Didn't we have a lovely time the day we went to the Craft Festival in Devon

Well that was a whirlwind of weekend down in Devon at the
Contemporary Craft Festival in Bovey Tracey. 

I met the lovely Gwen and Mary at the Services on the M6 on Wednesday to drive down in convoy so we had company at stops and to pitch our tents. The weather was awful on the way down but as we approached Bovey the sun began to shine for us to set up camp. 

From there we went to the pub of course. 

Bovey Tracey is a lovely little town in Devon with the fabulous Contemporary Craft Festival Shop and the base for the Devon Guild or Craftsmen. There is also a variety of eating places which I think we tried them all. 

Thursday we drove to the site to set up our show and as it was my first time I was really excited to see what it was going to be like. 

My stand with the very new Clematis and Buttercups.

Celedon glaze by Mary Chappelhow

Cane Toppers by Dylans Mum oh alright Gwen Bainbridge

After set up we had the Private View which was brilliant and I tweeted and facebooked like mad about the Festival. Getting 'retweeted' and 'favourited' by the Craft Festival themselves as well as Devon Life, South West England and Exeter Town! 

It was lovely to meet other makers and to chat to them about work, life and how we survive in this harsh climate as designer/makers/artists. There were some lovely customers too who bought lots and told me I was too cheap! And some lovely galleries old and and new with my work to be seen in
couple down in Devon and Cornwall very soon.

These egg and feather pieces proved to be very popular at the Festival I sold out of the small ones as I put a tea light in them to show off the translucency of the Parian and a box of them will be winging its way very soon to a
lovely gallery in Cornwall very soon. 

Do you like butter were very popular too :-)

Oliver Otter found a new home with a lovely lady from Somerset who said she had some fresh fish in for his tea... and you all thought I was mad!

Florence is awaiting a phone call to see if she has found her forever home we await with baited breath....... she is very excited.

Colin found his forever home with another maker who was really excited to do a swap as I was, her jewellery is gorgeous. Leoma Drew Jewellery has swallows and kingfishers on her silver oxidised necklaces and
I may have one too.

Here he is in his new home the very lucky boy!

Need I say anything about this one :-) at the makers private view on the Saturday before venturing into town for tea. It is a very lovely show and very friendly too. I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and the friendly makers who all helped make it a fabulous show.

I wished I took more photos of other peoples stands and the sunshine and the catering vans made from VW Campers and an Air Stream but with FB, Twitter and working I think I was a little busy.
I had a fabulous time with the girls and we laughed a lot and somethings will be funny forever. Love to them both and thank you for putting up with me and my limp!

Looking forward to next year already... if I get selected!

PS the online shop is still in process of being updated but by the end of the month we shall have it up and working with maybe a little launch special offer to tempt you in....watch this space! x

Contemporary Craft Festival 2014

Packing and flapping slightly as it is my first time and that I may not get it all in so my top box has come out of storage in the shed. There was cat paw prints across the top which is a little strange as I have no cat but my shed does have mice! Honestly. It has a little bit of an orange glow like Ready Brek as it was in there when I spray painted an octopus for a school but hopefully that will wash off in the rain :-)

The last kiln is on so I will pick it up on my way passed tomorrow with more buttercups like this and clematis below. So Swallows, bluebells, cow parsley and trusty the dandelion clocks are all packed. With a few creatures and bird houses so a range of work to show.

test piece

I had a go at mocking up the space as I marked it out on the floor and using the boards to give me an idea of what to do. I did borrow a table but have left it behind in favour of my plinths I made for Country Living many moons ago. So it's packed and I will be ticking off my list and now time to pack me. I have to remember the flowers and water then its the camping list. The first thing I bought were limes for the gin I am bad aren't I. But Arthur and Mr T Achilles may not be so understanding so a night cap may be in order. I need to ferret out the air bed too.....pics to follow on my blog when I get back 

but for updates follow my twitter feed @julie_miles 

or

@CraftFestival or follow #CraftFestival2014

Or juliemilesceramics 

on facebook so you can't say you missed it ;-)

wish me luck x

Prep for the Contemporary Craft Festival 2014

Well after a hectic few weeks I have been slowing down due to a torn Achilles and the arthritis but not too much as it's only 3 sleeps to the Craft Festival that seems to have crept up really fast as its June already eek!

It looks an amazing show so if you are 

south west based please come along and say hello 

Mill Marsh Park, St Johns Lane

Bovey Tracey, Devon

June 6-8th

Open 10am-5pm

So new work based on the flowers

 in the garden which was full of 

bluebells and Clematis

http://craftsatboveytracey.co.uk/