Fresh 5 on Friday!

This week I've tried to be a good girl and cut down on the aul caffeine - I'm usually drinking coffee by the gallon... especially on the lead up to a big craft fair. So here is my little tribute to the beauty of detox and my latest love... peppermint tea! ;)*

Afternoon Tea necklace with heart by Aboxformytreasure
Lead the parade, Buy Handmade (2 postcards) by EnglishCookies
Blackberry Days by Aisling Kiernan
Sophia Hand Dyed Superwash Merino by LHogan
Handmade Soap with Peppermint and Teatree by LindsayCrafts

♥ Enjoy! ;)*

Donations wanted for journalist sample boxes!

Hi there Etsy-ers, it's Alex here from Propeller Prints. I'm going to put together a press release (with the help of my lovely PR contacts) with a bit of info about the Crafty Ireland group and try and get some publicity in the lead-up to Christmas. It would be fab if we could get the word out about the treasure trove of Etsy wonder for Christmas pressies.



At this stage I am thinking of sending a selection of samples to a handful of journos (about 4, mostly in the major newspapers/weekend magazines) and it would be great if anyone in the group could contribute some small items to the sample packs. I realise for lots of the group your items are high-value so it may be a bit of a stretch, but perhaps a lovely coupon for a discount at your shop or similar could be an idea instead. The press release will aim to highlight the breadth and variety of work in the group and promote the Crafty Ireland blog (and of course then the link to everyone's Etsy shops).

I'd like to try and get something out in the next week or two, so if you would like to have something included in one of the sample packs I'd be really grateful - and obviously include a label or packaging on your piece with your Etsy address and that sort of thing.

If you are interested, email me at alex@propellerprints.com or convo me via Etsy and I can give you my address details. Thanks so much! Any questions, just shout!

Alex
X

Competition for a Silver and Niobium Earrings

Hi all. I am have a competition for a pair of beautiful silver and niobium earring. Giftwrapped and posted to yourself or a loved one. These could be a great Christmas prezzy!!! All anyone has to do is to become a follower on www.clodaghmolloy.blogspot.com. Draw will held on the 5th of November. Best of luck!!!!

I'll show you mine...

Hi,My name is Claire from Seymour Design based in Dublin. When asked to show my 'studio' I agreed of course, but then wondered where I would get me one of these 'studios'. The truth is I've just flown my lovely parents nest which I had a whole room to mess up with my crafty experiments.

Last week I moved into a lovely flat in Dublin with my boyfriend and for the first time I have to share my space, so my crafting space has been downgraded a fair bit. I think I'll just have to be more spick'n'span than ever before ( which is not going to come easy! ). I've set myself up in a sunny corner in the front room, the light is great in the daytime and looks out on the rose bushes and on the street. I particularly like the stained glass in the exterior and interior windows and each of the neighbours has a different design, all quite art nouveau in style.

My fabric stash is kept neatly in boxes and I have some plastic organising chests for smaller items such as my prized button collection. I love buttons, especially vintage ones. I like to have one unusual statement button to finish off a bag.

This space hasn't really been worked in much yet so I'm sure I'll adapt it to my needs as I go, in the evenings I like to grab my tray full of beads and sit in front of the T.V and see what I can come up with. That's when I enjoy making things the most, when you can relax and do it in your own time.

One day I'd love to have a studio at the bottom of my garden, with a big cutting table and plenty of storage. But for now I'll make do with my sunny corner in the city.

Crafty Digest

* Weekly Digest *

Here we go! This week is a little lite, but watch this space for upcoming appearances & specials from many of our Etsy Ireland sellers!

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Redpossum will be at the following fairs in November:

1st November Crafty Market in the Dublin Food Co-op
21-22 November Blackrock Craft Fair www.blackrockcraftfair.com
28-29(?) November Marley Park Christmas Fair

Thanks, Sarah!

