Leeds Independent Fashion Soiree

Launching LEEDS Fashion Festival, and in conjunction with the The Leeds Fashion and Craft Network, you are warmly invited to celebrate the work of the independent designers of Leeds with an informal event at Fabrication Crafts Leeds' independent department store on Friday 4th March, 6pm - 8.30pm.

We'll have special festival cocktails, make overs, massages and lots more! Confirmed designers taking part so far are:

Ages Of Elegance
Bo Carter
Butterfly Beading
Chic-y Cow
Dazarocks
Gwein Reid
Isaac Ava
Jewellery By Trudy
Luana Poerio
Magnolia Restrepo
Merry Band of Plague Doctors
Oh Frances 
Pattern Passion 
Rowan Tree Designs
Tess Tickle's Treasures
Twice Fired 
Urban Fox
Zara Mia Ava
Zoe Barber

While the event is free numbers are limited, to book your place please go to eventbrite.

For more information please see the facebook event. 

Planning on proposing this leap year?

Since we're in a leap year and it's approaching the 29th February, the day when traditionally it's the woman's turn to do the proposing, we thought we'd use the opportunity to give anyone (of any gender) who's planning to propose to their loved one a hand with planning a romantic meal.

With the exception of the soup these recipes all use ingredients which can be found in the shop, and as you can see look ever so appetising served in Margaret Glackin's beautiful ceramics. Plus while you're in the shop you can buy everything else you might need, including the jewellery.

To start: Ireshopeburn Chestnut Soup (serves 6, so if you're cooking for 2 you can enjoy the next day as well!)


Ingredients
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 shallots, chopped
1 small carrot, chopped
7oz celeriac, chopped
1lb fresh chestnuts (see below for preparation)
2 pints vegetable stock
1 stick cinnamon 
1 small potato, chopped
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 x 110g pack blue stilton, crumbled
flat leaf parsley to garnish

Chestnuts: choose heavy, hard, shiny brown ones. Preheat oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6. Cut a cross shape in each chestnut, lay them on a baking sheet and place in the oven for 15-20 minutes, removing when the skins start to curl around the cut. Peel while still warm.

Soup
Heat oil in a large saucepan and cook onion, carrot and celeraic over a medium heat for 5 minutes. 
Add chestnuts, stock, cinnamon and potato. 
Bring to the boil then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 25-30 mins until the vegetables are tender. Remove the cinnamon stick and leave to cool slightly before blending until smooth.
Reheat then serve topped with crumbled stilton and parsley leaves.

Main course: Thai Chicken Skewers

To finish: chocolate mousse (serves 4)

Ingredients
100g / 3 1/2oz Guppy's plain chocolate, broken in to pieces
250ml / 8fl oz soya cream, plus extra to serve
1tbsp brandy, rum, Amaretto or Cointreau
A few toasted flaked almonds to decorate

Place the chocolate in a bowl over a pan of gently simmering water (the bowl should not be in the water) and leave for a few minuted until the chocolate has melted. 
Add the soya cream and alcohol to the chocolate, then whisk until the mixture has cooled and thickened a little.
Pour the mousse in to 4 serving dishes and chill overnight, until it is lightly set. Top each serving with a spoonful of soya cream and a toasted almonds.


If you've not left enough time for a dish that requires an overnight chill, this delicious Jamie Oliver ice-cream dusting can be made in minutes: just put 3 tbsp coffee beans, 80g hazelnuts and an 80g pot of Guppy's cocoa nibs in a blender and blitz, then serve over ice-cream.

 

New seller round-up

As per usual for the time of year we've had a lot of new sellers arrive recently to join us in Fabrication, so we thought it was about time we gave you a round-up of who's new in store. So, in no particular order, we are pleased to introduce to you...

Creation Crafts

Creation crafts sell both finished products or, for the crafter, the paper is available in sheets. The beautiful designs are based on kimono fabrics and are all hand printed in Japan.

Little Wings Butterflies

If you are looking for an unique and bespoke little gift come and have a look at my beautiful butterfly frames. Each one is handmade with paper cut butterflies and mounted with their wings slightly bent to give a lovely eye catching 3D effect . I create different pieces each time but I can make personal frames to order by adding a name, date of birth or any colour scheme. Please find me on Facebook or go to Fabrication for more info.
 

Zoe Barber Design

Handmade jewellery in silver with quirky detail in brass, copper and polymer clay.

 

Street Lane Framing

I frame all items from pictures to shirts. Make mirrors and undertake various crafting projects. You name it, we frame it. 

Pattern Passion

Preeti's love for nature reflects in her designs which she draws and paints with passion. These unique handmade patterns adorn silk womenswear, scarves, cushions, purses, wristlets and art prints. 

 Spider & Fly

At Spider & Fly I believe childhood is too short for boring clothing. I try to create colourful and exciting clothes for babies and toddlers that are also functional. It all started when i hady son and was disappointed with boys clothing on the high street - not willing to settle I started making things that were fun and made to last. 

 Hollybush

At Hollybush we run training short courses in basic woodwork open to everyone.  Alongside this we have ongoing sessions for adults with learning disability and mental health recoverers. Producing items to a saleable standard is an important part of our ethos.

We make simple items from recycled pallets and sustainably sourced new timber. Some items are hand painted mainly by two talented ladies from Poland. A range of larger items and bespoke commissions can be obtained by contacting us.

Delighted to bring our curve roofed hedgehog homes, robin boxes, boot pulls and painted trugs to Fabrication.

We are planning to involve several of our long term volunteers in supporting our unit at Fabrication.

Guppy's Chocolates

Guppy's Chocolates are Peter and Fran Guppy and we are passionate about all things chocolate! All our delicious chocolates are handmade & hand packaged from our family-run premises in York. We pride ourselves on carrying on the family traditions of the Rowntrees and Terry's families, handmaking great quality chocolates in the City of York.

Naturally Thinking

High quality aromatherapy based products made from carefully sourced ingredients.

Beyond Benefits

Luxury handmade body products made using aromatherapy principles to benefit your body and mind

 

Winter Warmers

If you're anything like us you'll be feeling the cold this week so we thought it would be the perfect time to focus on some of our items that you can wrap yourself up in, curl up on and wrap your hands round to make yourself a little bit more toasty.

Starting with wrapping yourself up, how about one of these beautiful cushions or blankets:

To curl up on, one of Emily Farncombe Upholstery's stylish chairs:

And to wrap your hands round, some of Margaret Glackin's lovely ceramics:

Or these quirky mug warmers:

As always, this is just a taste of what we have in the shop, if anything takes your fancy or makes you wonder what else we have then do call in to see us!

 

Valentine's Day gifts

If you're looking to treat a loved one this Valentine's Day then head to our shop in The Light, between them our sellers have thought of everything you might need to spoil someone completely.

Below is just a small selection of what's in store, to see more check out our facebook page or call in and browse in person!

From the 'traditional' gift of chocolate...

To gorgeous scented candles...

 Beautiful lacy lingerie...

 And luxurious massage bars...

Plus carefully crafted jewellery to suit every style, unique cards, plenty of gifts for men and much much more...

And if you find yourself spoilt for choice then have a chat with a member of staff, we're always happy to take you through our colleagues work and help you find the perfect gift.