Late night Christmas shopping in Sydenham

Hello teapots

Miss SoS's sister project – T'arts & Crafts, will be at Kente tomorrow, (Friday) as Sydenham holds a late night Christmas shopping event.

There promises to be a very special panto star (oh no there's not!) to switch on the lights at 5pm and at 6.30pm, Harmony High - the real life Dulwich Glee Club, will be performing. There will be music at the bookshop and lots of late night shops and when you've done all that come and have a pot of tea and sample some delicious home-made treats from the T&C girls.

Kente is in the heart of the action at 16 Sydenham Road, SE26 5QW.

www.sydenhamtowncentre.com

T'arts & Crafts

Hello Teapots

The sister group of THP, T'arts & Crafts, will be popping up in Crystal Palace on December 15th. The venue will be the wonderful Vien, situated at 87 Church Road, in the centre of the Palace Triangle.

The girls will be taking over the teashop situated towards the rear of Vien. We will be working in partnership with the proprietor of Vien, the lovely Vivien, to bring you a wonderful shopping event. You will find gorgeous vintage pieces as well as gifts for all the family and you'll be able to enjoy a hot pot of tea and a slice of something scrum!

For more info, drop Miss SoS a line x x x

Where have you been, Miss SoS?

Ah teapots, tis been a while since I have been able to blog with any real conviction. Miss SoS had to move, had her baby teapot leave the cosy, and has generally been having a traumatic time. But things pass and like a good quality teabag, Miss SoS can keep going even after a really big squeeze!

So, just a quickie to let you know that we'll be back in time for Christmas! We will be popping up all over the place.... tea parties are planned for Crystal Palace, Lee and Sydenham. Oh, the glamour!

Keep watching this space and keep posted. Love as always, Miss SoS x x x

Soul Legend Jocelyn Brown appearing at the Brighton Dome

Hello Teapots

Those of you 'of a certain age', will recall the legend that is Jocelyn Brown, perhaps remembered best for her hit 'Somebody Else's Guy'. My friends at IG Music are over the moon to present Souled Out... A genuinely uplifting, get on your feet night at the Brighton Dome featuring Brighton's no.1 soul choir who will perform alongside Jocelyn Brown and 90's R&B band, Damage on Saturday 1 December at the Brighton Dome.

Tickets are £27.50 and £22.50 and are available from http://brightondome.org/event/219/souled_out/ or call the box office on 01273 709 709.

This would be the ultimate works Christmas party with a difference offering a perfect party atmosphere in the company of sensational singers and musicians where you can sing out and get down! No one will even notice if  you're getting on a little too well with the office manager as they'll be having such a great time!

If  you love to sing then this could be for you, IG Music are running Sing-Saturday choir workshops with the opportunity to take part in the live performance at the Brighton Dome!

The workshops will take place on Saturday 10 and Saturday 24 November from 2–6pm.

The cost will be £30 for both workshops or £40 for both workshops and to sing in the performance.

Don't miss this fantastic opportunity, register via www.souledoutbrighton.com or telephone 020 7249 0902.

Come and join us tomorrow!

Yay, it's Teapot Time!

Come and join us tomorrow in the hall of the Beckenham Methodist Church from 1.30pm onwards. There'll be fun and frolics and a lovely cup of tea.

And not to forget the Beckenham Bake-off! Judging starts at 4pm. Yum, yum, yum!

See you tomorrow teapots x x x

Welcome back Celia

Regular teapots will be familiar with the work of Celia Reid. The Hidden Teapot is delighted to welcome her back this Saturday and we can't wait to see her new pieces.

Celia Reid is a London based Designer/Maker who graduated from a Printed Textiles & Surface
Pattern Design Degree in 2004. Since then she has been making lovely handmade cards, gifts,
artwork and textiles products and selling them at craft fairs and markets in and around London and
the South East.

