I apologise for the image, it is just that I can not quite believe I am getting excited about the month of December already! This is one of the decorations that will be available from the site as from October. I shall create a whole section on the ‘Collections’ page dedicated to decorations and Christmas cards at this time.

I have been really busy gearing up for the season ahead. The biggest change is the site becoming fully e-commerce! You can now buy goods directly from me so I can now offer the largest collection of my work online. This was to ensure I have even better contact with my customers and I hope you like the changes that have been made. Please continue to email me if you find an item out of stock or unavailable, as ever it is a work in progress to upload everything. If you haven’t already done so please sign up for the newsletter on my homepage to ensure you receive discounts and offers, I only get around to sending these things sporadically so I promise no bombarding to your inbox!

There are lots of events happening soon and I am pleased to announce the Open Studio event on the 24th-25th September with an evening viewing on the 23rd at 6-9pm. This is a chance to meet my customers and show off the collection alongside newest additions. I will be offering a range of seconds and old stock at 50% or more discount and there is a 10% discount off any purchase if you become a friend of Bath Artists Studios. Over 60 artists work at the studios so it is well worth a visit. Please see the events page for a link to find out more.

My range will be extended in the coming month. I have ordered lots of new printed cards for the Country Living Fair and these will also be available on the website as soon as they are delivered. Look out for tea towels in 2012!

Finally I am so very pleased that there will be a photo shoot for my work booked in January. This means that the images will be clearer and shall indicate a use for the product. There will be over 50 products available on the tableware pages once this is complete so I shall keep you posted on this!

I hope you had a lovely holiday wherever you spent it, let’s hope for an Indian Summer in September!

Julia

Apologies for such a lack of posts, I have been a bit of a stranger but now, having lived in the fast lane for a week I have lots to tell. So without further ado…

The first stop on on my mini tour of the South was Henley Upon Thames. It was a hot, Summery day when I dropped off my work at Studio 17 for their open studios. The house was being transformed into a showcase complete with gallery picture rails, beautifully clear shelving ready and waiting for my ceramics and colourful signs that had been put up all over the town directing people up the hill. There was no time to spare as I let Pam Hayes unpack my stupidly large box of wares and set off back to the west country. I was on a mission having to to drop off some large pieces in Barnstaple before weaving my way through the foot hills of Exmoor and down to the Penwith coastline.

Maggie (my 1yr old mutt) was so excited to be back in Cornwall and greatly enjoyed the pit stops we made to top up the galleries (including new stockist ‘Avalon Art’ at Marazion.) There was always time for a quick walk across a moor or skirting sandy beaches and sniffing funny rock pools. Sadly she managed to lose her ball amongst the huge potato plants in Madron near Penzance… despite a lot of sniffing we declared it a lost cause and headed back up the hill. Luckily there was a rather lovely mossy stick which made for a good sub.

A very tired pair we decided to make a move back to Bath on Sunday before the Fretherne Plant Fair on Monday. The weather had dramatically changed to torrential rain and I was a little apprehensive as I made my way along slippery roads near Gloucester. Luckily there was a warm(ish) and dry(!!!) poly tunnel for us to use as craft stall holders (phew) and I spent the day sketching whilst watching trollies piled high with plants rolling past.

It seemed surreal when I dropped off work at the Bath & West show on tuesday with pink arms from working all day in the sunshine. I had a little look around at some of the stalls but could not believe the vast area the show covers. It made me feel very small, and quite uneducated about farming. I decided to leave the Somerset Guild of Craftsmen to sell solo and the next few days were a blur of painting work and glazing so that I can deliver to the Down To Earth Gallery next week. After waiting so patiently I have been making a wide range of patterns and shapes for the gallery and can not wait to send off their big box.

Finally, today was the day of Frome Artisan Market. It was back to the torrential rain of Monday and a very brave Mrs Davey and her daughter (me) apprehensively drove through flash flooding to reach a very quiet Frome. However, after a quick setup of a wonderful gazebo… and a bit of wind… the stalls stayed dry for a few precious hours as lots of lovely people came to support us. It was great to get some lovely comments on the new dinky toys and flamingo ranges from existing customers and chat to some new people. I really enjoyed the morning and it was made even better by a lovely pair of designers who huddled with us under the gazebo to sell their lovely textiles. If you have a moment do check out their fabulous blog which links you through to their etsy site

http://robinandmould.blogspot.com/

I have to admit I gave in rather early and treated myself to a lovely fox cushion… It had been a busy week - a girl needs a treat once in a while, and a little head rest!

P.S If anyone would like an invite to my next event ‘Handmade in Britain’ at Bath Assembly Rooms (17th-19th June) then do email me with your address - mail@juliadavey.com … hopefully see a few of you there!

Today I clocked up the miles in my Mini stocked to the gunnels! It was a really pretty journey and am very proud to say that (although I glanced) I resisted the draw of Bicester Village!

I am so excited to announce the opening of ‘Regenerate’ at the Forge 2 Gallery in Culworth. The building was so intriguing, originally a traditional forge it had another incarnation building stove furnaces. The space was like a tardis, through the little wooden door you wander into a lovely bright airy space.

With a welcoming offer of tea and cake we set about sorting the work and I was particularly pleased to show the owners my ‘Lepidoptera Circulus’ series. I have broken away from the traditional labelled format within this series to create halos of butterflies in square frames. Catching your eye are highly decorated individual butterflies which sit amongst the white specimens. There are 5 frames in total - ranging from £100-£150. Also available are loose butterflies to dot around the home from £9 each.

Full of cake I had a good look around the rest of the show, and let me tell you I was so very pleased that my purse was locked in my car round the corner. The exhibition opens for a private view 7.30-9.30pm on the 8th April. Alternatively a ‘shop and scoff’ with complimentary tea, coffee and cake is on Saturday 23rd April.

Forge2, The Green, Culworth, OX17 2BA
www.forge2.com

Open Weds-Sat 10.00am to 4.00pm