Handmade Histories 4 : crocheted bag

Crocheted Bag (Fruitique: Joy)

Crocheted bag at 88 before its long trip to China

This isn't so much a history of what happened to a Fruitique craft after it was bought but more why it was bought in the first place. My husband had been in China with work for four weeks and had been made to feel very welcome by the engineer out there and Mrs W, the company's sales rep. She and her daughter had taken him sightseeing and shopping (I have to say I benefited royally from these retail trips).

My husband was going back to Beijing to finish his work there and I wanted to send something back with him for Mrs W as a thank you. Kind of one woman to another woman kind of thing.

I didn't have a long time to find the perfect gift. I went to a very famous British store to have a look round. I thought perhaps there may be something that sang out 'This is a perfect British gift from a quintessential British store for someone abroad whom you have never met'. Of course I didn't find anything. It wasn't until I started looking in more detail at the wares in the store that I realised they all had the same thing written underneath or sewn in the label: 'Made in China'. A laugh out moment for me. I believe the Chinese equivalent of sending coals to Newcastle.

I then had my Eureka moment. You probably could have told me this two paragraphs ago - send a Fruitique craft - hand made in Britain, a quality object and beautiful. Also travels well in a suitcase. A crocheted bag was ordered. Job done.

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Handmade Histories 3: small linen bag

Small linen bag (Fruitique:Sonya)

E is 6 years old and was given the little linen bag for her last birthday by us at 88. She keeps in her bag the following:

ipod touch (pink) - lots of Abba but favourite at the moment 'Chasing the Sun' by the Wanted ( I am so not in touch with music these days I had to google The Wanted  - so unhip of me!).
notepad and pen which she uses to write lyrics down.
'grown up purse' from Asda with a zip for coins..very important the zip.
one ten pound note and two twenty pound notes (Christmas money) folded very precisely into squares.



E has to be careful where she leaves her lovely bag as she has a sweet but very curious two year old sister who would dearly love to grab her bag, empty it, examine all enclosed, then lose all enclosed. If the bag isn't with E, she keeps it high up on top of the piano and at night takes it to bed with her on the top bunk, far away from the sticky fingers of a much adored but prying loved one.

PS Not only is Sonya Fruitique a talented designer of all wares sewn, she's a wonderful photographer (her bread and butter business) - many thanks to her for the above bag photo.

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