Celia Reid’s products range from greetings cards, bunting, brooches and artwork to cushions that
have been digitally and screen printed from her wallpaper designs.

Saturday's Workshops.....

Hello teapots.

Gosh, I am exhausted! There has been so much to do in preparations for Saturday. Just having a cuppa and taking the weight off.

Right, Saturday's Workshop schedule is as follows:

2pm: Spectacular Spectacles & SuperHero Shinanegans!
Davies & Daughters have been inspired by Lola (from Charlie & Lola) and invite you to decorate your own groovy spectacles! If that isn't your bag, then make a super, super-hero mask!
www.daviesanddaughters.creators.co.uk

3pm: Yes, your Majesty!
We've had so much to celebrate this year! With a nod to the royal jubilee, Miss SoS cordially invites you to express your inner prince or princess and decorate your very own crown.

4pm: The Queen having tea with a Friend
Artist Fiona Bell Currie continues our royal tribute and will take you on a journey of creating your own greeting card. This promises to be a fab workshop as Fiona lends her wonderful creative style to our workshop. www.fionabellcurrie.co.uk

Remember, workshops have limited spaces and are not suitable for children under 3 as there may be small items on the craft table. If you would like your little teapot to take part in a workshop then put their name on the board that will be available near the craft table. 
The craft table will be open for self-inspired creativity in between workshops. Come and get crafty! 

Welcome to our community neighbour - Crafts Bee

Hello Teapots

You may already be aware of the wonderful addition to our high street that is Crafts Bee. Situated opposite the Cinema in Beckenham, Crafts Bee offers everyone the opportunity to get creative.

The craft room is a gorgeous, bright and light workspace situated on the first floor of 247 High Street. If you have ever fancied turning your hand to skirt making or designing your own bag, now you have the opportunity to do so! Workshops are run by the day and are facilitated by experienced crafters. From learning to knit to silk painting, it's all going on at Crafts Bee.

We all have the potential to be creative! You don't have to be a skilled artist to explore your inner crafter. Check out www.craftsbee.com for more info and to book courses or call 0208 650 7099.

Another 'thank you'

goes to Easy Homestyle in Beckenham for helping to distribute our Bake-off flyers for us!

Thank you! x

visit them at 9 Kelsey Park Road, Beckenham, BR3 6LH

One week to go....

... until the Hidden Teapot's Summer Fair! Yes folks (folks?) next Saturday, August 18th, sees our Summer Fair swing into action. We shall be revisiting the venue that served us so well for the spring fling - the hall of the Methodist Church in Beckenham, entrance in Bevington Road.

The summer fair will see new and regular members showcasing their work. This will be a chance to browse and buy wonderful, handmade items not available anywhere else. There will also be cards, prints and limited edition works by local artists and print-makers.

We will be holding taster workshops for children and of course, the pop-up tea shop. Fancy a nice cuppa and a slice of cake? Visit the tea shop at the rear of the hall and sample our delicious home baked cakes. And tea always tastes better in China cups, don't you think?

Keep posted to the blog in the coming days for insights into our designer-makers and updates on workshops and other info.

Bye teapots and see you soon, Miss SoS x x

Because we're worth it!

Hello teapots

We have had so much support for our Bake-off from all over BR3! The website Beckenham Town has carried our flyer for the past few weeks (www.beckenhamtown.us) and BR3 Magazine has featured it too so a big thank you for that.

Miss SoS has been out with her shopping bag collecting prizes for our Bake-off winners. See below for a taste of what was on her list and don't forget teapots, there's just a week now to submit your application if you want to take part!

- STOP PRESS - STOP PRESS -

Hello Teapots

Due to interest from younger members of our community in the Bake-off, it has been decided that there will be a separate category for under 16's.

So if you know a budding baker, a Jamie in the making or a Lorraine in waiting, encourage them to enter our community competition. It promises to be a brilliant day! Let's get baking!

Bake-off Heating Up

Things are really heating up as the date of the Bake-off approaches. But what's it all about?

Baking has reemerged as a popular pastime for men and women of all ages. What better way to bring our community together than to hold a Bake-off. It will give us a chance to get together, swap notes, offer support, have some fun and raise money for Breast Cancer Care.

To be a part of the event, you should live or work in BR3 and be an amateur baker.  

To enter you will be asked to bake a Victoria Sponge. This can be a classic version or your own take upon that. The cake will be judged by 3 independent, Beckenham-linked judges. The cake will be judged on the following criteria: Flavour, Appearance, Consistency and Presentation.

Your cake should be brought to the Hidden Teapot's Summer Fair on Saturday 18 August to the hall of the Beckenham Methodist Church - entrance in Bevington Road.

Due to popular demand, there will now be a new category of 'Under 16's'. So if you know a young baker, get them to show us what they can do.

Entries should arrive by 1pm. The competition will be judged at 4.30pm and the winner announced thereafter. The competition is free to enter but we are asking entrants to make a donation of £3. However, you should note that it is not a requirement of the competition, simply a suggestion. If you wish to make a donations it should be made on the day.

There will be an overall winner, decreed the Beckenham Baker 2012, plus a second and third prize.
Prizes will be announced here soon.

Email thehiddenteapot@gmail.com for an entry form. And get baking!

Bake-off Update

Hello teapots

If you are thinking of entering the Beckenham Bake-off then now is the time to get yourself an entry form. If you would like to be sent a PDF that you can print off and return then email Miss SoS and she will send you an application (thehiddenteapot@gmail.com). With just under a month to go, why not get into the kitchen and start practising! Yum. Remember, we will be supporting Breast Cancer Care so there's never been a better time to eat cake.

Todays SE26 pop-up

Hello teapots!

Thank you to those of you who came to visit us today downstairs at Kente on the Sydenham Road. Looks like we're getting a bit of a following. Still, who could resist? See below for a few pics. We'll be back down there on Saturday 4th August and every first Saturday of the month. And a big Thank You to the proprietor, George, for supporting us!

Beckenham Bake-off

So, you're good in the kitchen... you know your flour from your flower and you bake a mean sponge. Well, step up to the plate and show us what you can do!

The competition for the coveted title of Beckenham Baker will be judged on Saturday August 18th as part of the Hidden Teapot's Summer Fair. Competition rules and info will be available soon. So, if you live or work in Beckenham, get your pinny on and get baking. We'll be supporting Breast Cancer Care so if that isn't justification to eat cake, I don't know what is! 

Miss SoS is on Etsy

Yay! World domination starts small and Miss SoS has begun her quest with a tasteful toe dipping into Etsy. To visit her shop click here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MadebyMissSoS?ref=seller_info

The shop shows the culmination of the Graphic Signage work that she has been developing over the last year or so and gives you the chance to be one of the first to buy a piece of her wonderful work.

Bib-Bib!

That cool dude, Mouseness, has lent his likeness to limited edition baby bibs. In 3 original designs they are entirely handmade.

There are only a few available and if you would like to get your hands on one you'll need to be quick. Made in soft mint and sky blue from 100% soft terry cotton with Velcro fastening. These kerchief style bibs are ideal dribble catchers and should fit babies from 3 – 12 months.

Mouseness would make a lovely and unique gift. They are available on ebay at £9.99. But if you're a Teapot follower then one can be yours for £8.50 (plus P&P). Contact Miss SoS (thehiddenteapot@gmail.com) and she will let you know where to make payment. Let her know which design and colour you've got your eye on and she will get back to you with availability.

Design 1, Mouseness, available in mint and blue

Design 2, Mouseness in Love, only one available in mint

Design 3, Mouseness Moonbathing, available in mint and blue

Quick-release Velcro fastening

The detail is amazing! 

