Big Props

After spending a lot of time collecting items to use to decorate our wedding venue in July, I decided to put them to good use after the wedding by hiring them out.  I had collected about 100 jam jars, 8 belljars, vintage typewriters, birdcage, bunting, easel, vintage china etc etc.  

I have added a page called Props to my website, which you can see here enabling other people to hire out my decorations instead of having to spend ages trawling charity shops or online looking for items to decorate their wedding/party/photoshoot.  

There are lots more items to be added over the coming week or so.

Hen party craft workshop

A few weeks back I did my first hen party craft workshop, I've done lots of craft workshops before, but never a hen party workshop.  As with all my workshops, I used Jam jar Beads' upstairs studio, which is a great light space for workshops.   The ladies had come from all over the country to Sheffield for the the hen do.  I had a lovely time teaching them how to make feathery fascinators and beautiful button-bejeweled brooches while the ladies got to snack on Fancie cupcakes and a spread of sandwiches and dips too (and of course the obligatory teas and coffees) to fuel their creativity.  It was a hive of activity and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and went away with some super accessories to be proud of.  If I get any photos from the ladies showing off their lovely wares, I will be sure to show you.

Some crafty goings on in Sheffield

I finally remembered to take my camera when I toddled off to teach my craft workshop this weekend. Here are a few shots of people crafting away making lots of different accessories. (fabric covered banges, fabric covered necklaces, fabric covered beads and embellished fabric hairbands) Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and made lots of pretty goodies to take home. I am teaching one more workshop the weekend after next (laminated image fabric brooches) before I take a break from workshops to concentrate on trying to sort out my wedding stuff, website and other little projects. But, like Arnie, I'll be back - I'm working on a programme of workshops for later this year, so if you are interested keep your eyes out for my new website in the next month or so which will have all the details.

Snow Way Out of Sheffield

Woke up this morning to a whole heap of snow, about 1 1/2 feet deep. I absolutely love the snow, i could live in somewhere like Svalbard no problem! Its been so peaceful in Sheffield today, although I was witness to a lot of panic buying in the supermarket, I turned up about 12.30 and all the bread, milk and vegetables had gone! The snow is so bad all the trams and buses are not running, most businesses called it a snow day and no cars on the roads, Anyway, we went out for a walk this morning and took some pics. It was pretty deep! Some people were even ski-ing to work.

Craft Candy Mini Fairs

Pop along to our monthly Craft Candy Mini Fair at Bungalows and Bears on Division Street, from 1-5pm on Saturday 14 August. There will be lots of lovely goodies to behold, from jewellery to art and textiles. Be there or be square!

Come along...

Next one this Wednesday, email craftyworkshops@yahoo.co.uk to book a spot or for more information

Mini Fairs

The mini fairs, which I help to organise on behalf of Craft Candy are back! The first one is going to be held at Bungalows and Bears on 12 June from 1-5pm. Be there or be square!

Word clouds

I ran a small shoe customisation workshop last Sunday at Jam Jar Beads and met some lovely ladies who made some beautiful adornments for their tooties. I love running workshops and seeing the lovely things each person makes which are all so unique. One of the ladies who attended the event has created this lovely word cloud based on the day. Its such a lovely idea and something I had never heard of before (word clouds can be created at Wordle), but I love it, here is the link for you to look at others or even create your own.

Shoe Customisation Workshop 30 May

I'm doing some more workshops at Jam Jar Beads in Sheffield city centre this month. This shoe customisation workshop will be held on Sunday 30th May from 11am to 1pm and costs just £18. This is a fun and easy workshop where you can come with your own shoes and using our fabric and buttons/beads/ribbons, make removeable shoe embellishments to match your outfits and leave with one of a kind, exclusive pretties for your tootsies.

If you would like to book a place or would like more information, please email me at craftyworkshops@yahoo.co.uk

Workshops

I am doing a couple of workshops over the next couple of months at Jam Jar Beads, a lovely sparkly new bead shop in Sheffield.  The first one is on Mother's Day, make a nice present for your lovely Mum or bring her along with you to this workshop which is a variation on my birdie brooch workshop which I have done a few times before. The second is a shoe customisation workshop.  So if you like the sounds of any of these workshops,be sure to put your name down on the list here at Jam Jar Beads.

I'm working on doing a lot more workshops after I move house, so will keep you all posted.

Come down and see us....

I'm arranging a mini fair happening next weekend at Bungalows and Bears, please come down if you are in the area and see the lovely wares on offer.

My workshops with the WI

(pics courtesy of Seven Hills W.I and Little Castle Designs

The past few weeks have been so busy, one of the things I did last week was a workshop for the new Sheffield W.I group called Seven Hills.  Its a younger, more current version of the traditional W.I and I did the workshop for 50 people!  I was soooo nervous beforehand - I had only only done one workshop before and that was only for 7 people. When I turned up with Sarah, they told us that a guy was gonna film it (eek!) and that the Sheffield Star where there too (arggh!).  Anyhow, I think it went OK!  I was so relieved once I'd got my demonstration bit over and done with!  Anyway, heres a couple of pics of the night!

Craft Candy - Call for crafters

Craft Candy has been offered the opportunity to hold a craft fair (Craft Candy Minis) at Bungalows and Bears on Saturday 10 October.  Bungalows and Bears is a bar located on the bustling Division street in Sheffield City Centre and the fair will run from 2 to 6pm.

We have 10 stalls and are looking for a mix of crafts/upcycled goodies to feature at this fair.  If you are interested please send a couple of images of your work or a link to your website/blog to minis @craft-candy.org by Weds 16th Sept and we will contact successful applicants by Sunday 20th.

