In the meantime, you can still visit the store for ceramics painting, sewing and crochet workshops and shopping for haberdashery, yarn and handmade goodies. Paint It Up Friday, the BYOB ceramics painting session, has its LAST EVER outing this Friday night, 29th April and is bound to be memorable, so do stop by if you can.

You can find the Life Craft in De Courcy’s arcade, Cresswell Lane, Glasgow, or online at their website here and facebook page here.

Oh, and we almost forgot the generous portions of delicious homemade cake – worth a visit in itself!

Happy Easter! Come and join the party at Little Birds market, bringing the best of handmade and vintage goods to Sloans in Glasgow (access via Argyle Arcade) from 12-5pm today. There will be face painting, a prize draw and of course, delicious tea and cake from the tea rooms. Glasgow Craft Mafia member Love Me Again will be there, along with 24 additional vendors. Find out more here.

<

So much success and recognition in a fairly short space of time leads to the next step for many small businesses in the same boat - how to fulfil demand for a great product in as responsive a time as possible. Well, Bonnie Bling knows how, and you could help!

From Mhairi... "I used to make charm necklaces and accessories and loved the work the Glasgow Craft Mafia were doing so applied to join. I was super pleased when my application was accepted and I participated in lots of markets and loved that all the members could learn from each other, testing new ideas, discussing new designs. When we came up with Bonnie Bling later that year the Mafia became a great place to showcase our test products and see what the other crafters thought. Since then Bonnie Bling has grown steadily and is now stocked in around 15 locations in Scotland. Acquiring our own laser cutter would enable us to do our product manufacturing in house and have complete control over designs, cost and turnaround times reducing some of the major stumbling blocks for small business."

So how to support Mhairi in her endeavours to grow her business? Well you can always invest in your own piece of bling (we love the knuckledusters), so you can be cool ahead of the crowd, and what better way to do it via an opportunity for crowd sourced funding so you know you’re helping Bonnie Bling on the path towards expansion and keeping production here in the UK. For more information, visit Bonnie Bling’s website, or crowdfunding platform Bloom.

Good luck, team Bling, and let us know when you reach your target!

How about this beautiful notebook to jot down all the things busy mums need to remember, made by Pumpkin Sputnik:

If you have little ones, these beautiful keepsake plates can be made at the Life Craft. They’re just £9.99 each, and can be made in a range of colours and styles if blue and pink aren’t your thing. Hurry along to DeCourcey’s Arcade by Tuesday 13th March if you’d like yours to be ready for the day itself – they are kiln fired after painting. Remember to take your little ones along for those all important prints. If you don’t have any kids to hand, you can always paint something creative or personalised for your mum from the selection of ceramics on offer.

Not the crafty type yourself? The Little Birds market is back tomorrow, at Sloans from 12-5pm, and Craft Mafia member Love Me Again is there with a range of beautiful vintage homewares and gifts, as well as a diverse line up of modern crafts, jewellery and vintage delights. There’s always tea and cake too!

If your mum’s a shopper, she’ll love the range of bags over at Lucy Jackson designs. Beautiful, one of a kind pieces that your mum can use again and again, all designed and handmade by Lucy.

Of course you need a card, and where better to look than stationer extraordinaire, Asking for Trouble.

I can’t decide between theJammie Dodger card or the Vintage Buttons card – but that’s okay because if you buy both, you save £1! Great news!

For the new mum, how about a gorgeous birdie mobile from Girl Industries? Made to order with your choice of colours, commission yours by Tuesday 13th March to have one ready in time for the big day itself.

Click through to our members page to visit the rest of the mafia for more great gift ideas. Happy shopping, you’re bound to find something to make your mum smile!

You can get involved in the campaign to recruit their all time favourite DJing superstar, Mr Jarvis Cocker, by signing their petition over at www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/getcocker and keep an eye on their progress over on Twitter and Facebook. Whoever the guest DJ will be on the night, you are sure to be entertained by live performances by Miaoux Miaoux and Glasgow’s own Sonny Marvello.

If you can’t make it on the night, keep an eye out for photos and reviews of all the action over at the Pin-Ups website. But if you want to make it along, we recommend you book early to avoid disappointment, as Friday 30th March is going to be one big night out!

