crafty muthas

W I went pop

Well, this time last week, me and Erin were representing the Crafty Muthas at a lovely pop-up event in Coventry, put on by the Earsldon W I and Theatre Absolute.

The venue was ace, if a little chilly, but then who knew April and May would be so blooming cold? The fabulous people from Theatre Absolute operate the world's only shop front theatre from this space usually, but crammed full of handmade loveliness and W I cakes, it made a great little alternative to the usual chain fodder to be found on high streets across the country. Atmosphere was lovely, sales lively and we had some really good discussions with some very interesting customers. Also bought a few little treats for ourselves. Turns out we have a weakness for mustard!

Pop-up shops are a great way to showcase local handmade talent and bring new customers to the high street. Does my own high street need one? Well, there are certainly a number of empty units in Bearwood. And lots of talented artisans. A shop that 'popped-up' regularly, with a rotating, curated collection from community based makers would be my preferred option. You never know.

Posted by jennie sandford

BetterBearwood with @maryportas and the crafty muthas

The muthas have been involved, to varying degrees, with Bearwood's bid to become a (Mary) Portas Pilot. Towns and high streets all over the country have been putting bids together in the hope of securing government funding and support from the 'Queen of Shops'. You can find out more about the whole Portas Pilot thing here.

In March, we got the consultation ball rolling by giving out shoppers surveys at Bearwood Handmade. Jayne, spoke to lots of people about why they do or don't shop locally and what they like or dislike about the High Street. We also allowed the cameras in to film the fair - something that led to a little late night fussing regarding outfits and make-up amongst the muthas. One of the bid team filmed stall holders setting up before doors opened, and then, when Central TV arrived, she filmed them filming us. I was 'persuaded' to talk about the whole pop-up shop idea. If you really want to see me waffling about having a life and no time to sell my makes then follow this link!

Erin and myself went along to (some rather long and difficult) meetings to discuss the bid and I helped to co-ordinate surveying some of our 300+ traders. The crafty mutha coffers helped pay for photocopying surveys too. Then, on a sunny Saturday at the end of March, my family, Ceri's husband, Loz, and Nat's husband, Rich, and their kids, along with a big crowd of locals, marched down the high street, drumming and chanting "make a, make a, make a better Bearwood". Me with a faulty megaphone and a very long script. The kids and Loz with drums and various other instruments. All of it caught on camera, to be used to help make a YouTube video. Finally, once the research was completed and our goals decided upon, Ceri used her skills to help edit the application.

Bearwood's bid went in last Friday. You can watch the accompanying YouTube video here. It features a few muthas and quite a few stall holders and shoppers from Bearwood Handmade. We need people to 'like' the video and also 'like' our Facebook page. I'm not sure if all this 'liking' makes a difference to anything but it won't cost you a penny and you'll be able to keep up with our progress. The 12 'winners' will be announced sometime in May.

Many people tell us at the handmade fairs or our monthly Tapestry socials that the crafty muthas have already helped make Bearwood a nicer place to live. We really hope so. I know that my life is richer for being around my creative, funny, passionate friends and I know that the events we put on allow many in our community to come together in a really positive way. I'm pretty sure that whether the Portas bid is successful or not, we'll continue to share the crafty love with Bearwood - we have quite a few plans up our crafty little sleeves and of course, you'll read about them here first.

Posted by jennie sandford

spring has sprung

A big thanks to all our lovely stallholders and visitors to the Bearwood Handmade last Saturday. What a lovely Spring day, with the brightness and warmth that Bearwood brings!

The TV cameras came to record the event and contribute to the community's bid under the Portas banner for money to help revitalise the High Street, and even the local butcher and hairdresser made it on to teatime news on Monday! Try and catch it on YouTube to see crafty muthas' very own Jennie Sandford explaining the virtues of a pop up shop!

There were fewer people around than at Christmas, but our resident counter reports that even so over 2000 people piled through the doors over the course of the day, and some local traders (in particular those selling refreshments) reported an increase in trade over the previous weekend. Lots of lucky people found their mother's day presents with a spirit of individuality and uniqueness under one roof (but two rooms, isn't that right Jennie?!), and all the gorgeous stallholders left with smiles on their faces.

Thanks for coming and supporting local handmade Bearwood, and come back and see us again soon x