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The Crafty Market, NOVEMBER 1, 12pm- 5pm

Well this is about the best monthly craft market around and it happens to be where a slew of EtsyIreland members will be appearing, selling their excellent wares this Sunday.

The Crafty Market is a little Dublin-oasis of creativity and atmosphere. They have about 45 stalls with everything from gorgeous clothes, bags, knitwear, children’s clothes and toys to unique jewellery, lovely cards & stationary, handmade dolls, and art… I could go on all day. After all that browsing and buying, take a load off and have a cuppa, maybe you’ll see a belly dancer, or hear some live-music.

Tanya hooked me up with this list of the EtsyIreland featured vendors on Nov 1:

Alex - http://www.propeller.etsy.com/
Andrew - http://www.akphotography.etsy.com/
Angela - http://www.artysmarty.etsy.com/
Anka - http://www.asik.etsy.com/
Edana - http://www.sailmakersdaughter.etsy.com/
Judith - http://www.aboxformytreasure.etsy.com/
Maeve - http://www.cutebutgeeky.etsy.com/
Natalie - http://www.thebluesylph.etsy.com/
Sarah - http://www.redpossum.etsy.com/
Tanya - http://www.tanyamac.etsy.com/
Tina - http://www.missybonkers.etsy.com/

The Crafty Market is located in the Dublin Food Co-op building, 12 Newmarket Sq. Dublin 8. Their website has a map and some key directions, it’s an adventure to find the joint for first-timers but SOOOOO worth it I promise!

I know it's not even Halloween yet, but I've started my holiday shopping and I'd much rather buy handmade, directly from the artist. I suspect if you're reading this you do too. See you there!

And don't forget to send me your info for all of your happenings, appearances and shop specials at Nancy [at] nancyfalkow dot com

How To Tuesday: Spicy Peanut Pasta

Happy Tuesday!
I'm Jill, a member of our Etsy Ireland team, and owner of a little Etsy shop called Blue Serendipity Designs. I thought it would be fun to teach our readers how to cook something really yummy, unexpected and perfect for these chilly autumn days: Spicy Peanut Pasta--a Thai fusion dish. It's one of my very favourites.


Now, let me preempt this recipe by saying that I am both a California native and a vegetarian. This has a huge impact on my cooking style. In my world, things like tofu, couscous, quinoa, black beans and falafel are everyday staples. When I first met my fiance and started cooking dinners for the both of us, I realised that my Californian-vegetarian diet is pretty far from your standard Irish fare. He is super fussy, and I quickly learned that (well, to him at least), if a meal didn't have meat and spuds in it, it wasn't really a meal. So naturally, I was a bit trepidacious when making this for him for the first time, seeing as how it has neither. Guess what? He loved it! Woo hoo! A dish even the fussiest of the fussy will like!

Spicy Peanut Pasta

Serves 6-8
For smaller portions, halve the recipe, but I have a feeling you'll want leftovers.

Ingredients

16 oz. (a big bag) dry penne pasta
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
2 big cloves minced garlic
8 oz. (about 1 mugful) stock -- beef, chicken or vegetable
300g peanut butter (This is nearly a whole 340g jar.)
100ml tamari or soy sauce
3-4 tablespoons lemon juice
100ml (or a big, big squeeze) honey
1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
1/2 bunch spring onions, washed and chopped
1 whole bunch coriander, washed and chopped
1 red pepper, washed and diced
1 small can sliced black olives (optional)

Method

Put on your favourite cooking music, wash your hands and make sure you have all the ingredients.

Put the kettle on to boil water for your stock. Pour a mugful of hot water and mix in your stock cube (or that new fancy gelatin stock if you have any), making sure to dissolve all the little granules. Peel and grate both the ginger and garlic. Heat 2 teaspoons vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Toss in your ginger and garlic and saute for 30 seconds.

Add the stock, peanut butter, tamari/soy sauce, lemon juice, honey and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 7 minutes, stirring. Remove from the heat and keep warm.

