Friday 21 December 2012

Winter wonderland


I am signing off for this year (after a pretty hectic few weeks) so I wish you all a very merry and peaceful Christmas. See you on the other side xxx

Sunday 16 December 2012

Short film

A bit random, I know, but someone made a film about me!
Many thanks to Stephen Tolfrey at Studio Wallop for doing such a great job!
I would love to know what you think!

http://vimeo.com/55704853

Monday 26 November 2012

I want to ride my bicycle!

Hello there! I am just checking in to say a quick hi - as usual things are pretty hectic this time of year for all of us crafters!
I thought I would share a few little things I have been working on lately. They are quite different in a way from what I usually make, but on the other hand maybe not so, as everything is made from found materials.

It all started when I had a special request for a bike card.....

I had so much fun making this first creation...


...that I had to make another - Chopper style!


By now I was getting quite addicted to making these simplified machines!


This was another order for a man who loves motorbikes.

 And my favourite of them all.
 After seeing the 2 dimensional original on my Facebook page, a customer asked for a more 3-D sculpture. I wasn't sure it was going to be possible....

...but with the aid of some railings, I managed to fix and hold the bike together.

I loved branching out a bit with these little items. Back to Christmas products now.
Back soon!! xx

Tuesday 23 October 2012

New work and latest news!

 Seaview

 Pub On The Pond

Ten days ago, my 5 year-old son found this
 
  An old plank of wood, with remnants of paint and covered in deep scratches....


I didn't think I would be able to use it for anything, but I took it as I didn't want to hurt his feelings!
But then I got to thinking that the scratches could be reeds, and the paint could be a reflection in water - a pond for example!

So I made some buildings to correspond to the paint colours, and thought that one of them could be a pub (The Red Lion, obviously!) complete with hanging sign.

I added a railing made from nails and rusty wire - and a life ring which is actually an old washer with a lick of paint.

I was pleased with the way it turned out!

Slipway Cottages

The gorgeous chunk of driftwood with turquoise paint on provided the inspiration for this piece. The wedge shaped bit of wood had a few blobs of terracotta paint on: I love these colours together, so I decided to make all the other elements of the sculpture co-ordinate!




So, anyway, what is the latest news I mentioned in the title of this post?!
I am thrilled to tell you that I am now selling my driftwood designs through MadeByHandOnline.com! It is an amazing site, with work from Britain and Ireland's most exciting contemporary designer-makers (their words, not mine!)
Go check out the site! You can find my page here, and at the moment both pieces I have described above are available to buy.

In other news, I am putting a few bits in to the Make 2012 Christmas exhibition at the Devon Guild, Bovey Tracey. The show runs from mid-November to the end of the year.
And finally, I will be selling my wares at two upcoming craft fairs. The first is at Cotehele National Trust on November 11, and then at Exeter castle on Dec 2. It would be great if you could come!

Better get back to making then! Byeee!


Saturday 6 October 2012

Making waves

Oh dear, it has been such a long time since my last post I think the only thing I can do is to show you in pictures what I have been up to...with a brief explanation underneath. It will take me a week to write otherwise!!

"Making Waves"
I decided to piece all my odd bits of blue driftwood together to give an impression of waves, so this piece is quite deep. I particularly like the curvy piece at the very front.

This chunky boat is basically one piece of wood which was the end of a huge hunk of wood. Most of it was burnt, but I could see it could still be salvaged. A found weight has been used for a buoy...and I mananged to bend a bit of an old chisel around the mast to make a flag.

"Herman The Whale" - as soon as he is properly finished, he will be going into my shop.

Almshouses with postbox....now living in sunnier climes in Australia!

Customers are always telling me I need to include some knickers on my washing lines.....!!

A large free-standing piece ready to go off to an exhibition here

"Houses on the Lake"

These farm buildings have rusty tin roofs....the smaller one is actually an old hinge.

A custom-made key rack for a lovely customer!

Cottages in rich, autumnal colours

Tiny welsh cottages

Houses on a jetty

And finally!! That dreaded word again.......*whispers* Christmas

Q: When is a plasterboard screw not a plasterboard screw?

A: When it's a Christmas tree!!

And this postbox is actually a floorboard nail with a lick of red paint...and a dusting of "snow" on the top!


Both of the above designs are available as printed Christmas cards on my website.

Phew! If you have reached the end of this marathon post, then well done, and thank you for reading my ramblings!!
Best wishes to you all.

Tuesday 4 September 2012

Summer break

Is 6 weeks really over already?! Hard to believe....I feel like I could do with another week with my boys at least! Maybe it was the holiday to Lacanau, France slap bang in the middle made it all go so quickly! I won't bore you with all my holiday snaps: here are just a few. It was most relaxing, very hot and the company was great. I didn't want to come home, and that isn't like me at all!


Having said that, it was good to get in the shed after the time away and have some fun!

Meet Margot. She is designed to stand in the garden

(Her copper "legs" simply push into the soil)

And Gilbert, who is suitable to display inside or out...

 This little anglerfish is fun. His new owner has named him Elvis!

In a moment of madness I have signed up to do 3 fairs in November/ Dec!
So I am saving even the tiniest little bits of wood to make Christmas tree decorations!



Sorry the "C" word just slipped out then, I do apologise! It is a bit early to be talking about it already....but I do try to be organised (it just never seems to work out for me!)

Anyway, I hope you all had as good a summer as I did. The sun has reappeared in these parts recently, so we will make it last as long as we can!

Wednesday 25 July 2012

Little commissions and other work

 Goodness me, it has been such a long time since I last blogged: it only dawned on me when I realised how many photos I was uploading on to this post (though I have been busy too!)


I've undertaken a couple of lovely special orders recently. This first one was for a friend who requested a cottage with a birdhouse and washing line....and a heart if possible.
 

So I stitched a little one on to the laundry. Subtle but sweet I thought!

This next one is really quite exciting! I had the pleasure of meeting a customer recently who has gutted her newly purchased delapidated cottage, and done much of the renovations herself. I found her utterly inspiring! Anyway, she asked me to make a little driftwood copy of her house. The slate roof is part of the original roof (now replaced) and she gave me a little tester pot of the exterior paint, so that the colour is perfect!

Recycling at its best!

Here are some other recent pieces...


These cottages, complete with post box. I love the red and green together.

I found this amazing piece of driftwood and knew immediately I was going to use it for crashing waves!
 Little seaside houses in co-ordinating and a lighthouse complete the scene.

Lots more cottages: townhouses and country houses.


Quirky miniature vehicles of one kind...

....and another...

A dwelling that looks like it should sit on a Loch somewhere...


This little oak barn is only a few centimetres high!


Something a little bit different. The windmill sails are made from nails and offcuts from an old wire basket.

So, the summer holidays are here again. I don't like the last week of term because it makes me realise how fast time is flying by, and that my boys are getting older! They were both extremely fortunate to have brilliant teachers this year, so I made a few small gifts as tokens of my appreciation!


Well that's all folks!! I hope you are all enjoying the glorious weather we are having at the moment!
NB If you are in Cornwall on Sunday 5th August, why not visit Homespun Fair in Portscatho? I'll be there selling my wares along with lots of other lovely ladies....and there will be cake! Nuff said!