SE20 on the map

Hey teapots

If you are a creative looking for affordable studio workspace, check out CreateSE20. Units are starting to fill and as you can see from the images below, it is a great place to work! createse20@gmail.com

Benches and shelving can be supplied

Even the smaller studios offer practical work solutions

Studio Spaces in SE20

Following the disapointing news that CreateBR3 was on hold, comes the fantastic news that CreateSE20 is now live!

All studios are naturally lit, clean and secure

8 light and bright studios are now available in the heart of SE20. With costs as low as £150 per month, fully inclusive, what's not to love? All spaces are naturally lit from above and are clean and secure. The aim is to build a creative hub with the potential to expand into other units. If you are a creative and have been looking for somewhere to work then this could be the answer. 

Advertising is just starting and we expect a positive and quick take-up. Studios range from 64 square foot to 128 square foot and will cost £2.40 per square foot per month. This cost is fully inclusive. At this early stage it may be possible to offer a bigger space should you need it. Access is available 24 hours a day.

CreateSE20 is situated perfectly for a host of transport links. Based on Franklin Road the studios are equidistant from Kent House and Penge West train stations. Avenue Road tram stop is a short walk and buses 75, 194, 197, 227, 354 and 176 stop near by. 

If you would like more info then contact the project coordinator on 07957 438178. We look forward to hearing from you! 

The Teapot on Tour....

It was only a matter of time before The Hidden Teapot spread its creative wings and flew its BR3 nest. We all have to leave home sometime and although it can be a time of angst and worry, stepping out as a grown-up is a vital part of ones development. So, we've packed some of our most creative pieces and we've wrapped up our very best get-crafty workshops and we're heading out into the big, bold world. SE26 here we come!

We will be popping-up at Kente Coffee Shop, 16 Sydenham Road, SE26 5QW on Saturday 7 April. We will be open for business between 10am – 5pm. Come along and see what we have to offer, we'll be transforming the cosy room downstairs into a wonderful pop-up shop! We will be holding a couple of Easter themed get-crafty workshops. These will be suitable for small teapots between 5 and 11 years old. Places will be limited so if you would like to reserve a place, get in touch with Miss SoS: thehiddenteapot@gmail.com

Sunday tea-tastic!

Hello teapots. Well, what to say? Our event on Sunday was simply magnificent! We transformed the Beckenham Methodist Church hall into a trove of crafting talent. With over 15 stallholders we were bursting at the seams with cool handmade delights. In addition we had facepainting, crafty workshops and the the pop-up tea shop. If you were there then you will know how delicious our offerings were....

Gorgeous crochet bits & bobs

Handmade Easter decorations

Jess transformed little teapots into tigers, monsters and butterflies

A big thank you to everyone who came along. The feedback was tremendously positive and everyone was asking when our next event would be. We will keep you posted.

Pigeons, mice and patriotism. Must be SOS15

One of our talented teapots show off their wares

The quiet before the storm.... the stallholders setting up

Welcome Beckenham Bookshop

With just a week to go until the Spring Fling, we are so pleased to welcome the Beckenham Bookshop to the teapot family! As the group expands, our ethos of working with the community grows too. We believe it is super important to support local artisans and independent businesses so that we continue to have a voice in what happens in our area.

The bookshop has been a welcome presence on the high street for many years. If you fancy a browse amongst new book titles in a welcoming and friendly environment, or are looking for a card or gift... head to the bookshop at 42 High Street where you won't be just a number.

Beckenham Bookshop will be providing our reading corner next Sunday so a big thank you!

x x x

A Fling with Davies & Daughters?

Regular visitors to our events will recognise Davies & Daughters as a staple of The Hidden Teapot. This powerhouse of creativity is formed of a husband and wife team with an impressive artistic portfolio.

