Pop Up in Whitstable

At the beginning of September I took part in my very own Pop Up Shop in the lovely seaside town of Whitstable.

It's just across the estuary from me here in Leigh on Sea and its a place I have frequented quite often on little visits, as one of my friends, Imogen has a place there.

I was sharing the space with vintage lifestyle brand Love Ur Look.  Ronke, the designer had held a pop up shop in my gallery earlier in the year (more about pop up shops later) and mentioned she was doing one in Whitstable and I jumped at the chance!

I made some mugs based on the local landmarks of Whitstable - Red Sands, the historic WW2 forts out to sea, Wheelers Oyster Bar, The Fish Market in the harbour and the Old Neptune Pub along the seafront:

They went down really well and now they are being stocked at the Whitstable Improvement Trust - 34 Harbour Street, Whitstable (if anyone fancies a gander or wished to purchase one!)

I had also brought along some other artists work from my gallery in Leigh.  Julie's teacups and also artist Malcolm Perry's paintings of Whitstable:

Here are some other pics from my Week in Whitstable:

I had an incredibly nice lunch at Waltshaw's (19 Harbour Street) - a few doors down from Show Off Gallery, I had A salt beef on white bread and a sparkling elderflower.  Yummy!  Would def recommend, the lady was very friendly, and if I was into coffee I would be in heaven! And if I wasn't working, I would have had a sip of the mant craft beers they have on offer!

I found that Whitstable was very similar to my home town, perhaps that's why I like it so much?

Hanna Tonnek Bonnet

Check out these beautiful ceramics cups & saucers and brooches from the talented Hanna Tonnek Bonnet.

I first came across Hanna's work when we both were exhibiting at Pulse, Earls Court a few years back, I remember talking to her about traveling in from Essex and offering lifts (Hanna is a fellow Essex girl based in Brentwood - quite far from her Scandinavian roots) but unfortunately we didnt keep in touch...

A couple of months ago a lady came into the gallery and told me about her friend Hanna who 'does ceramics' and said she'd put her in touch with me.

I think you can guess the next bit!

New In - Sun Ae Kim

New in the shop this week.  Ceramics by Sun Ae Kim, a recent graduate of the Royal College of Art.

I met Sun Ae at a gallery in London, whilst on a course.  You may remember me writing about it - Debut Contemporary?  Anyway, we have Sun Ae's beautiful bone china mugs adorned with delicate pencil drawings of an 19th Century Tea Strainer... Only £15!

 

"Snow White" and "Black Queen" are delicate porcelain flower brooches, rings and earrings, a perfect gift for yourself for spring!

4th Downing Street Visit

Was asked to go back to Downing Street to film a short Press video on the contemporary craft & design exhibition being held there.. YIKES! with only a day's notice!

Had to be there at 9am this morning, which meant for me, getting up at 6... (alarm at 5.40 so I can have a snooze).. and boy, am i tired now!

I even fell asleep on the train - something i never do for fear of the 'snoring-so-loudly-you-wake-yourself-up'.  I had only written a short piece of what I wanted to say about my pieces and had memorised it on the train (before the snooze).. or so I thought.  Once the cameras were rolling I went completly blank and I actually have no idea what I said.

So, I cant wait for the actual video.. see how much of an idiot I manage to look like!

On the plus side, I saw Humphrey the Downing Street cat, sprawled out on top of a radiator....

That's the life ey!?

oh no, ive just looked the cat up, and bleeding hell, the current cat is only bleeding LARRY!? whoops!  I hope they dont mind!

Sorry Larry!

Festival of Britain celebrations at the South Bank Centre



The South Bank Cente Beach huts

 I was lucky enough to be involved in part of the 60th anniversary of the Festival of Britain along the South Bank over the last couple of weeks.
Metal an arts orgainisation in Southend, my home town managed to secure the beach huts along the embankment for 4 months.

My work was shown in the Gallery Hut for 2 weekends over the two April Bank Holidays.

Setting up the Gallery hut

My Vessels

All Washed Up! Brooches

more images of the vessels i made especially for this event - entitled 'Wish You Were Here'