Twenty-ten already? Surely not!

Indeed it is! The year has started off at a swift pace for us, and we have another new staff member joining us on 1 February - so our little team is growing steadily. It's great to work with people who are positive and passionate about what they're doing, and I just know that we're in for a very exciting year of growth in 2010.

Attention, event organisers!

Just a reminder about a few of the ways you can use the Red Balloon Craft Junction to get exposure for your craft events:

• If you'd like to invite stall-holders to participate in your event, then you should list it on the Craft Outlets page first. You'll need to register on the site if you haven't already, and will then be able to add your event for free. This page allows you to capture details such as the cost for a stall/table/shelf, closing date for applications, the kind of items you're looking for, and so on. You can even upload your application form, which will save both you and the prospective stall-holders a bit of time.

• Secondly, you should add the details of your event to the Events Calendar. Whether it's a craft market, exhibition, club meeting or monthly craft class, we want to know about it!

• And finally, if you'd like even more exposure for your event, and want to be sure that all our readers are made aware of it, you can advertise right here in the Gazette. Ad spots are priced from R350. See the ad for One Roof Studio in the sidebar for an example. For more details on advertising options, send us an email and request our rates card.

Project ideas for the new year

In need of a little creative kickstart for the new year? Here are four simple but clever craft projects that caught our eye:

Give your office chair a make-over

I think I may just give this one a try myself. If your office chair is looking a little shabby, get yourself some pretty upholstery fabric, grab a staple gun, and give your chair a fresh, funky make-over. There are some pictures and a few helpful hints here.

Make a rather unusual bag

Ever seen a bag made entirely out of neck-ties? Nope, nor had I. But if your husband is anything like mine, then he has a cupboard full of them... and never wears a single one. In which case you already have almost everything you need to make this rather pretty bag. Anyhow, I'll be right back; just off to raid my husband's cupboard.

Get the kids to help recycle crayons

That's right - recycling isn't just for glass and paper anymore! Melt down all those stubby little crayon ends that even the tiniest fingers can't hold, and make up a whole new set in strange and interesting shapes, and weird and wonderful colours. And all you need is an old muffin tray and an oven...

Organise your jewellery collection

We love buying it, and we love wearing it, but we have absolutely no idea how to store it, do we? Jewellery boxes are awfully pretty, but not particularly practical. What you need, in fact, is somewhere to HANG your necklaces, to keep them tangle-free and pretty. But where? Aha, fabric-covered jewellery board to the rescue! You'll need a cork bulletin board or something similar, a staple gun (or even just drawing pins), some pretty but fairly plain fabric, and a whole lot of pins.

Win with Red Balloon

Over the next three months, three lucky crafters will each win a beading hamper worth R100, courtesy of Lavender Lane Craft Studio in Elarduspark, Pretoria East. Lavender Lane offers classes, equipment and materials for a range of crafts, including beading, scrapbooking, fabric painting, mosaic, decoupage and paper-making.

Click here to find out more about Lavender Lane, and to enter the competition.

Congratulations to Currin Stafford, who won a R200 kalahari.net voucher in our December 2009 competition. We hope you enjoyed spending your winnings!

What's on

Get more info on these and other events on the Red Balloon Events Calendar.

• Putstop Entrepreneurs' Market (Gauteng)
  This Pretoria market will be taking place on the first Saturday of every month, and promises to be a fun-filled family affair.
  Next market: Saturday 6 February
  Time: 9am to 1pm
  Venue: Cnr Alouette and Frelon Streets, Elarduspark, Pretoria East
  Click here for contact details.

• Country Market (KwaZulu-Natal)
  They're bringing the "country" back to Hillcrest, with fresh produce, arts and crafts stalls, and pony rides for the children.
  Next market: Sunday 31 January
  Time: 9am to 1pm
  Venue: The Heritage Market, 9 Old Main Rd, Hillcrest
  Click here for more information and contact details.

• Paddocks Lifestyle Market (Western Cape)
  You can expect to see a wide range of handmade and locally-produced items every Saturday and Sunday at the Paddocks Shopping Centre in Milnerton.
  Dates: 30 and 31 January
  Time: 10am - 5pm
  Venue: Corner of Racecourse and Grand National Boulevard, Milnerton
  Click here for more information and contact details.

