First (and I think quite importantly) Created in Birmingham have a shop - in the Bullring - not in a dusty corner but opposite the Apple shop

(Photo courtesy of Katie Graczyk)

There are some needlesandhooks goodies on sale.  Embroidered and appliqued purses and new stitched pictures (photos to come in another post) as well as lots of other things all made here in Birmingham.

I popped into the shop on Thursday evening to do a bit of birthday shopping and bumped into Ben Waddington installing his jewellery.  Jewellery isn’t something that I normally associate with Ben so I was intrigued when he asked me to take a look

The rings (size R) are made from £1 coins with the centre ground out.  It’s done by a clever computerised process and leaves just the very edge of the coin as a ring.

I then asked if it was illegal to do this to a coin of the realm but Ben assured me that it wasn’t.  Another thing it made me realise was that I have no idea what my ring size is.  Will need to find out before Matt can buy me a yellow diamond ring

It came with a box full of accessories but no instructions.

Since I’ve only ever seen other people use knitting machines I needed help.  Help arrived in the form of Liz Healy.  After a cup of tea and a chat we got down to the serious work of setting up the machine and testing it out.

I’m happy to report that it seems to work fine.  I also found an instruction manual on Ebay for 99p.  I just need to buy some suitable guage wool for it as my hand knit stash is too thick.

Picture was taken in the food hall of Isetan department store, Tokyo. mmmmm delicious

Thanks to the kind generosity of Ruth Green some needlesandhooks goodies will be on sale at Spitafields Market from Tuesday 15 - Sunday 20 December 9 - 4pm.  Ruth will also be selling some prints by my good friend Ben Javens.  You should really all go along and spend some money.  Off you go then

I did see lots of lovely things including the new window displays for Jigsaw

I wonder what happens to the window furniture when the display is finished? I think these would look brilliant in my studio.  I might just go in to the Birmingham branch and find out…

Things are a hotting up here at needlesandhooks.  The house is a hive of activity with the building work in the loft nearly finished and just 2 weeks until my 2 London shows.

As exciting as my new bathroom, bedroom and store room are there is still loads of work to do before I can kick back and relax in my penthouse suite.  For one, I’ve got a really long list of products to complete for the London shows.

I’ll be exhibiting at Handmade in Britain (11 - 14 Nov) which is held at Chelsea Old Town Hall and Mid Century Modern (15 Nov) which is held at Dulwich College.

Am very nervous (and excited) about both shows especially Handmade in Britain.  It will be the 1st time I have exhibited there and I’ve never visited the show either.

It will be the usual mix of accessories and cushions for both shows although I’ll be exhibiting some hand knitted lace cushions at Mid Century Modern which won’t be available at Handmade in Britain.

I’d better get back to work as there’s a lot to do.

I’ve just completed commission no 3 - a black denim jacket for a private client.  I’m really pleased with the results.  If you want to see more photos click here.

Marvins Magical Mini Mart will be springing into action as part of Pop Up Shop on 47 Corporation Street, Birmingham.

Pop Up Shop on the ground floor will feature lots of independent retailers from Birmingham and Marvin’s Magical Mini Mart on the 1st floor will feature Ben Javens, Ruth Green, Love To Print, Focus Point Photography, Joe Rogers and Sarah Coulston

It will only be around for 3 days 24 - 26 September from 10 - 6pm.  So come along and see us hard at work in Marvin’s Magical Mini Mart

For more information about Pop Up Shop you can follow them on twitter here or join the Facebook group here

It’s all in a good cause though.  I’ve had to move so that the builders can insulate my studio, replace the window and put a radiator in.  They’ll also be building a new bathroom and storeroom in the unused loft space.

I’d forgotten how much room there is up there.  It was quite hard to see it hidden behind piles of fabric and pattern paper

So for now I’m taking over the front bedroom as my studio and working around boxes of music equipment and old bank statements.  It’s a bit cramped but I can’t complain, I’ve managed to get my cutting table in which is the main thing.

All that’s left to do now is argue with Matt about where my studio goes after the work is done.  I think I should have the big front room, he thinks otherwise…

But your not interested in that really.  I have been doing some work on the wall commission.  I went shopping while in Paris for fabric.  There is a whole section of the city (just round the corner from the Sacre Coeur in Montmatre) dedicated to discount fabric shops.  My idea of heaven.  Thanks very much to Fuzzy Galore for the shopping tips

I managed to acquire (using my rudimentary French, the international language of hand signs and a guide book) some quite fabulous fabric for the main part of the piece.  I bought some really lovely linen, some upholstery weight loose weave cotton and a woven patterned velour.

I’m going to create a patchwork background and then applique and embroider the design on top.  So I’ve created a sample block to show to clients.

I’d better get back to my studio and get making more blocks

I’ve also just finished a commission for a private client in London.  I’ve made a large cushion set with flight embroidery using vintage 1940’s wool crepe, printed Japanese cotton and recycled satin polyester.

Am really pleased with the cushions - in fact I would like to keep them.  If you want to see more photos click here