The summer copy of Nude is out now and the theme is clear - ‘Look on the bright side’. Though the editors fully recognise we’re in a recession and that many people are experiencing genuine hardship, they’re keen to point out some positives. This issue is brimming with the work of independent designers, artists and musicians. The vibe is very much make-do-and-mend and big-up to the growing craft movement.

Look out for the work of street artist, Copyright, who secretly left a trail of stenciled roses from his girlfriend’s home to her place of work the night before Valentine’s Day.

And check out Angelique Houtkamp’s romantic, old school tattoo imagery.

In addition you can find interviews, reviews, features, graphics and pages and pages of ‘counterculture goodness’.

Ooh and what’s that I see on page 74?

Thank you Nude.

Order Nude direct from www.nudemagazine.co.uk, where you can also buy jewellery, prints, music and other items featured in the zine.

Craftaholics is promising a fun-filled extravaganza on June 27th. Expect an afternoon of handmade craft and ethical products, from designer clothing to jewellery to dolls and everything in between. There’ll be homemade treats to nibble, booze and music - all under the roof of Islington’s hippest venue.

And if you’re a designer looking to sell, there are still a few stalls available at the bargain price of £10.

What: Craftaholics Extravaganza
When: June 27th, 12pm ’til 5pm
Where:The Old Queen’s Head, 44 Essex Road, London, N1 8LN
More Info: www.craftaholics-london.blogspot.com

The next six week course to be held at Urbis, Introducton to Surface Pattern and Decoration, is now open for bookings. The course will introduce you to ways of creating 2D patterns of your own, for use on textiles or other decorative surfaces. The course content includes:

- selecting appealing images/shapes of your preference
- producing compositional studies based on these images
- looking at the work of Raoul Dufy, a Fauvist painter, who also had success as a textile designer
- viewing some of the history of the Arts and Crafts movement, predominated by the work of William Morris

Most of each two hour session will be spent on practical work, with some sessions involving viewing brief presentations on relevant artists or designers. You will have the opportunity to try a variety of 2D techniques. All materials will be provided.

When: Tuesday 9th June, Tuesday 16th June, Wednesday 24th June, Wednesday 1st July, Tuesday 7th July, Tuesday 14th July (6 - 8pm)
Where: Urbis, Manchester
Cost: £60 payable by cheque or cash in advance of first session. £55 concessions (students, those in receipt of state pension or income support)
To Book: Email a.owen@urbis.org.uk and provide your name, age, telephone number and email address and briefly describe whether you have any previous experience of creative activities. Alternatively call Amy on 0161 605 8261.

What do Luxe Deluxe, The Mymble’s Daughter and Belle & Boo have in common? According to the Etsy by Numbers blog, they’re currently the top three Etsy sellers in the UK, in the Handmade category. I had a quick peak at their Etsy stores to see what it is that sets them apart.

Luxe Deluxe sells beautiful handcrafted jewellery, incorporating a vast array of unusual findings. You’ll find vintage brass, retro Japanese and Czech glass, sterling silver, antiqued pewter charms and vintage carved acrylics.

The Mymble’s Daughter also sells jewellery. Her work draws on imagery from her Welsh home, ‘a land where everyone lives in castles and the seas are filled with magical creatures’. You’ll find hand cut plastic silhouettes, clay pendants with printed images and other image based charms.

Peggy says of her work, ‘My Etsy success has been a great surprise to me! I do hardly any marketing so everything is mostly through word of mouth. I make what I love and I love what I make and I think my customers can tell that. I think it’s really important to enjoy what you do and not to try to make something just because you think it will sell well. Many people make jewellery for that special occasion but I try to make jewellery for every day too that you won’t be too precious about wearing. It’s fun to collect and to match it to your current outfit and mood. I think this is why I have so many repeat customers!’

Belle & Boo creates beautiful illustrations. The artist is Mandy who has been drawing since she was a child. Her favourite childhood storybooks remain a constant source of inspiration. The illustrations are beautiful, depicting children and animals, each one telling its own story.

