Art & Craft Exhibitionn and Fair

The Artisans will once again be occupying a shop unit within the St Giles Shopping centre this weekend.

The Pop-up Exhibition and Craft Fair will be open 10am - 4pm, Friday 7 October - Monday 10 October (Sunday 11am-4pm).

There will be a mix of arts and crafts with some new exhibitors; Claggan Soaps, Louise Hall Silversmith, Shaded Faces (portraits) and more.

You will find us in the old Evans unit (next to Orange Phone shop).

Look forward to seeing you there.

Art and Craft Exhibition, Elgin

An art and craft exhibition will be taking place in St Giles Shopping Centre, Elgin on Saturday 20 August - Wednesday 24 August from 10am - 4pm (Sunday 11am - 4pm). The exhibition will be sited in the old Evans Shop Unit.

Demonstrations will be taking place throughout the event and we also have guest artists; Rachel Ashton. Rachel is a local artist from Huntly, is self-taught and produces beautiful soft landscape paintings.

Free entry and we are also fundraising for Help for Heroes.

Indigo Dyeing Workshops

On 11th June, Sally of Ewe Can Too held an indigo dyeing workshop at Durnhill Farm, Portsoy. They had great, if a bit messy, fun watching the greens turn to blue as the indigo met the air. A basket maker and a paper maker joined us, so as well as dyeing wool, cotton and silk we also turned willow and handmade paper some fabulous colours. Not content with shades of blue we got yellows from carrot tops and turmeric then popped in to the indigo vat! Some amazing greens resulted- especially on the willow!

Photos are to follow.

If you would like to find out more about indigo dyeing, please email Sally on ewe_can_too@yahoo.co.uk

Diary of a Spinner - May 2011

At last the long dark nights knitting by the wood burner are gone. The lambs are in the fields and the shearer is busy. I wonder if the fleeces will be as stunning as they were last year. I always use local fleeces when I can. The farmers get such a poor price for their wool and are always pleased to have them used by a neighbourhood spinner.

I hope we are in for some sunny breezy days because I will soon be up to my armpits washing fleece (not my favourite job!) and if the weather isn’t kind it is a nightmare trying to get them dry. But it is satisfying to see the bags of fleece hanging in the shed ready for the next year of spinning, dyeing and knitting.

The dye stuffs are growing so soon my pots will be bubbling away. Gorse, nettles, bracken and fern are all excellent dyes that I use in the early summer. I like to get plenty of fleeces dyed ready to blend the colours as I get the inspiration.

You can see the results of my labours at fairs with the Speyside Artisans. Or perhaps you will join one of my informal workshops at my cottage on the Speyside Way.
For details visit Ewe Can Too

Gordon Castle Highland Games

Speyside Artisans attended the Gordon Castle Highland Games on Sunday 22 May - the first Games since the 1930's. It was a great first event in over 75 years and we were pleasantly surprised as to how well the event was supported. The turnout was fantastic.

The Pipe Band gave a great performance too, along with the usual; Tug O War, Highland Dancing, Heavy Weight etc.We had our new outdoor banner on show too (above).

The weather proved a little too much for our gazebos though and they started to take off! I walked around the show and noticed everyone that had a gazebo were hanging on for dear life. They were gale force winds! Unfortunately we had to pack up early (as did most gazebos), due to the heavy wind, but it was a good day. Roll on next year!

Speyside Artisans

Exhibition at Glenfiddich Distillery

Speyside Artisans had a good start to the art and craft exhibition at Glenfiddich Distillery. The Distillery are so accommodating and helpful too. We had a good variety of visitors from locals to those from afar; USA, New Zealand, India, Switzerland and more. We have received good positive feedback from them too from looking through our visitors book.

Sally Williams of Ewe Can Too has been busy spinning away, giving visitors the opportunity to 'have a go'. She makes the most wonderful hand spun, hand dyed wools - so colourful.

Gary Lowe, our wood turner has been demonstrating his craft - as you can see above, he has had an enthusiastic audience. People are enjoying the demonstrations.

Sally offers workshop in the traditional craft of spinning too - one visitor expressing their interest in participating in a workshop.

The exhibition finishes today, but we have had a wonderful time at Glenfiddich Distillery. Our thanks goes to the wonderful friendly staff.

Speyside Artisans

Gordon Castle Highland Games

Speyside Artisans will be displaying their work at the Gordon Castle Highland Games and Country Fair on Sunday 22 May, 11am - 5pm.

Gordon Castle once hosted highland games, but that was in the 1930's and was one of the most prestigious events in the calender. Why it stopped, I don't know, but they have decided to resurrect it this year.

There will be the usual heavy weight competitions as well as highland dance, piping and tug o war. As it is a country fair, there will also be archery, clay pigeon shooting and not forgetting fishing - being situated on the River Spey, a perfect location. Lots of children activities, trade stalls, entertainment and refreshments - a great family day out.

Come along for a fun packed day. Why not have a go at spinning, Sally is always happy to answer all your questions about this traditional craft. She is an excellent spinner and prepares/dyes her own wool.

Here's hoping for good weather.

Speyside Artisans

Easter with the Speyside Artisans

The Speyside Artisans will be taking over the Masonic Hall in Aberlour this Easter. There will be 11 Artisans on show and demonstrating their craft.

Your chance to have a go at spinning, pottery, even find out your traditional tartan.

Open Saturday and Sunday from 10am - 4pm. Free admission.

Speyside Artisans xx