Tuesday 17 May 2016

New seller round-up

If you've not been in the shop in the last couple of months then you're in for a treat with some of our newest sellers. Just when you think we stock everything you might need we go and add a few more...


Simone Crossland

Contemporary Artist Simone Crossland is renowned for her colourful floral canvases in an impressionistic style. Simone has extended her art into beautiful, bold and vibrant handmade coasters and clocks that are sure to create a stunning focal point and bring joy to your home or office.


Silver and Stone Jewellery Design

I’m Helen Drye, I design and make silver jewellery using sterling silver and PMC – precious metal clay.

I was originally employed in the public sector , I loved my job and was passionate about my work but when I had my daughter and returned to work, I increasing felt that I wanted to spend my time with her.  It was then that I developed my creative side more and more.  I wanted to make sure that she had creative opportunities as well as the usual school activities, but I also wanted to develop my own creative skills.  I started beading and creating my own jewellery, then I wanted to learn a bit more about silver work, and came across PMC and Silver Art Clay.  I had a session with someone who taught it and I was hooked! 

I developed my skills over the next few years and launched my own business in 2012.  I now sell my jewellery at a number of shops including Fabrication in Leeds. I found that running the Jewellery Making workshops gave me that sense of achievement and I’ve met lots of wonderful people.  I have found that we have lots of mums and daughters, and friends coming together – to create something new, to catch up and to treat themselves to some quality time together. 




Madeleine Phiri

Madeleine Phiri is a photographic artist working with traditional darkroom techniques and alternative photographic processes. These retro items here are shot on film and hand printed in the darkroom. They are hand toned to achieve archival quality. If you're into vintage and like these prints great - if you want more depth and a story then you're also in the right place. These items actually have a rather sinister background as they represent what the Stasi (secret police in former East German) has used to spy on people. 

The prints are 20x20" and cost £70 unframed or £135 framed. All prints are unique in their own right as there are discrepancies when printing by hand. All prints are signed and dated. A truly unique piece of art for your wall.





Sew Muffins

SewMuffins manufactures and sells safe and snuggly supplies for small pets, with a special focus on African pygmy hedgehogs due to their specific care requirements. Our items are suitable for guinea pigs, hedgehogs, rats, tenrecs and other small animals - our items have even been purchased for geckos! We have been running for just over two years, and are based in our workshop in Chapeltown.

I started SewMuffins after I got my first hedgehog, Caesar, who is three years old next month. The business was born our of a desire to ensure her cage was safe and adhered to the correct care requirements. I have three hedgehogs: Caesar, Tzaritza, and Medli, who all help the shop by testing new product designs and modelling new items. Photos of Tzaritza in one of our Snuggly Huts can be found above our shelf in Fabrication.




Tuesday 10 May 2016

Peeling off the layers - spring clothing

This is the time of year when you start to think in earnest about changing over to your warmer weather wardrobe. If you're anything like me, as you pull out the old summer favourites you can't help but long for some new things to add in to the mix, and if that's the case then our talented designers have produced some beautiful pieces that will help you refresh your wardrobe:

The long awaited collection from Ages of Elegance is inspired by 1930’s cruise outfits, and includes the following...

Fitted cotton Chinese style dress with button front and low back, available in a variety of colours £90.

Double layer cotton voile dress with smocking details, wooden butterfly buttons and wooden bead strap, £85 available in several colour ways and lengths.

Double layer cotton voile trousers with ribbon fastening £95 available in several colour ways and lengths.
Silk top with bead straps, £65

Full circle skirt with smocking detail and double layer £95 available in several colour ways and lengths.


And for the wee ones, Spider & Fly and Little Sewing Me have some gorgeous items fresh in store, some of which I wish came in adult sizes!

Vintage inspired pieces from Little Sewing Me...


And some beautiful pieces from Spider and Fly...


 

Sunday 24 April 2016

Arty April

It's Spring Cleaning season, and what better way to refresh the look of your house than with some new artwork? Changing a few of the pieces that are hanging on your walls can really change the look of a room without all of the upheaval of decorating. Or, if you've already decorated, a well chosen picture can complete your room's new look.

We have a range of artists' work in the shop, with prices to suit all budgets, a selection of which are featured below.

Anna Urban, the talent behind Mesmerize Garden by Anna Urban, has recently finished this glorious large acrylic painting featuring a cottage garden meadow. An Impressionist-style painting featuring flowers and creatures such as butterflies, dragonflies, bees and ladybirds it would look great in any space.