Meanwhile, boil a big pot of water for your pasta. Use the biggest pot you've got. When it comes to a rolling boil, add the dry pasta and a wee bit of oil to prevent the penne from sticking together. Cook according to the directions on the package. Do not overcook. We want the pasta to be lovely and al dente, not rubbery and gross. Remove the pot from the heat when cooked and rinse in lukewarm water. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot.

Chop the spring onions, coriander and red pepper. The red pepper should be diced into about 1 cm squares.

Pour the prepared sauce into the large pot with the drained pasta. Mix well. Add spring onions, coriander, red pepper and olives (if you're using them). Mix well again. Adjust seasonings to taste. This tastes great hot or cold and makes excellent leftovers, as the sweet/spicy taste intensifies overnight. Mmmmm...

Stunning 6 on Saturday

Due to a lapse of brain on my part, we are having a temporary Stunning 6 on Saturday.

All changes in tranmission will return to normal as of next week.. we hope!

Wishing you all a truely Stunning Saturday...


Clockwise from top left: Carving Utensil Set - Print from Bridbird, Seagull IV Dry Point Etching from bridgetfarmerprints,Crazy Quilt Cushion -- Victoriana from homespunireland,Baile Home Screenprint from placed,Faux Real Earrings . FREE SHIPPING from blueserendipity Cuada Coin / Card Purse, Beige and Gold Abstract,Free Shipping from cuada.

if you would like to be included in the next weeks Fresh 5 on Fridays, please send a freshly listed item from that week to either Tanya or Sarah. Thanks!

oh is it Friday already???

Whoops.... who forgot to do the Fab 5 on Fridays?? that must have been me...!

To make up for it, i will do the Stunning 6 on Saturday!!

Sorry all..!

Photo- Lunch cards for kids - 8 cards with envelopes by SwannandsMerlin

A chance to bag €500 for all you creative ladies (and gents?)

Sew in The City

Shopping for craft supplies in Dublin can be a bit of a conundrum until you get to know a few regular haunts.
There aren't that many places but there are some gems none the less.
I've got a condition best described as craft-ADHD so I'm pretty well placed to give suggestions for sourcing an
array of pieces for crafting.

Fabric is probably my biggest indulgence and when it come to Dublin's fabric stores, you may have heard the talk - I've been around!
Places you might want to check out are Murphy Sheedy and Hickey's but my personal favorites are Woolen Mills and TWI fabrics.
Both of these shops have that lovely feeling of a big treasure trove of material and supplies.

TWI Fabrics
This is a great spot especially for fashion students or anyone who makes a lot of clothing. The first thing that greets you as peep into this shop (which is in an old georgian house on Mountjoy Square) are rows of sewing machines all set up, clearly a working space and something I find assuring to see. It is a true Aladdin's cave with alcoves crammed with material of every shade and sheen. Full leather skins hang from the banister and there are walls of notions and embellishments.
The staff, I found to be extremely nice, informative and great at advising me on my choices. The opening hours are a little prohibitive, I suppose, but for the stock and friendly inhabitants it's worth moving a few things around. Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures last time I was out there but you can check out their website:
http://www.fabricsireland.com/

The Woolen Mills
While wandering through The Woolen Mills you can turn up many an unusual piece (like my wide patterned elastic and bright peach plastic fabric):



It's also stocks a wealth of the more conventional fabrics, notions, thread and buttons...mmmm Buttons:


Hows about a forest of fabric rolls:

Not to mention wool. I believe (but feel free to correct me) that as there are no South side inner city shops that sell wool so this is the closest
one to the south of the city:

There's also the finished knit wear on sale to keep your ambitions high and all in all this shop feels very Dublin in a very good way.

