You know what it’s like… you saw it, you imagined learning to knit beautiful jumpers, cosy blankets, snuggly scarves… you ruffled it through your fingers lovingly, handed over your finest gold coins and held the bag close to your chest all the way home.

And then stuffed it in a cupboard and forgot about it.

Well we need that wool - get it out of the knitting closet and set it free, free to be part of the next big thing to hit the North West…

UK DIY - a celebration of the DIY craft movement and it’s development here on these shores. UK DIY will be bringing exhibitions, projects and events to a lovely spot near you from February onwards.

In preparation the Turnpike Gallery in Leigh is working with some fantastically exciting and talented people to bring you pompoms, crocheted bacteria and other knitted wonders - and they’d like your unwanted wool please.

Any colours and weights of wool will be very gratefully received. All donated wool will be used as part of the make-and-do area of our forthcoming exhibition UK DIY (February - April 2009) giving visitors to the exhibition the opportunity to try some hands-on knitting and crocheting.

Please post your unwanted wool to: Louise Clennell, Turnpike Gallery, Civic Square, Leigh, WN7 1EB
If you need any help with postage costs/jiffy bags, please email l.clennell@wlct.org or call 01942 404469.

More details about UK DIY coming soon…

Just quickie to say we’ve uploaded a ton of events on the calendar for ‘09 so if you’re about to make your new year’s resolution or need something to look forward to once the festive fuss dies down, you might find some inspiration there.

If you know of something else we should add just contact us with the details.

Santa and Reindeer Alfies by Claire at sewsewcrafty.etsy.com

Happy Christmas people.

Hope Santa does you all proud, that your mince pies are home baked, that you receive and love Christmas jumpers from your aunties and grans, and that you come back twice as fresh and creative for 2009.

Merry Christmas from everyone at Manchester Craft Mafia

So last weekend the highlight of the craft mafia year swept us away in the shape of our Christmas Markets at The Whitworth Art Gallery.

We were hoping for very good things but the range and quality of the work was fantastic - thank you so much to all the makers who turned up and set out such wonderfully presented stalls.

The Whitworth spoiled us with a surprise festive Saturday complete with a children’s Christmas play, a mini festive food fair with the wafts of hot mulled wine floating around the room, and a brass band playing carols in the adjoining gallery. It put us all in the mood from the off.

And we were delighted to see around 1300 visitors over the weekend, all of whom enjoyed some cheery last minute Christmas shopping and craft chat at all the stalls.

Whether you were there selling, buying, browsing or chatting - or if you missed it and are wondering what all the fuss is about there are a few pics here. Maybe you can spot yourself, feel free to add your own shots of the event to the album.

For those of you who asked us about more events don’t worry, they’ll be coming throughout 09…

The wait is over. Come visit us this Saturday and Sunday for all your festive handmade heart’s desires.

Over 40 makers will be there across the two days, selling everything from saucy knickers through cuddly toys, fascinators (those fancy things you wear at weddings - somewhere between a hat and a feather), prints and all manner of loveliness in between.

As well as your best Manchester Craft Mafia friends there will be big name makers such as Jennifer Collier and Lucy May Schofield, plus a few fellow makers coming specially from the likes of Norfolk and Edinburgh.

If you’re a facebooker join the event and invite all your facebooking friends right *here*

If that weren’t all enough, it’s also the closing weekend of the major textiles exhibition Cloth and Culture NOW. And for family peeps there are some lovely trails, artcarts, storysacks and such to be had; and of course the divinely scrumptious gallery cafe serving locally and seasonally sourced food as well as a good slurp of hot chocolate - prefect for these frosty days.

Admission is free and the market and gallery are suitable, nay perfect, for all ages. Maps and location can be found *here*

Below are a few sneaky peaks at what you might find on the day - click for full details of which work belongs to who…

Yes your favourite monthly craft night is back, making things happen.

Enjoy an extra special Christmas instalment of your favourite crafting club:
Tuesday 2nd December, 6-8pm at Manchester Craft & Design Centre

As well as tons of fabulous ideas for the perfect handmade gifts and loads of itsy bitsy crafting oddments to help you get your Christmas crafting projects underway, we’ve also got oodles of crafting inspiration courtesy of our two guest demonstrators.

