We're still here!

Hello everyone.  It's been a while since my last post but there has been a lot going on since then and not much time for writing blog posts.

In September we left our location next to Lloyds Bank in Manor Walks, Cramlington and had a worrying three weeks while we waited to get keys to another unit within the mall.  But Manor Walks came up trumps and on 19 October we opened our doors a bit further down the mall.  The new unit is still The Venue and we are still community crafters.

 This unit is slightly smaller than our previous two and so we had to have a rethink about how we operate.  Where previously we only held a market day each Saturday, we now have an ongoing market 6 days each week, though weekdays and Saturdays are still a bit different.  Monday to Friday four of our crafters have a table - these are "fixed" tables so the same people each week.  The fifth table is our crafting table and each day the crafter in "residence" sits there to demonstrate his/her craft.  On Saturdays it's all change - and we still run our Saturday markets as we always have, with all crafters in the group taking turns to have a table on a rota basis.

We also now have a lot of display shelving and so each crafter in the group has some of their items on display (and available to purchase) on a permanent basis.  And of course being handmade means that many items can be personalised to order.  From changing the colour of buttons to having a name or date put onto a plate, card, mdf heart, to having a photograph framed in the size and colour of your choice - or even made into a fridge magnet or set of coasters.

On the first Saturday of each month we have a "crafting showcase" out in the mall where one of our crafters sits and demonstrates their craft and is available to answer any questions you might have.

The third Saturday of the month is our Kidz Crafting session - also out in the mall - where for £1 the kids can join in getting crafty.  Materials are supplied and all proceeds go to our chosen charity for the year - currently The Guide Dog Association.

On 6 February we had our first visit in our new unit from some adorable four legged friends.

 With the money we raised last year for the Guide Dog Association we will be sponsoring three guide dog puppies.

Now that we are settled in I will try and do a blog post more frequently again - though it's unlikely that I will manage a weekly one.

Thank you for visiting our blog.

Lev3l 3 Crafters