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.

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/

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!

Jackie Hawkins - adding sparkle!

 Jackie Hawkins makes fused glass into all sorts of things to bring an 'Aah!' moment into your life.  She's always been a crafter in some form or another, starting as a needlewoman, making clothes, doing cross stitch and becoming a member of the Embroiderers Guild.  This has given her a strong grounding in design, and an understanding of quality craftsmanship, which is evident in all her work.

Her life experiences have also made a profound impact on her work, as she travelled the world in her childhood, following her RAF father at an early age to such far flung places as Aden (now Yemen) and Singapore.  Exposure to such different cultures and art forms at such a young age has clearly affected how she sees things at a deep level.  A few years ago, when she was working with transfers, and making cards, she saw some dichroic glass at a craft fair and was, as she says 'captivated'.  When an opportunity to take a course in glass work arose with Bill Robson, who sold his dichroic glass at Lock Warehouse, Jackie grabbed it with both hands!

Thanks to the gift of a kiln from her husband, she was soon making pieces that were snapped up by friends, and she started selling through Gloucester Arts & Crafts in May 2010, shortly after Helen Lomberg opened it in April of that year.  In June of this year, she added herself to By local, and the rest is history!  She makes a wide variety of pieces, from jewellery to delicate dishes, and continues to stretch the boundaries of her capabilities.

Cheltenham should be grateful to the Cheltenham & Gloucester Building Society, as it was when they took over the family business (a small, local building society) that Jackie and her husband moved to Gloucestershire, so without them, we wouldn't have the pleasure of Jackie's company, and charming work here in By Local!  Jackie lives with her husband and a small menagerie of 2 cocker spaniels and 3 cats, and has the privilege of a studio in one of their bedrooms - she only has to go upstairs to work, what an enviable commute!
Pictures cannot do justice to any glass work, as it is so dependent on light - do come into the shop and enjoy it for real!