Sandown Park - January

I just cannot believe having just gone into my blog that my last post was October.  What happened to November & December?  Already the shows are back again, in fact the van is now loaded ready to leave for Sandown Park in Esher tomorrow (the show is from Thursday - Sunday).  Rather unusually I seem to have done all my urgent jobs before I leave the shop today and have some spare time to go onto this blog.  At Sandown I am launching my new needlefelting kits so I need to post the photographs of my samples and the instructions.  Just got time to do that now I think.  Keep your fingers crossed we do not get more snow overnight - it would be nice to have a good run in the van tomorrow morning!

Bluewater & Manchester Exhibitions

Back at base again after a very busy 4 days in Exeter and as there is no exhibition this week I have some free time, inbetween getting ready for Alexandra Palace next week, to add more info to my blog.  It is true to say that the 2 exhibitions were very close together which really did not help us.  However it was rather nice to be staying in the centre of Manchester - it really is such a lovely city centre - and I am always amazed at the staircase at the Britannia Hotel.  It is usually possible to get quite a good deal there and the staircase just keeps on going up and up - more so that the picture shows.  Then farther down the road something I had never seen before - a building with scaffolding up, but the scaffolding is covered with a large tarpaulin (well I assume it is a tarpaulin type material) with a picture of the building on the outside.  You really do not notice it at first.

  







The second Manchester exhibition was Event City at Trafford Park so it was time to rent a flat at Media City for a really good price!!  It turned out we were in an apartment block next to the new BBC Buildings.  We have discovered over the years that if I take a small trolley out of the van we can move our food (and wine!) all in one go - I don't think the receptionist had seen anything like it before!!  The only problem was that having loaded the food and drink trolley into the lift, that said lift took off on its own with us chasing close behind in the 2nd lift!!



Salford Quays at night

Part of the redevelopment in Salford - Media City - taken from the apartment

Because we went to Bluewater a day early there was a little time after we had set up the stands to go exploring in the area, so we went to have a look at Rochester.  If you have not been Rochester does have a very old and interesting centre, and we were lucky that the sun was shining.

Well its been there for donkey's years so it must be safe!

 



Enjoying a well earned drink!!!

Quilt 2012

Well, its only September (almost at the end) and Quilt was back in August (16th-19th) but I seem to have an hour spare before  leaving for Exeter to do the report on Quilt.  As usual it was an overwhelming show with loads of visitors, particularly from overseas.  I had 2 Friendly Plastic ambassadors all to myself - Wil and Marjo (from Holland).  They visited the exhibition on each day and wore the most fantastic Friendly Plastic pendants.  Many people stopped them in the aisles to admire their jewellery!!  In actual fact my photos do not really do their work justice but I think you will get the idea.  My thanks to Wil and Marjo for the free advertising!!!

  

 Molten Designs

at Quilt with Friendly Plastic.

I really don't think I can get

more on display!!!

Wil & Marjo at Quilt - my Friendly Plastic Ambassadors!!! (shame I got the corner post in the middle!)



 











Friendly Plastic 'chunky' Pendants by Wil & Marjo

I also spotted Leny on the stand wearing this Friendly Plastic brooch - Again Leny is also from Holland.







I have  left Quilt determined to  make my own version of a Friendly Plastic 'chunky' pendant.





Now a chance to see some of the beautiful work at the Quilt exhibition - the quilts really are quite stunning.

Could not resist this one with the Clarice Cliff influence (could it be something to do with being from Stoke on Trent?)

Well I think that about covers the Quilt 2012 exhibition.  Now its off to Exeter and on my return I'll get some more blog posts done (I hope!)

Summer Crafting Doncaster, 14th & 15th July 2012

I can't believe the Doncaster Show is only next week and that I need to pack my suitcase again!  (I don't think its been entirely emptied since Brighton in May!!!)  As my mother lives in Bridlington (my original home time) I am going to leave on Thursday so that I can visit her first, and then go back down to Doncaster to set up on Friday.  I think I might as well make the most of this opportunity to see her.

I've already started packing the boxes and the stock has been arriving over the last week - all checked in now and partly packed.  I've got a new range to show you at Doncaster:

It a beautiful range of stunning braids and sequin trims
After a few hours (and with the help of my cat last night!) they were transformed from one bag (left) into carded colours individually bagged (on the right)


I have in mind card trimmings and embellishments and for inclusion into mixed media work.  Not sure if I can get them onto the internet site yet as each packet is different.  I had great fun putting the different colours together!!

