Happy 3rd Birthday to us!!!

What a difference 3 years makes! Today marks Fabrication's third birthday, the perfect time to look back at how far we've come.

In the beginning it was just a shell of a shop, with marks on the wall left from the previous occupants:

But it took shape, and in October 2012 we were proud to open our doors to the public with 40 sellers:

180 sellers have joined us since then. Our shop in The Light is brimming with beautiful handmade goods from our 83 sellers, some of whom are still with us from that first day:

In celebration of our shop going from strength to strength we have filled our windows with items from each of our sellers, and there is of course birthday cake to share the celebration with our customers today.

We are also launching our brand new store loyalty card, as a thank-you to all our customers for keeping on supporting us. 

Here's to the next three years!

 

Spotlight on the Seller ......Rowan Tree Designs

Rowan Tree Designs is the trading name of Sonia Curry, a York based dressmaker who creates stylish one-off capes and cloaks in addition to bespoke orders.

My capes and wraps are designed to keep you warm by also being stylish and easy to wear.

Often made from super soft fleece (a customer favourite it seems) or a high quality wool blend I make a variety of one-off colour combinations as they take my fancy.

In addition I make a small range of shrugs and other items of clothing.

Commissions are welcome, whether it’s a different colour combination to what’s available in the shop, a different size or a completely different design!

Spotlight on the seller - Adella Creations

Adella Creations is Bernie Cooke! Adella being Bernie's middle name.

Bernie is a self confessed fabric hoarder and her stash is mainly where she gets her inspiration to create garments from.

Bernie tends to make tops and tunics mostly. She likes to make free sizes that are loose, comfortable, stylish, trendy and all her unique designs. The prices range from £20 /£80 and everything is machine and hand sewed by Bernie herself. 

The pieces fit most sizes and each garment is versatile in that it can be dressed up for the evening with lots of your favourite accessories, or dressed down for work or day wear.
The tunics look good worn with boots, heels, pumps, leggings, or coordinating coloured tights.

Bernie has recently designed a range of lace fingerless gloves with embellishments, some using vintage ribbons, beads, crystals and re-purposed jewellery. These are quite unique I have not seen any others in Leeds so far...! They would be ideal to wear to weddings, parties, in fact anywhere, even 'down the pub' with your favourite jeans.

Bernie has also designed a range of brooches using silks, beads, ribbons and re-purposed jewellery.

Bernie has previously sold her creations in various markets, to friends, and since last October she has been selling in Fabrication. This is a suitable outlet as it is in the centre of Leeds, the 'vibe' is inspiring as there are many creative sellers working here, so it's a hive for inspiration and a chance to meet lovely people!

Bernie welcomes commissions and is happy to discuss ideas for designs.

Spotlight on the Seller- Ages Of Elegance

Our first Spotlight on the Seller this year is our leader Dawn Wood, who when she's not trying to cover us all in gingham, works from her studio near the corn exchange in Leeds city centre, creating clothing as Ages Of Elegance

She trained during the last Millenium as a fashion designer, having always had a passion for clothes with the best dressed dolls around. Not just contemporary garments or from a fashion point of view, but also historical & and in it's wider socio-economic setting. Somewhere in the vaults of Huddersfield uni is a super 8 film of her talking about viking clothing aged 12 whilst a class project was being filmed.

This interest led to her moving into making costume for film and theatre, moving to London to work at two of the largest film costume houses, and the Royal Opera House before becoming freelance. She now also produces clothing for museums and collectors, specialising in military uniforms, 18thc clothing and corsetry, as well as giving costume talks. She has sent 16thc patterns in the diplomatic bag to Uzbekistan, created the 17thc bodyguard for the King of Norway, and dyed Phil Collin's underpants for the film Buster

Her move back to Yorkshire 12 years ago meant she started to produce her fashion label again alongside and she sells one off items from this in the shop as well as taking on bespoke work both fashion and bridal. She has been regularly nominated as best designer in Leeds and for her lingerie in the Leeds Retails Awards and was the featured lingerie designer in the 2006 Urban Fashion Awards

Her work is diverse and for both men and women so if you want a truly unique outfit you know where to come. She is also our main tutor and if you come for any of her classes you know you are being taught by a longstanding expert in her field

Spotlight on the seller - JEMS

Back in 2003, I dreamed about becoming  a furniture designer.  I began a furniture/product design degree in 2005 with high hopes... however , it was not to be. Throughout my life jewellery design has always been in the background of daily routine,  and it slowly dawned on me, “Ey, I'm all right at this!”

