Spotlight on the Seller - Butterfly Beaders

Hi, we are Pauline and Chris, two friends who both enjoy beading.

We both have different styles and tastes, which we have found complement each other. We also both believe that a girl can never have too many beads.

As each bead is hand stitched, making the jewellery take time to evolve, we made a decision to use top quality Japanese beads, Swarovski crystals and pearls, together with semi precious stones wherever possible.

Where fastenings are used, they are made from sterling silver or filled gold.

Our jewellery is intended to be affordable, as well as something special to wear, that is hand made and not mass produced.

All of our jewellery can be made in any colour or length for special gifts and occasions.

Spotlight on the seller - Geof

Geof is a Leeds-based cartoonist, comics creator and scientist. He uses the twin weapons of humour and cute stylised drawings to make light of things like alternative sexual practices, science, Victoriana/steampunk, and tea. His ongoing Fetishman series of comics have been a feature of the UK small-press scene since 2004. More recently his misleadingly-titled Steampunk Literary Review, an annual anthology of his steampunk creations, has been well received both in the UK and the US with a third issue due in the summer of 2013. His travelling museum of tea-related lies has been to events and festivals across the UK since 2010 and is still expanding.

Spotlight on the seller - Tess Tickle

       

                                       

Tess Tickle and her brave and trusty crew search far and wide for unique and unusual booty to adorn you and your home.

Combining new and vintage items they specialise in Steampunk and Fairytale jewellery, handmade candles in vintage tea cups and other vessels, underwear and corsetry Burlesque style with removeable jewellery, household items made from vintage records like clocks, cake stands and candle holders, handmade and hand printed rude and pleasant cards and gift bags plus many more one off objects their imaginations can create!!

Commission work is preferred as they pride themselves on making wishes come true. They are experts in vintage sourcing. Current commissions include a glow in the dark shell for a little mermaid necklace.

Email tessticklestreasures@hotmail.co.uk or visit Fabrication, The Light, Leeds for more information.

Tess will run a 'Revamp your jewels' workshop on 13th July where she will show you how to create at least 4 items of fabulous  jewellery from your old and broken pieces and show you skills you can use at home to create your own items and a 'Tart up your tat' workshop on 20th July where you can learn unusual new ways to spruce up old items of small furniture and household goods. In addition she will run the occasional pay as you go drop in jewellery workshop.

Tess doesn't have a favourite seller at Fabrication as all the sellers in the shop are amazingly talented and she feels privileged to work with such a fun and talented bunch of people!!!!

Website coming as soon as they are back from their latest expedition!!!!!

Spotlight on the seller - Beauty In The Lonely

Beauty in the Lonely was founded in 2010 by Catherine Rogan. The name is a line from an Editors song, “Someone Says”.

Currently working in London, Catherine was born in Wakefield and was taught to sew by her mum. In 1997 she made an 18^th Century gown as part of her Theatre Studies A-Level, modelled by her soon to be best friend.

In 2010 the same best friend got married, and Catherine took on the task of making her wedding dress. At the wedding people commented that she should make things to sell, so later than year Catherine opened an Etsy shop selling clothes and accessories.

Clothing ranges from formal shift dresses and corsets, to sundresses and plant-dyed tunics.  Accessories include bridal headdresses with real pearls and brooches and earrings made from vintage buttons.

Catherine designs the clothing she sells herself (with the exception of corsets based on vintage patterns) and was a finalist in Sew Hip Magazine’s  2012 Fashion Designer of the Year competition.

Catherine is happy to take on custom orders, whether it’s a hand-dyed scarf, a shift dress or corset, just drop her a line.

Catherine would like to thank all the talented and hardworking crafters at Fabrication, their dedication to quality, handmade crafts in Leeds is an inspiration.

http://www.facebook.com/beautyinthelonely

Twitter: @BeautyInLonely

http://beautyinthelonely.blogspot.co.uk/

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/BeautyInTheLonely

Learn new skills with Fabrication

Whether you have caught the sewing bug from Great British Sewing Bee, want to try an new skill like making a beautiful crystal tiara, or simply want to "tart up your tat" then Fabrication has a workshop for you.

Workshops are running through the summer for sewing, lampshade making, jewellery, perfumery, darwing, chocolate making... the list goes on and on.  Workshops are run by Fabrication's dedicated and talented craftspeople, each has a passion for and knowledge of their craft that is second to none.

You can find your perfect workshop and book on line at Fabrication's website. Booking is essential as class sizes are limited.

Learn a new skill yourself or treat someone to a gift card so they can pick their own workshop - a great gift for a loved one!

Fabrication cited as model business incubator

A report commissioned by Leeds City Council and Leeds Metropolitan University has praised Fabrication as "a model that could be used to grow the [independent] sector"
“Rising costs, fierce competition and growth of internet sales have taken a heavy toll on the UK high street, with independent retailers coming under increasing pressure. 

The report, launched on 25th April, calls for more support for independent businesses in the city


“There’s a real need for traditional business support in the form of mentoring and financial advice, together with more sector-specific support with things like merchandising, customer service and in-store promotion."

Councillor Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council’s executive board member for development and economy said “Independent retailers make a major contribution to the city’s vibrancy and attractiveness. We need to support their entrepreneurial flair and, if we are going to reverse the trend of recent years, create more opportunities for independent and small traders to open new shops and succeed, both in the city centre and in local communities.”

Dawn Wood, Fabrication founder, who attended the launch, welcomes the report and calls for more independent retail representation on the city's retail association. 
You can read the press release for the report here.