Back to School Goodies

Back to School Blues...?

Not to worry we've got some great essential suggestions online to cheer you up for your first day back:

Zipped Cases £17 each - Great for stationary

A6 Notebooks £3.50 each - Stylish jotter for all those important notes

And of course our legendary Oyster Card Holders £6.50 each - lots of designs available great for holding your travel, ID & bank cards safe  

Wonder Hill Valentines Event

Date : Sunday 10th February 2013

Time: 12pm - 5pm

Venue: Tooting Tram and Social

46-48 Mitcham Rd, London, Greater London SW17 9NA

MAP

Wonder Hill Market is hosting a Handmade & Vintage Valentines market event this February 10th, at the Tooting Tram & Social up near Tooting Broadway & we will be there showing our faces for the first time this year too! 

This event will be a great chance to get some lovely gifts in for that special someone or for your very own wonderful self, its definitely worth a trip!

Expect clothing, jewellery, accessories, artwork, photography, illustration, toys, so many more goodies to purchase, cake, tea parlor, open bar, entertainment and make a gift workshops. 

Hope to see you all there!

For more info visit: http://www.wonderhillmarket.co.uk/

Great Stocking Filler Ideas....

We empathise that the onset of Christmas shopping can be daunting and with its fast approach we would like to make a few kind suggestions of stocking fillers for your handmade shopping needs.

First off we would like to introduce you to our brand new Alphabet Animal Notebooks; We think this A6 journal is the perfect size to carry around everywhere with you, whether it be used for doodling or writing notes.  Price £3.75 each.

Next up we would like to suggest another great new item & ideal for a stocking filler treat - Alphabet Animal Badge/Magnet Sets; Personal & fun, priced at £3.50 a set.  

Lastly you can't go wrong with our range of Oyster Card holders; our best seller to date! Suitable for all, useful, attractive and durable.  Prices range from £6.50 - £12.00.  Choose from one of our classic London Map designs, personalise an Animal Letter or Custom make your own design! 

Not forgetting we also sell a range of Greeting Cards & Gift Tags as well as other handmade gift items; amongst our handmade stash you will find Oyster Card Holders, Passport Holders, Notebooks, Greeting Cards, Prints, Purses & Accessories.

We hope our suggestions have helped give you some gift ideas and we wish that you all have a great Christmas!

Best wishes,

Penni P & the Gnome  xx

website: http://www.sewsmitten.com

email: info@sewsmitten.com

SewSmitten with We Make London at Old Spitalfields Market

We are very excited to announce that we have booked in some market dates with the lovely We Make London team this October & November in the fabulous location of Old Spitalfields Market.

Launching on the 6th of October and running right through to December they will be bringing you a new Saturday market for 4 dates and also a few Sunday dates too.  Please visit their website for more info: http://wemakelondon.blogspot.co.uk/

The dates that we will be attending are:

Saturday 6th October

Saturday 11th November

Along side 30-50 other crafty designer maker stall holders we will be based in a specially designated We Make London area, selling our handmade wares, so why not pop along & come find us.

This location is so ideal for the upcoming Christmas shopping period, not only does it offer a great shopping day out but there is also an abundance of different places to eat & drink too.

Visit http://www.oldspitalfieldsmarket.com/ for more info

Getting there couldn't be easier too - it's just a short walk from Liverpool Street station, with many local buses.  Click here for a map

A Summer Affair hosted by Dead Dolls Club & London Fields Brewery

This Summer London Fields Brewery & the Dead Dolls Club are hosting a Summer Affair.

Every weekend this summer London Fields Brewery are opening their doors & welcome you to come & drink beer (most of which is brewed on site!) & eat some high quality tasty BBQ as cooked by the Dead Dolls Club. 

See a sample of the food on offer here:
http://www.thedeaddollsclub.com/The_Dead_Dolls_Club/eat.html

There will also be an array of live music acts to entertain throughout the day too.

Plus every last weekend of the month there will be a selection of stalls offering you a wide variety of handmade crafty goodies.

So this June on Saturday the 30th, SewSmitten will taking up a spot selling our lovely handmade wares, so pop along for great beer, tasty food, live music & crafty shopping! What more could you want?

Useful links:
http://www.londonfieldsbrewery.co.uk/
http://www.thedeaddollsclub.com/The_Dead_Dolls_Club/about_1.html

Address : 370 Helmsley Place E8 3SB (under the railway arches) MAP

SewSmitten Christmas Craft Market Dates

Got Craft? : Tooting Tram & Social : Tooting Broadway : London : Sunday 27th November 2011 : 11am - 5pm : Map

 

Craft Guerrilla Christmas Market : Vestry House Museum : Walthamstow : London : Saturday 3rd December 2011 : 11am - 4pm : Map

 

Crafty Fox Christmas Market : The Dogstar : Brixton : London : Saturday 10th December 2011 : 11am - 5pm : Map

 

Duckie Christmas Market :  Barbican Centre : Islington : London : Sunday 11th December 2011 : 2pm - 9:30pm : Map

Got Craft? London Craft Market

This November we are excited to be joining the launch of a new Craft Collective to London & in a brand new location for us too! 

