the leather ladies

Great British Winter arrives at last!

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Leather Ladies at Samuel Barlow Pub, Alvecote

Yesterday found the Leather Ladies at Alvecote Marina for the Floating Market.  We weren’t floating but all the recent rain meant the lawn was muddy and we couldn’t put up our gazebo.  So instead we tucked ourselves under the Samuel Barlow pub shelter.

I’m not sure where our Spring has got to, what with all the hail, snow etc. we’ve had this week.  Temperatures yesterday felt freezing with the wind off the water too and it definitely wasn’t encouraging the visitors.

Here we are!

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Hazel with one of her beautiful new blue leather cushions
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Jane and handbags - trying not to look too cold!

At midday the pub opened its doors, which was a Great Relief in more ways than one.  We decided that as a survival strategy to maintain our core temperatures and avoid frostbite, a large plate of chips was essential.

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Chips and Dips!

Followed shortly afterwards with a tot of brandy each in our coffees! (We know ‘ow to live!)

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Hazel maintaining core temperature

In spite of the cold we met some old friends, made some new ones and had fun.  Boaters and crafters are lovely friendly people; floating traders especially so. Many thanks to all.

Sunday at Middleton

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It’s always interesting arriving at Middleton Hall Courtyard for the Leather Ladies’ fortnightly pop-up shop.  We never know what we’ll have to contend with as we set up for the day.  Last Sunday 10th April was no exception and quite the most exciting so far – we ended up in a completely different shop!

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The Leather Ladies at Unit 14

Luckily we’re pretty resourceful so we’d soon re-jigged our display to fit our new surroundings and were ready to greet our visitors.  As the sun came out and moved round to our little corner Hazel suggested that it would be good to take our work outside.  Hazel has been making some super plaited leather bracelets and she wanted to fix the press stud fastenings on them.

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Hazel hammering – note the serious artisan expression
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Not so serious

I love the little line of completed bracelets.  Well the artisan-style hammering certainly got us noticed (that was part of the cunning plan).  Then it was time for me to have a go.

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More serious artisan expressions!

The little press studs we were using are also known as “Durable Dots” so we now have new aliases, “Durable Dot and Rosie the Riveter”.

I wonder where’ll we be in two weeks’ time?

Valentine’s Day at Middleton

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Leather Ladies’ pop-up 14th February 2016

The Leather Ladies “popped up” again this Sunday for Valentine’s Day at Brown’s Upholstery at Middleton Hall Courtyard, displaying and selling our wares.  It was the day of Middleton’s Snowdrop Walk.  A beautiful sunny day and plenty of visitors calling in to see us, very enjoyable.

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Tiddleyworks leather accessories on display

Hazel ran a “have a go” workshop for children (of all ages!) making leather heart keyrings using the wonderful Sizzix machine.

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Leather heart keyrings using the Sizzix machine
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Hazel inspecting the leather bunting

And yes, we put the flags out!  We’ll be popping up again on Sunday the 28th February, in Brown’s  and also as part of the monthly Food and Craft Fair.