• Rondebosch Craft Market at Oude Molen (Western Cape)
  The crafters from the Rondebosch Craft Market are now at Oude Molen Eco Village once a month as well. Take the kids along when you go, because there are horse rides for them to enjoy, as well as a petting farm.
  Next market: 6 February
  Time: 9am to 2pm
  Venue: Oude Molen Eco Village, Alexander Road, Pinelands (near Vincent Pallotti)
  Contact Ann Rodwell for more information - 021 531 4236 (Tuesday to Friday, 9am - 5.30pm) or 083 272 5482 (market day).

Can you help?

• A crafter in the Eastern Cape is selling his woodworking tools. If you are interested, you can see the list of available items here. Contact details are given on the same page.

If you have any requests of your own, please send them to info@redballoon.co.za, and we will do our best to help you out.

On the bookshelf

Photo Stories by Retha van der Walt

The old adage, "A picture paints a thousand words" may be cliché, but it is undeniable how much more entertaining a photograph is when compared to an oral account of a memory. Scrapbooking has provided many a crafter with the opportunity to save their precious photographs and cherished memories in the pages of their albums, to be enjoyed for years to come.

Photo Stories, published by Metz Press, gives seasoned scrapbook fans and newcomers to the craft descriptions of the twelve most popular scrap booking techniques, each accompanied by a host of full-colour photographs. These photographs highlight each technique through the work of skilled scrap booking crafters from around the world, and aim at inspiring crafters to use the techniques displayed to create their own works of art.

The book is really a delight to look at, and one cannot help but be inspired to get crafting by the work displayed within it. Another handy feature within the book is a series of helpful hints peppered throughout its pages. A good resource for those who love to scrap, and those who wish to start.

Get more info on this title here.

Micro Mosaics by Angie Weston

One of the oldest forms of decorating, the art of mosaic has been enthralling crafters and enthusiasts for centuries. Mosaic art has been used to decorate jewellery from as early as the nineteenth century, and by following the instructions given in this book, crafters can create their own unique pieces of jewellery and artwork.

Micro mosaics make use of minute ceramic tiles, and initially working with such tiny materials can seem a little daunting. However, this book puts one's fears at ease with fantastic step-by-step instructions, each step accompanied by a colour photograph. The projects on offer are beautiful, ranging from jewellery to home décor, each unique in its intricacy and appeal. One of my favourite projects was a gorgeous set of rose luggage tags, followed closely by an amazing leaf-inspired photograph frame.

The book also has a comprehensive glossary, index of materials and tools and an interesting section on jewellery crafting basics, and makes the art of micro mosaic come to life for a new generation of crafters to enjoy.

Get more info on this title here.

Find more book reviews in the Craft Compendium.

Opportunities for crafters

Get more info on more places to sell your crafts, in the Craft Outlets section of the Red Balloon Craft Junction.

• The Paddocks Lifestyle Market (Western Cape)
  All stalls at this recently-established market are indoors and fully under cover. They are looking for original art, gourmet foods and locally-made craft items.
  Dates: Every Saturday and Sunday
  Venue: Paddocks Shopping Centre, corner of Racecourse and Grand National Boulevard, Milnerton
  Click here for more information.

• Simon's Town Village Market and Art Exhibition (Western Cape)
  The organisers of this monthly market are looking for crafters, producers of organic food, and other stall-holders to apply to sell their goods.
  Dates: First Sunday of every month
  Venue: Simon's Town Library Hall, St George's Street
  Contact: Venitia - 021 786 2300 or 082 377 2583

• The Old Biscuit Mill (Western Cape)
  Two retail shops are available for rental at the Mill on the ground floor. They are looking for unique, artistic and creative tenants to fit in with their slogan, "theatre in retail". If you are interested and would like to know more, please email André Avenant.

• Kempton Park Indoor Market
  A new fun and interactive indoor market is to be held bi-monthly in Kempton Park. They are looking for the following:

  • craft teachers who would like to book workshop areas

  • crafters and vendors who would like to sell their goods

  • sponsors in the craft industry who would like exposure in their advertising and promotional campaign

  • craft stores who would like to sponsor items for "Goodie Give-Aways"

  For more information, please contact Marietjie Swart on 073 617 4182 or email dewalds@webafrica.org.za.

That's all for this edition. Here's to 2010 being a fantastic year for all of us, filled with love, laughter and fabulous creative exploits. Remember to check the Events Calendar at the Red Balloon Craft Junction to see what's happening in your area. Till next month, Kerry-Anne