News on the gift swap.....

The first Mosaic Tree gift swap has now taken place with another crafter from Folksy.

This dark blue mobile phone cover with a deep pink heart detail was chosen and swapped for some lovely jewellery items from MarthaMooBeads.  Both of us were delighted so here's to many more! 

necklace with wooden beaded tassel

Gorgeous colours (this one's kingfisher shade), lightweight to wear (and post as a gift!).  No fiddly catch - stretches over your head.  Original - you'll not have seen many of these before.  £7 (excl P&P)

Head over to www.folksy.com/shops/MosaicTree to find out more.  Commssions welcome.

photographers, props and crafters - get networking!

The fabulous Dawitchi, of Folksy fame (www.folksy.com/shops/Dawitchi with shop called Eccentric Ella) has come up with a great facebook page to put photographers and crafters in touch with each other to find props for photoshoots.  Click on to https://www.facebook.com/pages/Photography-props-and-vendors-UK/234880583193188 to find out more and to become a fan.

Dawitchi says:

"I have started a page on Facebook to connect photographers with crafters that make all sorts of things that might be used in shoots. It is up to you to get yourselves on there and promote yourself. The deals you make with the photographers is entirely between the 2 of you. I generally give photographers better prices on my items in exchange for advertising and product prints."

To see the original thread, pop over to http://forums.folksy.com/forums/6/topics/298997.

Thanks Dawitchi for making this possible!

ipod cover with spiral - just listed!

Turquoise iPod cover with lime spiral detail, to fit 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation iPods, just listed in Mosaic Tree online shop (www.folksy.com/shops/MosaicTree).

It can be posted anywhere in the world (so long as there is a mail service!).

Check out this link for more information (http://www.folksy.com/items/1894017-knitted-iPod-turquoise-cover-with-spiral-detail?shop=yes).  Commissions welcome for iPod, mobile and blackberry covers - various designs available - please get in touch via www.facebook.com/MosaicTree.

Hidden Somerset

One of the joys of visiting and living in Somerset is that there is always something new to discover.  The Hidden Somerset website (hiddensomerset.com) helps you discover some of these hidden gems for yourself:

“For those looking to get 'off the beaten track' in Somerset, look no further than hiddensomerset.com, a special website designed to share the 'bits the others can't reach' (to acknowledge a well known old advert). This website offers information about a variety of little known gems, where you are most unlikely ever to meet a coach load of tourists. Explore Somerset's more interesting historic, geographical and cultural features, the things which make our county so special and unique.”  In particular, look under the 'gems' section where thoughtful people have added their own favourite 'gems'.

Family run Musgrove Willows is one such gem who continue the Somerset tradition of willow growing and making items from it.  It is situated in the historic village of Westonzoyland. 

(photo - musgrovewillows.co.uk - doll's cradle - from shop)

It is now run by Michael Musgrove and his wife, Ellen, the 3^rd generation, and the expertise has been passed down through the family They now grow over 50 different species of salix (willow/withies) at Musgrove Willows which are suitable for living willow projects (such as domes, tunnels, living fences and windbreaks), basket making and hurdle fencing.  Visitors are able to see all these varieties growing on site and experience the age old traditions of sorting, boiling and stripping the willow ready for the basket maker.

(courtesy of:

As well as visiting the site, taking part in their course, the Musgrove Willows work can also be seen as the giant Willow Man on the M5.

Visit www.musgrovewillows.co.uk for more information.

http://jamesrussellontheweb.blogspot.com/2009/06/willow-man-m5-mascot.html)

Somerset’s long tradition in crafting is reflected in the work of other local crafters with shops of the Folksy website.  This week we meet Emma, aka Mrs Jones Handmade Jewellery.

Please introduce yourself and tell us what brought you to Somerset?

Hello, I am Emma Jones aka Mrs Jones Handmade Jewellery. I was born in Taunton, Somerset and apart from a brief time living in Preston, Somerset has always been my home, and always will be. I currently live with my husband and two boys near the Blackdown Hills.

Where does your inspiration come from?
The green of the surrounding Somerset countryside has definitely inspired me – I never get tired of green! But the colours and shapes of the beads themselves are the starting point of my jewellery, sometimes leading to surprising colour combinations.

 

And finally, what's your favourite place in Somerset and why?

My favourite place in Somerset is

Fyne Court

on the Quantock Hills. It is mainly woodland with streams and walks through meadows. I used to visit it with my family when I was a child, and now I take my children.

To visit Emma’s shop, go to www.folksy.com/shops/MrsJonesHandmadeJewellery and www.mrsjoneshandmadejewellery.weebly.com

Somerset = Local and Quality

Somerset is perhaps best known in the past for its orchards, and particularly its long career as a cider producing area.  Somerset has branched out into other areas and both local and top quality are its trademarks.

Local Food

Somerset has its own locally-branded food, Levels’ Best.  This is “a beacon for high quality and transparency and it identifies producers who are doing their level best for consumers.

When you buy Levels' Best you can be assured that this branded food or drink has been produced by people who practice conservation land management, animal welfare, rear native breeds of livestock and where feasible plant traditional varieties of plants and seeds within the 260 square miles (114 parishes) of the Somerset Levels and Moors.

