Almost Christmas

After a very busy day in Glasgow yesterday (Goodbye Borders Buchannan Street) I have been snowed in! So to keep myself busy I have taken lots of nice wintery photos (mostly of my parent's cat, Alfie) as well as changing my blog layout.

I've added a new item to my shop...but am also currently plotting for 2010! Will hopefully have some news soon that may interest Dundee artists and makers!

Also, stumbled upon an article about an exhibition I showed work at back in September: http://www.publicartscotland.com/reflections/36

So until then, Merry Christmas!

A Very Good Wednesday

Just thought I'd take the time to write a little bit about Handmade Heaven2 this Wednesday. Firstly I'd like to say "cheers" to Michelle Souter for organising the whole thing, and all of the lovely folks who came along for a peek...not forgeting those who bought some of my things- I hope NikkiMade makes your gift-giving great this Christmas!

One of my favourite stalls on Wednesday was that of Designer and Dressmaker, Paleface (aka Catherine Barthram). The Paleface range includes dresses, vests, skirts, jackets bags, corsages and capes (my personal fave!) and featured reclaimed and reworked fabrics. Not only was the choice and combinations of texture and colour beautiful- but each piece was made to a very high standard. As well as this- each piece (considering how much work and skill had obviously gone into them) was very reasonably priced. To see more Paleface, or to buy your own- have a look at her website: http://www.palefacemakes.co.uk/. I recommend you do!

The next Handmade Heaven fair will hopefully take place in early 2010...more details to come soon!

Handmade Heaven Part2

I am lucky enough to be participating the the second Handmade Heaven event at Abertay's Hannah Maclure Centre in Dundee. The first event was really good fun, and I've decided to come back with a bigger, better selection of handmade goodies for you all to fill your stockings with this Christmas!

It's this Wednesday the 16th of December, between 12noon and 6pm, so if you're in the area get yourself down for some great one-off pressies. I'll be selling badges (big and small!) earrings, christmas cards and wrapping paper sets.

You can RSVP at the Handmade Heaven Part 2 Facebook Event.

See you there!

Successful CrEATions

After a really busy fortnight, I've decided to post a thourough update! Last night the crEATe Cake expo was a sweet success! We had a really fab turn-out, as well as some amazing edible sculptures. Thank you to Laura at Exhibitions and the OverwhelmingFilm Night guys for all of your organisational help! (Work above by Mahala LeMay)

The lucky winners of crEATe 2009 are as follows:

Hilary Grant, a graduate of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design won First Prize, with her Weetabix Berlin Wall entitled, Looking For Freedom, a witty tribute to David Hasslehoff's involvement in its crumble (pardon the pun!)

Second Prize went to Duncan of Jordanstone Students- Rose Hendry, Ailidh MacGregor and Katie Mason, with their sugar-laden, "It's Not a Cake"

Janet McAughtrie stole Third Place with her Luscious Lemon Cake, complete with Lemon protesters and pastry placards.

Thank you also to our Panel of Judges: Gillian from Dundee's Parlour Cafe; DOJCAD Gallery-Textiles graduate Mahala Lemay, and DOJCAD student and member of the OverwhelmingFilm night, Neil Ogg.

For more photos and to keep up to date with future crEATe Cake Expo's visit the crEATe Blog.

Time For a Quick Update

Ok, just a few things to mention: The first is the coming of my Cake Expo, crEATe at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, this Thursday the 10th of December. For more info and ENTRY FORMS click here. Also have been organising my work Christmas Party as well as a few other things in the pipeline (all will be revealed next week) so it's going to be a very busy festive season.

Also, have a couple of new badges available to buy in my Folksy shop if anybody fancies a nosy.

Seasons greetings!

Chilli Chocolate Cupcakes

Monday's are trying at the best of times, but after a crazy-busy weekend, the only thing that could possible help was a batch of Chilli Chocolate Cupcakes. Seeing as it would be unfair to keep such a delight to myself- I've decided to share my recipe.

