Caricatures and the Majik Bunnie at the Brewery....

My next event in Cheltenham is March 26th-27th. There will be 20+ stall holders each with unique and handmade products that you won't find in the shops.


As well as the shopping there will also be caricaturist Tony Marriott with his impressive display of commissions and as he is doing 'live' portraits on the day you will be able to get a unique piece of artwork to take home.

www.tonystoons.co.uk

On both dates we are also lucky enough to be joined by the Majik Bunnie

Majik Bunnie is a unique and exciting interactive storytelling service for Nursery and Primary School children.  With her wonderful and colourful puppets, Majik Bunnie tackles many important issues for children including; anti bullying, positive communication, tolerance and acceptance, building self esteem and inspiring creative imagination.  Majik Bunnie loves to make children's soft furnishing 'Bunnie Blankets' and sells all her HANDMADE blankets and cushions along with a fabulous range of puppets on her stall.  

Storytelling at some events are for raising money for local childrens charities and organisations.  Majik Bunnie loves to come to events with a big smile and her wand and little friend 'Lettuce' to bring laughter and fun to children and parents.  The 'Majik' is created by the amazing atmosphere and joy through kindness and friendship. 

Story telling sessions will be taking place on both the Saturday and Sunday with a collection for local charity Winston's Wish.

Keep an eye out for story times and other event information on www.jswevents.co.uk

A bit of excitement after one of those days!....

Well no one said working from home with a 3 year old and 3 naughty cats would be easy....but seriously! Yesterday was a bloomin nightmare from start to finish. I managed to send a grand total of 4 emails and wash up one load of dishes.

The rest of the day was taken up with 'Mum can you make this', 'Mum can you draw this', Mum I need a wee', 'Mum I'm bored' and so on and so on.

Could I say no to this innocent face?

This on top of a giant cat that thinks he's still a tiny kitten trying to clamber all over me and everything else I own all day long, did not make for a peaceful day!

He may look sweet and innocent here but he is now 3 times as big and not very graceful.

A new day and calm is restored

It's barely lunch time and already the difference is huge. A whole day to myself, my phone and my laptop. 

The first event of the year is this Saturday and I'm surprisingly calm and organised. All tables are filled, the leaflets are ready to go and everything is being set up for me so all I have to do now is turn up on the day.

My first big Brewery market is on March 26th-27th and I have just had a very exciting phone call from a Mjik Bunnie ready to grant me a wish with her fairy wand.

I always like to add something different to my events and in March the kids will certainly have a great time. The Majik Bunnie is a unique children's entertainer who makes and sells her own products in full costume!

She will be attending my March event on both the Saturday and Sunday with all her beautiful products and puppets.

http://www.majikbunnie.co.uk/

Story-time for Winston's Wish

On both of the dates the Majik Bunnie will be telling her unique Easter story with the help of music and dance to really get the children's imaginations going. 

We will be working with Winston's Wish to raise money for their Cheltenham based charity. Take a look at their website to find out exactly what they do to make bereaved children's wishes come true.

www.winstonswish.org.uk

Keep an eye out for more updates on the Brewery Market, Majik Bunnie and Winston's Wish

So what's in store for 2011?......

Well 2011 is set to be an eventful one for Crafty Mummy.
I have a whole new business name and identity, a full calendar of events and a baby on the way. I must be mad!

JSW EVENTS

With a new name, website and venues the business is well under way. I have 4 Markets at the Brewery, 3 fairs in Stroud and a Wedding fair in Cheltenham booked in this year. I'm always looking for new venues and opportunities so who knows what else will be booked in before the year is out.

Take a look at my website for details of all the events and stall holders. New links and details are being added all the time so keep me in your favourites!

www.jswevents.co.uk

A NEW ARRIVAL

With a 3 year old boy already, I was over the moon to find out that we are expecting a girl in June. I'm already loving shopping for pretty little cardigans and frilly bummed sleep suits! I'll definitely be looking out for unique items for the new little one at my fairs.

The little lady at 22 weeks.

The story so far...

So in April last year I decided to take all my crafty bits to fairs and try to sell my wares. Having attended fairs where no one turned up because they hadn't been advertised or were just plain boring (picture the stuffy village hall with the little old lady knitting in the corner and the wood turner with his 1970's style clocks!) I decided I would go it alone.

My first fair was in May and was aimed at babies and children. Having scoured the internet for crafts people I managed to get together 18 stalls all selling beautiful hand made products for babies and children. All in all it went well. We had plenty of visitors and the children were happy having their faces painted while their mummies shopped.

The local paper attended and we got our first article in the Gloucestershire Echo!

Photo featured in the Echo

After the May fair we did 2 more small community fairs. Having worked really hard in the run up with advertising etc, it was disappointing when the turn out was pretty dire! After paying for hire, printing and other running costs I was earning around £10 for the privilege of organising each fair. Hardly the successful new business I'd hoped for!

TIME TO AIM HIGHER

Something had to change if I was going to make a business out of my hobby. Bigger, more popular and accessible venues were needed.

At the beginning of August I contacted The Brewery in Cheltenham about the possibility of holding a fair and thankfully, they were interested. In fact they wanted to hold a fair in 4 weeks time on August bank holiday. 

After a mad rush to find stall holders I held my first 'proper' outdoor craft fair. We had activities for the kids from Paint it Yourself Pottery in Cheltenham and a great range of stalls. Most importantly there were loads of customers and the sun stayed out!

So the small village halls were ditched in favour of town centre venues. 

CHRISTMAS

At Christmas 2010 I held a 3 day Market at the Brewery complete with tented stalls and carols playing on the Ipod! Somehow we managed to choose the one weekend in December that Cheltenham wasn't under snow and sub zero temperatures. With the Brewery attracting 30,000 visitors over the weekend a great time was had by all.

So now it's time for 2011. 

A NEW YEAR

A NEW BUSINESS NAME

NEW VENUES 

A NEW BABY