Posted on Leave a comment

Our weekend at the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair

We had a very busy and productive weekend at the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair in Manchester, run by Great Northern Events.  It actually started on Thursday for the set up and then a private view in the evening.

Our weekend at the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair was a busy one. Being based at Upper Campfield on Deansgate it was right in the middle of Manchester. There was many different types of people in attendance. There were lots of trendy and nice shoes being worn! It was pretty much a constant stream of people. We did a lot of talking but also taking many compliments on our products and designs. People were very impressed by the fact you could choose your coloured cord, shade and even the wood. You can do the same in our shop. poster of Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair

There were lots of very talented makers there and it was a pleasure to chat and get to know lots of new people. The problem is not spending all the taking on other peoples work!

We are gaining more and more experience of doing these shows and, although they are very tiring, we feel they are very worth while. We definitely hope to be back next year and will be looking for more. Perhaps even fitting one in before Christmas. There are some more local to us which may well be worth while for us. And, as it gets dark, more thought goes towards interior lighting. So watch this space.

Posted on Leave a comment

Visit to Decorex

Yesterday was our first visit to decorex Decorex  International at Olympia London. Although I’ve attended a few exhibitions/events at Olympia  This was the first time I had visited Decorex.

As well as the usual reasons for visiting; getting inspiration and chatting to other makers and interior designers. Other reasons for visiting were  to meet to people with whom we had arranged before hand.

Visiting to decorex we met up with Jane and Cat from Author interiors who we will being doing business with very soon. We also managed to have a chat with someone from Eporta who was very helpful. To do with Eporta, we attended a talk/seminar about lighting design. Eporta sponsor all of the talks.

Although it was a lot of driving for a day it was definitely worth while, a few real positives came out of it, with interior designers interested in our lighting.

Posted on Leave a comment

New contemporary lampshade colours for the autumn

We have chosen new shade colours and are trying a new shade shape this autumn.

New contemporary lampshade colours for the autumn

At mark lowe We regularly look  for the new colour trends of the season. Keeping our eyes out throughout the year. Looking online, in magazines and by visiting shows. Yellow with a gold lining has been a very popular choice. This autumn we are going for a slightly different yellow this time in linen (also a very popular fabric). As with the previous yellow this will be with a gold lining. We are also going for a turquoise with copper lining. This is an exciting new colour with the ever popular copper lining.

Of course we still have a large variety of coloured fabric cords to choose from. Choose the right one to compliment your new contemporary lampshade colours for the autumn

All these new colour combos along with regular one’s will be available for you to view at The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair, Deansgate, Manchester 10th -13th October.

We are looking forward to meeting you there.

Mustard yellow and turquois colour swatches
Colour swatches for the new autumn shades.

Yours Mark

 

 

Posted on Leave a comment

Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair

Header for the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair

A couple of weeks to go before we are part of the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair in Manchester. I’ll post a few blogs building up to it. I’m using as much social media as possible to promote this show. This is not only for our business –Mark Lowe -but for all the great Designer Makers who will be there. These shows are a great opportunity for people to see ‘in person’ all of the designers-makers and to view, inspect and even touch their work. Many pieces will be available as well as commissions and orders being possible. For more details visit wwww.greatnorthernevents.co.uk Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair in Manchester
wwww.greatnorthernevents.co.uk
Great Northern Events

Posted on Leave a comment

Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair – Manchester

We are really looking forward to being part of the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair in Manchester this October. The show is organised by Great Northern Events. They host a number of shows throughout the year including in Sheffield and Newcastle.

After the success of and being part of the Handmade in Oxford show (see previous blog). We wanted to grow the success of this newer venture in our business. While continuing to work with interior designers, direct selling and through outlets. We know it is so important to connect with our customers, finding out what they love about our products and what more we can do for them (for you).

So, please come along and say hello and, of course, enjoying and viewing all the other amazing makers and products on show throughout the weekend.

GNCCF Manchester http://www.greatnorthernevents.co.uk/homepage-gnccf.aspx

Venue: Upper Campfield Market Hall, Campfield Arcade, 300 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4FN (entrance via Arcade between Instituto Cervantes and Dimitris Restaurant).
Opening Times
Thursday 10th October* 18.00-21.00 Friday 11th October 10.00-18.00 Saturday 12th October 10.00-17.00 Sunday 13th October 10.00-16.00

See you soon and all the best Mark

Posted on Leave a comment

Handmade Oxford

We had a busy weekend at the end of June as part of the Handmade Oxford show. this is part of the Handmade Britain group who organised a few shows over the year and around the country.

We had a stand there and enjoyed meeting and talking to many people including customers as well as other stand holders.

It was a busy and well attended weekend with lovely weather.

I am sure we will be there again and at other show as well.

Mark

Posted on Leave a comment

New Product Launch – Edie Coat Rack

We’re really pleased to be launching our brand new Edie Coat Rack at this years Handmade Oxford show (see previous blog).
Based on the Edie coat stand the Coat Rack is wall mounted and, as with so many of our products, you can different options to suit your style and needs. These include; Wood, size (how many hooks) and a choice of coloured discs inset behind the hooks.
Soon to be available on this website, come and view them at the show – Handmade Oxford, Waterperry gardens Thursday 27th to Sunday Edie Coat Rack in AshEdie Coat Rack in Ash

Posted on Leave a comment

Handmade Oxford

Just a short note to say that we’re looking forward to Handmade Oxford at the end of June. Thursday 27th June – Sunday 30th June.

Handmade Oxford – The International Contemporary Arts Festival

This will be our first major festival and we are looking forward to meeting and talking to lots of people and new customers.

More updates to come over the next few weeks.

Mark

Posted on Leave a comment

We’re in The Nottingham Evening Post

Just before Christmas I had an order to be delivered to south Wales. We booked for it to be picked up by Hermes but unfortunately they didn’t bother turning up not once but twice. Due to certain complications regarding delivery to the address I decided to take the parcel down myself. After doing this I posted a picture on Instagram with a brief description like this. This was picked up by The Nottingham Evening post and they did a (nearly) full page feature on the story!
Take a look here –

https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/business/nottingham-designer-makes-long-journey-2345045

Posted on Leave a comment

Customer review from Isle of Mull

Thank you to our customer from the Isle of Mull for your lovely review and for ordering a table lamp after receiving her Adjustable Standard Lamp. Photo of her lamp is above.

Please read her review below.

Dear Mark and Marianne,

We are pleased to tell you that our lamp arrived safe and sound on the Isle of Mull this morning and it is beautiful. Parcelforce has been a great option for us and to be within 48 hours at this time of year is a miracle. 

We found the website through Etsy initially, then following on Instagram. The workmanship looked perfect for our aesthetic but since we had not seen any of Mark’s work it was a leap of faith to place an online order. We didn’t have a moment’s worry after placing the order, communication was excellent, timescales and expectations managed. Excellent, professional customer service for a small company. Their choice of courier for us meant that our item arrived within 48 hours in perfect condition. This is no mean feat considering we live in the Hebrides, Scotland. Lastly, our lamp is beautiful and we are very happy to have it in our home. 

Alison