Festive countdown

In our house winter celebrations are underway, marked by the annual Christmas Pudding preparations. I have to say I don't really like Christmas Pudding, but a few years ago found this great recipe by Rachel Allen .. I am a convert!!

Here it is waiting for its 3 hour soak in simmering water :)

I have also been making last minute preparations for the Handmade & Vintage Festive Market at The Storey in Lancaster. It takes place on 8 December from 11 - 5. I organise this event every year but this is the first time I am taking a space myself. I join 45 other designers, makers, artists and vintage enthusiasts in providing the city of Lancaster with an alternative high street.

Here is a little glimpse of what I will have to offer.

Transformation

I am busy working away on the planning for the Handmade & Vintage Festive Market 2012. It takes place each year at The Storey in Lancaster but this year is a little different.

For the past six years I have been Programme Manager at The Storey Gallery. Slotting this fun and festive event in amongst a more critical programme of contemporary art was like light relief - it felt like a break. I love this event and I love organising it, meeting all those fabulous makers and spending the day inspired by their work and approach.... but I miss the programme of contemporary art I produced throughout the rest of the year. I miss the challenge, I miss the research - most of all I miss that amazing space and the job of transforming it into something entirely different for each exhibition. I miss my colleagues, and I miss the ability to share amazing ideas and objects with the people of Lancaster.

I am a bit sad about it today.

I hadn't intended on writing such a melancholic post, I had fully intended on writing about the Festive Market, which is quite jovial - I hope you dont mind me being so open and honest !! I think I am doing too much reminiscing.....

British predator print

Recently I have been working on some designs for fabric which will eventually become a variety of products ... Look what arrived this morning - my designs on a big roll of fabric!!!

I am very excited!

Festive Market

I am organising the Handmade & Vintage Festive Market in Lancaster again this year. I was always a really successful event in the Storey Gallery programme and something I was keen to continue as a freelancer. This year will be slightly different - I am taking a stall myself to test peoples reactions to my work. It is quite terrifying letting all the things I have been working on over the past few months out into the big wide world, but I am also excited. I hope they are well received!!

The Festive Market takes place on Saturday 8 December from 11am - 5pm at The Storey. I will post the flyer in a day or so. For those of you who use Facebook, you can find out more on the facebook event page but also here on my blog. Over the next few weeks I will post details of some of the exhibitors!!! They are what makes the event so successful and fun!

Below are some images from last year taken by the very very talented JB from beanphoto