Etsy Purse sale

To make room for all the new purses that I'm making at the moment, I'm selling off some off my purses in my etsy shop at a brilliant price for the next couple of weeks. They're really cute and would make ideal girly gifts for friends and family this chrismas. Take a look at www.vickyriley.etsy.com

The Hollies Food festival and Craft Fair

Thankfully the weather held and the sun even shone this weekend for the first of the craft fairs I've booked on the run up to the festive season. I had such an amazing time setting up the stall with my friend gill and selling our goods to the nice people who had come out for the day. The hollies is a brilliant farm shop that stocks everything you can imagine and at the weekend they held a food festival along with a fantastic craft fair. I was positioned nicely opposite the coffee vendor and the hog roast, and was quite pleased with my spot (I love food!). I had so many lovely comments about my things and was really happy that Gill sold so many off her fantastic girls hair accessories, and that a lot of my purses were snapped up as presents for Christmas stockings.

Manchester Craft Mafia Christmas Market

Sorry I've been totally rubbish at keeping my blog upto date recently. Thought I'd mention a craft fair I'm taking part in, in December. It has been organised by the Manchester Craft Mafia (http://www.manchestercraftmafia.com) and will be at the Whitworth Art gallery on the 13th and 14th December.

New things

There are lots of new stationary bits been added to my etsy site at the moment

My new Etsy shop

This week I've been making more wedding congratulations cards and more wedding clutches which can now be seen in my new shop . . . .

vickyrileyweddings.etsy.com

a BIG thank you!

Oh gosh I've been a bit rubbish at posting anything new in my blogs recently, probably because I've been so busy getting lots of new stock ready. Its been over a month since I lasted posted anything and was so surprised to find such a huge response in my inbox to all of the blogs that I've been featured in over the past month.

http://decor8blog.com/2008/08/05/etsy-take-five-tuesday-3/
http://www.parsiri.com/2008/08/11/like-sugar/
http://peasandbees.typepad.com/peas_and_bees/2008/08/lovin-these.html
http://bluemossgirls.blogspot.com/2008/08/more-coin-purse-love.html
http://fashionmefabulous.blogspot.com/2008/08/project-design-coing-purses.html

Thank you x x x x

Uk Bag designers

The blog which I have created about designers in the UK who make handmade bags is slowly beginning to build up into a nice little resource directory for those who want to buy handmade. Sometimes its easier to go and buy things of the shelf from one of the many over exposed stores that line every high street, but isn't it nice when you can buy an item that you know is exclusive.
http://handmadebagsuk.blogspot.com/

Thank you as well to Little Black Duck who wrote a lovely post- bag ladies unite, about both me and the new blog!

Cushion

I've added a cushion to the store that I made at the weekend. I took the pattern idea from a book called Sew Easy by Jane Cumberbatch. There are lots of fun projects in there including a large laundry bag which I fancy attempting and adding my laundry girls print on.

I've added lots of new goodies to my etsy site ! ! ! !

A week away does the world of good.

i had such a fantastic week on my holidays last week. I spent a few days in London, visiting galleries, eating cake, drinking coffee, attending life drawing classes, eating more cake, taking the eurostar to Paris, shopping and so much more. I'm yet to develop the pictures as I didn't have the digital with me and had to buy a single use camera, which felt a little like going back into the dark ages. Whilst everyone was snapping away, I had to click and wind on, but hey ho.
Whilst in London I visited the - China Design Now Exhibition, which was really interesting and well worth a visit. I also went into the most amazing fabric shop- The cloth House, on Berwick street. They actually have two stores, and it was the newest one which I was totally in awe at. It had such a beautiful collection of linens and vintage ribbons that I have ever seen, and the coolest sales assistant, who was dressed in a trendy 40's style.
Fortunately the day we traveled to Paris the weather was glorious, and it took a while to adjust to the sunlight. We took the batobus(river boat) along the seine and enjoyed fantastic views of the Eiffel tower, Notre Dame and all the other popular scenes from the water. We also spent hours walking the street of Monmartre whilst enjoying the best creme brulee icecream I have ever eaten.

Clutch bags

I've made a selection of clutch bag styles which I've just added to the website. I'm not sure yet when they will go on sale, as I will be away next week, YEY! Lucky old me! Fingers crossed if all goes to plan, I'll be spending a couple of days in the big smoke visiting lots of gallerys and many shops, and then a day in Paris. I can't wait, and I'm going to take my camera so I can take lots of pics which I will blog when I get back.

Jolaby

I've recently been asked by Jo at Jolaby to have a collection of my purses for sale at her new boutique Dare Boutique in Huddersfield. The shop will be opening on 2nd June, but if you can't get there visit the fantastic website www.jolaby.co.uk which has some fantastic bag designs.

Pleats Please

I found this dress in Zara and just had to buy it to wear out for the weekend! I love the pleated front, and I'm thinking of trying out something similar with a clutch design as I have bought some large clasp frames that look really funky. So much to do, so little time to do it in!

Well at the moment I seem to be spending all of my time making purses (I will upload some new images very soon!) so it was a welcome relief to escape the sewing and design this card for a request.