Twice Fired has various pieces of fused glass artwork including this framed bird (£45)

Bethanie Yeong Papercuts creates unique handcut papercuts using a very sharp scalpel, ranging from tiny bikes to very accurate maps, including the London Underground map, just cut out!



Louisa Kemp's textured and experimental work is inspired by landscapes, skylines and architecture.

She also has a range of ceramic art pieces - tiny hand cast ceramic 'circles' with glass centres framed. Each ceramic piece is handmade in her own molds and is completely unique. Framed work is available in a variety of sizes and arrangements.

Artwork is also now available from Contemporary Enamels - pictures are made from glass fused to copper and each one is unique. Available in different sizes/frames. Prices from £20. 

And with all our sellers, bespoke orders are welcome!

Tuesday 22 March 2016

Easter goodies

Easter doesn't have to be all about the chocolate (although if you get down to the shop quickly we have some beautiful easter chocs to tempt you!), we also have some beautiful items if you're looking to decorate your home.

Sara Gartside Designs has made some spring themed additions to her range of handpainted, jewel embellished, heart shaped keepsakes. Sizes start at 5cm wide for £6.50.

Or cheer up your breakfast time with these cute little egg-warmers...

If you like to give Easter cards, then these handmade cards by Emma Manners should go down well (£2.75 each)



And if you're looking for the perfect gift, how about these cute dryer balls from Little Beau Sheep?
Made from 100% wool these limited edition Easter bunny dryer balls come complete with a fluffy tail! Simply pop them in your tumble dryer and they will reduce your drying times by separating the layers of laundry, allowing the hot air to circulate. They also eliminate the need for fabric softeners or dryer sheets as they soften clothes naturally, increasing fluffiness and reducing static as the dryer tumbles. Simple. Natural.

Monday 14 March 2016

New Product Round-up

Since our sellers have been busy since the start of the year coming up with new product designs for the shop we thought it was about time we showed off a few of them. All the products below have arrived in-store in the last couple of months, and one of them is even a shop exclusive!

Bethanie Yeong Papercuts has added these intricate pram glass papercuts, the perfect gift to welcome a new arrival:


 

These ponchos made from the 100% recycled wool of the Fab Blankets are a Fabrication exclusive by Rowan Tree Designs, and priced at just £30:




Emma Manners has started producing a new range of framed collages based on her popular card designs. Priced at £15, they use a range of handmade papers, photo images and stamped motifs:



This beautiful geometric jewellery and homeware is new from Twice Fired glass, and is joined by a black and gold range inspired by the microscopic world:




Zoe Barber has added some beautiful new pieces of silver and brass jewellery: 




And last but not least, kids number T-Shirts are now available in ages 1-9 from Font Not Found. Priced at £15 they are available to order in-store now:
 

Saturday 27 February 2016

Leeds Independent Fashion Soiree

Launching LEEDS Fashion Festival, and in conjunction with the The Leeds Fashion and Craft Network, you are warmly invited to celebrate the work of the independent designers of Leeds with an informal event at Fabrication Crafts Leeds' independent department store on Friday 4th March, 6pm - 8.30pm.

We'll have special festival cocktails, make overs, massages and lots more
! Confirmed designers taking part so far are:

Ages Of Elegance
Bo Carter

Butterfly Beading
Chic-y Cow
Dazarocks
Gwein Reid
Isaac Ava
Jewellery By Trudy
Luana Poerio
Magnolia Restrepo
Merry Band of Plague Doctors
Oh Frances 
Pattern Passion 
Rowan Tree Designs
Tess Tickle's Treasures
Twice Fired 
Urban Fox
Zara Mia Ava
Zoe Barber

While the event is free numbers are limited, to book your place please go to eventbrite.


For more information please see the facebook event

Wednesday 24 February 2016

Planning on proposing this leap year?

Since we're in a leap year and it's approaching the 29th February, the day when traditionally it's the woman's turn to do the proposing, we thought we'd use the opportunity to give anyone (of any gender) who's planning to propose to their loved one a hand with planning a romantic meal.

With the exception of the soup these recipes all use ingredients which can be found in the shop, and as you can see look ever so appetising served in Margaret Glackin's beautiful ceramics. Plus while you're in the shop you can buy everything else you might need, including the jewellery.

To start: Ireshopeburn Chestnut Soup (serves 6, so if you're cooking for 2 you can enjoy the next day as well!)


