It's been a long wait, but we can finally announce that the super-duper new-look Red Balloon Craft Junction will be launched at www.redballoon.co.za in just a few days' time. And no-one is more excited than me, I assure you. Let's take a look at some of the features you can expect on the new site (which will replace The Red Balloon Homecraft Directory, by the way).

Craft markets, craft markets, and more... craft markets!

The number one request I get is for craft market info. We've listened, considered, and taken action, and I can now guarantee you that the Red Balloon Craft Junction will feature the most comprehensive list of craft markets available anywhere in South Africa, either on or off the Web. You will be able to get times, venues, contact information, costs, and in some cases, even download application forms, all in one place.

Up-to-date Events Calendar

We have built a comprehensive Events Calendar, featuring exhibitions, classes and markets. It has a super-simple submission process, allowing you to submit your own event info quickly and easily.

Craft projects, articles and more

We're busy putting together the Craft Compendium, a section packed with free projects, articles on your favourite crafts, and information about the best books to buy, classes to attend and shops to shop at.

Online craft market

The current Directory will make way for an online craft market, where you can browse for homecrafted products and make contact with the crafters who produce them.

A brand-new look

Take a look at our new logo in the top left-hand corner. Like it? There's plenty more where that came from... Expect the new site to be fresh, funky and really easy to navigate.

And the best part of all?

The best part is the bottom line: it's all FREE. That's right, your eyes do not deceive you: you can list your business, your events, your craft shop, whatever, entirely free of charge. We will be offering premium advertising options at a later stage, but for now all you need to know is that putting your craft business on the Web need not cost you a single cent.

Win a Ribbon Embroidery book

Stand a chance of winning a copy of Ribbon Embroidery and Stumpwork, by well-known embroidery specialist Di van Niekerk. This beautifully illustrated book contains instructions for 12 different embroidered panels, as well as a stitch glossary and general information on ribbon embroidery techniques.

Due to the impending launch of the Red Balloon Craft Junction, we have extended the closing date for this competition until the 15th of May. That's no reason to delay getting in your entry! Send an email to competition@redballoon.co.za with the words "Ribbon Embroidery" in the subject line, and answer the following question: Does Ribbon Embroidery and Stumpwork feature a stitch glossary?

• VERY IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR ALL SUBSCRIBERS:
  Within the next week you will be receiving an email requesting you to confirm your subscription to this newsletter. We are moving our mailing list over to a new service, and one of the requirements is that every subscriber must confirm that they would like to continue receiving the Red Balloon Craft Gazette.

  You will simply need to click on a link in the email and your subscription will be confirmed. Please do this as soon as you receive the mail, so that you don't miss any future editions of the Gazette.

  If you experience any problems with the confirmation process, please drop me an email at info@redballoon.co.za and I will help you out. Thank-you for your co-operation in this, and I do apologise for any inconvenience!

• Brenda Schofield is looking for handcrafted stock for her gift boutique in the Heritage in Hillcrest Centre in KwaZulu-Natal. She stocks table linen, table décor & related gifts and would be looking for products that fit into this range. The quality must be absolutely faultless and products should not have that “home-made” look.

  Any crafter who feels they have a quality product which would enhance Brenda's linen boutique is encouraged to contact her to see if you could do business together.

  The shop is TableTops, situated at Shop 15b, Heritage in Hillcrest, 9 Old Main Road, Hillcrest, KwaZulu-Natal, and Brenda can be contacted on (031) 765 8323 or 082 414 3871, or you can email her at tabletop@ledom.co.za. Her fax number is 0866 728 942.

• Jo-Ann Bannister will be holding the following soapcrafting workshops over the next few weeks at 16 Elm Street, Bellville:

  22 April
  9am: Special Effects (R80.00)
  11.30am: Designer Opaque (R70.00)
  Book for both classes and pay R140.00
  6 May
  9am - Fun Soaps (R70.00)
  11.30am - Lovely Loaves (R100.00)
  Book for both classes and pay R160.00

  Booking is essential. Contact Jo-Ann at glorioussoap@iafrica.com or on 083 603 0196.

• Liz Mason is able to provide porcupine quills to crafters on a regular basis, at a cost of R1.20 per gram plus shipping and handling. All quills have been disinfected in such a way as to not damage the quills or promote mould. If you are interested, you can contact Liz on (046) 636 2505 or visit www.themasons.co.za.

