January Schmanuary

Good evening Shaders.

My - we have been very poor in keeping up with this blogging malarkey of late haven't we? Christmas chaos had us in its crazy grip there for a while, but I think the shopping shackles have loosened a little now! We're working hard to restock The Maisonette after y'all cleared us out of handmade fabulousness and we're toiling like trojans to lay plans for 2010. We have a lot of stuff buzzing about our heads and we have a LOT of lists to write!

Despite our Made In The Shade boutique shopping event still being... well - homeless, we're concentrating on The Maisonette for the time being and we're super-duper focused and gearing up for another tremendous year. We want to make our shop - as tiny as it is - your favourite place to be, to buy and to nosy around in. January is traditionally a pretty dismal month and even though we have been praying to the goddess of tropical beach lifestyle and sunshine religiously, we're guessing that we'll probably be stuck with sleet and cold air for a good while yet before the sun shows its face and our fingers thaw out long enough to stir a mojito. So. Here's the plan. We'll be unveiling our in-store events schedule shortly. We want to invite y'all to The Maisonette for tea and biscuits, for demos, workshops, meet-ups and general creative fun. We want to brighten up your bleugh winter evenings and we want you to share ideas, learn something new and get to know folks in your neighbourhood. We have some fabulous ideas up our sleeves already (we'll tell you more very soon), but if you'd like to host an event or if you have an idea for a workshop you'd absolutely like to take part in, then drop us a line! Reach us at: themaisonette@wearemadeintheshade.com We love to hear from you.

The Maisonette goes BUST! (No, no, no... in a GOOD way!)

Yes, this weekend sees the Made In The Shade Maisonette travel southbound to London Town where MITS gal Carrie and her fine beau, Beardy, will set up mini shop alongside some of the country's finest crafty maker types.

In the spirit of supporting and nurturing new talent, we'll be handpicking some of our favourite Maisonette residents to represent The Maisonette during our debut at the BUST Craftacular. Perhaps rather predictably, we're placing a 'homeware' slant on our product selections this time around. If you're in London on Saturday 12th December and you're hankering after high quality, unusual and gosh darn beautiful cosy, homey wonderfulness, then do swing by and see us!

Amongst others, we'll be showcasing the work of needle mistress and textile designer Angharad Jefferson, ceramicist Kitty & Dude, subversive cross-stitcher Miso Funky, box art champion Navarone Paul and of course, Clare Nicolson and Lady Wurlitzer. It'll be a blast!

by Angharad Jefferson - available at the BUST Craftacular 12.12.09

by Angharad Jefferson - available from the BUST Craftacular 12.12.09

The BUST Craftacular takes place at York Hall in Bethnal Green on Saturday 12th December between 12 noon and 7pm. There'll be music and crafting and cake and fun and loveliness.

Last Chance Saloon

A little bundle is accumulating on our mobile office (aka the Maisonette hostess trolley). As beautiful handmade items fly out of our doors, destined for new homes and new owners, we inevitably reach a stage where one little lonesome gift is left behind :( Rather than neglect these little pieces of handmade treasure, we'd like to encourage y'all to come and adopt 'em!

This is the Last Chance Saloon. If y'all don't grab these while you got the chance, you'll be sorry.

Cherished Coin Purse by Dazed Dorothy £15




Knitted Tea Cup Coaster by Knit & Destroy £4




Little Vintage Linen Notebook by Leah Halliday £7

Other items you might want to nab sharpish before the disappear include...

Cat Mart print by Gemma Correll £12

Knitted Bow Scarf (Pink/Blue) by Knit & Destroy £20

Ceramic Ornamental Grenade by Knitty & Dude £36

Bow-Tie Brooch (Lilac/Powder Blue) by Ding Ding Designs £8

Insect Badges (ladybug, dragon fly small, dragon fly large) £1.50 - £3

Small Stag (guilt free taxidermy) by Madness of Many £20


When we say, 'If y'er no' fast - y'er last', we really do mean it!

Swing by The Maisonette and ask us about Last Chance Saloon items. We'll sort you out ;)