Hello everyone! So another summer has come and gone, somewhat different to normal, but also in many ways not: Portscatho has been busy with visitors all the way through since lock-down was eased, and there has been a lovely relaxed atmosphere in the village with people just enjoying the freedom of being out in the fresh air and at the seaside. Customers have been very polite and patient with the rules regarding wearing face coverings and only allowing one customer at a time, so I thank you all for still making the effort to come and visit my shop; it really means a lot to me. I think Covid-19 has made a lot of us re-evaluate what is important in our lives and perhaps forced us to make changes which we were not expecting, or wanting. For me, this pandemic has only reinforced what I already had made a decision about, that I no longer wish to run the shop full-time, all year round. I find that I no longer have the stamina to work thirteen or fourteen weeks without a break all summer long, and there are more artistic and creative endeavours that I wish to pursue. I am the same age that my dear Dad was when he suffered a major stroke which so very nearly cost him his life, and left him paralysed and completely dependent on others to care for him. It kind of puts things into perspective. So I have decided that I am not going to wait to act on what I feel is best for me: the time is now. This doesn't mean that I wish to close the shop, but I will be open less than I have been in the past. Wendy and Patsy, who run the shop with me, both have grandchildren and families that they wish to spend more time with too. So I will be closing the shop at the end of October for the winter, and only opening for a few days at the busiest times, for Christmas shopping, Christmas holidays and February half-term. I am also contemplating selling online through some kind of platform (though I don't wish to run my own website), but I don't quite know what to go for, so am hoping that some of you reading this will be able to give some advice. Have you tried Etsy/NuMonday/Folksy etc and how do they work for you? Or is selling through Instagram the way to go? Another idea I am formulating is letting other craftmakers/vintage dealers hold 'pop-up' shops in The Sea Garden. They would bring their work or stock to the shop and take it over for a day, or two, or longer, if they wish, and they would be responsible for manning it and selling their own stuff. I would just be in the background helping out if needed. For craftspeople who are just starting out this would give them the experience of selling direct to the public in an established premises with a strong customer base, and lets face it, there just aren't any physical fairs happening at the moment (or in the foreseeable future) for people to sell their work at. For my customers it would bring added interest with new crafts and vintage items that they will not have seen before. If someone found that they had good sales (and I would hope that they all do!) then they could return on a regular basis, say one or two days every other month, and we would build up a calendar of different people exhibiting through the year, but all under one roof! I know that changing things at the shop will disappoint some of my customers, it is inevitable, but I hope that people will get used to a slightly different way of my running things, and that as a result of me being able to pursue my artistic needs I will bring new and exciting work to the shop too. xxx

Christmas and New Year Opening Times at The Sea Garden I shall be open daily up to and including Sunday 4th January 1 - 5pm except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Monday 29th December May I wish all my customers and all you dear blog readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, healthy and prosperous New Year to come x x x Thank you for your company and friendship

After going down with a cold last weekend it was so lovely to gather today at my parents' house with my brother and his family before they return to Somerset, and just enjoy being together. A day of playing games and laughing, and a last opportunity to light the candles on the Christmas Tree and sing some carols before the decorations come down. It's a beautiful moonlit night; on the drive home wisps of vapour hang above the road. I stand in my garden staring up at the myriad of stars in the black velvety darkness and the sound of waves is carried across the fields so clearly, it's as if I am standing on the shore itself. Peace, Love, Joy. X

Every time I visit Godolphin this carpet of primroses growing between the cobbles by the wall just seems to get better and better..... they are such pretty, simple flowers; one of my favourites. Following the farm track away from the garden, I took a new path which led upward beside an old granite wall..... at the top, stepping stones set into the wall. I had not seen this form of stile before moving to this area. Up on Godolphin Hill the heathland is punctuated by stunted trees sculpted by the wind. And then the most unexpected thing: Anemones growing amongst the brambles and dry bracken fronds! Such a delicate flower; it just seemed so incongruous to find them growing in such harsh surroundings, but they were everywhere; little clumps of them like drifts of snow.... Many trees are yet to show a tip of green, but this oak tree was burgeoning with limey yellow leaves unfurling from tightly packed buds the bluebells are emerging too, and fern fronds.... Another week or two and the bluebell woods will be at their best. If you're in the area, there is a Food and Craft Fair on at Godolphin on Sunday 6th and Monday 7th May. Happy Spring everyone! x

