Cheeseboard

31/10/2026

The inspiration for this trio is chaos and order....

I love order..... so I thought I'd drip, sq**rt, puff and blow!

I love the colours!

31/10/2026

We're really looking forward to being at this tremendous event, and in just a few days from now we'll be loading our van with lots of new pieces of turnery.

From our charming Christmas trees, mushrooms, acorns and owls turned from native English hardwoods to our colourful gilded and painted Fantasy Forest - our display will be delightfully festive with hints of winter in Narnia!

We can’t believe how quickly this has come around!

Behind the scenes, we’ve been busy working alongside the team The Staunton Harold Estate getting everything ready for the opening of The Artisan Show Christmas Edition next week.

The hall is a private residence, so if you’ve never had the opportunity to step inside before, this is a particularly special time to visit, especially with a little inspiration taken from the much loved story of Narnia! ❄️

Within the beautiful Georgian rooms, you’ll discover a wonderful collection of independent artisan makers, showcasing their latest collections and creations for the festive season. From thoughtful one off pieces to truly special gifts, we’re making Christmas shopping a little more inspiring.

No mass production, just quality handmade! 👌

And the experience doesn’t stop inside!

Outside, in front of the hall, you’ll find even more carefully selected exhibitors, alongside live music and entertainment, artisan street food and drinks. There’s plenty to see, discover and enjoy!

🎟️ Online tickets are available using the link below.

https://www.ticketsource.com/the-artisan-show

Your ticket includes:
• Entry to the Christmas Show and the hall
• All-day parking
• Live music and festive entertainment
• The opportunity to explore the wider Staunton Harold estate at your leisure.

Please note, dogs are very welcome in the outdoor areas of the estate but, unfortunately cannot enter the hall (with the exception of assistance dogs).

6–8 & 13–15 November
10am–4pm

Staunton Harold Hall
Leicestershire
LE65 1RT

30/10/2026

Our charming Woodland Stack

Crafted by Nick from a single piece of kiln-dried Beech.

Polkadot acrylic paint detail by me!

AI woodland background because our garden is a bit chaotic after Storm Boelo decided to rearrange the greenhouse!

Our crafts. Our imagination. Our hands.

29/10/2026

28/10/2026

I have a new light, and it's brilliant! Thank you IKEA UK... I started with it on my desk, but I've moved it so that it casts light over a wider area.

This my view of my work shelf, and I'm busy cataloguing and tagging some of my latest new painted pieces. I admit that I'm taking my time this morning as I do this admin task, but I have coffee, a curious cat ..... and Nick's on the golf course!

Oh, and absolutely no AI! Just me and my phone camera!!!!

27/10/2026

Six hand made Christmas Trees, turned from Black Palmyra, Laburnum and Yew.

Picture 1: AI studio background. Trees 'shuffled' (by AI) because I asked for dramatic effect.
Picture 2: My work area. Lots of 'noise' and the honest mess of a busy crafter.

The same trees. The same astonishing grain, colour, shape and form.

26/10/2026

25/10/2026

Three mushrooms, turned from a beautifully grained and characterful piece of yew (taxus bacata) by Nick on his lathe in his cosy workshop here in Nottingham.

Picture 1: AI background for drama and style
Pictures 2 & 3: AI generated clean white background to focus on grain eccenticities and colour, from both orientations.
Picture 4: these three mushrooms on my very busy work shelf.

Happy weekend!


c

25/10/2026

We're so happy to be back at Crafts In The Pen for our fourth time, and we're both beavering away in our workshop and studio preparing for this wonderful fair. We love converting our cattle market pen into an enticing display of our crafts, and we really do look forward to being part of this tremendously popular Christmas Market once again.

24/10/2026

A quartet of colourful dot-painted fungi!

Nick loves a shapely leg... and he has tremendous fun letting his imagination run free when he's turning our mushrooms and toadstools. I love the range of legs that he creates - from the oh-so elegant apple-core and the brutal elephant leg to the bulbous baobab and the familiar truncated cone.

His range of caps give me a fascinating surface to paint - from dramatic cloche hats to flat caps - and I love them all...

Happy weekend from our workshops, and we hope you stay safe as Storm Boelo batters us!!!