ukhandmade blogpost

Just wanted to highlight a blog posting on ukhandmade written by Larissa Joice. (Check out her photography website, giggleicious, for beautiful family portraiture). The post highlights some of the great people and crafts on show and for sale at Made by Hand this year. I also had to include this photo above (by Larissa) as I just thought it was so whimsical.

Made by Hand, Wales

Last weekend the Made by Hand Fair took place at the idyllic location of Tradegar House near Newport in Wales, where I had a lovely stand alongside around 140 crafts people based all over the country. I had travelled from Scotland (along with a couple of other stands), as well as Devon, London, Shropshire, Manchester etc etc! The work on display was of such a high quality I couldn't resist coming away with a few goodies myself, as well as selling my work to customers who had travelled in from Bristol, Birmingham and Wales to experience the first Made by Hand Fair to be held at this location. Thanks so much for making the journey if you made it...the weather certainly didn't make it easy! The location was beautiful (see the picture below) and I had a great time chatting to fellow crafters and creative types exhibiting and visiting the event. I had a lot of my smaller pieces, popular purchases included the gift tags, birdcage tea-towels and butterfly canvas bags which made perfect presents for friends and family (but more often than not for yourself)!

Some other exhibitors you should go and check out if you have a chance include;

peris&corr (screen-printers based in Wales)

studioat37 (ceramists based in Glasgow, whose work I had seen at the Gin Palace Event back in April...check my blog from then)

Dennis Farrell Ceramics (I couldn't resist one of his sea inspired bowls)
Helaina Sharpley (The wire pieces were soooo clever)

Ecoh (stunning paper manipulation)

Jennifer Collier (I've admired the paper artworks for many years now)

Ruth Green (whimsical screen-printed creatures, flora and fauna)

I could include everyone in this list for something as it was an amazing high standard of work on offer so if you get the chance then check out the link here for a comprehensive list of everyone that took part this year.

Blombos Cave, Newcastle

Despite the heavy snow happening across the North of England and South of Scotland, I braved the wintry weather to exhibit and sell my products at an event to publicise Blombos Cave in Newcastle this Saturday just past. Blombos Cave are an online jewellery (and paper giftware) emporium which you should check out if you have a chance as they stock a huge range of hand-made necklaces, bracelets, cufflinks and much much more which would be great as a present and even better as a treat for yourself! GraceInk has a selection of the digital cards with various designs for sale on the website too (if you're looking for the connection!)

This is the GraceInk display of my work being admired at the event. I was selling quite a range of textile and paper gifts including my new birdcage notebooks and larger purses to fit a passport in. The wrapping paper which I had printed with the Trinkets design went down a storm along with the gift tags...must be everyone getting ready for Christmas.

My favourite jewellery item from the show had to be these brooches by Compass Alba, which featured parts of out of issue ordnance survey maps backed onto a beautiful beech wood. I even ended up buying one featuring my home and surrounding locations. Check them out here on the website.

Quilts and Crochet

It's been over a month since my last post, how time flies! I've been crazy busy getting ready for two events I'm doing this Christmas, one in Newcastle and one in Wales (more on those later) but I thought I would update you on a little project I helped with back in October. I produced a piece of fabric with my Chinese junks, scribbles and Indian shoes (I had free range to do what I liked which was great fun)! The fabric was used for the back of a crocheted baby blanket which was for a present, the crochet was made by a mother and her daughters, so it became a unique hand-made beautiful present for it's recipient.

Pushing Print Launch

Just wanted to quickly highlight the Pushing Print Event happening throughout Margate this October, which has recently celebrated its launch. I've been sent a few links which you might find interesting publicising the whole event as well as the partner exhibition at Qing (where work by GraceInk inspired by the Orient is being exhibited and sold).

Check out...
http://www.canterburyfestival.co.uk/eventdetail.asp?id=1335
For the advertisement in the Canterbury Festival and information on other local events.

http://www.yourthanet.co.uk/kent-news/Push-some-print-in-Margate_s-old-town-newsinkent40743.aspx?news=local
For an article from the local paper.

http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/launch.aspx?referral=other&refresh=y18CEn0791Wx&PBID=84956776-5fe0-4064-a733-83aabf1dd4b7&skip
For a picture article from the front page of the local paper.

Decor8 Blog

Check out the decor8 blog from the 4th October to read Holly Beckers raving review of the Papa Stour website and all about Rosie Brown, stylist and founder of Papa Stour...my Chinese Junk Table Runner has been featured! (it's a brilliant blog too, well worth a look with some beautiful and inspiring design...check out the day to day features just here)

What a wonderful WASPS weekend

I should be heading for my bed (it's been a very busy weekend), but while I'm still buzzing from the WASPS open studio in Selkirk this weekend I thought I better let anyone that couldn't make it know what they missed out on!!

This was my display (above) within the communal space that is inside the industrial unit that Wasps occupies in Selkirk, to keep it in line with the other artwork being showcased (which is mainly framed artworks) I kept it sleek and simple and tried to display my tea-towels like works of art instead of kitchen linen. I took a few orders for my tea-towels over the event, which is great, and will be busy busy over the next week fulfilling those orders.

Here is a sneek-peek into my working space where all the magic (!) happens, it's looking very clean and tidy which has to be said isn't a common occurence...especially when it comes to the way I work!

This is a picture of the wonderful activities which were on offer for kids and adults alike, everyone went away very sparkly. Overall there was over 500 people through the doors which was an amazing turn out and it was great to see loads of familiar faces (as well as meeting some wonderful new people too). Thank you to all those that could make it along, it's great to know that WASPS is supported throughout the local community! There was great performances from two local folk bands and plenty of yummy cakes too which altogether combined to create a fantastic weekend, I'm now going to sleep for a week!