The Yellow Brick Road
Totter on up along the Liffey a few doors and you'll find the cheery shop front of The Yellow Brick Road; my choice for beading and jewellery supplies. Alas as I mentioned on my own blog last week they have recently suffered a fire and have relocated to a basement level premises right next door to the shop. It wasn't all doom though, no-one was hurt and a great deal of stock was saved. The staff are all very cool and patiently indulged my snap-happiness. Beginners take note: these guys also teach a range of classes in jewellery and accessory making.

As you can see they are having an awesome sale on findings and a similar deal on seed beeds. This stock (well just the packaging really) has been slightly smoke damaged and is being sold for around a 3rd of it's original price which, the manager informed me, is actually lower than wholesale.
Despite the temporary nature of their current shop they have still got a lovely set up and 'tis a hard heart that can't be cheered by this sparkling sight as you walk in the door:


And just check out this sweet candy:





Charity Shops:
I often find great fabric, wool and other raw materials in charity shops and indeed craft books.
You can also pick up things to transform using your crafty wiles. How about a collection of mismatched metal frames? Follow up with a can of matt white spray paint from a hardware shop and you've got yourself a quirky set of frames.
Of course there is also refashioning. Take a charity shop find and alter it with a few chops and changes into something uniquely you.
The thing about charity shops is they are always changing stock, always refreshing there layout and are almost always work a peek.
That said I do still have my favorites.
Personally I like the Irish Cancer Society Shop and the St Vincent de Paul in Rathmines and of course the creme de la creme, Oxfam on Georges.

Hardware and Stationary Shops:
I find a good hardware shop to be invaluable to the crafting process and my current favorite is Lenihan's in Rathmines, darling purveyor of 2 part epoxy, super glue, florists wire and blackboard paint!
Stationary shops are also bread-and-butter shops for me. I can usually be found raiding Eason on Connolly street or Reads on Nassau street for spray varnish, Fimo clay, paper and brushes.

Now I'm off to Woody's to buy a giant shed to store all this stuff....

Crafty Digest ~ We Have Liftoff!

Hello and welcome to the first edition of the Weekly Crafty Digest!

These are listed in the order in which they arrive in my inbox.

You are welcome to keep me informed of your appearances at craft fairs or art shows, shop specials and any other info you think the rest of us may find useful, even if it's a handy link you think the readers of this blog will dig!

Feel free to convo me via my Etsy page: http://www.nancenet70.etsy.com
or directly via email: Nancenet70 [at] hotmail dot com

I look forward to posting on behalf of CraftyIreland Members!

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Blue Serendipity, handcrafted jewelery designer based in Co. Down, is offering FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING for a limited time! Head over and check it out: http://www.blueserendipity.etsy.com

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Hi,
I am holding a craft fair in Newcastle, Co. Down on the 21st and 22nd of November and would love for you to join us. If you would like more info then please contact me at:
ciara-curran @hotmail.co.uk. Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Ciara

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Keep 'em coming!

xoxo

Nancy

I'll show you mine... Cuada Studio

Hi everyone, it’s Chris here from Cuada


welcome to my studio tour!

I’m very lucky to have a room all to myself, where I can work on my bags and clothing. We built our house six years ago, and this room was the first room to be finished – yip I had my priorities right! It has three great big windows which leave in lots of natural lighting, as well as looking onto a fab view. One view is of the Waterford Comeragh Mountains – unfortunately on the foggy day I took these pictures, they were pretty invisible! From the other side, it is just possible to see the coastline, which has some gorgeous secluded beaches.

My Brother Machine is beside one window, this is also where I keep my fabric stash – it never stops growing! The Screen was made by my Dad, it was originally used to change behind, but comes in very handy for hanging bits and pieces from. It also comes in handy as a backdrop at fairs.



My seven-year-old daughter keeps this side of the room nicely decorated with her drawings!