Knit the light fantastic…
Forget tinsel and shop-bought baubles because this year you’re going to knit your own sparkly and splendid tree decorations with the help of super-knitter Kate Heppell. If you’d like to have a go, just bring along a pair of 4mm knitting needles (try the charity shop), some double-knit wool, a darning needle and any sparkly oddments you might have.

Make Your First Crochet Bouquet…
Roger the Crochet King will be demonstrating how to make the perfect crochet bell flower. Ideal for popping on your favourite coat as a brooch. Bring your 3.5mm crochet hook and Double Knitting yarn.

If you have something you’re already in the middle of bring it along to share with us. If you’re completely new to crafting or don’t have anything to bring along, don’t worry we’ve got plenty of ideas and materials to help get you started. As usual, £3.50 will get you a warming platter and toasty drink.

To let us know you’re coming, for a help with a first crafting project and ideas on bits to bring, or to offer us a demo at our next Lo-fi email nico@opheliabutton.co.uk

See you there!

ArtYarn invite you to a day of free knitting and crochet workshops this Saturday.

Artyarn’s latest project is collecting 7″x7″ knitted or crocheted squares to contribute to the SHED jumper project at the Pool Arts SHED Gallery, Tonbridge Road Allotments in Levenshulme.

To be part of this community project we welcome you to our open workshop day to make squares weather you are a beginner wishing to advance your skills or learn a new craft, or weather you wish to join us and build up our stock of squares with your speedy knitting and crochet skills.

When: 10am-4pm, Saturday 22nd November
Where - St Lukes, 1 Guidepost Square, Longsight, Manchester M13 9EA

The SHED jumper project will be launched on Thursday 18th December from 7pm , with mulled wine and Christmas treats. For more info please visit:

www.artyarn.blogspot.com
www.myspace.com/knittingkings

You’ll probably be seeing a bit more of this over the next few weeks, but we were so pleased with it we had to post it straight away! There’s a larger jpeg, and a pdf version if anyone wants it - let us know. See you there for all manner of handmade goodies…

*update* … If you’re about to ask if there are any places left then we’re fully booked right now. However if you’d like to apply for our waiting list follow the application info detailed here … http://www.manchestercraftmafia.com/blog/?p=134#comment-77

Last night we zoomed up to Manchester Grammar School for the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair. Here’s what we thought of it…

Firstly, it was a bit tricky to find, though to be fair, we forgot to take the map. However being outside of the city centre meant parking was good, and really well organised. Manchester Grammar School turns out to be a stunning building, much as we’d imagine. Once inside we discovered plenty of other people had got lost too, but we all made it eventually so it wasn’t a big problem.

The welcome was warm and friendly with helpful staff. Though one security guard led us a merry dance trying to find the cloakroom which turned out to be just behind him (as we’d suspected all along).

Though the work was spread across several rooms, the route between them all seemed instinctive, so even those seemingly tucked away were still very easy to find. The fair’s signage was beautiful (screen prints) and clear. The school’s slightly less so.

The range of work was perfect - a mix of high end and affordable. We lusted over Alison Willoughby’s skirts (above) but didn’t want to (more…)

Yes your favourite monthly craft night is back.

Lo-fi DIY on Tuesday 4th November, 6-8pm at Manchester Craft & Design Centre.

Once again a cheap as chips £3.50 will get you a nice hot drink and something to warm those winter tummies. More importantly, the evening will be full of making merriment as we pick up our craft bits and bobs and get busy.

If you have something you’re already in the middle of bring it along and show us as you work. If not, as ever we’ll have a little something for you to try. We’re thinking something cosy to snuggle up with in the winter will be just the job. Curious hmm?

Feel free to pop in for a crafting quickie as you’re passing, or stay for the full two hours.

And if you’ve never been before don’t worry - whether you’re an absolute novice or a seasoned professional - you’ll find a friendly mixed bunch ready and willing to help, admire or just chat. It’s all about having fun, sharing ideas, and making new friends.

