Elephants and running away with the circus!

Well it has been quite a year so far and I have been having a wonderful time testing out new markets and craft fairs and meeting such lovely people along the way. Crafty folk are just the best, the makers and the appreciators too!

I've been to Cornwall, Topsham, Honiton and Tiverton! I'm going to be visiting Topsham hopefully at least once a month and later this month I'll be at Taunton with the Alternative Bristol Market Taunton edition!

I've been having a fab time at Budleigh Salterton Market & Crafts which is held on the last Friday of every month. I have now secured a regular spot there - although I won't be there in April as my son wants to visit an open day at Circus School in Bristol, he really does want to run away and join the circus.

Fortunately the only elephants we'll be seeing are ones you can wear! I've been spending some time practising making fork elephants and they have proven to be very popular. Each one is unique and I've been adding charms and gems to some and just letting the beauty of the fork do the talking on others. A couple of lovely customers have bought their own tiny herd. One lady has one for each of her beautiful daughters - how adorable is that!

I'm on the look out as well for some hollow knife handles, I made some sweet magnetic bud vases which were hugely popular so as soon as I can source the proper knives I will be putting these cuties back on my stall too.

I love spending time in my dad's old workshop making and experimenting. Its such a wonderful place to feel deeply connected to him and there is the added bonus that I get to spend time with my lovely mum too... oh and someone else is never far behind either... he just hates to be left out!

My mum has some lovely neighbours, or 'my gentleman callers' as I've cheekily named them. They pop in whenever I am there to see what I'm up to and I'm absolutely thrilled that they took up the challenge of making me a fantastic press that allows me to bend my rings and bracelets without fear of damaging the beautiful metal with hammer blows! What absolute legends they are. It means I have been able to make some gorgeous bangles like this.... I actually love them and cannot wait to make more of them..

I am hoping as time goes on to get myself a little van which means I will be able to do more and more outdoor events as I'll be able to transport my gazebo as well as all my stock. In the meantime I hope to see you in Budleigh or Topsham or on one of the other pop up events around and about!

Wish me luck with the open day.. you never know I might learn something myself... are you ever too old to be trapeze artist?