Pop-Up Craft Fair - St Giles Centre, Elgin

 

The Artisans have rented a shop unit within the St Giles Shopping centre, Elgin and have their work on display until Sunday (so only two days left).  The unit is lovely and bright, just the right type of space for displaying good quality arts and crafts.

 

The above ceramic pieces are by guest artist, George MacKenzie, a local chap of Elgin. 

His work is spectacular and a must see!

 

If you are thinking of starting your Christmas shopping, this is a good place to start.

 

Oh, and we have Scottish Tablet - this is also a must!!  You will love it.

 

Opening hours - 10am - 5pm Saturday/Sunday 13th/14th October.

 

Spotlight on ........ Lichtsome Gems

Lichtsome Gems, hand crafted jewellery by Joyce Edwards.

Ever since she was a little girl Joyce has loved to make things, knitting, sewing, cross-stitch, card making to name but a few but my favourite is jewellery making.

Most of the pieces are one of a kind, and very seldom make two the same. She works with cultured freshwater pearls, mother of pearl, semi-precious stones and finish off every piece with sterling silver. She loves the luminosity and depth of colour of natural pearls, look closely at a pearl and it looks as if it is lit from within. With mother of pearl and semi-precious stones every bead is unique because of it`s natural and indivdual markings.

Joyce sells her pieces at local craft fairs and exhibitions organised by the Speyside Artisans.

To enquire about fairs or arrange to see her work at home you are most welcome to email me joyce942midge@btinternet.com  

Indigo Dyeing

This is the result from indigo dyeing - photos courtesy of Sally at Ewe Can Too.  Sally runs spinning workshops, for more details you can contact her through her website.

What great colours!

Speyside Artisans x

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

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.