Tuesday 27 December 2011

Wednesday 7 December 2011

We love ANTA


With over a quarter of a century of expertise, every item in the ANTA range is made in Scotland, using natural materials and lovingly manufactured by a small team of highly skilled Scottish craftsmen and women.

The woolen yarn used for the carpets and tweeds is sourced in the Western Isles and is woven in the Borders. The very stylish Utility Bags are made from flat weave carpet and are strong and durable - perfect for shopping.


With beautifully subtle colours and stylish designs an ANTA bag is the perfect addition to any wardrobe!



Tuesday 6 December 2011

Happy 2nd Birthday Rowan



Something different this Christmas..

Whoever you need to buy for, choosing something made with heart and soul by our hand-picked UK makers is sure to bring a smile

We've lots to choose from - here's a few ideas

For Her - Little handprinted purse £22 studs from £38

For Him - Handmade Glass Coasters from £11 & Hangings from £8

For both - Little spotty dog bowl - from £38
For your grandaughter - Guess how much I love you - Anita Jeram official collectors edition print from £85 and For your Grandson - Quentin Blake - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from £85





Tuesday 29 November 2011

Stacking Rings - lovely Christmas gift idea

These stacking rings make a lovely christmas gift, they look great as a single ring or stacked in 2's or 3's.


Scottish deisgner Charmain, takes her inspiration from diverse areas; the intricacies of ancient japanese armour, through plants and seedpods to the delicate flutter of butterfly wings. She strives to create bold, original and beautiful jewellery



Thursday 24 November 2011

Warkworth Christmas Lights



Holly is very excited -the Christmas lights are on and Warkworth - wow!
The excitement was too much...



Gorgeous New Glass - just arrived!


Polka dot and twisted tail perfume bottles and beautifully coloured mini bottles, fabulous new work by Stuart Akroyd.

Stuart is one of the most accomplished contemporary glassmakers of his generation. His work is defined through dramatic use of colour and creative interpretation of natural forms. His unique pieces are exhibited throughout the United Kingdom and worldwide, sought after for collections both public and private.

Stuart graduated from Sunderland Polytechnic in 1988 returning in 1991 to start his own business whilst also teaching part time at the University. After eight years he moved the business to Nottingham and expanded to include a new hot workshop, which has allowed him to increase his range of designs and techniques.
He makes several ranges of production glass based on natural forms and a dislike of symmetry. This theme continues into his one-off work where hot forms are twisted and stretched, then cold carved and polished creating vessels reminiscent of the flora and fauna of the ocean


Thursday 17 November 2011

Introducing Holly Fenwick


A big ahhhh! Meet Holly Fenwick - our latest addition and sister to Rowan!


Quentin Blake - New Signed Editions

Just arrived - lovely new signed editions from Quentin Blake

Quentin Blake - Sliding Down the Banister



Quentin Blake Simpkin Nice




Quentin Blake was born in 1932 and has drawn ever since he can remember. His first drawing was published in Punch when he was just 16. He went to Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School before reading English at Downing College, Cambridge. After National Service he did a postgraduate teaching diploma at the University of London, followed by life-classes at Chelsea Art School.

He has always made his living as an illustrator, as well as teaching for over twenty years at the Royal College of Art, where he was head of the Illustration department from 1978 to 1986. His first drawings were published in
Punch while he was still at school. He continued to draw for Punch, The Spectator and other magazines over many years, while at the same time entering the world of children's books with A Drink of Water by John Yeoman in 1960.

He is known for his collaboration with writers such as Russell Hoban, Joan Aiken, Michael Rosen, John Yeoman and, most famously, Roald Dahl. He has also illustrated classic children's books, and created much-loved characters of his own, including
Mister Magnolia and Mrs Armitage.

His books have won numerous prizes and awards, including the Whitbread Award, the Kate Greenaway Medal, the Emil/Kurt Maschler Award and the international Bologna Ragazzi Prize. Most recently he won the 2002 Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration, the highest international recognition given to creators of children's books. He is now recognised, according to
The Guardian, as 'a national institution'. In 1999 he was appointed the first ever Children's Laureate, a post designed to raise the profile of children's literature. In 2002 Laureate's Progress recorded many of his activities and the illustrations he produced during his two-year tenure. In 1988 he was awarded an OBE for services to children’s literature and in 2005 he was made a CBE. In all Quentin Blake has collected over 12 honorary degrees which recognise his outstanding contribution to the worlds of illustration, children’s literature and now also exhibition curating. 2006/7 has brought him another clutch including Honorary Doctorates and in 2007, at the magnificent age of 75, France paid a special tribute to Quentin by creating him Officer de l’Ordre des Artes et des Lettres.

