When the Corn Exchange was in its heyday I used to work in a little jewellery shop there. It was basically a stylish cupboard. And in it I worked for my friend Claire, it was a little shop called 'Love it'.
Claire would make slinky dresses and other quirky clothes, whilst I would potter away making plastic jewellery – mainly pieces made from recycled Lego, plectrums and mini playing cards.
It wasn't sophisticated and what I put together wasn't incredibly well made back then, but I loved working there and sitting there all day serving my customers with little paper bags selling little treasures.
A few years later and I was thinking about how ever so often I go into Leeds city centre and there are so few shops that sell things I enjoy.
I mostly use craft sites like Etsy or Folksy to track down jewellery or accessories that I would want to wear, or for gifts for friends, but I rarely find anything I get truly excited by.
'Who want something mass produced?'
Who wants something mass produced anyway? Something made halfway around the world by a factory? Something that - eek! - somebody else might have in Leeds?! And so, thinking that there must be other quirky girls out there who'd love to buy handmade crafts in Leeds: Reetsweet was born.
As Reetsweet Craft Events I host regular events at the refurbished Corn Exchange and specialise in handpicking the best local crafters – you'll find prints, homewares, jewellery and accessories.
All one-offs, all handmade in the UK. We do not charge entry fees to come along and our picks appeal to all ages.
Come and see our next event on Sunday 6 February from 11am to 4.30pm - you just might be surprised at what you find as we are no ordinary craft fair!
Guest blogger Rebecca Drury runs Reetsweet.
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