Think global……

…… buy local!  My friends, Tony and Lesley, have just set up an Etsy shop called Needles and Chisels selling their beautiful handmade goods.  Lesley knits, crochets and felts really pretty hats, bags and pouches.  Tony is a fantastic woodturner and makes amazing goblets, tankards and other items like jewellery.  If you like beautiful handmade products for very reasonable prices, then please have a look at their Etsy shop here.  You might find that unusual present for someone you’ve been looking for and it’s good to support talented people who have the skills to make these beautiful items.  Go on….. you know you want to click on the link

Wow……

…… who knew origami could be so amazing?  Thanks to seeing anthropometaphor’s blog on Freshly Pressed, I found a link from that site to the amazing Eric Joisel’s website. I particularly like his creation of a pangolin:

Pangolin, by Eric Joisel

 

Design……

……for those of you who want to know who designed the tattoo, have a look at Tashi Mannox’s work here, here and here.  I commissioned Tashi to do a specific piece of work for my tattoo, so I also have an original piece of artwork to go on my wall (as well as my back).

Art and good conversation……

……was had this evening at Rich Aidley and Neil Hanlon’s exhibition “Lifeforce” open evening at The Brewhouse in Burton upon Trent.  Enjoyed the company and artwork very much (particularly Neil’s cow picture, which I covet).  Thank you, guys, for a lovely evening, and I hope your exhibition is a success.

Howard dreams of custard creams……….

 I just found this beautiful print by Kate Wilson on Wee Birdy‘s fantastic website.

Sand Art……..

Go have a look at Peter Donnelly’s website  - hover over the picture on the left and look for his sand art section.  It’s fantastic.  Valerie Reid at ForceFilmsFive made a short film about his artwork, which can be found here.  Love it.