Birthdays, workshops, craft fairs...it's all happening!

Well here is a bit of a mega blog post just to bring you up to date with all the latest happenings.

Countdown to new website going live......

The new web shop is almost there (as in almost days away). It has take some major hard work but the site is getting to a stage where we are happy with it. We discovered in the process of putting up the products that we hold more than 12000 products. I know, scary right? But I suppose by the time you add up sheets of paper, buttons, paints, brushes, beads its not an unrealistic figure. So we are not going to be putting 12000 products on line as that is just asking for trouble. We are instead going to take baby steps and the first month will be a test period for the new site so a few of your favourites and new lines will be going up and each day we will add a few more. Anyway I hope to be giving away lots more info on this early next week so I'm not going to give away too much now

Its our birthday!

3rd Birthday Celebrations. I cant believe the shop turns three this Saturday. From a personal point of view it feels like such a milestone as I remember when we opened we never new would we see year three as it seemed so far away. Well we are glad to say that we are still here and it is because of the loyalty, friendship and support our customers have shown us not to mention our staff (big shout out to Clare and Ebony). So year three I hope is going to be a good one and maybe even the year that some our "BIG" goals are realised. Again I am dropping hints but I just don't want to jinx any plans but needless to say watch this space.

So to celebrate our 3rd Birthday there will be of course some special offers in store Saturday and Sunday. We are also hosting a scrapbooking workshop on Saturday the 19th March from 12pm to 2pm. It is 30 Euros for a whole lots of materials so book by giving us a call on 0646630800

Sunday we are hosting our very own Crafty Alley Shop Craft Fair and we are inviting our amazingly talented customers to take a table and demonstrate and hopefully sell their handmade goods. No charge to participate or to attend but if you do want to take a stand on the day please give us a call so we can allocate space.

Upcoming Workshops

We have two very exciting workshops coming up.

April 2nd 2011, Colourway Knitting Techniques with Carol Fellers 

Carol is back with a very special knitting workshop especially designed for The Crafty Alley Shop. When I say especially designed I mean that Carol has actually written an exclusive pattern for the workshop!

(Sneak peak of Carol's exclusive pattern for the workshop)

Here is what Carol had to say "I’m having lots of fun putting together the colourwork class for you! I’m busy putting the finishing touches to the cowl pattern that should be a really good introduction to stranded knitting. As its knit in the round it is by far the easiest way to experiment with stranded knitting. (Plus you get an introduction to continental style knitting!) Intarsia and slip stitch colour pattern work will also get a mention."


This really is a not to miss workshop and we are thrilled to have Carol back with us. The cost is 40Euro for tuition and pattern. Yarn is sold seperately and we would appreciate it if the yarn has or is purchased from The Crafty Alley Shop. We are bringing in a new yarn especially for the class so more information on that to follow as well as needle requirements. You can read more about Carol here. Also remember that we stock some of Carol's patterns in the shop. 

......................................

April 11th 2011 Make a felt bag with Mairead Sharry

The second workshop we have coming up is with the amazing talented and inspiring Mairead Sharry.

This is the third felting workshop Mairead has taught at The Crafty Alley Shop and we are thrilled to have her back. Mairead will be teaching how t make a felt bag using the wet felting technique. 


Felting a bay with Mairead Sharry Monday April 11th 20100 10.30AM to 12:00PM 25 Euro including materials. 


One again we are taking booking for Mairead's workshop now s please call 0646630800 to book your place. You can read more about Mairead here. 


I hope that was not information overload but just had to get all the information out there. 


Will be back next week with some more news so in the meantime Lá Fhéile Pádraig Shona Duit agus go raibh a mile maith agat (Happy St Patricks Day and Thank you). 


Cathy

Blog Candy

The Crafty Alley Shop Blog Candy Giveaway



Includes the Tim Holtz and Pizzazzil Papers you see in the picture above which would make a nice addition to any crafters stash!


Hi all, to be in with a chance to win this very cool blog candy all you have to do is the following...


1. Become a follower of this blog or my personal blog (or even better - both!)
2. Leave us a comment on this post
3. Tell your friends and let us know how you told them!
(Maybe a few lines on your blog or facebook page etc.)

I will announce the winner next Sunday evening (7th Feb)!OPen to everybody in Ireland, UK and furter afield!

Oh and if you want to know why we want you to follow us, its becuase in a few weeks we are going to be adding some amazing new products on our brand new website. Plus, we are going to be having regular competitions and giveaways and you will be able to see some of the latest products and techniques right here first! 

Thanks for your support and Good Luck!

*** This is open to followers of the shop blog http://www.craftyalley.blogspot.com/ and also my personal blog http://www.thescrappyknitter.blogspot.com/ ***

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 ***

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.

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!

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!

Thanks

Well the opening was a great success and lots of fun was had by all. From the face painting to the jewelery making workshops there was something for everybody to do. Thanks to The Kerryman which did a great feature on us.

Thanks to the girls from Cork Croppers and Craft Eire for visiting too.

We are still working away on the website which will hopefully be up within the next week or two at the latest. In the meantime to give a taste of what we have in the shop I will be putting up some product information on the blog.

The workshops were also a great success and we are going to be advertising the programme of workshops from now til September over the coming days.

For now I can confirm that drawing takes place every Monday evening in the shop from 7pm to 8.30pm and jewelery making will be held in the shop the first Sat of every Month from 12pm to 1.30pm.

Other workshops coming up include

Scrapbooking
Cardmaking
Watercolour Painting
Oil Painting
Acrylic Painting

Please email me if you are interested in any of the classes and places are limited.

Thanks