First up, the Build it Yourself project are holding a Creative Cafe at Antenna on 19 January. A regular event on the third Thursday of the month, January’s event is free to attend. Starting at 5.30 for 6pm, it’s a chance to let yourself go a bit (in the best possible sense) and get all creative… Tickets and details available via Eventbrite.

The very next day Skeleton Productions are holding a lunchtime webinar on video SEO best practice and how to implement it. Topics will cover what, why and how as well as top tips. Limited place so get in there by applying at this website.

Diary clashes on 27 January so you’ll have to make a choice between Esendex and the Tuttle Club’s Technology on Trial.

Esendex have a breakfast briefing on Business SMS. Running from 8.30-10am, you can get some breakfast (any chance of a bacon buttie?)  and the lowdown on how successful businesses like Ocado and Virgin Media are using SMS to transform their business and how you can too.Details, including venue and how to book, can be found on their website.

If that’s not your thing, you might like to head over to the Galleries of Justice for this month’s Technology on Trial. Have you thought about what will happen to all your online accounts when you die? (I know, not too cheerful but stay with me – it’s important) Tech on Trial this month will be examining Digital Legacies. So what will you leave behind? And will this be used (or even usable) for future generations of historians? Interesting…

27 January, 9.30-11.30am Galleries of Justice. Free Tickets through Event Brite.

Finally, if a massive sugar rush is your thing, get yourself in the Cake Eater’s Anonymous waiting list. The next meeting is 29th January at The Larder on Goosegate and tickets are available to the waiting list from tomorrow!!!

Milan Cathedral, by brookcatherine53, www.flickr.com/photos/53995058@N04/4997801074/

Just two opportunities this week, to ease you into 2012:

The Invest in Nottingham Club is repeating their Creative Class promotion of local creative businesses who really want to grow.  A small number of creative businesses will be selected for the Creative Class 2012.  As well as press and website promotion, there is mentoring support, networking and general help. In return they expect the business leaders to fully participate in their press opportunties and generally act as an ambassador for Nottingham.

The “class” of 2011 is a distinguished list, and you can see them at a special meeting in Nottingham Contemporary next Wednesday, 11 January at 6pm, and learn more about this opportunity.  For more information about the event or any questions, email Natalie Williams, the Invest in Nottingham Club co-ordinator at nw@nde.org.uk.  Or you could just apply online.

If you inspect the list of 2011, you will see it contains one of our guest bloggers, Susi Henson, of Eternal Spirits, who has emailed us about her plans to

to launch an inspiring show of creative talent at the International Design Festival Milan in April 2012. We are inviting local businesses of Nottinghamshire an opportunity to be part of it.

As well as enabling talented businesses and individuals to show themselves to their best in front of potential clients and stakeholders, the process will bring together a collaboration of like-minded and inspiring individuals to work together, share ideas and gain refreshment.

If you want to know more, there is a meeting at Nottingham University, Business School South, Jubilee Campus Room A26 on Wednesday 11th Jan at 6pm.  [Everything happens at 6pm next Wednesday, and some people will be in two places at once, apparently.] They would appreciate an R.S.V.P to info@davenportoriginal.com if you are planning to attend.

Go For It!

Why not make a few creative resolutions you can easily keep? Here’s a links line up to get you creatively connected in 2012.

Firstly make sure you’re signed up to get info from us  http://www.creativenottingham.com/contact-us/ and let us know what you’re up to so we can tell the world!

Then take your pick from my quick list below and get subscribing! Or better still add some that you know in the comments and let’s build a bigger better list together!

Arts Council England’s Arts News/Arts Jobs http://www.artsjobs.org.uk/ does what it says on the tin!

