The Shape of Things to Come?

I've run a few workshops now and it very soon became apparent that some of the participants would like to make something similar to the mirrors but not necessarily the same!  Something that would marry nicely with the mirror and carry on the Driftwood theme.  With this in mind I have commissioned a few 'shapes' which I will adorn with driftwood and shells and whatever else I may have to hand.  These 'shapes' will form a new arm of Driftwood and Debris and hopefully generate new and further business for my workshops and the odd craft fair/event as the year draws on.  Thus far, I have put together a pretty little driftwood heart (pictures below) - this should be relatively easy to re-create in a workshop environment and have a universal appeal.  Other creations to follow soon!
 

Driftwood Heart adorned with Oyster, Razor and Cockle Shells

 

Dridtwood Heart (Back)



Driftwood Heart (Front)





Whatever the Weather

Ready, steady...

I had a real panic on this week, fearing I would be seriously low on supplies following a large workshop on the 9th.  I had visions of racing down to the coast and perhaps getting frozen to the driftwood I needed to collect.  Then getting back home in my little flowery car (pictures to follow - once the car is clean) through the inevitable ice and snow that was destined to hamper my journey at every turn.  Naturally, I would need a rug, flask of hot coffee, sandwiches, fully charged mobile phone, a pen and paper on which to write my final freezing thoughts and my dog (who would probably eat me if I were to fall asleep before she did!)...since I am writing my BLOG on this chilly winter's night in front of a lovely warm wood burning stove it is fair to deduce the potentially treacherous journey wasn't necessary!

...and off we go!

Blank frames and wood

A finished frame!

Thursday, it transpired, was a great day and I had more than enough materials for the charming group of people who attended the workshop.  The atmosphere was relaxed and informal, lot's of chit-chat, lot's of laughter and lot's of concentration to boot.  The mirrors all looked amazing and everyone seemed surprised and delighted with their creations - a very creative morning was had by all.  Once again, I came away from the workshop with a happy heart.  The participants really did seem to get a kick out of tackling something different.  Just touching the materials sparked distant memories and the stories and facts came flooding into the conversation thick and fast.  These workshops are so much more than just creating a little work of art...

A selection of completed frames from my very talented group!

The Legend of The Moonrakers

I would like to share a story with you that one of the ladies in my workshop shared with me last week.  We were busy putting a mirror together when there was a commotion on the TV behind us.  An old movie called 'The Moonrakers' was playing and some sort of confrontation was occuring between the goodies and baddies.  'Oh dear', said I, 'not very friendly!'.  'That's a film about us,' said the twinkly-eyed lady in front of me, 'we're Moonrakers, us Wiltshire folk.'.  I asked her to elucidate which she was more than happy to do.  Back in the day (17th or 18th century) it is said that some Wiltshire smugglers were alerted to an approaching Excise man (revenue agent) on a clear and bright moonlit night. In order to assuage suspicion the smugglers dumped their contraband (usually barrels or kegs of French brandy) into a nearby pond. Once the Excise man had passed by they began to fish out the barrels with hay rakes. However, the Excise man had doubled back and seen them and so questioned their activity. They answered that it was surely obvious, they were raking out the gigantic white cheese they could see in the water. The Excise man laughed at them for being stupid and 'simple' country yokels and rode off. The "moonrakers" left off raking the moon, laughed at the Excise man's smug naivety and continued to recover their kegs.

Whether or not the story is true we may never know.  There is, apparently, little evidence to support it but that doesn't make it any less charming.  It is set in Wiltshire folklore and that, to me, is special.