You need:
4oz Self Raising Flour
1oz Cocoa Powder
1tsp Baking Powder
3oz Caster Sugar
2 Eggs
3oz Stork (or marg)
A dash of Orange squash concentrate

Icing:
30z Icing Sugar
1oz Cocoa
1tsp Chilli Powder
2oz Stork

They're dead easy- Just combine all of the dry cake ingredients, then add the eggs, butter and orange. Spoon the mix into cake cases and bake in a preheated oven at 200 DegreesC for 18 minutes.

Once they're cooled mix up the icing and top. Et Voila! Just try not to eat them all at once. You can even use the recipe for your crEATe cake entry!

Find crEATe on Facebook

Just a quick post to make folks aware of the crEATe 2009 Facebook event. It's an Open Event so if you're a facebooker you can RSVP and invite any cake-lovers you might know to come along too. See you there! (Click HERE for the crEATe 2009 Blog)

Nikki Made @ Beco Boutique

Badges by Nikki Made are now stocked by Dundee's Beco Boutique. If you havn't discovered this little gem already, it's located on the second floor of the Wellgate centre. The range I created for Beco's reflects the boutique's philosophy of eco-friendliness through vintage and remade clothing and accessories. My range of badge designs include funky vintage printed hankerchiefs (from 1960...that's almost twice as old as me!) as well as upcylced fabric from dress and of course, re-used biscuit wrappings! Badges at Beco Boutique are one-offs and are priced at £3.00 each. Great for sprucing up a dull outfit!

crEATe 2009

I'd like to announce an event which I am organising on the 10th of December this year at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design. It's called crEATe 2009 and combines my all time two favourite things- Cake and Art! There'll be an open call for submissions for a Cake and Edible sculpture competition, which will be judged by an esteemed panel of "experts!" There'll be prizes for winners, as well as the chance to eat the art! For more information, or if you would like to enter email me or check out the crEATe 2009 Blog.

As well as the cake competition, there'll also be a food themed film showing. Duncan of Jordanstone's Overwhelming Film Night are screening the fantastic "Delicatessen" along with exhibiting their handmade film posters from previous Film Nights. DJCAD's Cooper Gallery will be transformed into a mini Cinema (free popcorn provided, of course!) to complete the night.

Spreading the Teacake Joy

A wee mention from Plaisir in Biggar.

Hard Work Pays Off

The Handmade Heaven fair at the Hannah Maclure Centre yesterday was great fun: I met loads of like-minded people as well as selling a good few badges! Thank you to everyone who came along and helped to make it a success.



Along with some other artists, I even got a wee mention in the Press and Journal.

My Badges at Plaisir

I am delighted to announce that my badges will soon be stocked by a beautiful boutique called Plaisir in Biggar. They have a great selection of fabulous artwork and design, handmade, and designer clothes, which can be followed at their blog. They currently have a bathtub filled with teacakes...which should mean my badges will feel at home!

The Cult of The Cupcake

An article at UKHandmade suggesting the overwhelming power of the humble cupcake: including a recipe.

Cake Expo 2009

Having looked at my last few blog posts I've realised the overwhelming presence of Tunnock's in my life at the moment!

To diversify (alebit only slightly...from biscuit to cake) I've decided to post an album of some of the cakes that I have made over the last few years. The one in the photo above was for a friend's birthday, just before she decided to leave Art School.

The main reason for the inclusion of the cake album is because I will be organising a "Cake Expo" at Duncan of Jordanstone on Thursday the 10th of December. Just wanted to set a cakey tone...More to come very soon!

My First Follower!

I am very pleased to have my first Blog follower! They are The Wollies- a fello blogger and Folksy seller. I couldn't resist applying to be invcluded in their current givaway- a bright red racoon brooch which you can also buy at the Wollies Shop.

Fingers crossed!

Caramel Wafer Christmas

Ok! I'm a step closer to finishing my things for the Handmade Heaven Fair next Thursday. I've made christmas card and wrapping paper sets, that will also be for sale on Folksy.

