Beginners Craft Club.

Would you like to learn more about Scrapbooking and Card Making? Come and join us on Saturday 30th January from 2-5pm and see what all the fuss is about!

The cost for the afternoon is €30 and you will go home with a goodie bag full of stash!

This class is for total beginners and anyone who has been "dabbling" in papercrafts. Give us a call at 064 66 30 800 to book your place.

*** Please note due to weather conditions we have changed the date from the 9th of Jan to the 30th Jan ***

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in 2010

Just a little message to thank you all for supporting The Crafty Alley Shop in 2009 as we moved into our second year of trading. We are really excited about 2010 with lots of plans to be put into action and lots of creating to be done!

Wishing you all a peaceful and Happy Christmas

Cathy xxx

Knitpro Symfonie Wood Needles arriving any day now!

We are very excited as the long awaited Symfonie Wood needles are due in the shop this week. As well as the single and double pointed needles plus crochet hooks and a few other bits we are also getting a limited number of sets in just in time for Christmas.

All needles come with sharp, tapered tips


» Available in extremely Attractive Colour Combination/Pattern

» Lightweight, yet exceptionally strong & durable

» Lustrous Wood Surface designed to provide more grasp to easily cope with slick yarns like angora and mohair

» A knitters best companion – smooth surface allows for hours of convenient knitting and the Symfonie wood provides that much–needed warmth to hands

So watch this space and I will post more details as soon as they arrive!

Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef Workshop

The "Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef" is a worldwide project that marries mathematics, marine biology, handicraft, community art practice and environmental consciousness-raising. People all over the world - from London and New York to Capetown - are collectively crocheting coral reefs, a woolly testimony to the disappearing wonder of living reefs ... See Morethat are being devastated by global warming. At the workshop, participants will begin the process of making an "Irish Reef," to be exhibited alongside the international crochet reef collection at Science Gallery in Spring 2010.


We are delighted that Stitchlily will be running this workshop during our normal Crafty Knit and Stitchers group on Friday the 4th December at 10AM in the shop.

Visit http://www.woolyway.blogspot.com/ blog or http://www.sciencegallery.com/ for more information.

Customer Appreciation Evening Invitation

New Stash!

I was like a child in a sweet shop when I went into the shop today to see the new yarns I had ordered in so I treated myself to a ball or two!

My new stash includes all Sirdar yarns (Tiny Tots DK, Click Chunky and Escape Chunky). Now which one to start with?

One little girls cardigan complete!

Delighted I got ths finished so I can move on to the next knitting project. It actually knitted up really quickly but as always it is the 80:20 rule and it seemed to take forever to get it sewn up and buttoned. The buttons are some new ones that I just got into the shop and I was delighted with how they finished it off!

Yarn: Sirdar Big Softie

SEW many projects SEW little time....

I am ridiculously excited as the lovely postie just delivered my gorgeous Sew book by Cath Kidston. I have gone a bit needlecraft book mad recently both for my personal and shop stash. I had no idea that the book included everything you need to make a bag (even though it says so literally on the cover) including the lovely material. So more gorgeous things to add to my list to make but first I better knock another item off the list before the day is out.

Mini Book for Sister

Terrible picture I know but this is the mini word book I completed for my sister. It is made using the Bo Bunny Friend Word album and was great fun to make. This is my first mini book and I can see how mini books can be so addictive!

To Make List

• One sister's minibook gift
• One little girl's cardigan
• One Mother's cardigan
• One little boy's cardigan
• One mini book swap book
• One mosaic mirror
• Two mosaic side tables
• One Oil Painting
• One Christmas Mini Book Swap
• One knitted purse
• One New Year Mini Book Swap

Ok so this is everything I have made a start on which I can't wait to finish as I have at least another gazillion projects to start. Strikethrough means it is done and I will add to the list as I add to the projects!

The Scrappy Knitter

So I was thinking that if I used this blog to write down my projects that it may motivate me to get them finished!