All of these stores are different. But there are a number of similarities which could go part way to explaining their success. To begin, the product images in each store are well shot and different angles and close up views are provided. This is so important when selling online, but it’s something that many sellers overlook.

The product descriptions are detailed, providing the customer with everything they need to know about the items for sale. This includes sizing information and the materials that have been used.

Their shop policies are comprehensive and written clearly, stating everything that the customer needs to be aware of before purchasing.

Of course we mustn’t forget the products themselves. Each seller has a quality product which appeals to their target market.

And finally, following on from Peggy’s point, could it be their customer service that sets them apart? The ‘tone’ of each store is welcoming and friendly and their feedback ratings are good. Is it down to the customer relationships that are built up over the years and lead to repeat orders?

What do you think? What makes a successful Etsy seller?

Debbie Bryan makes hand cast collectible brooches and cufflinks. Using her own nostalgic imagery and textile keepsakes, she casts them in resin, both preserving and upcycling them. The results are beautiful.

You can buy direct from Debbie’s studio in The Lace Market, Nottingham or online at www.debbiebryan.co.uk.

Debbie is also a co-organiser of ‘Delicate Teats’, a regular design event in Nottingham. The next event will take place on Wednesday June 17th. For more information go to www.debbiebryan.co.uk/Delicate_Treats_Evening_at_Escucha,_Nottingham.

It’s all about the markets right now. If you’re in the vicinity of Norwich this Saturday, pay a visit to Clutter City’s Spring Soiree. The market will feature the regular talents of local crafters / artists selling unique items including clothes, jewellery, badges, paper goods, prints, paintings, comics, vintage accessories and zines. Special guest Lady Luck Rules OK will also be in residence with gorgeous pop art jewellery and a Badge-a-rama stand.

All stall holders will be donating goodies to the lucky dip, the proceeds of which will go to a local charity. And over in the cafe bar Bearsuit, Andy Ray (Magoo) and Transept will provide the tunes.

What: Clutter City Market Spring Soiree
When: this Saturday, May 30 - 10am ’til 4pm
Where: Norwich Arts Centre
Anything Else: free admission
More Info: www.cluttercity.norwichartscentre.org.uk

The Button Willow Bazaar is an old fashioned summer fete with a wonderful array of stalls offering handmade and vintage fayre. For your entertainment - tea, cake, sherry, tombola, portable photo booth, mystic corner, the Reverend RPM Standish, buy a kiss from a miss and much more! Intrigued? Come along and see for yourself.

What: Button Willow Bazaar
When: Saturday June 20, 12mp ’til 7pm
Where: St Aloysius Church Hall, London NW1
More Info: www.myspace.com/buttonwillowbazaar
Free Admission

STALLS AVAILABLE! Please contact the organisers for more details.

Vintage crockery company Dormouse and The Teapot are to hold a series of craft and writing workshops throughout June and August at their space - Kitschen at Woodend Mill, Lancashire.

Within the ambiance of an old fashioned parlour, workshop attendees will take part in the three hour sessions led by expert crafters and published writers. They will make lovely crafted items to take away or learn new writing skills, followed by tea and cake served on Dormouse and The Teapot’s trademark mismatched vintage china.

Craft sessions include Love to sew? (shabby chic hearts and corsages) led by Julie Utratny and Airborne Gorgeousness (mobile making) by Sally Fort. Among the writers are Hawthornden Fellow Ian Parks and TV Screenwriter Helen Farrall.

Craft workshops are £20 and writing workshops £30. Each person who books a place before 28 May will be entered into a draw to win a Dormouse and The Teapot - two person afternoon tea set worth £32!

For full details of workshops and to book a place visit the website at www.dormouseandtheteapot.com.

Pics: Emma Fozard’s concertina books
Sally Fort’s mobiles
Kitschen, Woodend Mill, Lancashire.