Manchester UK

Another venue lost

I’m very sad to report that Manchester has lost its newest and most exciting social/community centre for the time being. Due to a number of factors, The Chapel has had to cease using the premises they had. I’m saddened by this not only on the CofC front but also because I saw how much hard work was going into running the other activities and events that went on there. I have made some good friends and there is a lot of passion and energy behind the project so hopefully it won’t be too long until something else is up and running.

At the moment Manchester is a-buzz with creativty of all kinds as Manchester International Festival takes place. I’ve been checking out various bits and pieces as I can. Last Sunday was probably my favourite part so far when I was part of the assembled hordes for  Turner Prize winner Jeremy Deller’s  Procession. I have a lot of love for my home city and the wider region so it was great to see so many aspects of what makes the place represented. I liked the fact that as well as covering the more usual bits of Manchester’s history (the milland the music), some of the more hidden bits of  the city-region were looked at: from the goth/emo kids outside Urbis to the Big Issue sellers. My favourite float was definitely the Celebration of the Chip, and I don’t even like fish and chips.

I was very taken with the beautiful banners, the same way I love the ones in the People’s History Museum. Gorgeously sewn bright banners which looked fantastic in the summer sun. You can go find out more about the Procession at The Cornerhouse gallery or by looking at the website www.manchesterprocession.com

Church of Craft Manchester UK

I am very happy to announce that after being venue-less for many months Church of Craft Manchester is in the final stages of acquiring a new home for 2009.

From January 2009 onwards, Church of Craft Manchester will be congregating at The Marbella Cafe, a lovely space in a lovely building. You can find out more about Marbella just here . Having recently sampled their food I can definitely vouch for them.

SUnshine Studios where Marbella is based is a great place too, lots of exciting things happening there from dance classes to art shows in the Upper Space gallery. And for those who don’t have to patience to sew our unique threads (which is most of us at least some of the time), there is the very lovely Silverwood Shop there too.

I look forward to seeing all of you in January !

Love

Rev. Steph

Church of Craft Manchester meets the Chapel

After a considerable number of set backs with finding a suitable home for Church of Craft Manchester (we’ve lost two venues the week before meetings were due, thanks to fire/flood and then an eviction) I am truly over the moon, sun and stars to announce that Church of Craft now has a permanant home at Platt Chapel, Fallowfield.

The Chapel is a 220 year old non-denominational church and a Grade II listed building, a far better environment than the cafes we’ve tried to make work in the past!  There is, of course, a cafe there, I cannot craft without some cake and a coffee, and I urge all of the Manchester congregation to buy their fairtrade and very reasonably priced drinks to help fund this new and wonderful social centre.

To celebrate the first week of opening the Chapel, we will be having a special one off Wednesday meeting, this Wednesday 25th March from 6pm until we get thrown out. The main project will be to decorate fabric squares which will then be used to create a beautiful piece of patchwork wall art for the Chapel.

On behalf of Church of Craft Manchester, I’d like to say a big thanks to all of those who have been involved in The Chapel project so far and I’m so happy to have finally found the Church perhaps its natural home in a chapel

Address : Platt Chapel, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M14 6JA

Contact revsteph@churchofcraft.org or 07905264567 for more details.

Crafty love

Rev. Steph

From the Bust Craftacular:

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CALLING ALL CRAFTERS!
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Vendor applications due November 7 for NYC and November 14th for LA. and London for BUST Magazine’s 2008 Holiday Craftaculars!

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THREE SPECIAL DATES ONLY!
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2008
10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2008
11:00AM-6:00PM

Happening at:
THE PENN PLAZA PAVILLION
(401 Seventh Avenue at 33rd Street, NYC)
THE ECHOPLEX L.A.
(1154 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles)
THE ST. ALOYSIUS SOCIAL CLUB
(London)

BUST Magazine’s Holiday Craftacular is set for Saturday, December 13 in NYC and December 6th in L.A. and London, and it’s going to be our BIGGEST ONE(S) EVER!

BUST Magazine will be hand-picking over 300 of the most unique and talented crafters from across the country to stuff your holiday stockings with the very best in indie-designed and handmade wares! Take care of your entire shopping list while browsing thousands of ware that will include knitwears, jewelry, beauty products, ornaments, vamped up vintage clothing, silk-screened apparel, gourmet sweets, handbags, chic and original iPod cases, funky home décor, books, sassy soaps (for the naughty and the nice!), cards, the best gear for babies and more. Then take a break from shopping as the BUST DJs jingle your bells on the Craftacular dance floor.

Independently owned and operated, BUST Magazine has been a leader in the crafting movement since 1993. Now in its 16th year, BUST continues to support and influence the handmade revolution though constant editorial coverage, sponsorships, and events such as the Holiday Craftacular. Always on the cutting-edge, BUST is a revered and trusted authority in the DIY and crafting community.

The Penn Plaza Pavillion is located at 401 Seventh Avenue, between 32nd and 33rd Streets. Subway to Manhattan: 1, 2, or 3 to 34th Street Penn Station, or N, R, Q, or W to Herald Square.
The Echoplex is located at 1154 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles and there is plenty of nearby street parking.
The St. Aloysius Social Club is located at 20 Phoenix Road, London

BUST Magazine’s Holiday Craftacular will take place 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM on December 13, and 11:00am to 6:00pm on December 6th in L.A. and London. Your entry ticket also gives you a shot at winning a BUST-load of booty in the Craftacular Raffle!

1. Fill out our online vendor applications today!

Apply for NYC here
http://www.bust.com/Craftacular/Apply-NYC.html

Apply for L.A. here:
http://www.bust.com/Craftacular/Apply-LA.html

Apply for London here:
http://www.bust.com/Craftacular/Apply-London.html

2. Pay the required non-refundable $10 application and processing fee that is payable at the time you submit your application. Checks and money orders should be made payable to BUST Magazine (78 Fifth Avenue, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10011, Attention: BUST Craftacular 2008) and must be postmarked by November 7, 2008 for NYC and November 14th for L.A. and London for your application to be considered. We will notify all applicants of their status on Tuesday November 14, 2008 for NYC and November 18th, 2008 for L.A. and London. If you are accepted as a vendor, your deposit will go towards the full booth fee of $250 due by November 21, 2008. All application and processing fees are non-refundable.

For a list of frequently asked questions, go to http://www.bust.com/craftacular/faq.html
Fees and dates vary for L.A. and London, so make sure you look for more info here:
http://www.bust.com/Craftacular/FAQ-LA.html
http://www.bust.com/Craftacular/FAQ-London.html</>

Got questions? E-mail us at craftacular@bust.com.

Be a sweetheart and jingle-tell your crafty pals about BUST’ Magazine’s 2008 Holiday Craftacular by forwarding this news widely!

See you under the mistletoe,

BUST Magazine

Handmade Nation

The indie craft movement is coming to a big screen near you with Faythe Levine’s new documentary and book, Handmade Nation!

Faith traveled to 15 cities and interviewed 80 crafters to gather material for the project. The movie includes an interview with Callie about the roots of the Church of Craft, and the book contains an essay along the same lines.

You can check the Handmade Nation website to find screenings of the movie in your area, and get some background by checking out Faythe’s blog.

Here’s the trailer: