Creative Bedfordshire December networking has a focus on Taking Your Vision Forward. The discussion will cover all kinds of creative business, but specifically there will be Q&A sessions with guest speakers from fiction self-publishing and fashion design. The evening includes a chance to shout-out about your own work and needs, and is free, informal and open to all. Guest Speakers: Adam Croft - Author Adam Croft an international bestselling crime, thriller & mystery author, with over half a million books sold, will be holding a 15 minute Q&A session. Adam invites people to ask him varied questions about establishing a successful career in fiction writing and self-publishing. Adam lives in Flitwick and can be found at @adamcroft Helen Woollams - Fashion Designer With over 15 years of fine art and design experience Helen Woollams founded Hellavagirl in 2011. Most recently Hellavagirl was awarded Britain's Top Designer 2016. Helen will also be holding a 15 minute Q&A session and invites people to ask her about how she has taken her vision forward and made a big impact with - Hellavagirl, give ‘em hell. Helen lives in Dunstable and can be found at @hellavagirl If you work in the arts, run a creative business, are a freelance artist, actor, producer, maker or musician (or commission them), or are just curious, this network is for you. Creative Bedfordshire monthly events take place across Bedfordshire. Creative Networking is delivered by Bedford Creative Arts and is free of charge to attend thanks to the support of Central Bedfordshire Council and Bedford Borough Council.

1. 1st Dec 2016 7 - 9pm Flitwick
CREATIVE
NETWORKING DECEMBER
Creative Networking is delivered by Bedford Creative Arts and is free of
charge to attend thanks to the support of Central Bedfordshire Council and
Bedford Borough Council.
Supported by

2. CREATIVE
NETWORKING
Creative Bedfordshire monthly networking events take place across Bedfordshire and
bring together creative people to network and develop their businesses.

3. Register for updates: http://bedfordcreativearts.org.uk/creative-bedfordshire/#signup
Follow us online:
Creativebedfordshire CreativeBeds CreativeBeds Creative Bedfordshire
If you work in the arts, run a creative business, are a freelance artist, actor, producer,
maker or musician (or commission them), this network is for you.
CREATIVE
NETWORKING

4. SAY HELLO
We are a very friendly network. We are not pitching at each other. We are chatting about
what we are in to and what we are up to. It’s all about understanding each others skills,
collaborating and voicing our needs.

5. SHOUT OUT
Your chance to tell us about your work and needs

6. Q&A
Do ask our speakers questions. If they are very specific, catch them after the talk

7. TAKING YOUR
VISION FORWARD
The discussion will cover all kinds of creative business, but specifically there will be
Q&A sessions with guest speakers from fiction self-publishing and fashion design.

8. OUR
HOST
Sandra Dartnell
Associate Producer for Bedford
Creative Arts
Customer Experience Consultant
at ThinkingCX
Sandra has been self employed
for 3 years, and works on how the
key point of value can be
communicated to customers.
Sandra lives in Leighton Buzzard
@SandraDartnell

9. Thoughts on VISION

10. VISION
Knowing where you want to go, and why
Henry David Thoreau
"It's not enough to be busy, so are the
ants. The question is, what are we busy
about?"
Vivienne Westwood
“My clothes have an identity. They have
a character and a purpose. That’s why
they become classics. Because they
keep on telling a story. They are still
telling it.”
Ken Kesey
"You don't lead by pointing and telling
people some place to go. You lead by
going to that place and making a case."
Jason Santa Maria
“By saying no to some things, you're
able to say yes to other things.”

11. VISION
Knowing where you want to go, and why is about
More than activity
Creating your identity and reputation
Pursuing and evidencing your best
Deciding that ‘Is this good for my
career?’ is a very good question

12. VISION
You can’t have a vision without
Ambition
Faith in your work
Faith in yourself
Knowing where you want to go, and
why

13. Your thoughts on
VISION

14. OUR
SPEAKERS
Adam Croft
Adam is an internationally bestselling author of
crime and psychological thrillers, with over half a
million books sold.
Best known for the Kempston Hardwick Mysteries
and his Knight & Culverhouse thrillers, in 2015, his
novel HER LAST TOMORROW became one of the
biggest-selling self-published books of the year.
Adam lives in Flitwick.
@adamcroft
Helen Woollams
With over 15 years of fine art and design
experience Helen Woollams founded Hellavagirl in
2011.
"Causing a stir from London to the Far East this
luxury label is one to watch"- Vogue 15'
Helen lives in Dunstable.
hellavagirl
www.adamcroft.net www.hellavagirl.com

15. Crime author Adam Croft http://adamcroft.net/books/in-the-name-of-the-father/

16. Crime author Adam Croft http://adamcroft.net/books/her-last-tomorrow/ and
http://adamcroft.net/books/kempston-hardwick-box-set/

17. Q&A with Adam Croft
Adam invites you to ask him varied questions about establishing a successful
career in fiction writing and self-publishing.

