A Matter of Trust

The National Trust, actually.

This weekend, I am at the Christmas Craft Fair at Kedleston Hall in Derby.

I've never been here, and it looks magnificent!  I hope I get a chance to get a look-see at some point...

The Craft Fair is on 11am to 3pm on Saturday and Sunday 27th/28th November, and I will be the "smoking room" which is next to Caesars Hall.  If you're coming by public transport, there are free buses from Derby bus station.  Craft demonstrations will be on throughout the event, and apparently there will be a barrel organ playing Christmas tunes, it's close enough to December now to start hearing them! 

Must remember to make myself some Handmade in Derbyshire labels, as this is something they're promoting for the event, and it was a suggestion made at our open studio too, so it will be worth me doing that I think.

Christmas decorations were popular at the weekend, but as each event is always different, I need a good range of goods, so off to the studio for me to do a bit more making!

Long Eaton Art Room...

... is where I am at this weekend.

I have been busy making, and doing, and fixing and packing, and unfortunately, not photographing anything yet!

So, if you want to see some of my latest pieces, including the lovely new decal work I am doing, you'll have to come along to Long Eaton Art Room this Saturday or Sunday to take a peek.

Lots of locally made craft from a range designer/makers, drinks and snacks available and lamp-working demonstration on Sunday by my lovely friend Ruth of A & R Beads.

Oh What a Day...

It was the Open Studio event at Shed 2 yesterday... phew (in a good way)! The studio looked great when we'd had a good tidy up, rearranged the furniture and put our work out on display. 

The whole morning went by in a bit of a blur, it was really busy, although a lot of people through the door were my friends and family!  It was great though, that I got so much support and it was a lovely opportunity to show my friends what I've been doing with my time down at the studio.

I got some very positive responses to my own work, and most people said how they thought the whole of Shed 2 was a great place (something which I don't need telling twice).  People seemed to particularly love the camper vans (watch this space), so guess what I am making this week... because I can't rest on my laurels, I have craft fairs for the next weekends, so I need to make sure I have lots of stock (for those lovely customers!).

Will try and post some photos of the new work over the next couple of days.

Talking of Craft Events

Tis a busy weekend all round.  We have our open event at Shed 2 Studios on Saturday 13th November, so that will keep me out of mischief for a while.

Elsewhere, also this weekend, is Lustre, an annual contemporary craft event held at Nottingham's Lakeside Arts Centre. 

 This is an exciting year, because four of my course colleagues have been selected for their "Young Meteors" scheme, so will be exhibiting.

Robyn Holgate, who makes beautiful products from printed, steam bent wood, which are finished off with hand crocheted trims.  She posted these new items recently on her blog.

Deborah Miles, who makes automata from recycled wood and tin - this is an example of some work that went to the Catmose Gallery in Rutland. I am sure the work Deb takes to Lustre will be equally fun.

Another Shed 2 resident, Nicola Lidstone, will be taking a selection of beautiful, hand-shaped porcelain animal sculptures

I haven't been able to speak to Katie Heeks lately but these Gardens of Personal Delight are quite stunning, intricate little fantasy worlds.  I can't wait to see what she's making for the show.

If you get the chance to make it over to Nottingham, Lustre is well worth a visit, a show full of high quality contemporary craft work.

Does this sound familiar to you?

Ever done a craft fair?

A forum friend wrote this blog post the other day, and I really wanted to share it with you.  It's a funny read, but it's also oh so true!

If you've ever done a craft fair, you'll recognise a few of the characters I am sure.  And if you've not done an event yet, still read it, and be prepared!

A Bedtime Story for Craft Stall Holders...

So, apart from being amused by this blog post, what else have I been up to.  Well, the kiln has been working hard, as has the grinder, although it's poorly today, I do hope I haven't broken it for good.

I've been playing with more decals, but I haven't taken any photographs yet, so here's something else I made instead....

 

  

I've been quite busy, trying to build up stock for the Open Studio Event next weekend.  I hope to offer a chance to decorate glass tree ornaments, so that's the latest task this week.  I also went along to a networking meeting at Erewash Partnership, met some thoroughly lovely people, as well as hopefully made some useful contacts and I visited a local infants school the other day about a potential project there.  I'll tell you more about that in due course...

Oh, and most exciting news!  I have some of my ceramic wall art pieces on display in their first gallery shop!  Tim at Corner Arts in Ilkeston had a look at my work last week, liked what he saw and took all four pieces that I showed him, so that was rather pleasing.  I haven't been back since they've been hung, hope they look good on his walls.