Pumpkin Extravaganza and Elliott's 21st birthday

With Samhain just a few days away I have been busy with the preparation for Elliott's 21st birthday party today. He was actually born on Samhain but it was easier to have the party early this weekend. I have carved the first pumpkin and we did a test to make sure it worked as I have cut out the wrong bit before now and messed it all up. I am quite pleased with the result and my next attempt will be to use a three tone design and do a portrait maybe. I have also made a mask using an old gas mask and some odd bits hanging about. The teeth are luminous and the eyes light up from the inside. Again, this is my first attempt at using Fimo and I am happy with the finish.It is a little claustrophobic to wear, with all the wiring inside, but worth the laugh. I am on the look out for a voicebox to add that extra creepy feel to the whole thing. I will do a full post of the party photos in a future blog soon.

Sahmain and the Dragon's breath

It's coming to that special time of year when you can tangibly feel the change of the seasons as we approach Sahmain. Tree and I were talking about how we will celebrate it this year and may decide to travel to Moseley Bog to join in with an open ritual there. We will light a fire of Oak at the very least.
The mornings have become particularly beautiful with the sun hanging low on the horizon and the shadows stretching out like fingers of grey. The Dragon's breath catches in pockets around the dips and valleys on the West side of the Malvern hills and reminds me of the mist that encircled us at Stonehenge for the Summer solstice in 2006.
Yesterday I met with a man called Yogiman Singh who read my fortune, but took no money, and said today and the 27th of December would be very lucky for me and Tree. Tree has a job interview today so we will see. I am a bit of a sceptic but I must admit he was very charismatic. He told me the initials of my parents surnames and their ages correctly. He also numbered how many children and siblings I have as well. Add to this that the name Lilly had significance, twice in my life, ( Grandmother and nieces names) and I was beginning to wonder if I was part of some huge wind-up. To cap it all, he told me Tree's name as my partner!! He told me I will live to a very old age, with no pain when I die. He left his phone number and said to call him when I became lucky with money and he would take a small token for his reading then. And then he left!! Curiouser and curiouser!

Hanbans all growed up.

It seems like only yesterday that Hannah was a little girl and yet, on Thursday, we went to the Kings Charles restaurant to celebrate her 18th birthday. Looking around the dining table, it was striking to see how all of our nieces and nephews have "suddenly" aged. It is nice to celebrate a new age in their lives and watch as they tread the well worn path laid out before them.( I sound like a right aging hippy). Joy and Nige came round on Sunday and we caught up on all that is happening with them. You can visibly see they are so much more relaxed. On the shop front, we are booking into a Xmas craft show at Croome estate on the 17th & 18th of November ,which is a relief as we weren't sure where to go. Ludlow Medieval fayre had looked promising but getting accommodation for the night was a problem. I have just got to make loads of mirrors and stuff ready in time. No change there!!

Back to grass roots.

Well more like hedge roots as I didn't get to cut the grass after all. Sunday was spent catching up on all the gardening, getting ready for the winter. A long delayed job of tackling the honeysuckle was the main priority and took the most time. Tree said I looked more like I was fighting the bush rather than pruning it! We had a visit from Dan, Sarah, Wills and Lydia in the afternoon, which was nice as we haven't had time to meet up for a while.

On Monday we went to Marchington to see our crystal wholesaler and just take a day out for us really. For the first time on record, we actually bought within budget and got a good deal at that! The shop always looks better when it is full of new stuff.

Mikes 16th Birthday.

Busy as ever, Tree and I found time to go to our Nephew Mikes 16th birthday party on Saturday. "It seems like only yesterday...", was the thought of the day as it hits you how quickly time flies. Highlight of the evening was watching Tree get drunk and end up having a fight with Cain, one of Mikes friends, using a refresher bar as a weapon. No guesses who cleared that one up! I spent most of the evening fending rather drunk teenagers away from the vodka stash and confiscating drink. It's funny how life goes full circle!

Lady in the mist.

