Shake Rattle n' Roll

Phew! Friday night at Shakespeares was a busy one! Our charity night, Shake Rattle n' Roll in aid of St Lukes Hospice went well, and was definitely a success overall! It's the first time we've ever had a charity night since it opened in June 2011,and we've never organised such a big event, with so much going on! Chris (my boyfriend, manager of Shakespeares and main event organiser) was definitely nervous in the morning, but also had a great time!

 

After an afternoon spent setting up the raffle table with all the fabulous goodies, including many from local Sheffield crafters and local business who kindly donated, setting up various games including hoopla, pin the tail on the donkey and hook a duck 5 O Clock quickly arrived, and with it the start of the event.

 

It began a bit slowly, the usual after work crowd was in but there wasn't lots to do as only a few people had a go on the games (manned by Martin, Jo and Charlotte), giving Kaisha (bar girl and event organiser and I time to glam up in the toilets before the event gained in custom.

 

Before long the pub began filling up, and I was suddenly in the darts tournament run by one of our friends, Patrick, against Charlotte (bar Girl and Event Organiser) and Martin (event helper). Despite the fact I regularly play darts (albeit badly) with Martin, we both lost to novice player Charlotte.

 

After a delicious pizza from PizzaSmiths, who had set up in the old Stable in the garden, washed down by a fantastic pint of Shake Rattle n' Roll ale, brewed by us in conjunction with Blue Bee Brewery (10p a pint was donated), it was time for raffle ticket selling and selling entries for a prize draw for a beautiful vintage style beret by Gilboa for the Lady. Kaisha and I were on to a winner, then I carried on alone as she disappeared to the function room with a charity collection bucket to collect donations during the gigs.

 

I didn't get to see any of the music, but Chris (and the many people who came to see the bands) did. The Mother Folkers, described as 'the unstoppable folk machine' kicked the night off. They were followed by Rita Payne, a talented folk duo. Up and coming indie rockers, The Lion Works were the next act on stage. Check their Guardian acclaimed new EP. Blues Duo The Blackbirds encouraged plenty of foot thumping with their modernised Blues music. They even kindly donated a CD as a raffle prize on the night! Headliners The Hosts packed out the function room with their soulful Rock n' Roll and a touch of class. They have even played in the Devils Arse! (Peak Cliff Cavern).

 

As if all that wasn't enough we managed to squeeze in an art auction between bands, featuring work by local artists such as Martin F. Bedford (who also kindly designed our poster for free!) and Geo Law. Then, to top it all of was the act I was looking forward to most, (and which I most definitely did not want to miss) A burlesque show by the talented ladies of Secrets of the Boudoir. It was my first experience of Burlesque and it was sexy and seductive, a bit of female empowering fun, and I loved it! I even got 'Burlesqued' - one of the ladies 'noosed' me with some of her feather accessories! many of the acts were novices too, (Secrets of the Boudoir run a class on Tuesday's at Shakespeares and many of the ladies had completed the last course the next one starts soon). It was fabulous and I am even considering giving it a go, especially as the ladies were all sizes, so I'd feel less self conscious about by lumpy bits!

Burlesque Dancers with The Hosts - Photo courtesy of The Hosts

 

 

 

All in all, the night was a success, and while we would do a few things differently next time, we all enjoyed it and all of the organisers and helpers made it a huge success!

 

We raised £701.89 through collections, stalls, and raffle tickets. The art auction raised a further £198.99 and £91 through sales of Shake Rattle n' Roll beer. That gives a total of a massive £991.88 raised, plus the money in a collection jar (St Lukes have to count it - we don't have access) we have raised just over

 

£1000

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Shake, Rattle n Roll Crafters!

 

Gosh, time flies. It's already the 9th of October, that means there's only 3 days until Shake Rattle n' Roll, the charity event we're hosting at Shakespeares Pub in Sheffield in aid of St Lukes Hospice, which takes care of adults with debilitating illnesses.

We've loads planned on the day, live music from Rita Payne, the Mother Folkers, The Lion Works, and The Blackbirds with The Hosts as headliners. There's an art auction featuring local artists, including Geo Law, Kid Acne and Martin F Bedford. Games such as Hoopla, Hook a Duck and Pin the tail on the Donkey will bring out your competitive side. We even brewed a special beer in conjunction with Blue Bee brewery for the event. You can't miss it, it's called Shake Rattle n' Roll and is a delicious Pale Ale. That's not all though, Secrets of the Boudoir Burlesque will be finishing the night with feathers and tassel's, and not much else!

