The Make Lounge

Things British: Handcrafted On The Highstreet

(Airfix Mugs by Victoria Eggs)

(Collection by Hatastic!)

(Recycled skateboard dogtags by O'blue Thrashion)

(Gift tags by Clare Shields of lil3birdy)

Lovely gifts, handcrafted by British designer makers, are now available on the high street at the first Things British shop, open in Kingly Court just off London's famous Carnaby Street.

Things British strives to be more than just a shop and is designed to be a gallery, a museum and a fun place to socialise whilst learning about British Craft.

Designer makers, whether full time, part time or even amateur and of all disciplines can rent a space within the shop from as little as 4 weeks, or up to one year with no commission!

As part of the service, Things British does all the selling, advertising, arranges joint promotions, sets up events and marketing activies, all to showcase the fantastic products available, handcrafted in Britain by British designer makers. 

This contemporary platform for showcasing and selling is a great opportunity for designer makers to take what might be a profession or a pastime to a whole new level.

The shop owners have recently announced on Facebook that they will be renting out table top space in their London shop from Thursday through to Sunday each week, where makers can run mini-demonstrations, workshops and product tests, direct to the public. Sounds like lots of fun and a great opportunity to meet the makers! 

Aiming to be the largest retail brand destination for things handcrafted and unique, Things British is a shop to watch - and with new venues due to pop up in all corners of Britain including Cardiff, Manchester and Edinburgh over the coming years make sure you keep a keen eye on your highstreet for the next Things British shop.

Brighton Maker Faire: Calling All DIYers!

 

The very first Brighton Maker Faire is coming this September and organisers are looking for local makers to get involved! If you'd like to take part, be quick - you only have until 30th June to get in touch with the organisers. As a not for profit enterprise most spots are free to non-commercial exhibitors, so check out the website for more info on applying.

We're big fans of the American craft extravaganza that is Maker Faire and we're pleased that the festival, running since 2006, has inspired growing interest across the pond!

Following on the success of last year's Newcastle Maker Faire, the Brighton edition similarly aims to showcase all manner of resourceful tinkering going on behind the closed shed doors here in the South.

Described rather amusingly as being like Burning Man for the pocket pen knife set, here's a flavour of the weird and wonderful stuff that goes on across the pond . . .

[via QUEST on KQED Public Media]

Best of luck with your applications and we look forward to seeing everyone in September! ;)

Handmade In Britain: Bath-Based Festival Starts Tomorrow

Don't miss out as Handmade In Britain opens tomorrow at the glorious Assembly Rooms in Bath!

On for just two days, 17-19th June, this market - which prides itself on nuturing craft start-ups in their first year - features some of the newest British talent. What's more, each designer-maker works to minimise their own carbon footprint by using local materials and making exclusively in the UK. Good stuff!

With 60 hand-picked vendors, plus a special focus on jewellery designer-makers, there's bound to be plenty to catch your magpie eye.

Check out these pieces by some of this year's featured sellers:

Rather lovely procelain and lace bracelet by Rose Ellen Cobb.

Amazing interiors inspired brooches from Miriam Rowe.

Glorious colour and laser-cut pieces by Heather Fox.

Also join Handmade London later this year in London at Chelsea Town Hall on Oct 28-30.

Make, Bake, Sew, Grow: Free June 11 Workshop for Makers

Are you an artist or maker with a germ (or gem) of an idea to sell your handmade items at Christmas time, but aren't sure how to get started?

Join Louise Kamara and Robin Whitmore on Saturday 11 June 2011 from 2pm - 6pm at the Barbican Centre for a free workshop on making and selling homespun indie arts and crafts. The aim is to encourage individuals who want to produce and sell housewares, artworks, clothes, speciality foods, jewels, potions and cards.

'Bring any images, sample or any ideas you have. This is a chance to meet other creative types for potential collaborations,' says Kamara, sustainable design curator of the Eco Design Fair and of Vintage Festival 2011.

This practical workshop is a great way to get involved in The Duckie Christmas Market, which will run from December 10-31, 2011 in the foyers and walkways of the Barbican to accompany the Duckie Christmas show in the theatre. The Market will showcase crafts makers, artisans, designers and thrifty retro hawkers.