For some time Tree and I have been travelling to work via the West Malvern Road. The views from here are much better than on the Worcestershire side and there is far less traffic. As Tree will be changing jobs soon, we will not be going that way and I thought it was time to mention the lady in the mist. As you come up to the bend before the Malvern Hills Hotel there is a lady, with a cloak hood pulled over her head, who stands by the edge of an Oak tree. She takes on a different appearance each day, according to the light and time, and looks most striking in the early morning mist. I shall miss seeing her every day, as will Tree.( You will need to click on the photo and enlarge it to see her)

To everything (turn, turn, turn) There is a season (turn, turn, turn)

I couldn't resist the pun on the Byds song when you consider the weather and what I am about to say. Last weekend, after many a month searching, I finally found, and bought, a woodturning lathe. The particular model is a Kity 663. Those in the know will be going "Ooh, aren't you lucky" whilst everyone else will be none the wiser. This model is German in origin and is one of the best, quiet running, lathes you can get. It belonged to a wood turner in Rotherwas and was sold to me by his grandson after his grandfather's death. An absolute snip at £50, especially as I was given about £100 of drills, scrapers, G clamps, spokeshaves and a benchstop, for free, because his grandson wanted to see it go to a good home. The motor is very sound and I spent most of Monday cleaning it up, oiling and greasing everywhere. If I was to buy a restored model now it would set me back about £600. Above is a photo of the lathe as it was found in the lock-up and I will post subsequent shots as I use and restore it further.


On a totally different note, it was Nick Waller's wedding on Saturday. Tree and I were running behind all day and didn't get to the reception until quite late. But we managed to see Nick and "fornication" Dan, who was his best man, Sarah and Lydia. It reminded us to pay more attention to keeping in touch with people. It is getting bad when it comes to just seeing people at weddings, funerals, etc.

Equinox greetings.

Is it that time of year again? Where has it gone? I guess starting the business has meant that my time has been taken up so as I wouldn't notice. Anyway, glad tidings for the Equinox tomorrow and may you enjoy whatever form of celebration you observe. I'm not sure that I will be out at 4AM trying to balance eggs but rather tucked up in bed instead.
On a crafty note, I have been invited to submit some of my work for exhibition at the Cracked Cauldron in Chester, which I am dead chuffed about, and they will take commissions for me as well ,in return for a small percentage. They review the situation every three months to give other craftspeople a chance to exhibit. I also have had some interest in the chairs from the Jinney Ring craft centre! It would be nice if I could get to the point where I just do the festies and gallery work. That way I could concentrate on some more adventurous projects I have in mind.
Talking of festies, we are already looking ahead to booking next years festivals and have already booked Blissfields, even though we don't know for sure where it will be!

Feel Me now as Mother Earth

I am your rock of strength.

Rest at this space of balance, where day and night

are equal and prepare to journey with me

into the dark.

I am the setting sun. I am the waning moon.

I am the Autumn leaves

as they fall into me,I am Earth.

Feel My presence, firm beneath your feet.

Treat Me with respect.

I will hold you safe in the darkness

of your journeying.

I am your rock of strength.

Wendy Andrew.

Jinney Ring Craft Centre Sculpture Trail

Tree and I took the day off to go to the Jinney Ring Craft Centre and take it easy for the afternoon. When we got there we found they have moved everything around and set up a Sculpture Trail in the gardens. We had a lovely, quiet, lunch and spent some time looking at the sculptures. Inspired and fired up with some new ideas, we went inside and had a chat about the possibility of selling some of my work. They seem quite interested and I was given a contact to discuss it further. So, fingers crossed, I could be exhibiting there soon!

A well earned rest!

Tree and I took time out to go to Wales for a couple of days break at a campsite/spa. Basicly, you get to camp and have use of a pool, sauna and treatments, like massages, etc. I certainly was in need of a good back massage and felt loads better for having one. We had a day out and about at Tresaith, where the waterfall comes out of the cliffside, and I spent some time studying the magnificent organic forms in the rocks. One resembled the remains of a bizarre sort of animal draped on the rocks. Another, looked like the grain of a tree that had been petrified. All this has inspired me to create some more works! We also made the effort to go and find Jon and Trudi Finch's studio and look at their work. We will be stocking some of their artwork in the shop, soon I hope. Jon is in the process of building an Oak framed eco-house near the studio and they will then use their current house to run workshops. Brilliant idea!

Spirit of the Oak - redux

Just a small update to the previous blog re the mirror I made with the Dryad face. Since making it I have come across a piece of agate that matches perfectly with the colour and size of the eye in the mirror. This has added a whole new dimension to the piece, I think you will agree!

Tom Harvey and the Pershore Plum Fayre

The title of this blog sounds like a fairy story although, trust me, it is not. Tree and I went to the Pershore Plum Fayre on Bank Holiday Monday to sell some of our wares and set up a lovely pitch in St Andrew's garden. The weather was good and we put all the mirrors outside. This attracted a lot of people, especially to Tree's lavender bags and weaving kits, which sold well. I then started to get a variety of people saying "Are you Tom Harvey then", having looked at my mirrors. This went on for some time until I finally had enough and said to one, particularly annoying, old gentleman," Who is Tom Harvey"? It transpired that there is a tree in the Abbey grounds that was crowned after a storm. Left with just the trunk of this huge tree the abbey paid for a sculptor called, you guessed it, Tom Harvey, to carve it. I went and had a look and was very impressed, not least by the fact that everyone thought I was him, after seeing my work. I wonder if Mr Harvey would feel the same way in reverse.

