Created in Birmingham

The concept of knitting as a conciousness raising activity has interested me since I came across it at a Ladyfest years ago, so it’s good to see something similar happening here.

You’ll have seen them at events like the Moseley Folk Festival and now they have their own monthly meet in the back room of the Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath. Here’s the Facebook group.

The fifth and final edition of Antonio Gould’s New Media 4Casts is online covering how engaging with the blogging community can help creative types reach new customers across the world. The core example, which I’d encourage you to check out, is Emily Malcom’s Black Apple blog. Subscribe on the site or listen here:

Designer Maker West Midlands is running a couple of Seminar Discussion Days at the Arts Council offices on Granville St.

The events are aimed at supporting mid-career makers wishing to engage in discussion on ideas for new work and developing new markets. The intention is to provide an opportunity for debate, the exchange of ideas and the practical working up of plans for new work and new markets.

21st Jan sees “In Conversation with Leading Practitioners” with “In Conversation with Curators and Gallery Professionals” following on 11th Feb. No mention of cost so I’m guessing they’re free though booking is essential as numbers are limited. Full details including speakers. via D’log

Arts and Crafts and Stuff is a Facebook group “from the West Midlands to promote local stuff, explore ideas and discover crafty blogs or etsy sites”. Well worth joining if you’re of that ilk, I reckon. The number of fairs and markets along these lines in the region implies there’s definitely a community out there. Be nice to see them come together somewhere.

It was started by One Whining Wench whose blog I’ll be keeping tabs on.

The Flair Designer Maker Fair takes place at Light House in Wolverhampton on Saturday November 17th from 10am - 3pm.

Festive Flair returns for another Christmas season offering some of the region’s best contemporary and unique craft and designer wares. Soak up some festive cheer and stroll around over 40 stalls in the courtyard of the historic Chubb Buildings with a glass of warm mulled wine and buy hand-made craft pieces from high quality makers. Flair, Light House’s regular Designer Maker Fair aims to showcase the creative talent within the region so come and enjoy this original shopping experience, meet the designer makers themselves and find something delightful for everyone on your Christmas list. Admission free. All welcome.

Marc Reck went to the International Mask Festival and tells all. His blog is turning into a pretty good place for cultural reports these days.

I’m liking Bunny Bissoux’s food badges a lot.

As always there’s a lot of stuff going on a the MAC. Here’s a couple of things of relevance to this blog.

First up is the Designer Maker Fair on the weekend of November 3rd-4th “showing the highest quality craft and design work to be seen in the region and beyond”.

And, according to Birmingham Words there’s also collecting memories of the MAC in poem form. “If you have a poem you’ve written about MAC, or you know someone who has, email it to Jacqui Rowe at jacquirowe [at] hotmail.co.uk. There’s no money in this, it isn’t a competition and Jacqui can’t guarantee publication but the poems will be seen in some way, through an exhibition, the programme or, possibly a small publication.”

The Designer Makers Handbook is a neat publication put together by Designer Maker West Midlands and Craftspace. It contains a few interviews with practitioners and a whole gamut of contact details across the world and specific to the region. Download the 68 page PDF here.

via Creative Wolverhampton.

There’s to be an Arts and Designer Crafts Festival in the Jewellery Quarter on Saturday 14th July (10.30 am - 4.00 pm) where there’ll be markets in St Paul’s Square and by the Jewellery Quarter Clock, Jazz bands, gallery events and open workshops.

Stalls are available for those interested in selling or demonstrating arts and designer crafts at £10 each. Which is quite cheap really.

More details from Anna Gibson on 0121 464 1191 or 07966 981 695 and anna.m.gibson@birmingham.gov.uk.