Top Five Favourites by Zoe Edwards

Hi, my name's Zoe, I'm a seamstress who creates clothing for my label 'Blatant Self Promotion' which is stocked in the Handmade Co-op shop. I also co-organise Brighton Craftaganza which supports local crafters/designer-makers and promotes handmade products over their mass-produced equivalent. I also blog about sewing and sustainability here.

I popped into Handmade today and decided I'd try and figure out what my top five favourite items currently on sale are. Kirstin then suggested I write this guest blog post about them, so if you're sitting comfortably...

It was a really tricky task to pick just five things with so much talent represented in the shop. Choosing twenty would have been so much easier. But in no particular order, here they are:

Knitted Sandwich Purse, by Sarah Harwin, £14.

I've been into these for so long. I cannot believe how much work has gone into these for such a low price. Filled pitta breads also available!

Printed Fabric Badges, by Vickeh, £2.

Apparantly these are a new addition to this talented designer's range, so if I were you, I'd hurry and snap some up before they sell out. I bought two (a letter and some scissors) for Christmas presents. I normally wouldn't think about Christmas so early but these were screaming 'BUY ME' so I racked my brains to find a reason to obey!

'Eric on Brighton Beach' Postcard, by Kirstin Stride, 50p.

In my opinion, this is the most perfect souvenir postcard. I've sent a few of these to friends who live abroad in thinly veiled attempts to lure them to Brighton to visit me!

Birdie Shorts, by Charlotte Haggerty, size 8-10, £55.

Charlotte Haggerty is making a real name for herself in the UK fashion scene, so it's really exciting to see some of her creations in the flesh. I love pretty much everything she makes, but these shorts are such a clever design they really stood out to me. As a sewer myself and therefore pretty obsessed with these things, I was quick to discover that the finish of all her garments is absolutely phenomenal. These shorts are going to make someone very happy!

Gallion Print, by Fox Fisher, £35.

It was so difficult to select my favourite print from all that are stocked in Handmade. I have a bit of a weakness for nautical imagery, and I love how this traditional illustration is juxtaposed with the multi-coloured ink effect. Total limited-edition genius for just £35!

Can you help? Tables and desks needed!!!

As you may know, we have a rather lovely and useful basement space at our disposal here at the Handmade Co-op shop. Last month we hosted our ‘Selling for People who hate Selling’ symposium in as well as a regular photography workshop. We also have other plans in the pipeline to facilitate cool new discussions/workshops/exhibitions/classes for creative-minded locals to get iinvolved in. This will also attract more attention to the work of the artists and designers that is stocked in our shop. And as a non-profit co-operative, any funds that these events can generate will help cover overheads and insure we are able to support those artists and designers for longer. Win-win-win.

One particular set of plans that I am very excited about could do with a little helping hand to actualise. We aim, starting very early next year, to provide expert sewing assistance and access to sewing machines and equipment to people without the often-preventative cost and commitment needed to sign up to a standard sewing class. The sewing sessions will be user-directed, so the sewing experts can be on hand to help with whatever the individual wishes to learn, rather than following a set ‘making a skirt’ or ‘making a cushion cover’ formula.

We have been offered use of a sufficient amount of sewing machines, overlockers and equipment, but we are severely lacking in surfaces to use it all on. Due to the non-profit nature of Handmade (and the make-do and mend nature some of us share!) buying a load of new tables isn’t an option. So if you have, or know of, any unwanted tables, desks or computer tables that could be used to sew on, please please prettiest of pleases, email handmade.co (at) hotmail (dot) com to donate them!!!!

'Sales for People who Hate Selling': event review

Two weeks ago we hosted an experimental event entitled ‘Sales for People who hate Selling’ in the basement space of our shop. The aim of the event, which was the joint brain-baby of Zoe from Brighton Craftaganza and Patrick Potter, a marketing and copy writing genius, was to find an alternative way to support the local creative community, aside from providing a venue at which to sell their work at the Brighton Craftaganza craft markets.

The free event took the form of a structured discussion breaking down and analysisng the four main sections of an ‘anatomy of a sale’:

• Opening communication


• Building Rapport


• Pitch


• Close

There were two excellent and very knowledgeable sales experts in attendance who kindly gave up their Saturday afternoon for the event. They shared the most relevant sections of their sales training for the benefit of the crafters/designer-makers who came along. The crafters/designer-makers were encouraged to share their own opinions and ideas as well as ask the experts and each other questions to make sure the content of the discussion remained along lines that would most useful for them.

'It was all very welcoming, and mainly, not cheesy! (I've been to a lot of corporate training events, so this was a breath of fresh air - to be treated like a human and not a robot!). Would you like to see a different structure to this event? It was ideal for me, welcoming and intimate, and thankfully, no role playing!! (my pet hate...)' Kate Butler

'There was a lot of content and you had obviously spent time planning and thinking about it, which was amazing. I learnt a lot more than I thought I might.' Claire Munday

'Do you know, this is the first event I've taken part in that has actually even considered this subject?!' Marguerite Savan

A PDF containing much of the content of this discussion event will be made available for free download soon from the Brighton Craftaganza blog, so make sure you pop over there soon to see if you too can pick up some techniques and methods to improve your sales the next time you come face-to-face with the public!

'Sales for People who Hate Selling' Symposium

We are really excited to announce a collaboration with Brighton Craftaganza: a symposium designed to help designers/crafters/artists improve their technique in the tricky area of face-to-face sales. ‘Sales for People who Hate Selling’ is open to anyone who is interested in this topic, it’s not just for those who sell at Brighton Craftaganza or stock in the Handmade shop.