Need  resources, offers and events for an enterprise you run or want to set up? http://www.startupbritain.org/

Running a creative business in Notts? Join The Creative Greenhouse Network  http://www.creativegreenhouse.org.uk/

You’ve heard of Antenna by now? If you aren’t a member make sure to join up in 2012 for access to great events plus fab food and drinks  http://www.antenna.uk.com

Designer? You need to know what the designer forum are up to http://www.emtex.org.uk

Designer/Maker? http://www.designfactory.org.uk/

Sign up to professional network linkedin http://www.linkedin.com there’s loads of groups and discussions going on from Open Studios to Business Barometers … or start your own

If you are running a creative business join

The insects and arachnids are invading Nottingham Castle as well as my little house. Starting this weekend, the Castle will be infested with 10,000 ceramic beetles. Stirring the Swarm is by the winner of Nottingham Castle’s Annual Open Solo Show Prize, Anna Collette Hunt, using displays from Wollaton Hall as her inspiration. The beetles have been constructed with a team of Nottingham-based helpers including Trent students and potters from Sherwood.

Those nice folk at Hopkinson’s Gallery are hosting Nottingham’s vintage, antique and arts weekend, starting today and ending on Sunday. What does this offer? I hear you say. Well, over 20 open studios, vintage traders, music, a licensed bar (serving vintage cocktails no less) and all kinds of shenanigans ranging all over Hopkinson’s four floors.

Next Monday is Mental Health Awareness Day and as part of this, there’ll be a talk in the Lord Roberts pub, 24 Broad Street, 8pm. Sarah Dale, occupational psychologist, will be talking through her book about keeping your spirits up. There’s strong evidence suggesting creative activities can help alleviate mental health problems so perhaps you’re all in good shape (I hope so) but just in case. It’s good to get a new perspective.

And finally! Next Wednesday sees the latest venture from those lovely types from the Creative Twinning partnership.If you’re near the Broadway or Lace Market Gallery next Wednesday I recommend dropping in as there’ll be a wide range of beautiful wares on display and creative folk to chat to? What more do you need?

And with that, I’m off to huddle under a blanket with a book and some hot chocolate. Brrr…

Friday night at Broadway

HANG THE VJ!

A Collaborative Night of DJ’s & VJ’s – a visual and musical spectacle in Association with Mimm and Ashes 57 Exhibition. Broadway Media Arts have teamed up with friends Mimm to present a special collaboration of live art, dj’s and visuals.

Variety is the spice of life – and here you have it at Broadway… while DJs from Mimm Recordings spin their diverse repertoire – Artist Nick Wright will be creating visuals on the glass screen outside. In addition, over at the Mimm shop, there is a solo exhibition and live art from Ashes57, AKA Delphine Ettinger. An illustrator and a street photographer, she has worked with many groundbreaking labels and is well recognized on the club scene. (Fabulous Illustration shown copyright Ashes)…. So, get over to Broadway this evening for a BBQ and beer on the terrace.

Where: Broadway Cinema and Media Centre, Nottingham

When: Friday 30^th September, 4pm to 8pm

There’s also a Notts Creative Culture event organised by Mimm at Nottingham Contemporary from 8pm onwards.

SHOW & TELL

Starting Thursday 6th October, @6pm

Broadway are proud to host ‘Show & Tell’ – a monthly community-curated platform for anyone to share their latest projects, creations or things that inspire them. New music, independent film previews, artists talking about what they do, designers testing out new ideas, the list goes on!

‘Show & Tell’ is a great idea, and what a great way to join in with interesting projects…so, the instructions are simple, just turn up, bring friends, show & tell or listen, watch or play.

Where: Mezz Bar, Broadway Cinema and Media Centre, Nottingham

When: 6.00pm, 1st Thursday of every month

To Show & Tell: If you have something you’d like to shout about – contact Broadway’s Show & Tell team showtell@broadway.org.uk

Visit the blog for regular updates to forthcoming Show & Tell listed projects http://showtell.posterous.com

On at Surface:

‘EIGHT’

A collaborative exhibition by the Surface artists – “EIGHT” is set to be a diverse showcase. The artists will platform their current practices of fine art, installation, illustration and more, with the aim of showcasing the strength of collaboration and the quality of great works created by its resident artists.

Where: Surface Gallery, 16 Southwell Road, Nottingham NG1 1DL

When: 4^th October – 15^th October, 2011

Private view: Thursday 6^th October, 6pm – 8pm

For more information, visit the Surface website.

