A Boxer Named Wellington

Just finished a commission for a lovely couple who own a huge character in the shape of a Boxer dog named Wellington (Welly for short)

Torn between a needle felted version or a pastel portrait they ended up wanting both.

I studied so many photographs of his face that I could see his little teef when I closed my eyes at night!!

Sloth In A Bucket

Perhaps the current cold spell is affecting my judgement but a miniature sloth in a bucket seemed like a perfectly reasonable idea the other night. Having acquired a number of brass trinkets, this little bucket was crying out for a inhabitant. My partners face was a picture when he asked what I was doing but I had the last laugh as 'ol' three toe' sold at a fair this weekend.

Here is a quick snap of him that I took on my phone - cant decide if he's looking on approvingly or judging me as I enjoyed a post production glass of wine!

 

The Christmas Spirit

Spent a few minutes admiring the double window display of Shabby Chic Country Living in Dorkings West Street this weekend

 

 

Now that's what I call Christmassy!

Needle Felted Black Labrador

I have been battling with Cosby on and off for a few weeks now, trying to capture his doleful expression!

 

Owned by my cousin and family, he's a failed Guide Dog (he liked other dogs too much and got distracted) The softest, most loveable lump, he is now in his senior years but still enjoys a good paddle about in the stream when he gets a chance. 

Christmas Robin Decoration

I supposed I'm allowed to mention the C word now that we are into November?!

Just added this guy to my Folksy shop, made from needle felted wool and framed in an embroidery hoop.

 

 

A robin tamed me once (yes I do mean that way around!) and he had be set up a mealworm feeding station for his exclusive use. I got into big trouble if I didn't prioritise his breakfast when I arrived in the mornings and he would stand bobbing by my elbow until I paid him due attention.

Available in my Folksy shop now

New Stock in my Folksy Shop

Lots of new items added to my Folksy shop including a needle felted Greyhound, Fox Terrier & Otter to name a few!

 

   

 

 

 

Click HERE for more details

Hay Hay We're The Bookworms

Still thinking of the lovely break we had in Hay on Wye 'The Town of Books' at the beginning of the month.

The small market town of Hay is famous for its second hand bookshops and was a favourite haunt of mine when I was studying in Hereford, so, quite a few years on I was happy to see it hadn't lost any of its charm.

 

 

 

 

The 'on Wye' bit also didn't disappoint and we were treated to glimpses of Kingfisher and a first for me, Dippers - such smart looking little fellows!

 

 

 

 

One of the highlights had to be watching wild Kites being fed in the heart of the Brecon Beacons.

 

 

Although curling up back at the apartment with a new book, freshly purchased in town came a close second!

 

 

Heaven!

Shopfest at Denbies

Madly trying to finish the last few pieces for Shopfest at Denbies this Sunday, 9th October 2016.

The Fair is open from 11am - 4pm with free entry and is held at Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking, Surrey,  RH5 6HA

 

 

Do drop by and say hello if you're in the area.

Arundel Castle

 

I've been a long time fan of the market town of Arundel in West Sussex.

Our usual activities comprise of coffee and cake, a stroll along the river, a nose around the back streets and a smidgen of retail therapy.

This last visit we ventured into the grounds of Arundel Castle (home to the current Duke of Norfolk) and we were not disappointed. Small but beautifully formed, the diverse planting and inspiring setting made for one of the best day trips we've had this Summer.

The fact that that it was a near perfect summers day helped of course but as we entered a courtyard dotted with fountains and tinkling with the sound of water, the impression was that of an absolute paradise. Do you remember arriving at a theme park as a child and feeling such an overwhelming sense of excitement that you positively had to run everywhere - well that was me (or maybe that's just me?!)

Anyway, enough rambling - here are some pics!

 The Collectors Earl Garden

 Cut Flower Garden

 The White Garden

 Stumpery

Wildflower Garden

Sprinting Hare

A fantastic holiday in Orkney has inspired this latest piece.

A gentle stroll down to the beach, Oyster Catchers calling over head and hares running flat out through the fields either side of us - heaven!

Awaiting instillation into his glass case he will be available in my Folksy shop tomorrow.

Click Here For Current Work

Tweet of the Day

Not every culture sees a single Magpie as a bad omen, in Korea the bird signifies the arrival of visitors to your house and in China the bird is a symbol of good luck and fortune.

