Monday 11 March 2013

Preparing for a craft fair Sock 2013

Yey! It's that wonderful time of year again! In just under two weeks it will be one of the local events that I take part in and for many reasons I always find it really enjoyable. Because of this I've decided to write a little blog.
 
Sock Art and Craft Purchase and Commission Fair Loughborough Town Hall 23rd/24th march 2013. www.loughboroughtownhall.co.uk/events
 
To begin we have a couple of photos, these show my stand from 2011 and 2012. I think it's great to take photos of my stand, that way I can see the changes in both the collection and the display each year.


Sock Stall 2011

Sock Stall 2012
I think It’s fab that the sock team provide the branded table cloths (even if they were a little creased for 2011!) it adds a nice consistent look to the event. Personally I'm always looking for new interesting ways to display my work and recent additions have included a little wicker basket/case that I added string and little wooden pegs to so my appliqué brooches could be displayed in a cute way. Also my plant pot stand that I picked up from the orchard, Oadby www.theorchardhomeandgifts.com for a bargain price! I'm in the process of coming up with display ideas for this year. I'll be doing a follow up blog to show this year’s stand and how I get on.

 
Appliqué brooches
 
New items to my collection this year include a corsage the "Minnie corsage" that has been hugely popular since I introduced it. It is a simple yet elegant, lighter weight corsage that's great for cardi's, jackets and bags.
 
Minnie Corsage

Appliqué Keyrings
 
Appliqué Design Purses

I've also taken my appliqué designs to create another keyring collection and added them to my zip purses to create my first 2 in 1 gift! The appliqué design is on a brooch back so it can be taken off and worn in any way you wish.
 
Another one of my favourite things about Sock is meeting and catching up with other artists/makers. The event has a networking evening on the Saturday and the stalls holders can stay for a meal, glass of wine and gossip! A great experience, so many like-minded people chatting about ideas, supporting each other and giving great advice on their own experiences. The variety of work on offer is always fantastic at Sock, I'm always hugely impressed by the standard of work and how professional the event is. All the staff do a great job in making the event a success.
 
Just a few points on my action plan for the next couple of weeks include, make the stock! Firm up my display plans, create my price tags, create a sheet for newsletter sign up and order extra business cards/postcards… the list goes on and on, but I’ll let you know how it goes.
 
If anyone has any questions that like to ask me about sock or any other subject. Please don't hesitate to ask. It could even become the subject for a future blog.
 
I hope you can make it to the fair, if so I look forward to seeing you there! If you mention this or my facebook page I'll give you 10% off any purchase.
 
For a closer look at the products I'll be showing this year please check out my website www.alexmcquade.co.uk
 
To follow my creative journey please like my Facebook page Alex McQuade Textiles
Or for the occasional tweet @alexmcquadeart

Thursday 29 September 2011

New Brooches

Finally I have managed to find the time to turn my little applique designs that I use to create my cards into brooches.
 tweet tweet...
Bird Brooch
home sweet home...
Cottage Brooch
After playing around with the scale I think I’ve got them sorted. I can’t wait to try them out at my next show, but this isn’t until November!
I have started my Christmas decorations which seems a little crazy when it’s so hot outside. This strange weather has definitely thrown me off. I was all prepared for autumn a week ago very unusual!
I’m re stocking my folksy shop so please check my new work out
I’m also using facebook to launch new products as they are created so please check that out and if you like, like my page!
Please let me know what you think of my new brooches, any feedback is great

Friday 29 July 2011

Time to get blogging!

I admit far too much time has gone by since my last blog! But finally I’ve got my website updated and looking fresh (please do check it out and let me know what you think). I’m hoping it’s easy to use and shows off my collection of textile work to its best.  It’s not been easy but it’s nice to build your own site as you can keep on tweaking things until you’re finally happy. For me that’s about four days of moving things around resizing and changing colours! I’ve taken a screen shot of the home page to give an idea of the new site.
My new website

Any feedback is great, I’m on my own in my studio so it can be hard to get opinions and advice on what’s working and what’s not.
I’ve also sorted a new facebook page out that I intend on using as a showcase for new work as it’s created.
I’m also working on a commission piece in a style that’s about to be launched onto the website and facebook. I’m particularly enjoying it at the moment as I’m rummaging through my button and bead collection looking for exciting things to stitch into the work. I’ll post a picture of it on the blog once complete
I think that’s my latest news but I’m making a promise to myself to update my blog more often, it’s actually quite a therapeutic exercise! Helps to review what I’ve been up to

Tuesday 29 March 2011

Sock 2011 - An arts and crafts commission and purchase fair

This was my first year exhibiting with Sock and it was fantastic! There were 30 artists/designers at the event and the standard of work was exceptional, I found the whole experience very inspiring. Below you can see a picture of my stand, everything squeezed on nicely!
Handmade by Alex McQuade - Sock 2011
I launched a few new products including some whimsical embroidered paper pieces and bird pictures.
Embroidery Art - tweet tweet

Two embroidered bird pieces
I have also introduced a new range of tractor wheel inspired brooches again using discarded fabrics, found objects and in many cases they are adorned with intricate beading.
Tractor wheel inspired brooches

To see the list of other artists exhibiting at this years Sock click the following link www.loughboroughtownhall.co.uk/sock

Sunday 21 November 2010

Christmas Craft Fairs Fast Approaching

Wow it’s that time of year again, with my first contemporary craft fair coming up this weekend I’m well stocked and ready to go. Christmas Decorations, Christmas cards and as always my range of fashion accessories will all be on display. This year I’ve decided to start a blog and showcase some of my work.


Christmas Decorations
My work ethos is simple to create beautiful hand and machine embroidered products that combine with vintage or discarded fabrics, handmade felts, lace and haberdashery products.
Having developed my fashion accessories whilst at university I took inspiration from farms, tractors and machinery! This theme still lives on with my accessories having found objects such as little springs, washers and nuts stitched into the work!
Great Granny's Lace (Brooch)

This weekends craft fair is at the Guild Hall in Leicester (27th and 28th November).