To book a place on the free June 11 workshop, email Simon at the Duckie Theatre or ring 020 7737 4043.

Valentine's Day: Explore the Scents of Desire

Whether or not romance is in the air for you this Valentine's Day our friends at Scratch + Sniff will be happy to show your nose some love!

Specialising in scent-based happenings, Scratch + Sniff's previous olfactory adventures have included post-Christmas scent swaps, synesthesic scent-based haikus, and explorations into the scents of the 1920s.

For Valentine's, they continue time travelling with a special love-themed night, dubbed 'Scent, Desire, and Decadence'. It looks great, so be quick if you want to book!

Held at The Book Club in Shoreditch, London, as part of the venue's Thinking and Drinking nights, founder Odette Toilette (wink wink) will lead a hypnotic tour - from Ancient Egypt to the present day - of the decadent (and sometimes disturbing) scents used to express 'that loving feeling'. Groups of friends are as welcome as couples, and for single attendees, organisers amusingly warn that they cannot take responsibility for the consequences of the many aphrodisiac aromas!

So, go on! Come along and find out what Cleopatra put in that ass' milk she bathed in that entranced Mark Anthony so!

Nicola Malkin: Gigantic Jewellery!

Check out these witty pieces of art by contemporary ceramic artist du jour, Nicola Malkin! Don't you just love them? Already the darling of the interiors world, Malkin creates outsized ceramic jewellery that blurs the lines between art, fashion and interiors, calling to mind the work of Claes Oldenburg, Grayson Perry and even Alice In Wonderland!

Fantastic stuff!

Must see more? Well, she currently has a display of work on over at The Women's Library in Aldgate East, London. If you've never visited, now's a great time to go as Nicola's thought-provoking exhibition, 'Crafted Footnotes', is part of the larger craft themed exhibition, 'Hand Made Tales: Women and Domestic Crafts', which runs until March!

Hipstamatics: An Exhibit for the iPhone Age

An exhibition of photographs taken by ordinary people on their mobile phones... Really? Hang on, it's ok, it's Hipstamatic.

Since its launch just over a year ago, Hipstamatic, the iPhone's hit photo application, has transformed the way many of us take pictures and document our lives. As such, it was only a matter of time before an innovative exhibition came along to showcase the creativity of its users.

Cue HIPSTAMATICS, a showcase of 157 printed images created digitally by iPhone users from around the world. (FYI, 157 was the total number of original analogue Hipstamatic 100 cameras ever made in the early 1980s. More about that fascinating, and tragic, story here).

We think it's a pretty cool concept, not least as a reminder that with better and better resolution on mobile phones these days, there's no reason to limit the pictures you take to online walls! ;)

IDEA: Why not put some of your favourite digital photos on your 'bricks and mortar' walls for a change? Check out these tutorials from Martha Stewart on stylish ways to display them!

The HIPSTAMATIC exhibition runs until 31 January 2011 at the Orange Dot Gallery in London. For more information, and to see a growing online collection of Hipstamatic photos (and to submit your own!), visit the Hipstamatics blog. 

Future Beauty: Making 'Mini Me' Dolls at The Barbican

Just before Christmas, we gathered up heaps of scrap fabric, jars of bright buttons, lovely trimmings and other goodies and headed over to The Barbican Art Galleries in London.

The brief? A hands-on workshop to coincide with The Barbican's new exhibit, 'Future Beauty: 30 Years of Japanese Fashion', featuring the work of featuring such renowned designers as Issey Miyake, Rei Kawakubo and Yohji Yamamoto.

Guests dropped in throughout the evening to create their own 'minature selves' using nothing but our raw materials and their imagination! Although some sought inspiration from the clothing in the exhibit for their 'dolls', others went creatively off-piste to fashion their original creations. Have a look!

To see more images from the evening, have a look at our Flickr collection here.

Cool Knitannia: Learn, Shop, Knit, Spin at Knit Nation!

If you know your wool from your Wollmeise you might want to make a massive note about this in your diary. The first ever Knit Nation Expo, brainchild of Soctopus' Alice Yu and Cookie A (of the monkey socks), is coming to London's Imperial College in South Kensington, on 29-31 July! The event promises to bring something of a festival vibe to the usual knitty goodness, with an exciting program of classes featuring a stellar lineup of international knit and spin stars! 

