Grampian Transport Museum & Arena Concert

The Artisans will be displaying their work at the Grampian Transport Museum in Alford this Saturday, 21 August. There will be arts and crafts from all over Scotland attending the Arena from 1pm, followed by music - Clachan Yell, Willie G Trio, The Brothers Reid and special guest appearance from Sandi Thom.

It sounds like a hoot, so come along and enjoy all the arts and crafts as well as great music.

Artisans Busy at Work - Aberlour

There have been a good few people visiting the Artisans at the Scout Hall in Aberlour. Among the visitors we have seen Americans, Swedish, Irish and Belgians, as well as local folk. I was told that the Americans have been loving the Clootie Dumpling, made by Joy Mann of Twisted Kilts.

The display boards showing photographic images of Speyside and Integlio Prints:

Joy of Twisted Kilts have been entertaining visitors with her clan research - if you want to know what your tartan is, she can look it up on her laptop.

Speyside Artisans will be back at the Scout Hall in Aberlour this Thursday 5th - Saturday 7th August, opening at 12pm-7pm on Thursday and 10am - 4pm Friday and Saturday. This is your last chance to see some of the Artisans at work, as it is the last weekend in Aberlour.

Free admission and homebakes.

Craft Demonstrations - Aberlour

Speyside Artisans will be exhibiting at the Scout Hall in Aberlour on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays for the next two weekends (29th - 31st July and 5th - 7th August). Thursday opens 12pm-7pm and Friday and Saturdays are 10am-4pm.

Not only can be buy the wonderful arts and crafts at the Hall, but there are demonstrations taking place too.

Lesley has been demonstrating the art of silk painting (as shown in the photos). She applied silk paint to the fabric (above) and then added some salt to draw out the paint:

As you can see from these photos, the salt draws in the paint and creates trails in the colours - it really is a fascinating process to watch.

Please pop along - you can even have a tasty cake and cup of tea.

Art and Craft Hub, Aberlour

Speyside Artisans will be taking over the Scout Hall in Aberlour for the next three weekends. Taking advantage of the school holidays and tourist season in the Speyside, one of the members came up with this great idea.

It will be an interactive event - whereby you can have a go at some of the crafts. Sally from Ewe can Too demonstrates spinning, which is always popular with people. If you fancy having a go, pop along and she will give you a chance to spin your own yarn!

If ceramics is more your thing, Lyndsey will be demonstrating her craft. She makes wonderful architectural ceramics - supply a photo of your property and she will create a clay version.

There will also be photography, jewellery, kilt making, printmaking, fused glass. Something to interest everyone.

The Hub will be open on Thursday 12pm - 7pm / Friday and Saturday 10am - 4pm. The dates are: 22nd July - 24th July, 29th July - 31 July and 5th - 7th August.

We will be offering refreshments with home bakes for visitors and it's free admission.

Artwork at Craigellachie Hotel

A few members of Speyside Artisans are now displaying their art at the Craigellachie Hotel in Speyside. Lesley from the group organised the setting up of the wall area - what a great job she has done (as you can see above). Work in progress:

On display are Peter Harvey of Speyside Images (photography), Lesley Boyd (Integlio Printing) and Kathryn Abrahams, Lazy Daisy Glass (fused glass) - to be added next week.

There will be more items available soon when we install our glass cabinet in the hotel reception area.

All artwork in available to purchase.

Speyside Artisans xx

Strathisla Distillery - last day

Our last day at Strathisla was a little quieter than the weekend, but the Artisans were busy at work (Joyce Edwards, beading, above)

Joy Mann, Twisted Kilts, working on kilt orders (above)

Peter Harvey, Speyside Images' display at the distillery. Peter was in the Regal room - what a beautiful room.

Lindsay Watt, ceramicist, has been working away at the Strathisla Distillery building (above). She has now added texture to the outside walls and cut out windows.

Speyside Artisans are now preparing for North East Open Studios, which takes place in September. In the meantime, we are also taking part in some local events. Will update once details have been finalised.

Speyside Artisans

Strathisla Distillery Project Update

Lindsay Watt's project is coming along - the distillery tops have now been added (above). They took all day to sculpt and put together, but looking great.

It's been a lovely sunny day today - lots of foreign visitors coming along for the whisky tour. The exhibition has been encouraging with lots of people coming to see us - which means there have been more visitors to the centre. All positive stuff!

Here is some more of Lindsay's work:

Last day tomorrow, so if you haven't already been, pop along and say hi.

