Hemingway Design at John Lewis

We've been spending quite a bit of time in the John Lewis baby department recently, but I managed to sneak off to the haberdashery department. With the impending house move and new arrival, I haven't had much time for crafting recently so I was looking for inspiration. And I couldn't help admiring this lovely collection by Hemingway Design for John Lewis. Inspired by Art Deco motifs and shapes, the whole collection is lovely, I especially like the vanity cases which would make a very stylish place to stash your craft stuff. They'd be equally lovely as vanity cases in the old fashioned sense too, to carry around make up or as an overnight bag.

Tins and purses with designs inspired by vintage sewing patterns.

 Hemingway Design is run by Wayne and Gerardine design who designed under the Red or Dead label in the 90s and who have since worked on a fascinating variety of projects ever since, on everything from wall tiles to the first vintage festival at London's Southbank. (You can read more about the Hemingway Design history on their website.)

Even the simple button, pin and needle tins are stylish with a simple Art Deco font.

 It's so nice to see some craft accessories that aren't the usual twee floral patterns that seem to be everywhere trying to emulate the Cath Kidston aesthetic. You can buy the collection online at the the John Lewis website.

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Renegade Craft Fair Comes To London

This weekend, the successful US based Renegrade Craft Fair came to London for the first time. It was great to see so many crafters that I follow online and to discover new talents as well.

Of course, I might be biased but I thought my friends Robin and Mould had one of the best stalls and their new fox prints were certainly proving popular. I managed to buy some early Christmas presents from them - although I’m already thinking about keeping one of the fox cushions for myself! 

Photo from www.one-ofakind.co.uk

I also bought a sweet tea towel from the lovely One of a Kind which sells beautiful textiles designed by Kate Rawlinson. Her stuff features lots of trees - which I love!

I took a break from stocking up on loads of hand-designed cards by stopping off at the Honksville stall run by British artists Katherine and Rebecca. I fell in love with this brilliant beard-lovers badge and had a go on the tombola on their stall. Although I didn't win anything, I think the tombola and lucky dip they'd put together were a great idea. It reminded me how important it is for vendors to have some affordable options so people can have fun and still take a piece of someone’s artwork home, even of their budget doesn’t stretch to a print or cushion. All notes I’m filing away for when I get around to having my own stall at a fair!

Photo from www.honksville.com

I also managed to grab handfuls of business cards for some online shopping and I’ve booked out my diary for the Got Craft holiday fair on 27^th November at the Tooting Tram and Social. It's another craft fair with connections across the pond, it looks ace and anything with a Christmas theme is always a winner with me - see you there!

Stepping out for supplies...

After a scramble last week to get enough stock ready to launch my Etsy shop, I've been out buying up more fabric. Luckily, I live in an area of London with lots of great independent fabric shops and new places seem to be opening all the time as the craft movement gains momentum.

Soya Teacup candles (Photo from themakelounge.com)

Firstly, I want to tell you about the marvelous Make Lounge and I'll fill you in on some of the other great stores over the next few weeks. I want to start with The Make Lounge as, in a way, it's been one of the catalysts for me setting up Stars and Buttons. They run contemporary craft workshops and the first one I did was the soya teacup candle making course. It was only one evening but I rediscovered the joy of making something physical (rather than the virtual online creations of my day job). And the best bit...there was wine and snacks! My kinda place. The experience totally inspired me to get back into making things, something I hadn't done regularly since school. I started sewing again, got a machine, did another course at The Make Lounge to brush up on my sewing skills and I've been sewing ever since.

Cake Pops (Photo from themakelounge.com)

 Anyway enough about me - The Make Lounge is in Islington, North London and runs contemporary craft workshops in everything from knitting, sewing and screen printing to making soap, lampshades and the newly added Cake Pops (which looks ace!). And the shop is amazing; full of fabulous fabrics, brilliant books and all manner of crafty bits and bobs. Somehow I always end up spending about three times more than I intend to! I don't know why I bother pretending I have a budget because I can't help buying up the super cute Michael Miller fabrics as they are perfect for the baby gifts I make. I also bought lots of lovely antique style purse frames for all the birthday presents I'm planning to make this month too.

Michael Miller Fabric I use for my bibs.

And one last thing, The Make Lounge also does bespoke parties for kids and adults and even hen parties - which I think is a great idea if you're trying to organise something fun and different that doesn't involve pink L-plates!

Find out more about The Make Lounge workshops on their website.

Read about Michael Miller fabrics on the Make It Fun blog.