Boutique and Unique - the Vintage Bazaar, Hartley Wintney

A date for your diaries.  Next Saturday, the 27th April at The Victoria Halls in Hartley Wintney, the Vintage Bazaar will be holding another of their amazing fairs with over 30 traders selling vintage clothing, textiles, collectables and homewares.

The Vintage Bazaar was set up three years ago by Lizzie and Clare who came up with the idea.  They felt that Frome was a perfect venue to sell all things vintage as well as Clare's fabulous cloche hats. The Bazaar has now spread to other towns. 

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Exhibitors include Rebecca's Aix  and Les Jolies Choses 

as well as Angela's Vintage with their lovely display of nostalgic items from the 1930's and  1940's which includes English Embroidery, Linens and Haberdashery.

     

Refreshments are available in vintage style thanks to Lavinia's Tea Party 

The Victoria Halls are in Hartley Wintney, Hampshire. and doors open at 9.30, finishing at 3 pm.

Trivial Pursuits - Building Blocks, Cornwall

If only every town had a place like this. If you fancy trying out a new craft, then surely this is the place for you.

Based in St Austell, Building Blocks caters for all ages and tastes. With such a diverse variety of workshops on offer there's bound to be something to suit everyone.

Applique, basic cross-stitch, T-shirt printing, felting, button bouquets, Waldorf story dolls and 'Getting to know your sewing machine' have all been on offer.

The venue is the brainchild of Jeni Carson and Gill Birchall whose aim is to bring beautiful handcrafted Work at Home products to the high street and provide somewhere for mums to share and build their creative skills.

The Kids' and Afternoon Craft Clubs are proving popular and it's easy to see why.  I hope the idea spreads throughout Britain.

Do you have somewhere like this near you? Let us know about it.

Meet the Maker - Elaine Hardy, Love and Buttons

Difficult to imagine that a pile of buttons could be used to create something so beautiful and delicate.  But Elaine manages it with ease,  making the most beautiful embroidered pieces which incorporate these vintage and ceramic buttons.  

She also makes the most adorable hand stitched mice and bunnies.

Elaine is mum to 2 children,a little black dog & a very large guinea pig. As well as taking commissions, she has a shop on Folksy and you can find her on Facebook too.

Meet the Maker - Felt maker Stephanie Carswell

I've already blogged about Hawthorn craft gallery in Blandford, but couldn't really do justice to the work of owner Stephanie Carswell who creates the most stunning sculptures in felt.

You can see her work on her website, but I would also suggest you take a trip to her gallery in Dorset so you can see the sculptures up close. 

 She has run workshops in the past at her gallery so that others can have a go and sells kits in her shop too.  If you're looking for a hobby, this might just be the ticket.

Boutique and Unique - Hawthorn contemporary craft gallery, Blandford

Hawthorn contemporary craft gallery is yet another shop helping to make market town high streets a destination for shopping.  This fantastic shop is perfect for those looking for something quirky for their own home or in search of a truly original gift.

Everything is hand crafted  by design-makers and artists and over 70% of their stock is sourced within a fifty mile radius.  There are ceramics, jewellery, glass, wood, textiles, cards and prints.

An you will completely rethink about the art of felting when you see owner Stephanie Carswell's work.

At the back of the shop there is an Aladdin's cave of buttons, ribbons, vintage haberdashery and felt making kits for those who want to try a hand at their own creations.

Boutique and Unique - crafters' heaven in Dorset

A visit to Sturminster Newton is not complete for any crafter without a trip to Hansons.

Don't be fooled by the warehouse exterior.  Inside is an Aladdin's cave of every type of button, bow, ribbon, yarn, fabric, scrap booking accessory or needle you could possibly wish for.

  

And the staff couldn't be more helpful.  Efficient, knowledgeable and friendly, they can answer any questions you may have and are obviously keen crafters themselves. 

   

They run workshops throughout the year.  As well as lots of embroidery, needlecraft and knitting demonstrations, they do book binding, jewellery and felt making.  You can even make your own lingerie.