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.

Spotlight on the Seller - Bexicles Crafts and Accesories

Established in 2008, Bexicles supplies hand crafted crystal and silk/foam flower bouquets and corsages, tiaras and hair accessories, jewellery and unique cards for special occasions. They can also supply other crafts such as knitted and sewn scarves, hats and household goods such as quilted bed throws and blankets.

Most of Bexicles' stock is made to order particularly the crystal and silk/foam flower bouquets and corsages, tiaras and hair accessories.   They make for any special occasion in colour/design of choice.

Prices for the crystal and silk/foam flower bouquets and corsages start from £10, tiaras and hair accessories from £12, depending on the design and crystals used. All crystal and silk/foam flower bouquets and corsages contain Swarovski Crystals and colourfast flowers.

Bexicles was initially set up as a mother and daughter enterprise in Cleethorpes by Christine and Rebecca Fiddler following a road traffic accident that left Christine unable to return to her previous work . The name is taken from Rebecca - Bexicles.

On returning to West Yorkshire Christine was looking for a suitable outlet for the crafts and applied to join Fabrication in January 2013.  Fabrication and its artists have renewed Christine's love of craft making and she has recently started to knit and sew again. The shop and its sellers provide an enthusiastic and supportive base that enables ideas to flourish whilst importantly giving an outlet for the various artists that display and sell through the shop. The support received has been excellent from all the artists involved. Special mentions go to Dawn Wood, who runs Fabrication and Lisa Holkner from Our Little Craft Company. Dawn works tirelessly to ensure the shop and the enterprise keeps going. Lisa has provided Christine with some fantastic ideas, in particular branding, marketing and craft skills.

Bexicles will be providing workshops through Fabrication. These include making crystal hair clips and barrettes; tiara making; and how to make a crystal bouquet. Further details can be found on the Fabrication website at: www.fabric-ation.co.uk.

Website: www.bexicles.co.uk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bexicles/240723269308729

If you have a wedding, prom, or other special occasion coming up the pop into Fabrication in The Light, Leeds,  and have a look at the Bexicles range.

Still here!!

If you have been following us on Facebook or Twitter you might have been a bit confused about whether the shop was staying open or not. Don't worry, so were we!!
Fabrication is currently based in The Light in Leeds. This was for a six month contract. Negotiations to stay on took us right up to the wire, we were ready to pack up and hire a van. But don't worry, Fabrication is still in business in The Light.

The outpouring of support on Twitter when it looked like we might have to close was very heartening, it really showed that Leeds has an appetite for independent retail and doesn't want to be just another clone-town. To keep us going, keep shopping with us!

You can browse some of the loveliness on offer on our facebook photostream but we's love you to pop in and say Hi! Remember, everything on sale is hand made in the UK by independent craftspeople, no sweat shops involved!

While we are in The Light for the foreseeable future, it won't be our permanent home. The Light is mostly bars and eateries, so we are still on the lookout for a central, affordable retail space. If you know of anywhere then drop us a line. In the meantime, see you at The Light!