Well I have tried it here and there. I just don’t have room for my roller. The room I am working in is 3m by 4m and I have all my stuff in it. I tried moving things around, but because I use the room for so many different things the roller takes up too much room.

If the room was just for felting it wouldn’t be so bad or if I could move the roller on my own.

My partner reminded me that I haven’t used it since moving from my studio at the end of January and so I am going to sell it. I am reluctant to as I love it, but I am also aware that is going to get damaged shoved at the back of an already full cupboard and I don’t have any other storage.

Kev is right – it is an expensive bit of kit to just have tucked away.

I don’t know about you, but I have so much stuff I never use and so now is the time to clear some of it. I gave away a sewing machine last night. I have a chunky knitting machine about to go the same way.

I am sorry for the huge  delay, but life is really getting in the way just now.

Have you ever experienced ‘ArtisanDar’ ? I think we all have. I was having a cup of tea at Scrabster waiting for the ferry and a lady walked in – I knew immediately she was heading for the Makers Day. She had on an amazing cardi and had the open, creative look of an artisan. When her friends joined her I was in no doubt.

This is not a spidie sense or even sixth sense. We just look different. I was with Greta at the IFA conference in Wales and it was easy to pick out the felters who were there to attend the weekend. This is off course a generalisation, but mostly true.

These ladies were wonderful. Eager to share, inspiring stories and work.

We sat together on the ferry and there was a lot of discussion and sharing. It was the perfect start to the event.

Hi-arts had arranged a drinks event in the Pier Arts Centre. They really couldn’t  have picked a better venue. For a start Stromness is beautiful. The minute you step off the boat you are aware the value art and it is part of the fabric of the place. On the waiting windows there is an amazing set of glass paintings casting mottled rainbows on the wall and floor.

The town is small with little cobbled winding streets that move up the hill quite steeply and curve up, down, round and in.

There are lanes which lead to the shore and steps to take your breath away as you climb and climb.

There are also an unusually high concentration of galleries and craft shops.

But I digress ( you will just have to have patience with me as Orkney is so dear to me that I can’t help waxing a little)

So we met at the pier arts centre. ( Pictures of the centre will appear in a later post) The mix of makers made for an enjoyable and interesting evening as we mingled catching names and listening to other peoples creative journeys. I was in heaven. I love all of this. ( not great at remembering the names- ooops)

By the time I had to get my bus I was happy as a sand lark and ready for my bed.

Here is Mifi trick or treating and this is Dharma

They had a wonderful evening and received loads of lovely treats for their doggy tricks.

I couldn’t stop laughing when Dharma wagged her tail – it looked so cute.

I hope you all had a great Halloween.

I bought a felt rolling machine from feltcrafts over a year ago. At first I really struggled with it and then I discovered the motor had been broken in transit. Once my new motor was fitted it was brilliant. I love being able to work on creating my next piece as the machine takes the work out of rolling.

At the time I had a studio in town, but since  I have moved into a room in our house ( thanks son – for moving out!) and haven’t been able to use it. The room is badly laid out and very cluttered. My intention was to get a shed and store stuff there or work in it. But life has totally got in the way.

I have put off lots of projects telling myself I will do them when the machine is set out, but never get there.

It is very frustrating.  It was an expensive bit of kit to just have it packed away.

So with this in mind ( and Christmas gifts) I am off to rearrange my room.

I have been invited to exhibit at Gifted and I am so excited. I have been working on my collection and have a couple of pictures to share.

I am loving working on these. I never thought I would enjoy jewellery, but I am finding it so exciting.They are not the norm……but I love how quirky they are and when I see some one wearing one around town I want to rush up and say tell them I made it. I don’t of course- that would be very strange.

Some of my collection will be on sale in my etsy store from tonight and more will follow. ( If I can hold on to it long enough as it is selling as I make it).

My friend Red2white makes wonderful long necklaces which are so colourful and Greta makes amazing jewellery too. It must be something in the air…………Christmas perhaps?

todays new to me is  Denise Dupres.  I love her work. It is raw and honest. She is ‘at one’ with her medium ( she would be – she keeps her own sheep and live works on her own farm) She is passionate about what she does and great at sharing. A very honest person with bundles of energy.

www.woolshed-orkney.co.uk

Todays new to me…

I love Gilly’s jewellery. Before I met her I had seen it in magazines and drooled over it.  I love it’s  contemporary clean lines and uncluttered detail.

Her rubber stuff is on my wish list.

Gilly Langton.  www.2-37am.com gillylangton/

New to me:- Helen Lockhart   www.ripplescrafts.com   Wonderful subtle harmonies and yummy heathery colours. OHHHH what wonderful dyed yarns.

Today’s newbie to me is..Dawn…    www.divadesignstudio.co.uk Her work is brilliant and she is very inspirational.

Eoin Leonard.. Bodhrans. They are beautifully and lovingly made by hand.

www.belgarth.com