It’s no secret that most creative people hate selling. It’s awkward and embarrassing to sell in a face to face situation to people you don’t know. This is especially true when selling stuff you have made yourself. We are such critical ‘parents’ that we forget that the stuff we make is UNIQUE, PRECIOUS and LOVINGLY HANDMADE and therefore stupidly, tremendously, staggeringly VALUABLE. The paradox is that selling more stuff is brilliant for makers. The more you sell, the more time you can spend making more stuff. It is a positive cycle.

So, what can you expect from this ‘Sales for People who Hate Selling’ symposium? Well, it will start with a structured discussion about the values and motivations behind creating and selling so we can all learn about why we as individuals want to sell and how we would ideally like to do it.

There will then be a presentation on how to use basic selling theory to open communication, build rapport and communicate just how special and desireable your work is and, finally, some basic strategies to CLOSE THE SALE. This presentation will be brought to you by Zoe Edwards of Brighton Craftaganza, Patrick Potter – Content Marketer & Copywriter and Anthony Appleton – Sales Trainer.

The presentation will be followed by group discussion in which everyone, from those who are already excellent sellers of their creations to those who are totally new to it, are welcome to share ideas, thoughts and feelings.

This symposium will give you an introduction to sales theory and a whole load of super-stimulating conversation with really interesting peers looking to achieve the same things you are.

SO… how can you sell more stuff in face-to-face situations? You can start by coming down to the symposium on SATURDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER at the basement space here at the Handmade Co-op, 106 St James Street, BN2 1TP (next to the Saint James pub). It will start at 5pm until approx. 7pm. This event is free and tea and coffee will be provided, however we ask for a voluntary donation of £2 per person to assist us with the overheads of hosting this event.

If you are interested in coming along, please leave a comment on this post or send Zoe a quick email to craftaganza (at) g mail (dot) com to give us a rough idea of numbers. Please feel free to use that email address also if you have queries.

Hope to see you there!!!!

Sarah Julia Clark

We now have a collection of work at the shop by Sarah Julia Clark, I now own one of her lovely birchwood badges of a gentleman with a fine moustache - he's great!

She's also posted a lovely piece about us on her blog. Click here to take a peek...

Hannah Clare - Illustration

Here's a sweet little interview from Hannah Clare. Her collaged cards and prints are available in store. Oh sweet nostalgia...

-when did you start making things?

Since I was a wee babby! My Mum is an artist so she was always getting me and my brothers making a mess with paint and glue, when we were little. But I think I was about 13 when I really realised art is what I do best, and I’m pretty rubbish at everything else!

-how did you find out about Handmade?

Through my good friend Angela Chick, who is one of the Co-founders of the shop.

-what do you find is the most inspiring thing in your life? (person, place, object, etc)

A lot of my work is fuelled by just wishing I was still six years old and running around in the garden collecting snail shells and putting them in my dungarees pockets. So I often get inspired by things that I find nostalgic. I think it’s trying to recreate that feeling of curiosity and discovery you have when you’re young. I also take inspiration from poetry and literature. I love wordplay and really visual, descriptive writing.

-what is the song you just can't get out of your head right now

The Art Teacher by Rufus Wainwright... fitting!
I took my boyfriend for his birthday to see him play at the Royal Opera House last week, so the whole experience is still singing in my head! He has such an incredible singing voice. Also been loving Unknown Mortal Orchestra, they’re my new favourite band.

-do you prefer to work alone or with others? Why?

I think I do my best personal work when I shut myself away and immerse myself. I’m quite a private person so I guess that’s when I’m most relaxed to create. Illustration can be a lonely business. But at the same time, I’ve always been really interested in collectives and collaborative projects. I love the way you have to discard your usual way of working and embrace the spontaneity of working with other people. It’s a kind of tonic from being autonomous and I think it’s a good way to learn about yourself and push your ways of working.

-what was the best meal you've eaten in the last week?

I’m a bit obsessed with bruschetta at the moment... some tasty crusty bread toasted with olive oil and garlic. With chopped fresh tomatoes and cucumber with more olive oil lemon juice and fresh herbs, salt and pepper! Yum!

-what do you like to do in your spare time?

Photography and Writing are my other lovers, but with writing it can be hard to get into the right headspace sometimes. I’d like to spend more time on creative writing and poetry.
Other than that, I like romps in the woods, kneading bread, walking with one foot off the curb, arranging the pebbles on the beach into colours, cutting off split ends, eggs for breakfast, shadow hunting, flipping through records, snooping in old book shops, word wheels, pressing flowers into whatever book I’m reading, toe tapping, camera snapping, cat napping and tea sipping.

-is there a favourite piece of your work you would like to share?

Often it’s the things I’ve made really quickly and spontaneously that I get most excited about. At the moment my ‘all my rabbits’ images is one of those. You know when you’re a kid, sometimes the first and simplest way you learn about life and love and death, is through your pets... that’s what this is about.

*****
www.hannahclare.co.uk

www.hannahalexandraclare.blogspot.com

Calling all local designer/makers

We would love to hear from you if you design and make lovely things and your based in and around Brighton.

Please send us details of what you make to handmade.co@hotmail.com and we'll get back to you with all the details of how to become part of our little shop.

Look forward to hearing from you x