The tables will be free to stall holders and the event will also be free to the public.  The event will be publicised via B&B’s flyers, posters, website and facebook group and also via craft candy’s blog, website and face book group too.

Sheffield City Guide

Sheffield, on the doorstep of the Peak District, is also reportedly the greenest city in Europe with more parks and green spaces than any other city and Broomhill the suburb I live in in Sheffield, was described as the prettiest suburb in England back in 1961 by John Betjeman.  Famous for its steelworks, the Full Monty and bands like the Arctic Monkeys and Pulp it has always been a vibrant and creative city and now that creativity has been given a boost by local organisations like Craft Candy and Sheffield Craft Mafia who host regular fairs and events. New businesses are popping up all the time and Sheffield feels like an exciting place to live. 

Away from the mayhem of Meadowhall (aka Meadowhell by locals) shopping centre and the mainstream shops in the city centre is a whole wealth of places to explore and be inspired by!  So here it is, my guide to super duper Sheffield.

If you have any other suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment.

Shop til you drop (Sheffield city Guide)

Alice Takes a Trip
Within Reason

The Old Sweet Shop

Doing up your pad? Fancy some retro furniture to give your front room an Austin Powers make over then check out Bullet who work with the likes of the BBC providing them with authentic retro furntiure for sets. If upcycled restored antique furniture is more your thing then Antic is the place for you.  

Home Sweet Home on Sharrowvale Road and The Old Sweet Shop are the places to go for homewares and handmade goods by local designers.  The Old Sweet Shop is dedicated to showcasing the work of talented local artists and designers and is in the lovely suburb of Nether Edge.

Within Reason, I could literally fill my house with everything in this shop!  From homewares to accessories and furniture to children's goods this place is one of my favourites in Sheffield.

Alice Takes a Trip, I bought the most fantastic bright orange upcycled dress from here with a bow thats bigger than my head - I love it!  Get yourself something pretty from her (the shop is closing shortly but the clothing range will still be available online and at Freshmans and Arcade on Division Street or Syd and Mallory, and you'll be guaranteed to be the only one rocking your one off frock. 

Toast, one for the boys (and girls) one of a kind quirky t-shirts.  They also sell club tickets too - and tea.

Work it baby! (Sheffield City Guide)

Craft Candy Workshop (Heather Dewick's bookbinding workshop)

All play and no workshop makes crafty people a bit cranky!  The following places organise regular crafty workshops

Craftastic (Scrapbooking, fimo making)

Craft Candy (everything from screenprinting to bookbinding)

Wool Baa (knitting and crocheting)

Patchwork garden (various sewing related crafts)

Hangingwater Studios (Painting and workshops for youngsters)

Cocoa (Not strictly workshop, but Cocoa hosts a knitting group and a regular book group)

Feelin' peckish (Sheffield City Guide)

(pic via http://www.kipikapopo.co.uk)

WasabiSabi and Sakushi both do fantastic japanese food.  Whenever we have an anniversary or special date, WasabiSabi is always our first port of call and it never lets us down!  With sashimi served on huge wooden boats which can be washed down with wasabi cocktails. Sakushi also now to home delivery - a tasty takeaway

Broomhill friery - Sean Bean's relatives own this place and he has been known to pop in for a chip or two.  Aside from that, this chippie has a good reputation for a reason -as a (very) regular customer I can vouch for the quality of the food! They even have their own appreciation society!

Urban Deli - OMG! Great Yorkshire themed food at very reasonable prices. A croque Monseiur fit for a king and a hot Pork Sandwich that will practically have you in tears its that nice!

Jaru - A chinese style fondue place where you cook your own food including, if you choose, frogs legs and crabs claws in a hot broth!

UK Mama - this is a (sometimes surreal) experience not to be missed.  Eat authentic African cuisine and be treated to to the sounds of African drumming at the same time.  Its worth going just to read the menu which, on last inspection, had been 'signed' by the likes of Madonna and Lennox Lewis and also by an African General who claims the food is 'as big as his titty!'  The decor is fantastic genuine 80's style and Godson the hospitable owner will keep you entertained.  I have some very fond memories of this place - just don't be in a hurry to get your food or be surprised if you are placed at a table downstairs, away from other diners, near the loos among a pile of old Amstrad style computers!!  I had one of the funniest dining experiences ever here!

Drinking holes (Sheffield City Guide)

Bungalows and Bears (pic via mysticmogg)

Wig & Pen

All this exploring is thirsty work.  So a leisurely drink in one of these establishments should set you right!

Bungalows and Bears, in the town centre, this is a popular hangout with old beat up sofas and check out the fantastic fabric lampshades above the back booths.  As well as hosting regular music events they also host regular jumble sale/craft fairs too.

University Arms, an old skool pub with a big beer garden and good selection of beers (be warned - it gets packed during term time with students and often impossible to get a seat) but a nice spot to relax.

The Lescar, home to the Last Laugh Comedy Club, this was where Johnny Vegas performed stand-up in the early days.  The pub has since been taken over and revamped.  With fantastic food as well - everyone raves about the calamari including me! 

The Ranmoor inn, rub shoulders with the Howard's Way style bigwigs of Sheffield in this lovely old fashioned pub in the lovely suburb of Ranmoor.  With a courtyard garden, it is the perfect place to enjoy a Crabbies ginger beer or a pint of real ale.

Wig & Pen - In the law district, you will find the Wig and Pen, a lovely posh pub which does some of the best food in Sheffield, but its not cheap (They also own Platillos in the town centre which is a cheaper, but equally tasty alternative - specialising in tapas).