Celebrating Black history

October is Black History Month. Celebrated in Britain for nearly quarter of a century, Black History Month is an opportunity for people and groups all over the country to promote knowledge of Black history and experience. Sharing in positive cultural contributions to British society and increasing Black people’s awareness of their cultural heritage.

Each year Nottingham hosts a diverse collective of events engaging through cultural organisations and community groups, local broadcasters and community centres, clubs, museums and arts venues. This includes African music to club nights, exhibitions and plays, concerts, dance, Gospel choirs and community events and much more.

Visit Nottingham City Council website for further information and the full programme of events taking place around the city.

Big news for Nottingham young creatives

Launched on 27 September, the Young Creative Awards are for Young people aged 13 – 24 across Nottingham who would like to put themselves on the creative map.

We know that Nottingham is the place to be seen for creative people, businesses, learning, culture and design excellence – and the Young Creative Awards will provide young creatives with a fantastic opportunity to tap in to this creative spirit, and make their mark in what is to be an exciting year for the arts.

Supported by One Nottingham, Nottingham City Council, Confetti Media Group, Fastgraphics, Fourmost Films, New College Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University, South Nottingham College, Nusic and Skeleton Productions. They offer young people the opportunity to take part in a citywide creative competition, win some fantastic prices and recognition from Nottingham city’s creative elite.

Visit the City Council website for further details how to enter.

Previous Sellers at Curiosity Haus Contemporary Craft and Design Fair: Stitches and Stars, Lucie Pockets, Owl Loves Panda, Penelope Ruth, Jessica Hayes Gill, Ruth Singer, Lesley Nason

I thought I would start my guest blogging experience with a little bit more about the projects I am working on and Craft in Nottingham.  However, you will be pleased to hear that over the next week I am going to talk less about myself and more about the wider world of Contemporary Craft, including a review of Origin Craft Fair in London, and hopefully a little insight into why Contemporary Craft practice is a just as thought provoking as it is beautiful!

Nottingham might be noted in the region for it’s great high street shopping, but dig a little deeper and you may be surprised to find an an even more impressive shopping experience from the city’s highly rated creative community.

I’ve been lucky enough to work with many of these creatives over the past few years of running Craft and Design Fairs in the city.  Forget your traditional church hall Craft Fairs, these contemporary crafters and designers make the highest quality, unique products which should far over shadow the goods to be found regularly on the high street.  Dismiss those preconceptions of Granny’s pastel drawings (sorry granny!) and crocheted loo roll covers, the craft and design fairs I’m talking about give customers the chance to find intelligence, skill, beauty, and quirky designed products, all rolled into one!

Previous Sellers: Ultra Horse Zines, Steve Booton Ceramics, Katie Stainer Contemporary papercrafts, Loree Bologna, Alys Power, Alison Peacock Leather Artist, Julia Church Pyrography Jewellery, Ruth Singer

Through Curiosity Haus I organise regular events throughout the year. It has become, what may be best described as, a ‘roving’ market over the past year, having held craft fairs all over Nottingham.  In October Curiosity Haus will be working with Bunkers Hill in Hockley to hold an Indie Market.  This first event for the winter season will coincide with the pub’s very own Beer Festival held on Saturday 29th October.  There will be live acoustic sets in association with Notts about Music, an array of real ales, treats for customers and most importantly, a host of handmade wares from local designer makers, vintage clothes, accessories and homewares as well as tasty cakes! We are pleased to have the Oxfam Boutique selling top quality vintage pieces, with all their proceeds going to oxfam’s current projects.

Once you dig a little deeper, Nottingham has many creative events to be found.  If you read my intoduction interview, you may have heard mention of Craft Map.  It is a new group on facebook specifically for designers and craftspeople.

Join to share your crafty projects and creative happenings with other like minded creatives.   I have set up Craft Map as an area for people to shout about and map out all the amazing creative, design and craft based events and business.

With so many new exciting events coming up, it is a good way to keep track of the multitude of creative things going on just below the radar.  So please feel free to make use of this group as a platform to tell lots of other creative folk your news; get posting!

Help spread the word and bring the creative underground to the surface!

Above: Curiosity haus Contemporary Craft and Design Fairs, L-R: Sneinton Market- Dec 2010; Delightfully Delectable- Orange Tree, May 2011; Hello Sunshine- Orange Tree May 2011; Night Owl- Sneinton Market Dec 2011.

