Entry from 7 October:

I had been poorly in the week leading up to October’s Windsor Emporium so Ben took pity on me and came to pick me up early on Sunday morning to save me the job of packing up my Smart Car - thank you lovely Ben.  There was a lot going on in Windsor this Sunday what with the Fringe Festival, Eton Art Trail and the marathon in the afternoon so we were hopeful for a busy Emporium!

I had the same spot as last month in the main room of the Guildhall next to John and his antiques.  It was much easier to set up the table this time, having done it once before and I am very grateful to John for lending me a couple of antique lights to help illuminate my artwork.

My arty chums Julie Rumsey (printmaker) and Lis England (fine art) were in their usual spaces in the side room with the Vintage Café.  Jules had been really busy and had a range of new collographs on display. One work entitled ‘Did you Tweet me?’ featured a dog with a bird on its back which was great (I think she sold it too).  Lis had a range of book covers with detailed paintings on including ‘To the Lighthouse’ that also sold!

It was good to see some faces from last month’s Emporium and to meet some new artist makers.  On the table to my right was Rosamund Fowler who had a delightful range of cards and limited edition relief prints from wood engravings, mostly of animals and birds – the detail on them was just incredible. Rosamund makes her prints using an antique Farley press.  She has been a successful illustrator and painter for over twenty years and has recently moved into wood engraving – a truly multi talented lady.

I was particularly taken by Fox Terrier, which I learnt had been exhibited at the RA Summer Exhibition in 2010 - so I must have seen it on my annaul RA jolly with my brother. I have a thing about wire haired Fox Terriers (and Border Terriers and Pugs even though I am a cat person) and have to stop and say hello when I see one (Ben despairs with me).  Rosamund reminded me they are after all the original ‘push along dog’ so maybe there’s a touch of childhood nostalgia with my liking of them.

I sat and looked at Mr Fox Terrier on and off through the day and he looked back at me and you guessed it, he left Windsor in my bag!  Just need to get Cath at Emerald to make me a frame so I can proudly display him on my wall.

You can see Rosamund’s work at:  www.rosamundfowler.co.uk

Look for Mr Fox Terrier here - there are a few editions left if he tugs at your heart too:
www.rosamundfowler.co.uk/gallery_prints.html

Opposite me were Sue and her hubby of Chandlers Candles who last month had the table where Rosamund was this month (does that make sense?). This meant I could get a better view of the handmade natural soy candles that they make.  Their candles are so elegantly packaged and the classic scents are beautful - making it easy to see why they were so busy!

www.chandlerscandles.me.uk

Another table that caught my eye just up from Rosamund was Roelofs and Rubens who had a beautiful range of handmade ceramics ranging from practical plates and mugs to some just lovely hand painted hanging ornaments in many shapes and colours. The decoration on most of the works was a modern take on the traditional ‘blue and white’ colour way – but the more colourful pieces (termed ‘banyak warna’ on their website) were just glorious.

Some of the shapes were new to me as ornaments - camels, crustaceans and hands, but these complimented the more traditional forms of hearts, birds and butterflies - and many more.  I found it impossible to pick a favourite design and now have the website saved as a ‘favourite’ for future use. 

Take a peek I’m sure you will love it too: www.roelofsrubens.co.uk

On the Windsor Emporium’s facebook page a while back there was a post about a particularly colourful vintage chair that had been restored and reupholstered in a patchwork of Designers Guild devoir velvet. Dawn from Trove Designs was present with not only THAT chair – but also the most fabulous chaise longue that had been reupholstered in the same way.  I tried to convince Ben when he popped in that the chair would be just the ticket for his office in the future and that every girl needs a chaise to lounge on with her cats but I’m not sure he really felt the same!  

You can find out more about this lovely upcycling at: www.trovedesigns.co.uk

Over the way from me, opposite John’s stall was Laurel Howell and who must have been her twin sister.  Laurel is a graphic designer artist maker and had a range of unique, quirky and original contemporary gifts on display.  I just loved the shrink plastic rings and necklaces she had produced with moustaches and typewriters on and can see some of these finding their way into Ben’s nieces’ Christmas gift bags: 

www.laurelhowells.co.uk

This is just a few of the stalls that were there on this Sunday. Jackie Couzen’s who runs the Windsor Emporium has a great mix of makers each month – and as it changes each time it is worth popping in regularly as you never know what treasure you may find.

Remember - the first Sunday in the month from March to December is Windsor Emporium day!

http://www.windsoremporium.co.uk/

Entry from 02 September 2012

After getting my name added to the ‘artists’ waiting list for the Windsor Emporium back in August I was really excited when a spot became free for the September event and said 'yes' to Jackie immediately. Excited - and a little bit apprehensive as well if I’m honest as I hadn’t expected a place to come up so soon and didn’t have a lot of stuff ready to exhibit or got the things that I needed to display it nicely on a table. A few emails later and Lis and Jules’ both gave me some ‘top Emporium tips’ and my initial panic reduced considerably!

