Been very busy this summer with lots of craft fairs in new locations and one or two steampunk meetups for picnics. Of course I’ve also been busy making things and have new designs for cards and artwork, a steampunk calendar in the pipeline, a steampunk paper doll in my head and costumes to make for The Asylum in September.
June brought the Castle Bytham Street fair – sadly, awful weather and I didn’t do too well. I have done this one several times in the past and it’s a mixed bag really. Although the location and weather didn’t help, I don’t think it’s really the right venue for me. On the previous day I’d attended the Kit Car Show in Newark. I just managed to make my table fee on the one day I was there. Not sure if I will try that one again or not.
At the end of June we had A Damn Fine Do in Nottingham. A few of us made it to Nottingham Castle for a Steam punknic and wander around the castle. We met at the Trip to Jerusalem pub – apparently the oldest pub in the country – and then on to the castle. It rained for our picnic, which didn’t deter us. We sat there with our umbrellas up, sipping tea and eating sandwiches and then had a look around and a guided tour around the dungeons.
At the beginning of July I was at Oakham Festival (http://http://www NULL.oakhamfestival NULL.co NULL.uk/). They had a steampunk and carnival theme, and I borrowed a fabulous old fashioned gramophone for my stall which brought in a lot of people. I had a super day’s trading and it was a great atmosphere:
The next day I was at Thorpe Arnold Street Market. Weather was fine, but trading was very slow. Again, a lovely location but not sure it was the right venue for me.
On 10th July I went to the Green Backyard (http://www NULL.thegreenbackyard NULL.com/) in Peterborough. The second Sunday of each month sees their hand made craft fair. It’s a brilliant green space in the centre of Peterborough - a community growing project run entirely by volunteers.They are transforming a once-derelict former allotment site into a beautiful and productive site where they promote sustainable lifestyles and raise awareness of environmental issues through practical demonstration and community involvement. I had a super day and met lots of lovely people. I will definitely be going there again, the tea’s good and I can buy freshly pulled veg as well.
On the weekend of the 15th I went to Lubstock Festival (http://www NULL.lubstockfestival NULL.com/) with my wares. Another beautiful location on a lakeside, in the village of Lubenham in Leics. Sadly the weather wasn’t with us this time, and although it was mostly ok for the music, it rained like anything during the night – and as I had stupidly used the same tent for display and sleeping, which wasn’t really big enough, stock and bedding both got rather wet.
Lubstock - stall-in-a-tent
Next year I’ll take my new Event Tent and hope that will solve the problem if the weather’s inclement again.
The following weekend we had a special cream tea at Snibston (http://www NULL.leics NULL.gov NULL.uk/snibston NULL.htm) museum, where a group of us had a talk by the curator of the Symington Corset Collection. We were allowed to handle some of the beautiful antique items and then take a look around the exhibits. Plus tea of course! Quite a few of us turned up and had a super afternoon.
I had a fabulous time at the Belgrave Hall Museum (http://www NULL.leicester NULL.gov NULL.uk/your-council-services/lc/leicester-city-museums/museums/belgrave-hall/) in Leicester on 30th July. It was a beautiful day (amazingly) and a beautiful location and I was in the stunning gardens with my stall. I had a lot of interest in the steampunk stuff, and was sorry that I hadn’t dressed up for the day. Sales were excellent, food was good and very reasonable, other exhibitors were lovely and it was really well organised with helpful staff.
Last weekend brought our steampunk flashmob day. We had a tiny ‘mob’ of 3 at Nene Valley Railway (http://www NULL.nvr NULL.org NULL.uk/), but we picnicked on the platform and again on the train, had a wander to the river, and certainly seemed to cheer up some of the other visitors.
This coming weekend, August 13th I’ll be at Oundle for a Jewellery and Accessories fair run by V&A Events. I’ve never worked with them before, but it seems really well organised and I’m looking forward to seeing what Oundle’s like as a venue. On Sunday 14th I’ll be back at The Green Backyard in Peterborough.
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