Craft Jam Pubnights 2013

Thursday, 1 July 2010

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

Thursday, 24 June 2010

Ruthies Lunchtime Siesta Phonic FM 106.8 thursdays 12-2pm


Just wanted to show you Ruthie Cosgrave, dj supremo of Ruthies lunchtime siesta, her show airs weekly on Phonic FM 106.8 listen in at www.phonic.fm on thursdays between the hours of 12pm and 2pm. Ruthie has a really eclectic playlist and a keen ear for fabulous tunes. Her chilled out manner and sublime music makes for a very lazy thursday lunchtime. Ruthie kindly let me come on her show last week to plug our Craft Hub Fair, now i am missing being there and she is missing me sitting and crocheting whilst on air. Thanks Ruthie, and please let me come again it was great fun xx

Monday, 21 June 2010

The Craft Hub Summer Fair Exeter Castle 19th June 2010 crafts/demos

The fair had a wonderful array of vendors involved from cupcakes, brownies, flowers, knitted goods and hand dyed wools, to patchwork clothes, gorgeous appliqued cushions and even crocheted england bunting!!

Carole Hynam is a Bristol Watercolour Artist who makes the most beautiful watercolours of children and buildings, she uses very subtles tones, she sells her prints as art and also as greetings cards.

Amy Orangejuice was there, up in the mezzanine floor with her gorgeous handcrafted stained glass, she makes the most exquisite stained glass, from window hangings to stained glass bunting, absolutely gorgeous, her stall was busy and very popular all day.

Kate McCully of madebykate.com was also a big hit, especially with the children, she sells the cutest sock monsters. Made entirely of socks, she also sells kits called monster take outs for the children to take home and make a monster of their very own.

Green Glamour is a local company based in East Devon, the owner makes beautiful knitted, sewn and crocheted items, a particular favorite of mine was her crocheted acorn and oak leaf lapel brooch and her dainty dollies.

Babsy Boodle by Lucy Robinson. Lucy is a local seamstress, crocheter and artist, she came selling handsewn door hangings, each door hanging was unique and all beautiful colours. Her Art is eclectic and modern, beautiful bright colours and perfect backdrop for a funky modern home


Aunt Lolly by Hiliary Andrew another local designer maker, Hiliary uses recycled vintage fabrics found in second hand shops and refashions them into modern bags, cuddly rabbits for kids and cute little owls, her bags are accented with beautiful and delicate crocheted flowers

Ellas Knitting is a local company set up by Ruth Morris and her daughter Cathy, they ran the local knit expo at the Phoenix in April and came along to showcase their scrumptious handdyed yarns and luxury yarn knitting kits. Ruth is a knitting designer and sells her designs as kits along with her luxury yarns.

Belinda Harris-Reid Designs was also featured, she is a local designer maker of knitted one off garments, all truly unique, and all done using luxury yarns. Belinda was also selling her rosewood knitting needles sourced sustainably from India.

Peter Lee is a local potter/ceramacist, selling handthrown Raku pots, vases and plates. He came along with his potters wheel and did demonstrations on the day. By the end of the day Peter had managed to throw with the help of kids and adults keen to have a go, around 9 new bowls. Well done you budding potters out there.

Gina Alton a local crochet designer from Exeter came selling her books Crocheted finger puppets, this book was put together by Gina and her young son Fred (7) who gave her the ideas for some of the wonderful characters in this book. My personal favorites are the space worms with their very own wormhole and the monsters. In fact i was so inspired i spent last night crocheting a finger puppet monster for my son Joseph to say thank you for all his hard work helping mummy organise the fair. xx

Ellen Jenkins and Carole Rawson shared a stall, Ellen uses funky oil cloth to fashion into bibs, aprons and door hangs they are bright, colourful and eclectic, and as well as managing to keep the whole show together, she had a fantastic day, thanks Ellen you worked so hard !!! Carole, hand makes cards, beautiful and exquisite cards for any occasion.

Pippiknit - is my own stall, i am originally from the North East of Scotland and love working with wool. On the day I sold knitted birds (peerie nestin birdies), crocheted fingerless mittens (hummel doddies) and Crocheted frilled bib necklaces (thrapple fronties) all my work is named in the North East Scottish Doric language.

Inspirations of Exeter is a local craft supply shop, they sell absolutely everything from fat quarters for quilters, metres of gorgeous fabrics including rowan fabrics and the ever popular Amy Butler designer fabrics.