Exhibition at Strathisla Distillery

Our exhibition at Strathisla Distillery started today. It's a beautiful distillery - as you can see above. The rooms within the distillery are very traditional and again beautifully kept. We are dotted around the distillery so visitors get a chance to see the rooms - including their boardroom.

Peter Harvey - Speyside Images (above)

Joy Mann - Twisted Kilts (above)

Lesley Boyd - Printmaking (above)

Lindsay Watt - Architectural Ceramics (above)

Lindsay, above, has started a new project - a sculpture of the Strathisla Distillery. She will be working away at this sculpture over the next four days, so will keep you posted of its progress. She's able to create your property from a photograph - quite unique.

From all of us at Speyside Artisans xx

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival

Speyside Artisans will be exhibiting at Strathisla Distillery during the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. The exhibition will be open from Friday 30 May - Monday 3 May, 10am - 4pm.

The artisans draw inspiration from their surroundings in Speyside, the heart of the whisky country. Our work includes a mix of traditional and contemporary skills embracing print making, spinning, kilt making, architectural ceramics, fused glass, jewellery, mixed media art, and photography. Free admission to the exhibition.

We are grateful to Chivas Bros for hosting our four day event in their visitor centre at the Strathisla Distillery. All exhibitors will be in attendance during the event, with a few artisans demonstrating their skills. All exhibited work will be available to purchase.

Why not combine a visit to the exhibition with a tour of the historic and ancient Strathisla Distillery, the spiritual home of Chivas Regal. The guided tour includes a visit to the traditional warehouse and a wee dram in the cosy Dram Room. You can get further information about Strathisla Distillery here.

A warm welcome awaits all whisky lovers, families and friends.

Spotlight on ......... Speyside Images

Speyside Images is run by Peter Harvey who settled in Speyside in the late 1990's after a career in the music industry in England.

Whilst working on musical projects, he began producing prints and cards using the many photographic images he was taking all over Speyside, Moray and beyond. Finding an encouraging response from locals and tourists, he has continued to expand his range which now includes panoramic cards and signed, limited edition panoramic prints and a range of more abstract images called Photo Mandalas.

He has exhibited in two galleries in Aberdeen, where he also works part time as a picture framer and pianist.

Peter can be contacted on plharvey@btinternet.com

Spotlight on ......... Lazy Daisy Glass

Lazy Daisy Glass is run by Kathryn Abrahams from her rural studio near Speyside. Inspirations for her designs are taken from the sea and surf that surrounds us all. Kathryn has been living in Scotland for 7 years and decided to make a career change when her daughter was born.

Kathryn invested in her first kiln, bought some books and started experimenting in various techniques of glass art. Business has grown over the months since attending her first trade fair in 2009 and this has enabled her to invest in a second, and larger kiln. The size of the new kiln has brought many more opportunities for creating sculptures and large scale wall art. Her range has also expanded to include wall art, clocks, coasters and jewellery. She now attends trade shows and local craft events selling her wares.

Contact Kathryn Abrahams on 01542 860343.

Spotlight on.......Attic Creations

Attic Creations is run by Joyce Edwards, who was born and brought up in the North East of Scotland. She has always loved creating and making pretty things since she was a wee girl. Her work room is in the attic of her rural Speyside home, hence the name Attic Creations was born. Taking inspiration from the beautiful countryside surrounding her, Joyce concentrates on making beautiful jewellery, mainly from fresh water pearls, semi-precious stones and sterling silver. Her other love is making handbags and accessories, from pretty upholstery fabric, genuine Harris Tweed and Scottish Tartan.

Joyce can often be spotted around Speyside attending fairs and exhibitions.

Spotlight on......... Twisted Kilts

Twisted Kilts is run by Joy Mann, who has combined her love of Scottish Heritage and passion for needlecraft in the art of kilt making.

Having graduated from the world famous Keith Kilt School in 2007, Joy is a strong advocate for the promotion of quality and workmanship to be found in traditional skills such as kilt making.

She confesses to being 'quite addicted' to kilts and all things tartan and admits that after spending hours hand sewing a kilt she can be quite reluctant to see the finished article taken away!

Joy also specialises in repairs and alterations to heirloom kilts (kilts past down through the generations) and non-traditional kilts, hence the name Twisted Kilts....... traditional kilts with a twist!

Contact Joy on 01542 886311 or email joy.mann@btinternet.com