CRAFTY NEWS DESK.....

Greetings from the Crafty News Desk
Some Autumn colour for you in this week's photo.


Great weekend for those who were involved in the Knitting and Stitching Show in the RDS. Well done to all especially the Irish Etsy Designers featured by Craft Guerrilla
Sorcha Gillett from dandeliondaydreamer
Laura Hogan from LHogan and
Kate Ramsey from feltfieltrofilc

Also at the show, some TV news coverage of the first day of the Show introduces the upcyclingof a jumper courtesy of Brigitte Purls. Go about 14 mins into the playback. TV Playback
More on this tomorrow in the Tuesday "How to..."


Some more market news for our run up to Christmas Listing:
Roisin from Roisins boutuque and beauty salon in Kilkenny has been in touch. She currently has 18 etsy suppliers in her shop. She is now in the process of opening another shop in the city of kilkenny The shop will be open for Christmas and is part of a large shopping area and she would be love to hear from crafters interested in supplying products for sale. Contact Roisin at roisinssalon@yahoo.com

Belfast Fashion Souk - Sunday 14 November from 12 to 5pm at the Ulster Hall. December's Festive Season Souk, Sunday 12 December from 11am to 5pm in the Waterfront Hall complete with fashion exhibition and bar facilities. Details from: link

Creative Crafts and Gifts Show, Kings Hall, Belfast -11 -13 November 2010. Information from: link

Christmas Craft Fair in Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo on the 28th of November 2010.
Application form from link or by contacting Monica Horan, c/o Tacú, Glebe St., Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo Phone: 094 9542908 / 087 4111343 Email: ldyntacu@gmail.com

I see on Twitter that there is a Winter Fair in Cookstown, Co. Tyrone on ‎19-20 November. Details link

Other regular markets
Limerick - Milk Market link
Dublin - The Crafty Market - link
Dublin - The Ferocious Mingle link

I know there are other regular ones but I need the info to pass it on, so if you have any details of regular or special markets please let me know.

And now for the running list of markets - all details are given in earlier Crafty News Reports.
November
7 Rosscarberry
11-13 Kings Hall, Belfast
14 Bray
14 Navan
14 Bundoran
14 Ballinasloe
14 Killaloe
19-20 Cookstown, Co Tyrone
20 Gardiner St. Dublin
20 Tournafulla, Co Limerick
20/21 Bunratty
21 Bray
26-28 Marley Park, Dublin
27 Ennis
28 Ardee
28 Ranelagh, Dublin
28 Wicklow town
28 Ballinrobe, Co Mayo

December
4-5 Bray
4-5 Drogheda
5 Dunboyne
5 Adare
5 Punchestown
10-11? Westport
11-12 Russborough House, Wicklow
11 Glasnevin
12 Athboy
12 Leopardstown, Dublin
12 Loughrea
12 Souk, Belfast
19 Castleblayney
19/20 University Concert Hall Limerick

That's is for this week. Hard to believe it's November 1st already - so much to do, so little time to do it. Hope you all have a great week. Get in touch with any info.
Catch up next week
Cheers
Mo
Huggleknits

Gifts for the yet unhitched

'Asking for the Dance' by Sheena Power

After Anne-Marie's brilliant article on Wedding Anniversary Gifts, the Early years, I - Brigitte from Purls of Colour - threatened her with an article on gifts for the yet unhitched or the unhitched again, ie the bachelor boys and girls of Ireland (and beyond).

So, apart from handing over an inflatable man or woman, pyjamas with big patterns a la Bridget Jones, blocks of chocolate the size of a house, or a basket of cleaning products (hint hint), what do you give a fancy-free singleton who is exhausted splashing out on their friends' wedding or wedding anniversary gifts (or gifts for new borns, back to school gifts for nieces, nephews and godchildren and Christmas gifts for everybody and their dog) ? The Crafty Ireland team has the solution...

Some are single by choice, some are not, but where ever you are in your life, you are on a journey:This beautiful print by Designbirdie would certainly suit a batchelor pad, and even more so if said bachelor loves to travel.

Talking about travelling, this lovely vintage basket from Dandelion Daydreamer is basically screaming to be taken to a French market by a single girl on a summer's morning:


If you feel flush, you could always slip in a plane or train ticket to France. Ok, one can hope...

Or maybe the single lady loves the city life? Then this 'Coffee in Paris' charm bracelet by Aisling is the just the right gift (again, travel tickets can be added...)



Talking of coffee, I love this painting by Diana Marshall:


It is called 'Reflections of me', and would really look great in a singleton's kitchen or living room. Just the right thing to look at on a Sunday morning when singles are happily sipping their coffee and reading the newspapers, staying all morning in nightclothes and slippers...

Slippers...yeah!

Now here are some stylish slippers for the single girl by Suzanneorford:


There is something about felt slippers that is just so comfy! Great to lounge on the sofa or dance solo in your living room.

But then the bachelorette goes out (a lot) and needs to get her groove on:


A gift of this shocking pink fascinator by Ruby Feather certainly will get her noticed on the dance floor. And then...maybe...bachelorette no more...

Although no bachelor boy has to go through the rigmarole of formalities depicted in the picture at the start of the article, a little bit of dressing up doesn't do any harm either. This bow-tie from A Frame of Mind will make a shy Irish bachelor boy stand out from the crowd:


Do I hear the single ladies sigh? Yes, it's definitely a cute...bow-tie!

And if you think your single friend needs to impress the ladies with his knowledge of the world, what about this unusual gift?


The Orange Sexual Chakra Stained Glass Suncatcher by Rainbow Stained Glass will certainly be a great talking point. And it brightens up any room.

Just as subtle is this print by Cherryblossomtatoo:



A bachelor boy or girl doesn't have to tell anyone that it's entitled 'Fireworks in the Bedroom', and that Carrie stated in her description: 'They say it's where the magic happens...'
Singletons can be discreet if they have to ;)

If you are looking for a present for your gay or lesbian single friend, Nice Day Designs has stylish pocket mirrors which are perfect for going out:







Single doesn't always mean living alone. If you know a group of single friends who share a house, this Irish House Warming by John Dolan Woodcraft is a must-have. Trust me, I speak from experience...(on both counts)



Etsy Ireland crafters are a talented bunch who have beautiful goodies for nearly everybody. However, I noticed the absense of a hang-over cure, but maybe some crafty singleton has one ready and just won't share the secret of looking gorgeous and alluring or witty and handsome the day after a night out?