2012

Happy New Year.

Doesn't time fly!!!! I cannot believe I have abandoned my blog for as long!!

I have been working on some new designs over the Christmas period and thought I would take this opportunity to show you the results.

First, I have been working on these embroidered linen bags, lined in Liberty Tana Lawn fabric - every one is unique and won't be repeated.

They are on sale in my etsy shop. I have used a mixture of new and vintage ribbons and lace to complete each design.

I was extremely fortunate to sell 41 out of 43 of the pictures below at the 20x20 show at Mushroom Works Gallery in December.

As a result I have decided to concentrate a little more on the pictures and have started to produce more applique pictures in a variety of sizes. The ones below measure ten inches by eight inches and can also be found in my etsy shop.

I'm keen to keep the pink one at the bottom!!! It's my favourite so far!!

If you would like to putchase any of the items below, I have a special discount code for my etsy shop during January. If you insert 'Januarysale' into the coupon code box during checkout you will receive 25% off your total order!!

.....STILL SEWING

First of all can I thank everyone who came to the Shipley Art Gallery on Saturday to support the event - it was a superb day and I sold many items from my stall!!! The Gallery was busy all day and I'm hoping to be involved in another similar event in March 2011.

As a result of the extensive sales on Saturday and a huge order from Japan on my return home, my on line shops are somewhat low in stock!! I am also in the middle of preparing several 20cm by 20cm framed pieces for the Ouseburn Open Studio Weekend at Mushroom Works Gallery, Newcastle from 25th to 27th November!!! Phew - I have a busy week ahead!

I have already completed some framed artwork including the designs below,

All of these pieces will be sold for £20 at the exhibition - 20cm by 20cm for £20 - a fabulous idea and ideal for family and friends who are difficult to buy for at Christmas time!

The Scandinavian Bird pictures were popular at Ouseburn last year so I have made quite a few for this year's show too.

The owls weren't on show last year but have proved popular in my etsy shop so I'll be making a couple of these - this one will be included in the exhibition.

I am also embroidering Dala Horses, Fields of Poppies, Peacocks, Suns (with faces)!!! which I hope to show you later in the week.

There will be several local artists taking part in the show including Jim Edwards and Joanne Wishart. You will also have the opportunity to explore artists' studios located in the Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle. More information can be found on the Mushroom Works website or you are welcome to contact me by e-mail (jsmallcombe@hotmail.co.uk)if you require any further information

CHRISTMAS MARKET

I am delighted to be attending the Christmas Market at the Shipley Art Centre in Gateshead as a stall-holder on Saturday. I have had this event booked in my diary for a while. I have been working merrily away creating all kinds of items specifically for this market including some new designs and Christmas themed items!

I intend to take along as much stock as I can physically carry. There will be several of these:

Quite a few of these.......

And I may take along one or two pictures....

I have made quite a few bird brooches like the one below and have also made some to hang as Christmas decorations alongside some other hanging designs.

I also have reversible fabric pendants on silver chains, hair slides, bags, felt 'peter pan' collars....... I'm hoping customers will be spoilt for choice!!!

The market starts at 10am on Saturday, 12th November and closes at four.

Over 40 stall local stall holders are booked to attend the first ever Shipley Art Musem Christmas Fair. It will be an eclectic mix of hand made presents, food, treats, clothing, homeware and gifts will be on sale.

The Daisy Green team who are organising the event will be handing out goodie bags to all who attend including the first ever handbag size printed copy of Daisy Green Magazine.

There'll be raffle, a gift wrapping service and much more. And it's FREE entry too!

PETIT POT

Any decision made about weddings is completely subjective, and what is best for one person may not necessarily be for another. However, if you are looking for unique and personalised favours to give to your guests at your wedding I have the ideal solution!!!!

Petit Pot is is a new enterprise, which began in spring 2011.

The journey began when Mark Rogers and his wife Suzie decided to make favours for their guests at their own wedding in 2010. They went down a treat (and I can personally verify this as one of their lucky guests) and as a result, friends and family started to ask if they could make the little preserves for their weddings and parties. It seemed a shame not to share these gifts with everybody else, so PetitPot was born.

Mark and Suzie use local Yorkshire producers and suppliers to make their delicious range of personalised home made jams and chutneys. Their current range includes:

Strawberry and Champagne Conserve

Gooseberry and Elderflower Fizz Conserve

Rose Petal Jelly

Yorkshire Rhubarb Chutney

Chilli, Lime and Tequila Relish

White Port and Pear Chutney

Petit Pot are also currently working on new products which will be launched shortly. These will include cocktail themed preserves:

Strawberry Diaquiri

Bloody Mary

Pina Colada

With Christmas approaching quickly, I think Petit Pot's unique 'Tasting Box' will make the perfect present! Petit Pot enables the customers to choose flavours and colours whilst adding a personalised message.

Although Petit Pot is less than a year old, their recipes were finalists at the 2011 Great Taste Awards. Better pop over to their website fast before they're sold out!!!!!!

If you require any further information regarding Petit Pot you can e-mail Mark at:

Hello@petitpot.co.uk

TREES

Trees, trees, trees.............. I have been trying to come up with a design for a 'tree picture' for quite a while.

I also have a stash of Liberty lawn fabric that I was desperate to incorporate in the new design.....

After several adjustments the new design is embroidered!!

These designs are mounted and ready to frame (they fit perfectly into 23cm square Ikea box frames) and are for sale in my etsy shop.

PETER PAN

A new design has been added to my etsy shop - the Peter Pan collar!!!

I have been working on this particular design for a while and it has been adapted recently so it will fit any size. I am hoping to alter the position of the flowers and maybe incorporate some other shapes in future designs.

At the moment, the one pictured is in my etsy shop where I also have 25% off every item as part of my summer sale.

WITH OR WITHOUT.........

Dear me, I have finally found some time to post on my blog.

The last few weeks of term are always so busy - sports days, school trips, concerts, etc and as a result I have neglected my blog (again)!!!

I have also had a couple of disappointing messages via my etsy shop in the last couple of weeks too!!! Unfortunately, a couple of pictures that I dispatched broke by the time they reached their lovely customers. The frames in both cases were completely smashed to pieces on arrival at their new homes. Very upsetting for the recipient!!!

It's strange as I have sent out several pictures over the last few months and have never had a problem but two have smashed within the last couple of weeks. As a result, I have debated whether to sell my artwork with or without frames and have come to the conclusion that I will sell my pieces unframed but mounted so they will fit into 'off the shelf' frames (notably ikea; as I know they are reasonably priced).

I have listed a few new pieces of artwork in my etsy shop and they are designed to fit ikea 23cm frames.

I am working on some more designs and plan to make some larger pictures similar to the ones in the photograph below. These were designed for my solo exhibition at Mushroom Works last year!