The savvy event organisers from Vancouver launched Got Craft? in 2007 & have since been hosting home to many crafty shindigs, this November the 27th they will be setting up shop in London's Tooting Broadway at the Tooting Tram & Social Bar on Mitcham Road.   

The event will be featuring over 20 talented designer makers, food, a DJ, a D.I.Y table & free swag bags for the first 30 people through the door!  

This event is sizing up to be a great opportunity to do some bespoke handmade Christmas shopping so why not come down & spend your Sunday browsing, drinking & socialising amongst the many creative stall holders.

For more info:

Got Craft website

Got Craft Facebook Event

Map

Vendors

SewSmitten @ The Thames Festival Craft Trail

We are very proud and excited to announce our participation in this years Mayor's Thames Festival taking place on the 10th & 11th of September which will be our biggest event to date.  We at SewSmitten will be there selling our handmade wares amongst many other talented crafty designer makers in the launch of the very first Craft Trail! 

Logo design by Sanna King

(Craft Trail website)

What is the Craft Trail I hear you ask?

They are a group of independent craft collectives who have joined forces to promote London's handmade crafts scene at this years Mayor's Thames Festival.  
The team includes:

Over the weekend vistors will be able to follow a map along the festival route to discover & meet a huge variety of designer makers, browse all their handmade goods, learn & take part in some crafty activities and have a super fun day out along the way!      

The map will be available in print and online, along with a reward card, goody bags and other exciting stuff to be announced nearer the time! For more info visit the Craft Trail homepage or you can follow updates on the facebook page too. 


Here are some more links to follow which detail particular activities on the day:
Of Cabbages & Kings have teamed up with Creative Biscuit to host a Mad Hatter's Tea Party: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=144486162306550
Craft Guerilla will be hosting crafty workshops: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=222853004427950


Other stall and workshop hosts include:
Crafty Fox Market: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=219131128134847 to check out their full list of sellers follow this link: http://craftyfoxmarket.blogspot.com/p/thames-festival-pop-up-stall-holders.html
We Make London: https://www.facebook.com/event.phpeid=262191287143453&ref=notif&notif_t=event_invite to check out the full list of sellers follow this link: http://wemakelondon.blogspot.com/p/thames-festival-designers.html


So we hope you can make it down. We will be at the event on Saturday 10th from noon till 10 pm, residing residence with the We Make London team situated outside of Southwark Crown Court, by The River Thames & just by HMS Belfast (zone 4 on map).  
The nearest station is London Bridge but there are a number of other travel options to get there, plus the festival will be extending the river from Westminster Bridge to Tower Bridge so it'll be hard to miss out!

(click on map for webpage)

For more info about the festival as a whole you can visit their home webpage: http://www.thamesfestival.org/ or follow their facebook event.

Craft Guerrilla Summer Craft Fair

This Summer on Saturday the 30th July we are proud to announce our participation in the amazing Craft Guerrilla Summer Craft Fair. 

Held in the gorgeous Orford House Social Club in the mighty ballroom the Guerrilla team have hand selected the best,most talented designer makers (which includes us!) in order to curate a shopping event that will have you swooning for all things hand made!

So if you fancy coming to one of East London's finest fairs get on down to Walthamstow Village.

£1 entry (under 16s free)

Fully licensed bar

Parking (limited so arrive early)

Make Easy table- join in the hand made movement and tons of beautiful and chic shopping!

For travel information please visit: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/

Nearest Tube: Walthamstow Central (Victoria Line)/Walthamstow Central Train Station (From Liverpool Street Station)

A hop and a skip from the station!

For more info visit : http://www.craftguerrilla.com/index.htm

Limited Edition Handprinted Cosmetic Bags - SALE!

All our limited edition handprinted and handmade fabric Cosmetic Bags are now only £18! (usual selling price £22) 

To ensure you snap this deal up whilst you have the chance please place your order before the end of June

Also coming up this June: 

This Saturday 11th June we will be heading down to the South of London to Clapham to take part in the Of Cabbages & Kings market being hosted at the lovely Bread & Roses pub - 68 Clapham Manor Street London SW4 6DZ from 11am till 6pm.

So come along and say hello, sip a pint or few, eat a lovely pub roast & do some handmade gift shopping all under one roof! & here's hoping the weather is on its best behaviour too....

Horatia Sunday weekly Fayre

Horatia Sunday weekly Fayre : The Horatia Pub : Holloway Road : London : Sunday 27th March 2011 : 11:30 - 6 pm

This Sunday we will be taking up a stall at the lovely Horatia Pub (formerly The Lord Nelson) on Holloway Road selling a selection of our wares at their new weekly Sunday indoor market event which hosts a room of other upcoming crafters, vintage hoarders, music spinners plus there will be yummy Sunday Roasts on the menu & a great selection of alcohol too!

