Make 17 at Devon Guild of Craftsman

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As the Crows Fly is very much looking forward to being part of the Make 17 exhibition at Devon Guild of Craftsmen this year, as well as being featured artist on their publicity for the event. Really excited about this. The private view (see below for details) will be on Friday 17th November from 6-8pm so if you are in the area please do come and meet us as it should be a lovely evening. Otherwise the exhibition will be running from Saturday 18th November until Sunday 7th January 2018.

Christmas is coming…

Wow, what a year… since my last post which was inexcusably long ago, As the Crow Flies has been very, very busy! New outlets at the Leeds Craft Centre and Design Gallery, 20/21 Gallery in Scunthorpe, Platform in Cleethorpes and Found in Dunbar have kept me very busy with my order books, add to that the crescendo of Christmas market madness over the past month and computer-related work outwith the studio has been at a bare minimum.

I’m looking forward to two final markets in ATCF’s Bristol hometown – first up is this Saturday, 12th December, 10am-5pm, for Christmas at the Orangery. Pleased to see this shot of my doilyware being used as a promotional piece:

new doily set losq

Hand coloured Porcelain Doilyware

A really lovely selection of fine local makers at one of Bristol’s best known Christmas fairs – Christmas at the Orangery is taking place in Henleaze at the Bradbury Hall. Very excited to be taking part for the first time, and to see the Doilyware range featuring in a lot of local publicity:

Bristol Mag Dec15 pic

The Bristol Magazine, December 2015.

henleaze and westbury dec15 pic

Henleaze and Westbury Voice, November 2015

Hope to see lots of local Bristolites there! Or if you can’t make that one then our final date will be Whiteladies Road Farmers’ Market on Saturday December 19th from 9-2pm. Have a wonderful festive season!

Stroud Goodwill

This winter in Stroud has been a lovely one – ATCF has been gracing the main square at the Farmers’ Market over a few dates in the lead up to Christmas, culminating in last weekend at the Goodwill Evening on Friday 4th and the Produce Market on Sat 5th. Thanks to the market team and all my lovely customers in Stroud – it’s been well worth the effort of foraying out from Bristol.

Had an entertaining moment at the Goodwill Evening when a photographer from Stroud News and Journal stopped by to comment on how unusual the wares were and feature me in his pictorial of the evening. Thanks to photographer Simon Pizzey who took the time to stop for this shot:

stroud news goodwill evening dec42015

As the Crow Flies will be back up in Stroud for some markets later on in 2016.

New Inspirations – Tree Themes

10390038_10152323059957133_2866024385991924260_nPleased with the work-in-progress on a new range of hand-illustrated earthenware… It’s my favourite way of working and I was thrilled to be commissioned by a good friend to produce Christmas presents for her extended family featuring favourite trees. The pictures here show work in the green ware stage – at present they are in the kiln cooling after their first bisque firing and will be glazed by the end of the week – must remember and post up some photos of the final pieces! Maple, Oak and Beech feature on these pieces, with some hidden personalisations such as imprints of leaves from family gardens inside the mugs.10610717_10152323309352133_3436202340150921515_n 10730999_10152323061527133_8483336425447139595_n 10734214_10152323062652133_6369216000558981153_n 10744022_10152323333202133_757224287_o image006

Branching out…

multi peacock towel

Well, much as I am enamoured of the ceramics world… I’ve taken a step into the unknown and started a collection of illustrated tea towels, carrying my original designs, in time for the Christmas market season.

Very excited about this – my stock is due to arrive from Bryan Franks next week and then I will be getting busy packaging them in the pretty wrappers I’ve been designing ready for the first market of the winter – Stroud Farmers’ market on the 1st November.  Going to have to find some suitably placed aga and do a photo shoot of my new products when they get in… hoping they live up to my expectations!

Below are jpegs of the 3 designs currently in production: Peacock Textile; Harvest Swifts and Squirrels and What the Blackbird Saw… all designs ©As the Crow Flies.
harvest teatowel lores blackbird teatowel text