Friday 19 July 2013

WE MADE IT! We are open!

A selection of spoons by Treedom Woods, I love the hobbit spoon and the fairy feeder best!

Some long-leggedy friends.
Yes, it is a bit late to be posting this today, but it has been busy in the store and busy in the outside world too. Little girls and school Prom, say no more. Well it has been a very hectic, exciting and joyous few days in the Canterbury We Made It! store, we opened our doors at 10am on Tuesday morning and have been overjoyed at the public reaction. Our wonderful furniture maker, Jason Muteham, put in some extra pieces prior to opening, and sold a beautiful cabinet before lunch! Another Artisan was asked to stock a store in Alberta Canada! We have been visited by locals, tourists, business men and women, Artists and Crafter's too. People are joining the project everyday and the community is growing.
Yesterday was only day three and already we are in talks about opening a We Made It! in the Midlands too. I must get on and stream some advertising on behalf of all our Artisans, so for now I will leave you with some pictures of the past week. Enjoy the sun wherever you are x Emma
Linda Kennison of Designer Home Gifts as Madonna?

Lucy and Emma opening the We Made It! store on Tuesday morning, with silly sign.

Designer Home Gifts by Linda Kennison, just love that owl!

Lucy wearing and Artisan Lampshade, works well as a hat too!

Thursday 11 July 2013

What a lovely day!

The sun was shining, the friends kept coming and the Artists and Artisans are all extremely talented and lovely people. We had a wonderful day in the We Made It! store. Signing-in Artists, meeting new ones and watching the first ones set up their wares in preparation for the big opening next Tuesday! Painting furniture, handling paperwork, choosing spaces, chatting and generally getting on with it! To all of you out there with paperwork, still thinking things over, please remember that you can hire space from as little as 1', so if you are new to the handmade/home-made profession, want to dip your toes in and give it a try, your maximum outlay for two weeks is as little as £30 for twelve days trade! Yes £2.50 per day for 1' of shelf space in the We Made It! store.
Do come in tomorrow, Saturday, or Sunday as these are the sign-in and set-up days remaining. We will be closed on Monday and open to the public on Tuesday at 10am.

Sleep tight all and wherever you are we hope the sun is shining.
 

Monday 8 July 2013

Super Sign-in day!

To all of you who visited the We Made It! store in Canterbury today, Artisans, friends, locals and tourists we say a huge thank you. The sun was shining and everyone was wonderful. Thank you to Liz from Arts & Culture at Canterbury City Council for taking the time to come and meet with us too, it was lovely to meet you. We are still signing in Artists and Artisans and will be stocking spaces this week ahead of opening next Tuesday 16th July 2013.
We have had such a positive reaction to our holistic support model for Artisans, from the business community and those in creative fields, that we feel extremely grateful and humbled. The business world, especially for small independents works when we support each other, so lets keep doing just that. Holding each other up and working as a community, especially in these stark economic times.
Here are some snaps from today, do keep those jungle drums beating and spread the word of We Made It! to All your creative friends.
Selection of wares.

T-Rex Girl Band

Fran  of Sew Beautiful Signing In

 Linda of Designer Home Gifts Signing In

Fran of Sew Beautiful giving us a smile.


Crazy Characters
Do come along and see what all the chat is about. If you are an Artist/Artisan come and see what is on offer for you and if you love home-made/handmade this is the place to buy! We look forward to seeing you all and to opening our doors next Tuesday.
This is one tired Artisan wishing you all a goodnight.


Saturday 6 July 2013

Fun in the Sun and Drinking Pimms!

Yesterday was a fabulous day. We, We Made It! Were at Wickhambreaux School Summer Fair. Great stalls, choir, brass band, family choir, glee club, good food, good company and fantastic sunshine! The We Made It! Message was very well received and we met more talented Artisans who are coming to visit our store. An afternoon well spent! Looking forward to seeing everybody at the open days today and tomorrow. Whatever you are doing, enjoy this beautiful weekend. Emma

Friday 5 July 2013

Opening Hours!

Opening Hours
The We Made It! Pop-Up store will trade for six days per week. Tuesday - Sunday, 10am - 4pm. Except for Sunday 21st July 2013 when we will be closed (post launch party???).
We open our doors at 10am Tuesday 16th July 2013.

