Confessions from a self-confessed creative chaotic...

Well the registration forms are coming in and once again The Craft Hub is gearing itself up for the Autumn fair. We are all so looking forward to the "Falling Leaves" fair on 30th October at St Matthews Hall in Heavitree. Needless to say while the Hubbers are busy getting creative Pip, Ulrike and I are also busy behind the scenes co-ordinating all the stuff that will make the Fair run smoothly on the day. So far it's been real fun. If blog posts start to unravel as we get closer to the end of October you will know that life might might be getting a tad stressful!

I think the best part of being a Craft Hubber is that I can't think of a period previously in my life where I have been so creative and so industrious. Sadly it's becoming a little obsessive - I doubt any of my friends can now remember a time when I haven't been working on some little project while enjoying their company. I had a lovely evening round at Pips last night with Ulrike and managed to crochet my way through some recently purchased and quite delicious Shilasdair wool in varying hues of sage to lime greens. I blame Heavenly Yarns of Fore Street, Exeter who came to the last Cr'After Dark social event and sent me swooning with all their yummy yarns - the Shilasdair was however love at first sight. I guess that's the worst part of being a Craft Hubber - I end up meeting loads of inspiring people with gorgeous products and homemade items to sell and I'm afraid I'm a slave to beautiful things... though let's face it everyone - sometimes it's good to be bad!

Lucy

Our New Banner

This is our new sign, beautifully photoshopped by Hannah. we spent the larger part of friday afternoon putting it all together, i made the T, the B and the u, Lucy did the r and a in watercolours and the e in applique, The C and t were done by Katie Parr, in gorgeous beading, really sparkles, the patchwork H is hannah's intricate work and the f by Jackie, rather cleverly it is a bag so we can always pop something in it when doing our fairs. Finally the small h was done by Ella and Olivia, Hannah's beautiful little girls 8 and 5 respectively. This is lovely and just adds to the beauty of our sign, thanks to everyone. Big thanks to Hannah for putting up with us wrecking your house and for the glass of wine, it definitely helped the creativity. It is now our new blog banner. I love it xx

Exeter Craft Saturday - our very first co-operative stall

I was so sorry to miss being on the stall today, the girls Jackie, Lucy, Penny, Amy all gathered together to make the most of the stall and as you can see they made it look absolutely unforgettable! The stall was colourful, bright, happy and friendly all perfect and i am so thrilled with how we all worked together to create such an eye catching stall. Our products were fabulous, it was just rather a shame that Exeter Craft Saturdays had not been so well publicised. Thanks guys for all your hard work. You are amazing!

Falconry Day at Poltimore House

Come and join Poltimore House from 11 until 4pm for an exciting family day of falconry displays and country crafts for everyone to enjoy.
Watch Ben Long’s spectacular Falconry Display, get the children involved in the ‘Creation Station’ and discover some fascinating crafts.
Be tempted by tasty refreshments in the historic surroundings. Join a tour of the grounds and visit the house to find out more about the restoration*.
Visit The Craft Hub, showcasing modern, eclectic, vibrant products from some of the best local talent.
Meet artisans with a passion for handmade, good quality, affordable products from fashion and home accessories to cup cakes and other delicious temptations.


This day is going to be marvellous and i am really excited about the Craft Hub being able to support Poltimore House Trust and Friends.

Come along on the day support the restoration and have fun !!!

Craft Hub Vendors include:

• Pippiknit selling crocheted and hand knitted goods
• Babsyboodle hand sewing and artistic creations
• Katy Parr stunning jewellery and tiaras
• Ulrike Igraine ceramics
• Away with the Fairies cakes
• Anna White cupcakes
• Yelena Jenkins Mediterranean food
• Bluebird designs hand sewing
• Heavenly Yarns luxury yarns
• Carole Hynam watercolour artist (prints/cards)
• Kate Sloan Fabadashery Memo Boards
• Gina Alton Crochet designer
• Peggie Clark childrens clothing

Craft Hub demonstrations and activities:
• Julia Hetherington felt making
• Creation Station creative fun for kids
• Devon Guild of Spinners, Weavers & Dyers spinning fleece and weaving

The Christmas Fair Venue Date confirmed for the 11th December

Oh My Goodness, I am so excited about our venue for the Christmas Fair. It is none other than the wonderful Poltimore House of RESTORATION fame. Poltimore is currently in the safe hands of two fantastic branches of people whose aim is to see it restored to its full glory. The friends of Poltimore House and the Poltimore House Trust are currently raising money in all sorts of ways to bring this beautiful lady back to life. She is magnificent and every corner of the house, grounds and outbuildings inspire me and give me goosebumps. I am falling in love with Poltimore. Keep reading for more news about our christmas fair.

First Cr'After' Dark crafty social !

Needles.................Check, Hooks.......................Check, Beer.........................Check
Wonderful company........................Check

It must be our very first crafty social Cr'After' Dark int pub. What a great evening. Considering I only promoted the evening through word of mouth and emails. It was really well attended. Gina Alton, a whirlwind of creative inspiration, taught 8 budding new crochet experts, the secrets of her talents. I brought along two projects to do on the night and am embaressed to say that I did one row of eight stitches on a shawl and the first round of a hexie. Oh dear, too much fun chatting and watching the others concentrating soooo hard on their stitches. Next Crafter Dark will be on tuesday the 24th of August, watch this space for the workshop on the night.

Bathing in the afterglow?!

I know that once I had overcome that overwhelming exhaustion leading up to and during The Craft Hub launch event, my little brain started whirring. God help me - I felt compelled to get my knitting needles out again. Suddenly with all this 'free' time on my hands I found I was twiddling my thumbs! The irony that only a few weeks ago I was having a major meltdown sobbing to my husband that what kind of a fool was I trying to take all this on when my plate was already full did not escape me either...

These days though, in my head it's all lighting up nicely. The Craft Hub could well be the start of something good, no great!

Thinking about it I have now realised that I have built up some stock and I'm determined to continue building on that. There are opportunities out there despite difficult economic times. I remain completely blown away by all the talented people and their products I saw that day and realise that by coming together as a group we can access facilities and opportunities that we could not afford as individuals. I really love the idea of a co-operative of creative people - it befits the times.

Whilst I may not necessarily be bathing in the afterglow, I am certainly starting to get a glowing feeling about the future of The Craft Hub - hard work but kind of exciting.

Lucy Robinson