With a diverse and varied background, from editioning prints for I.M Imprimit, organising festivals/film clubs to designing interactive exhibitions which are recognised internationally for their innovation and imagination. D&D now undertake commissions from the museum and heritage sector merging their experience of producing interactive exhibits with their love for craft. D&D produce original art and craft work for sale from hand block prints, collages, slumped glass boats (each with its own name) and hand-printed textiles. They are constantly developing their work but their unique style binds it together and keeps it distinctly D&D.

Recent accolades include their feature in House & Garden (see below). The Hidden Teapot is proud and delighted to welcome them back for the Spring Fling and we can't wait to see their latest pieces!

If you are looking for an alternative gift this Easter or just fancy treating yourself, be sure to stop by the Davies & Daughters stall on Sunday 25. 

Teapot Revolution to SE26!

Good news teapots – today, Miss SoS has secured a venue from which to launch THT in Sydenham, SE26. It will come as no surprise that the agenda of the trixie Miss S is global domination, taking Tea and Creativity to places near and far. Today is the first step towards that aim. And no wonder she has chosen Sydenham to be the first on her DL (Domination List) having lived and raised a teapot in the area.

Miss SoS with tea, wondering where she dropped her spoon

How. Very. Exciting. We are too good for Beckenham to keep to itself, Mummy teapot always encouraged us to share. I never understood why, but now I concede, she may have had a point. There's plenty of T&C to go around! We will start with a pop-up shop from our partner venue and will aim to provide workshops and events soon after.

Saturday 7 April will bring The Hidden Teapot to Sydenham. Full details will follow shortly. If you are a creative in the area and would like to join us, contact Miss SoS at thehiddenteapot.gmail.com Join the revolution x x

Handmade Hit

Hello Teapots

The Hidden Teapot and some of its members has a feature dedicated to them in this months Handmade Living magazine. Issue 10 carries a 4 page spread which features Tess Hines, Zoe Henderson, Celia Reid, Laura Harvey and Miss SoS talking about what they do and why they do it.

The latest Handmade Living cover

Zoe and Celia along with signage images from SOS15

If you visited us at the Crafty Christmas Market then you will recall the fantastic products that were available from the above designer-makers. And the good news? All of these original members of the Hidden Teapot will be appearing at the forthcoming Spring Fling market on Sunday 25 March.

If you were unable to make the Xmas market then you really must come to the Fling. It's going to be bigger and better than ever. We will be in a new location which will be accessible to all and will house even more creatives. There will be workshops to take part in, a face-painter for the little teapots and mini pampering treats for grown-up teapots plus live acoustic music. Beckenham Bookshop will be there along with other community friends of the Teapot. And the Hidden Teapot wouldn't be the same without the resident teashop selling refreshing teas and home-baked cakes and scones. Oooh, I can't wait!

Nip out and get yourself a copy of Handmade Living mag and whet your appetite. Available at larger Waitrose and WH Smith's. Need more info? Give Miss SoS a shout and she will answer any questions you may have: thehiddenteapot@gmail.com

Featuring Laura, Tess and Miss SoS and the HT Market

Spring Fling!

What better way to celebrate the start of British Summer Time than with our next Hidden Teapot market! Hurrah. The date has been set for Sunday 25 March and we have secured a lovely venue in the heart of Beckenham. This will enable us to be accessible to all! So teapots, keep the date free and Miss SoS will be in touch soon with more info. If you are a new teapot and would like to be involved, email Miss SoS at thehiddenteapot@gmail.com

x x x

Happy New Teatime!!

Hello teapots!

Happy New Year to you all. The Hidden Teapot is not yet a year old but we are going from from strength to strength. The coming year should give us the opportunity to host more tea parties, eat more cake and grow our collective. A spring market is being planned and we aim to make it bigger than the Christmas event so that more talented designer-makers and artists can show and sell their work. It is an exciting time!

Fancy joining us? Got what it takes? If you are a designer-maker, artist or crafter who makes original, brilliant and affordable pieces, contact Miss SoS thehiddenteapot@gmail.com with some details.

See you soon teapots x x x