Tinsmiths Calendar 2021- Ledburyshire
It can often feel like time is always rushing forwards and we are constantly changing, adapting our ways and having to compromise. 2020 has given us all a little time and space to reflect, take a closer look at and appreciate our immediate surroundings. Looking to...
Antique Patchwork Quilts
On a quiet shelf in our showroom among an abundance of fabric rolls and remnants lies a humble pile of antique patchwork quilts. These quilts all unique with their own story in every stitch and fold, combine the intricate art of patchwork with the precise skill of...
The Forager’s Year: February 2020
In the second of our posts written by Anneliese Appleby to accompany the forage themed Tinsmiths 2020 calendar, we have a recipe which puts rhubarb centre stage. February: Rhubarb Other hedgerow forage found this month: Nettle, Chickweed, Common Sorrel, Crow Garlic,...
The Forager’s Year: January 2020
In this, the first of a series of posts written by Anneliese Appleby to accompany the forage themed Tinsmiths 2020 calendar, attention is turned to the nutrient-packed watercress plant. January: Watercress Other hedgerow forage found this month: Cowberry, Chickweed,...
Tinsmiths Calendar 2020: The Forager’s Year
The 2020 Tinsmiths Calendar takes it's inspiration from nature's seasonal bounty. For this, our twelfth Tinsmiths Calendar, the theme is foraging. Beautifully illustrated with linocut designs by Anneliese Appleby, each month showcases a different forage suggestion...
W.R. Lethaby and All Saints’ Church Brockhampton by David Patten
The Architect's Error As it says for all to see in the church porch, architect W.R. Lethaby's error at All Saints', Brockhampton, was that "The experimental nature of the building led to some disasters – part of the west wall collapsed." As a result, Lethaby never...
Linen for curtains & blinds
In the latest in our occasional series of posts about cloth the focus is on linen. Starting with the basics; linen is a fibre which is obtained by processing the 'Linum' or 'Flax' plant. 'Flax' has a pretty blue flower and is grown for both the fibre and the seed all...
Ticking Fabrics
Ticking fabric was traditionally a very densely woven cotton herringbone or twill weave cloth used for making mattress & pillow cases. The derivation of the word ‘Ticking’, material used to cover pillows and mattresses, is from the Greek theke, “receptacle”....
A Lot of Bottle – Winchcombe Pottery
The Bottle Kiln at Winchcombe, last fired in 1954, awaiting restoration. There has been a working pottery on the site at Winchcombe, Gloucestershire since the late 1700's - barring closure during the 1st & 2nd World Wars. Emblematic of country potteries of the...
The Book of Pebbles
Who hasn't picked a pebble up whilst strolling the coast of Britain? They look especially inviting lying covered in the shallow water of a rock pool, the wetness showing colour that pales when the salty surface dries. There is something about walking along a beach...