• King’s School, next to the His People Centre, N1 City, Western Cape will be hosting their annual indoor Craft Market and Fair at the school on Saturday 6 May from 9am to 2pm. As the craft market is housed inside a hall, it will not be cancelled due to bad weather. The cost to book a stall is R80 (payable in advance), and includes a standard trestle table and two chairs. Please note that only crafted items may be sold, (in other words, no second-hand goods or other "flea market" items, and no food stalls.) Please note too that King’s School is a Christian organisation and they will not allow goods or items to be displayed or sold which are in conflict with their values and principles. For further details or to book a table, please contact Moira on (021) 595 3300, 083 393 1666 or email her at moiragilowey@absamail.co.za.

• Sandra is looking for glycerine soap to use in soapcrafting (in other words, soap that she can mould herself). She is in the Johannesburg South area. If you can help, please email me at info@redballoon.co.za, and I will pass on the information.

Craft market diary

Gauteng

Arts & Crafts at the Bokkie Park
6 May, 9am-3pm, Bokkie Park, Southvale Rd, Parkdene, Boksburg
Arts & Crafts at the Bunny Park
29 April, 9am-3pm, Bunny Park, Pretoria Rd, Rynfield, Benoni
Irene Arts & Village Market
29 April, 9am-2pm, Smuts House Museum, Jan Smuts Avenue, Irene
Art in the Garden
30 April, 9am-4pm, Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, Malcolm Rd, Poortview, Roodepoort
Field & Study Centre Craft Market
7 May, 9am-3pm, Louise Ave, Parkmore, just off William Nicol
B&B Rooftop Market
Every Sunday & public holiday, 9am-5pm, Upper Level, Mall of Rosebank
Hillfox Market
Every Saturday, Sunday & public holiday, 9am-5pm, Hillfox Value Centre, Hendrik Potgieter Dr, Weltevreden Park
Garden World Arts & Crafts Market
Every Saturday, Sunday & public holiday, 9am-5pm, Gardenworld, Beyers Naude Dr, Muldersdrift
Hatfield Arts and Craft Market
Every Sunday & public holiday, 9am-4.30pm, Hatfield Shopping Centre, Burnett St, Pretoria
Magnolia Market
6 May, 9am-3pm, Magnolia Dell, cnr Queen Wilhelmina Dr and University Rd, Muckleneuk

KwaZulu-Natal

Essenwood Craft Market
Every Saturday, 9am-2pm, Essenwood Park, Cnr Essenwood and St Thomas Rd, Berea, Durban
Ballito Coast Market
Every Saturday, 8am-12.30pm, Ballito

Western Cape

Somerset West Country Craft Market
15, 29 April, 8am-1pm, Southey's Vines, 186 Main Rd, Somerset West
Wilderness Craft Market
30 April, 9.30am-2.30pm, opposite the Protea Hotel
Scarab Market
Every Saturday, 8am-12.30pm, On the N2, next to Engen, Sedgefield
Durbanville Craft Market
6 May, 8.30am-2pm, Rust en Vrede, Wellington Rd, Durbanville
Kenridge Craft Market
29 April, 9am-2pm, Door de Kraal Avenue, Kenridge
Cape Gate Craft Market
30 April, 9am-2pm, Trade Centre parking area, Cape Gate, Brackenfell
Kuils River Craft Market
29 April, 9am-1.30pm, Municipal Gardens, Van Riebeeck Road, Kuils River
Kirstenbosch Craft Market
30 April, 9am-1pm, opposite main Kirstenbosch entrance
Rondebosch Craft in the Park
6 May, 9am-3.30pm, cnr Campground & Sandown Rd
Hout Bay Craft Market
Every Sunday, 8.30am-4pm, Hout Bay Village Green, Main Rd
Prince Albert Market
Every Saturday, 8am-5pm, Church Road, next to museum
Fisherman's Village Craft Market
Every Saturday, 9.30am-2.30pm, Lemm's Corner, Old Harbour Road, Hermanus
Waterfront Craft Market
Daily, 9.30am-6pm, The Blue Shed, V&A Waterfront

That's all for this edition. Have an awesome April and tell everyone you know: the Craft Junction is coming! Regards Kerry-Anne