As mentioned in the introduction I have just finished writing my second book, An Introduction to making Straw Flowers. I really enjoy my garden and I love plaiting flowers with straw, so it just felt right that this should be the next book. I know how popular my flower making classes have been so fingers crossed the book will be the same. This book is written using the same format as my Easy Straw Work for Christmas book with straightforward instructions and lots of colour photos. The book would not have been possible without James Lindsay who has worked hard designing it and putting it all together, he deserves a medal for putting up with his mum changing things all the time!! His patience with me is amazing! We have projects in the book suitable for beginners as well as more confident straw workers. The book will go onto the website as soon as I have it next week and it will cost £12 plus postage but if you want to get ahead of the game and order now then I have a special offer for you! If you would like to get a copy before it goes onto the website please e mail me and as soon as the book appears I will post it to you postage free! I can sign your copy too, please just ask.
New Kits
I have 2 new kits for sale, one is making lavender pomanders and the other is a kit to make simple Christmas decorations. I will be putting them up on the website in the next couple of days.
The Snowflake kits are selling well at the moment too as is my first book, easy Straw work for Christmas. Lots of folk starting their preparations for the festive season.
The classes have been well supported recently and can fill up fairly quickly so if you see something you are interested in then get in touch for a booking form as soon as possible. If you’ve always wanted to have a go at this lovely craft then these are the classes for you. They are small (4 or 5 people), and very friendly with beginners getting a lot of support.
in Studio at Inveramsay
In this workshop we will be learning some new straw plaits and there will be a variety of projects to use these on. Suitable for someone new to the craft. Only one space left in this class.
in Studio at Inveramsay
In case you couldn’t come to the workshops in October we will have a range of Christmas items for you to come and learn how to make. These make great gifts.
Saturday 3rd December 2016
in Studio at Inveramsay
A variety of flowers for you to choose from. Maybe a Christmas Rose or Poinsettia even, to carry on with the Christmas theme? Projects to suit all abilities.Only one space left for this class.Dates for classes at the start of the year so that you can pop them in your diary.
Saturday 21st January 2017 Beginners Class
Tuesday 24th January 2017 Improve your plaits
Saturday 4th February 2017 Making straw threads and Straw thread Projects.I am running a class in Banff, Aberdeenshire on 12th November If you are interested please e mail me for details
I will also be taking classes in the Craft & Create Workshop at the SECC Glasgow for the Country Living Magazine Fair. 17th-20th November 2016
We have gift vouchers for sale if you know of anyone who you think might enjoy a class with me or even purchase something from our shop! email me for more details. These make great Christmas gifts.
WEEKEND OF WORKSHOPS
IN YORKSHIRE
Always a great weekend. Next year the dates for the weekend are 7th-9th April 2017. Write it in your diaries and come along and join us. It was great to have 3 attendees from Scotland this year, how many will go next year? The weekend is filled with classes and workshops for all abilities, they are very relaxed and are great fun. The one thing we all have in common is our love of straw!! If you would like more information contact Jill.
.For further details please contact:
Jill Pearson 07903 301907 or
e-mail – hull.workshop@strawcraftsmen.co.uk
The Guild of Straw Craftsmen
Have a wee look at the website Guild of StrawCraftsmen lots of great straw work information on there and see where there are classes or events being held. Also some patterns and ideas for your plaiting.Corn Dolly Newsletter
I have back issues of the Corn Dolly Newsletter here for sale. The cost is £1 per issues plus postage, what a very reasonable way to collect some new patterns at not much money! The back issues I have available right now are nos. 51, 52, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72 and 73. They are £1 each plus postage. If you are interested in the these please send me an e mail. If you would like to take out a subscription in the UK it is £8 (this includes postage) for 2 issues, summer and winter (if you live abroad then please contact Elaine for more information).
NEW FEATURE!!
Wonder what to call it?? Rogues Gallery? Scottish Straw Workers?? No ideas so far as to a title for this piece so if you have any ideas let me know. I have been mentioning in previous Newsletters the many straw workers we have emerging in Scotland and how proud I am of them all. I wanted to introduce you to some of them and their work so I thought I would introduce you to some of them in the Newsletter each month.
Growing up during the war and experience the turbulence afterwards, where there were no toys, which would entertain us, we had to create our own plays and our fantasy knew no boundaries. To go into the nearby woods and make little houses out of moss and sticks for our paper dolls,which we had cut out and brought a long, kept us happy, amused and forgetting the destructions around us.
Throughout my childhood I was encouraged to make presents myself and use any art and craft available to me, as self-made items are much more precious then bought ones; my Mother always told me.
No doubt, this experience coloured my interest of crafts throughout my life. Working mainly with Children with special needs, this trend was a welcoming tool. However, to find natural material became a task in its self.
To meet Elaine in one of the courses at the Woodend Barn and experiencing the ultimate historic craft of straw plaiting was an unbelievable, heart-warming experience. I am so glad, I can develop and nurture this wonderful craft and make use of this gift of straw, to make and create many different exciting items to please not only myself but also family and friends. Every time I go for yet another course, I come back with enthusiasm and keep on plaiting and enjoying using natural material.
Thank you, Elaine, for teaching young and old and keeping this special craft alive with enthusiasm and conviction. Marga
I think you will agree that Marga makes some wonderful pieces especially her straw thread work.
Stockists
I have several shops and galleries stocking my work and I don’t always remember to mention them. Here’s another lovely shop to visit.
Imagine at Twentyseven
27 Low Street, Banff, Aberdeenshire, AB45 1AU
They have a facebook page which is well worth a look.
Yvonne & Stuart from Country Frames have been great supporters of Something Corny for a few years now and usually hold a small stock of my straw work. It’s well worth a trip out, Yvonne has some lovely pieces of artwork and crafts for sale and they make brilliant frames too!Another great shop now stocking a few of my things is Louis’ Little Haven in Durno Aberdeenshire..WANTED
I am also looking for Straw Threads. I have had a stock of these for many years but through my own use and selling to customers and pupils the stock is disappearing fast. Is there anyone out there who would have any for sale
If you can help please e mail me. Thank you!
Your News………
I was so chuffed to receive the e mails below.
Wow, Philippe, that’s fantastic!Hi Elaine, here’s my harvest wreath creation using waste straw for wreath ring.
Regards Joan
Isn’t this just stunning and is the perfect way to use up our waste straw.
Thanks for reading our Something Corny News this month. Look forward to seeing some of you at the SECC in Glasgow either next week or in November. Keep up your straw work! And keep sending me your pictures, I love seeing them.
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