Lost in the Wood

I've assured my poor neglected Blog that it will receive some serious attention soon, but not until the Christmas making / selling frenzy is over! For now then, here's a jolly picture showing the Christmas fairs I'll be involved in... 14 Nov- 24 Dec: Winter Treaures Craft Fair @ Oriel Ynys Mon (Llangefni, Anglesey) 21 + 22 November: Glynllifon Christmas Fair (Parc Glynllifon, nr Caernarfon) UPDATE: Please note , I will no longer be a t the Portmeirion Fair! Laura x

Me & Evie Dress Up (can't help ourselves) Last weekend kicked off the 10th annual Helfa Gelf (Art Trail). Spanning five counties right across North Wales, this brilliant open studios event gives access to all manner of studios, creative spaces and interesting artists and makers. I'm happily taking part for the third time (as Laura Cameron , no.9 in the HG booklet) and Friday saw the set up at the 'Creu' studio in the pretty courtyard at Parc Glynllifon along with some of my fellow Helfa Gelf Glynllifon gang: Gareth Brindle Jones (painter, film maker), Sioned Hywel (textile artist), Richard Jones (photographer) and across the courtyard, the lovely Irene & Edith (potter/ceramics).  Anglesey Elvis (a creation of the very patient Gareth Brindle Jones) indulged my love of dressing up by allowing me to borrow his wig and sunglasses, until his head fell off and Evie (my rabbit headed lady) stole the glasses. That's the sort of thing that happens round here....

Me & New Friend Pavlov @ Hendrick's Emporium... Yes, it's that time of year again, when I've had such a lovely time in Festival-time Edinburgh that I can't help but go on about it a bit. I make few apologies for this however as it really is the best place to be in August (unless you hate crowds, comedy, all forms of theatre, poetry, books, pop up courtyard bars and vibrancy and random happenings). I'll try to keep it brief this year so you can make it through to the end. Firstly, cake . Here I excelled. This year I decided to prioritise catching up with friends over trying to see everything that had good reviews (a Herculean & very expensive task anyway). Some recommendations: C afe Angelina (London St) was visited twice, once for very fresh morning scones and spontaneous dressing up (we found a case of hats that whispered to us to try them on), then again for a delicious afternoon tea which was a thing of beauty and paid proper attention to the savou...

Gwen Owen painting in the Creu suntrap It's all change at Parc Glynllifon at the moment. Our shared Creu studio has seen been transformed by Gwen Owen's efforts to ready the workshop for the current exhibition (hopefully the start of an occasional series), 'Tranquility'. Now, 'Tranquility' is a concept I've rarely experienced and don't particularly expect or strive for. However, I'm glad it evidently exists and it certainly sounds like a desirable state. Chiefly, this bijou exhibition showcases the paintings of Gwen Owen and Barbara Larkin (most of the rest of the Creu collective are on the poster because Gwen is inclusive and kindhearted). I particularly like Gwen Owen's large square canvases with vibrant, almost abstracted, floral landscapes bursting with colour and texture. Based in her coastal studio, Barbara paints mostly in oils but also employs water colours and encaustics (hot wax) and she's a very warmly welcomed guest artis...

Ar Y Gweill, Successful 1st Meeting, 6th May 15 Gerry: Apple Tart (her words) Excitingly, May has seen the debut of a new knitting & crochet club in Caernarfon! 'Ar y Gweill' (literally meaning 'on the needle' in Welsh) is a weekly group to knit/ crochet, chat and eat cake together, 5.30-6.30pm, at Palas Print bookshop. The intention is to create a relaxing and sociable environment to support and inspire each other. For more news/ pics/ our ongoing adventures please follow: Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , Ar Y Gweill Tumbler Blog . It's important to get off on the right foot so the first meeting dealt with the important issue of cake. Part icebreaker, part genuine scientific (ok, cakey) research, everyone was required to state their first name and favourite type of cake. Lemon drizzle cake and coffee cake (with the strident caveat of 'no walnuts') emerged as favourites although clearly the best answer was 'large cakes' (unanimous agr...

Ann Crompton's garden, Menai Bridge Yesterday I had an afternoon so enjoyable it prompted me to finally rouse myself to writing a new blog post (my previous weekly posting ambitions having gone astray almost immediately). As the last weekend in Anglesey Open Studios approached, I was feeling slightly ashamed of missing this fortnight every year and determined to visit at least somewhere this time! With my knowledgeable arty friend ready to whisper insightful things, we set off over the Menai Bridge to visit Ann Crompton in her idyllic looking workshop right on the banks of the Menai Straits. The workshop proved a treasure trove of intricate, astonishing miniatures with little vignettes ranging from a First World War trench, with rats and actual soil from the garden, to meticulously woven tiny rugs for more traditional dolls houses. Ann Crompton (fab lady) Ann Crompton's Bountiful Workshop Much of the  work is infused with a wit and playfulness, such as a tiny h...

Needle Felted Anatomical Heart Brooches   Needle Felted Love Rats Love may very well be in the air, and all around etc but for me this February is mostly about the radishes (amongst other crochet foods). More on this in a while. Santes Dwynwn (25th January) suddenly loomed out of nowhere this year, despite all of my well formed making plans, and had to be written off as a not-at-all-grabbed opportunity. I felt only marginally better prepared for Valentines Day. There were quite a few 'Things I Could Have Made More Of But Ran Out Of Time'. Not to worry, let's celebrate things I did manage: a few anatomical heart brooches (in 2 sizes) and three 'love rats'  which all scurried off to Mostyn gallery shop (Llandudno, North Wales). 'Not Holding Together', detail Sticking with the cardiac theme, I've been working on a new needle felted anatomical heart piece in an artier vein (pun intended). Here's a little peak of 'Not Holding To...

Roll on 2015 Perhaps I'm pushing it but since we're still in January, I think it's still just about appropriate to wish you all a very Happy New Year! There's so much to say about 2014 that I'm not sure I can really face going over any of it and presenting the highlights. Lazily, and probably wisely,  I'm going to opt out of a thorough review of the year. 2014 had wonderful times, professionally (tv feature, art exhibitions, encouraging sales etc) and personally (fun stuff & holidays) but weird and distressing personal things too that upset the always delicately balanced emotional applecart, although it all proved interesting (to me) at least. Large mugfuls of mulled wine with a friend who appreciates these things The Dome, Edinburgh. Always spectacular decorations. Christmas at home in Edinburgh was an absolute delight and proved a much needed relaxing and joyful end to the year. Being loose in a city with it's late night bars & sparkl...