Monday 27 April 2009

Taking over the world step #3 and #4 (inc sneaky peek!)

About time? I haven't done a KitschenSink themed blog in too long!

Taking over the world step #3 'Research and book markets' is well under way. One of my overall goals of the year is 'I'll sell at [x] number of markets' (number omitted, don't want to look like a tit if I don't make it do I?!).

I am pleased to announce that I have been accepted to sell at Designers' Marketplace at The Loft Leeds on Saturday 3rd October. The Designers Marketplace sounds more of a fashion deal that a crafty deal, which is more the vibe I wanted to go for, so I am really pleased about that and really looking forward to it. Do please check out their website, it looks really cool! And the Loft is a very cool venue, so I hope it's a great day! I'll remind you nearer the time to stop by!

I have applied to a couple of other pretty high-profile markets for the summer, but won't give too much away right now. In fact I probably won't if I'm not accepted. Just keep those fingers crossed, eh?

Taking over the world step #4 'Make lots of stock' is also in motion.

Making repeatable stock without compromising on my design features is sometimes pretty hard. I have made runs of pieces in the past that I'm not overly proud of, simply because it appears other crafty businesses seem to do well from it. But we can't all do it, and I don't really want to [flashback, a friend of mine took me round various markets in London one weekend, and we saw the same Octopus necklace over and over and over]. Where's the individuality in buying a charm then hanging it on a chain? With that sort of 'craft', you always get people at markets saying either 'I could make that', or, 'ooh, I could make that!'. These phrases may appear the same, they aren't, and I don't want people to look at my designs and say either. I want them to say 'Wow, that's cool, I'm going to need me one of those right now, because it's amazingly individual and I would never be able to do it myself'.

Without further ado or ramblings, here's some work in progress along this vein...

A rainbow of cameos awaiting their backing and a pin or chain.  These have been cast from resin over the course of a few weeks.

A lot o' lockets awaiting their beads and chains.  These have been layered with resin, cabochons and swarovskis over the course of the last few weeks.

I'm hoping to be back in the week with another KitschenSink tip so stay tuned!
xoxo

4 comments:

Heather Leavers said...

oh how tired I get of people saying "I could make that". Well go on then! And then there's the "HOW much? But it's *only* handmade"

Good luck with world domination!

Julia said...

The 3D sculls have worked really well pal! I love the blue and white cameos too! Cant wait to see the finished articles!xx

mamutopia said...

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you! But with all those nice, colourful cameos you can't go wrong I think :)

Oh and I just applied to a really cool crafty market in my hometown too. So exciting!

Anonymous said...

Those cameos are lush! I've just applied for a craft fair in Sheffield - http://craft-candy.org/ - looks pretty good. Another one for the list if you don't have it yet :)