Friday 13 September 2013

Perthshire Open Studios

   

There are only a few days left to go on the Perthshire Open Studios trail. We visited a few studios last weekend and hope to see a few more on Sunday.  There are so many, it is difficult to choose!  The photo shows the pretty shed studios and cottage garden at Potting Shed Studio and Barn near Coupar Angus, the creative spaces of our friend Roz Arno-Button.

Last Saturday, we went to Momentum Pottery and Piggleliggle potteries in Alyth. At Piggleliggle, we couldn't resist the lovely dish in the link photo, which we bought for a friend in Japan.

Maria Nordgren at Momentum was also hosting Nancy Fuller (potter) and Rachel Bower (basket maker).  I particularly liked Nancy's Mei Ping vase, Flower vase and the bigger pots (photos on her link), Maria's cobalt and white pots and Rachel's use of multicoloured willow.

 

They collaborated on a paper kiln, with slip coated paper over a wicker frame.  We went back on Sunday to see the kiln being opened.
 
 

Rachel got us making willow balls too.


Today  I went back to Potting Shed Studios, as we are planning a collaboration (more later!)  Maggie Langelaan from Coupar Angus is in residence with her spinning wheel and loom.  I didn't manage to catch any of her dyeing sessions this week, but I did get some of her beautiful naturally dyed and hand spun wools for a new knitted jacket (for me this time!)  Apart from the dark pinkish brown skein on the left, which is Shetland wool, these are all Merino wool, so they are super soft.  The blues are indigo dyed and the browns are dyed with logwood.


These are two pieces of her hand weaving, a table runner and a scarf spun from Black Welsh, a naturally dark brown fleece.





Here is Glyn's latest handcrafted creation - 'Perthshire Summer Fruits wine', made from locally grown strawberries and raspberries.

  

Maybe next year, when we have built our summerhouse, I'll take part in the open studios trail.

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