Thursday, one of regular days off and today a chance to visit some other local artisans in their studios / shops plus refreshment of course.
Today we visited The Pink Goat in Corfe Castle to catch-up with Pav and the team, see their decorations but also to find a new merch. stand which came with some of the art I have drawn for them and he detailed birthday hat that was the first of the 2020 commissioned hat series.
Then off to the Old Blacksmiths at Creech. We had gone to see Carline Slark’s new studio for Kezmee Studio – a touch of glass. I have got to know Caroline through both being members of Purbeck Artisan Yard and also her time at The Courtyard Craft Centre, Lytchett Minster where my work is stocked by Hayley Robbins at HappyHay Clorhing and her Emporium.
Caroline is still settling in after all the disruption this year but we look forward to many visits in the future and such a nice rural setting. Then it was round to the front of the building and Shop Dorset Makers / the studio of Claire Cameron Designs and pet sculptures amongst other designs. This time last year I had Christmas cards in stock here and hope to do so again in the future as it offers a different clientele.
From Creech we headed over to Wareham where Anne wanted some household top ups at Bare Necessities which I hadn’t been to since they moved into larger premises earlier his year in South Street, Wareham. We also visited the other half of Shop Dorset Makers – Laura Evans whose new studio is in the back of the Picture framing shop in Wareham. Laura, I know from my first year taking part in Purbeck Art Weeks in 2017.
Today emphasised how many independent businesses involved in craft and art are in the Purbeck area. I am also lucky as I have got to know many of these fellow artisans through mutual events / venues and can call them friends.
When marketing what we each have to offer in this area it is important to acknowledge the many others locally who are available for people to visit and buy work from too – a great community that are generally very supportive of each other.