Not long now till 'Homespun' on the 8th August... if you haven't already, go to the Homespun Fair blog and check out the list of all the exhibitors who will be coming to sell their wares. This cheeky chappy will be found on my stall, alongside some vintage homewares and vintage clothing. Can't wait to see what everyone else will bring! Last night I so enjoyed looking at Niki's blog from July 7th where she was installing a new cupboard in her kitchen, and consequently ended up shifting just about every other cupboard in the house to make way for it! Going through her lovely home she gave us tantalising glimpses into these cupboards and her wonderful collections of shoes, hats, china, brooches...........So I have decided to follow her lead and show you all a few cupboards of my own. Later I will take you into the kitchen, but first................. I found this little cutie at the Shepton Mallet antiques fair a few years back and decided that I just couldn't sell it. I keep jewellery inside the two little drawers, and some of my growing collection of flower corsages and a couple of pairs of tiny leather baby shoes in the main part. Are you familiar with the photographs of the pioneer Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron? Some of her amazing portraits can be seen in the background. She often depicted scenes from the poems of Tennyson using friends and servants as models. At an exhibition of Cameron's original photographs held at the National Portrait Gallery a few years back I was thrilled to see her interpretation of a scene from the poem 'The Gardener's Daughter' by Tennyson, a poem I have always loved. Her images are hauntingly beautiful and very romantic. You can just make out a double page from an early edition of Kate Greenaway's Birthday book, with a little rhyming ditty for each day of the year. Along the back wall of my studio sits a large Cornish dresser (Cornish because it has drawers underneath the glazed half instead of an opening cupboard). I used to just keep my crockery and special glasses in here, but since the dining room became my sewing studio, all kinds of haberdashery effects have found their way in...... I haven't consciously arranged everything in this cupboard, it tends to evolve of its own accord as and when I acquire some new (old) piece that I just can't possibly part with...... Have you discovered the gorgeous wool shop in Islington called 'Loop' yet? Although I haven't knitted for some years now I just can't resist buying a few hanks whenever I go in there. Bits of French lace and silk pastel ribbons, and more fabric corsages....... A collection of hatpins One of my pressed plant collages Go and take a look at Viv's latest blog. She has been making wonderful brooches out of suspender attachments like these: Mine are still awaiting a lightbulb of inspiration to go off in my head! (The said lightbulb is put there to inspire me to get inspired) I love old tape measures don't you? I use this one regularly, as so many things are still given in inches these days. Now onto the kitchen! Last winter I had the great pleasure of ripping out the last of the hideous fitted cupboards that ran along the side wall. The sink was moved to its new position at the end so that I can now actually reach my window, and the cooker fitted nicely where the sink used to be. Not an easy kitchen to work with as it's long and narrow, but oh so much nicer with old free-standing cupboards. This cupboard holds my everyday range of plates and bowls and mugs. Most of the pieces pictured are made by a great potter called Peter Swanson. The delicious pale blue glaze comes from Japanese Knotweed of all things! My other kitchen cupboard houses the dried goods in canisters such as sugar, pasta, couscous, peppercorns, herbs etc. and also my more special china plates and cups and saucers, mostly vintage of course! I keep nutmegs in this little bird pot by Judith Rowe. This beautiful jug that sits in the mixing bowls was given to me by my grandmother. On a label inside she had written, 'My great-grandmother used to keep her gold sovereigns in this jug'. So that means it belonged to my great-great-great grandmother. Hope you've enjoyed the tour of cupboards! I love to see what creative people surround themselves with, so please let me see inside some of your special cupboards sometime! The other day when I was sitting at my work table, I suddenly heard a rumbling outside. I thought to myself, I know that sound, and I just had time to grab my camera and open the door..... and sure enough a stonking great steam roller came thundering by at quite a fair old lick. Not long after the noise came again........ it's not everyday that not one, but two shiny steam traction engines pass right outside your front door! (I wonder how they managed to negotiate those wretched speed bumps....) x x x

Sometime in 1994, Geoff was approached by the creative director at 17 Magazine to put together a series of drawings to tell the story of...

Celebrating Art Beads, Inspiring Those Who Use Them.

www.instagram.com/alexandra_bochkareva_arts/

"A desire arises in the mind. It is satisfied immediately another comes. In the interval which separates two desires a perfect calm reigns in the mind. It is at this moment freed from all thought, love or hate. Complete peace equally reigns between two mental waves." ~SIVANANANDA What to you wish to experience? "still waters run deep." source A real sense of calm. I lack the strong, deep tranquility of being calm. Not only to project being at peace on the outside... but to really "feel" at peace on the inside! *** source Letting go. Release it, set it free... rid myself from tension! Placing myself in a state of grace, to celebrate and embrace... new beginnings while not losing sight of tradition. *** What do you wish to experience? Wishes Here