Aug

2010

This summer has gone past so quickly.  It's been a very busy time with my straw work.  I have done a lot of teaching over the past few months travelling to Caithness, The Black Isle and Hull as well as taking workshops locally.  It's great that there seems to be a big interest in the craft just now.  In about 3 weeks time I am going to travel to North Carolina to teach at the John Campbell Folk School for a week so I'm excited about that and then just after I come back from there I am travelling to Stratford Upon Avon to a conference weekend with the Guild of Straw Craftsmen.  During this weekend there will be workshops and if any of you are interested in getting more details please e mail me.

Lots of interesting orders and commissions have come in too.  Earlier on this year I made some figures for a couple of touring theatre shows.  I've also worked with some designers in London on pieces for their collections.  The wedding side of my business has been very busy this year.  One of the trends has been for cheese 'cakes' rather than the traditional wedding cake and of course the straw bride and grooms for the top of the cake have been popular.  The little mice have been used to decorate the cheese 'cake' and then used as favours. 

In between going to the States and Stratford I will be again opening my studio for the NEOS event.  Only 3 days this year but I would love to see you.  If you can't come to see me during the few days I'll be open my work will also be for sale at Art at St. Mary's in Inverurie right through the NEOS week - 11th September - 19th September.  Catalogues for the event are on the go just now so keep your eyes open for them.

March 2010

Luckily I work from home so all the wintry weather hasn't stopped me and

I've been able to keep making even although the snow has been falling

thickly outside.  Usually the start of the year can be quiet but this year

the orders started flooding in just after the New Year.

I I've been working on some weddings and of course the horseshoes always sell well at this time of the year, I suppose into the New Year folk start thinking of the weddings they have to look forward to and start planning. Cake toppers have been popular this year too.  More and more folk seem to be looking towards having a greener wedding and of course straw work is very environmentally friendly.

I've just finished making a couple of commissions for Theatre productions,

Les Miserables and Oklahoma.

I seem to be booked in to do a lot of teaching this year.  If you are interested in learning this craft have a look on my diary page to see if there is a workshop that you can attend.  You could also look on the Guild of Straw Craftsmen's website for information too www.strawcraftsmen.co.uk If you can't find a suitable course then please send me an e mail with your details and I will let you know when a workshop becomes available.  It might just be that a few friends want to get together and organise a workshop for yourselves.

This Sunday I am in Airyhall, Aberdeen at a fair, 11am - 4pm.  I am also

giving a talk and hands on workshop at Portlethen Church Hall on 26th March and one in the Catholic Church Hall, Inverurie on 30th March.  If you want

any more information on these please e mail me.