Just listed these on Folksy! Sets of 4 gift tags- handmade folded cream and white paper stars on a blue tag. The perfect thing to finish off your beautifully wrapped Christmas presents.
Here at The Craft Fantastic, we’re delighted that we’ve been invited to have a stall at this year’s Christmas Craft Fair at Delapre Abbey, Northampton. It’s a beautiful venue and I’ve heard great things about past fairs.
The event runs from 10am – 4pm on Sunday 24th November, 2013. Past years have seen between 2000 and 3000 visitors so it promises to be a really great event!
We’ll be there with our fantastic range of handmade Christmas gifts, including:
‘The Diary Of A Nobody’ – the title caught my attention almost as much as the cover, which I spotted on Wikipedia’s homepage today:
First published by Arrowsmith in 1892, with the above cover, it’s a comic novel written by George and Weedon Grossmith- and it’s also illustrated.
I really love the colours of this cover, not to mention the little banner at the bottom! If this excerpt from the preface is anything to go by, it sounds like my kind of book:
“Why should I not publish my diary? I have often seen reminiscences of people I have never even heard of, and I fail to see—because I do not happen to be a ‘Somebody’—why my diary should not be interesting.”
This weekend I have mostly been making lots of these little guys:
In order to make these:
Pretty, huh? These German paper stars, called Froebel stars, are made using four strips of paper. They look as if they might be quite complicated but once you get the basic steps down they’re easy. I found the perfect tutorial here – very clear step by step instructions.
With a Christmas craft fair coming up in November (details soon) I’ve been deciding what things I’ll be making for it- focusing on mobiles and hanging decorations this week. As well as the paper star wreaths above, I have these origami hanging decorations:
Plus lots of little origami lucky stars, which I love!
It’s officially drawing time, as the 2013 Big Draw – The Campaign for Drawing – kicks off. Well, technically it’s already kicked off, as the official start was October 1st – but panic not, most of the events and key dates have yet to happen. Phew. And relax.
The Campaign for Drawing’s Big Draw is taking place in 15 different countries, from 1st October to 3rd November. They’re an independent charity and the basic aim is to encourage everyone to draw – as they state, drawing is a tool for “thought, creativity, social and cultural engagement.”
Want more info about them? There’s plenty to be had here.
Country-wide events
You can go on their site and search for events near you but here are some of the ones that caught my eye:
Golden Images at the British Museum, London, October 26th. It’s free and it’s for all ages, so there’s no excuse for not joining in!
Imagined Cities at the National Gallery, London, October 4th. In this free workshop you get to help create a futuristic paper city!!
Autumn Glory: Half Term Family Fun at Harewood House, Leeds- various events from October 26th to November 3rd, including Children’s Crafts, a Literature Trail and a Carved Pumpkin Display.
Sandal C’ART’stle at Wakefield Museum, Wakefield, October 30th. This event is for ages up to 11 and they get to create their own shield designs on cotton fabric, using examples from the history of Sandal Castle as inspiration. Awesome.
Frankenstein’s Workshop at York House Centre, Milton Keynes, October 5th. An all day workshop for all ages – help transform York House into Frankenstein’s Workshop!
Draw Like A Fashion Designer at the Fashion Museum, Bath, 28th, 29th and 3oth October. “Draw your favourite fashions.” ‘Nuff said.
Hopscotched at Cambridge University Sidgwick Site, Cambridge, from October 17th.
Signage populates our urban spaces, guiding us, affecting our movements around the city. We are told to ‘push’, ‘pull’, ‘return’, ‘access’ or ‘stop’ as though the city choreographs us in a dance. Claire Weetman, an artist based in the North West, will select verbs and symbols from signage around Cambridge, then jet-wash them into the pavement of the University’s Sidgwick Campus. There, you’re invited to be led through the public spaces in a playful way as though you’ve stepped into a board game, or found a new way of playing hopscotch.
Your Park, Your Big Draw at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, October 12th. One of the main events, this fun-filled day for all ages is packed with DIY and art activities!
If you’re unable to get to an event, you can always take part online.
Here are some key dates for your diaries – join in if you can and don’t forget you can donate anytime:
1st October: Big Draw Starts
5th October: Big Draw Day!
18th October: Family Arts Festival Starts
3rd November: Big Draw Ends- last day of Family Arts Festival