Ok, it's that time again.... time to think about Christmas Gifts! Buy Handmade, Buy Original!

It's a long time since I've blogged. I've been busy exhibiting and designing new prints and textile designs in the run up to Christmas.  Yes, that C word.  It will be with us soon enough and I think now is the time to dig out those Christmas jumpers and start thinking about the wonderful gifts you can buy for your nearest and dearest.

Instead of going to your local branch of a large chain store and buying 3 for 2 impersonal smellies that will ultimately be donated by the recipient to the next available Tombola, search out some fantastic handmade gifts made by designer/makers & craftspeople.

Ideally you may know of some local makers.  Wouldn't it be lovely to source unique works from them and support their businesses at the same time?  Alternatively you can look on websites such as Folksy.  I have my own BOOGE64 store with them.   I know that, outside of making gifts myself, I shall be purchasing most of my Christmas goodies this way.

With the Christmas rush in mind, I've spent the last few days photographing my new lines.  Here's some examples of work just listed in my Folksy store.

Vintage Lady - Textile Art Piece - Applique & Free Machine Stitched

(click above for direct link to Folksy Page)

Vintage Lady - Textile Art - Applique & Free Machine Stitched

(click above for direct link to Folksy Page)

Free Machine Stitched Handbag Mirror Case (comes with mirror)

(click link above to be directed to Folksy page)

Many busy days ahead for me. So many new items to list.  If you'd like to keep up to date with my news, please feel free to follow me on Twitter or take a peep at my Facebook page.   

Happy present hunting everyone! 

Southwell Minster Jubilee Craft Fair - June 2nd 2012

I'm really excited to be taking part in the Southwell Minster Jubilee Craft Fair on Saturday June 2nd 2012.

If you're a lover of quality handmade products, this event is a must for you.  Many selected designer makers will be selling their wares in The Nave.

If you have never visited Southwell (Nottinghamshire) before, I highly recommend it.  The Minster itself is truly beautiful!

I shall be selling my BOOGE64 range of printed & embroidered textiles, textile jewellery and accessories for fashion & interiors.  Here's just a small selection of the types of products I'll be selling:

Stylish, unique print clutch bags

Funky Lipstick Print Clutch Bag.  The print design is my own and unique to BOOGE64.

This, along with many of the other items shown is available to purchase

in my Folksy shop.

This bird print clutch bag is made from my own print design which originated from one of my pastel & ink drawings.  The shape takes its inspiration from a 1930's evening bag.  I have just sold the last bag in this print. I am expecting a delivery of some similar fabric I have designed featuring this little Sandpiper in the next few weeks.  Items made from the new fabric will be available at Southwell.

Charming textile flower brooches 

made from vintage headscarves

Quirky Headpieces

 And lots, lots more .............

Craft Fairs are such fun, you get to meet other designer makers and share experiences with them.  They are valuable events where you can discuss your work directly with your customers and react to their feedback. 

The most recent fair I took part in was at The Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, earlier this month.  The event was arranged by Tempo Promotes.  Below is a photograph of my stall at the fair.

If you'd like to know more about my work, visit my BOOGE64 Facebook Page or keep up to date with all my news on Twitter @BOOGE64.  My website is currently under construction www.booge64.com 

Well, I really must get on with making some stock now.  Hopefully see you on 2nd June in Southwell, Nottinghamshire.  There will be lots of creative talent on show.   I'm pleased to say that one of my fellow stallholders will be Jane Lightfoot.  If you've not come across her work before, take a look at her website, she produces some wonderful applique pieces.

Bye from BOOGE64 for now ......

Textile Brooches from Vintage Fabrics

It may be cold, wet and dreary outside, but this has no dampened my enthusiasm for the new line of textile jewellery I'm currently making. 

 

These gorgeous silk brooches are made from Vintage Fabrics that I have sourced from antique fairs and boot sales.  All fabrics have been laundered prior to construction.

 The floral brooches are centered with vintage buttons (buttons being a passion of mine!)

All brooches are available on FOLKSY

 Each petal is individually shaped and sewn to create a sculptural form.

A new, contemporary accessory is created from something that was old and redundant.   

