Save Lea Marshes Photo Competition

So earlier this year I entered the Save Lea Marshes 'What I Love About the Marshes' photo competition and won!!!

Well I am one of 12 winners and all our photos will feature in the Save Lea Marshes 2015 calendar and an exhibition. How exciting!

This is my winning entry - 'Snowy Walk' taken on 5th February 2012 

I was taking a lovely winter walk across the marshes and on the way to Springfield park, near Springfield Mariner. I could hear the shouts of joy from hundreds of sledgers enjoying the snow.

The exhibition will be on at the Waterworks Centre, Lammas Road (off Lea Bridge Road), E10 7NU from 9th April.

For more info about the exhibition and campaign please visit: http://www.saveleamarshes.org.uk/

This Weeks Top 10 Finds - E17 Designers Special

As a fairly new Walthamstow resident I jumped at the chance to join E17 Designers - a group of like-minded, talented locals who put on several events throughout the year, and after a successful Spring Fair last weekend I thought I'd highlight a few of my favs.

Unboxing Juliana creates handmade colourful lampshades using Brazilian fabrics decorated with buttons.

Little Mashers has a range of children's wear designed to encourage kids to be interested in growing and eating vegetables and cooking. I love this little chefs set.

Felled Light makes unique handcrafted lamps from fallen branches and vintage light shades.

Anja Jane is a print designer and creates gorgeous prints like this Peacock in a Tree.

Vintage Playing Cards specialises in greeting cards, frames and gifts made from and inspired by original vintage games.

D4Discus creates fabulous retro inspired clothes, I love the peter pan collars!

Flowerie88 creates beautiful jewellery, I especially like these bow stud earrings.

Created in the spirit of London's long and disreputable history gin drinking Mother's Ruin produces a range of exquisite fruit liqueurs for sale at Wood St Indoor Market.

Phoebe Eason makes fun prints and greetings cards, like this one.

Frinn makes lovely nature inspired jewellery using recycled materials. I love these Silver Dandelion Studs.

Upcoming Event: E17 Designers Spring Fair

girlwithbeads will be at this local event on Friday 17th May 7-10pm

More info here: https://www.facebook.com/events/174130099405364/

See girlwithbeads at The Mill Christmas Craft Fair on 24th Nov

For more info visit: http://themill-coppermill.org/

girlwithbeads at E17 Designers Winter Fair on Saturday 1st December

See girlwithbeads at E17 Designers Christmas Fair on Saturday 1st December

The Asian Centre,

18a Orford Road, 

Walthamstow, 

E17 9LN

Warm up this winter at E17 Designers Markets.

There’ll be sackfuls of special shopping opportunities at the next E17 Designers Markets, offering a sparkling selection of wares designed and produced by designermakers based in or around the local E17 area. All the seasonal shopping you could wish for, in one place and in plenty of time for Christmas Day.

Flash stall at London Farmers Market, Sunday 25 Nov , 10am-2pm

For a special preview visit our flash stall at London Farmers Market (Town Square, Selbourne Walk Shopping Centre, High Street, Walthamstow E17 7JN). Come meet the makers at a one-off shop, buy some handmade gifts from E17 Designers and enjoy the great selection of stalls at this regular Sunday market, featuring fresh, organic and local produce-from fish to sausages to plants and cakes!

At the Asian Centre, E17, on Friday 30 Nov, 7-10pm

The first of two seasonal events to bring you a selection of designers work for sale, our party night features Suzie’s Kitchen, a pop-up wine shop from Walthamstow Wine, and DJ Jake of Heliocentrics, who will be spinning jazz, soul, RnB and Latin vinyl (yes, real records) from the golden era of the ’60s and ’70s.

£2 entry for a free drink and entry to the goody bag prize draw! (Keep your ticket to get in for half price on Saturday!).

And there’s more at the Asian Centre... on Saturday 1 Dec, 2-6pm

Second market offers one-of-a-kind gifts from a different set of designers. Also featuring the Farmers Market, offering “Early Bird” apple juice “tasters” to the first lucky visitors, and chilled music from Andy Green, our favourite folkster fiddler, and friends. Hang out here for a cool shopping experience in the warmest of atmospheres.

For more info see: www.e17designers.co.uk

girlwithbeads at E17 Designers Spring Fair 11th May

girlwithbeads will be at the E17 Designers Spring Fair on Friday 11th May in Walthamstow.

 Come along to the Asian Centre in Orford Road for our annual event bringing you established and new designers, all drawn from the local area with a mix of art and designer craft- prices for all pockets and designs for all occasions-snap up some lovely gifts for the year-for men, women and children of all ages-birthdays, weddings, or a treat for you…it’s always worth a visit- £2 entry: for first drink free, music and Suzie’s Kitchen for speciality cakes, jams and chutneys- she’s already dreaming up seasonal recipes! 

