The New Forest Show

So moving on from a busy weekend we were straight off to set up the New Forest Show on Monday. We loaded up the car with ceramics, paints, fliers and a tent! Yes we decided to camp.... After long days working on a busy stall who needs a comfy bed and a good nights sleep after all?!


Day 1: We began by stacking up the car with everything we could cram in, and when we say cram, we mean cram. Locked and loaded we headed off to the show full of excitement and anticipation.

After missing our turn off, and the excitement slightly dwindled, we arrived over an hour later... not the twenty minute stroll we were expecting! Getting to the kids area at the show was fantastic though. It's huge and full of stalls from hot tubs to horses, arenas, art tents, beautiful gardens and delicious food. We set up the gazebo and unloaded everything we could before setting off to the campsite to put up the tent. Feeling very proud of our Girl Guiding backgrounds we headed back off to the barn to collect the final bits, then back to the show again to do the last bits of setting up and finally back to the tent.

Only slight problem, it was now dark and we had no idea where we had pitched our tent. After trawling round in the dark for what felt like forever we finally found it, set up our first class accommodation and went to brush our teeth, all ready for a good rest. Only thing was, we took the wrong path back to our tent. Once again we were circling around the dark, no idea where we were going or if we would find the tent. We trawled past caravans, tents, campervans and still no sign. By this point it was also cold and we were trying to decide who best to ring if you can’t find your tent, fire men would be good! Eventually back in our tent, day one done and dreams about firemen rescuing us all night long...


Day 2: After a chilly night in the tent we set off early to the show. And what a fantastic day, beautiful sunshine and fun had by all. We were kept well entertained by the dance performances, Crazy M the clown, choirs and more. There were some truly beautiful ceramics painted and there was a lovely atmosphere. Its always great to see families just enjoying time out together and everyone getting creative!

We loved seeing these three!

We wrapped up just after six and headed back to the tent. Loaded up with paint pallets to be washed we made our way down to the Dish Washing station, unfortunately we hadn't quite realised the how late it now was and we were running out of time to get there before the pub stopped serving food! After a long day there is nothing more important than pub grub! So after a quick debate about stashing the pallets in the bush, we headed to the pub with the pallets in hand. Not remotely embarrassing (!), still a lovely meal and then to bed.

Belinda carrying our box of pallets

Day 3: More ceramics. More Crazy M the Clown, more choir singing and most importantly, more sunshine! Another lovely day and it was great to see some of our well known customers around the show too. Belinda was up to her usual antics, posing with a horse, very funny!

Day 4: An earlier start to make sure we could pack away the tent before the show but we were up bright and early ready to go! One of the highlights of the day was heading to take part in the Welly Wanging World Record attempt. After much military style organisation, the welly wanging took place with both young and old taking part. A hilarious end to a fantastic week. After packing up our stand it was finally time to head home. We were really sad to be leaving the show but looking forward to being back in our own beds and all ready for the next happenings! A huge thank you to Aaron Lawford from Sullivan Lawford who let BellaCrafts join him in the fab kids section!

Here, there and everywhere...

This summer we thought we'd let you in on the crazy world that is planning our External Events. Every year we attend school fetes, festivals, country shows, markets, plus team bonding days! We thought we'd give you all a sneak peak into what happens when we get out and about! So here we go with our last weekend of events and do keep your eyes peeled for our next update.

The first weekend of the Summer Holidays really kicked off with a bang. We whizzed off on Friday to offer ceramic painting at the Netley Marsh Show and prepared some beautiful taster crafts for Southampton Uni's Summer party, followed by workshops at Ikea on Sunday.

Our Summer party went off without a hitch, lots of very happy crafters creating decopatch, hand sewn flowers and other projects, though as it usually goes, decopatch being by far the most popular! We think it was a great way to unwind for the end of term.

On the other hand, Victoria, on route to Netley Marsh, had a few hiccups... Having taken a slight detour (I.e. Programing the sat nav to the entirely wrong location and driving 20 minutes in the wrong direction) she arrived at the show to find her old banger had betrayed her and given up on the handbrake. Now any of you who know the Netley Marsh Show will know it takes place on hills and mounds, not the easiest place to find a a completely flat parking spot, but the show must go on! So some time later after a beautiful area prepared for young ceramic painters and novice hook a duckers, the RAC arrived at the show.

Car fixed and the real fun of painting and games could start. Beautiful weather, lovely visitors and marvellous creations, who could ask for a better weekend!

Ikea was a completely different world... with their plush internal offices and creative stations. We were tasked with preparing several upcycled jars - great fun! Then showcased our creations and ran workshops for eager participates. A really enjoyable day and we can't wait to go back.

Check out our next update where will be sharing the gossip about the New Forest Show and our little camping trip....
Til next time crafters!