The Somerset Levels and Moors is a wetland landscape defined by its willows and rhynes (ditches). It's ancient heritage underpins today's traditional, extensive farming methods that are sympathetic to the needs of wildlife - breeding, migrant and wading birds, meadow and rhyne flora, mammals such as otter and water vole and water shrew and not least dragonflies, grasshoppers and butterflies.” (levelsbest.co.uk).

Local Crafters

The theme of both local and high quality is continued with the crafters from the local Somerset scene.  Today we meet Kate, aka rosielee.

 

Please introduce yourself and tell us what brought you to Somerset?

My real name is Kate Bradley, and I have been living on the Somerset Border of Sherborne since April 2010.  When I did finally move to Sherborne, life was considerably better and the creativity started going. I love Sherborne….there is Sherborne House which was featured on the BBC restoration programme and there is a small arts centre here.  The whole town is so small and full of lovely independent shops.

Tell us about your chosen craft.

I finished a Fine Art Degree in 2005 but its only since April of last year that I have been interested in all things crafty as well as all thing painterly. I am also drawn to paper crafts.   The two paper mache bowls that I managed to complete have been featured in many blogs, it is calling me to do some more.  For now I am doing lots of water colours - although I don’t list new stuff on folksy very much, I do creative work consistently every day.  Basically I prefer crafts that are cheap and easy to do in the home.

As well as selling through your Folksy shop, can your work be found in any other outlets in Somerset?

I don’t sell to other shops or outlets, I’m still learning and trying out too many things.  I am taking some stuff over to this gallery/cafe in Yetminster which is full of nice hand made crafts. Its not elitist or "contemporary".

Where does your inspiration come from?My inspiration comes from the fact I am living in this lovely area and I’m settled and happy, I love where I live and this just feeds my creativity. I can always walk into town and look at the local gallery, or look at Sherborne Abbey, or Sherborne House - there is so much here to give you inspiration. I have realised that your surroundings can make a big difference to your creativity.  Before I used to live in another town on a much rougher council estate and it wasn’t very nice, its only since I have moved here that it has all clicked into place and my creativity has taken off.  My creativity goes from strength to strength and this is the most important thing for me.

And finally, what's your favourite place in Somerset and why?
I like Glastonbury and Sherborne as it has so much history, and the surrounding countryside is beautiful.

To see more of Kate’s work please visit folksy.com/shops/rosielee.

iPod cover - handknitted - pale green, spiral detail - now in shop

Just listed today in online shop -

Fits 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th generation iPods.  Handknitted in cotton rich wool (pale green) with ocean colour spiral detail, cleverly concealing hidden button and loop catch.

Protects iPod from scratches, both when you're out and about and when its stored in a pocket or bag.

Makes an ideal present - lightwieht and easy to post.  It can be gently handwashed - with love, of course!

Ideal for a Mother's Day pressie - and there's still time to order one yet!  Commissions welcome.

www.folksy.com/shops/MosaicTree
 and for this item -

http://www.folksy.com/items/1170637-knitted-light-green-iPod-phone-cover-with-spiral-detail?shop=yes

Your guide to a great day out with the Somerset stars!

Steeped in history and mysticism, with a unique and magical landscape, it is little wonder that Somerset has served to grow, inspire and attract some of history’s best and minds. 

Explore the rugged rural setting for Lorna Doone, climb Jack and Jill’s fabled hill and run like the Beatles across the station platform in A Hard Days Night. Discover your Famous Somerset... (visitsomerset.co.uk)

 

(Courtesy of - visitsomerset.co.uk/site/inspire-me/heritage-touring-map)

The Famous Somerset Guide (see visitsomerset.co.uk/site/inspire-me/famous-somerset) will help you unravel what stirred the emotions of romantic poets and novelists, as well as film directors, business men and women and more, including:

·         S T Coleridge and William Wordsworth

·         J R R Tolkien and John Stienbeck 

·         Hot Fuzz and Elizabeth The Golden Age

·         Deborah Meaden & PJ Harvey

·         Folksy crafters – Artyadz (featured in previous blog entry), booboocraft (featured today) and rosielee and MrsJonesHandMadeJewellery (both coming soon).

Today we’re interviewing Lesley, aka booboocraft, a local Somerset crafter with a shop on Folksy.

 

Please introduce yourself and tell us what brought you to Somerset?
My name is Lesley also known as Booboo hence the name of my shop and business. We moved to Somerset 6 years ago, we had both had high profile jobs and were fed up with the rat race of city living. We sold a large house and down sized to be mortgage free.


Tell us about your chosen craft.
I worked for 7 years as a factory manager in a commercial embroidery factory and then for 12 years in higher education part time teaching and part time technical advice this time with hand, machine and computer embroidery also surface textile and fabric manipulation.
 

 As well as selling through your Folksy shop, can your work be found in any other outlets in Somerset?
I only started Booboocraft last May and have sold through an Artist Studio as a guest Artist and once at a craft fair was also asked to show my embroidered pictures at a gallery not with much success.


Where does your inspiration come from?
As we live on the coast I walk every day along the sea front and find the coastline very inspiring Brean down is also an amazing place to visit.

 

 And finally, what's your favourite place in Somerset and why?
There are so many favorite places in Somerset Burnham on Sea where we live is great as it is like stepping back in time and there are a lot of crafters and artist living locally, I am also very fond of Somerton it's a great little town full of character with a fantastic gallery/shop with brilliant works of art across many different media.

 To visit the booboocraft shop, please visit www.folksy.com/shops/booboocraft.