If you follow any of our members on Twitter, you’ll know that on Monday nights at 9pm, a fair few of us are glued to the telly. We’ve been watching retail expert Mary Portas give advice to struggling outlets on how to improve the shopping experience for customers, and how to sell, sell, sell without selling out.

Although we only currently have one bricks and mortar retailer amongst our number, Rachael Albert, who you’ll find in Glasgow’s DeCourcey’s Arcade, the tips Mary gives can often be applied to online shopkeeps like us – as well as giving great advice to keep shoppers savvy, too.

There are a couple of extra special reasons to watch tonight’s episode, however, as the shop in question specialises in the gifts/handmade market AND features the work of two Glasgow Craft Mafia members. Keep your eyes peeled for the graphic design expertise of Much Too Fun’s Mhairi Mackenzie, and the sometimes graphic designs of Miso Funky – our resident cross-stitcher extraordinaire!

Why not settle down in front of BBC2 and pop over to Twitter this evening, follow @queenofshops for her thoughts and insights on filming as the episode unfolds, and join in the conversation!

Blottedcopybook is the brainchild of Vonnie Sandlan, whose passion revolves around repurposing, upcycling and recycling – although she’ll never say no to a nice ball of wool!

Much Too Fun! is a cool, creative outlet bringing you the very best in kitsch, fun jewellery and accessories including Bonnie Bling which celebrates the very best in Scottish slang with wearable plastic patter.

Want to join us? Check out how to Get Made.

The curtain lifts on a dimly lit stage. Motionless figures are silhouetted against an illuminated backdrop, showing a street scene in Rome, overlaid with flickering images of Rome’s post-war landscape and people.  Welcome to Scottish Ballet’s production of Romeo and Juliet, a production as far away from tutus and romantic frippery as it’s possible to get.  Choreographed especially for Scottish Ballet, the only thing recognisable from traditional productions is the fantastic Prokofiev score played with joyous precision by the Scottish Ballet Orchestra.

In this modern retelling of the Romeo and Juliet story, the Capulets are a strutting, fascistic black-shirted force, the Montagues, left-wing agitators. The action spans three different time periods – the 1930s, 50s and 90s – underpinning the universality of the message, that in every time people find themselves torn between love and loyalty, old feuds and the unrealised possibility of reconciliation.

Throughout the taut first act, the story unfolds with scenes of high drama punctuated by points of exquisite stillness.  In one spine-tingling moment, the entire cast drops to the floor as one to reveal the lone figure of Juliet at the back – it’s our first glimpse of her, and utterly mesmerising.  Dressed in a short, gossamer-light dress emphasising the youth and innocence of her character, Sophie Martin brings out the vulnerability of Juliet, and transposes it into strength by the end of the ballet.

The familiar strains of the Montagues and Capulets theme (you know, this one!  ) is matched with strong, angular movements, macho leaps and posturing, expressing the power and intent of these warring families.  This contrasts with the delicacy of the pas de deux between Romeo and Juliet, the most astonishingly intimate of which is the bedroom scene at the start of act III.

The ballet doesn’t sugar the pill of the tragedy of death, from harrowing real-life scenes on the screen to the stage deaths of Mercurio, Tybalt and, eventually, Romeo and Juliet themselves. Romeo’s pain is palpable as he returns to Juliet’s lifeless body again and again, lifts and carries her before placing her back on the bed and killing himself. When she stirs, half-pinned by Romeo’s prone form, it’s heartbreaking as she discovers her lover dead and takes her own life.  There’s no light relief from the emotional intensity; the grieving families leave the stage, unreconciled, and the curtain drops.

There’s still time to catch this terrific show! It plays in Glasgow until April 24^th, then goes to Aberdeen, Inverness and Belfast.

www.scottishballet.co.uk

The Coveted Mag will be familiar to many of you, as Scotland’s first and only fashion magazine dedicated to supporting and promoting The Scottish Fashion Industry. It’s edited by Sarah, who also runs Pistol Whip Vintage.

Frayed at the Edges is the crafty alter ego of Julie Robertson. Self taught, she wants to put some funk into those little accessories we all love to have.

As always, you can view the whole GCM family via the members page. If you’d like to join us, have a read on how to Get Made.

Scottish Ballet take to the stage this weekend with their modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet.  Set between the 1930s and ‘50s, the piece was created specially for the Company by the Dutch National Ballet’s choreographer Krzysztof Pastor.  Performed against a multi-media backdrop and set to that iconic Prokofiev score (performed live by the Scottish Ballet Orchestra) it should be a terrific night out.

The show opens in Glasgow at the Theatre Royal from the 17th-24th of April and then travels to the Edinburgh Festival Theatre, His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen, Inverness Eden Court Theatre, and finishes up at the Belfast Grand Opera House.

To coincide with the show, the Company has produced three short films giving an insight behind the scenes, focussing on the stage set, costume design and promotional photo shoot.  The design stages are fascinating, and the level of thought that goes into each element is staggering.  You can watch the films at Scottish Ballet’s website.

We’ve got a pair of tickets for the performance in Glasgow on 20^th April to give away!  To enter, all you have to do is watch the film of Caro Harkness, Head of Wardrobe and then leave a comment on this post, telling us what the Mafia-inspired elements of the costume are!

The contest closes at 10am on 18^th April and one lucky winner will be announced later that day.

Elaine Eckford is an illustrator who handcrafts her own unique pieces, mixing old and new printing techniques, high quality papers and stitching books together using Japanese bookbinding.

Glitterysah is the alter-ego of Sarah Winstone, who designs and makes jewellery, bags, purses, belts, bows and more; using mainly recycled, reclaimed and vintage materials.

This brings us up to 34 members! Take a look at the whole GCM via our Members page.

With appearances already confirmed from Asking For Trouble, Lucy Jackson Designs and Kuro-e, and more to come, this is shaping up to be a great day out.

If you haven’t been to the Hunterian Museum or Gallery before, this is an ideal time to visit. A stone’s throw from Byres Road, the gallery currently features visiting exhibitions of the Polish national collection of craftsmanship with Amber, and a look at the Italian Renaissance featuring the works of Durer.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

82 Hillhead Street
University of Glasgow
Glasgow, G12 8QQ
Tel +44 (0) 141 330 5431

http://www.hunterian.gla.ac.uk/whatson/

Applications are now being taken for people to join our ranks of crafty Glasgow dwellers. For information on how to get made, please click here.

And if you have any questions regarding membership and joining, just get in touch at getmade[AT]glasgowcraftmafia.com.

Littlecrowns are bespoke small hats and fascinators made to stand out in the crowd.

Lucy Jackson Designs makes journals, note books, jewellery and felt accessories.

Sherbet Head makes accessories and homewares.

Have a look at their pages and keep any eye out for them at our craft markets.

How do you get involved? Drop us a line to events AT glasgowcraftmafia.com and have quick swatch at our market terms and conditions so you know what to expect.

Markets will take place from 1pm to 6pm, and if you’re interested in coming along to shop, check back here for details of participating crafters. We look forward to seeing you there.