Blog Archives

Leatherwork course at The Cherry Wood Project

September 2, 2016

I’ve never done a craft course before, but I chose leatherwork as my interest in it has developed through my pyrography and making small pouch bags for Oshun Creations. I didn’t really know what to expect, but gave my camper a fresh MOT and off I went for my first weekend away in it this year!….

The story of a potter – Stephanie Edwards from Poundsgate Pottery

August 11, 2016

I’m another crafter who likes to listen to audio books while they work – the only problem is that time passes too quickly then! If I had a little more time and a little fewer hobbies already, I would definitely have a try at pottery – it looks like so much fun. Stephanie’s is also a little more quirky than the generic bowls and plates you might find at a craft shop. I talk to her about what it’s like to run a craft business….

The story of an artist – Sue Clyne

The annoying thing about having a stall at the New Forest Fairy Festival is that I never have time to have a good look around everyone else’s! There are so many interesting creative people, and artist Sue Clyne definitely has a stall worth visiting. Her paintings are so interesting, I could stop and look at one for a long time! It was fascinating finding out more about her and her work….

The story of a crystal crafter – Blackbird Beauties

When I was little and often went to Cornwall in the Easter holidays, I would always look forward to going to a particular shop in Padstow that sold crystals and semi-precious stones (now a bag and shoe shop) and I still have the three that I bought with my pocket money! I can completely understand why Catherine Wilson of Blackbird Beauties describes herself as “crystal nuts”. I asked her more about this, her handcrafted items and how her business came about….

Mixed Media Explorations by Beryl Taylor

August 30, 2012

This book is fairly old now, but I only recently discovered it and really hope Beryl Taylor will have a new one published soon because I can’t get enough of her work! Mixed media is a relatively new thing in the UK, but over in America, they’re experts. Beryl Taylor is a mixture of both; living across the pond now, but grew up in England. Anyway, as a brief explanation, mixed media art usually involves a range of materials and techniques, including stamping, painting, sewing, quilting, embroidering, beading, gluing and lots more!