Moving Stuff…
Having spent the period between Christmas and New Year moving stuff, decorating, re-designing, renewing and reclining (a little, after much physical exertion) we thought we’d show off the results. Tinsmiths now has a larger area to display more rolls of fabric and larger samples of designs that need to be seen full length. The new […]
Printmakers 2011 (16 April – 14 May)
Never fear, Spring will soon be here and with it Tinsmiths' 2011 Printmaking Show. Four artists, Paul Farrell, Sarah Chrisp, John Richardson and Sarah Young, using a variety of printmaking techniques will grace our new Print Space. Paul Farrell's strong graphic style...
New Fabrics – perfect for one another
A triumph of a fabric from St.Judes by artist Emily Sutton arrived today just as a delivery of "Ink" Irish Linen appeared. The pair are perfect bedfellows. Emily's design clearly has its roots in illustration but what a fabulous design for roman or roller blinds in a...
Family Treats
Thank you all at Lewis and Wood for another fantastic day course “Block-printing” with Jenny Stringer. Bought as a birthday present for my Mum and a rare chance to “play” for me – my thirteen year old son also expressed an interest and came along too. Whilst we were...
Print Works
It is sometimes difficult to imagine how bold printed textiles will work in a given application - as curtains, blinds or covers. A local customer has recently made some inspired choices and kindly allowed me to photograph them in situ. Here are just a couple of uses...
Birdbath in its New Home
Here is an update on Mark Pedro de la Torre's bird bath, featured in a previous blog. At the end of the September 2010 exhibition the (first and only so far) bird bath was loaded up and shipped off to a rather special home. Designed by Alex Clive, built by Coleman...
The Crucible – Gloucester Cathedral
Crucible is one of the largest sculpture shows for a long time and held in the stunning setting of Gloucester Cathedral. Seventy sculptures have been placed inside the building, including the crypt and cloisters and outside in the grounds. Sir Eduardo Paolozzi, Lynn...
Counting the Days
Our 2011 Letterpress Calendar is being typeset as I post this blog. This year we are delighted to feature Tilley's wooden and metal type. With such a magnificent variety, the choosing of these large blocks was a thoroughly enjoyable experience . The typefaces date...
The Big Apple
Not New York, but Herefordshire's own. Twice a year, Harvest Time and Blossom Time, the seven parishes of the Marcle Ridge, near Ledbury, celebrate their heritage of orchards, apples and pears, cider and perry by staging a multi-venue event, The Big Apple. Over the...
Organic Blankets
Wensleydale Sheep have been crossed with Leicester Long Wools to provide good meat and soft long stable fibres for weaving and then creating very soft blankets. Add to this the fact that the sheep are "grown" organically on a farm accredited by the Soil Association...
Show Review (with cakes)
A blustery, but thankfully dry, Saturday morning allowed visitors to enjoy the opening of our outdoor H-art show - and many did. Mark de la Torre "did us proud" with lots of new and exciting garden pots to grace the Courtyard Garden here (which will look exceedingly...
Adventures in Texture – New Pots by Mark Pedro de la Torre
Having had the privilege of a sneak preview of some of Mark de la Torre's new designs (August 2010), they are a feast to behold! Mark had quite a long break from potting, during which he worked as a stonemason restoring ancient buildings. The experience and the break...