I ‘borrowed back’ my remaining original pictures from Emerald Gallery and Cath also kindly helped me get organised by ordering some easels, archival tape for fixing prints and a portfolio / browser from one of her suppliers.  I borrowed a large table covering from the Art and Crafts Society to go with a couple of smaller vintage table clothes that I have and emptied some storage baskets to provide some height to my display – and after a few frantic evenings of hand embellishing prints and making cards I was ready to go (thank goodness it all fitted into my Smart car).

It is a strange sensation to be sat at a table while people walk by a look at your art - and one that I am still a bit shy about. I’m also learning the best level of interaction as some people like to be spoken to, but others just like to look. I am pleased to report that my work seemed to raise more smiles than frowns so I’m taking that to be a good thing.

Jackie had a great mix of exhibitors this month and there were tables of antiques and vintage treasure alongside hand made bags and cushions; scented hand printed pillows; silk kimono-style tops and scarfs; different original art styles; different original jewellery styles; photography and next to me gorgeous scented candles and votives.

I recognised one ladies work from a Collective Art in Marlow show a while back but hadn’t had the chance to speak to her. Lesley De Matos under the name of Country Girl Corner had an array of shabby chic fabric gifts ranging from Kindle covers to soft toys to framed embroidered pictures that I just loved – and if it hadn’t been the wrong side of pay day for me I could have done some damage!

http://www.countrygirlcorner.co.uk/index.html

I also got chatting with another artist called Leigh Glover who had one of his works accepted for the BP Portrait Award last year – what an achievement given that thousands enter and only 55 were chosen for display.  The Emporium is a relatively new venture for Leigh and he has found it an effective way to raise awareness of his art and visits to his studio in Perivale.  I told him that my studio is my kitchen table that I aspire to have a ‘proper’ studio like his one day!

http://leighglover.com/index.htm

I was also pleased to be able to meet Caroline Crawford – a new ‘Emerald Gallery Girl’ who had a large display of work at the entrance of the Emporium.  I had seen Caroline’s work at Cath’s earlier in the week when I had picked my paintings up – and it was nice that she recognised my work from visiting Cath's too.

http://carolinecrawfordart.4ormat.com/home

My brother Jamie and chum Vicky popped in to say hello in the morning and Cath and Ann visited in the after lunch which was lovely.  4.00pm came around much sooner than expected and it was time to pack everything up. I am so grateful to Ben for helping with the bag carrying up and down stairs and ferrying to and from Windsor.

There is still a waiting list for dates for the rest of the year – so fingers crossed for another vacant spot in the not to distant future . . .

For more information about Windsor Emporium please visit the website or facebook links below:

http://www.windsoremporium.co.uk/

http://www.facebook.com/WindsorEmporium

Entry from 5 August 2012:

One of the many things that I learnt about in Jules’ Print Shed (see earlier Blog entry) was that both Jules Rumsey and Lis England regularly exhibit their work at the Windsor Emporium. The Emporium is run by Jackie Couzens and is held on the first Sunday of the month from March to December upstairs in the Guildhall in Windsor. It’s an ‘emporium of art, crafts and objects of the extraordinary’ with a Vintage Tea Room selling fabulous cakes.

http://www.windsoremporium.co.uk/

I had not come across this before and agreed with Cath that we would go and visit Lis at the event in August to find out more. Cath had a ‘surprise’ weekend in Dublin sprung on her so I headed along on my own to find out what it was all about.

The Guildhall is a very grand building up by the castle on the High Street (opposite Cath Kidston / TK Maxx) and you have to ascend an impressive stone staircase to gain access to the Emporium.  The room at the top of the stairs, on this Sunday, held an impressive display of vintage treasure which was a delight to look through. 

The main room houses some fine art and chandeliers which set the thirty or so table/ stalls off the great effect.  There was a range of art and crafts on show – along with antiques and more vintage wares.  Lis’ table was in the smaller side room which was also home to the Vintage Tea Room (how she managed to resist all of the cakes and goodies I have no idea). The stained glass windows in this room are stunning.  It was great to see more of Lis’ lovely pictures painted on old book covers – and to see the finished version of ‘To the Lighthouse’ that we saw at Jules’.

Lis had kindly shared my website with Jackie and said that I may be interested in taking part in the future.  We shared a pot of tea with Jackie who told me more about the Emporium and said she thought my work would compliment the Emporium and would be happy to add my name to the ‘art’ waiting list – how exciting!

There are some lovely photos of the Emporium's facebbok page in the August Album on their – especially look out for Lis’ picture of her darling little Scottie dog.

http://www.facebook.com/WindsorEmporium#!/media/set/?set=a.403570379704865.90538.128697570525482&