I liked the name the Scrappy Knitter as my life is very Scrappy  as I have so much going on and I am trying to Knit all the pieces together as best as I can....

I hope you enjoy following my journey as much as I look forward to following yours x

The Crafty Alley Shop at the RSVP Christmas in Killarney Fashion Event

We are delighted to be bringing our shop along to the RSVP Christmas in Killarney Fashion Event which promises to be a very fun and glamorous night. Some of our most delectable yarns and Christmas gifts will be exhibited so if you are going pop over and say hello!

Spinning Day a Great Success

Though I would put up some pics that Orla sent on from The World Wide Spin in Public Day which we held in the shop. Everyone had a great time and the spinners got a lot of attention! We were delighted to host the event and are looking forward to our next one on felting taking place on the 3rd October in the Shop. Details to follow...

The Craft Club at Robyn's House

Just a little note to say a big thank you to one of our newest members of our Crafty Alley Shop Craft Club Robyn Correa who very kindly invited us over to take over her kitchen and make some beautiful cards. Robyn is a very gifted crafter and demonstrator and we had great fun making her designs. Robyn also demonstrated The Big Shot for us which was really interesting as we have just got it in stock and were amazed by all the different things you can do with it and how simple it is to use. Thanks also to Robyns daughter who made the most delicious chocolate cake for us! The Craft Club meets again this Saturday in the shop from 2pm to 5pm.

The Crafty Knit and Stitchers

Our first get together of The Crafty Knit and Stitchers was a great success I am delighted to report. A fab bunch of ladies turned up with their needles, yarns, advice and laughs. We had a really great mix from total beginners to total experts and there was great support offered for newbies and people stuck on projects.

Just a reminder that we meet every Friday morning from 10am to 12pm in the shop. Also this Saturday we are hosting a World Wide Spin in Public Day and there will be spinning demonstrations in the shop from 2pm to 5pm.

Hope to see you there!

Cathy

Worldwide Spin in Public Day at The Crafty Alley Shop

In conjunction with the fabulous Wooly Way of Ireland people we are delighted to be hosting an event for the International Spin in Public Day.

Date: 19th Sept 09
Time: 2pm to 5pm
All levels welcome
More Info visit
http://www.wwsipday.com/

So bring your spinning wheel or even just your curiosity and enjoy and learn about this amazing craft.

We look forward to seeing you there

We will update the blog on anymore info for the event.

International Day of Felt at The Crafty Alley Shop

We are delighted to be hosting the International Day of Felt on the 3rd of October 2009 in the The Crafty Alley Shop, Killarney. You can find out more information on http://www.feltunited.com/.

"2009 is the United Nation's International Year of Natural Fibres, It will be the first year for an International Day of Felt.
Felters from around the globe will join together displaying their felt by exhibiting it outside their homes and studios.

The theme for this year will be a slice of the colour wheel, yellow through red." (http://www.feltunited.com/)


Event: Open Felting Session
Where: The Crafty Alley, 6B Scotts Street, East Avenue Road, Killarney
Time: 2pm-5pm
All levels welcome. Experinced spinners come and show us your felting, share techniques. Beginners, come along and have a try...
Contact: The Crafty Alley Shop 06466 30800

So come and join in the fun, frolicks and felting and spread the word.

The Crafty Kidz Club back in September

Our junior art and craft workshops will resume every second Saturday from the 12th September and 10am. Details of each class will be posted in advance and some pictures put up afterwards. As you know places fill up normally a week before the workshop so book early to avoid disappointment.

The Crafty Alley Craft Club

Our cardmaking and scrapping club will take place in the shop this Saturday the 29th August from 2pm to 5pm and we have lots of fun stuff planned. Please book ahead as places are limited.

The Crafty Knit and Stitchers

This year after getting numerous requests we started selling yarn and all the bits and bobs to go with it. As a result we have met some fabulous people and we have decided to set up a weekly knit an stitch group in the shop every Friday from 10am to 12pm. There is no cost involved just bring your yarn and needles and meet some other fabulous knit and stitchers.