 After this epiphany, and many pro and con lists, I enrolled for the Metalwork& Jewellery degree at Sheffield Hallam in 2008, and life took a massive silver fork in the road.

After graduating in 2012 and a month visiting Thailand, I started on the rocky road of self employment. In the beginning there were me, my saw, many broken blades and some scrap metal, but as time marched on things started to happen and I was looking more and more like a jewellery designer, and so I set up JEMS. 

My inspiration is a combination of memories, rituals of British life, and a love of my county; Yorkshire. JEMS jewellery and precious objects are tools that enable the act of reminiscing on the life gone by, as well as lovely objects to treasure.

The Seaside Memories collection is a group of precious metal jewellery and objects that is inspired by childhood trips to the coast, and the junk I would bring back simply for memories sake. Every day I look at photos or hold the many pebbles scatted around the house and remember.

The act of reminiscing is such a personal thing, and to remember the days gone by helps me develop my future, it seems to be a bit of an ironic Escher puzzle, which I love. To be so attached to an object simply for memory’s sake is something truly human and to be able to design and make for clients is an honour.

JEMS is a jewellery design business that will always provide you with the human experience... as well as a proper cup of tea and a biscuit. 

Spotlight on the seller - Chic-ycow designs

I'm Jo Noble, founder of Chic-ycow Designs, originally from Hertfordshire but I've been an honorary  'Yorkshire Lass'  since 1986.

I have run a successful Landscaping business for 23 years with my husband whilst bringing up my daughter who is now nearly 21 and at University.

I have always had a passion for all things 'Crafty' including Sewing, Painting, Crochet, Knitting and making Costume Jewellery.

Chic-ycow Designs was set up in 2011, and I started to make Leather Jewellery, Handbags and Accessories incorporating my love of Art, Colour, Textiles and Painting to produce

 one-of-a-kind individually handmade pieces.          

My latest  S/S13  range of jewellery and handbags is based on a floral theme, handpainted and printed, and inspired by this years Chelsea Flower Show.

I love to make bespoke pieces, often matching jewellery and accessories to customer's outfits for a special occasion, like Weddings.

I have several stockists of my Chic-ycow Goodies around Yorkshire and i have been a part of Fabrication since November 2012, where my work has sold well and I have benefitted from a wealth of advice, information, friendship and positive feedback from my fellow sellers.

I am happy and proud to be a member of the 'Fabrication Family' and to have been given the opportunity to be part of such a vibrant and successful Independent Retail Outlet.                     

Spotlight on the seller - Magnolia Restrepo Jewellery

Magnolia Restrepo was born in Colombia, in a small village in the Andes. She has worked with jewellery since she was fifteen years old, undergoing a long family apprenticeship in the art and craft of the silversmith.

Her inspiration comes from the magnificence of nature, dialogue with people, the colours of stones, from everyday life.

She delights in fusing and transforming metals, giving life to a piece that becomes magnified by the wearer.

Each piece is handmade.  Each design is produced in small quantities, and is often unique. Her jewellery is mostly made with Sterling silver (925 parts silver, 75 parts copper) but she also works with Britannia silver (958 parts silver, 42 parts copper) and fine silver (pure silver), as well as copper and semi-precious and precious stones.

Magnolia Restrepo aims to ensure that every customer is delighted with their jewellery. Each Magnolia Restrepo Jewellery design comes with a 12-month guarantee, during which items are repaired FREE.

She also works to commission. Magnolia would be delighted to discuss your ideas with you, to help ensure that you have in your hands that special jewel that you always wanted.

Fabrication has been for Magnolia a great opportunity to meet people, to find friends, and to help grow her business in a new country and in a new language.

You can find Magnolia at www.magnoliarestrepo.com

On Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MagnoliaRestrepoJewellery?ref=hl