Consider this little chap as a welcome visitor to your home and remember that if you see lots of single magpies in the Spring it's usually because they are foraging for food for their mate.

This needle felted miniature sits atop a hand painted vintage brass telephone and will be available in my Folksy shop in the next day or two.

The Fox &The Gramophone

As anyone who has ever lain in bed listening to foxes knows, when singing their song, they are practically pitch perfect!!

This fellow loves nothing more than listening to some smooth classics of an evening.

 

 

 

Available from my Folksy Shop in the next day or two

Orkney Delights

Beautiful Orkney - "Not on everyones bucket list" as the lady who checked us in at Gatwick wryly observed but I love it none the less

 

Staying on the East Mainland meant revisiting some favourite haunts and plenty of beachcombing with the not very well hidden intention of bagging a Groatie Buckie or 10! 

 

The sound of oyster catchers and curlew replaced the familiar song birds we usually wake to and a quick peek out of the window meant we were able to check the tide line on the beach.

 

 

 

Marwick Head

 

 

 

Waterfall at Yesnaby

 

 

The Beach at the bottom of the lane (Aikerness)

 

 

A 'Groatie Buckie' (Atlantic Cowrie) said to bring luck and avidly hunted for by locals and tourists alike

 

I am planning a few projects based on the fantastic wildlife we spotted during our stay so watch this space!

Faux Taxidermy Puffin

Just finished and posted off this little chap who was commissioned via my Folksy shop

 

 

I actually remembered to photograph him before he was installed in his case this time, my limited photography skills mean that I struggle to get any decent photos once my creatures are behind glass

My supply of cases is dwindling now and I'm finding them increasingly difficult to source so it was fortunate that the client was happy with this 'blank back' style which I lined with Designers Guild velvet.

Sewing Bumble Bee

The latest addition to my Folksy shop - who doesn't need a little bumble bee perched atop a miniature sewing machine?!

 

Made from a hand painted brass sewing machine and needle felted wool this little frippery is available HERE

Hares & Bluebells

 

A magical walk through beech woods and bluebells this morning proved to be the inspiration for my latest work. Created using air drying clay, this basking hare reflects all that is wonderful about our British woodlands. Not only were we treated to some much needed early morning sunshine but the addition of stitchwort, common orchids and the last of the anemones made for a harmonious symphony of colours, which, in turn is echoed in the finish of this piece.

 

 

Available in my shop tomorrow this hare will form a series of nature inspired sculptures, so if you are interested in seeing more, please check out my Folksy shop HERE

Thank you!

 

A Spot of Bother!

The latest creature to feature in my Folksy shop, a needle felted rabbit peeping out of a watering can.

This miniature creation will be available tomorrow, meanwhile you can see all current stock HERE

Needle Felted Foxes Wedding Cake Topper

New in my Folksy shop this week, a pair of needle felted foxes sat on a acrylic disc.

Originally designed to be used as a wedding / celebration cake topper, they would be just as happy sat on your shelf of window sill.

Current work for sale can be found by Clicking Here

Needle Felted Siamese Cat

Just a few quick pics of a recent project completed for a relatives birthday present.

Part Siamese, the biggest challenge in creating him was that he appeared to be a different colour in every photo supplied.

Working from real life subjects is always nerve wracking as the owners tend to know their pet so well that even the slightest deviation looks glaringly obvious!

Birds & Blossom Mural

I've been completing some non Folksy related projects this month, the first of them being this Chinese inspired mural of blue magpies on blossom branches and a weeping willow background.

 

I started by painting a halo effect background using Farrow & Ball and Craig & Rose chalky emulsion. I ending up using 6 different colours to create a less blank canvass and used watered down chalky emulsion for the weeping willow branches.

 

 

I then sketched in the branches and roughly filled in the bird shapes as I wanted to get the best balance of blossom across the wall.

 

 

I then went bold on the branches, added the blossom and finished the detail on the birds.

 

 

The whole wall was then sealed with matt varnish and finished with an iridescent paint from Crown to lift the birds from the background. 

The Happy Prince

This month I plan to do a few pieces inspired by poems, fairy tales and fables.

For those who already know Oscar Wildes short story titled 'The Happy Prince', the violets I have made to include in the finished piece should give you a good idea of which part of the tale I've chosen to portray.

 

 

The finished piece will, of course, include the kind hearted swallow and a gemstone.

Available from my Folksy shop 'Wonderous Oddities'

Click Here for more info.