On the 6th June Etsy threw it’s global Craft Party which included one hosted by the fabulous Vicky, Fiona and Zyzanna of the  Edinburgh Etsy Team. The theme for the 2014 event was “Recapture: Bring new meaning to your photographs”, tickets cost just £5 and were open to everyone – Etsy sellers and craft newbies alike.

The Haven Cafe in Newhaven was our venue for the evening. I’ve never been here before but I could tell from the mural that I was going to like it! It is a really cute cafe with lots of interesting vintage details – mismatched teacups, collections of typewriters, antique mirrors, that kind of thing. I’m not one for tea, but I am one for cake and the traybakes on offer there are delicious.

I loved all the decorations put up for the evening. I definitely subscribe to the ‘more is more’ train of thought. Vicky has a tutorial up on her blog here for how to make these tassel garlands. If I make some David will have to let me put them up in the flat, right?

The inspiration station! The interpretation of the theme was to try out some embroidery on old (or new) photographs. The organisers had a great selection of black and white, really fun photographs sourced from Pinterest for us to use as well as providing thread and needles.

I was a bit nervous going in as I was on my own but I sat down at a big table with some really lovely ladies and it was absolutely fine. In fact, there were a few people there by themselves. If you are thinking about going to something like this but are worried about going alone, don’t be! You’re all there working on the same thing so it doesn’t feel awkward at all.

By the way – embroiderers – how do you keep your threads tidy? I made such a mess!

I took a bunch of photographs with me but when I spied this Frankenstein one on the table I knew it had to be mine! I think I was a bit ambitious deciding to do the whole tail as it took me the whole two and a half hours but I’m  kinda proud of it. It’s a bit messy as I don’t have any embroidery experience, but it’s a good first attempt.

Here it is a bit clearer. I’ve had old pictures like this and behind the scenes film pics on my Pinterest for ages with no idea what to do with them but I think I’m going to get them printed and a do a series of stitched film photos.

So the cherry on top of the already incredible knickerbocker glory of a night was the extremely generous goody bag! Included was: a set of three compliment postcards from Jolly Good Studio; an Etsy t-shirt; a flower ring and Parma Violets from Claireabellemakes; ‘Och Aye’ earrings from Paper Bureaucracy; a punderful keepsake cards, pencil and pocket mirror from Vivid Please; a birdy badge from Zyzanna; mini bunting from Fiona Heather; and  a cookies and cream gourmet marshmallow from the Marshmallow Lady all packed in a bag printed with the event flyer (which is frankly the coolest mugshot ever taken). Head over to Vivid Please for the chance to win your very own goody bag now!

I want to say a huge thank you to my lovely craft partners, Robin, Harriet, Helen and Kimberley for making me feel welcome, even when I managed to spill my wine over everything (sorry Kimberley!) *awkward face!

And an extra special thank you to Vicky, Fiona and Zyzanna for being fabulous hosts. The party was amazing, so much effort was put into it and I had such a good time. I went home exhausted and hunched (hey, I haven’t concentrated that hard since my exams!) but very happy. Can’t wait for the next one!

P.S. Check out the hashtags #EETcraft #etsycraftparty and #craftparty on Instagram – so inspiring to see so many talented crafters all over the world working on a common theme. Some of them definitely put my efforts to shame!