If you can let us know you’re coming that would be great, or for a little help for a first crafting project, or you might even like to offer us all a demo of what you do, please email nico@opheliabutton.co.uk

And we’ll do it all over again on Tues 7th December so put it in your diary. Same time, same place.
Image: cup cosy, SewSewCrafty

A few short news items…
First up - don’t forget to apply for our Christmas markets by 10pm this Saturday if it’s on your to-do list.

Secondly - it’s a busy old craft Saturday this week. You might be up in Rochdale for Knitty Gritty Goes Large but if not then pop by Manchester Craft & Design Centre for the opening of their new exhibition, Feast, celebrating all things crafts and culinary. And if you’re there between 2 and 4pm you can indulge in a spot of biscuit decorating and sample some free treats from the cafe.

Finally, please vote. Not for some PR spouting irritating bloke in a suit who couldn’t run the country for toffee, but for a lady in a mustard coat holding balloons. Make your vote count by supporting Manchester Mafia Member and illustrator extraordinaire Jo Askey with her entry for the Vaute Couture contest. It’s the best entry there is, not that we’re biased, so click and vote for her eco-friendly winter coat here, Jo’s is bottom right, the Mustard coat with black belt. If she wins you can remind her she owes you a drink next time you see her ok?

If you’re North of Manchester next Saturday 18th October nip up to Touchstones Rochdale where their regular craft group Knitty Gritty takes over. Just the thing to experience a bit of felt making, contemporary crochet, wool spinning, yarn dyeing and Nitty Nora’s knitted garden… amongst other things.

Or just do like the KnittyGritties do and take your own knitting to ravel on with over a cuppa in the cafe. A fibreist’s dream…

Full details here - knitty gritty goes large

OK you can now spread the word like wildfire - if you know someone whose work would be perfect for our Christmas markets send them the flyer, we want to hear from them. Just whip the image above or download a pdf version here

And a big thanks to our lovely member Askey for the flyer

image: Jennifer Collier, Manchester Craft Markets Nov 07

It’s that time of year again, the Christmas markets are coming, hurrah!

This year we’ve been offered a home for our stalls in the beautiful South Gallery of the The Whitworth Art Gallery - the gorgeous windowed walled room overlooking the park, know the one? Then you’ll be as excited as us about what’s in store.

Details…
Sat 13th Dec: 10am-4pm
Sun 14th Dec: 12noon-4pm

**For a stall at these markets** check out the full details below and email us your application by 10pm, Sat 18th October
(more…)

We’ve done it again- another swanky bunch invites us in on the action. Manchester In Fashion have snapped us up for a workshop whipping up accessories from our collection of vintage haberdashery treasures. Buttons, buckles and lace anyone? Felted bits, brooches, cuffs and fingerless gloves?

If you do want to be part of our Vintage Style action you’ll need to get yourselves some tickets for the Manchester in Fashion event here. You’ll find us in Urbis 12-2 on Sat 4th October. We’ll be swiftly followed by a vintage clothing customisation session by Rags to Bitches so money well spent all in all.

If that weren’t enough we have some super special invites to giveaway to one of the most exclusive events in their programme (aside form our workshop of course). A pair of invites on offer to this event…

Hemingway or the Highway
From Red or Dead to Hemingway Design, Blackburn lad made good, Wayne Hemingway tells the story of a career that saw him go from geography graduate to fashion entrepreneur, and from Camden Market to winner of the British Fashion Council’s Street Style of the Year award three times in a row - and then get an MBE for housing design. An unmissable chance to find out more about one of Britain’s most remarkable creative entrepreneurs. This even will be held in the glamorous setting of Harvey Nichols Manchester (in the second floor restaurant), with complimentary refreshments.
Thurs 2nd October, 10.30am at Harvey Nichols Manchester (second floor restaurant, entrance on Cateaton Street). This event is by invite only

Ticket entry draw now closed. Well done to Janice - enjoy your morning with Wayne!

Our LittleBigPlanet workshops are fully booked already - wow! We have a few places on a waiting list though so take your chances, you might still get lucky. Email us as below with all the details and we’ll let you know if a spot comes up.