The Midlands Craft Club

Hi there, just to let you know we will be bringing the shop along to the Midlands Craft Club this Sunday the 30th August. We will be spoiling the ladies with some of our newest lines and some that wil lliterally be coming off the plane from the states on Friday so watch out!

We are looking forward to meeting all the lovely scrappers there again.

Visit their website for more information if you are interested in attending and we will see you there!

Announcing the new Laurence Lewelyn-Bowen paper crafting collection at The Crafty Alley Shop

We are very excited to announce that we now have in stock the Laurence Lewelyn-Bowen papercrafting collection.

Laurence Lewelyn-Bowen is a classically trained fine artist who has been an influential designer for over twenty years. Famous for his flamboyant personality and flair for all things creative, Laurence has now put his unique style into a collection for crafter.

The Llewelyn-Bowen collection been created using hand drawn designs from his personal sketch book, where contemporary designs mix delightfully with glamorous styles from times gone by.

Retro Rose

Retro Rose is full of nostalgic prints and flamboyant colours which makes for a bold and beautiful craft collection.

Venaissance

The Venaissance collection brings together the refined elegance of Venice with the lavish opulence of the Renaissance period in a complete paper craft collection.

Watch out as more items from the collections are added over the coming days.

You can view the products and read more about them at http://www.craftyalley.com/index.php?cPath=940_1073

Happy browsing and crafting!

Thanks for all the support at our WWKIP Day!

Thank you to everyone who turned up for our WWKIP Day at the shop last Saturday. It was nice to meet all the familiar and new faces.

Besides from the few showers which had us running in and out of the shop, it was a great success and we are really looking forward to the knitting circle starting in September.

We have everybodys contact details and we will be in touch as soon as dates are finalised.

So thank you and hope to see you really soon.

Oh - also the rest of our wool and patterns order arrived so we are now the proud shop keepers of Debbie Bliss, Sirdar, Tivoli, Patons, Rayher and Adriafil yarn....

Cathy

World Wide Knit in Public Day

We are delighted to announce that we will be hosting the World Wide Knit in Public Day outside The Crafty Alley Shop in Killarney this year on June 13th at noon.

Started in 1995 the World Wide Knit in Public Day is a fun event to promote the art of knitting and allow fellow knitters to get together and have some fun and show knitting is for everyone! This is the largest knitting event run in the world and shows that knitting can be a community activity.

Following on from this event we will be starting up a new knitting circle in September. We will give more details of dates and times as soon as we have them confirmed. This is a great way to meet new friends and knit over a cup of tea for a morning - bliss!

If you would like to take part come along on the day with your needles and yarn and join in - as simple as that. It may be advisable to bring a chair to sit on an an umbrella just in case. If it gets too wet we will move the event into the shop.

There will also be special discounts and promotions in the knitting section of the shop for everyone to enjoy on the day.

Over the last few weeks we have been building up a yarn section with plenty more to come in time for the big event. You can even purchase online through our new yarn section of the website.

Please email the shop at shop@craftyalley.com or call us on 0646630800 if you and your friends would like to take part!

For more information World Wide Knit in Public Day please visit www.kipday.com

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Cathy

Summer Camps at The Crafty Alley Shop

The Crafty Alley Shop is delighted to announce details of our Junior Art and Crafts Summer Camps .

Dates and Details

8th to the 10th July

28th to the 3oth July

19th to the 21st August

Each camp is run over 3 days and you can choose from a 10 O'Clock Camp or a 12 O'Clock Camp

The cost is €20 per camp (for 3 days). All materials included in the price.

Also our normal junior craft clubs will continue to run every second Saturday until the end of June and then every second Friday from the 3rd July.

Places are limited so please call 064 66 30 800 to reserve a place.

Watercolours with Jenni White 19th September

Renowned artist Jenni White will be holding a watercolours weekend in our new workshop room in Killarney on Saturday 19th September from 11pm to 5pm.

Places are limited. Please phone 064 66 30800 for more information and to reserve your place.

