The next classes will be on 8th and 9th November 10am-3pm where we will be working on  Straw Work for Christmas. You can attend one or both days and make something different each day. These are suitable for beginners as well as straw workers with a bit more experience.These will be the last classes of the year.  If you are interested in booking for any of these dates then please email me for a booking form. These classes are now full although there is a possibility of one space remaining on either day so if you are interested please be in touch asap. If you would be interested in a similar class being held early in December please let me know and if there is enough interest then another class can be run.

The above classes will be held in the studio at Rowan Cottage, Inveramsay, Inverurie AB51 5DQ. The cost of the class is £40 for one day or £75 for both, which includes all materials and use of tools as required. All you need to provide is your own packed lunch; there’s tea and coffee here.

I frequently get asked about classes for young people so I would like to try something new.  On Saturday,1st November, 10.30am – 12 noon we will run a class for youngsters.  We want it to be a parent/child workshop where the 2 of you will work together to make some Straw Work for Christmas so each child must be accompanied by an adult (you will both work on the same pieces together).  The cost for the morning will be £15 and you should make at least 3 different items to take home. Only 2 spaces remaining

If you are interested in the above classes send me an e mail for a booking form.  Remember that the classes here are small so they can book up fast. Just a wee reminder too that your place is only secured on receipt of payment, thank you.

If you have an idea for a class or something you would like to learn, please get in touch, or if there are specific times that you can manage then let me know. I am very happy to put on classes to suit you at the times that are best for you. If you can get a group of 3 or 4 folk together I can put on a class just for you here in the studio or can even come to your own home. 

Gift Vouchers

 If you want to find something different for a present how about giving one of our class gift vouchers?  These can be redeemed for any of our classes in 2015. If you would like to purchase one then please send me an email.
I know it’s a wee while away  but I thought I’d start advertising a great workshop weekend in Hull. This is a very friendly weekend, I love it!  Straw workers of all abilities come along and take part in the workshops. I’ll be teaching at this event along with some other lovely tutors who will teach some interesting projects.  If you want to find out more either e mail me or contact the e mail address below.The Guild of Straw Craftsmen WEEKEND OF WORKSHOPS   April 24-26, 2015 at the Endsleigh Centre, Hull, England.Projects for straw workers of all levels.  For further details contact Jill Pearson:Corn Dolly Newsletter

This is an A5 booklet with loads of interesting straw working articles in it. The next issue due out in the next few weeks.The subscription in the UK is £8 for 2 issues, summer and winter. If you live abroad then please contact Elaine for more information. If you would like to take out a subscription all you need to do is send a cheque for £8 made payable to The Corn Dolly Newsletter to Elaine Lindsay, Rowan Cottage, Inveramsay, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire AB51 5DQ and include your details, name, address, telephone and e mail.

   
I also have some back copies of the Corn Dolly Newsletter  for sale from the last couple of years.  They are £1 each.  Please let me know if you would like some.

Christmas Fairs
.  They are both in the SECC in Glasgow.  The first one is Crafts For Christmas 23rd – 26th October.  I’ll be there demonstrating and encouraging the public to have a go at plaiting so if you’ve wanted to find out more about this lovely craft then I’d love to see you.  I won’t be selling any finished pieces at this show.
The other one is the Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair on 20th – 23rd November.  Each day during the show I will be running a workshop in the Craft Theatre where you will make something for Christmas and learn some basic plaiting too. Easy Straw Work for Christmas
Back in Stock in time for you to make all your lovely Christmas decorations and gifts

I’m pleased to tell you that  Easy Straw Work for Christmas has been reprinted.  You can get your copy for £12.50 plus £1.50 P&P from me now.  I will also have the book with me to the various events I’m attending as well as having bundles of straw for sale so that you can get plaiting straight away! If you’d like to receive a copy please send me an e mail and I can send you a Paypal invoice or if you want to pay by card then phone on 01467 681330
Please note that the book isn’t on our website right now but should be in a couple of weeks time.

