Busy! Busy!

Well, have we been busy the last few weeks?! The Diamond Jubilee gave us lots to celebrate and inspire our creativity, and many of our makers produced something special to mark the occassion.

Kath made all sorts of patriotic little mementoes, such as this Union Jack Heart. We made the most of them with a stand at the special Jubilee Market that the Mall organised in the Regency Arcade.

This had an added benefit - many of our fans seemed to have 'lost' us when we moved from the old toy shop, by Butlers cafe, and you rediscovered us through the stall, which is lovely! Welcome back, friends!

We were able to give people a good 'appetiser' of samples from nearly all our exhibitors, and it was interesting how the smaller expanse of stock gave people a chance to actually *see* more of what we have to offer - I think sometimes it is possible to have too much of a good thing, you can't take it all in!

This baby hat, by Amanda hawkins, sold out in no time! But you can still commission one for your 'Made in England' treasure!

We have been without soaps & bathtime treats for a while, but we are about to remedy this, Kate Burgess, of Cotswold Naturals will be joining us soon.  You can see more at http://www.cotswoldnaturals.co.uk/ But in the meantime here's some more examples of her temptations.

Kate is due to set out her goodies on Sunday 24th June (next Sunday) I have a suspicion they will also sell like hot cakes, so don't hang about!

This is a gift pack of several bath treats, want to buy yourself a present? Oh, go on, let us lead you astray!  Finally, the best of good news, Jackie Hawkins, who fell and suffered a nasty leg break, is back on the rota - today! The brave woman is coming in on her crutches, such is the way we makers feel about the By Local community, so please pop in and admire her charming glass.

Shop rearrangement!

Here is Justyna Designs' luscious chair sitting in our shop, inviting you to collapse into it! Sadly, the footstool has been put a bit far away to put your feet up, too! Doesn't it make you smile? It certainly lifts my spirits every time I walk into the shop - just trying to figure out how we could afford to get the caravan upholstered like this! As well as moving things around in that corner to make room for this fabulous 'sample', Rosie has brought in more display space near the counter, so you can now see Eva's work much more clearly.

Eva's work is truly spectacular, what she manages to do with felt and beads is inspiring, nad the complexity of her work makes me feel like a fraud!

 Next to Eva's display is that of our new jewellery exhibitor, Hilary Thompson, who makes her own lampwork glass beads, under the name of Spa Town Beads.

No picture can really do justice to Hilary's work - do come in and see it, the subtle colours and combinations are very pleasing and relaxed.

Jane Vernon, Ali Corder, Jackie Hawkins and others have also brought in new stock - isn't this lustre bowl by Jane stunning?

Just to be cheeky, I, too, have updated my display, including putting some of my older stock on a 'sale' shelf!

I'm not the only one with reduced price stock, so come in and pick up a bargain - maybe a future Christmas present to stash away!!

Quick! Before it's gone!

Here at By Local we operate in 6 week sessions, so that new sellers can have a trial to see if we work for them, and so regulars can have a break. The current 6 week session ends next weekend, the 19th of February, and 2 of our exhibitors are leaving us for a while, so if you like their work, grab it while you can, because we don't know when they'll be back!

Sue Tiedeman will be leaving us for awhile, so if you like her work, grab it while you can!

Also leaving us for a time is Sharon, with her wonderful range of 'Herbylicious' soaps, creams, scrubs etc. Her Eczema cream is very effective - I can vouch for that personally! She also has a wide range of herbal remedies, all rooted in a long history of herbal medecine.

They may be back with us later, but nothing is certain in this life, so come in and ensure your supplies before Sunday 19th February!

New Year, new ideas!

Well, no one has told us we can't have the shop anymore, so we're still here!  Like many in the Arcade, a new year has prompted a reassessment of stocks for our exhibitors, and resulted in Sales - which means it's bargain time for our patrons!

As you can see from this picture, there are some serious bargains to be had from Eunice Makes, and Trudi Hayden has some delightful early work reduced drastically, an opportunity to grab an original at print prices!  However, for those who like to be ahead of the game, thoughts are turning to Valentine's Day!  The true romantic will be planning to give their loved one something very special and personal, so our exhibitors have prepared some delights for them, too!

These hearts from Jackie Hawkins are a classic given a modern twist, and last alot longer than roses - after all, you don't want to give the impression that your affections are transitory, do you?!

If champagne is your Valentine's tipple, perhaps a pair of these hand etched champagne flutes would make her heart beat a little faster?

Or maybe you Light o' Love is a practical sort, and would like something to be used every day, and get a daily reminder of your love? Kath Cooper has many variations on the heart theme, at prices to suit all pockets.

Or pehaps a lavender filled, traditional American style heart from Simply Bee Crafts will soothe your loved one? Toni does several variations on this theme.

Of course, the really traditional gift is jewellery, so what could be more romantic than your heart to wear on a sleeve?!!! Kate Michelle Jewellery Makes a range of beautiful, knitted silver wire hearts, as brooches, pendants and earrings (my beloved gave me a pair of these, which make me go weak at the knees every time I wear them!)

 We also have lots of quite alternative valentine cards, as well as presents, including these slightly less romantic ones from Ali Corder! Let's face it, the reality of love is not always romantic!

Finally, perhaps you just want to be your loved one's Teddy bear? Then you could give them one of my miniatures, to carry in a pocket and hug whenever they miss you!
Happy & prosperous 2012 to you all, and I hope your Valentine comes through with whatever speaks to your heart!

Snuggles for little ones

Amanda set up 'Amanda Hawkins Knitwear' in 1990 with the help of a small grant from the Prince's Youth Business Trust. She had gained an Hons. Degree in woven textile design at Birmingham, but a loom in a bedsit was out of the question, hence she bought a knitting machine. For the first few years Amanda  produced  ladies textural wool & chenille jackets with co-ordinating hats, which sold at prestigous fairs, such as 'Chelsea Craft Fair' & 'Country Living', as well as in galleries throughout the country & in the USA. With their spiral toggles & scalloped edges, they lent themselves to childrenswear & in 2000 the 'Tassles & Toggles' childrens range of knitted cotton accessories developed, including hats, scarves & mittens, which sold at Covent Garden Market.

 

In 2002 Amanda & her partner moved to Stroud in Gloucestershire to start a family. The 'Made in Stroud' shop stocked her knitting immediately, (& still does today) giving her the opportunity to become a full time mum working from home.  It was in September 2009, when her youngest daughter was starting school that Amanda came across 'By Local' by chance on a shopping trip.
'I knew that this was something I would like to get involved in, & was very excited to be accepted. The response by the public was amazing'.

In 2009 personalised knitted bunting was added to the range, & a year later, smaller door plaques. They cost £4.00 per flag for the bunting & £3.50 per flag for the plaques. They are both available in all the colours shown, & beautifully lined with gingham. Choose end design flags or just the name. Orders take about a week.

New for this season have been the trio of 'Nelly Noodle' teddies which were designed after the arrival of a new cousin, & took inspiration from a range of new hats.

To complete the look, Amanda has also recently added co-ordinating soft cotton baby blankets in two sizes; swaddling blankets & moses basket snuggles.

P.s. if it's not clear from her blog - Amanda loves knitting!!