Busy! Busy!

Well, have we been busy the last few weeks?! The Diamond Jubilee gave us lots to celebrate and inspire our creativity, and many of our makers produced something special to mark the occassion.

Kath made all sorts of patriotic little mementoes, such as this Union Jack Heart. We made the most of them with a stand at the special Jubilee Market that the Mall organised in the Regency Arcade.

This had an added benefit - many of our fans seemed to have 'lost' us when we moved from the old toy shop, by Butlers cafe, and you rediscovered us through the stall, which is lovely! Welcome back, friends!

We were able to give people a good 'appetiser' of samples from nearly all our exhibitors, and it was interesting how the smaller expanse of stock gave people a chance to actually *see* more of what we have to offer - I think sometimes it is possible to have too much of a good thing, you can't take it all in!

This baby hat, by Amanda hawkins, sold out in no time! But you can still commission one for your 'Made in England' treasure!

We have been without soaps & bathtime treats for a while, but we are about to remedy this, Kate Burgess, of Cotswold Naturals will be joining us soon.  You can see more at http://www.cotswoldnaturals.co.uk/ But in the meantime here's some more examples of her temptations.

Kate is due to set out her goodies on Sunday 24th June (next Sunday) I have a suspicion they will also sell like hot cakes, so don't hang about!

This is a gift pack of several bath treats, want to buy yourself a present? Oh, go on, let us lead you astray!  Finally, the best of good news, Jackie Hawkins, who fell and suffered a nasty leg break, is back on the rota - today! The brave woman is coming in on her crutches, such is the way we makers feel about the By Local community, so please pop in and admire her charming glass.

Shop rearrangement!

Here is Justyna Designs' luscious chair sitting in our shop, inviting you to collapse into it! Sadly, the footstool has been put a bit far away to put your feet up, too! Doesn't it make you smile? It certainly lifts my spirits every time I walk into the shop - just trying to figure out how we could afford to get the caravan upholstered like this! As well as moving things around in that corner to make room for this fabulous 'sample', Rosie has brought in more display space near the counter, so you can now see Eva's work much more clearly.

Eva's work is truly spectacular, what she manages to do with felt and beads is inspiring, nad the complexity of her work makes me feel like a fraud!

 Next to Eva's display is that of our new jewellery exhibitor, Hilary Thompson, who makes her own lampwork glass beads, under the name of Spa Town Beads.

No picture can really do justice to Hilary's work - do come in and see it, the subtle colours and combinations are very pleasing and relaxed.

Jane Vernon, Ali Corder, Jackie Hawkins and others have also brought in new stock - isn't this lustre bowl by Jane stunning?

Just to be cheeky, I, too, have updated my display, including putting some of my older stock on a 'sale' shelf!

I'm not the only one with reduced price stock, so come in and pick up a bargain - maybe a future Christmas present to stash away!!

New exhibitors for Easter!

We have 2 new exhibitors, Hilary, who already exhibits at Gloucester Arts & Crafts Centre, near Gloucester Cathedral, and Justina Design.  I have no pictures of Justina's work yet, but keep an eye on our Twitter stream (@ By_Local) and Facebook page - I'll post some as soon as I can! In the mean time, check out her web site  http://www.justinadesign.co.uk/   to see her amazing patchwork upholstery - or better still, visit the shop, and sit in one of chairs! 

Hilary was born in Leeds, raised in Cheshire and is now living in the Cotswolds, in the beautiful spa town of Cheltenham, with her husband Jeff, children Chris and Ellen and their golden Cocker Spaniel, Charlie.

For many years she have had a keen interest in photography, calligraphy, flower arranging and, of course, jewellery.  Her main interests have now developed into jewellery design, beads, silver wirework and lampworked glass.

Read more about Hilary, and see more of her work on her web site :

http://www.spatownbeads.co.uk/

Spring is sprung! (almost!)

 

The weekend just gone has given us an encouraging taste of coming spring!  It's gone a bit grey again, now, but the shop is full of encouraging reminders of the joys to come - these hares, by Penny Gaj, available as cards or prints, are a timely reminder that March is only a couple of days away, and the 'Mad March hares' will soon be boxing! Did you know, it's actually feisty lady hares telling pushy males where to stick their unwelcome advances?!  I think they should be a feminist icon!

We are already seeing the lambs in the fields, of course, they seem to arrive earlier each year, and their effervescent joy in life is enchantingly infectious!  Not everyone can get out to see them 'in the wool', perhaps you know someone who can't and would enjoy this card by Bev Perry as a tangible taste of spring?

 Bev also has this delightful card of ducklings, and the water ways will soon be full of these little balls of fluff, too.  A very British sign of Spring, much missed by many expats I know, are the bluebells in the woods.

This picture of Trudi's seems to me to completely capture the essence of Spring, as we know it in Britain. Our climate gives us a Spring like no other, and we should be grateful for its delicate beauty, it's a unique national treasure!  One of our new exhibitors, Nicolas Waters, is also an artist with a perceptive eye for the natural world.

This picture by Nicolas makes me think of spring in the Orkney Isles, where I lived for a time, and the spring air is filled with the bubbling calls of curlews and the 'tee-auch' of lapwings.

Finally, 1st March is St David's Day, which, as a Welsh girl, always feels like the start of Spring to me! So, this is the perfect flower to be wearing on Thursday!  Happy Spring, everyone!

Spring weddings with a unique element!

