I had so much fun at the halifax crafters fair last weekend! I sold some things and picked up a few lovely hand crafted objects which I will cherish (more on those later).
This time around we made magnets from old encyclopedia illustrations of prehistoric life which we cut out and carefully water coloured. We then sealed them with acrylic medium to make them durable and kitchen worthy. We mounted the magnets on cards which I typed with my new typewriter. Each one ends up being a unique and cute gift. Quite a few people told us they were buying these to send to friends in the mail.
We had a lot of fun making these so I’m sure we’ll be making more magnets of various kinds in the future. Magnets are great because they are functional (they hold up stuff) and fun (you can play with them). Plus everyone seems to check out what’s on other peoples fridges; magnets and interesting bits of ephemera usually. I know I always notice what’s on someones fridge, and I look at mine any time I go for a snack. Dinosaurs and neat pre-historic life are a welcome addition to my daily routine and thought process.
I brought silver and lace jewellery, naturally dyed quilted silk brooches and quilted brooches in brightly coloured cotton print. There was also a small basket of hyperbolic hair pins and brooches, some with vintage fabrics stitched on, others with lace or vintage buttons. I also brought a hand woven scarf with a root system motif I did using a pick up technique. (click through the gallery below to see the photos =)
We also sold cards, water coloured cards, mobiles and some other creative odds and ends. I have to send in my application for the christmas fair soon, which I’m sure will only be bigger and better. I tried to handmade gifts for everyone last year which was fun, but took forever. This year I’m going try to keep it balanced; I’ll make some handmade items and support these hard working, crafty folk by picking up some things at the next fair. ( No mall for me.)
The makers at the show wanted to make something beautiful and have it be welcome and loved by someone else. I found some really special stuff; unique objects with a lot of personality. The people who made them had obviously invested a lot of themselves in to their creation and that made all the difference. I wanted everything, it was all so beautiful and engaging!
Thanks to everyone who made it out to the fair to support the Crafters and for encouraging us to keep making you beautiful things.