All my textiles can be found on FOLKSY and ETSY

Clutch Bags Galore

This week, I'm dedicating much of my time to listing some of my latest textile jewellery, cushions & charming Clutch Bags to my Folksy (http://www.folksy.com/shops/BOOGE64) and Etsy shops.  Most of my bags are made from my own design prints taken from my original drawings and are unique to BOOGE64.  For this reason, they make wonderful gifts for discerning customers who like something a bit different from the masses.  They would make fabulous Valentines gifts and they are Very reasonably priced at £16.99.  I currently have ten different designs for sale on Etsy.

Here are some of my favourite items from these listings:

Sculptural Vintage Fabric Petal brooch

available to purchase on Folksy http://www.folksy.com/shops/BOOGE64

Bird Print Clutch Bag (my own print design)

Available on Etsy

SEAHORSE print and denim Clutch Bag (my own print design)

Available on Etsy

Having recently sourced some wonderful vintage buttons, fabrics and other items of haberdashery, I've set about making lots of wonderful textile jewellery and these will be available at craft events and in my online shops soon.  I don't know about you, but I get very excited when I find a hoard of sumptuous old textile goodies, I'm like a kid in a sweetshop!   I take great joy in up-cycling and re-inventing vintage items, giving them a new lease of life and contemporary edge.   Where I find a head scarf which is complete, with no damage, I tend to leave it be, and use it for it's original purpose, (as its designer intended), but, where one has a small mark or is in some way damaged, I utilize the best parts to make something new and beautiful.

I'm planning some more exploratory trips later this week in search of more textile resources, let's hope I strike lucky and find some gems! In the meantime, back to the studio .....

Blog re: Arts & Crafts for Summer, Lincoln Cathedral Centre, 10 July 2011

Last Sunday, I exhibited at Arts & Crafts for Summer along with around 28 other designer/makers.  There was a wonderful selection of work for sale and a wide range of disciplines.  Particular favourites of mine were the crisp, monochromatic lino cut prints by Wayne Lockwood and the beautifully made, charming textiles by Jane Lightfoot. The Fair, which was held in the Lincoln Cathedral Centre, immediately adjacent to the Cathedral, attracted a steady stream of visitors.  The venue was beautiful, my stall was based in a wonderful bay window with a magnificent view of the Cathedral.  Craft fairs are wonderful places not only to sell your wares, but to meet new like minded people and get feedback on your products and find out what your best selling lines are.

I was selling my BOOGE64 range of textiles & accessories.  (See below for a selection)

1940's INSPIRED BROOCH

The above brooch features the mot gorgeous 1940's bakelite button!  You can purchase this style and similar others in my Folksy shop.

SEAHORSE CLUTCH BAG

This Seahorse Clutch bag is bright & bold and not for the faint hearted!  Made up from my own design, digitally printed, heavy duty cotton.  Vibrant, quirky and most of all, fun!  Again, available on Folksy 

I am working on a new range or products in earnest next week.  I love the research and development stage.  So, I'm looking forward to much playing, manipulating and experimentation, evaluating as I go! Wish me luck.  You can follow my progress on Twitter or read my regular updates on my Facebook page.

Arts & Crafts for Summer was organized and promoted by Tempo Promotes

Arts & Crafts for Summer Craft Fair, Lincoln Cathedral Centre, Lincoln, UK, Sunday 10th July 2011

I'm really looking forward to taking part in Arts & Crafts for Summer, a craft fair which is being held in the lovely historic setting of the Lincoln Cathedral Centre, Minster Yard, Lincoln, LN2 1PX (United Kingdom) on Sunday 10th July 2011.  I'll be selling charming items from my range of embroidered, screen & digitally printed textiles for fashion & interiors.  The fair is open from 10.30am - 4.30pm.  There will be many craft sellers there and further details can be found on the promoters website (Tempo Promotes)

Why not pop along, show your support for crafts people and designer makers and pick up some wonderful, lovingly handmade products.   If you'd like to see examples of my work and read regular updates, take a look at my Facebook page or visit my website.  I can also be found sharing my thoughts and news on Twitter  

Great album promotion by Kaiser Chiefs

I love it when a band launches a new album and comes up with a creative way to promote it and get some buzz and hype going.  


With their latest album:  THE FUTURE IS MEDIEVAL,
The purchaser selects ten tracks from an available 20.  Snippets of 20 tracks can be listened to, then you select your favourite ten and arrange the playlist order.  That's not all, you can then design your own album cover (using supplied artworks).  Once choices have been made and you are satisfied with your cover, you purchase your album.  You can then promote this album for sale to others.  My effort can be seen here.  It's available to purchase.  I hope you like it.  Here's the album cover I made.