Ashes & Oak

From wild flowers and leaves collected around my village and vintage music manuscript saved from a skip, to gorgeous handmade unique notebooks. I am so pleased with the results. Papers inside include lined, plain, squared and for those of us who prefer coloured paper to work on, Irlen papers in purple, blue and pink.

Apologies for the absence. I and my creativity are back! My challenge for today - how are these beautiful wild flowers, collected on my walk this morning, going to become part of today’s notebook making?

Check back later and check out the results 😊📚💐

A fabulous evening had by all at our notebook making evening. It all happened at the fabulous Ruth Burrows Art Shop & Studio. What beautiful and varying designs from everyone. Well done everyone 😊

Ever wanted to make your own notebook? This workshop is is a great introduction. Have a lovely evening out, design and make your own soft covered notebook and make new friends. Taking place at Ruth Burrows Art Studio, Navigation Yard, Sleaford. Wednesday 8th May at 6.30pm. Places are limited.

Pop in to the Studio and book or book directly here: https://pay.sumup.com/b2c/Q1NVU4A0

A superb leather notebook workshop today at Fulbeck Craft Centre. These ladies took home beautifully made notebooks to be proud of. I think they both have caught the bug too. I look forward to seeing their next makes.

If you have a group that would like this workshop get in touch and we can organise a date.

All set up and ready for my Leather notebook making course this morning at the beautiful Fulbeck Craft Centre. Can’t wait to meet today’s students and see what beautiful books they go home with.

And of course we’ll be enjoying a wonderful lunch prepared by the fantastic chef’s at The Centre’s own Crafty Cafe.

If you’d like to come to a workshop, message me to discuss dates or keep checking at https://www.ashesandoak.co.uk/workshops/

Another step forward. The Dragonboy Diaries is now available on Amazon and Waterstones 😊 Links in the comments.

I’ve been a bit quiet about this, but the day I have been waiting for has finally arrived. My creative streak has taken a bit of turn 🐉

My first children’s novel has been released today. The Dragonboy Diaries has been published by Olympia Publishers and will be available in shops and online very soon.

✨Is there a biblionaut in your bedroom?🐉✨

Try looking in your books. Biblionauts are their secret guardians and of all that is inside them, be that dragons or prehistoric mammoths, ancient Greece or modern chemistry.

Rescued by kindly humans Derek is a dragon making his friendly if fiery contribution to the ethnic diversity of modern Britain. Winning his place on his local town's basketball team, Derek couldn't see a cloud on his horizon until Phoebe appeared in his diary.

Phoebe is there to help, but how? Is Derek's life with his foster family different to that of other boys, somehow? Didn't the War between the Mammoths and the Dragons end long ago?
Or is some mammoth problem lurking in the backwoods where he was found?

Did his dragon parents abandon him heartlessly, or do they love their lost boy and will make his life complete, if only they can find him?

The only way you’ll find out is to jump right in and got lost in this adventure! 😊

Ashes & Oak is now signing off for a Christmas break. Thank you to everyone who has supported and bought from my little business. Everyone one of you are appreciated.

I wish you all a lovely Christmas and look forward to seeing you in 2024

Last minute Christmas gift ideas.

Leather Journal workshop. Small class numbers for the best experience. Book now to avoid disappointment.

Leather Journal Making Workshop 6th February 2024 At the end of this workshop you will take home an A5 leather journal designed and made entirely by you. You will learn all the skills needed and make new friends too.

The Pudsey’s were painted, the parcels mailed and the pennies collected, so I’d just like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported our BBC Children in Need campaign. Because of your generosity Joe, Stan & Ernie were able to donate a massive £263 to help other children. Well done boys your painting skills and determination to paint every Pudsey yourselves was amazing.

Looking for a Christmas gift for someone who loves handmade? I have now organised the first 3 workshops for next year - Leather Journal making and Traditional Bookbinding. Every workshop ends with you taking home your very own book, designed and made by you.

Buy a gift that they will never forget 😊

https://www.ashesandoak.co.uk/workshops/

All set up at Oxcombe for todays Winter Artisan Market. Pop along and see some gorgeous gifts and art 10 - 3 Oxcombe Pottery, Oxcombe horncastle LN9 6LU

The kiln gods were good to me 😁. Bisque firing done. Ready for glazing. Hope you’re loving your pot 😊.

What a beautiful sky on our walk this morning. Happy Thursday everyone

Something a little different. I am loving the different binding on these little leather books. I think these would make beautiful photograph album for those special memories.

A little late but here are some pics from a really lovely clay workshop last week at Ruth Burrows Art Shop & Studio. Lots of fun and some beautiful, nature inspired pots. Well done all. Can’t wait to see them when they’re glazed 😊

I will be there with my leather journals, notebooks and accessories. Come along and enjoy the festive cheer and tackle that Christmas gift list

Just a week to go until our Christmas Artisan Market at Oxcombe! 🎄 Lincolnshire artisans are bringing their wares to Oxcombe for an inaugural Christmas market on Sunday 26 November, 10am – 3pm. A fabulous array of handmade crafts will include: jewellery, textiles, leatherwork, candles, wood turning and upcycling plus fine art, cards and of course ceramics. Natural beauty and honey products will also be for sale. Event refreshments from Sweet Success (gluten free) and Gourmazin vintage food truck, with non-alcoholic spiced hot apple toddies served from the Oxcombe horsebox.

All craft stalls will be inside Oxcombe’s large, converted barn studios, so visitors can stay warm and dry whatever the weather. A hands-on wet-felting workshop will give everyone the chance to try their hand at making a festive Christmas decoration to take away (cost £3, suitable for children and adults). Oxcombe church will be transformed by a contemporary art installation created by local artist Sophie Dickinson .fineart who recently graduated with First Class honours from Manchester Metropolitan University.

The new Oxcombe Range of ceramics created by resident potter Sophie Olivant .olivant.ceramics will also be on sale, fresh from a highly successful week at the Country Living Christmas Fair in London. This work is unique to Oxcombe, with glazes made from local woodash and fired in a large gas-reduction kiln.

Admission to the event costs £1.50 per person, under 18s go free. For access information, and any further details about Oxcombe and this event, please go to www.oxcombepottery.co.uk or phone 01507 534238.

Can we have one last big push for Farmer Joe and his brothers. They have put a lot of hard work and time into painting their Pudsey Bears for tonight’s BBC Children in Need Help them to help other children. There are still some Pudsey’s that can be personalised - Have your name or that of a loved one to keep and know that at least £5 from every bear is going to the charity. If you follow the link you can see Joe, Stan & Ernie talking about what they e been up to.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/529769634333527/permalink/1277298026247347/

Get your Pudsey now at https://www.ashesandoak.co.uk/shop/

🐻

Amazing to hear Young Farmer Joe - Joe's Garden Patch👨🏼‍🌾 on BBC Radio Lincolnshire with Scott Dalton this morning talking about the Ceramic Pudsey Bears he and his brothers Stan and Ernie are painting for BBC Children in Need. There are a batch of bears ready to go in the kiln as I type, but there are still a few Pudsey’s waiting to be personalised with your name on. So far the boys have raised nearly £150, help them make that £300. You can order your Pudseys at https://www.ashesandoak.co.uk/shop/

Just a little snapshot of what you’ll find with me at The Big Craft Event at Epic Centre today. Lots to browse and buy. Come and say Hi 😊

All set and ready to go at 10-4. Get your Christmas gifts sorted