See who will be there on the Knit Nation blog.

Whatever your level of skill, you can knit and spin along with your heroes for hours and hours, learning anything from tip down gloves to spinning for socks (do book in advance). Plus, as you might expect, there'll also be more delicious yarn than you can shake a DPN at with over 35 local and international vendors on site. 

Another higlight is the talk by the founders of the knitting social media site Ravelry who will also be throwing a party (that's right, PARTY) on Saturday night! And as if that's not enough to keep you contented, the V&A and Kensington Gardens are only moments away if you need a break. 

Who needs Glastonbury?

Nina Mankin: The Fine Art of Patterns

With a brand new class in demystifying patterns starting this week at The Make Lounge, it seems timely that we came across the work of artist Nina Mankin. Mankin uses paper dress patterns in her work and currently has a solo show at Livingstone Studios in Hampstead, North London.

Set against a tranquil backdrop of antique textiles and artisan wares, her evocative sculptures and vitrines, made almost exclusively from reclaimed materials, explore themes of forgotten memories and hidden psyches.

The exhibition continues until 7 August. Plus, as an extra bonus, if you visit on 31 July you'll also be treated to a one off evening of Jazz and World music! What a pleasant way to spend a summer's evening?

Off the Beaten Craft Track: Woven Horsehair Jewellery!

This month, the somewhat obscure Chilean art of weaving with horse hair comes to London's fashionable Carnaby Street in the form of a pop-up shop and exhibition showcasing work from seven designer makers who make use of this mind boggling micro technique in their collections of contemporary jewellery. 

Micro Techniques, organised by the Chilemakers organisation, will run 19-31 July in the Kingly Court shopping centre and will also feature a couple of special two hour workshops on 24, 31 July where you can learn the basics of this Andean craft for just £10! For more information or to book on, visit the Chilemakers website. Basketweaver and artist Mary Butcher will also be dropping in to give a free talk on the origins of weaving with horsehair and how it relates to basketmaking on 22 July.

Here's a lovely video that we came across, of the ladies of Rari, Chile in action, preparing, dyeing and weaving horsehair while talking about their craft.

Craftacular Fun! Fashion a Fascinator with The Make Lounge

 

Summer is here and with that means two things: weddings and craft fairs, lots of them. Currently we are in the middle of hen party season which means plenty of fun on Saturdays for the team at The Make Lounge as swarms of merry makers get down to an alternative activity with us!

Fascinators remain a popular choice, for obvious reasons, and it's a variation on this workshop that we're happy to be taking on the road with us to promote our classes this summer, starting with this Saturday's BUST Craftacular held at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London.

The Bust Summer Craftacular is a real crafting highlight with over 60 vendors selling the hottest in handmade. The Make Lounge's own workshop assistant Chloe is especially excited about the free swing dancing class that will be happening from 5.30, and we're all keen to get in on the colour-in your own jewellery action at the Tatty Devine stand!

If you'd like to join our fascinator teacher Amy for a workshop, stop by our stand on the day and put your name down for one of the two classes. You'll need to be quick though, but with goodie bags for the first 100 through the door that's another good reason to set your alarm. Doors open at noon!

Knit In Public Day: Join the Knit Crawl around West London!

This Saturday June 12, while the nation is busy toasting the Queen's birthday and the official start to the World Cup, an equally proud group of knitters from Stitch London (formerly known as Stitch and Bitch London) will be out celebrating World Wide Knit In Public Day with their annual Knit Crawl. This year, the Knit Crawl is in aid of the Brain's Trust.

 

If you have a project you think could benefit from a good airing, why not head over to the Natural History Museum around noon and join the posse of stitch-hibitionists as they begin their woolly open air tour of West London? 

Check the website for details of the route, as well as other great stuff like a 'work in progress' or WIP-friendly bag pattern to download. It's completely free to take part and there'll even be raffle with crafty goodies to be won, including a £45 gift voucher from The Make Lounge!