Hope to see you in Doncaster - if you would like to see more details of the show the link to the organiser is http://www.summercrafting.co.uk/.  This is the exhibition which is organised by Stephanie Weightman, ex of Create and Craft and now with QVC.

General Exhibiton Info

Well I think it is time for a little bit of a catch-up now the Spring Exhibition season has ended.  I am not out now until July when I am at Doncaster Racecourse on 14th & 15th with Stephanie Weightman (ex Create & Craft and now QVC). 

As usual it has been a very busy run of shows, which on the whole have proved to be successful.  Looking back there are always a couple of highlights and things that are remembered well.  It is always nice to see other people's work and one highlight was when Jacqui Mansfield brought her work to Maldon in Essex (there are photos earlier in this blog). 

For the first time at Olympia 4 of us rented an apartment (in Battersea).  Bit of a hastle travelling but one of our party (Mike of Linden Lady Chocolates) is a brilliant Chef for us!  We go prepared with the wine and he arrives with the food - it all seems to work very well.  The only worrying thing was that when any of us touched the dishwasher we had an electric shock.  I telephoned to complain and they actually said - yes, you will get a shock if you are touching the sink at the same time!  I was so taken aback I could not say anything.  After that we reverted to manual washing-up!  Needless to say we will find somewhere else next year.

I was a little disappointed at Belfast because I was hoping to go to the Titanic exhibition.  However due to problems at the Hall it was not ready for us and we could not get in until just before lunch.  We did however go for a drive after we finished the Show on one evening and I was able to get some photos - mostly taken from inside the van.  I am not normally a fan of modern sculpture but I was really impressed by the spherical structure - according to a local taxi driver nicknamed "the balls on the Falls".

The exterior of the Titanic Exhbition Building (I'll try again next year to get there)

These are photos of The Crown, which is right in the centre of Belfast opposite The Europa Hotel.  Its brilliant as it still has the original panelled cubicles - don't miss going there if you are in Belfast.  By the way, yes, one of the drinks on the table is mine!!

Then came Shepton Mallet where I made a new friend - of the 4 legged variety.  One regular visit each year is a special treat to a particular restaurant.  It is in Frome, Somerset and is really in the owners private house - downstairs is devoted to a small cosy bar area and separate restaurant looking out over their back garden.  Luigi (who is Italian) is the Chef and his wife Susan looks after the restaurant.  The food is lovely and if you are in Frome pay a visit - it is called La Bisalta.   You need to be cat friendly though as the 2 cats have the run of the place!

Last of the season was Brighton.  I had hoped for some nice weather for Brighton - particularly with the show changing dates from February to May.  However, Tues - Thurs it was more like February!  On the Friday it was a nice day and of course when we had to leave on Saturday it was lovely and Brighton seafront was packed.  When it came to Brighton I really did not fancy an early morning start so I cheated and left a day earlier.  This turned out to be a bonus though as I was able to unload the van on the Tuesday so on Weds all I had to do was set the start up and finish earlier!   At the back of my head I had already the thought of going to Brighton Pavilion.  I remembered going many years ago with my Parents when I was  little - needless to say I could not remember much at all about it.  I was really glad to make the effort to go and think it was the best £10 I have spent in a long while.  So stunning inside.  It is a shame interior photos are not allowed but I can understand why, so I only have exterior shots.

Now that I think brings my travels up to date! 
Now to return to Friendly Plastic.  I have some photos to do of new items which I will post in due course.

Molten Designs at Malden, Essex

This show has moved about a little - from originally Excel, to Braintree last year and then Malden this year.  I did wonder at first where I was going when I arrived to set up the show on the Wednesday (it seemed to be in the middle of nowhere) and on arriving things did not get better.  I was greeted by the Electrician saying he had not been able to do my socket because he could not find my stand - and neither could I!!!  However we did not panic and the problem was sorted out - but apologies to those who tried to find me on the invisible stand E06.

However my initial fears were quickly dispelled - what a busy show it was.  Thursday was a little on the quiet side but the Friday and Saturday were very busy.  Many people had not visited a retail craft/stitching show before and absolutely loved it.  I know there were a few parking problems with it being so busy, but I have every confidence the organisers will pay attention to this problem for next year.