And, as with every good fundraising events night, there is the obligatory raffle. however, among the usual vouchers and business donations, we have a beautiful selection of lovely hand crafted items from local Sheffield crafters. The work we have received already is fabulous, and I'm looking forward to seeing the few items still to come. The team behind Shake Rattle n' Roll, Chris, Charlotte, Kaisha and I would like to give everyone who has donated and helped a huge thank you, but here is a little extra crafty showcase for all the lovely people who donated their hand made items. All of the items displayed below are available on their Etsy Shops, and are not the items donated. To see them, come along to Shake rattle n' Roll

First up is Freya, who donated some beautiful butterfly wing earrings. Her Shop, Fushia Gold, stocks a wide range of jewellery made from leather and beads in all sorts of bright colours and shapes. Here's just a couple of her lovely items.

 

Gilboa for the Lady has donated a fantastic beret. Designer Simone makes these fabulous one off hats using vintage fabric and accessories. Don't worry boys, she has a second shop, Gilboa for Gentlemen too!

Kitty Kanzashi is all about folding fabric to create stunning flowers which make perfect hair accessories. I have never heard of these before, but I very much admire the colours and intricacies of these pieces.

  

Cheryl of Blossom Buttons creates all sorts of lovely accessories using fabric covered buttons. She lovels vintage and japenease fabrics, as you can see from these lovely items.

  

To keep the Burlesque theme going head over to Amourous Cats Attic for some glamourous steampunk jewellery and clothes. Perfect for adding some spice to your wardrobe!

  

Jeanni from Silver Cookies creates lots of sparkly silver jewellery to suit any occasion. She also uses beads to add a splash of colour to many of her gorgous accessories.

  

 

Imogens Imagination has donated a pair of wxquisitel orange and white orchid hairclips. Sophie, the lady behind all of this creativity also makes a wide range of fascinators, berets, headbands and hair combs too!

   

Lois, the lady behind logii is crafty with a hook. She has made several charming crocheted items as well as dabbling with hama beads and even origami!

  

And, of course, I am donating too. I could hardly ask for donations from fellow crafters and give nothing myself after all...

  

Hopefully see you there on Friday!


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Friday Finds: For Charity

This weeks Friday Finds theme is a little bit different. Rather than picking something to base the products around (e.g. sunflowers) I have decided to feature items by crafters who donate some of the proceeds to Charity.

I've been thinking a more about Charities recently, as I'm helping to organise a Charity night at Shakespeares Pub on Friday 12th October in aid of St Lukes Hospice, who care for adults with life limiting illnesses. For more information, please check out our event page.

Charity is a bit of a funny one, we all see the adverts of children suffering during a famine in Africa, sleek posters and websites all designed to guilt you into signing up to £2 a month for this charity. But then you see another, equally important Charity raising money for another worthy cause, such as race for life. Do you do that too? Another day you could be shopping and be approached by a friendly face asking you to sign up for their charity. And what about all of the small local Charity's, such as the local air ambulance or hospices. Where do you start, how do you decide which cause is most worthy of you're hard earned cash, and where does it all go anyway? It can be so overwhelming to decide who to support, and who to say no too. However, some crafters on Etsy have cleverly helped make that decision easier. With these great products, you don't need to support just one Charity, you could support several as well as spread awareness about them.

Can you guess the Charity supported by jcudesigns? The pink and the ribbon are a dead giveaway. It's simple, cute and raises awareness subtly. Added to that, 50% of the proceeds are donated to Cancer Research UK.

If you like creepy crawlies, then check out this dish by Seaurchin. I love the colours used. The whole price of the dish (£5) is in support of The Wallace and Gromit Grand Appeal which raises money for Bristol Children's Hospital and High dependency Neo natal Unit.

I love the boldness of these bobby pins in aid of the Royal British Legion Riders. All the profits are donated by the designer, Adorn jewels to help ex service men and their families. it is a cause we should not forget, service men sacrifice a lot for their job.

Angel Silver is behind the beautiful personalised silver pendant of your childs footprint. Every necklace sold raises money for Project sweet pea, a charity founded by parents whose children were in intensive care, to help others like themselves.

These quirky 'vandalised British Flag' cards by the Nosuch Disco help spread the word about the Lancaster charity, Alexandra House, that provides short break care for children and young adults with additional needs.

I will be donating a Gold Anchor on a black background earring, ring and necklace set to the raffle for Shake rattle and Roll Charity Night for St Lukes Hospice. If you are interested in donating, or want more information then please check out our event page, or email us at shakerattleandroll@shakespeares-sheffield.co.uk

Happy Shopping!


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