Spring is very much a traditional time to get married - originally it was about taking advantage of tax breaks at the start of the tax year, but what better time to start married life? To begin a new identity as a couple with the summer to share is great!  Here at By Local, we have lots of touches to make your special day even more awesome, from tiaras to favours, Mother of the Bride's headgear to gifts for the new home!

Kate Michelle Jewllery makes this adorable, knitted wire coronets to keep your veil anchored - how could you not feel like a real Princess wearing one of these!  She also makes extremely wearable silver wire hearts, as necklaces and brooches, ideal both as gifts for bridesmaids to wear on the day & keep, and for a romantic touch for any guest to top of their outfit - and wear again & again, as they are a very elegant way to gift a smart touch to any outfit.

There are hearts in many forms in the shop, and many would make ideal favours for guests that they will be delighted to keep in their homes and enjoy for many years - an ongoing reminder of a happy occassion!

These romantic hangers are by Kath Cooper, who also has practical plates, cake stands and other items adorned with hearts, the larger items might make a good present for a couple you know, perhaps?

And talking presents, how about something practical, like these lustrous pots by Jane Vernon?

Or this more dainty work from Taena Pottery? I covet one of those big cups & saucers for my morning coffee - and perhaps full of soup on chilly day, like those we're dealing with at the moment!

Back on the romantic theme, how about this brilliant idea from Tara Davidson? Not just a charming dish, but a way of sending a message, too - that's a special pen on the right, you can write on the dish and it can then be wiped off, and either just used as a practical dish, for dainty sandwiches or whatever, or you can use it for sending each other loving messages! Much nicer than a post it note!

Of course, not all female guests are going to look good in a hat, but anyone, even with really short hair, can look good in a suitable fascinator!  Kez Kurg has a lovely range, of unique, delicate headgear to suit the most picky!

At the same time, Kez also has the most spectacular 'occassion' jewellery, to turn the simplest style of gown into a jaw dropping statement! She also has tiny felt hearts and brooches, which would make ideal gifts for guests and bridesmaids.  The shop has a wealth of potential presents, each unique and special, to help a special couple embark a new, joint life.

Perhaps the prefect present might be a unique clock, to measure the years as they grow closer together?! Do come in and see if we can inspire you to have a wedding, and a new, married life like no other!

New Year, new ideas!

Well, no one has told us we can't have the shop anymore, so we're still here!  Like many in the Arcade, a new year has prompted a reassessment of stocks for our exhibitors, and resulted in Sales - which means it's bargain time for our patrons!

As you can see from this picture, there are some serious bargains to be had from Eunice Makes, and Trudi Hayden has some delightful early work reduced drastically, an opportunity to grab an original at print prices!  However, for those who like to be ahead of the game, thoughts are turning to Valentine's Day!  The true romantic will be planning to give their loved one something very special and personal, so our exhibitors have prepared some delights for them, too!

These hearts from Jackie Hawkins are a classic given a modern twist, and last alot longer than roses - after all, you don't want to give the impression that your affections are transitory, do you?!

If champagne is your Valentine's tipple, perhaps a pair of these hand etched champagne flutes would make her heart beat a little faster?

Or maybe you Light o' Love is a practical sort, and would like something to be used every day, and get a daily reminder of your love? Kath Cooper has many variations on the heart theme, at prices to suit all pockets.

Or pehaps a lavender filled, traditional American style heart from Simply Bee Crafts will soothe your loved one? Toni does several variations on this theme.

Of course, the really traditional gift is jewellery, so what could be more romantic than your heart to wear on a sleeve?!!! Kate Michelle Jewellery Makes a range of beautiful, knitted silver wire hearts, as brooches, pendants and earrings (my beloved gave me a pair of these, which make me go weak at the knees every time I wear them!)

 We also have lots of quite alternative valentine cards, as well as presents, including these slightly less romantic ones from Ali Corder! Let's face it, the reality of love is not always romantic!

Finally, perhaps you just want to be your loved one's Teddy bear? Then you could give them one of my miniatures, to carry in a pocket and hug whenever they miss you!
Happy & prosperous 2012 to you all, and I hope your Valentine comes through with whatever speaks to your heart!

Meeting the need!

With only 3 or 4 shoping days left, I thought some of you more desperate gift buyers might like some inspiration for unique gifts, that won't break the bank!

How about this stylish but homely tea pot, by Taena Pottery, for a tea drinker? Just right for 1 or 2 mugs!

Or this tiny original painting by Trudi Hayden? Give them a White Christmas for all the years to come!

Or perhaps you know a stylish man, who (like so many men!) is difficult to buy for? These sparklingly discreet cuff links may be the answer. This is just a glimpse of Fran Harding's hand made glass jewellery range.

Men often like to have somewhere to empty their pockets of all the 'stuff' we women keep in handbags, a fellow craftsman would perhaps like this? Or it would make a fine fruit bowl for a single person, perhaps. John Jacques, our wood turner, has a range of bowls, clocks & barometers, which are popular with our male customers. Not to mention earring stands, pendant watches and other goodies for ladies, too!

Thes little dishes by Tara Davidson would serve a similar purpose, for men or women - we all have little 'bits' that need to be kept somewhere safe! Single earrings, paperclips, etc, or they would be ideal for all those 'nibbles' at parties.

We have, of course, many makers of costume jewellery to choose from, this is a kniited and beaded silver wire heart, by Kate Michelle Jewellery - and she does classes in knitting wire jewellery, so if you have a crafty person to buy for, perhaps booking a place on one of those would make their eyes light up?

Hope I've given you lots of ideas, to make your task less burden some!  A very happy Christmas, and a properous 2012 to all of you, from all of us!