The nights are drawing in, the beautiful sights and smells of autumn are with us and it’s time to plan for winter.

It’s been a while since I sent my last post. I’ve been busy on furniture commissions, making boxes and building my visibility at events and art & craft markets.

I’d like to let you know which events I’ll be at in the build up to Christmas. Each one will have a wonderful range of artists and makers exhibiting their work and it’s all available to buy! Click on each link below to find out more.

I’ll be selling my wooden boxes which come with stacking trays and distinctive latches. They make great gifts and can be used for all manner of things. I’m constantly excited by people telling me what they’re using my boxes for – storing collections of fossils, coins, watches for example – as well as the uses I’d imagined they’d be put to – jewellery, art/craft materials, sewing things, seeds, keepsakes, etc. I’ve expanded my range to include a larger box which fits A4 documents and a tall box for candles, long paintbrushes, etc. I can make bespoke boxes/trays to cater for particular purposes and special collections. I’ll also be available to discuss bespoke furniture commissions. Come and have a chat – it would be lovely to see you!

Saltaire Winter Makers’ Fair:  25-26 October

The Hearth Winter Art Fair & Open Studios, Horsley: 22-23 November (I’ll be there 22 Nov)

Gallery 45 Christmas Fair, Felton: 29 November

St James & St Basil Food & Craft Market, Newcastle: 29 November

Forage Christmas Market, Acklington: 6-7 December

I also exhibit and sell all year round at the delightful Number One Kirkharle Gallery which showcases the work of over 40 of the finest North East artists and craftspeople. Visit the gallery packed with treasures – make a trip of it by visiting the other studios and The Running Fox cafe!

Please get in touch if you’d like any more information. Hope to see you soon!

So it’s been a year since I started making and selling my handmade wooden boxes in Ash with trays which stack inside – and a year of exhibiting and selling them at art fairs and events all over the North East and beyond. I’m delighted that I also had them accepted for exhibition and sale at Number One Kirkharle with their wonderfully supportive team. It’s been great doing this alongside my furniture commissions and getting out and about meeting people.

Over the past year I’ve met so many lovely, inspiring makers and artists and have really enjoyed talking to everyone who’s visited my stall at events. It’s a joy not only to talk about my boxes and get such positive comments, but also to hear their stories about boxes, crafts and collections.

It’s been lovely to hear from people who’ve bought boxes and trays and to find out what they’re using them for. It’s such a variety: artist’s materials, keepsake/memory boxes, craft materials (e.g. sewing, crochet, embroidery), jewellery, seeds and all sorts of collections. Many people buy them as special gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, civil partnerships/weddings etc. I’ve also made bespoke boxes to suit people’s particular requirements.

Contact me if you’d like to discuss buying a box or to join my mailing list to find out about future events I’ll be at. I also post events on Instagram so follow me to keep up to date.

I delivered two pairs of bookcases in Ash last weekend – now ready to be filled with books!

I repaired and renovated a spoon-backed (sometimes called balloon-backed) Victorian chair in mahogany earlier in the year. I did it during the first Covid lockdown when the timber-yards were closed and I couldn’t buy timber for other commissions. It’s always a joy to get a piece of furniture back to full working order.

I finished renovating the church porch last week after it had been treated for woodworm. I really enjoyed sanding it all back to the original bare pitch pine and bringing the panelling back to life with a clear satin varnish to protect it. It’s really lightened the porch up. It was a pleasure to work with members of the church to make decisions about what would look best.

The Porfolio has been revamped with more relevant categories and some new images.

Please check it out using the link at the top of the page.

As you have probably noticed, the website has just had a major redesign!