My designs all feature the famous Tunnock's Caramel Wafer wrapper...however, tomorrow I'll be adventuring to Uddingston (again!) to pick up some discarded Tunnock's wrappers- of the Teacake and Log variety! So, I will be expanding my range!

Also- new branded packaging, with a handmade feel, of course!

Packaging at NikkiMade

I've been experimenting with branding and packaging for my shop, NikkiMade. These are the first few I've come up with. I really love cardboard, brown parcel paper (manilla to many) and string, so it seemed sensible to include them in my packaging! I'm working on more consistent branding at the moment- which will compliment my shop. The all new Nikkimade packaging and advertising will be rolled out very soon!

Handmade Heaven

I will be participating in an event called Handmade Heaven on the 19th of November, at the University of Abertay (Dundee)'s Hannah Maclure Centre. It'll run from 12 noon until 6pm and will be situated within the Main Gallery Space.

I'm going to be selling my badges, as well as a couple of new things I'm working on at the moment. All will be for sale on Folksy eventually! The next couple of weeks are going to be really busy, making enough things to stock my stall...but I can't wait!

I Heart Tea (And My First Sale on Folksy!)

I woke up this morning to a nice surprise- I'd sold my first set of Tunnock's badges on Folksy!! I've sold loads of things on eBay in the past, and a brooch on old Etsy shop (my new Etsy shop will be opening again soon) but this felt different.

It's really cool to know that somebody liked your things enough to part with their hard-earned cash for them.

In my new-found Folksy-Joy, I've been inspired to make a few more things, which will be listed very soon...including the freebie which I will be giving away in SheDraw's Fancy Tea Swap this month. For everybody aside from the lucky person who I will be swapping Teas with, You can buy my new badge on Folksy.

A Very Tunnock's Christmas

Just thought I'd post a wee update about my badges on Folksy. I'm now selling a range of Tunnock's themed badges- including a gift set (pictured above) Each set comes complete with gift wrap included for FREE to all those sharing the Tunnock's Love this Christmas!

More Tunnock's Tributes

On looking at Tunnock's, I've discovered a whole subculture of people (scarily like me) who seem to have a fascination with all things red and gold and biscuity. There are even a couple of artists who have shown their love for Tunnock's confectionary. Fiona Watson made the beautiful photo of the deer and the teacake, as well as several prints of the famous dome, one of which hangs in the reception of the factory in Uddingston. Maisonette's teacake and Blyth doll photos are lovely.

I'm planning some artwork using Tunnock's confectionary at the moment. Teacake, anyone?

Tunnock's Badges, Online

Ok, so a quick update! I've opened a new shop. NikkiMade currently stocks my Tunnock's Caramel Wafer pin badges. I've got plans to do a whole range of shiny Tunnock's badges, Teacakes, Caramel Logs- the lot! I sold some of my badges to the Gallery of Modern Art, in Glasgow, where they'll be for sale in the shop.

NikkiMade will soon stock all sorts of other goodies, including loads more badges, hats, earrings and shoes!

A Few of My Favourite Things

Who'd have thought that anyone would ever combine two of my favourite things? That's right: biscuits and cardboard! There are loads more cartoons that are updated thrice weekly at http://www.mycardboardlife.com/!

Glesga Corpy Towels

The exhibition at the baths was a complete success this saturday...a great time was had by all, and we even managed to sell all of our tea towels!

If you'd like to place an order for a Glesga Corpy Towel, you can email myself: n.c.mcwilliams@googlemail.com, or the poet himself, brianmcw@hotmail.com.

Towels are priced at £4.00, plus postage and packaging, which starts at £1.50, for one tea towel. I can accept payment through paypal, and also personal cheques/postal orders. Just drop me a wee email with your name, address, quantity and payment method, and i'll send one your way!

The rest of my artwork is featured in my portfolio link, on the right of the page.