Thank you to everyone who came along and made the day such a roaring success. I cant wait to organise the Craft Hub Christmas Fair. Watch this space. xx











The Craft Hub Summer Fair, Exeter Castle 19th June 2010. Performances/Entertainment







The fair was absolutely fabulous, a roaring success and has left Ellen and I absolutely drained with the amount of effort and work we have put into the fair. It was a fantastic day, made all the more special by the people who volunteered their time to help out, in particular Penny Scott who manned the door, taking the entry fee on the day and also Ana Ellis who served teas, coffees and beverages. The Entertainment was brilliant. Mike and Jill from South West Lindy Hoppers leading those willing through the Charleston Stroll and performing a bit of lindy hop. Vibe Dance Troupe did street dancing and performed the entire 'Thriller' routine, really great. Challenge Theatre performed a wonderful comic performance. Jig Disco the brainchild of an enterprising 13 year old duo did the entire PA system, providing music and life to the performances. I was particularly impressed with their ability to handle the pressure of constant changes and needs from the performers. We had live music by jaime, john and chris performing jazz fusion and funky beats, awesome performance, really created a chilled out atmosphere. Another teenage band called , did guitar and song performances. What an amazing day everyone and thanks to you all for being there and providing such a lively, inspiring atmosphere. Here are some of their best bits. If you are interested in booking any of the performers featured on the day you can find most of their details on our links.

Friday, 18 June 2010

The Craft Hub Fair is tomorrow Yippppeee!

We are all set but unfortunately the weather does not seem to be on our side tomorrow. Oh well we will brighten things up with all our beautiful things to buy, and most of it is indoors, we will not let a little bit of rain put a dampener on the day. See you there!!

Friday, 11 June 2010

The Contemporary Craft Fair Bovey Tracey 10/6/10



















Oh my goodness what can i say, a friend of mine invited me to a free preview evening to the Contemporary Craft Fair held in Bovey Tracey. What a wonder full evening. I walked around the marquee with my eyes on stalks. The Fair is full of wonderful, imaginative, inspiring work from designer makers from across the land. Mixed media, ceramics, textiles, art, glass, precious and non precious jewellery, I was in heaven. Here is some of what caught my eye on the night.

Saturday, 5 June 2010

ITINERARY FOR THE FAIR 19TH JUNE 2010, EXETER CASTLE

I have just about managed to clarify the itinerary for the day but this may be subject to change.

It is as follows;


In the Courtyard Area.


11am - craft fair begins with a live street dance performance by Vibe Dance Company

11.20am - interactive lindy hop Charleston Stroll with members of the South West Lindy Hoppers

12 am - More street dancing from Vibe company

12.20 am - more interactive lindy and lindy demonstrations

13.00 - comedy by Challenge Theatre

13.20 - Chris and Jamie doing a live acoustic set

14.00 - comedy skits by challenge theatre

14.20 - chris and jamie live acoustic set

15.00 - More live comedy by the wonderful Challenge Theatre


In the Hall entrance throughout the day



Retro Cafe - serving cakes, tea and coffee.

Spinning demonstrations by Sue Burton a member of the Devon Guild of Spinners, Weaver and Dyers ( the chance to have a go at spinning on a traditional wheel)

Pottery demonstrations by Peter Lee on a treadle potters wheel.


In Court Room No 2 (the main hall)

Inspirations - local Exeter craft shop selling fabrics, ribbons, buttons, kits, beads, beautiful wools Ellas Knitting - A local internet yarn company selling luxury hand dyed yarns, knitting kits for scarves, baby garments and hats. Belinda Harris-Reid Designs - selling luxury hand dyed yarns, knitting kits and beautiful sustainably sourced rosewood knitting needles from India Made by kate - sock monsters and sock monster kits. Pippiknits - Hand crocheted accessories and knitted items. Ellen Jenkins - funky kids bibs and aprons Carol Rawson - hand made cards Carole Hynam - watercolor prints and cards Jackie - selling crocheted goods and hand sewn items. Lucy Robinson - Art and needlework goods Amy Orangejuice - Homemade stained glass items Kate Jolly - fabadashery memo boards Leanne - Appliqued canvasses Hiliary Andrew - Crocheted items and handsewn bags. Kate Parr - beautiful beads and jewellery Penny Delahoye - patchwork Peter Lee - Pottery and Raiku Jelena Jenkins - Homemade Cakes and food ive missed out loads will redo this tomorrow with all the names of exhibitors.
At the back of the hall in a cordoned off area Ruth Morris of Ellas Knitting will be hosting knitting workshops on the day. You can book on the door for any of the workshops, times will be up from the start of the fair.

Gina Alton - a local girl who has written the wonderful book crocheted finger puppets will be there on the day to sell her signed books and do crochet workshops for adults and children.

In a seperate room at the back of the court room will be our little aladdins cave for the kids. The Creation Station team will be there doing crafting all day for little ones. Most of this will be free but there may be a charge for some of the craft sessions.

All in all it is going to be a fantastic day, packed full of fun stuff to do and beautiful things to buy. Cant wait to see you all there

xx pip