‘10 essential things to do to make the most of your craft market’ by Patricia van der Akker
Watch the video of this online workshop by Patricia and find more help for creative businesses at www.thedesigntrust.co.uk You can also view the PDF of the sides for the video here
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HOMEGROWN… our Pop up Shop blog
*UPDATE* 9th April Unfortunately we’re not going to be able to run the Homegrown pop up shop project at this time. We’ve had a great response with 30 applications sent out but haven’t been able to fill all 18 places. We’re confident there’s enough interest in the project, but that the project itself is not [...]
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Get ready for Springtime Pedlar Style
Pedlars is just around the corner and they’ve sent us this great press release for a taste of what’s to come at their next event … Spring is sprung, the grass is ris, I wonder where the talent is? It’s all at the Quay Arts Centre for the third fabulous Pedlars at the Quay artisan [...]
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IWMN Interview with Sarah’s World
You can see in all of Sarah’s work, her absolute enjoyment of fabric, love of pattern and use of traditional craft skills. Sarah’s World is vintage inspired, rustic, eco-friendly and also incredibly charming. Could you tell us what it was like growing up in a creative family?… I grew up in a family where sewing, knitting, [...]
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Rychard’s Coffin
My name is Oliver Bennett and I’d like to take this opportunity to share my story of how I came to be a carpenter. Ten years ago I was a painter and decorator, I worked with my father Rychard Bennett. We had a great relationship and I enjoyed working with him very much. I’m proud [...]
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IWMN Interview with MooksGoo
Step inside the fantastic, wonderful, creative world of MooksGoo. Michelle takes us for a tour… Tell us about how you got into being a creative….Graduating from The Arts University College, Bournemouth in 2008 with a graphic design degree, my first industry job was in sign-making and graphic design on the Isle of Wight. In 2011 [...]
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The Highs and Lows of Being a Stallholder
Thank you to Jocelyn from Adorn Jewellery who writes about her experiences when selling her work on the Island. Where to sell..? If, like me, your business came about from your love of making which spiralled into a case of ‘Oh, I think I’ve made so much stuff I need to sell it’, or that people [...]
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The Isle of Wight Makers Spring Showcase
Calling Makers living and making on the Isle of Wight! This is a call to get involved with the second Seasonal Showcase for Spring. The Seasonal Showcases are online brochures which promote the work of makers who live and make on the Isle of Wight. The first showcase we made was for Christmas which you [...]
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IWMN Interview with Ivy’s Table
Ivy’s Table features on the inside cover of this seasons IWMN Spring Showcase - her most recent work features beautiful textile characters and she tells us how she brings Mrs Elizabeth Night Night and Captain Bookend to life… Could you sum up last year and what’s been your ‘stand out’ moment… I threw myself into 2012, did a [...]
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IWMN Interview with Zoe Barker
Photographer Zoe Barker talks about how the renowned ‘Englishness’ of the Isle of Wight, is such an inspiration for her work… Could you tell us about your creative background… I spent many years in London working in television, I got made redundant and took the opportunity to study photography at Reading College of Art Design. That [...]
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IWMN Interview with Wight Vintage
Claire and Tracey are masters at plate spinning – as long as they’re vintage of course! The pair tell us how their successful business Wight Vintage keeps them busy and enjoying the Island… How they started… Tracey and I have both dreamed of starting our own business and had often thought of opening a tea [...]
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IWMN Interview with The Decorated Jeneral
Many thanks to The Decorated Jeneral for this inspiring interview… How did you start your business? I’ve always had a thing for costume jewellery, particularly earrings, necklaces and brooches. I lost my best friend in 2010 and found that like many people coping with grief, I kept myself as busy as possible. I got busy [...]
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Happy 2013 – change is in the air :)
Happy New Year Everyone! Looking back at 2012 there was most certainly a feeling of change in the air, about the Island as a creative place. New, exciting and beautifully curated fairs, shows and Christmas markets were begun. Wonderful historic buildings were brought alive with new work spaces and inspiring exhibitions. New networks and collectives [...]
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I Love Wight Christmas Market 2012
Photos from the first I Love Wight Christmas Market. Find out more about their festive Island Market on Facebook here and we’re looking forward to the next one.
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Pedlars at the Quay 2012
Photos from the first artisan craft market by Pedlars at the Quay. Find out more about their vibrant Sunday Markets on Facebook here .
