Spotlight on the Seller...... Sue Beardsworth

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t draw and paint and art has always been an important part of my life.

I studied Art History and Philosophy at Leeds University and spent 40 years teaching in primary schools.

As Art co-ordinator my focus was the development of children’s creativity and encouragement of their understanding and love of the visual arts.

Since retirement I am able to spent more time and energy on my own art.I have kept a sketchbook diary for many years and use these recordings in my paintings. 

I investigate rhythms, colours and patterns that I see in the places I visit and the objects I observe.

Creating and sharing art gives me great enjoyment and a sense of fulfilment.

Spotlight on the Seller... Made By Lolly

 

All of the items in the made by lolly range have been created by Yorkshire based designer/maker Laura Smith (That's me!)

I graduated with a BA(hons) in Multi Media Textiles back in 2001, but didn't start working with folded felt till 2010 after my needle-felting hobby had resulted in one too many injuries! Thinking that there must be an easier way to create shape and form that didn't involve accidentally poking myself with a sharp needle, I started to experiment with layered and folded felt shapes... and the rest, as they say, is history! 

I now create two colour themed collections of felt accessories every year.

The current Spring Collection features a bright and cheerful selection of handmade brooches and accessories, all with a floral theme. Made from a wool blend felt, in a soft vintage colour palette, ever brooch, corsage and necklace has been specially designed to complement other pieces in the range.

My latest creations, now available in Fabrication, make use of a Liberty of London fabric called Emilia's Flowers. This pretty flower print fabric features soft pink, violet, aqua and green colours that sit beautifully with the felt accessories in the rest of the made by lolly range!

Whether you chose to wear an individual piece or several grouped together to create a personalised piece of wearable art, these pretty felt flowers are a lovely way to accessorise this season!

Spotlight on the Seller...Dragon Bakes

Dragon Bakes ʻLearn to BakeʼKits 

A world away from the traditional baking mixes that involve tipping things in to a bowl and stirring, our kits aims to teach children the techniques and skills that they need to discover that baking is fun and fabulous!!!

Grown ups have the advantage of everything being in one place to enjoy the wonderful experience of baking with kids with a minimum of effort and mess (though thereʼs sure to be a bit of mess - itʼs part of the fun!).

Each kit contains all the dry ingredients to make the bake, all labelled in bags in the order they are to be used, and an instruction card with a tick list and the method.

 

The kits also include a vocab card teaching techniques that need to be followed, a rules card with some science of baking and some sensible tips, and a card for the grown ups to show you how to make the experience educational as well as fun.  

Dragon Bakes Gift Kits 

The Dragon Bakes Gift Kit makes a fantastic present for any little baker!

Inside is one of our baking kits, a lovely handmade apron, a wooden children's utensil set comprising spoon, spatula and rolling pin, a small springform cake tin, a cake storage tin and a recipe card.
All presented in a beautiful reusable magnetic gift box tied with ribbon and a Dragon Bakes tag.

Spotlight on the Seller...Flutterlily crafts

At Flutterlily Crafts I make greetings cards, gift tags, bookmarks, decorated notebooks and craft kits.

It all began a year ago when I started selling my items to friends and family, and gradually expanded by attending craft fairs and selling online. In addition to general greetings cards, I also make bespoke, personalised cards to order. I have had some very unusual requests for cards, but thankfully I have always managed to fulfil the orders!

I have tried a few different crafts, but working with paper and card is what I love most. All of my items are handmade at home, and I love having the freedom to just be creative and design cards as I go along. Each item is handcrafted and therefore completely different to what you will find in high street stores. That's the beauty of handmade items!

I can make gift tags to match any greetings card, and they can also be personalised. I first starting making gift tags when I couldn't find any that were pretty enough for my Christmas wrapping, so I decided to make them myself. It's quite handy having a craft room full of pretty embellishments, ribbon, and sparkly things!

Come to le depart, depart with a souvenir made right here

The folks at Fabrication are recycling, upcycling and making bespoke items, to get ready for the biggest bike race in the world, congregating close to their shop in July

The social enterprise, which supports micro crafts businesses, is located in The Light, close to the start line, and sells work by around 70 local artists, designers and makers, making it the largest souvenir shop in the area for those wanting to take a little piece, and even a taste, of Yorkshire back with them

Alongside their usual items for sale some of the sellers have been making bike themed cushions, clothing, artwork, jewellery and homewares, as well as Yorkshire rose items

Throughout June, and on TDF day itself, they will be running bike themed craft workshops in The Light courtyard printing Victorian cycling images on bags, wooden items and decoupage, making jewellery, upcycling bike parts into other items and badge making. You can also see how you may have looked in Victorian cycling clothes by having your picture taken in their photo board

If you are planning a picnic after the event why not take advantage of their locally grown and made cordials, chocolates and chutneys, completing the hamper with picnic platters, jugs, blankets and bottle openers. If you’ve had a go at the route yourself and are aching after exerting yourself then try our post exercise bath soaks and massage oil to get yourself moving again

Spotlight on the Seller... Life's Little Blessings

I have always enjoyed being creative and I was inspired and encouraged from an early age by my family; not least my seamstress grandma and crocheting mum. I have turned my hand to several crafts but in recent years have developed a love for embroidery and hand-stitching, hand-made cards/stationary and most recently pyrography.

After making things for family and friends for some time, and receiving their encouragement, I began to work on my own designs and ideas and Life’s little blessings was born...

Life’s little blessings is about acknowledging and appreciating the little things in life; whether it be celebrating those familiar special occasions, encouraging someone in their achievements, supporting someone through difficult times or just simply saying ‘hi.

I particularly love, and find my inspiration in: nature, folk art, faith and even the simplicity of a child’s drawing. I enjoy working with natural materials such as cotton/linen, felt, wood and paper/card; using recycled papers/card and wood from sustainable sources as much as possible. I like to see how all these can blend together to create something unique, beautiful and inspiring.

With hand-stitched/embroidered framed pictures, and hand stitched or wooden home decor, accessories and cards there is something special for everyone – enjoy and share the little things in life and have keepsakes of special moments. Happy to personalise items to create a card or gift that is extra special

Find Life’s little blessings on facebook or follow on Twitter @createblessings

Spotlight on the Seller... Lynn Lawson

I am a self taught artist. My inspiration comes from nature, colours, shapes and emotions. Sometimes I draw what I see and sometimes the colours and shapes morph into completely imaginary forms. It all depends on my mood. Sunny days often result in a painting of garden flowers or a landscape at other times I let the picture emerge from paper.

As a child I enjoyed drawing and because I enjoyed it I did more of it. Being told my drawing was good I did it even more and when you find out you can do something quite well you do more of it and so my technique improved. My biggest regret is not pursuing ART after A Level.

Throughout my teaching career, watercolour painting has been my hobby and my method of escape from the pressures of work. Frustratingly at times, it seemed little more than a holiday pastime. Although I must admit I doodled constantly through meetings and conferences!

I have recently left the teaching profession and now have the luxury of working my life around my painting