Putting the 'Tea' In Charity: Whip Up a Tea Cosy

As the popularity of our cupcake decorating classes shows, tea parties are huge right now. And as if you needed another reason to crack open a pot of edible glitter, the good folk at Marie Curie Cancer Care are calling on tea lovers up and down the land to host their own 'Blooming Great Tea Party' this Summer.

If dragée and non-pareils haven't yet made it into your daily vernacular, don't worry - there are other ways to get into the kitsch spirit. Whatever your level of baking or crafting skill, help raise funds of cancer research and enter the 'Knit a Tea Cosy' competition, in association with Simply Knitting and The Knitter's Magazine!

Simply knit or crochet a tea cosy on the theme of the 'Blooming Great Tea Party', and send it in by the end of August for a chance to win a tonne of knitting goodies (as well as some nifty gear from Queen of Kitsch Cath Kidston, who'll be helping judge). For more info plus a couple of basic patterns to start you off, head to the competition website.

Look, even Jane Asher's had a bash! Whatever will you create?

Princesses, Please: A Magical Mystery Tour at Kensington Palace

How about this for a visit to a stately home with a difference? In a clever move to offset planned renovation work over the next two years and to broaden its appeal, Kensington Palace has just opened Enchanted Palace. This extraordinary exhibition brings together interactive theatre, contemporary fashion and surreal set design to tell the story of seven princesses that once lived there (including Diana, of course).

Set against a backdrop of the Palace's state rooms, expect to be wowed by creations from designers Vivienne Westwood, William Tempest, Stephen Jones, Boudicca, Aminaka Wilmont and illustrator/set designer Echo Morgan. You'll also be entertained and bemused in equal measure by a posse of curiously-dressed actors from WILDWORKS Theatre company, who act as guides-come-sleuths to help you uncover clues to guess the identity of each exhibit's royal subject.

We especially love this origami 'dress' by designer William Tempest. What do you think? Listen to an interview with the designer here.

Stitch Yourself: Create a 'Mini Me'

No, we haven't turned to the dark arts! These 'mini-me' dolls were, in fact, stitched by our good friends over at Stitch London (formerly Stitch & Bitch London) as part of an exhibit they are putting together for the London Science Museum (LSM).

The event marks the opening of the LSM's new Who Am I? gallery in June. We're pleased to help spread the word about this unique project that marries Science and Stitching.

If you'd like to unleash your inner Frankenstitch, and contribute to the project, head over to the Stitch London blog where you'll find all the details - plus three nifty 'blank body' patterns to download and sew, knit or crochet your own little likeness. Get experimenting soon though, as your 'Stitched Selves' need to be in by 26 June!

 

Quilty Pleasures

As stitch addicts up and down the country will already know, the much anticipated major new quilting exhibition Quilts: 1700-2010 opens at the V&A in London this Saturday. 

We're particularly intrigued to see the rest of this George III quilt from 1803 whose feisty flame-haired maker curiously pops up like “Where's Wally” in several of its vignettes depicting scenes of historical importance!

Amongst the quilty pleasures on offer at the V&A are exciting new works by contemporary stitchers Sue Stockwell and Caren Garfen, as well as, thanks to collaboration with Liberty Art Fabrics, a delicious selection of 18 limited edition fabrics - each inspired by the vintage quilts on display - to buy by the metre and fat quarter in the exhibition shop

If you're inspired but need direction, fear not! We'll be adding more dates for our extremely popular quilting workshops at The Make Lounge very soon. Do sign up for our monthly e-newsletter here if you'd like to hear about upcoming workshops for this, and other classes.

I'm in the (very) early stages of making my own quilt and I'm super excited!

What do you think of the colours and patterns I've chosen?

Sustainable Christmas

If, like us, you love the idea of a Christmas season with more craft and less waste, then you'll want to check out the Eco Design Christmas Fair on Saturday and Sunday November 28 and 29 at the Old Truman Brewery in London.

Entry is free and the fair features a range of products by talented designers whose work is centered on sustainability and kindness to the environment. Brilliant!

For more information, please visit their website.

