Saturday 17 September 2011

September Update



As we definitely move into Autumn here in Scotland I am working flat out to keep shops stocked, get felt made and new items thought up.

I bought this brilliant little vintage wash board in The Little Curio Shop in Dunkeld recently. Not only was it irresistibly cute but it helps me with my felt making.


The shop itself is just lovely. Full of vintage and antique finds with lovely scented candles burning. I felt like I'd stepped into the past. 


I have been working on lots of new brooches this month and have some out at a couple of new stockists.
An Cnoc in Crieff 
Room 15 in Oban
and
Studio 222 in Newburgh

My brooches have been popping up all over the internet too in various Etsy Treasuries and Folksy Features. It's great to have your work chosen for these as not only does it give extra exposure but it's heartening that out of the thousands of photos people upload every day to these sites, someone has spotted some of mine and deemed the items suitable for use in their feature.

Photography is something we all have to work on all of the time. Making and selling your work online is easy but getting your work noticed is another matter. Photography is a whole separate skill and not one that everyone finds easy to master. It has taken me about four years of trial and error to be finally taking photos that I am happier with. They are still not all good and there is always room for improvement. I don't have a great camera or a light box or even a day light bulb but I try my best with what I do have.


I entered this photo into the Craft Blog UK August Photo Competition and I'm delighted to say that I won! Along with a beautiful photo taken by Kiki's Umbrella, a wonderful maker of silver jewellery. 

Below are some more of my new textile rings.


I have some available in both my Etsy and Folksy Shops.


These are all truly Hebridean inspired with their shimmering turquoise sea colours.


I haven't forgotten our Hebridean adventure and all the inspiration gathered, I just haven't had time to do much with my ideas. I do plan on making some new seascapes but I have had commission pieces to work on as well as new stock for shops.

I do have lots of landscapes made though. None of them are available online yet but if you would like to know what's available just drop me a line
aileenclarkecrafts@yahoo.com




September Cottage
£35


And as if that's not enough to be getting on with I got my new harp strung! I sold the last one in April and couldn't get the strings on this until I had at least painted the base coat. I do plan to decorate it further but at least I can play it now the strings are on.
The harps are available from my friend Ian for £150 assembled and painted with a plain base coat. 

Regular visitors to my blog will remember Mr Fox that we found and rescued from the woods.



Well, what an adventure he has had over the summer!

He stowed away with us on holiday!


Seems like he fancied a Hebridean adventure as well. Here he is on the ferry from Mallaig with the Isle on Eigg in the background.

I have to say he was very well behaved. He made a few friends in the Tweed Shop in Tarbert.


I did have to stop him from eating all the chocolate though.
He and my little girl did a great job of looking so cute that the shop assistant actually bought them a bag of locally made tablet! Hyper children and foxes on ferries with mummies that feel seasick.....hmmm. Just as well dad has good sea legs!


When we took him back to Muddy Boots Farm Shop and Cafe for the craft fair in August, we were really sad at the thought of giving him back. However Trina and Paddy were more than delighted for my daughter to keep him as they think he has found a nice new home : )
His name is now Foxee, that's how my little girl spells Foxy. Cute.

7 comments:

  1. Well done on the craft blog win- your photos are such good quality and your posts are always a feast for the eyes!

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  2. What a great post, Aileen! Well done on the win - you're photos are always so sharp and well composed, and of course you have beautiful creations to focus on, so I'm not at all surprised that you were a winner. I love those Hebridean-inspired azure blues in your new creations, they'd be lovely to wear and brighten up an autumn day!
    Mr Fox is going to have lots of tales to tell from his summer adventure :)
    Liz x

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  3. That all makes lovely reading...and fab pix as usual. Tell me more about the harp. Is there a website?

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  4. Congratulations on winning the photo competition, your photos are lovely :)

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  5. Your photography is wonderful - all your items look as though they have been professionally photographed!
    The new brooches and rings are very pretty indeed.
    Just noticed autumn this week in the south too - leaves coming down along with the temperature.

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  6. Just found your blog thanks to Emma and it's a real treat. To say your photos are taken without the help of a lightbox or anything else really speaks volumes for your skills as a photographer! Delightful work and I love your adoption of Foxee. My girls would definitely approve!

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  7. Congrats, your photos are truly stunning, no wonder you won.
    I love Mr.Foxee, he is a much more seasoned traveller than me, lucky thing! I'm sure he enjoyed his adventures.
    Becky x

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