One of the highlights of the exhibition for me was when one of my regular customers visited me and brought some of her work to show me.  I was overwhelmed by it and here are a couple of photos.  Many thanks for bringing in your work Jacqui.  Jacqui's mixed media work, incorporating Friendly Plastic, is superb.  She does undertake commissions, at I might add a very reasonable cost.  If anybody would like a commission let me know and I will put in contact with her.

Mixed Media work by Jacqui Mansfield incorporating Friendly Plastic and other mediums

Over the course of the exhibition 3 of us took the opportunity to say with friends (from the exhibition world) as they only lived about half an hour away.  Many thanks to them for their hospitality and relaxing evenings - good food and wine was enjoyed by all.  On the Friday evening of the show as were driving back I could not help myself saying 'stop the van' so I could take the following photo of a beautiful sunset over the reservoir.

Finally when the exhibition closed on the Saturday night the 3 of use drove to Coventry (not quite in convoy) where we stayed the night before visiting the Stitches Trade Show as visitors on the Sunday at the NEC.  From a lovely sunset on Friday to a very cold iced morning on the Sunday.  I could not resist trying to capture the pretty ice patterns on my van windscreen.

Molten Designs at Bluewater

Just a couple of photos I took recently at the exhibition in Bluewater - used my new camera courtesy of Santa Claus.  It gives you some idea of what I now have on the stand (the untidy bit at the bottom left of the bottom photo is my demonstration area - this was at the beginning of the show.  You should have seen it at the end - I will never be a tidy worker!).  What I loved about this stand was the new black background - so much better than the previous dull grey.

Just about to start a hectic run now with 4 weekends on the trot - Malvern, Glasgow, Olympia and the NEC.  Just a reminder that at Glasgow and the NEC I am in the Creative Stitches Halls (not the Hobbycrafts Halls).  At Olympia I am on the ground floor.  Come and see me.

Sandown Park Show

I can't believe it is already time for the first show of 2012 - Sandown Park at Esher in Surrey.  The show starts on Thursday 19th January for 3 days until Saturday.  We are not there on Sunday!!  So many things I was supposed to do between Harrogate and Sandown - it must be Christmas and New Year inbetween that spoils all my plans.  It will be nice to see all my friends again and have a few drinks - just a few!!

Event City Manchester

It was a little worrying that the exhibition was moving from G-Mex to Event City at Trafford Park, as it had been established at G-Mex for many years.  However what a good move it was.  Event City was a very spacious venue, with loads of seating room, and NO parking charges for exhibitors or public.  I met a lot of new people who were visiting an exhibition for the first time, as well as many existing customers.  Thanks to you all for supporting this new venue. 

One of my best friends at the exhibitions, Alison, did her first show with Zentangle.  Alison has been at the exhibitions  before and most recently has been seen helping me at Exeter, Dublin & Harrogate.  She is now introducing Zentangle to the UK at the exhibitions and can be seen at Exeter, Alexandra Palace, NEC, Glasgow & Harrogate.  As she has worked with Friendly Plastic when she has been helping me she has used Friendly Plastic as a base for Zentangle, as well as producing many other ideas.  Here are the images of a display she produced for my stand,  it could quite easily be framed as a piece of wall-art in its own right, or used for jewellery ideas.  If anybody needs any details of Alison and where to contact her I can pass on her details (she has a big range of books and the special pens).

                      

Special Bank Holiday Promotion

I have a special August Bank Holiday promotion running on the web-site until Monday 29th.  It will finish on Monday night (albeit in reality I will not be able to change it until I come in on Tuesday morning).  I've got Monday off next week!!  You will see discounts across many of the ranges, including Friendly Plastic and Greeting Cards, together with many of the mixed media items.

Now to let you know a little of what I think is good news.  Whilst I have had many appreciative comments about our web-site I am aware that now the ordering system is rather outdated and can be labourious.  I am now having the web-site updated and the whole ordering system will be much quicker and slicker.  They anticipate it will take them 2-3 weeks, but I will have to be careful not to clash with an exhibition when it goes live.  However it should be up and running by mid-late October.  I dare not leave the husband 'home alone' with a new web-site launch!!!