The Other side of the room is mostly taken over by the large cutting table, (also made by my Dad – must be where I get my creative streak from! ) It’s usually hard to tell the colour of the table, as when I start ‘thinking’ about a new design – it involves throwing a lot of fabric around! My Pfaff Machine is on my parent’s old kitchen table – beside my old Singer which now belongs to my daughter. (Note the foot pedal on a box underneath – as she can’t reach it on the floor!)



At The moment I’m building up stock to sell before Christmas – I’m involved with a local group “Waterford Designer Makers” and we’re having a pop-up shop in Dungarvan for a week in December. The last one in April was a great success so really looking forward to it. Dates and venue are to be confirmed – but I’ll post it in my new blog (cuadadesign.blogspot.com) when I know. After that I’ll be kept even busier by the arrival of baby number three, due in early December, so 2010 is going to be a busy year :)

Yeah! For Redpossum! Well done our Sarah!

How To Tuesday, How To Make A Gocco Print

Hi I'm Bridget from Bridbird and BridgetFarmerPrints I've just moved back to Northern Ireland after four years in Australia. It's great to find such an etsy community here in ireland and I'm so glad to be part of it! This is a 'how to' blog I posted on my blog about a year ago, I hope you find it interesting!


First of all, what is a gocco print?




A Gocco print is a screenprinted image created using the Japanese Print Gocco kit (also called Riso). Here are some examples of Gocco prints below.

(Left to Right, AnnaRubyKing "Nesting Material", Junecraft "Retro Cooking", PrettyLittleThieves "Can We Be Friends on Page 11")

and here is the Print Gocco itself.

First of all you need to expose the screen, to do this you need to make a master image. The master image can either be drawn using a carbon pen, or use a photocopy of a drawing or photograph.

You then need to slip a new screen (these can be bought in packs of 5) into the Print Gocco. Place the master image on the print bed and close the lid to make sure it fits in the screen space.

You then need to get the light box and put in the lamps. It takes two flash lamps and they can only be used once. I have read that these bulbs are toxic, so make sure you wash your hands after handling them. Be sure that the bulbs are screwed in fully, a loose bulb can cause the screen not to fully expose. Also make sure your batteries are not depleting, this has also been a reason for my screens not to expose properly.

When everything is in place fix the light box on top and push down. DON'T look at the flash! It's very very bright. I almost blinded myself when I first exposed a screen! Your drawing will stick to the screen, peel it off slowly.

Your image should now be exposed onto the screen. Take off the light box.

Now you have to ink up the screen. Slip the screen from the gocco lid and peel back the clear film.

Inking up uses a lot of ink, but you have to put enough on to make it go through the screen. I've also found that when you are mixing colours make sure you mix more than you think you need because if you have to stop and mix more paint while in the middle of printing the screen might dry up and it gets frustrating.

So, decide what colour/s you want to use, you can mix colours if you want, (I wanted a light orangey tan for my print so I mixed brown, yellow, white and red).

Then apply the inks to the screen. If you want to use different colours in the same screen you can, but if you don't want them to spread into each other you should use the gocco ink blocking sheet. This is a strip of foam with adhesive on one side, you can cut it into thin strips and stick it to the screen to make sure each colour stays where it is supposed to.

The inked up screen

Now fold down the clear film (it'll want to do this naturally) and slip the screen back into the gocco. Make a test print by putting a scrap piece of paper on the print bed and pushing the lid down (in the same way as you did to expose the screen), you may need to do this a few times to make sure all the ink is getting pushed through properly.

It's a good idea to have all your paper ready to hand and your print racks all set up so you can just print print print!

If you decide you've done enough of the colour you are using and want to try a different one simply pull out the screen, peel back the film and scrape the excess ink off with a piece of card, do this on the screen and on the film. Then print a few with no ink, just to clear the screen.

Then just spread on your new colour, the old colour will stain the screen and maybe come through a few of your first prints in the new colour, but soon it'll be fine.

