Sunday 31 December 2017

Artist Inspiration Days

Our home & studios are located in a small village on the Norfolk/Cambs border. When we moved here 3 years ago, the house & outbuildings needed a lot of love and care, but we were wowed by the beautiful garden. We had no idea that such a large, gorgeous garden was hidden behind the cottage.


 
The garden is such a gem that we think it is a real shame to keep it concealed from the public eye. Originally created by the previous owner, who was a ceramicist and artist, the garden has a number of little quirks and interesting hidden areas that provide great inspiration – it's a really arty venue. With two ponds, a boat, a little wooded area, a willow tunnel, a knot garden and a number of separate little garden sections, it boasts numerous vistas and interesting angles. Although there are some formal, established beds, we've ensured that plenty of the garden is still wild and rustic. The butterflies and bees love it! And we've spent many an hour taking photographs of its ever-changing seasonal views.


The garden provides us with great inspiration. My husband, Simon, is a woodturner, and his workshop looks out over the garden. I am a ceramicist and silk painter, and my pottery studio looks out over the hot garden which is located right next to the house. The constantly changing seasons in the garden have given me some great design ideas too.




We think art groups, drawing clubs and photography clubs would really enjoy a setting like this which offers so much inspiration. So, we're offering a 5-hour package for groups of 10 or more people to come and enjoy, draw, paint and wander. The gardens are totally private, so they have not been, and are not, open to the general public.



The package includes access to the entire garden, a rustic lunch served in the marquee at the bottom of the garden, and refreshments available to purchase. There are also toilet facilities. The garden offers various seating areas and we've also got a number of picnic blankets which can be used to sit on anywhere in the garden. We recommended booking from 10 am – 3 pm, as this will ensure the best possible lighting too. We would aim to serve lunch at 12.30 pm.




If your art or photography club is interested, please take a look at our Artist Inspiration Days page on our website for more information and photographs of the garden. 
phone us so we can arrange a date that suits and discuss any requirements.

Sunday 10 December 2017

Wintery Scene



Well, we woke up this morning to a truly festive, winter wonderland. Harry & Nutmeg are really loving the snow! The garden is carpeted in about 2 inches of the stuff, and we´re planning on building a few snowmen after lunch.

Since our last blog, we´ve been busy in our studios, preparing more pieces for Christmas. 


Tealight Holders
Our Etsy shop is stocking most of our festive bits and bobs, including tealight holders, ceramic Christmas star decorationswooden snowmen and large ceramic snowflakes.


Our blendedmonkey site has some new ceramic additions, my ceramic Spaces Between Dish, for example, (you´ll be seeing more of this design in the future). I´ve also added my Sea-Kissed Vessel and the Sea to Shore Bowl, which is part of the Seascape collection. 

3 Ceramic Star Decorations


Sea-Kissed Vessel



Sea to Shore Bowl
The Spaces Between Dish
Ceramic Snowflake




Last weekend we took a trip to Munich to take in the Christmas markets, warm ourselves on the odd mug or two of Glühwein and visit some old friends. 
I lived in Munich for a long time (my daughter was born there), so it was nice to catch up with people again and take in the atmosphere


Now really is the best time to visit Germany; oozing with lots of festive spirit. You can´t beat the Munich Marienplatz Weihnachtsmarkt for that quintessential Christmassy feeling. 

We also visited castle Neuschwanstein, which was breathtakingly beautiful, set in its snowy wonderland. 

A good time was had by all, but the visit was far too short.

I can´t imagine I´ll get the chance to blog again before Christmas, so myself and Simon (Blended Monkey) would like to wish you all a 


                   

    Very Merry Christmas and a Healthy & Happy New Year!