May Update

I thoroughly enjoyed having a stall at the Outlander UK Gathering at Creiff Hydro on Saturday last. 

Over 200 fans of the Diana Gabaldon Outlander books and TV series gathered to enjoy a weekend of tours, talks, craft fayre, traditional music and song, Ceilidh and much more. I met so many lovely people from all over the US, Canada, New Zealand and Scandinavia as well as the UK. The Craft Fayre on Saturday morning was held in the Melville Hall at Creiff Hydro and as well as a fascinating array of Scottish arts and crafts there were demonstrations on waulking the cloth, traditional dressmakers and even a herbalist sharing her knowledge. I was really busy and didn't get a chance to see everything that was going on but there was a great atmosphere and everyone really enjoyed themselves.

A massive thank you to Tina for inviting me and to Yvonne from Tartan Bodice Creations for recommending me and of course to all the lovely people who made purchases on the day!

My next event isn't until July 11th at Falkland Craft Market so I have made everything that I have in stock available to buy online.

'Pink Thistle Bothy'

Outer edge of frame measures 50 x 50 cm

£285

These four pictures are all felt originals, photographed here with their glazing in place so apologies for the slight reflections. The frames on all these pictures are sturdy but light weight and easy to post.

'Sheets On The Line'

Outer edge of Frame 30 x 50 cm

£185

'Cnoc Bua Bothy'

Outer edge of frame 30 x 30 cm

£95

'Fianach Bothy'

Outer edge of frame 30 x 30 cm

£95

I also have these cute little cushions available. They measure 30 x 30 cm and the image is printed onto suede effect fabric which retains the lovely tactile soft feel of felt. The cushion covers are removable and washable with a little zipper along the bottom edge.

Cushions £28

I still have two of the larger cushions available as well.

Cushions 45 x 45 cm

£38

My Etsy Shop is also stuffed full of Pendants and Earrings. I only have two bracelets and two rings left at the moment but both have been listed.

Bracelets £20

Rings £18

Pendants £24

 

Earrings £18

Some of the earrings feature Anne Miller's fabulous handmade ear wires. All my earrings are on sterling silver ear wires but Anne's wires offer something a little bit different.

Felt Heart Pendant 

£24

I have just one of these large felt heart pendants available in this lovely summery turquoise. I wear one of these myself and it looks great on. Not as big as it looks. You can see it on my model 'Tabitha' below. You can also see 'Pink Thistle Bothy' on the wall which gives an idea of size.

Tabitha is also wearing this felt ivy leaf brooch below. These brooches are great for keeping cardigans closed at the front.

Felt Ivy Leaf Brooch

£12

I've made lots of treble clef brooches in lots of different colours including this rainbow one and a lovely navy for a change.

Treble Clef Brooches

£12

You can find all this and more in my online shop here

If you have any enquiries please feel free to get in touch at aileenclarkecrafts@yahoo.com

❤

A Peek Into Venue 28 during Open Studios North Fife

I can hardly believe that Open Studios North Fife is over for another year. 

If you missed it or were too far away to visit, here are some photos of my venue.

The place I have been using in Ladybank was taken over and renovated by Gillian MacIntosh of Kingdom Osteopaths last year. Gillian has made a fabulous job of redesigning the space and very generously took some days off and left me three empty rooms to exhibit in.

I transformed the main room into a display area with sales desk where visitors could browse my whole range of items and purchase if they wanted to.

The newly painted walls in a pale sage were a perfect backdrop and complimented the colours I use in my work perfectly.

An inner wall and door have been removed letting so much more light into the room.

Having such a wide range of printed goods really adds colour to the display.

My sets of four coasters were a big hit with visitors this year.

Both my big felted pictures on the wall above are away to happy new homes.

We always try to give people a nice place to sit and have a cup of tea if they have been to lots of studios and are feeling a bit tired.

Gillian's waiting room was easy to make cosy with some artwork and flowers and the shelves filled with lots of colourful items.

My new cushions nearly sold out!

Of course Open Studios is not all about selling. It's about letting people see into our creative spaces and explain a little about the processes that go into what we produce.

I always try to recreate my work space by bringing as much as I can down to the venue for the weekend.

 This year I did a bit of demonstrating with the embellisher machine and was able to show how wet felt is made as well.

Some of the materials I use in my work.

Fibres laid out ready to be wet felted.

A little shelving area with some bits and bobs and gifts from other makers. 

I find glass jars so useful for keeping oddments of wool in. You can find the scraps easily plus they add a splash of colour.

It has been a big job taking everything back home again and setting up my work space ready to start again. It's all looking spick and span though and I am raring to go!

Today had to be spent restocking my online shop. Lots of new things have been added.

You can browse my shop here

If you are new to shopping with me and have any problems, please feel free to get in touch at aileenclarkecrafts@yahoo.com

I'm looking forward to May and June being slightly less busy than March and April. It was a bit of a marathon jumping from one event to the next and having to make so much stock in between. I have plenty to be getting on with though and will keep you up to date with what's new on here, on Facebook and on Instagram.

Thank you very much to all of you who came along at the weekend. Your support for the event is much appreciated ❤