When you are finished printing scrape the ink off in the same way as previously described and again print a few with no ink. Then squeeze some gocco screen cleaner on the screen and rub it in with a rag or paper towel until the screen is clean. You should be able to store your clean screens and use them again later. I do find they deteriorate slightly with use, so it's a good idea to keep your master images just in case.

I used to buy all my materials from an Australian based company called nehoc, but you can look on the internet for uk and irish suppliers, i've found this one, but they mainly sell through ebay. I bought my starter kit from a seller on eBay and there are sellers on etsy too. Do shop around for your starter kit as prices do vary.

I left my gocco kit in Australia with a friend of mine so I don't make gocco prints anymore. Luggage allowance annoyance! But I'm still a fan, I love looking on etsy at all the different types of gocco prints. Here's a link to all the goccos!

Introducing... The Blue Sylph

Hello craft-lovers!

I'm Natalie (aka The Blue Sylph)! I live in a lovely 125-year-old Victorian redbrick house overlooking a leafy park, near Dublin city centre, with my lovely husband. I'm originally from Bandon, Co. Cork, but I spent 8 years in college in Dublin, doing 3 degrees, studying graphic design and modelmaking, because I'm addicted to learning new skills, and trying out new techniques and materials.

Currently I work as a product designer for a gift company, designing all kinds of souvenirs. In my spare time, if I'm not helping my hubbie fix up the house, I'm busy being creative! I love pottering around the house and poking around my vast collection of fabric & adornments, beads, and other weird and wonderful materials. That's when my I start to get ideas about what to make next! You wouldn't believe the collection of stuff I have built up over the years... But now I'm busy making lovely things out of it for other people to enjoy :)

The Blue Sylph is my creative self; the part of me that addicted to making things, that loves to stay up all night trying to finish whatever new pieces I'm working on! My favourite colour is blue.. I used to be obsessed with it, and many people still remember the blue streaks I had in my hair for 6 years, the bright blue trousers, and actually 80% of my wardrobe.

When I'm making things, I'm not colour biased! I love working with fabrics of all different colours to create my flower hair clips / brooch pins. Most of my flowers are made from scraps of fabric. My mother is a real hoarder, and I've inherited that too, so many of my fabric bits came from her (when she had a rare clear out one day!!). Some of the flowers are made from my sister's old debs dress, and some fabric from my own debs dress too... I'm a big fan of recycling!



My husband and I have a professional badge-making machine. We love making custom lots of badges for our friends, for parties & events, clubs and companies. I also make one-off badges using of interesting pictures I find in magazines and brochure, and pocket mirrors with fabric backs, and magnets. I'll be offering some Crafty Ireland badges for sale to Crafty Ireland Team members at a discount price soon! They'd be perfect to give away with any orders and get some extra promotion for the team :)


I also make encaustic wax cards and framed pictures of landscapes. I learned how to paint with encaustic wax a long time ago at a craft supplies fair, and now I find it's quite addictive. To create a hot wax painting I melt beeswax with added coloured pigments onto an iron and then paint with it by applying the melted wax paste/liquid to a special coated card surface. No two wax paintings are exactly alike, and the result is excitingly unpredictable. You can find my cards for sale on Etsy and also Daintree Paper shop on Camden Street, Dublin 2.

One of the modelmaking projects that I've put on the long finger is my illustrations for a children's book, which is a Victorian fairytale. The illustrations will be mainly photos of miniatures (dolls house size models) that I have made. Below is a little preview! I hope to finish the book one day and publish it. The coal bucket is an old make-up bottle lid, and the candlesticks are stacks of beads... I love recycling bits and pieces into miniature things!


I regularly share a stall with my crafting friends Sophia & Maeve at the Crafty Market in the Dublin Food Co-op Building on Newmarket Square, Dublin 8, where I sell my flowers, badges, pocket mirrors, magnets and wax cards. If you see me there next time (sometimes with my handmade puppet Rufus), do say hello! You might see me doing some Tribal Bellydancing too, modelling some of my flowers!