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Vectis Quilters
Above center: 24 x 44 inch traditional wall hanging, Machine satin, ‘raw edge’ and blanket stitch applique & hand applique by Brenda Smith The Vectis Quilters Summer Exhibition www.vectisquilters.co.uk 2012 was packed with wonderful quilts. Hanging from the ceiling they filled the room at Ventnor Botanic Garden with millions of colours and I’m guessing several hundred [...]
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Acoustic Originals at ‘Art in the Park’ : : Ventnor 18 August
The Ventnor Fringe Festival took place in August from the 15th -18th. Inspired by the Edinburgh Fringe, artists apply to take part in a wide variety of disciplines including Theatre, Music, Dance, Film and Art. Quay Arts, popular showcase of original song writing, Acoustic Originals, will be popping up in the Ventnor Park bandstand for ‘Art in [...]
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handmade internet sites by Tina Harknett
I’ve lived on the Isle of Wight in St. Lawrence for nearly 13 years and love it. I’m “mum” to two beautiful Burmese cats and live with my partner of 15 years, Alan. I’ve always been fairly creative and love handmade items, but went through a period of several years where I lost my way a [...]
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Dan Thompson talks Pop Up Shops
It rained Saturday when Dan Thompson came down to talk about the Creative use of Empty Shops. There was flooding. A lot of water came down. After meeting Dan and grabbing a sandwich at Tiffins in Cowes we jumped in the car for a whistle stop tour of the Island in the rain. We got [...]
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IWMN Interview with Petranella
The revival in traditional crafts has been strong for some years now, but Lace Making is one of those crafts that still remains relatively under represented. The Island is one of the areas of the county that has dedicated and accomplished makers of which Petranella is a wonderful example. She tells us more about her [...]
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photographing your work by Chris Cowley
Chris Cowley is an Isle of Wight based wedding photographer hailing from a background of festival and music portraiture in which he has photographed headline bands from Madness to Lily Allen. Chris kindly agreed to tell us a few handy tips to help us get the best from our photos… You’ve spent hours crafting away [...]
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Sue Paraskeva : : Collect & Making
Sue Paraskeva kindly agreed to talk about Collect 2012, her sublime porcelain and enjoyable makers existence here on the Isle of Wight. Collect is “The International Art Fair for the Contemporary Object ” an annual event held at the Satachi Gallery by the Crafts Council. A selected group of International galleries showing some of their maker/artists and [...]
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IWMN Interview with Philip Bell from Beachy Books
Philip Bell knows his craft. You know he knows because he makes every single word count. The proof of this is in his award winning, beautifully crafted books for children which he writes and independently publishes. The proof also happens to be in the 140 characters twitter gives him, which he fills several times a [...]
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IWMN Interview with Tina Harknett from Wight Creations
Tina from Wight Creations creates stunning handmade cards. Each one created unique, you can clearly see the thought and attention to detail that goes into making each handmade card, just right for you. Tina tells me all about Wight Creations and how she creates such beautiful work on the Isle of Wight… How did your business, Wight Creations, come [...]
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IWMN Interview with Lesa from I Heart Buttons
There’s something wonderfully special about buttons, and Lesa’s wedding bouquets are a true button celebration! She skilfully combines a myriad of shapes, textures and tones to create something so yummy…they make you smile from head to toe! Of course then, I go and ask her some Pertinent questions… It’s a great concept, where did the inspiration come from? I [...]
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IWMN Interview with Tori Trimming Director of Raggy-Tag
My family have loved Raggy-Tag ever since my son was bought one as a gift from Live Like This in Cowes, nearly 6 years ago. I was thrilled when I found out they were made on the Isle of Wight, and so when they joined the Isle of Wight Makers Network I was even more thrilled! I [...]
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IWMN Interview with Luke George Burton
It’s hard to put one description to Luke George Burton’s making activities. But Star Wars, LucasFilm, Premiers, Film Credits and Private Collections are just some of the words you’d use…along with a super-cool talent. Sara the IWM Administrator finds out more… How long have you been Making? Don’t recall ever not making stuff. Even as a kid I was detailing [...]
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…about the word ‘Maker’
A few words from an interested party by David GJ Philo After reading some of the groups posts it struck me that possibly some of you good folk might perhaps be a little confused by the word ‘Maker’. After all, it’s very straightforward word. But it nevertheless has a very distinguished pedigree. You’ve only to [...]
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Magic Carpet by David GJ Philo
They sit, a tight little knot, eyes screwed shut, In the conventional attitude of prayer, for how otherwise Can one hope to bring about strong sorceries. I look on, superior and sceptical, Yet perhaps half hoping. I cannot hear the whispered requests. Four little girls on a Sunday afternoon Implore the ineffable to suspend Newton. If [...]
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