Compassionate Craft

The Make Lounge recently received an appeal from an organisation called the Crisis Christmas Sewing Service, part of a larger charity called Crisis.org. The Sewing Service makes, fixes, and alters garments for the Crisis center's homeless guests over the holiday season (from 23 to 30 December), and they need help. From the appeal:

"We are looking for people with skills ranging from professional garment making experience through to those who just love to sew to help us run the service this year. Even if you only have limited experience, you can help..."

To find out more and to volunteer online, please visit www.crisis.org.uk/volunteering, or call on 020 7426 3874. You can use those sewing skills you learned at The Make Lounge to make a difference this Christmas!

 

Craftaholics - Saturday 29th August

Another fun crafty event, this time from Craftaholics, on Saturday, August 29th at the Old Queen's Head in Islington (just around the corner from The Make Lounge!). Visit the Craftaholics' blog for all the delicious details!

Bust London Craftacular - This Saturday!

If you're in London this Saturday, you definitely don't want to miss the Bust London Summer Craftacular!

The Make Lounge is pleased to sponsor this fun, funky craft-astic affair, taking place Saturday 22 August from Noon to 8 pm at York Hall in Bethnal Green. (York Hall is directly opposite the Museum of Childhood; here's a map.)

Of course, we'd love the Craftacular even if we weren't sponsors, as there are so many great vendors, plus drinks, food, DJs and more. 

Here are a few of our favourite vendors (some of whose works we'll feature in The Make Lounge's shop when it opens in September):

Witty and charming birdy illustrations by Little Doodles

Lovely screenprinted textiles and other goodies by MrPS

Cute clutches and purses by Peppermint Twist, who is also teaching snap purse workshops at The Make Lounge this Autumn (sign up for our newsletter to hear about the dates first!)

Incredible embroidered and stitched pieces by Naomi Ryder (another of our newest teachers!) ...

and gorgeous recycled accessories by Uncommonly Beautiful.

And, in addition to all the other Bust Craftacular fun, you'll have the chance to win a £45 voucher redeemable for a workshop at The Make Lounge. :)

Out Of The Bin And Into The Gallery - The “Worthless” Art Installation

We were intrigued by this article on Crafty Crafty about an art installation that will turn your old junk into art. Starting this Friday, from the 22nd through the 29th of May, you can take your donation of rubbish to London-based Art Organisation Pollack’s live art installation called “Worthless” at 37 Endell Street, where the artists will transform it. If you like, you can purchase it back once it’s been suitably improved! Art-ified items will be auctioned off for charity after the installation ends.

Love-a-Fayre in Bethnal Green

If you're in London tomorrow (Sunday), do stop by the 'Love-A-Fayre,' on from 12 noon to 6 p.m. at the Bethnal Green Working Men's Club.

Just in time for V-Day, you can stock up on some great gifts for ladies and gents, including vintage and handmade burlesque treats, hand-drawn Valentine's cards, craft kits, and even choccies and cakes. (Plus, ahem, a fully stocked bar and DJs throughout the day!)

Our very creative friends from Craft Guerilla (who we're working with for our Valentine's Craft Night on Wednesday, Feb 11) are among the participants, so it's bound to be good. 

If we didn't have a full day of events at The Make Lounge, I'd be there in an instant. So go say hello and buy lots of goodies!

Crafty fun at the V&A Museum

How was your weekend? 

We spent ours at the V&A Museum as part of Designerama, a weekend-long series events to kick off the Sackler Centre for Design Education. 

Specifically, we helped museum visitors create hand-made charms for the 'Chain of Talent,' thought to be the largest charm bracelet in the world!

Here are a few of our favourite snaps from the weekend. (See more on our Flickr page, here.)

A funky pre-teen models the handmade wire 'tiara' charm she created.

The 'chain of talent' begins to grow ...

... with help from Mums + sons ...

... enthusiastic ladies... 

... and even men in suits. :)

By the end of the weekend the 'bracelet,' which snaked throughout the center (upstairs, too) was starting to sag from the weight of the hundreds of handmade charms, but looking great!

Designerama!

If you're in London this weekend, stop by Designerama, a weekend of events celebrating the launch of the V&A Museum's new Sackler Centre for Education.

We'll be on hand Friday through Sunday helping visitors make lovely items to hang from the Chain of Talent, a giant suspended 'charm bracelet' that will wind its way throughout the centre.