A Sneaky Soapy peek

Not quite the finished article, but a wee taste (if you've ever tasted soap) of some of the work I've been doing for the Govanhill Open Doors days, this month. The exhibition's only on for two days (the 19th and 20th of September) so get yerself down between 10am and 4pm to see the baths in their current state of repair (ferns and all) and also some fantastic artwork.

Govanhill Steamie

I'm currently working on a project for Govanhill Baths Opendoors days 2009. This is my space- it's in an area by the private baths at Govanhill Baths, Glasgow. My work for this project is based on stories about the baths, told to me by my father. It's based on the senses involved in nostalgia- namely smell and touch. There's a website for the baths: it's http://www.govanhillbaths.com/

The opendoors exhibition will take place on the weekend of the 19th and 20th of Septemeber. There's going to be loads of other artists and attractions, so be sure to come along!

Natalie Moore

Natalie Moore at New Designers exhibited these beautiful plates! She dips lace and crochet in slip fires them. I'd love to eat cake from one of these!

Debbie Smyth

I came across Debbie Smyth's work last week. It's absolutley fantastic- from a glance her drawings look very architectural and clean. Get a little closer though, and you can see that each line is made by a length of thread wound around a dress-making pin.

Fabulous. Why didn't I think of that?

Sock Things

After a prolonged curiosity with sock creatures, I downloaded a set of instructions by Nicky Gibson. She runs a "Making Things Club" at http://www.monster-monch.com/- I want to go! I've fashioned my own sock cats though...until I can have a real one!

R.I.P Woolies!

Finally a few pictures of my work in one of the Art Tanks on Ward Rd, Dundee. Each Tank (there's 5) contains Art which is then changed every 6 weeks. From left to right: Hand-embroideries depicting "extinct" UK shops: "William Low (1868 - 1994)"; "Littlewoods (1923 - 2004)"; Woolworths (1909 - 2009).

Woolies is hanging on in cyberspace...they even have a Twitter!

The Art tanks website is coming soon.

Peanut Butter & Chocolate Cupcakes

Here's some wee cakes inspired by Reeses Peices...the icing is chocolate and peanut buttery! I'm going to start recording my cake-making again. I'll add a gallery of my previous cakey art...hopefully to inspire me with the upcoming cake-expo at DOJ.

Cake-o-rama

Met with Jenny Brownrigg and Laura Simpson from DOJ exhibs this morning. It looks like my plans for a small cake expo could become bigger than i'd first expected!

With an emphasis on domestic craft as art, they suggested I look at Merlyn Riggs, Martha Rosler and Ebba Redman, to add further "layers" to the exhibition cake. Ebba's graduating this year, and has a blog. www.ebbaredman.blogspot.com As I do, she loves to crochet!

This event will be taking place december 2009. More te come!

Art Tanks

Great fun installing work at No1's pub for the Art Tanks show...even got a wee picture in the local rag...

http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/output/2009/04/23/story13009469t0.shtm

Miss Magpie Shoe update-

Both the Jamtoes and Jumper boots have now SOLD.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS!

I have a wee shop! It's at: www.timeformoretea.etsy.com I'll be adding loads of stuff very soon!

This week, I am going to Be...

Submitting a proposal for ArtTanks 09; Hanging a Bird Feeder outside of my bedroom window; Crocheting more granny squares for my blanket; embroidering some bags (all will be revealed); perhaps painting some chairs; photographing shoes; photographing the city...

BUY MY SHOES!

For a very limited time only Miss Magpie Shoes are available to bid on through eBay. As always, they're one of a kind, so once they're gone, they're GONE!

Bid now for amazingly unique feet!

Also for sale are "Jam Toes" Place your bids now for the sweetest feet in town!

go to eBay

Due to my newfound love of Crocheting, my shoe-making has taken a back seat...but that seat's now draped with a beautiful granny-square hand-made blanket!

Unsold Shoes from Ra-Ra will be going online for quick sale at eBay very shortly. Along with all of my unworn clothes.