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!

Trudi Hayden, sharing the beauty under our noses!

I have lived in Gloucestershire for most of my life and have always felt a close connection to our woodlands and rolling hills and vales.

 

 Living in the lovely Cotswold village of Alderton, and walking with my dog up our beautiful hill, has inspired this love of the countryside to emerge in my paintings.  

I have attempted to recreate some of the local scenes that often stop me in my tracks, to share the moment with others.

I exhibit all around the Cotswolds, and in Bath and Bristol, and am actively involved in the local Arts.  My work is in collections overseas and all over the UK.

My paintings and prints are currently available at:
ByLocal, Regents Arcade, Cheltenham
The Gloucestershire Art & Crafts Centre, Gloucester
Cube Retail, Cathedral Plaza, Worcester
Picturesque Art Gallery, Bourton on the Water
Picturesque Galleries, Bidford-on-Avon & Dumbleton
The Gardeners Arms, Alderton, Glos

Large installation for viewing only at:
Dumbleton Hall Hotel, Dumbleton

Trudi Hayden :- Tel:  0777 6441203
Email:   trudi@trudihayden.co.uk
Website:  www.trudihayden.co.uk

Snuggles for little ones

Amanda set up 'Amanda Hawkins Knitwear' in 1990 with the help of a small grant from the Prince's Youth Business Trust. She had gained an Hons. Degree in woven textile design at Birmingham, but a loom in a bedsit was out of the question, hence she bought a knitting machine. For the first few years Amanda  produced  ladies textural wool & chenille jackets with co-ordinating hats, which sold at prestigous fairs, such as 'Chelsea Craft Fair' & 'Country Living', as well as in galleries throughout the country & in the USA. With their spiral toggles & scalloped edges, they lent themselves to childrenswear & in 2000 the 'Tassles & Toggles' childrens range of knitted cotton accessories developed, including hats, scarves & mittens, which sold at Covent Garden Market.

 

In 2002 Amanda & her partner moved to Stroud in Gloucestershire to start a family. The 'Made in Stroud' shop stocked her knitting immediately, (& still does today) giving her the opportunity to become a full time mum working from home.  It was in September 2009, when her youngest daughter was starting school that Amanda came across 'By Local' by chance on a shopping trip.
'I knew that this was something I would like to get involved in, & was very excited to be accepted. The response by the public was amazing'.

In 2009 personalised knitted bunting was added to the range, & a year later, smaller door plaques. They cost £4.00 per flag for the bunting & £3.50 per flag for the plaques. They are both available in all the colours shown, & beautifully lined with gingham. Choose end design flags or just the name. Orders take about a week.

New for this season have been the trio of 'Nelly Noodle' teddies which were designed after the arrival of a new cousin, & took inspiration from a range of new hats.

To complete the look, Amanda has also recently added co-ordinating soft cotton baby blankets in two sizes; swaddling blankets & moses basket snuggles.

P.s. if it's not clear from her blog - Amanda loves knitting!!

The colours of inspiration

Annie Rowcraft was born and brought up in Great Yarmouth, but left when she first married at the age of 20.  She moved to the west of England in the mid 70s, with her 2nd husband, Pete, when his work took him him in this direction, along with her son and her 2 stepchildren from Pete's 1st marriage.

 Over the years Annie has worked in a wide variety of fields, fitting it around her family, and resulting in a broad spectrum of skills - for instance, when she was young she worked in a large printing company, which has given her an above average understanding of what is required to print her work well. 

She didn't start painting till 2000, when she joined an art club, and took classes in watercolour painting,  Watercolours didn't really suit her style, and she moved on to oils, then, being impatient for the work to dry, onto acrylics!

Annie is inspired by colour, and nature, and combines the two inspirations to produce atmospheric work, reflecting her changing moods, and those of the season.

She started exhibiting in cafes in Wells & Bishops Cleeve in 2005, then at the Open Air Exhibition in Cheltenham in 2007. She was an instant hit in Cheltenham, being voted 'Artist of the Week' in her first week!  Today, she mostly exhibits at By Local and the Gloucester Arts & Crafts Centre, at 4 College Street, Gloucester.

Seasonal selection!

There's a theme to much of the new stock arriving at By Local at the moment, a happy one - Christmas!  If you want something by way of a card or decoration that isn't the same as all those mass produced ones in the High Street, come and peruse our offerings!  This is just a taster, more coming in all the time ;o)

We have some decidedly different cards for you . . .

And some very different ornaments for your tree . . . . .

This is just the beginning, as the next few weeks pass, there'll be plenty more variety - and all unique!

Happy Christmas, make it a hand made, locally made, one!

Tara Davidson - Lace & Clay combined!

I love to reflect the feminine beauty of lace and other fabrics in my love of ceramics.  Creating something unique, timeless, and elegant. 
Some of my pieces incorporate patterns from lace heirlooms passed down through generations of my family. 

Other fabrics come from searching through forgotten corners of French antique shops, English country fayres, and flea markets in Africa.

 I’m always amazed how each piece turns out to be so individual even though I might use the same lace time and again.

I love to do commissions so if there is an old piece of lace that you love and would like to use but can't because it's damaged or stained, then why not let me make something special from it - it won't damage the lace at all! It makes a very special gift.

http://www.tarajaneceramics.com/
and facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/tarajaneceramics

tara@tarajaneceramics.com  

I also sell in Made in Stroud http://madeinstroud.co.uk/