Oxford Times

Here's a link to our article in the Oxford Times business magazine a couple of weeks ago.

I'm on the left and my sister is on the right
http://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk/business/8438808.Accessories_online/

Tree decorations

We've got a new selection of hanging decorations available in the shop.
I know you may think it a little early to start thinking about Christmas but it is mid November and before you know it you'll only have a couple of weeks to beat the dreaded rush and hububble of the high street

We have mini wreaths wrapped in raffia, pinecones,buttons and handmade paper

We have hearts made from handmade paper, lace, buttons, hessian, old books, fine art photographs,raffia, stitch and stamps that are a truly original start to the festive season

We have limited edition stuffed birds made from mixed fabrics from Morris prints to folk art polka dots. Perfect for tucking inbetween branches

Also we have mini crackers to brighten up your dinner table or to tuck under the tree, Hostess cones for you to fill with fancies for the lady of the house, bright and colourful felt and sequin shapes to enchant the young at heart and lots, lots more....

Sewing Seasonal Pics

At last, I have eventually got around to taking the photographs off my camera to post here

Allotment quilt

The Four Seasons mixed media paintings

Machine stitched wheat painting

A beautiful mixed media nature goddess doll with felted accessories (fruit and veg)

Felted balls with mixed stitch embroidery (must have a go at this)

Mixed Media collage

Silver and bead nature jewellery

Beaded wire wheelbarrow

Beautiful sectioned felt waistcoat with embroidery

Wantage Museum - Sewing Seasonal Exhibition

There's a beautiful exhibition going on at Wantage museum. The show is put on by the Oxfordshire textile group with the theme of Allotments and Nature. We visited it the other day and were delighted by the range of pieces shown, from a beautiful nature doll with hand painted feature to mixed media nature wall hangings, a video installation, needle felting and mixed media painting.

Pics from the exhibition coming soon.......

Simply Pieces

Gilded Rose Designs

RoseOak Studio

Rebecca Bolton

Jewellery by Mia

Orchy Designs - Cufflinks

Wire Rings and Mini Hats

We have a new collection and beaded wire rings in the shop, perfect for pocket money and designed to fit on your little finger. Our mini hats are also extremely popular from Lady Jane in black and grey with a wide veil and butterflies to Country Weekend in maroon tweed and pheasant feathers

The amazing thing about running a shop is the variety of people you get in the door. From people buying presents for school leaving daughters to the men coaxed in by their wives on the morning walk down the village to buy the paper.

Next door which was empty has been taken over by a window company who simply use it was a store and showroom which is a bit dull but its better then it being empty, and, if they don't work out then we are thinking about taking it over to do workshops and classes. If they do work out then there are planty of places we could rent but to have somewhere next door would be practical.

We managed to purchase a bamboo changing screen from our neighbour, Country Collections so it saves us making one and we can concentrate on signs for around the village.

We managed to get within the deadline for the local bi monthly village newsletter by the skin of our teeth but that went in the the other day so we'll be alright for August and September.

Shop

Day 1: Typically English weather. The day started with rain and BBRC's but it brightened up and we had a lovely two first days with lots of customers and interest . We are offering nice cold drinks to everyone seeing as the weather is scorching and got chatting to some lovely ladies and gents of the village.

We've been invited to the next local embroiderers guild open meeting in september and asked if we could do an ordering service for wool, fabric and general haberdashery. We were planning to start that later in the year but it is nice to know that it would be used so we will be starting it before the month ends.
We might even keep a small stock of needles, ribbon, pins ect one a small shelf in case of emergencies. I'm always forgetting to bring spare sewing needle.

All in all a very nice start to the business. Mia might have an order already for some silver jewellery and lots of people are pleased to have a little boutique in the village again. We do need to find something else for gentlemen tho, everyone loves the cufflinks but a woodturner or potter would give more variety

The big day is nearly upon us

Yesterday we spent putting in furniture and today we stock. Rebecca, our artist, brought her work yesterday evening so that is all stacked up and ready to be hung. Mia, our silver jeweller will be bringing her stuff this evening and we are waiting delivery of the cufflinks from Orchy Design

We've had a lot on interest from the villagers of Wheatley, lots of luck wished and plenty of peeks in and 5 min chats whilst we were cleaning and setting up.

Creative Sign Making

Or....

Why have a plain old sign when you can make something enchanting.
The open/closed sign is rarely going to be out in the elements so why not make it as decorative as the pieces inside. The one that will soon be gracing our front door was made from linen with a gold stamped design patch, fabric roses, hand written lettering patches, pink lace, black ribbon, vintage mother of pearl buttons and our shop title. The linen is almost the exact colour of our shop furniture so it seemed too good to miss.

Artisans

Here is a list of the current Artisans that sell in our shop.

RoseOak Studio - Knitwear, Artwear, Fabric Accents and Accessories

Gilded Rose Designs - Artisan Semi Precious Jewellery and Embroidery

Housewife's Choice - Handmade aprons, Kitchen and Homewear

Rebeca Bolton - Artist -Pictures and Portraits

Jewellery by Mia - Silver Jewellery

Beauty and the Bath - Scented Salts and Scrubs for men and women

Orchy Designs - Silver and Glass Cufflinks

Welcome to Shalotte

Welcome to Isle of Shalotte, the new blog for Shalotte: Artisan Originals.
We support, promote and sell artisan works from all over Great Britain.

We believe that handmade means originality, beauty and quality.
By buying from us you can be assured of all these things as well as a purchase that will stand the test of time.

Everything in our shop is made by hand by people who have a passion for traditional and innovative skills.
Our current artists include Jewellers, Knitters, Embroiderers, Silversmiths, Painters, Clothiers, Homeware designers, Seamstresses and Accessory Designers.

As well as offering a wide selection of ready made pieces all our artists are available for private commisions and can be contacted through the shop or via their page on our website