Tag: Craft Fair

Autumn aboard The Craft Fantastic – new Etsy additions & upcoming fairs

Post author By Jenni
Post date October 6, 2017
No Comments on Autumn aboard The Craft Fantastic – new Etsy additions & upcoming fairs

As the year rolls into autumn, I thought it was about time to talk about the latest happenings here at HQ.

I’ve been busy working on some new ideas (sometimes this involved sitting in my craft room staring at piles of paper and scraps of material). A while back I got a set for stamping letters into leather, so I’ve been using that to create some mini books. This is my favourite – with ‘OFF WE GO’ stamped on the cover and the inside pages made from an old French road map. It’s one-of-a-kind!

I’ve also got a few blank mini covers, so personalised book necklaces are up for grabs. Had to make myself one to practise, of course!

You can find these minis and more in The Craft Fantastic Etsy shop.

Now, onto upcoming fairs. It is getting towards the end of the year and my next craft fair will be a *whispers* Christmas stall. I’m very pleased to announce that I’ll be exhibiting at the wonderful MK Handmade & Vintage Fair, which is held in the middle of Milton Keynes shopping centre. It’s always full of amazing stalls, so if you’re looking for something a bit different then this is the place to do your festive shopping.

As well as my usual stock of notebooks, book necklaces and other papercraft items, I’ll be making up some origami flower sets for Christmas displays and centrepieces, plus there’ll be a selection of origami and paper tree decorations. Here’s a sneak peek!

Hope to see you there! Don’t forget, you can shop for all my products on Etsy or you can email me if you’d like to talk about a custom order.

If you’re in the Northampton area, I also have a stall on December 2nd in Great Brington. It’s a lovely intamate affair with a good selection of quality local makers – and there’ll be cake! More info here.

Tags Book necklace, Christmas crafts, Christmas fair, Craft Fair, Craft stall, mini book, MK Handmade & Vintage, Northampton craft fair

Craft Craft fairs Gifts Origami Paper

New year, new events

A slightly belated Happy New Year! I hope you all had a fabulous festive season. Craft Fantastic HQ is all go for 2017, with new products and new fairs. Here are just a few things in store for this year:

MK Handmade & Vintage – March 4th & 5th, The Centre MK.

This will be my first time exhibiting at one of these events. They’re hugely popular and always full of fantastic handmade goodies and vintage finds. I can’t wait!

Castle Ashby Art, Craft & Design Show – May 28th & 29th, Castle Ashby gardens

For the second year running, The Craft Fantastic will be at Castle Ashby. Crossing my fingers the weather will be as good as last year.

Brand new for 2017 are more origami gifts. I’ve framed ‘Lover’s Knots’ – perfect for a Valentine’s Day or 1st anniversary gift. Alongside the frame is a small, simple paper flower arrangement.

I’m in the process of adding them to The Craft Fantastic Etsy store. These are available in different colours, and I can do custom orders – email me for details.

Tags Craft Fair, etsy, Origami

Craft Craft fairs Notebooks Origami Paper Weddings

Autumn Wedding Show -The Centre MK

Post author By Jenni
Post date October 10, 2016
No Comments on Autumn Wedding Show -The Centre MK

This weekend, The Craft Fantastic will be among a huge array of stalls at the autumn wedding show in Milton Keynes, ready to help make your wedding dreams a reality. Come along to Middleton Hall in The Centre MK and see what’s on offer!

I’ll be taking orders for handmade origami wedding flowers as well as having a range of extras available, such as hand-bound guestbooks, origami garlands, and bridesmaid gifts.

The show opens Friday 14th at 9:30, and closes at 17:00 Sunday 16th. Full details can be found on the event organisers site here, or The Centre MK site here.

Tags Craft Fair, Handmade, Origami, Paper flowers, Wedding

Craft Craft fairs Notebooks Origami Paper Stationery

Updates! Recent makes, stall bookings, latest Etsy stock

Post author By Jenni
Post date May 7, 2016
1 Comment on Updates! Recent makes, stall bookings, latest Etsy stock

I’ve been busy making Coptic-bound notebooks lately – and they’re all up for sale in my Etsy store. All hand stitched, I’ve done an A6 one and a couple of A5 books; use them for what you will – notebooks, sketchbooks, guestbooks, journals – they’re all very versatile! Here’s a peek at the newbies:

As well as stock, I’ve been playing with my new origami paper – making these gorgeous gingham elephants!