Phew what a smell II

Yesterday I ventured, for the first time since the floods, down to Pitchcroft Racecourse on my way into town. Racecourse seems to be the wrong term to describe what is now left in the aftermath of the scourging flood waters. Everything is covered in a layer of smelly slime! Any part of the grass raceway has been destroyed. I think it would now make a good track for dirt bike speedway!! That's if they can get rid of the smell first!

Spirit of the Oak

I can only apologise for the lack of blogging but I have been busy, as the proverbial bee, getting ready for the plum fayre in Pershore. I have made about another half dozen mirrors and Tree is well on the way to making another batch of weaving sticks. One mirror, in particular, has fascinated me as I have worked on it. It is a piece of waney edged Oak about 2' high.As I cut and polished further into the surface, lo and behold, a face appeared. Could this be the Dryad spirit of the Oak itself..who knows! I have put the two photos just in case you can't see the face and think I'm mad!

Anniversary joy!

Today is Tree and my Third anniversary, so I am a happy bunny today, despite the weather. Later on, we hope to be able to light a fire and watch the Perseids before they disappear.

Otherwise, there is not much going on, apart from making loads of stuff for the Plum Fayre. I have found myself turning my hand to new skills of late including weaving dream catchers and making felt mice, to go in my mirrors. I am also in the midst of making a scrying mirror.

Tree and I took time out to go to Glastonbury, last Sunday week, and on the way Tree spilt coffee all down her front, as you do. The only thing we had in the car for her to wear was a piece of Indian cloth we used to cover the seats. Tree was, needless to say, not happy with this. However, on walking up the high street, she soon realised that no-one even noticed and the cloth matched in with her top, so much so it looked like she was some kind of festie hippy chick in a sarong. She wore it, quite happily, until we bought a skirt.

Whilst there, we got chatting to someone from the Witches Emporium who, after explaining about the Druid's war and the in fighting, put us off taking up one of the new units in The Gauntlet arcade. Instead we shall carry on where we are as it seems to be picking up nicely now.

Happy Lammas and Phew! What a smell.

Well the flood waters have finally receded and what have we got left..a great big stink! You know that smell that you get at a festival, when the grass has been trodden down after the rain, well magnify that by 300 and you might be close to what Pitchcroft racecourse smells like. A combination of dead fish and rotting vegetation. I am happy on two points. Firstly, Tree and I haven't got an allotment by the river anymore and, secondly, we don't live in a flood plain. What amazes me is that you still hear adverts on the radio saying "Come to Worcester racecourse and get your heart racing". Trust me, you'll be lucky if you can breath with that foul stench.

On a more cheery note, I have started doing house and name signs for people and the first attempt isn't too bad, if I say so myself. Business is better as well, partly due to punters arriving for The Big Chill at Eastnor this weekend.

And most certainly last but not least, Happy Lammas! time to gather in the harvest both literal and spiritual. Take time to see where you have been and where you are going. Goodbye to the Sun and welcome the coming change. Be thankful and celebrate the fruits of your labours.!

All rained out.

Before

After


Every one has their tale to tell about the floods and I am the last one to get tedious about the whole thing. Suffice to say, Tree and I had a four hour ordeal trying to get through from Ledbury to Worcester. We were lucky in being one of the last to get through the floods, but got stuck on the motorway. Most of the M50 was closed and the M5 was down to one lane in parts. Ledbury high street was described as "a river", on the radio. I was unable to get in to the shop until today and, apart from a few bits of rubbish lying about, you would never guess how bad it had been.
Anyway, I am chuffed with myself for getting the A-boards finished for the shop and I think they are a definite improvement.

BEFORE AND AFTER

Hoorah! The painting of the passageway is finished and we can all relax. The difference is amazing and, at risk of sounding like an old record, the photos don't do it justice.


On a lighter note, Tree and I had a hectic weekend followed by a drive to Uttoxeter to visit our gemstone wholesaler. When we got back we were knackered and just when I had had enough I saw this on Tree's dinner plate by the sink. It is over a year and a half ago, but the same thing happened before. In fact, I wrote a blog about it called there's always something to make you smile . A happy kitchen ours!!

Forget the hanging gardens of Babylon!