18. SAY HELLO

19. OUR
SPEAKERS
Adam Croft
Adam is an internationally bestselling author of
crime and psychological thrillers, with over half a
million books sold.
Best known for the Kempston Hardwick Mysteries
and his Knight & Culverhouse thrillers, in 2015, his
novel HER LAST TOMORROW became one of the
biggest-selling self-published books of the year.
Adam lives in Flitwick.
@adamcroft
Helen Woollams
With over 15 years of fine art and design
experience Helen Woollams founded Hellavagirl in
2011.
"Causing a stir from London to the Far East this
luxury label is one to watch"- Vogue 15'
Helen lives in Dunstable.
hellavagirl
www.adamcroft.net www.hellavagirl.com

20. Fashion designer Hellavagirl, Helen Woollams Hellavgirl campaign shot by the absolutely Marvelous Magic Owen
Model the Beautiful Ceci Zhang @ Models…

21. Fashion designer Hellavagirl, Helen Woollams Hellavgirl campaign shot by the absolutely Marvelous Magic Owen
Model the Beautiful Ceci Zhang @ Models…

22. Fashion designer Hellavagirl, Helen Woollams Hellavgirl campaign shot by the absolutely Marvelous Magic Owen
Model the Beautiful Ceci Zhang @ Models…

23. Q&A with Hellavagirl
Helen Woolams
Helen invites you to ask her about how she has taken her vision forward and
made a big impact with - Hellavagirl, give ‘em hell.

24. SAY HELLO

25. SHOUT OUT
Your chance to tell us about your work and needs

26. SMALL BUSINESS
SATURDAY
This Saturday the 3rd December is Small Business Saturday, so make sure you are celebrating,
promoting your business, and getting out to support businesses in your community. Let people know
what you are doing on Small Business Saturday! Tag them in your pictures
on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using #SmallBizSatUK. www.smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com

27. • LET’S TALK BUSINESS
Business advice and information from Central Bedfordshire Council including a one
page summary of business advice sources with links to each
http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/business/timebank/news-events.aspx
• BUSINESS TIME BANK
• BUSINESS TOOLKIT

28. • BUSINESS NEWSLETTER
Business advice and information from Bedford Borough Council
http://www.bedford.gov.uk/business/business_support_and_advice.aspx
• ACCESS TO FINANCE
• START UP SUPPORT

29. BUSINESS
GROWTH SUPPORT
Velocity provides networking with other businesses and cutting edge
information / guidance on a range of growth themes. They hold a number of
free workshops across the South East Midlands area.
www.velocitybusinesssupport.com/

30. GRANTS
FOR THE ARTS
Grants for the Arts is an open access funding programme for individuals, art organisations
and other people who use the arts in their work. The Arts Council offer awards from £1,000
to £100,000 to support a wide variety of arts-related activities, from dance to visual arts,
literature to theatre, music to combined arts.
http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/funding/grants-arts/

31. Find out more http://bedfordcreativearts.org.uk/about/opportunities/

32. CULTURE
CHALLENGE
The Culture Challenge is a project devised and led by Bedford Creative Arts to enable more young
people to experience and make arts and culture. Designed for and with teachers it provides a directory
of creative and cultural providers that are experienced at working with schools. Artists, cultural
organisations, and schools can become Culture Challenge members.
Become a member http://bedfordcreativearts.org.uk/culture-challenge/

33. There are lots of project videos on the Bedford Creative Arts website including IN SITU CINEMA
In July 2016 a group of young residents living in Bedford’s Queen’s Park took to their local streets in
a film-making project about the place where they live. Over a period of four weekends they worked
with artists Julie Myers and Maria Anastassiou to explore their neighbourhood and create a magical
and irreverent film about life on Chester and Carlisle Roads. This is an ongoing project from Bedford
Creative Arts
WATCH
STUFF
Watch more http://bedfordcreativearts.org.uk/projects/section/watch-stuff/

34. 12th Jan 2017 7 - 9pm Bedford, MK40 3EU
CREATIVE
NETWORKING
JANUARY
Register for updates: http://bedfordcreativearts.org.uk/creative-bedfordshire/#signup
Follow us online:
Creativebedfordshire CreativeBeds CreativeBeds Creative Bedfordshire

35. 9th Feb 2017 7 - 9pm Leighton Buzzard, LU7 1HJ
CREATIVE
NETWORKING
FEBRUARY
Register for updates: http://bedfordcreativearts.org.uk/creative-bedfordshire/#signup
Follow us online:
Creativebedfordshire CreativeBeds CreativeBeds Creative Bedfordshire

36. More information and workshops about writing creatively and engagingly about
you and your creative business – from artist statements, to bids and funding, to
how to work with the local press…
Register your interest now with sandrad@bedfordcreativearts.org.uk
Register for updates http://bedfordcreativearts.org.uk/creative-bedfordshire/#signup
SUPPORT IN 2017

37. THANK YOU.
ANY QUESTIONS?
LIKE TO BE A SPEAKER?
WANT TO FEEDBACK?
TELL US HOW WE HAVE
HELPED YOU…
sandrad@bedfordcreativearts.org.uk
Sandra Dartnell – Associate Producer