I’m thinking they’ll make lovely greetings cards – what do you reckon? What other things do you think I could use them for?

Last but not least – I’ve booked a summer fete for later in the year. It’s a local affair for a good cause; my stall fee went straight to the hosts Just Giving page for SWAN – syndromes without a name, supporting undiagnosed children. It’s on July 24th at The Elgar Centre in Northampton, more details on their Facebook page.

Tags Bookbinding, Craft, Craft Fair, Handmade, Northampton, Notebooks, Origami, Paper craft

Craft Craft fairs Inspiration

Craft stall displays: DIY & inspiration

Post author By Jenni
Post date April 22, 2016
No Comments on Craft stall displays: DIY & inspiration

The late May bank holiday will be my first craft fair of the year, a two-day event set in the lovely Castle Ashby Gardens. I’ve got my stock, I’ve got my table cloth, I’ve got my usual little baskets and things I’ve always used to try and display my wares appealingly; but I feel it’s time for a change.

Flore stall 3 — A rather flat notebook display!

Now I’m doing this full time, I really need to step up my game – I actually have time work on the appearance of my stall and I intend to make the most of it. First stop – Pinterest! Obviously. I mean, where else?

My main issue is height – I sell mainly notebooks and want to have them all stood up so you can see the covers or the spines at least. This would take up a lot of space, so I started searching for ideas for little shelves or boxes for my books to go in/on. Height is great for any stall display, creating a more focal point for the browser. Remember, they’ll be going past rows of stalls and if everything you have is laid down flat on the table, they may well just walk on by; you need to get something in people’s eye line.

So. What did I find?

Stack ’em up! Cute little crates:

You can often pick these up as leftovers from market stalls/supermarkets, if you’re on a budget, and paint them up or leave them plain and rustic. Even one would create a great feature, and could be used to display things inside as well as on top for that extra level.

Vintage Suitcase:

This person has done a great job of using the suitcase to maximum effect, creating levels of different items. The little sign strung across the top will catch the customer’s eye! If using a suitcase, be sure to make sure the lid is sturdy and doesn’t flop back.

DIY display stand:

This blog post is a great tutorial on how to make your own display stand – with just a few everyday craft tools and some cardboard.

Stacked trays and candlesticks:

The initial costs for this one may be a bit higher, but this tiered stand made from painted trays and candlesticks will really stand out! (Click here for a little how-to from the creator)

Want more? I’ve just created a board on Pinterest dedicated to craft stall inspiration. YAY! Here it is.

Tags Craft Fair, Craft stall, Display, Inspiration

Craft Craft fairs Notebooks Origami Paper

Castle Ashby Craft Fair, May 29th & 30th 2016 -Date for your diary!

Post author By Jenni
Post date February 22, 2016
1 Comment on Castle Ashby Craft Fair, May 29th & 30th 2016 -Date for your diary!

I’m pleased to announce that The Craft Fantastic has a stall at the Castle Ashby fair the the end of May! This craft fair falls on the Bank Holiday – Sunday 29th and Monday 30th May. Also, THERE WILL BE FALCONS. Falcons!

Run by Palladian Events, the fair will be set in the beautiful Castle Ashby walled gardens, and over the 2 days there will be a fantastic range of quality crafters from all over the country, plus food, music, demonstrations, a falconry display… what more could you want?

I’ll have a full range of handmade notebooks, journals, sketchbooks, miniature notebook necklaces, as well as origami flowers for all occasions.

It will cost just £5.50 for adults (£5 concession, under 10’s go free) to gain access to the show and gardens. Cross your fingers now for good weather!

Tags Bank Holiday, Castle Ashby, Craft Fair

Craft

Craft fair ahoy! Sunday March 18th

Post author By Jenni
Post date March 8, 2012
No Comments on Craft fair ahoy! Sunday March 18th

Tags Craft Fair, Northampton

Craft

Over the weekend I made… a mess

Post author By Jenni
Post date November 23, 2011
2 Comments on Over the weekend I made… a mess

As the craft fair is next Sunday, last weekend I took a few extra days so I could prepare without panicking. I set up a little ‘activity centre’, as my husband called it, and got to work. Basically I spent 4 days surrounded by bits of paper, card, envelopes, inks, pens, more paper, there was a ruler there somewhere (never to be found when needed), some silver thread, stamps and stencils, paint, and good old PVA glue.