Meet the Maker - Katie Almond, ceramicist.

Another workshop to whet your creative appetite.  This time from ceramicist Katie Almond in Rutland.

Since graduating five years ago, Katie has set up her own workshop in Rutland making ceramics using a variety of slip casting and hand-building techniques.  Each piece is essentially a canvas for decoration and collage as she combines drawings with found ephemera.  "I am inspired by nostalgia, old paper ephemera, vintage textiles and a love of drawing."  

She transfers old envelopes, bus tickets, seed packets and magazine adverts unearthed in charity shops and car boots sales on to her hand-painted porcelain jugs, cups, cakes stands and brooches.  

The mass of handwritten receipts, savings books and postcards she acquired from her grandmother has been a constant source of inspiration.  “Reading through them is fascinating.  One receipt from 1951 just have been when she was out buying presents for my mum, aunt and uncle.  I love being able to add a personal touch to my work.”

"The pieces I create are unique, one-offs that explore a variety of nostalgic themes that I am always adding to. Currently my themes are; the notions of afternoon tea, ‘Oh I do like to be beside the seaside’, gardening and flowers, and traditional blue and white pottery."

Katie is another artist exhibiting at Unit Twelve alongside Kirsty Elson in the 'madebyhandonline' exhibition and she also supplies galleries and shops both in the UK and internationally as well as regularly attending craft fairs.

And of course, you'll be keen to know more about the workshops she runs at Debbie Bryan's studio in Nottingham which include courses in the art of  brooch, tile, card and bead making.  These are all on offer in the coming weeks, with the added incentive of homemade cake and tea thrown in! Ideal for hen parties, birthdays or just to vent your creative bent, you can find out more from her website. 

And don't forget if you can't get to Nottingham, do try to search for something similar in your area and let us know how you get on.  We'd love to see the fruits of your labour.

And my tenuous link for the day - I guess it would have to be my pottery, as featured on our vintage inspired aprons!  Take a look on the website if you fancy something to keep you tidy as you bake (or even wear one for your ceramic sessions!)

www.cobwebknits.co.uk

Boutique and Unique - Polkadot of Winslow, Bucks

Stumbled across Polkadot on Facebook and thought you might like to see what they get up to.

Lisa (aka Miss Dottie) runs Polkadot and spends her days hand-painting gorgeous stuff & things in a farmhouse in the middle of a field in the beautiful Buckinghamshire countryside.

She specialises in handpainting wooden signs, canvases, hearts & boxes and the sound of sawing, sanding, drilling & painting, dogs & chickens can always be heard!

I love the fact that when Lisa gets cold she fires up the kiln and makes a few of her sweet little mugs, jugs or teapots!

There seem to be no end to Lisa's creative talents and she also produces a range of cards & prints.

As well as a shop in Winslow you can also buy her stuff online.

All images (c) Polkadot of Winslow

Boutique and Unique - Vintage Living, Baslow, Derbyshire

Vintage Living in Baslow is a real find.  Owner Sarah Copley began a life long interest in antiques at a very early age, unsurprisingly since both her grandmother and mother were in the business. She deals in original distressed and decorative painted furniture, sourcing stock from England, France and Europe.

      

Sarah's trained with Ann Maurice the House Doctor so has a wealth of experience to help you with your interior design. Her amazing shop is full of lovely furniture and accessories dressed cleverly so you could simply transport the it straight into your house.

    

And if you want more than just a bit of inspiration, Sarah is going to start running courses that will help you to  style your home and work with colour.

All images (c) Vintage Living

Surf's Up - Country Life and Other Passions

If you're looking for inspiration for interiors, landscape gardens and mood boards, you could do a lot worse than check out the images on this Facebook page, Country Life and Other Passions. 

  

We love the photographs and advice on many small and great passions of life ... with a focus on simplicity and reflection .... With an emphasis on beauty in the broadest sense, extending to art and nature, music and style ... 

    

Their page welcomes all those who love good taste and love the little things!

    

Boutique and Unique - the Vintage Bazaar, Hartley Wintney

A date for your diaries.  Next Saturday, the 27th April at The Victoria Halls in Hartley Wintney, the Vintage Bazaar will be holding another of their amazing fairs with over 30 traders selling vintage clothing, textiles, collectables and homewares.

The Vintage Bazaar was set up three years ago by Lizzie and Clare who came up with the idea.  They felt that Frome was a perfect venue to sell all things vintage as well as Clare's fabulous cloche hats. The Bazaar has now spread to other towns. 

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Exhibitors include Rebecca's Aix  and Les Jolies Choses 

as well as Angela's Vintage with their lovely display of nostalgic items from the 1930's and  1940's which includes English Embroidery, Linens and Haberdashery.

     

Refreshments are available in vintage style thanks to Lavinia's Tea Party 

The Victoria Halls are in Hartley Wintney, Hampshire. and doors open at 9.30, finishing at 3 pm.

Surf's Up - Lavender House Vintage

Just had to share this website when I stumbled across it.

    

Lavender House Vintage have a passion for all things antique and vintage, and stock an ever changing range of authentically chic and shabby pieces for you and your home. And although they are based in the historic city of Lancaster in the North West of England, they deliver nationwide.

    

As a little girl, Emma helped her mother on her Portobello Road antiques stall and developed a passion for all things vintage.  

    

From this passion a business has flourished and if you fancy a bit of browsing, there is a wealth of treasure on offer: worn painted French and English furniture, clothes and jewellery, faded textiles and well travelled period luggage.

   

We defy you not to find something you'll covet and probably end up buying.