The seasons are swinging round again and I’m really looking forward to the slide into Autumn and then Winter. The cast of characters is changing with the swallows heading south, replaced by noisy flocks of hungry geese from the far north. The colours too are changing, greens giving way to reds and yellows which will fade again to browns and greys. I love the endless cycle of the seasons, at once ever changing and unchanging.
The change in the seasons is reflected in my work and the things I want to make too, the things I collect on my daily walks are changing, fresh flowers replaced by vibrant hued leaves, and the rich colours of autumn make me want to crack open my paint tin. As we move into the colder months and the dark evenings return I find myself drawn towards small projects I can work on my lap, sat on the sofa under a blanket with the fire roaring and the curtains drawn.
As much as I love cosying up at home I’ve been very much enjoying getting out and about recently. I’ve been taking part in a few craft fairs and it’s been so lovely meeting people face to face! Last week I was at the beautiful Kirklinton Hall for their Thursday Market. It’s on every Thursday until 14th October (but there are special Winter and Christmas Fairs coming up too so look out for them) and it’s well worth a visit. There are lots of very talented crafters there with a wide range of beautiful things to tempt you with. I’m hoping I’ll be able to sell my wares there again soon as it’s a lovely friendly atmosphere as well as a lovely location.
Visiting art and craft fairs, along with visiting small galleries and independent shops, is a great way to support local businesses and find unique and high quality products. It also gives you a chance to chat to the maker, find out more about what you’re buying and to ask any questions you may have. Personally I love chatting to people about my work, sharing my thoughts and ideas with them and hearing what they think about it. Sometimes these conversations can spark off a whole new series of work or give me ideas about how to refine or adapt certain things I’ve made.
One of the things I’m currently working on is some felt hanging decoration kits. I’ve got a little robin and a peaceful dove decoration; seasonal but hopefully not too much so! After a rather irritating battle with my computer I finally managed to get all the instructions and labels finished and printed so they will hopefully be in my Folksy shop, and at any craft fairs I attend, very soon. The kits include everything you need to make your own hanging decoration. They’re suitable for beginners but more experienced stitchers might like to use them as a starting point for trying out different stitches or techniques. It’s so satisfying making something yourself and if you’re not very experienced with crafts then kits are a great place to start out, who knows where it could lead?
Next month I’ll hopefully be able to share some details of upcoming exhibitions with you but until then, keep safe and creative!
Helen