Music from the "Stowicks", an amazing ceilidh band-for the third time, they are back to serenade us with haunting folk and livelier dance tunes...don't forget to ask them for their details as they love to be part of local parties, weddings and any barn dances or Burns Nights you have planned!

Glass Half Full Wines will be serving at the bar, and dance teacher Jerome Anderson and partner will be showcasing Jive and Lindy Hop moves, in a fast and fun packed performance. 

Don't miss it!

Mother’ s Day Special at The Mill, St James, E17

Mother’s Day Special, Saturday 17 March at The Mill, E17, 1-4.30pm

A unique opportunity to browse and buy handmade arts and crafts from the local community of artists, makers and designers, in the cheerful setting of E17’s friendliest social space, The Mill, James Street.

Whoever cares for you – mum, auntie, nan or anyone else – here’s a chance to say a special thank-you. With bags, purses, jewellery, prints, and homewares, E17 Designers has all the right gift ideas – and at prices that even younger customers can afford.

Take the chance too to sample the relaxed atmosphere and inspirational spaces of The Mill, a community centre that is open to all and truly child-friendly. Browse, explore – and shop!

Visit: http://themill-coppermill.org/ or www.e17designers.co.uk for more info.

Wood Street Indoor Market

Wood Street Indoor Market will be opening the doors to a range of new tenants with a launch event on Saturday 11 February. The market will feature 21 new shops, plus the cool old ones, and the launch is an all-day event.

The new shops include a florist, a bakery, a coffee shop, vintage clothes, a poster shop, plus a variety of crafts and arty coolness.

The launch event is on Saturday 11 February from 10am-5.30pm.

girlwithbeads products can be found for sale in the 'Significant Seams' shop (opposite the cafe)

For more info visit: www.woodstreetmarket.com

girlwithbeads at E17 Designers Xmas Fair - Sat 26th Nov

girlwithbeads is going local for the 1st christmas fair of the season

and will have a stall at the E17 Designers Christmas Fair in Walthamstow on Saturday 26th November - from 2-6pm.

For more info visit: http://www.e17designers.co.uk/

girlwithbeads completed London to Brighton bike ride!

girlwithbeads completed the London to Brighton bike ride on Sunday 19th June - riding 66 miles all the way from Walthamstow - phew!

All in aid of the British Heart Foundation. Well done me!

DownTown - Flash Shop For Fashion - 25th June in Walthamstow

As a new resident of Walthamstow, girlwithbeads is pleased to be taking part in

e17 designers 'Down Town' event on Saturday 25th June.

On sale will be gwb clothing range including the new 'mini gwb' kids range of t-shirts.

DownTown is a flash fashion event presented by E17 Designers, Walthamstow – a rail sale of fresh fashionwear created by east London designers.

On Friday 24 June and Saturday 25 June 2011, designers from across east London will be selling their own bespoke, ready-to-wear clothing for women, men and children, including tee-shirts and headgear, at DownTown. Exhibitors confirmed to date include: Keiko Cato, Shu Shu, Hilda Rocket, Room 39, Girl with Beads, Name Studio, The Bees Knees, Queenie and Ted, SABEL, Brown Paper Bag, and The Illustrated Ape...

DownTown, a new event presented by E17 Designers, takes its moniker from both Down Town LA, the name of the city’s historic garment district, and Downtown, New York, the name given to the SoHo area when artists such as Laurie Anderson and Gordon Matta-Clark began to take over its empty warehouses.

DownTown ’s exhibitors will be selling their fresh designs from rails at the Old Glass Factory, 15 Hoe Street, London E17 4SD. Previously a venue for photography exhibitions during the E17 Art Trail, the Old Glass Factory is a red brick, Victorian factory, which houses an edgy, white space with just the right warehouse vibe.

On Friday night DJ Ol’ Monkey Hips will get the party started, with cool sounds associated with NYC Bohemia, while Juiceology will be selling cocktails based on their fantastic natural juice blends... Plus the first 50 people through the door will be offered a free “extraordinaire” classic French macaroon from French Made,
who will be selling their gift-boxed confectionery...

“First impressions last so why not make yours fantastic?”

Also on Friday, 7-10pm: vintage makeovers with The Pop Up Studio... Photographer Nicola Tree, known for clever and contemporary portraiture, together with vintage hair specialist and makeup artist Claire Cross, will be available for on-the-spot, bespoke makeovers or straight portraits. (Shoppers can add extra style to their online profile by bagging accessories from the DownTown rail selection.) Claire will then transform them into the vintage look of their choice, from the roaring ’20s to the swinging ’60s. Prices from £30; book the slot and they email the shot. Booking strongly recommended at www.http://www.facebook.com/claire.vintage.hair

On Saturday, Juiceology and French Made return, along with extra designers, some specialising in childrenswear for a more family-orientated experience.

For more info visit: http://www.e17designers.co.uk/