perthshire open studios - ceri white

The Perthshire Open Studios event started at the weekend and runs until next Sunday. We managed to visit a few venues on Sunday including that of boo vake favourite Ceri White (above!) at Baldinnies near Dunning. The highlight for me was finding out how she does her animal 'flock' tiles (I've spent many a quiet moment pondering this!) .... and was impressed to find out that it's all down to good old-fashioned time-consuming labour-intensive fiddly stuff!!!
If you want to visit Ceri or any of the other artists & makers taking part most venues are open daily from 10-5 right up to and including Sunday the 5th.

my brother....

My brother, Alasdair Baird, is an architect. The house he designed for his mother-in-law features in the Sept/Oct edition of Homes & Interiors Scotland. It's a fabulous, beautifully crafted house with incredible attention to detail. My jaw did drop when I read the budget was £450,000 (as I still harbour thoughts that someday I might be in the position to benefit from his services!) but phew!!! they made a mistake (quite a big one) - it should have said £250,000! I'm sure this issue will still be in the shops if you want to take a peek.

islay jane spalding

We've just got in jewellery by the lovely Islay Spalding. Islay graduated from Duncan Of Jordanstone College of Art in 2005 and has been creating fabulous one-off pieces ever since. Her biomorphs range is made from silver and colourful hand-dyed resin, and we also have some of her resin & chain pieces (...made from resin & chain!). Prices from £33-£90. Islay also specialises in designing & making bespoke kiltpins so if you're looking for something special for somebody special check her site out here!

recycled leather notebooks

Recent arrivals are these recycled leather covered notebooks and photo-albums by artbox from East Sussex. You may have guessed it but I was attracted to them by their fabulous colours! Notebooks are £9.50 and photo-albums are £15. We will also have leather covered 2009 diaries later on.