#HANDMADE INSPIRATION: CANDLES

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There is something wonderful about snuggling up on a cool autumnal evening with a cup of tea, a big thick blanket and the warm light of a couple of candles burning in the background.  If you have never made your own they are a really simple and relatively cheap project and as Christmas approaches make a wonderful gift.

Here's some of my favourite DIY Candle Projects...

DIY CAMP MUG CANDLE
POPPYTALK

Evocative of cool autumnal evenings sat around a camp fire, these candles are perfect for gifts for those with an outdoor spirit.  

HOMEMADE BEESWAX CANDLES
A BEAUTIFUL MESS

Not only is beeswax is a wonderful air purifyer, cleansing the air in your home, but it also smells beauifully sweet and warm.  With so many people opting for natural products over synthetic chemicals these days they make a beautiful gift and have universal appeal. 

SEASHELL CANDLES
DESIGN SPONGE 

A great alternative to tea lights and a great way to make use of the beauitful beach finds gathered on a bracing sea side walk.

SHARE your pictures of your #handmade candles with us on Twitter at @handmadeni.

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TOTAL STITCH FEST - THE ALTERNATIVE CRAFT SHOW // 9TH MARCH 2014

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The lovely folk from Frock Around the Clock have a brand new creative event for us this weekend with the first TOTAL STITCHFEST - THE ALTERNATIVE CRAFT SHOW taking place at the Ramada Plaza in Belfast this Sunday.

Featuring a curated market place of over 60 unique markers and artisans from all over Ireland the show promises a combination of new and traditional craft techniques, innovative work and one of a kind, locally produced items. 

Creative Director Becky Moore says 

‘the idea for TOTAL STITCH FEST was born out of the growing success of the handmade element of our Frock Around The Clock Vintage Fairs over the last 5 years, and also the popularity of our craft workshops which we ran with textile artist Rosie Moore of Cut Out Doll.  Through this new event we seek to provide inspiration and learning to both a new generation of crafters and seasoned craft addicts, as well as a quality handmade shopping experience which features Irish creative talent. 

The show will also feature various demonstrations with artisans demonstrating crafts including spinning, fabric strip knitting, appliqué, fabric flower making and wet felting as well as a chance to gain an insight into the creative processes and manufacturing techniques.

There will also be a Designer Fashion Exhibition by Belfast-based collective fashion studio UNIFY; a collaboration between designers of different disciplines in fashion, bridal wear, millinery and jewellery.

TOTAL STITCH FEST - THE ALTERNATIVE CRAFT SHOW runs from 12 - 5pm at the Ramada Plaza, Shaws Bridge Belfast. on Sunday 9th March. Entrance £5-00.  For more information visit
facebook.com/frockaroundtheclockvintagefairs