In the meantime do drop by the LittleBigPlanet pop-up shop, we popped our heads in today and oh my word we fell in love…  6 foot plush Sackboys, boxes of beads, free sew-on patches, badges and all manner of excitement - oh yes and some gaming too.

Sundays look good with a family day this Sunday 21st - balloon animals, face paints and all sorts of other family fun. Followed by the Sunday Session on Sun 28th - newspapers, boardgames, refreshments and chill out with the resident LittleBigPlanet DJ.

You can find the pop-up shop next to Starbucks in Piccadilly Gardens. Give Sackboy a big squish from us.

Can you imagine our response when we got the message… would Manchester Craft Mafia be interested in helping launch a new game for PLAYSTATION^®3? Um let us think about it for oh, 0.5 seconds. YES! When we’d finished jumping up and down we nailed the details and here we are.. come join us, play the game, have some fun, make some stuff. It’s going to rock!

LittleBigPlanet^TM Customise Your World Workshops
Mon 29th Sept & Weds 1st Oct

6-9pm
City Tower, Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester

As part of the launch of the game LittleBigPlanet, Manchester Craft Mafia invites you to customise your world.

Make your own soft plush creatures and characters to become friends with the game’s hero and heroine Sackboy^TM and Sackgirl^TM; and get practising your customisation skills by personalising a t-shirt. Sew it, stick it, accessorise it, print it, slash it, zip it, buckle it, beautify or hash it.

We will provide everything you need, or if you have clothing and accessories of your own you’d like to revamp, bring them along - we’ll offer some materials and suggestions to help you on your way.

BOOKING

Sorry the sessions are now FULLY BOOKED
To be added to the waiting list email:  ask@manchestercraftmafia.com saying which date, your name, age, number of places, and contact telephone number.

Here’s a peep into the space we’ll be in, and you can see what else is happening in Manchester for the launch here
We also saw this, we thought you might like it!

What is LittleBigPlanet^TM? (more…)

Hooray at last we’ve got one of our own. No more need to jump train down to hidden corners of London. The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair is coming.

It really does what it says on the tin. A huge number of leading contemporary makers and designers will be selling their wares as well as talking about what they do, and discussing commissions. We’re promised a wide and tempting array of ceramics, jewellery, interior textiles and products, fashion accessories, glass, metalwork, wood, furniture and well a whole load of other stuff.

Apparently prices will be anywhere between £10 and £10,000 so definitely something for everyone (from you and I, to the WAGS!)

The fair can be found at The Manchester Grammar School, 23-26 October, admission £5. Full details including a list of makers, opening times, map and transport information etc can be found at www.greatnorthernevents.co.uk

Organiser Ann-Marie Franey says, “We want people to begin a love affair with contemporary craft”. Hell yeah!

Images: Thomas Plaskitt, Jane Blease, Alison Willoughby, Audrey Hays

Since we guys here in Manchester haven’t yet had the fortune to have a whole book published all to ourselves, we’re waving flags and banners and jumping up and down with glee for our fellow craft mafia friend across the pond, Jennifer Perkins, who goes by the ingenuis business name of The Naughty Secretary.

She, on the other hand, is author of a swanky new book, for anyone fancying a stab at jewellery making - particularly of the upcycling / repurposing kind. If you have some lovely stuff lying around that you haven’t yet found a purpose for, this could be your salvation.

You can get the book from her site naughtysecretaryclub.com or Amazon. Or maybe even a real life shop (remember those?) And if you make anything in there show it off at the flickr pool - we want to see what you’ve been up to!

It’s a heady day at at Manchester Craft Mafia towers. Not only are we gearing up for tonight’s Lo-Fi DIY, we are also super-duper excited about having two members featured in an International Gift Guide for Kids.

If you need a little something for the tots in your life follow etsy’s example and visit lovely Ladysnail for a rather marvellous Robotington, or Sallyent for a groovy back-to-school pencil case, specs cases; or a cute plush dachshund for your little one to dash home to at the end of a hard day’s graft.
(Etsy is an American site so it’s listed in dollars, but it works out at roughly half eg $10 is approx £5)