dolgellau Farmers Market.  This is a great honour as craft places are limited.  I will be the only jewellery maker on the market.  Eleanor's Attic - oilcloth bags, who also sells through my website, Polly Polkadot, has had a stall at the Farmers Market for 7 years now, so I shall be following in good footsteps.

My first market will be on 15th May...so watch this space.