Tag Archives: Crafting

Shetland Christmas Craft Fair 2026

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It’s that time of year again – Shetland’s annual Christmas Craft Fair held over 2 1/2 days at the Clickimin Centre.

So obviously you know me, I love a Craft Fair. I went with my usual Craft Fair shopping friend, Mandy, aka my flute duet partner and Mandy drove us in (as my car was now ready to collect so we did that too).

We decided to go when the Fair opened, to avoid the crowds as it does get very busy during the day.

I did a lot of my Christmas shopping there so I am feeling pretty smug now.

Sadly, the Craft Fair is full of Things I Want – like these fabulous salt pots with spoons.

And I always say this, but for an island of only 23,000 folk, there are a lot of very talented people.

My favoutie soap stall – I bought a few for my secret soap stash (currently running at 3 drawers but I love and need it all!)

I had to pull myself away from the this little chap.

This is my friend, Monika’s, stall – Collaster Croft (website construction still in progress, I think).

As well as using mainly her own sheep’s fleeces to make the most gorgeous wool pads, I also give Monika mine – at the bottom right you can see the round pad made from Lambie (I always feel smug when everyone says his wool was only “carpet quality”.)

And the top one is Dahlia.  Always beautiful.

Anyway, the crowds arrived in swarms and Mandy and I finished up, went to get my car, had fish and chips (delicious) as is the tradition and then I drove home in my newly MOT’ed car without it’s check-engine light.

This afternoon, I took to my bed for a rest, drank hot chocolate and had a 20 minute sleep. A great day.

We Made a Picture

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I had a project I’ve been meaning to do but I knew I would need help, ie someone with artistic flare.

I chose Daisy. Lucky Daisy, though possibly not because she did most of the work.

I keep everything including a tin box full of old brooches that I can’t sell (tried and failed) and don’t want to wear.  I know some were my mother’s and the rest, possibly my Great Great Aunt Kate’s and Great Granny’s.

This is a Victorian mourning brooch and full of meaning and history. I am just not sure whose.  The hair belongs to a baby.  So possibly my great-uncle who died at 6 months old from meningitis.

This is a fibula pin – silver filigree Hamsa hand (Hand of Fatima) with red glass cabochons,

So, firstly, I bought an gilt oval frame off Fleabay and then 1m of padding and another of cotton black velvet.  I had a plan.

OH made a wooden back to the frame. Daisy marked and cut out the padding to the right shape.

 

At first we were undecided about whether we needed the padding or not. It was bulky behind the velvet.  We tried it both ways and in the end decided to keep it.  It would make attaching the brooches easier.  Then I stapled the fabrics to the board and Daisy cut off the excess material.

Some of the brooches aren’t in fact brooches but are shoe or dress ornaments so needed sewing on.  I tried, and failed three times.  I hate sewing.  Daisy, however, was brilliant.  She worked like a surgeon.

 

And here is the finished result. I love it – just how I wanted it to turn out. I’ve hung it in my work shed.

Aunt Kate and her cousins are also in my room.

I am so glad the brooches didn’t sell and are out on display (ignore the ceiling – there was a leak last winter).

They are hanging where they should be.