The Christmas Fair at the Manor House, Cambourne to which I was invited by the Wildlife Trust was a very busy affair. Stallholders arrived from 1.00pm and had until 2.30pm to set up. The Fair opened to the public at 3.00pm and the four hours of opening flashed by in an instant – albeit with lots of mulled wine, mince pies and visitors. I had a great time meeting everyone and was so happy that my new range of jigsaw puzzles sold extremely well. I am sure the event raised some much needed funds for the Trust, and it was mentioned that the raffle raised the largest amount yet. All too soon we had to pack away, say our goodbyes and Christmas salutations and said “See you next year!” Thank you to everyone who came and supported the event – it was just great!
Whilst setting up and taking our stuff into the building, we had to pass this beautiful pond. It still has water plants growing (now out of season). But a nice scene to pass by several times as we carted everything inside.I had two tables – one for jigsaw puzzles, the other for cards, calendars, prints and artwork.Some superb raffle prizes were on offer, including two bumper hampers (one food, the other gin!).Lots of Wildlife Trust goodies at their special table – just out of shot to the right is the camera-selling table. Another perspective to my table: people kept asking how much the framed artworks were on the walls. But of course, these are display photographs of the Trust and there is some really beautiful work amongst the pieces. A great day.
Said goodbye to this one of a pair over the weekend (18-20 November 2022). The art and craft exhibition at St Mary’s Church, Comberton was the best yet. The standard of work was exceptionally good and the whole experience was such a pleasure.
I would like to thank everyone who visited the exhibition, and an especial thank you to everyone who purchased my artwork, jigsaw puzzles, cards, calendars, and diaries. (And not forgetting all those other people who purchased other artist’s works and wares – to you also on their behalf a great big thank you.) But most of all a big thank you to the organisers of the exhibition and their little helpers, who made it all happen – all very much appreciated.
My next, and last exhibition for 2022 is the Christmas Fair at the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire Wildlife Trust headquarters at The Manor House, Broad Street, Cambourne CB23 6DH on Friday 2nd December, 3.00pm to 7.00pm. I hope you can make it – it will be a sort of Black Friday price gig!!!!
Artist Code 1517. “The Shires”. Artist Code 1518. The other half of the “pair”. Hope I can find a home for this one too eventually.
Sent all my stuff up to the Church yesterday and look forward to seeing the Exhibition up and running from Friday 18th to Sunday 20th November 2022. Open from 10.00am to 4.00pm each day, the ambient atmosphere of the warm Church and its ancient pews, coupled with the sensitive exhibition boards nestled within, make a great few hours entertainment – FREE! Coffee and biscuits are also available; and it is not just an art exhibition, there are plenty of other goodies to peruse and buy (Christmas presents) and a very warm welcome into a community hub which is second to none. Please go along and enjoy the artworks and “prezzies” on offer.
I have some new “Nettie’s Nature Puzzles” (see below) as well as brand new little wooden 40-piece puzzles with pieces of all shape and size – a lovely, unique Christmas stocking filler. Diaries and Calendars are also amongst my wares, but other artists have jewellery, cards, and knitted artwork too, so there is something for everyone.
Puffins and Thrift 1000 piece traditional Jigsaw Puzzle“Love at First Sight” 1000 piece traditional jigsaw puzzleThe Baths of Bath 1000 piece traditional jigsaw puzzle“Ralph—No!” 1000 piece traditional monotone jigsaw puzzle—doubles the degree of difficulty!“Sun’s up; time for bed!” 1000 piece traditional jigsaw puzzle
It is not easy to be physically in two places at once, but it is easy for artwork to be so!
It all started on Thursday evening: went to the Royston Town Hall with my artwork submissions and some cards and helped out with setting up the exhibition. I was assigned to checking in the paintings, and what a gorgeous assortment there was – all different paintings in many different styles.
Home and bed, then early Friday morning preparing last minute stuff for Gransden Show. This year we were allowed to set up our stands on Friday afternoon, and after hubby came home from playing golf we had a quick lunch and trundled off to Gransden with all the equipment for my stand. I thought it better not to take the paintings and cards etc., as overnight in a marquee makes things very damp. However, upon setting up the displays, and seeing that most other exhibitors were setting up all their goods, we decided to go back home and collect most of the stuff and bring it back, but leaving it in sealed boxes overnight (which still did not prevent a few things from “sagging” with the damp, but they recovered quickly.
Thank you to everyone who came to visit and especially those who purchased something – it is all much appreciated. It was a splendid day and my eldest granddaughter visited us in the afternoon and was very helpful when we had to pack away. She stayed for a Chinese takeaway afterwards, which ended a very nice day. Sales were down a bit this year – but that is the economic climate, so to sell anything is a bonus at the moment.
So all day Sunday, checking sales sheets and monies from Gransden at home. Then another trip to Royston Town Hall at 5.30 to help with packing down. When you help with an exhibition, it makes you realise just how much work goes into organising these events. I appreciate even more every chance I get to exhibit. Thank you RAS for the exhibition, and it was lovely to sell an original painting: “Autumn Leaves and Fungi, var. unknown”. I think it helped that this little painting was featured on the Exhibition poster! (The exhibition continues online until December)
All-in-all a splendid weekend, and I now have to try and get a few more “Nettie’s Nature jigsaw puzzles” made for my next exhibition stand at Swaffham Arts Festival – it was lovely that I sold out of one: “Love at First Sight” (Kingfishers amongst the reeds and daisies)
Most popular “Nettie’s Nature Jigsaw Puzzle” this weekend (23-25 September 2022)
Well, it was a wonderful afternoon at Challis House. I sold some of my new jigsaw puzzles and greetings cards, and met another artist, Fran Godwood (her stand was next to mine), who paints the most incredible garden scenes and exquisite plant landscapes. She also makes prints. I believe the Show and Fete were a great success for the gardens and raised much needed funds for all the projects going on there. I hope everyone who visited enjoyed it as much as I did.
Here is a little film of photographs taken during the afternoon:
Just received some lovely new traditional, 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles of my work which will be on show at Challis House Gardens tomorrow. There will be lots of stuff going on as it is a Horticultural Show as well as an Annual Fete. So lots to do and see. Do come along if you are in the Sawston area and spend a lovely afternoon browsing the goods on offer, looking at the gardens, tea and cake, and an auction of produce at the end of the show. A beautiful, typical, British afternoon pursuit of old!!!
Some of my “goodies” – note the brand new traditional jigsaw puzzles in the centre of the picture. “Nettie’s Nature Series” and all VERY CHALLENGING! And, new recently, 40-piece wooden fun jigsaw puzzles (postcard size). Also my usual greetings cards, River Friend Books, Notebooks, and Calendars – all handcrafted.
Below are a few pictures of the NEW Nettie’s Nature [Traditional] Puzzles:
Puffins and Thrift (or Fratercula arctica antics)
The Baths of Bath
Red Kite and Life in a Dead Tree
Artist Code 1517. “The Shires”.
Passion Flower Bits
“Ralph—No!” [This is an experiment to see if monotone makes a good, difficult jigsaw!]
