Today we hear from our fair organiser, Claire Montgomery. Claire will also have a stall at the fair and will be selling under the name of Cat-a-Cake Creations. Find out a bit more about her…
“Visitors to our fair seem to stay for hours, looking at the wonderful crafts, eating yummy cake, listening to our vintage singers, helping their children take part in a workshop, getting their faces painted and much more- it really was a magical day!”– Claire
Remind us a bit about you and what you do/ make….
As well as organising this fair and working full time at a design studio, I also regularly sell at craft markets across Sussex. I sell a range of whimsical & animal themed laser cut jewellery, greetings cards, pocket mirrors, badges, cotton bags and more! All of my work is hand designed by myself. I have recently re-branded under the name of Cat-a-Cake Creations, in line with my new website and Etsy store.
Do you have a best seller? If so what is it?
My ‘Buddy the Cat’ necklace is always popular. He is based on my own pet Buddy the cat, who is a big fluffy black cat who likes lots of cuddles! The best thing about having him as a necklace is he can be any colour I want him to be! Other than Buddy then my earrings are always popular- at two pairs for £7 they are very good value and come in various cute animals, colours and all have silver plated findings and come in a little pouch to keep them warm!
What do you enjoy most about your craft?
I enjoy translating a design that starts in my head, to a sketch, then to a visual, then to a piece of jewellery, then selling it, seeing peoples reactions and hearing their feedback on it is always good. It’s a great feeling to see someone wearing a piece of your jewellery- its nice to know that it is appreciated. I recently sold an item from my Etsy shop to a lady in America, so Dot the Dalmatian necklace was wrapped up and sent off to sunny Florida- alright for some! I think Etsy is great to get your work known further afield and its a great feeling knowing a little item you had an idea about is now sitting as a lovely necklace in a house half way around the world!
Do you take part in other craft events (fairs, open houses, markets etc…)?
Yes, lots! As well as The Fairy Tale Fair I also take part in Brighton Craftaganza, Makers Boutique and two Artists Open Houses in May and December each year. This May I will again be part of The Cake House, which is a lovely child friendly houses with lot of cute arts and crafts (and rainbow stairs), as well as a new house- The Dog House which is a great well established house with over 16 artists- find out more about them on my website. I’ll also be taking part in more craft fairs and local events during the summer.
What items and Mother’s day/ Easter gifts will you be selling at The Fairy Tale Fair?
I will be selling a range of cute gift ideas for both Mother’s day and Easter. These include greeting cards- my dotty chick card won a Pinterest competition last year and is very popular! Also I have made some special little felt chicks that come in their own little pouches to keep warm. They want to be your friend so please say hello on the day! There is only 3 available- so be quick! Also I will have badges, pocket mirror, earrings, necklaces and much more to choose from.
You took part in the last Fairy Tale Fair, did you enjoy it?
Yes I took part, and organised it! As with the summer fair it was great to see it all come together on the day and see the happy faces of the children and customers who visited! It takes a lot of work to get the crowd in we did- thousands of flyers through doors, adverts, lots of posts on this blog, keeping up with social accounts, sending emails, contacting press and much more- but I think it is all worth it in the end. It rained hard ALL day for the Christmas fair but that didn’t seem to put visitors off- there was a steady flow of people all day and it was particularly busy in the morning. Visitors seem to stay for hours, looking at the wonderful crafts, eating yummy cake, listening to our vintage singers, helping their children take part in a workshop, getting their faces painted and much more- it really was a magical day! I hope this Spring fair will be just as magical, we have so much to offer so please don’t miss it!
What are your plans/ ambitions for the future? Or have you already achieved them?
I hope to continue to organise The Fairy Tale Fair, and help it grow. I have plans to make it bigger and expand, but I’d always like to keep its local roots as it has a real community feel! I’d also like to organise more events, such as charity events, weddings and other fairs/ markets across Sussex.
I’d also like to continue to develop my design career and one day aim to have my own greeting card range and exhibit at a big trade show in London. I also have a keen interest in Children’s books. For my final project when I was at university I created a book of nursery rhymes- I’d like to continue to develop this and one day write my own children’s book too! Oh and I’d like to own a cute little cake and craft shop in Brighton by the seaside- everything would sparkle and be lovely!
Any other comments you wish to make:
I am really looking forward to this Saturday the 9th March, and hope lots of you can visit our lovely fair on the day. We are open from 10.30am, and you can see full location details here. It’s a great day out for all the family and there really is something for everyone.
Find out more:
Web: www.catacakecreations.co.uk
Facebook (just set up new page under my new name and would love some more fans!): www.facebook.com/catacakecreations
Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/CataCakeCreations