Hope everybody is well and enjoying Friendly Plastic.  My next exhibition is next week when it is Manchester - now at Event City, Trafford Park instead of G-Mex.  I will of course have the Friendly Plastic strips and pellets there, together with the new multi-surface paints and the Kunin felt.  Come and see me!

Crafts 4 All - Bristol - 8th-9th Sept

I have noticed that I am listed on the exhibitors list for the show at Bristol in a couple of weeks time.  Sorry, but I am not doing that particular exhibition.  My listing as an exhibitor has been a genuine error and the fact that I will not be there is no reflection on the Show.  I have had to leave that weekend free for other committments (I am currently working with our web-people on a web-site upgrade which will make the ordering process much quicker and easier).  Apologies to anybody who thought I would be there - the next closest I am will be Cardiff on 29th Sept - 1st Oct.

NEC Quilt

This beautiful book was created by Lisa Millward, a Textile Artist and she kindly brought it as a gift to me at the Quilt Exhibition.  It really is gorgeous, with loads of different techniques, and too nice to use!  Not only that she also brought me a cup of tea to the stand - it can't get better than that!

Lisa does undertake commissions so if you need something special I can always put you in contact with her.

Quilt Show at the NEC

A thank you to all my customers who visited me at The Festival of Quilts.  I met some lovely people - and an extra thanks to the many who travelled from abroad to visit the show.  What a fabulous show it is.  For those of you who were not able to visit the Show here are some photos of just a few of the things which took my eye + a photo of my stand of course!

Obviously my Stand on the left.  We did have some confusion with my Stand No, but by the 2nd day the people on my original stand were very good at sending people round to me.

The ammonite quilt on the right was about 4-5' tall.

Above obviously one of the winners on the left and on the right just a section of a quilt - I saw this just as I was ready for a cup of tea myself!

I love the quilt on the left for its colour mix, and well what can I say about the Sinatra Quilt.  How talented somebody is to create this in fabric - and this was actually 1 of a set of 3 (I have posted another photo on facebook of the other 2).

Well back to getting for the next exhibition - 1st-3rd September at Trafford Park (this is the replacement for G-Mex in Manchester so it will be a new venue for us all).

Quilt Show at the NEC

Next week is the NEC Quilt Show (11th-14th August) which I am sure will be, as usual, a very busy show.  My stand no there is E15 (which is different to last year).  I will of course have the Friendly Plastic strips and pellets with me and I will be launching Kunin Felt (the one that burns) on my stand.  You will also be able to see some of the new displays for this new season.  (Not sure how many with the felt as the stocks don't arrive until today).  Hope to see you at the NEC.

Summer Crafting - Doncaster Racecourse - July

My next exhibition is in July (Sat & Sun 16th & 17th) at Doncaster Racecourse.  It is organised by Stephanie Weightman (ex of Create & Craft) and this is its 2nd year.  The full details of the Show are on the website http://www.summercrafting.co.uk/.  It will be a fabulous show with many of the Create & Craft regulars.  My Stand number is 50a under the name of Molten Designs.  Hope to see many of  you there.

Liverpool

It's off to Liverpool tomorrow.  The boxes are all packed and I just need to load the van in the morning and then hit the road to Aintree Racecourse.  Looking forward to seeing some of you there.  (The show - run by ICHF - is open from Friday to Sunday) 

Off-duty photos from my exhibition travels!

Just to let you know that sometimes we do have the chance on the exhibitions to actually see where we go and that we are not always in the pub!  Here a few photos I took recently of the different areas.







 When I was a Malvern I stayed at a pub/hotel in Upton on Severn and had a walk before breakfast one morning.  This is the river at Upton, complete with ducks,which was just behind the pub. 

When I do Olympia I always try to go down a day earlier so that I can start setting up early on Wednesday morning and try to have some time to do the tourist thing.  Last year it was the Natural History Museum.  This year we went to the Tower of London (I think I was about 15 years old when I last went there).  After that we walked all along the Thames to the Houses of Parliament - at which point the feet gave up.  I spotted a heron on the broken wooden structure and could not resist taking the photo. 

We docked at Birkenhead on Sunday at 0600 hours after the Belfast Exhibition.  My van was on the very top deck (that is another story in itself getting up a very steep ramp with the van).  Here is the early morning view across the Mersey to the Liverpool waterfront at sunrise.  The sky was so clear we could visibly see 10 aeroplanes, but there were even more jetstreams from more planes which were no longer visible.