We have updated our Straw Snowflake/Stars kits.  They now come in a handy box to keep all your bits and pieces together and they also now come with some thread so all you need to provide is a pair of scissors .  We have three different kits.  The one shown here is Kit 1 and is the one I would recommend starting with, we also have a Kit 2 which is a follow on to Kit 1 and allows you to make larger and more complicated snowflakes.  Our Kit 3 is designed for children.  All of the kits come with everything you will need apart from the scissors and they all cost £16 plus postage.  Like the book they are not on the website so you need to order by sending me an email and I can have them in the post asap to you so that you can make all your lovely things for Christmas.

These  snowflakes look lovely on a Christmas tree, also how about popping them onto a homemade card, leave a length of thread so that the recipient can take them off the card and hang them up as a decoration next year.  You can use them as a wee surprise inside a Christmas card as they cost no more to post being completely flat, how special would someone feel when they open their card from you to have a wee extra inside!!  These kits can go beyond Christmas too, you can cut the designs in a slightly different way and get different shapes, hearts, eggs for Easter etc.  After Christmas I will show you some other ideas.

Another New Kit!
For the shows I wanted to make up a different kit.  I already have a popular Straw Heart Kit and a Wedding Horseshoe but I was asked if I could make up a kit for a Straw Lady so no sooner said that done!  The kit comes with enough straw for one lady as well as strong thread and ribbon and flowers for decoration.  The lady stands about 16cm high. The price of this kit is £12.50 plus postage

Gosh Something Else New!!

Greeting Cards

I have thought about producing these for a while now and am very excited to now have my first 4 cards ready for sale.  The photos are all pieces of my work, I found it difficult to choose which ones so I hope that if these prove popular I can have some more images on cards in the future.  There are 4 designs and they are left blank on the inside for your own message and so that they can be used for different occasions. They come complete with envelope and inside a cellophane sleeve. They are £2 each or 3 cards for £5 plus postage.  These will be going onto the new website but in the meantime they can be bought by e mailing me

I received a lovely e mail the other day, I wanted to share the photo that accompanied it with you but then I thought I should actually share some of the e mail too so here goes….

Dear Elaine, We met at the  2014 Portsoy Boat Festival from where I carried home your straw samples, my book and lots  and lots of enthusiasm . Thank you for the newsletters, very tempting to get hold of the ‘Xmas instructions’ but I know I must learn the basics first.

But it’s great, great fun . I’ve picked my wheat from the surrounding fields, stored  it in bundles in my attic and started to plait. My granddaughters (11 , 9 , 5 ) love it, their little hands are better at the ‘clove hitch knots ‘ than mine —I try to keep one step ahead with the constructions but it is a wonderful thing we are sharing during their sleep – overs . Thank you so much for that! I will eventually move to ‘proper  straw ‘ but at the moment, am enjoying the rustic, rural approach just like in the olden days .This weekend was Thanksgiving in Canada, my relatives received the enclosed photo . Almost shy to let you see it !!! I know it could be better .Would love to come to Inverurie some day

Marigold 

Well that’s all for this month. There’s a busy time ahead and I have plenty of work to complete before the shows.  I also have quite a few classes in between times too so really looking forward to that.  I’m really excited  that in a couple of weeks time a well known basket maker from Ireland is coming over to spend  a couple of days in my workshop learning about different straw working techniques.  More about this next month. Come and speak to me if you are at any of the events at the SECC, I’d love to see you.
I’ll end here with a photo of a piece I have just finished for a wedding. The bride wanted her 2 cats alongside her. 

Talking about weddings, remember the question from last month?  Well the answer is that in the photograph there were 10 Straw Boys Hats and they were going to an Irish wedding down in England a few weeks ago.  The hats were going to be worn by drummers.  I have been promised a photo so hopefully you will see them in a future Newsletter.  If you can’t wait till then then here is one being modeled for by my wee cousin, Miguel, – you might remember him in the photo of the sunglasses.

Best wishes

Elaine
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