Water – January 2013
Welcome to our first post linked to Tinsmiths 2013 Letterpress Calendar. This month's subject is Water. Being close to the Malvern Hills on the border of Herefordshire and Worcestershire, with its numerous springs and wells, we have mapped out a short New Year Walk...
Andrew Davidson at Tinsmiths
We've been fans of illustrator Andrew Davidson for quite a time now and so when he said yes to an exhibition here in September next year, we were cock-a-hoop. Here are some examples of woodcuts, wood engravings and textiles he has created. Such a feel for wildlife,...
Tinsmiths Active Calendar
Putting together our new 2013 Letterpress Calendar has been really good fun this year and very good for us too. Each calendar month links to our Blog. Go to the latest blog post to find an activity, walk, recipe or place to visit relevant to the month's topic. So, for...
The Box of Delights
If you are feeling a bit "bah humbug" about Christmas I urge you to read (or re-read) "The Box of Delights" by John Masefield. Written in 1935, our family has a ritual of reading it every year on the run up to Christmas, a ritual which I am sure is mainly for my...
Herefordshire Arts Week 8th – 16th September
Guides to this year's Arts Week have just arrived - a very good reason to stop work for a cup of coffee and a browse through 40 colour pages of art from around Herefordshire. You can pick up your guide from Tinsmiths - libraries or Tourist Offices around the county....
Much Wenlock Olympics
One of our favorite Shopshire towns is Much Wenlock and on a recent visit to the town I was startled to read a claim that the town hosted the first Olympic Games. Dr William Penny Brookes, a local surgeon, established the first Wenlock Olympian Games in 1850. Looking...
Jumbl’d Earth – Mappa Mundi-Inspired World Premiere
News of a first “voicing” of Jumbl’d Earth by Bernard Hughes in Hereford Cathedral.
It’s a Stick-Up
Lovely to see Tinsmiths' Poetry Festival Posters appearing all around the town. One of the kind shopkeepers commented "Its like being in the wild west" - well, we are in the West but wild days are rather sparse. Thanks to all who have stuck them up so far; if anyone...
Simple Pattern Pieces
When Kate isn't greeting and helping Tinsmiths' customers, she is sewing and, equally to our advantage, advising her colleagues on dressmaking techniques. Below: the new Dress Shirt pattern from Merchant and Mills made up by Kate Hickson in Marl (a new 100% pre-washed...
Yan Tyan Tethera
Shepherds of old counted their sheep using Yan (1), Tyan (2) and Tethera (3) - an ancient counting method. Today, to my mind, what counts is that Yan Tyan Tethera use fantastic, single or duel breed yarns to make lovely hand-knitted, made to measure ganseys, delicate...
Barber – Birmingham’s Hidden Treasure
One so often hears Birmingham put down for its lack of culture that it is refreshing to be able to post something positive. The Barber Institute of Fine Arts is part of the University Campus and houses a surprisingly rich collection of painting and sculpture in a...
Kate Farley – Plots to Plates
Printmaker and Textile Designer, Kate Farley, who will be showing at Tinsmiths next Summer, popped in to the shop recently to whet our appetite. She brought with some of her latest printed books and bags all based on growing and using food from the "plot". Kate, who...