Before & after

Who needs the gardens of Babylon when you can have hanging baskets by Tree. The passageway is now being painted and we have hung the baskets, and what a difference. These photos don't do justice to the transformation at all. I shall post the photos of the main part of the "courtyard" when it is finished. Hopefully by next Tuesday!

Blissed out at Blissfields.

What a brilliant weekend! Tree and I took a long needed break for a few days and went down to Hampshire for the annual sojourn that is Blissfields festival. Before we went, Tree did another hair design for me. This time we did "Bliss" as that is both the name of the festie and the surname of the people who own the farm and created the festie. We usually trade there but, because we opened the shop this year, decided to go as punters for a change. Paul and Mel, who run the whole thing, invited us down early on Thursday so we could chill and catch up. Sadly, as they got short of stewards and helpers, tree and I ended up fixing the marquee and doing a bit of traffic directing. We had a laugh doing it though. The weather stayed dry and we couldn't complain. I met up with a couple of Hedge carpenters and was shown how to make a geodesic dome, my next project. We packed up on Sunday and headed home via Avebury and stopped to have lunch. Whilst there we paid our respects to Mike, whose ashes are cast in the circle somewhere. We then headed out to Tewkesbury to catch the end of the Medieval Fayre and found a couple of new wholesalers in the process. Monday was chilling time and we did absolutely nothing, which was great! Anyway, the photos tell it all...enjoy.

Rain, rain and more rain.

Will it ever stop raining? I got the train today, because the car and van aren't working, and tried to find cheer in my surroundings. Fat chance of that! As you can see, British Camp disappeared under a cloud and the hills at Malvern looked like they had been edited in photoshop. Oh well, at least I don't have to water the garden or cut the grass!

Shop update.

Just a quick one to show some of the modification to the outside of the shop.Having painted the passageway, I have now covered that awful gate on the right up to the shop. Hooray! No more looking at that ugly bin. I think you will agree that there is a definite improvement. Thanks to Tree, the hanging baskets go up this weekend as well!

Spine Skateboarding

I've just got off the phone from Chris at Spine in the Hopmarket, Worcester ,having had a good chat putting the world to rights, and must mention the excellent work he has been producing of late. His unique style and individual view of life is fascinating.In addition, he has a gallery space featuring other artist's work, also of an outstanding quality.Take time out to pop down there and have a look!

No walk today!

I had intended to write about how the Lime trees, lining the walkway on Pitchcroft racecourse, were so beautiful this time of year and how the heady scent of their flowers attracted all the bees, from near and far, until all you could hear was a constant buzzing in the background as you walked under them. I also wanted to mention a tree with a perfect heart shape in it. This I hoped to convey following a nice long walk. However, on arriving there, I was met with the aftermath of all this rain and Pitchcroft was flooded. Not unusual that it floods, but this time of year!

Even as I write, Tree and I have just managed to get to the shop in Ledbury after driving for over an hour, trying to find a road that wasn't closed or blocked by floodwater. Anyway, the pics of the flood and the Lime tree blossom look quite nice and I shall settle for that.

Happy Solstice!

Just a quickie to wish one and all a happy Solstice. I was awake at 4 am and made the right decision to not venture out. It wasn't raining, but the horizon was obscured and I was glad I hadn't sat up all night on the Malverns. Tree and I are observing ritual at the weekend and I think that is the important thing. I mean, if you want to be pedantic, the solstice was actually just after midnight anyway. I think it is a good time to reflect on what has past and where one is going, to feel the balance of light and dark and, like the sun, stand still for a moment.

A few days in Wales

Tree and I escaped for a few days in Wales and stopped at a place called Tresaith. The campsite was excellent with a beautiful view of the beach and headland from outside the front of our pitch. Surprisingly, the weather wasn't too bad either. We had some rain, but most days it was okay. However, on the last day it belted down and we came home on the evening, early, to avoid the floods! Hopefully it will be good for next Thursday and the Summer solstice. Anyway, here's a photo of the pitch and Tresaith beach.

Hair yesterday....gone today..er..back tomorrow?

I was going to post a photo of my recent attempt to grow my hair long again. I did promise myself that I would let it grow at least two foot long, when I left the bank, but after only a few weeks I have got fed up with it and chopped it all off again. Besides, how will I be able to have the fantastic designs, that I want for the summer, with long hair. At least another half hour is saved every day in washing and drying as well. In fact, it should be every ones aim to cut down on pollution from chemicals and the waste of electricity by shaving their heads. Tree has decided to cut a labyrinth into my hair for the summer, using Eco-friendly dyes, naturally. She even suggested having the business name cut in, but that's just being silly. I shall leave you with a copy of the photo from Beautiful days festie, last year. A good year for spirals!