Photo by kirstieallsopp.co.uk

Check out this call to action from her production company (based right here in Glasgow, no less!) – it might be right up your street!

Do you have a special event you want to make the stuff of dreams – but have no idea where to start? If so, why not get Channel 4’s Craft Guru Kirstie Allsopp to help you make it happen as part of her new TV series.

We’re looking for people of all ages from all backgrounds – whether families or friends, entire streets, villages or community groups from across the UK. By joining Kirstie’s craft school – you’ll learn the ‘know how’ to craft a unique event that guarantees magical memories.

It could be a Jubilee summer street party, a family wedding (inc dress), Gala Day Fair & float extravaganza, Birthday celebrations including surprises, costumes and scenery for the school play, a Youth Centre opening, even homecoming events for the troops.

If you have an event you’d love to share on TV – and learn the fantastic crafting skills that will get it off the ground:-

Contact: craft@raisetheroofproductions.com

Join Laura and some exciting new vendors at Sloan’s this afternoon from 12 until 5pm. We’re particularly excited to see Zeug with their wonderful rescued furniture

and of course we’d never say no to a cake pop…

From Cake Boutique

Recently we were lucky to meet a new face on the Glasgow crafty scene, Craft Creative.  Camilla established Craft Creative in Liverpool before following her heart to Glasgow – which is appropriate because one of the main things her company does is to help brides to be and their friends to get together and make goodies for their wedding reception or as part of their hen do.  Guest crafters and creative types are on hand to guide you through a range of classes just for you and your mates, in the heart of Glasgow.

To find out more, visit the Craft Creative website or have a chat with Camilla on 07971144302.

There’s never been a better time to learn to sew! Sewing machines are becoming increasingly affordable, while clothes, accessories and homewares are getting more and more expensive.

Brush up your skills, or learn new ones with Carousel Sewing School, based in and around Glasgow. Their programme of lessons for October and November looks like this:

DRESSMAKING (Beginner) (Skirt)
4-week block – Cost £ 95
Saturday mornings 10am – 1pm on
29th Oct, 5th Nov, 19th Nov and 26th Nov

Contact carouselcreatives@gmail.com for more information on location, availability and future sessions, including a half day crash course to get you up and running!

There’s something for everyone at Albert Drive Studios this autumn.

Mixed Media Drawing Class Tuesday 25th October – 13th December 2011

Mixed Media Drawing Course for all abilities

During the course we will be exploring various drawing techniques, using a variety of media and in the main we will be drawing from organic forms.

The classes are held in the relaxed setting Attic Billard Room of the studios.
The course runs from Tuesday, 25th October until 13th December, 2 – 4pm
Fee £90 and includes most materials and tea/coffee.

To book your place contact Hilary on 07805 346 314.

Come Dine with Us at Albert Drive Studios

Here at Albert Drive Studios we are excited to be launching Come Dine with Us, a private dining experience hosted by Hilary and Eta, enthusiastic well seasoned cooks.
The first dinner on Saturday 12 November 2011 will reflect the season and consists of a welcome aperitif, followed by three home-cooked courses and includes wine with your meal.

The menu will be:

Uncle Bobby’s spiced apple and parsnip soup served with soda muffins
Marmalade glazed cooked ham with pumpkin, chestnut and cranberry risotto served with a side of autumn coleslaw
Gingerbread and custard and
Brandy snaps and orange cream

Cost £20 per person
Places are limited to 12 diners

Be the first to join the Come Dine with Us experience –
Note your interest to Hilary on 07805 346 314 or albertdrivestudios@googlemail.com

Life Drawing Day At Albert Drive Studios -Saturday 22nd October-10am – 4:00 pm

Life Drawing Day
At Albert Drive Studios

Saturday 22nd October

10am – 4:00 pm
(Soup Lunch included)

Only £35

Book your place on a fun full-day of figure drawing at the studios.

Whether you’re a beginner with no experience of life drawing, a dab hand just wanting a refresher or a student preparing a portfolio, there’s nothing better than the experience of working from life for improving your drawing skills.

To book a place (subject to availability) please email lifedrawingglasgow@gmail.com

Our very own mafia member, The Life Craft, has moved to new premises in DeCourcy’s arcade. For a full schedule of activities, check the website or become a friend on Facebook.