Visit http://www.jenniwhite.ie/ for more information on the artist.

New Adult Craft Club

Hi all,

After many requests I am really pleased to announce that our new adult craft club starts this Saturday 28th March from 2pm to 5pm. This group will meet one afternoon once a month here in our new workshop room at 6B Scotts Street (Beside Peter Marks and Heatons).

The format of the group will be an hour scrap booking, an hour card making, an hours free crafting and lots of tea, coffee and biscuits and chat!

This Saturday we are going to be creating a fabulous K&Company travel mini scrapbook. The card making is going to include 3D Decoupage and some surprises!

This group is almost full but we may be able to squeeze one or two more in so call us on 0646630800 if you wish to join this new group.

the group will meet monthly and there will be a new theme / technique taught at each class.

the price for the group is €30 which includes two classes, all materials, a goody bag and a great excuse to meet fellow crafters and learn new techniques.

We recommend that everyone brings along their own craft knife and mat both of which are available in the shop.

Pictures of the classes will be posted next week!

Upcoming Junior Classes and After Schools Craft Club

Hi all,

Well now that we have settled into our new premises our junior art and craft classes have recommenced.

The next one take place on Saturday 4th April at 10AM. Price is €7.50 and includes all materials. As usual places fill up fast so please call to confirm your place.

We will also be starting an after schools craft club staring on Tuesday 21st April from 4pm to 5.30pm. Price is €45 for 6 classes and includes all materials.

We also host birthday parties which are very popular for all age groups. Example of class themes includes textile, glass or ceramic painting, card making and scrap booking, jewelery making and lots more.

Phone 06430800 to book your place or for more information.

The Crafty Alley Shop has a new address!

PRESS RELEASE

6th March 2009

The Crafty Alley Shop Moves to Scotts Street

The Crafty Alley Shop, Kerry's largest art and craft supplier has changed address. The shop is now located at the Scotts Street development in Killarney after moving from New Street. Other anchor stores in this development include Heatons, Peter Marks, The Bagel Bar, The Lemongrass Restaurant and Scotts Hotel. The new premises at Scotts Street is highly visable from East Avenue Road, located beside an undergroud and outdoor car park. Internally, the shop is both wheelchair and buggy friendly.

“We are very excited about our new premises in Scotts Street. We felt that in order to grow our business and survive this challenging economic environment, we needed to move to a more accessible location with road frontage and parking facilities for our customers. A new purpose bulit workshop room and additional product lines have also been introduced to offer our customers a one stop shop for all their creative needs” says business owner Cathy Giles.
The products that can be found at the new premises in Scotts Street include a full range of artists materials, carmaking and scrapbooking supplies, jewellery making, knitting and needle craft as well as education supplies.

The Crafty Alley Shop is now located at their new premises at 6B Scotts Street, East Avenue Road.

Killarney Art Holidays

One of my New Year Resolutions was to try something that I have feared for as long as I can remember. I am not talking about flying or jumping out of an aeroplane, swimming with sharks or handling a snake - I'm talking about oil painting. It is probably one of the only art skills I have never attempted or wanted to, to be honest. I have thought about the reasons behind this and I think my avoidance came down to my impatience. I always thought oil painting would be too slow for someone like me who just likes to get on with things quickly.

So last week I booked myself in for a two day course with the renowned artist Tine Reed in her studio in Killarney. Tina is a regular visitor to The Crafty Alley Shop and every time I would see her I would think - ok I am going to book a course with her.

So off I went last Tuesday with my bag full of paints and knives. I had to treat myself to everything new as although I have a house jammed full of art products I had nothing for oil paining.

There were four of us taking the class with Tina. Everybody was immediately friendly and chatty so the ice was broken very quickly. Tine showed us the piece we would be working on for the two days which was a beautiful bluebell forest with a running stream through it. Of course, Tina's original version like all her wok was enchanting and beautiful. We had Tina's original and some study photos to work form as Tina took us through the composition step by step and layer by layer. As Tina will only take a limited amount of people in her studio, her student get plenty of help and attention.