Opening Hours

Monday               Closed. For drinking Pimms and eating chocolate!
Tuesday               Open                           10am - 4pm
Wednesday          Open                           10am - 4pm
Thursday              Open                           10am - 4pm
Friday                   Open                           10am - 4pm
Saturday               Open                           10am - 4pm
Sunday                 Open                           10am - 4pm

All the best.
Emma & Lucy.

We Made It!
Supporting the Bohemian Community
enquiries@wemadeitstore.co.uk

Featured Artist Interviews.

Kelby-Sinan Caletic Mermaid
Featured Artist Interviews
As We Made It! is all about the supporting and promoting of local Fine Artists & Artisans we aim to (along with free advertising and invitations to trade events) publish interviews both here on our blog and on our website www.wemadeitstore.co.uk too. These will be interviews conducted between We Made It! and the Artist/Artisan, a feature on their work, their medium, style, why they do what they do etc. Whilst giving further exposure to the individual Artist/Artisan and their business, we also feel it is important for the followers of We Made It! to feel in touch with the Artists and their processes. It is nice to have a personal insight sometimes and feel connected.

This is a very short and simple example of what the Artist/Artisan and our followers can expect from the We Made It! Featured Artist Interviews.

We Made It!
Supporting the Bohemian Community
Featured Artist Interview
We Made It! talking to Emma Davis of Pumpkin Seed Creations in Kent. Emma is a Fine Artist, Toy Designer & Jewellery Maker who lives with her Daughter, a fat cat and a goldfish!

What do you create?
I create eco-friendly, biodegradable and educational rag dolls & toys directly from my own original artwork. I also make cotton & calico toys, ribbon dolls and bespoke creations directly from children's artwork.

What drew you to this particular art/craft?
It has been an organic process, which started when I was around six years old, watching and helping my Mother cut out templates for patchwork quilts in our home in Massachusetts. The eco side is a passion of mine and the educational aspect comes from teaching and caring for children.

Where do you sell your products?
Soon they will be available through the We Made It! store in Canterbury. I trade through the Artisan & Whitefriars markets, also in Canterbury and I have an Etsy page for Internet sales;
www.etsy.com/shop/pumpkinseedcreations

What are your two favourite products in your range?
That's a difficult one! I love the Isa-Rae Doll as it is based on my daughter and the Lucy-Lou Doll as this is based on my dearest friend. I really enjoyed drawing Sheldon the Number Gecko and Franny Fox too!

What inspires you?
My daughter, family friends, art, literature, music, nature, humour and random acts of kindness.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned running a handmade business?
That it is full time! I mean around the clock. If you love your hobby, and are good at what you do, you can turn it into a business with hard work. If you start to loose your passion it probably isn't for you? I'm lucky, I love what I do!

Please share any links you would like highlighted at the end of the article.
My email:                    emmapumpkinseed@aol.com
Facebook Page:          facebook.com/pumpkinseedcreations
Twitter:                       @emmapumpkinseed
Blog:                           www.pumpkinseedstore.blogspot.ae


Pumpkin Seed - Signature Doll

Isa-Rae Doll

Lucy-Lou Doll

Sheldon the Number Gecko
Franny Fox







Open Days for Artisans!

Open Days
Hello to all Artists & Artisans in the Canterbury area and Kent. The We Made It! store is holding two open days, Sunday 7th July and Monday 8th July, 10am - 4pm in the Canterbury store. Address 27-28, Burgate, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2HA.
Come along and choose your space, fill in your paperwork and pay your fees to join the We Made It! experience.
For those of you who don't have access to a printer we will have paperwork on site and can work out what you need on the day.
You pick your space/furniture, so this really is a first come, first served situation.

All terms & conditions are available on our website www.wemadeitstore.co.uk under Information for Artisans, user name and password are both Artist.
Should you have any questions, or cannot make these dates, but would like to be a part of this, do not hesitate to contact us at; enquiries@wemadeitstore.co.uk

We look forward to seeing you there, or hearing from you soon.

Emma & Lucy
We Made It!