Written by Guest Blogger, Laura Morgan of Curiosity Haus: A house for Contemporary Craft and Design. Curiosity Haus has an ‘online craft fair‘ and runs regular indie-markets in Nottingham, showcasing and promoting independent designers and quality handmade goods. You can follow Curiosity Haus on facebook or twitter.

Whether we like it or not, social media is here to stay. And the power that comes a lot with it. You only have to look back to the August London Riots to get a sense of how powerful sites like Twitter and Facebook can be. Youngsters took to their laptops organising riots and meet ups giving the campaign an awful platform to be launched from. Social media is a revolution, and revolutions need to be harnessed and transferred into something positive.

However social media isn’t all doom and gloom. The Twitter “riot clean up” initiative highlighted that there is a lot more good than bad to come out of social media. It has the power to inspire people and capture the imaginations of thousands of people who would otherwise never walk into your life.

If used correctly, businesses can manipulate certain aspects of sites like Twitter and Facebook to enhance consumer awareness and attract a whole new generation of clients.

It’s all about networking.

Local businesses in particular can benefit using Facebook and twitter for business. However it’s vital that this is done correctly as a poor online reputation can discourage potential clients and harm future transactions. Here at Zabisco we come into contact with numerous clients who are keen to boost their online reputation, and social media marketing is often the best way in which to go about it. It’s easy, beneficial if done right, and sites like Twitter and Facebook are free.

Before considering using social media for business, be sure that your target audience is in fact active via such sites as Facebook, otherwise your message will go unheard. You have to tailor your marketing campaign for your target; do some research before jumping in. Facebook is a priceless tool which gives you an insight as to what your consumers want, so listen to them and act upon it indirectly.

Find our step by step guide to using Facebook for Business here.

Happy Networking!

Photo: Phil Campbell for Media Camp http://mcnotts.weebly.com/index.html

So, it’s Monday morning and you’re trying to clear that groggy feeling following the Mansfield Road beer festival. There’s something you should be doing – work? Probably. But something else. Ah yes, it’s getting yourself a ticket for Media Camp  or, better still, booking yourself a slot to present at Media Camp 4.

For the unitiated, Media Camp is a one-day event for anyone wanting to share experiences of using digital and social media and to explore new technology, challenge understanding and look to the future. The Creative Nottingham iphone is champing at the bit to find out more about LoveFre.sh and I did hear a rumour that there’ll be a repeat performance of the last Notts Girl Geek Dinner talk about Facebook and privacy – well worth a watch if you can get there.

So, the details. Well, it takes place at Lace Market House, 10-5.30 and it’s free! But if you can’t make it all day then there are a range of tickets for just the morning or afternoon sessions. For full details pop over to the website or, if you can’t make it, then follow it on Twitter. What are you waiting for? An Alka Seltzer and a ticket for Media Camp. Job done.

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Do you agree with this statement – and is it possible that being more creative gives us more reasons to be happy?

A toolkit to get everyone started on the path to ‘happiness’ has been launched this week, through a new group called ‘Action for Happiness’.  And it started me thinking, about what this really means – how it might manifest for me and for my community in Nottingham. Surely, you can’t just tell people to be happy – we’re either happy already, or not, aren’t we?

Not necessarily, maybe there is a need to look at what they have to say.

I think we’d all agree that taking on new and exciting challenges makes us happier – from the pure and simple sense of achievement and pride. And so why not set yourself some additional ‘creative’ challenges to help yourself, and others.

We know that Nottingham is a creative place, so on that basis, does this also mean that it’s a happy place too?  Making lots of money shouldn’t be your main objective, and it certainly isn’t guaranteed to make you happy – but if you begin from a sense of pride and achievement, and meet new people in the process of growing a reputation for being enthusiastic and selfless – this is a good place to start.

There are plenty of creative individuals out there in Nottingham that may hold the answers. We’d love to hear what creative actions make you and others happy, so let us hear them.

Visit the ‘Action for Happiness’ website and see if you can pick up some tips for life. Get those creative ideas buzzing!