Quentin’s vision for a Museum of Illustration is currently being turned into a reality. It will be the first official home in the UK dedicated solely to the art of illustration, based in the Kings Cross regeneration area of London. It will be the place to see past and present illustration both British and International. The permanent collection will begin with the complete works of Quentin Blake which consists of the entire collection of finished illustrations to over 250 books as well as freelance commissions over the past 60 years.

Wednesday 16 November 2011

Quentin Blake- Roald Dahl



These Limited edition prints by one of Britain's most successful illustrators and children's authors make great presents. The Official Roald Dahl Collector's Editions.

Each edition is approved by Quentin Blake, strictly limited in number, embossed with the official Collector's Edition blind stamp and numbered in pencil.

Roald Dahl was born in Wales 1916, to Norwegian parents. After a distinguished career as a fighter pilot and diplomat during the Second World War, he settled downto become a fulltime author; first writing popular stories for adults; then, later, retelling many of the stories he made up at bedtime for his own children .

The first book Roald Dahl and illustrator Quentin Blake worked upon together was
THE ENORMOUS CROCODILE.

The two soon became firm friends, cementing one of the most eye-catching and distinctive collaborations in children’s literature. Roald Dahl died in 1990. His work has been published in over 40 languages and today is considered a modern classic.

"I could never guess what he was going to think of next." Quentin Blake


Maileg Angel Mouse


This new angel mouse from Danish designer Maileg, is so sweet for Christmas.

The angel mouse is dressed in a pretty white pinafore with

star detail with layers of lovely organza as wings.

Tuesday 1 November 2011

Welcome to the world of Helen Noakes - it's here!


Widely recognised for her beautifully executed work in resin and silver, Helen's quirky and unusual work is just lovely.
Helen incorporates everything from penguins and polar bears to swimmers, to create truly unique pieces. The most important aspect is the element of surprise and humour integral to each piece – a second look is a must.

Pop in to Fenwick Gallery and see "the real thing"

Sunday 9 October 2011

Coming Soon...

Prepare to enter the world of Helen Noakes - Be amused and enthralled by the jewellery she makes.

Sensational swimmer rings, playful penguin earrings and precious polar bear necklaces....

We're very excited! Due to arrive early November!

Tuesday 6 September 2011

Wonderful & whimsical! Jewellery sure to produce smiles!

We love Alan Ardiff's range of wonderfully whimsical kinetic jewellery - coming soon to Fenwick Gallery

Alan's miniature kinetic jewellery has been embraced enthusiastically and over the years and has achieved followers all around the world.

Alan also likes to express himself in a variety of different ways. He is equally comfortable through the medium of paint, drawing and sculpture.







Monday 1 August 2011

We're delighted to have exciting new work from Sally MacDonell

A Professional member of The Craft Potters Association Sally is continually fascinated by people - "I'm a great observer of people and thrive on interaction with others. I explore the human condition by modelling the female form from clay; changing the mood and feeling of a piece by the positioning of a shoulder or hand.

“In a world where so much energy is put into noticing the differences between people, I look for the feelings, desires, mannerisms we all share, elevating the ordinary into something special. We are all so curious.”



As a child I took delight in poking sticks into the ritual bonfire of a weekend. Little did I appreciate as an adult I'd have bonfires for a living! My smoke firings are fast and have a lot of flames, really more flames than smoke. I use wood shavings and newspaper and the firing lasts around 10 minutes. Hot blackened figures are precariously lifted out of the flames and left to sizzle on the grass. When cool the figures are cleaned and waxed. It's a wonderfully exciting and smelly process. A frozen moment of fire captured in the surface patina of the figures."



Having smoke fired for 12 years; Sally has recently rediscovered glazes. Prompted into action by a desire to create large scale outdoor pieces - "I'm developing a range of work using underglaze colours mixed with engobe and fired to 1260'. I'm drawn to the colours found in the Greek terracottas from the second century BC. Surfaces that show experience, having been eroded and fragmented. When I apply the glaze it's very much like painting. It's a very spontaneous process which fits with the way I hand build."


Thursday 20 January 2011

Our next exhibition is ....Very Valentine


22nd January to 19th February 2011

An exciting exhibition of contemporary British craft including textiles, glass and jewellery all with made with love by local and national artists - gorgeous gifts for a perfect valentines day!

Open

Tuesday – Saturday 11.00am – 4.00pm,

Sunday 11.00am – 4.00pm