I'm Opening A Shop

My husband John and I are planning to open a small arts and craft gallery/shop early in August.  It will be on the first floor of De Courcy's Arcade (Eli Handmade, which currently stocks some of my work, is on the ground floor of the same building).

As well as selling some of my knitting, we will be stocking many other artists' and crafters' work on a commission basis.

More details to follow, both here and (more frequently) on my business Facebook page (see link on the left of this page).

This photo is quite an old one off De Courcy's Arcade's Facebook Page, and there's no longer a flower seller at the entrance.  Follow the link to find a useful map.

Eli Handmade

For six weeks only, until the shop closes at the end of June due to relocation, a few Baljaffray Handknits items are available in the Eli Handmade shop on the ground floor of De Courcy's Arcade in Cresswell Lane in Glasgow's West End (G12 8AA).

The shop is currently stocking some of my cushions, tea cosies, mugs with cosies, a Kindle case and an ipad case.  If you're in the area, do pop in and have a look.  The shop has an extensive range of hand made items.  I particularly like their amazing bags.

On a recent visit, I also spent a happy half hour in Cafe Go-Go.  I particularly recommend their strawberry Danish pastries!

Hats From Special Yarns

I've been working with some beautiful yarns from different sources lately which have inspired me to create some unique hats.

This one was created using beautiful chunky yarn from Strathearn Fleece and Fibre.  Using wool from their own sheep, they produce hand crafted yarns of every weight that are a delight to work with.  This particular hat is now available from the Loch an Eilein Gallery on the Rothiemurchus estate near Aviemore.  Incidentally, another picture of this hat has proved to be my most popular posting on Facebook.

This hat was also knitted using chunky yarn from Strathearn Fleece and Fibre.  It has a slightly fuller and more feminine shaping than my standard unisex beanie.

The yarn for this slouchy hat came from Snip, Tack and Sew in Crieff.  The wool and acrylic mix yarn is beautifully soft.  The yarn gradually changes colour to give these vibrant bands in the finished hat.  This particular hat is also now at the Loch an Eilein Gallery, but I loved it so much that I went back to Crieff on the way home to purchase some more and I knitted an identical one.  Now the replacement hat has sold as well!

A New Venue in the West End of Glasgow

As well as the Byres Road Makers Market, in May I will be exhibiting in another West End venue.  Bohemia Moon Arts Craft Fairs is holding fairs in Hillhead Baptist Church in Cresswell Street, just off Byres Road on May 11th and June 15th.

This venue is also close to the vintage and arts shops in De Courcy's Arcade in Cresswell Lane, so if you feel like a leisurely browse, visit both and take a break in one of the many local cafes in between.  The June 15th fair is in the middle of the West End Festival, so there'll be lots going on in the area that day.

Up to Aviemore

The Loch an Eilein Gallery on the Rothiemurchus estate near Aviemore opens again for the summer this Saturday (despite the fact there's still snow up there).  For a second year, I have the privilege to be exhibiting/selling my work there in 2013.

For more information, take a look at their website here.

New Craft Fair Venues

The craft fair diary has some more dates in it after making some new bookings this week.  As well as exhibiting regularly in Glasgow's West End at the Byres Road Makers Market in Hillhead Library as I did last year, I've booked fairs at two new venues in Glasgow city centre.

The Crafters Roadshow will be running regular fairs at the Lighthouse (off Buchanan Street).  I'm looking forward to exhibiting there for the first time next month.

Bohemia is holding fairs in Glasgow's Tron Theatre and I'll be there for the first time in April.

See my craft fairs page (left) for full details.  If you live in Glasgow, please come and see me at one of these venues.  I'm hoping to add more dates and at venues outside Glasgow in the coming weeks.

How Can I Buy Baljaffray Hanknits Items?

If you browse through my website and see something you might like to buy, you might be interested to know that you can do so in 3 different ways:

• At Craft Fairs  See the craft fairs page for details of forthcoming events.
• Through shops and galleries which stock my work  See the relevant page on this website.  The Loch an Eilein Gallery on the Rothiemurchus Estate near Aviemore will also take orders for items if you live in that area or even if you are just visiting (they will post orders for an additional charge).  Out of season, when the gallery is closed, the estate shop handles enquiries on behalf of the gallery.  In Glasgow, the Magpie's Eye Gallery in Govan also handles orders but only for personal collection from the shop.
• Online Although I don't currently have a web shop, I am happy to take orders via email.  See the "Contact Me" page.  I would ask you to pay via Paypal immediately prior to dispatch, having previously agreed the price (including P&P) beforehand.   I have many items in stock for immediate dispatch but I can also knit items that are currently out of stock within a day or two, subject to yarn availability.