Ingredients
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 shallots, chopped
1 small carrot, chopped
7oz celeriac, chopped
1lb fresh chestnuts (see below for preparation)
2 pints vegetable stock
1 stick cinnamon 
1 small potato, chopped
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 x 110g pack blue stilton, crumbled
flat leaf parsley to garnish

Chestnuts: choose heavy, hard, shiny brown ones. Preheat oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6. Cut a cross shape in each chestnut, lay them on a baking sheet and place in the oven for 15-20 minutes, removing when the skins start to curl around the cut. Peel while still warm.

Soup
Heat oil in a large saucepan and cook onion, carrot and celeraic over a medium heat for 5 minutes. 
Add chestnuts, stock, cinnamon and potato. 
Bring to the boil then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 25-30 mins until the vegetables are tender. Remove the cinnamon stick and leave to cool slightly before blending until smooth.
Reheat then serve topped with crumbled stilton and parsley leaves.

Main course: Thai Chicken Skewers



To finish: chocolate mousse (serves 4)

Ingredients
100g / 3 1/2oz Guppy's plain chocolate, broken in to pieces
250ml / 8fl oz soya cream, plus extra to serve
1tbsp brandy, rum, Amaretto or Cointreau
A few toasted flaked almonds to decorate

Place the chocolate in a bowl over a pan of gently simmering water (the bowl should not be in the water) and leave for a few minuted until the chocolate has melted. 
Add the soya cream and alcohol to the chocolate, then whisk until the mixture has cooled and thickened a little.
Pour the mousse in to 4 serving dishes and chill overnight, until it is lightly set. Top each serving with a spoonful of soya cream and a toasted almonds.


If you've not left enough time for a dish that requires an overnight chill, this delicious Jamie Oliver ice-cream dusting can be made in minutes: just put 3 tbsp coffee beans, 80g hazelnuts and an 80g pot of Guppy's cocoa nibs in a blender and blitz, then serve over ice-cream.
 

Friday 19 February 2016

New seller round-up

As per usual for the time of year we've had a lot of new sellers arrive recently to join us in Fabrication, so we thought it was about time we gave you a round-up of who's new in store. So, in no particular order, we are pleased to introduce to you...

Creation Crafts

Creation crafts sell both finished products or, for the crafter, the paper is available in sheets. The beautiful designs are based on kimono fabrics and are all hand printed in Japan.


Little Wings Butterflies

If you are looking for an unique and bespoke little gift come and have a look at my beautiful butterfly frames. Each one is handmade with paper cut butterflies and mounted with their wings slightly bent to give a lovely eye catching 3D effect . I create different pieces each time but I can make personal frames to order by adding a name, date of birth or any colour scheme. Please find me on Facebook or go to Fabrication for more info.
 



Zoe Barber Design

Handmade jewellery in silver with quirky detail in brass, copper and polymer clay.

 

Street Lane Framing

I frame all items from pictures to shirts. Make mirrors and undertake various crafting projects. You name it, we frame it. 


Pattern Passion

Preeti's love for nature reflects in her designs which she draws and paints with passion. These unique handmade patterns adorn silk womenswear, scarves, cushions, purses, wristlets and art prints. 



 Spider & Fly

At Spider & Fly I believe childhood is too short for boring clothing. I try to create colourful and exciting clothes for babies and toddlers that are also functional. It all started when i hady son and was disappointed with boys clothing on the high street - not willing to settle I started making things that were fun and made to last. 


 Hollybush

At Hollybush we run training short courses in basic woodwork open to everyone.  Alongside this we have ongoing sessions for adults with learning disability and mental health recoverers. Producing items to a saleable standard is an important part of our ethos.

We make simple items from recycled pallets and sustainably sourced new timber. Some items are hand painted mainly by two talented ladies from Poland. A range of larger items and bespoke commissions can be obtained by contacting us.

Delighted to bring our curve roofed hedgehog homes, robin boxes, boot pulls and painted trugs to Fabrication.

We are planning to involve several of our long term volunteers in supporting our unit at Fabrication.


Guppy's Chocolates

Guppy's Chocolates are Peter and Fran Guppy and we are passionate about all things chocolate! All our delicious chocolates are handmade & hand packaged from our family-run premises in York. We pride ourselves on carrying on the family traditions of the Rowntrees and Terry's families, handmaking great quality chocolates in the City of York.

Naturally Thinking

High quality aromatherapy based products made from carefully sourced ingredients.

Beyond Benefits

Luxury handmade body products made using aromatherapy principles to benefit your body and mind