Exciting news from GCM members The Coveted. Issue 6 of The Coveted Magazine will be launched on the same night as the grand opening of their teeny-tiny boutique LA LA LAND.

Situated in DeCourcey’s Arcade and rubbing shoulders with Auntie M’s Cake Lounge, the Made in the Shade Maisonette, Rachael Albert and more, LA LA LAND have been scouring the fashion blogs, obscure fashion magazines & online marketplaces looking for new, upcoming designers and labels, in order to cherry pick the best, and ship them into the best little boutique, right here in Glasgow. LA LA LAND will also stock cult fashion magazines from around the world, showcase local student collections and have an exciting events calendar.

Pop along between 7pm and 10pm on Tuesday 21st for some booze, cake, and shopping, plus 10% off all purchases, along with a free goody bag for the early burds. More info on the Facebook event page.

LA LA LAND BOUTIQUE
UNIT 1 DE COURCYS ARCADE
CRESSWELL LANE, GLASGOW

Have we mentioned The Life Craft? It’s a new crafty shop in the West End co-run by GCM member Vonnie of Blottedcopybook. The Life Craft stocks all the materials and supplies needed to for you to carry on crafting and creating at home, from luxury yarn in fab & funky colours to sewing machines. They also run some brilliant workshops for all ages and skill levels, from sewing to knitting, screenprinting to jewellery making – all in a comfortable, relaxed and friendly environment.

If you make your visit this Wednesday evening then you can meet the Mafia at the same time. We’re having an informal social evening where you can learn more about the GCM and our members, or just bring along your current project and come for a crafty chat and some cake! We’ll be there from 6:30pm – hope to see you there!

If you can’t make it, hop on over to The Life Craft’s website to check out their extensive schedule of classes and workshops, and the online shop.

The Life Craft, 691 Great Western Road, Glasgow, G12 8RA‎

It’s all about how to start a successful business in your spare time, which is something our members are very familiar with. It really is a great way to get your business going without the pressures of paying the bills.

Claire of Miso Funky is one of 60 businesses interviewed in the book with tips and advice on how to juggle a successful business and a full time job. It’s out in bookshops next week but if you’d like to pre-order a copy just click on the widget below.

Emma Jones, founder of the home business website Enterprise Nation and author of ‘Spare Room Start Up’, delves into the working 5pm to 9pm trend and profiles 60 people who are running successful businesses outside of their normal office hours, everything from writing, baking and accounting, to magic, music and even pig farming! She offers over 50 ideas of businesses you can run in your spare time and looks at franchise ideas that can be run in the same way.

There’s advice on starting a business, sales, marketing, technology and how to maintain your social life whilst working 5 to 9.

Glasgow Craft Mafia members love sharing tips and giving advice so Formspring has been a great service – anyone can ask a question of any member and get a personal response.

Neil Slorance has just set one up, joining Asking For Trouble, Miso Funky and Glittery Sah. Why not ask them a question!

You can also find a host of other creative folks on Formspring including Grace of Design*Sponge, illustrator Gemma Correll, sock monkey maestro Siansburys and Amy of illustration blog Pikaland. Any other good ones we should be following?

(drawing by Neil Slorance)

“For the past few months I’ve been keeping numerous sketchbooks to hand. I’ve been jotting down all the little thoughts that would otherwise be forgotten. At the same time, I’ve been talking to other folk, urging them to make note of any funny little thoughts and ideas they have too. The idea being that later, I’ll gather all the notes together and illustrate them.
The end result will be a collection of pieces ranging from the funny, personal and sad; to the downright weird and disturbing. Since the work will be presented tightly in The Tiny Gallery at The Maisonette, coming to the show will be like walking into a collective brain. A weird collective brain.” (via Made In The Shade blog)

Do pop along for a look, we’re all big fans of Neil’s work!

What: I’m Not Weird
Where: The Maisonette, De Courcy’s Arcade, Cresswell Lane, Glasgow
When: 03/04/10 – 30/04/10

GCM Member Michelle Aaron of Covetables is launching her new venture this weekend, a 1950′s inspired cake shop! If you’ve ever had a Covetables cupcake, you know how good this news is.

Situated in DeCourcy’s Arcade on the Upper Floor next to fellow mafiosi Rachael Albert plus the Made in the Shade Maisonette, it’s perfect for a mid-morning cake stop.

Auntie M’s Cake Lounge opens for business on Monday March 22nd and there will be a pre opening do this Friday 19th between 5pm and 9pm where you can sample the cake and check out the groovy furnishings. See you there!

In case you missed it, issue 4 of The Coveted Mag is now available to read online. Featuring the usual mix of fashion photography, illustration, beauty and shopping, it’s the most stylish way to keep up with Scotland’s creative types.

Limited numbers of the printed magazines are also available from their shop.

Also, don’t miss editor and GCM member Sarah’s Guide to Glasgow Fashion for The List.

If you can’t make it to a market, remember you can shop from home, or your desk on your lunch break. Just browse our member pages and click through to shop.

We’ve also got some special offers for you this week from our members!

DING DONG DESIGNS

Get yourself some amazing little finger puppets or felt cuteness with FREE WORLDWIDE POSTAGE on orders of £10 and over until FRIDAY 4th Dec at www.dingdongdesigns.com

SHOWPONY

Lovely printed Embellished Bags on sale + FREE SHIPPING for a few more days at www.etsy.com/shop/showpony

MERULAPIE

We’re sad to see her go but Merulapie is having a closing down sale. Get 50% off everything by entering GOODBYE at the checkout. www.merulapie.com

ASKING FOR TROUBLE

Buy some cute stationery and hand-printed goodies and get a free cute 2010 calendar magnet on all orders over £10 at shop.askingfortrouble.org

GIRL INDUSTRIES

Get yourself a bargain on lovely hand knits and upcycled treats – there’s 20% off store wide at www.girlindustries.etsy.com

Also , look out for Katy of Girl Industries on the telly on Friday where she will be demonstrating a couple of handmade skills for dressing up gift wrap and making your own gift tags. It’s on STV’s The Hour on Friday from 5-6pm. Make sure you tune in!

As well as a range of clothing by designer Kat herself, it will showcase the work of up and coming UK designers including GCM members We Are the Robots and Girl Industries, plus Flossy and Dossy, Handmaid by Julie Mills, Tara Starlet and Lilly Wiggler.

The opening is tonight from 5pm – 8pm so get yourself along for a browse. If you can’t make it, check out the Rachael Albert website for all the details and lots of photos.

The annual Gifted exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland is always worth a visit. Taking place over the Christmas season, it aims to highlight the quality and diversity of contemporary Scottish craft. The exhibition provides an exciting opportunity not only to see new, innovative work, but also to purchase these original pieces.

Once again there’s a great line-up of 20 of Scotland’s most talented craft makers, including the GCM’s own Pumpkinsputnik.

You can see the full line-up of makers here, and make a note in your diary to get yourself along for a visit. It’s open now until the 10th of January and entry is free.