Friends of MTC:Howkapow!

Last night I went to see the brand spanking new pop up shop from the awesome folks behind Howkapow! Let's just say it's graphic and beautiful.

It's full of treasures and neat surprises, and they even treated their guests to some homebrew (which of course I didn't try! )

SO if you are in the neighborhood pop by they are in good Ol' Quakers Friars in Cabot Circus!

//Where I Work!\\ Guest Post: Lou Archell of Little Green Shed

Here's our first post in a series of guest posts about where some our favourite handmade artists work! We're pleased to start the series with  Lou Archell of Little Green Shed! She's got the loveliest work and has a fantastic style of her own. So without further ado....

Hello! I'm Lou Archell.  I am an illustrator / photographer / blogger living in Bristol,UK with my partner Dan and my two sons, Charlie & Rufus.

I make illustrated paper goods and home wares using my pen and ink illustrations.  You will find that the majority of my work is inspired by nature, leaves, flowers and trees.  

I have been drawing since I was a girl, taking photographs most of my life and blogging since 2010. I am a West Country (UK) girl, growing up in deep Somerset. A free childhood, spent roaming fields, picking blackberries when hungry and riding horseback. I travelled the world in my 20's for 5 years. I experienced life and people that changed me forever... this is where my love of photography really grew. I became a documenter, a watcher, seeing life's little secrets... Back in Bristol, I met my partner Dan, fell in love... we soon became a family of 4. And here we are today.. in a home we are slowly renovating and trying to have as much adventure along the way.

I am inspired by nature and great design.  I love sunshine, walking barefoot, the smell of wood smoke, dancing, riding my bike, collecting shells on the beach, laughing with my sons, cooking, listening to music, drinking cocktails, knitting socks, making jam, star gazing, cloud watching, drinking loose leaf tea & renovating my home. I get inspiration through everything that surrounds me nature, people, fashion, animals, flora.... it's all jotted down in my notebooks and captured on camera which I always carry around with me.

My studio is set up in our spare room. It used to be my sons nursery, but as they grew I claimed the space as my own.  It has all I need, my laptop, a desk, printer, scanner, pictures my sons have drawn and photos I have taken.  I love Scandinavian and Mid-Century design so my studio reflects this. Painted floor boards, white desk and walls and a mid-century teak chair.  Comfortable and paired back.

You can find my work for sale in my online shop http://littlegreenshedshop.bigcartel.com/  or in various stockists in the UK.  Find out more about me over on my Blog: 

http://littlegreenshed.blogspot.co.uk/

Thank you!

Lou 

Friend of MTC: Dolly What Not

I've been working with Sarah from Dolly What Not for a long time. She was one of our first sellers at Tenderfoot and has since become a bit of a regular at Making Things Club. If you were the lucky duck that got donut earrings on Sunday well this is the lady responsible. Here's a little something written by the lovely Sarah Le Corre all about herself and her business Dolly What Not!

Hi, my name is Sarah...also known as Dolly What Not.. I create handmade cards, jewellery & bags. I have a passion for fabrics & all things that sparkle. I live in Bristol with my partner & our 4 kids. I work from home and although  my family would say I've taken over the house, I do have a room dedicated to myself & Queenie...(Queenie is my adorable sewing machine) Here is where I keep my stash of fabrics, lace, netting, buttons, ribbons, crystals & pearls...the list is endless!! I try my best to escape here for a few hours a day, although it's not always possible!. I keep a sketch pad close at hand so my ideas can be put down in black & white...my memory is not what it used to be!

You can follow her on  and all her beautiful work here and you can find her stockists here! 

xx,Lori

Friend of Making Things Club: Little Green Shed

This week we are gonna start a series of posts highlighting some of the amazing folks that have helped us at Making Things Club.

What better way to start than with the lovely Lou Archell of Little Green Shed.

Lou is such a lovely lady.She illustrates sweet flowers and adds geometric shapes to fantastic photos and take the loveliest lomographic photos ever!

She also has the sweetest blog where she highlights her beautiful home and wonderful family and shares with us what inspires her and what she loves.

And just to let you know she's really generous as well! She was one of our very first lucky dip donors!

If you know what's good for ya, you'll check out her awesome shop and her blog.

(and you might hear more from her soon!)

xx, Lori

Friend of MTC: Finches and Things...

Oh lordy, it's not very often that my life is so tipetty topped full of creativity... but it's only Tuesday morning and already my cup runneth over!

Lori has been blogging up in here about our exceptionally crafty Sunday night full of lots of making and doing, and now I'm here to tell you about our incredibly inspirational Monday night spent just a few doors down the street in Stokescroft, where we went to see friend of 'Making Things Club'  Jenny MacKendrick of Stitch-Ink and a few of her friends show off their gorgeous work.

Before I tell you anything else about this lovely little exhibition, let me tell you that you only have until Friday to see it, so not only to you need to go, but you need to get a move on and go now!

Finches and Things is a well-presented and wonderfully quirky collection of illustrations by four Bristol illustrators; Bethan Buss, Abi Ponton, Rebekah Leigh and Jenny Mackendrick.  Although the space itself is quite simple and understated, the delightful drawings transform the room into a very warm and wonderful place!

I don't want to ruin it for you, but if you promise you'll mosy on down and check it out, I'll give you a little sneak peek at what's on show:

It is just oh so nice, and the artwork is very well priced for those looking to bring some magic home with them.

Finches and Things is on show at Co-Exist at Hamilton House, in Stokescroft, open from this Monday to Friday from 9am to 9 pm.

Over and out,

Your making things pal,

- Chris