Do say hello!

Isn't he lovely

A new exhibit of Rob Ryan's paper-ific work opens next week at Castor & Pollux in Brighton. From 13 September to 20th October, daily from 10 am to 5 pm. His large, gorgeous paper cuts will be on exhibit, as well as a selection of his screen prints and printed tiles. And if you haven't been to Ryantown, his newish shop on Columbia Road, well, then go!

Urban Craft Stars

[image littlechook]

You only have a few days left to get yourself over to the Urban Craft Stars showcase!

Housed in a temporary, 'pop up', venue in Kingley Court just off Carnaby Street in the West End, the little shop & gallery runs through 31 August and features six talented contemporary designer-makers - including one of our lovely teachers, Amelia Coward of Bombus.

Also on board: textile designer (and showcase organiser) Karin Duguid of Littlechook, Dolapo James of Urbanknit, Peppermint Twist, Ryokan Art, and the fabulously-named My Mum's A Hippie.

Great British craft tour

Roseanna Wyatt and Tjobbe Andrews are on a mission.

The duo, from Byfield in Northamptonshire, are embarking on a tour of England, Scotland and Wales beginning in August to visit as many crafters, artists and makers as possible. 'We have got the use of a classic VW Camper Van for the duration, we have our laptop and our plastic cutlery and are ready to go!' says Roseanna.

We're pleased they'll be popping into The Make Lounge to say hello!

To find out more, visit their website: The Great British Craft Tour.

 

Nothing says summer like a fete...

Stop by the Innocent Village Fete on Saturday and Sunday August 2nd and 3rd and say hello!

We've been invited by the Innocent Drinks folks to teach paper flower-making at 2 p.m. both days in the demonstration area. We'll also have a stall featuring hand made fabric corsages, bespoke paper envelopes and more goodies! Best of all, you can register to win a free workshop at The Make Lounge. See you there - and please, bring a stash of sunshine with you. . .

New Designers 2008 show

The nice folks at New Designers 2008 are offering a bargain entry price to their upcoming event at the Business Design Centre. The event, which runs from Thursday 3 to 6 July and again Thursday 10 to 13 July, showcases 4,000 of the most talented upcoming designers working in everything from ceramic and glass to textiles and fashion. Tickets are £13 at the door but you can save 50% by booking online in advance using the code ND02. We'll be stopping by - hope to see you there!

Hats vs. horses!

[Hens at The Make Lounge]

As if you didn't already know, it's Ladies' Day at Ascot - and with it comes lots of crazy, er, amazing hats. :) Check out some of these!

We especially liked the pic of the girls in fascinators as it reminded it of a recent hen party at The Make Lounge (pic above). Thirteen hens and their hats!

If you'd like to learn to make your own fascinator hat, The Make Lounge is running a workshop on Saturday, 9 August from 10:30 am to 2 pm. Book online here; places are filling up fast!

We Make London

[Russian heart, feltbug]

We love contemporary craft (obviously!) so we were pleased to hear about We Make London, a showcase of talented UK designer-makers taking place this coming Sunday, June 22 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Covent Garden. (Details and location, plus more about participating designers, here. Can't make the event? Visit We Make London's Etsy site for a peek (and perhaps a purchase) of some of the items, which range from baby quilts and brooches to hand-cut cards and painted mirrors.

Reuse, remake, rejoice!

Even if you reuse your plastic shopping bags, chances are you still have far too many of them lingering in your kitchen cupboards or under your sink. So what to do with them? On Sunday, July 6 at 1 p.m., The Make Lounge will demonstrate how to transform them into stylish, water-resistant tote bags or wallets at The Good Food Festival in Islington Green. The Festival runs Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to dusk and showcases delicious, sustainable food from Unpackaged, Food Lab and many more.

We'll distribute free tutorials at the Festival (and we'll post it here as a PDF) so you can make a tote bag or wallet at home. Or we'll help you make one at The Make Lounge on Saturday, July 19 at 10:30 a.m. Details here. (UPDATE: That class is sold out but check our web site for other dates). Just bring your bags (the thicker ones work best) and we'll help you iron and fuse them, then stitch them up. Sorted!