This will be our first stall of the year so we are welcoming the warm approach of Spring with open arms & booking ourselves in for more events around London soon too.

So come pay us a visit, it's free to attend & to see more details just follow the link to view their facebook event profile: CLICK ME!

Another stall holder at the event will be our very creative friend Liz from Blank Inside Designs selling her selection of quirky & whimsical illustrated greeting cards & prints, which are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face... & just in time for mothers day too!

All I can say is what better way is there to spend your Sunday, so why not come & grab some interesting & unique goodies & hang out for a pint or two......

Bold & Colourful New Card Range

On this staggeringly fast approach to Christmas we here at SewSmitten Hq are proud and excited to upload and present to you our fabulous new greeting card range.

Each design features an array of characterful creatures forming a letter of the Alphabet, making it both personal and interesting to give or receive. Letters are available in a variety of colours, comes blank inside, printed on 100% recycled card and comes with a coloured envelope.

'A is for...' includes Albatross, Alligator, Anteater and Armadillo

'Z is for...' includes Zebra, Zebu and Zope

Visit our Greeting Cards section to view the whole collection!

March Market Day @ Abney Hall

Last Saturday (6th March 2010) saw us at our first stall this year down at the lovely Abney Public Hall in Stoke Newington with the organisers of the event Of Cabbages & Kings and it was a good day had by all.

I started off the day feeling quite tired having just spent the last few days preparing stock for the sale, but after a very strong coffee and some yummy ginger biscuits I was ready for a day of selling and socialising...as we bumped into quite a few familiar faces too so we felt right at home! The weather even held off the rain too which was a welcome surprise to be greeted with some sunshine during the day.

Here are a few quick snaps of our stall for those of you that didn't make it down:

Not to worry though, if you missed the sale this month come and check us out on Saturday 8th of May so don't forget to pencil it in your diaries..

This months stall also launched our new Sweetie Cardholders to the public as well as our brand new Animal Happy Family Greeting Cards featuring Mr Bite the Butcher, Mr Paws the Policeman & Mr Toad the Tailor. Visit the store now to see more!

Oyster Card Holders

The first thing I starting making when I finished higher education was card holders, the idea came to me when I started to think about useful things that people might need. The bonus of living in London also meant that the birth of the oyster card almost guaranteed that the market for card holders was big and still growing.

I initially thought I would make them out of fabrics that I had designed and printed myself but when stumbling upon my mighty collection of 80s comics from great classics as Mickey Mouse to My Little Pony, I instantly knew I wanted to use these as it meant I could recycle these old childhood memories and put them to good use again.

Equipped with a few good comics I made my very first stack of bus/oyster card holders and gave them to some of my close friends to road test. Once satisfied with their durability one of those friends who happened to own a shop in Shoreditch East London (the shop was called Brag which sadly no longer exists but she is still printing lots of great things, check her site out at bragclothing) was thrilled with hers so began to stock them in her shop and continued to for the next few years! I also gained another stockist for the comic card holders from here for a shop called Boutique Babylon which is situated in South London on Clapham High Street and they still stock them there today.

I was still working part time with LadyLuckRulesOk around this time and thats when the birth of the crafty animal holders emerged....

At that time the craft craze was growing and when asked to make some cardholders specially for the LadyLuck website I wanted to reflect this....and whilst browsing through many vintage annuals and crafty books I came across some cute vintage toy making instructions and became inspired to transform them into a posse of retro looking card holders.

By using the vintage toy pattern instructions this product has two uses as full instructions on how to make yourself your own stuffed animal friend are included within the design..

And in the November of 2007 they were available to buy online!!

Further down the road in the making of card holders I have increased the variety of designs available and other additions to the collection have been:

London Maps; an idea suggested to me by a close friend - Fifi who owns Covet a lovely shop in Islington now also a stockist of them too.. Which have turned out to be a big hit as people love to find the ones with the area or street that they live in!

and another new design uses the images from a vintage dress pattern book which I just love as the dresses are amazing....

You can even customise and personalise your very own design! By sending us your images or designs we can make one up to order making it the ultimate unique purchase.....

When I first began making these holders about two years ago for my close friends and family I never imagined that I would still be making them today!

But they continue to be one of our best sellers online and at craft events too! Someone was even kind enough to write a lovely little blog about them too which you can read on Crafty Crafty.

We at SewSmitten HQ love the fun they bring to our dreary journeys and we hope they continue to brighten up your bus/train or tube journeys too...If not for traveling they can be used to hold student IDs, bank cards, gym memberships, library cards....the list is endless...

Check them out now on our online store and see which design is your favourite.....?