Quick Weekend Report Part 2

DOUBLE WHAMMY EVENT WEEKEND

… on Sunday I was at Arts and Crafts for Spring at Woodhall Spa, in Lincolnshire.  The venue was very picturesque – Petwood Hotel has massive gardens surrounding it. (It actually has much prettier bits of the garden – this was just a quick snap, as I was on my way home.)

Gardens at Petwood Hotel

© Original Minnie

It was built in Victorian times in a tudor style, but I think you can also see a Victorian Gothic influence on the stunning main entrance.

Entrance to Petwood Hotel

© Original Minnie

Its actually got more history than your average craft venue – it was used as the base for the Dambusters squadron in 2ndWW!

Bouncing Bomb prototype at Petwood Hotel

© Original Minnie

Anyway, back to the crafts, I had a lovely sunny spot next to the window to display some of my new designs – I will post more about them soon.

My stall ‘ready to start’ the day

© Original Minnie

There were lots of friendly stallholders there of course including Gingham Heart Crafts, Donna Evans, and DaisyFleur.

Now I’m thinking ahead to where the next event will be……?

(Original Minnie is not responsible for the content of other websites)

Next Event – Stamford Arts and Craft Market

STAMFORD – AN OLD FAVOURITE…

I’ve just confirmed the next event for Original Minnie will be on Sunday 26th July 2009.  I went there last year in September as a customer and there were several stalls, with a wide variety of products.

The Stamford Arts and Craft Market Poster July 2009

Stamford is a beautiful town, with so many old buildings – its streets have often been used as a filming location for period dramas, including the BBC production of Middlemarch in 1990’s, and the more recent Pride and Prejudice film from 2005, starring Keira Knightly.

I actually saw some of the filming of Pride and Prejudice when they were outside the Arts Centre, and it was that which re-sparked a fire inside me to attend an art/design course, after leaving it behind at GCSE several years before… and now look where its got me 😉

I’m sure I took some piccies at the time – I will have to see whether I can dig them out of their hiding place… watch this space.

For more information about the event have a look on my Events page.

Interview – Original Minnie

I’VE BEEN BLOGGED 1

Just a quick one to let you know that I’ve been blogged … my local-jewellery-maker-friend Gillyflower Jewellery has interviewed me on her blog, talking about Original Minnie.

Buttons and Bows Large Brooch with Pink Heart Button

Buttons and Bows Small Brooch Silver Button

Buttons and Bows Large Brooch with Cream Button

Buttons and Bows Large Brooch with Blue Heart Button

One of the questions asked was ‘what is my favourite piece so far’ … I had to say the “Buttons and Bows” brooches collection, although I haven’t got a photo of my own little gold one that I wear day-to-day!

Who is Original Minnie?

WHO IS THE LADY IN THE PENDANT?… 

 

© Original Minnie

It’s a question I have been asked before, so I thought I’d let you know… Original Minnie is named after my Great, Great Auntie Min – a lovely lady who like me loved fashion, accessories, collecting nick-nacks, and anything “a little bit different”.  She is the lady in my Original Minnie pendant logo.  

I think she represents what Original Minnie is about – a love of vintage, fashion, and original quirky items … and it’s a pretty name! 😉

Original Minnie was established in 2008 and is run by Helen Mear in Lincolnshire, England.

Gillyflower Jewellery in magazine

CONGRATULATIONS GILLYFLOWER!

Make Jewellery magazine Issue 2

Gillyflower is a fellow, local jewellery maker whose pretty flower-inspired necklaces have been featured in the current edition of the new Make Jewellery magazine!

I met Gillyflower at a local Arts and Crafts market (it was actually my first ever market – I was very nervous, and stayed ‘glued’ to my chair for six hours, not daring to move!)  Gillyflower was very friendly though, welcoming me into the crafty-makers ‘family’).

You can have a look at the Gillyflower Jewellery report on her Blog at: http://www.gillyflowerjewellery.co.uk/blog/?p=63 

Introducing… Original Minnie

WHO OR WHAT IS ORIGINAL MINNIE? 

I should really start with properly introducing myself, and what I do.  My name is Helen, and I am Original Minnie.  I design and make (by hand) beautiful and quirky Jewellery and Greetings Cards.  I always prefer to use vintage / recycled / reclaimed materials as much as possible.  I love vintage, fashion, colour, and a (proper) Afternoon Tea – a cake stand, and china cups are a must! 😉 

In fact, my final degree show (Summer 2008) revolved around some of these favourite things… the Afternoon Tea inspired wallpapers and fabrics were all designed and hand printed by myself.  After hours and hours (actually months) in the printing room, and with the invaluable help of several peeps to decorate the room and bake the yummy cakes, the finished result was this!

© Helen Mear Afternoon Tea Degree Show 2008

© Helen Mear Afternoon Tea Degree Show 2008

I also printed the fireplace tiles, and hand-painted the ‘fabric’ pattern design onto one of the tea sets, but that is a story for another day and another blog… 

 

For more information about Original Minnie, or to see more of my creations, please visit www.originalminnie.com  or the shop at www.originalminnie.folksy.com