Beaker Button Blog

I got a taste of what its going to be like to run my own business as a craft women today.  I spent the day at the Fairground Craft and Design Centre at Weyhill, where I'm having my craft fair on 14th August.  They had Country File filming there and I had some of my yarn and buttons on display.  I sat outside making buttons for the afternoon, gossiping with the other crafters.  The whole day was fantastic.  I made some very nice new friends, all of whom share a similar passion for their art, and made some useful contacts.  I have several people who are going to come and see our shop when we open in November.  Its all very exciting.  The best bit was realising that I'm going to be doing this for a living soon.  I can't wait!

I'm having a craft fair at Weyhill on the 14th of August.  I'm starting to get the organisation down and now its the wait to see if anyone will have a stall.  I've booked the hall at least, and got the posters sorted, ready to go up next week.  Its to raise money for Ostomy Lifestyle, who I'm modelling for in November.  Ahh, the joys of having a stoma. I spent a very happy day researching for my article, A Short History of Dorset Button, which will hopefully be published in Septembers The Knitter.  I ended up at Portland with my Dad, having a float in the sea (does wonders for your back) and taking lots of photos.  I'll post a couple below.  Archie and I had a mad gallop, making the ponies eat our dust, on Saturday.  I thank god daily for my horse.  It's almost like flying when you go at that speed.  And today we went to see Alex perform in his drama school show.  Lots of singing and dancing and sketches.  He did brilliantl...

I've just bought some very nice yarn from See Jane Knit on etsy.  I mean, how was I supposed to resist.  It's the most beautiful colour, its merino, and there is enough of it to make a very nice lacy shrug if I'm careful.  I'm drooling just thinking of it.  I also bought some equally nice aubergine yarn on sale.  Not sure what I'm going to make yet but that's half the fun.  I used to have a rule that I would only buy yarn if I could see what I was going to make from it, but that doesn't work unless you can feel it.  Not so good for on-line purchases. I went back to Stonehenge recently and took more night time sky photos.  It was not nearly as fun as last time because the road is open now and the cars kept spoiling the shots.  I did get a couple of reasonable shots, added below.  I've also included a couple from the STM conference at Eltham Palace and Downe House.  I would have gone into the house at Downe but having spent most of ...

It's been a little while as I've been away on a conference.  I took Alex down to Sherborne Castle on Sunday last week and met up with my Dad.  It was the most fun I've had in a very long time.  The castle is beautiful, set in very picturesque grounds with lots of interpretation and a fantastic guide book.  Needless to say I took loads of photos.  We decided to head out of Sherborne to the services at Sparkford for lunch but on the way we came across a pub, The Rose and Crown, at Trent.  Alex was a big hit in his medieval knights outfit.  One of the managers went as far as making him a tin foil sword, prompting the other manager to remark that he had a little too much time on his hands.  The food was divine.  I don't think I've ever enjoyed the veg more than the meat before, and the meat was delicious.  Alex ate all the sugar snap peas.  We had a very pleasant wander around St. Andrews Church (again more photos) and then went on to C...

I finally managed to tell my boss I'm leaving Stonehenge yesterday.  It's such a relief to know that its really goning to happen.  I'm really going to set up my own market stall, selling Dorset buttons, fair trade yarn, hand spun yarn and fleece and knitting accessories.  I'm very excited, although I'm not actually leaving until the end of the season so still a few months to go yet.  Lots of planning to be done in the mean time. Etsy treasury of the day: http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4dd3b823730e8eef6db25c43/lavender-blue-dilly-dilly I love this because has the most beautiful blues and my favourate purple

I did the Sarcen Trail on Sunday.  This is a 26 mile hike organised and in support of The Wiltshire Wildlife Trust ( www. wiltshirewildlife .org ) from Avebury to Stonehenge.  I really enjoyed the first 11 miles (I'd like to add at this point that this is my third year of completing it) but my hip began to hurt after the first mile.  Of course, Meg my beloved dog died just after Christmas so I haven't been walking as much.  I guess doing the horses is not enough.  I stupidly decided that stubbornness would get me to Stonehenge, which it did, but I could barely walk yesterday and I'm still in a lot of pain today.  Next year I think I'll run instead, only the last 13 miles, and I have a year to train.  Lesson of the day: You are allowed to tell yourself to stop.  It doesn't have to come from someone else.

After my very lazy day yesterday I've been a little busier today.  I spent most of the day at the Museum of Army Flying where I volunteer.  Alex had a very nice time celebrating the Royal Wedding at school, then reading his dinosaur books while I poo picked.  Archie was quite snugly today as well.  I bought some very nice sock yarn, lots of vibrant colours, which I'm going to turn into a shawl.  I've just got to finish the jacket I'm knitting for a friend and then I can start it.  I got the photos (10"x7") which I wanted to frame for my Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/Beakerbutton .  I just need to find frames for them and then they can go in.  I've included a survey for those people who like to knit.  http://www.practicalpublishing.co.uk/knittingsurvey .