A couple of challenges arose for me which I very soon got over. It was all to do with the new tools. Firstly we painted on MDF board which I was always dubious about but can see now why it is a perfect canvas (pardon the pun) to paint on. Most of the painting was done by knife which as first I thought I would never get the handle of but really enjoyed and the third was using Tina's infamous tool of the Dolls Needle, which she send drones of customers to our shop to buy. The needle which takes a bit of practice allows you to work with very delicate details such as thin branches and is actual quite fun and effective.

The two mornings seemed to fly in and I can undoubtedly say I am now hooked. So I will packing up the acrylics while I get myself further acquainted with my new oil friends.

I highly recommend Tina's class for beginners or improvers and you can find all the information you need on http://www.killarneyartholidays.com/index2.htm. We also might be twisting Tina's arm to come and deliver a class or two in our own art studio in the shop in spring! I will post as soon as I have confirmed details.

Get Inspired in 2009

I thought I would share some of my old coaching and training advice to help you set, meet and excel in your creative goals for 2009.

1. Reflect and Review on your creative highlights and low lights of 2009. What did you achieve? What would you have liked to achieve. In order to move forward, it is really important to learn from the past. So take the good and improve on it in 2009 and take the disappointments and start afresh with them in 2009.

2. Set goals which are S.M.A.R.T (Specific, measurable, attainable, realistically and timely). Don't set too many but be realistic. Start at creating goals to have achieved by the end of the year and break these down into monthly, weekly and daily goals to make them more achievable.

3. Start at least one new thing which you always wanted do. It does not have to be a specific creative skill like paining in oils for example but it could be taking walks in new locations - beaches, country houses, forests etc. You may not always find inspiration in a tube of paint but in a wave or a branch of a tree.

4. Write, write, write. I cannot express loud enough how much writing can unblock you and set your mind off in directions you may not have thought possible. Mind mapping is a wonderful way to brainstorm (look up Tony Buzan) or just plain doodling. Write in different colours and techniques. Its always a good idea to dump down everything that is on your mind in the first couple of minutes to free your mind up for more inspiration.

5. Learn from others. Read and view the works of others. Read inspiring books, blog and forums ( have listed some of my favourites at the end). Go to galleries, exhibitions, craft fairs.

6. Have fun, do not take it too seriously and if you don't achieve what you want when you first try, put it away and try again a a day or two!

Good luck and happy creating

Some inspiring reads....

Danny Gregory - The Creative License
Julia Cameron - The Artist Way
Any art and craft book which teaches new techniques
Tony Buzan - The Mind Map Book
Edward De Bono - How to Have a Beautiful Mind

A Happy Creative 2009 To You

Happy 2009,

I hope you have all had a peaceful and happy Christmas and are looking forward to a fresh New Year. I am one of those people who cannot wait to get the Christmas decorations up as early as possible. As soon as new year day arrives though, I cannot wait to pack them away and banish any tinsel from the house. I love starting the New Year basically and I like to start it fresh.

Even with all the talk of doom and gloom (and any small business can simple not ignore that) I believe that having a positive and creative approach will make 2009 a year to enjoy.

It is hard to believe that The Crafty Alley Shop will turn One in March. As we move into our second year we have lots of exciting events, ideas and promotions planned to keep not only ourselves but our customers inspired and creating.

In two weeks time we will launch our new Adult and Junior Workshop schedule. There will be some of the old favourites on the list but plenty of new ideas too.

Also we are now opening our classroom to instructors to use our facilities and run their own classes. This happened informally last year and was a great success. Art teachers and crafters can now rent the room on a half day or full day basis and run their own workshops in their specialised areas. This will open up lots of new workshops for our customers also.

So as we dust of Christmas and clear the way for the New Year we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued loyalty and support and looking forward to helping you achieve your creative goals in 2009.

If you would like some ideas on how to set these creative goals and make 2009 a year of inspirations and productivity, read my next post where I share some ideas on how to make a start.

Cathy