Jo Lucksted - local Ceramicist

The lovely Jo has been doing ceramic button workshops at Millie Moon for about two years. Every workshop books up very quickly and people love making the unique and individual buttons. We also sell her beautiful buttons in both shops, the Alphabet buttons always popular. All the ceramic buttons are washable and look great on those hand knitted cardigans, cushion covers or decorating a bag. The most recent addition are the buttons created for the Royal Jubilee. Hand painted Union Jack flags and crowns, a beautiful and unusual souvenir. 

In

Workshops

In her button making workshops Jo shows you a range of techniques which you can mix and match to make your own buttons or decorations. No previous experience is required, just bring an apron and any textured items such as lace, jewellery or leaves to impress into the clay to produce something totally unique and personal. 

    Course costs cover all equipment and firing charges.

The images below are from a recent Ceramic button workshop held in our Wells shop. The group made a fantastic range of buttons! 

 Here is a selection of their work

For Spring 2012, Jo is bringing a new workshop to Millie Moon. On Saturday 5th May Jo is going to run a ceramic jewellery workshop, giving people a chance to create beautiful ceramic jewellery for themselves or as gifts. Here are some samples of the Jewellery. Places are very limited on this workshop so book quick. 

    Jo has her own studio/shop on Town Street, Shepton Mallet.

From here she produces amongst other pieces, figurative ceramic sculptures reflecting themes of religious and mythological influences.  She has also recently ventured into working with textiles, producing wall hangings and cushions that tap into current interior design trends.

"Growing up in Somerset has provided me with a wealth of inspiration-my main body of work (that is to say the figures of angels, kings and queens) was directly influenced by the sculptures in Wells Cathedral.

Even as a teenager going to school in Wells I appreciated the history in my environment and often visited the Cathedral where I could handle the carvings and stonemasonry.

I also grew up in the village of Doulting where as a child I used the church and graveyard, woods and St. Aldhelm's holy well as part of my playground so on reflection it's no surprise that my work contains religious and nature inspired themes." 

Jo currently has work exhibited at: 

Latitude50 - St.Ives, Ginger Fig Gallery - Taunton, Rostra and Rooksmoor Gallery - Bath, Gallery on the Wey - Upwey, Blue Moon Gallery - Tunbridge Wells, Pelham House Gallery - Cowes, The Guild - Somerton, Serena Hall - Southwold,Cambridge Contemporary Arts - Cambridge, Heart Gallery - Hebden Bridge

Jo is a member of Somerset Guild of Craftsmen

Source www.jolucksted.com

 Jo also sells her ceramics in on etsy and folksy http://folksy.com/shops/joluckstedceramics/   http://www.etsy.com/shop/jolucksted 

Emergency Hats with Mary Jane Baxter

On Saturday 17th March, Mary Jane Baxter (author of Chic on a Shoestring) came to Millie Moon to teach us how to make emergency hats. We started off with a cereal box, and then chose some fabric to transform it into something pretty!

               

 It was interesting to see all the steps involved in making the hats, and after lots of cutting and gluing, we had created a beautiful hat to wear on any occasion!

 Not only did we learn how to make the hat, we were also shown how to make flowers, spotted veils, and other beautiful decorations! Now we also have the valuable knowledge of how to make the perfect accessory if we get invited to a party at the last minute! Everyone had a great time, and came away with a lovely unique vintage pillbox hat.

Thank you to Mary Jane and Millie Moon for a lovely afternoon!
Love Nancy x

My First Workshop by Fromemaid

I ran my first workshop at Millie Moon a couple of Tuesdays ago; Summer Doorstops.  I couldn't have wished for a better group of people to work with.  It was so good to spend time with people who enthuse  over the choice of  fabrics Becki and Rachel have in their shop as much as I do!  All the materials necessary  were provided in the price of the workshop, resulting in each of  the four ladies  producing  beautiful doorstops plumped full with long grain rice.  There was a lovely atmosphere and a fair bit of laughter,  I'm really excited about my next workshops.

I'll be running the Millie Moon rolling programme of  workshops on Tuesdays as well as workshops for some of my own Fromemaid designs.  Check out the Sewing School on the Millie Moon website, if you'd like to find out more.

By Fromemaid x

Rachel Ashwell, Shabby Chic fabrics

I am not sure when Rachel Ashwell first appeared on my radar but I have been an avid fan for quite a while. I love to drool over the beautiful furnishings and fabrics and dream of owning a house that is completely furnished with Shabby chic. Unfortunately my house, my kids and my husband would not allow the beautiful girlie pastels so I keep dreaming over the fabulous website and Rachel's inspiring blog.


In January this year I was lucky enough to take a trip to New York City for my birthday. On my list of 'must do' , was to visit the Rachel Ashwell store in Soho, and... yes I did! 
Oh my, it was heaven. Gorgeous plump pillows, eiderdowns, feathers, grown up spaces... 'sigh' (My husband did venture inside but only for a few moments and then left to wait outside). 


When I heard the news that Rachel was launching a fabric range 'Treasures' Shabby chic, I knew we had to have it in Millie Moon. Its such a different range for us, Millie Moon is well know for its bright and bold prints but I twisted Becki's arm that it would be a wonderful new addition.





Well the time has come and the FULL range has arrived in store. With 32 bolts of shabby chic pastels now available in both shops. I feel a quilt coming... Maybe I will finally be able to have my own little grown up space, or at least be able to hide under a shabby chic quilt with my book and a bar of chocolate and shut out the madness for a little while. 


Rachel x 

also new cross stitch and embroidery kits just arrive

Pleas take a look at the website and blog, you won't be disappointed 
www.shabbychic.com
rachelashwellshabbychic.blogspot.com

Gorgeous Spring time TILDA

Hello its Angela here, Look they have done it again, Becki and Rachel have been shopping and just look what they have picked up…………..the gorgeous new range of fabrics by Tilda.  Delightful Spring washes to coax you out of hibernation, Spring evening projects and sewing here we come. They are in both shops now for you to drool over. Based on the 1950s theme the fabrics as always with Tilda are beautiful and vintage without being too twee. The great thing with Tilda is that all the accessories that are designed to match the fabric ranges. There are craft papers, ribbons, stickers, brads and new in the beautiful little tassel trim. Millie Moon also has a couple of the kits and tin boxes which match the range. 

(Here’s a bit about the background to Tilda and how they came about…well I was curious.)

"Tilda is a craft brand started by the Norwegian designer Tone Finnanger in 1999.

Tilda is most known for the whimsical, comical and naive characters in the form of animals and dolls. Tilda's world is without a doubt a feminine one, and the most recognisable features are the faces, with two dots for eyes and rosy cheeks."


Sourced at:

http://www.tildasworld.com

Take a look at the beautiful website www.tildasworld.com for more ideas and inspiration 

Scrapiana

Scrapiana's blog is an inspirational and creative blog, covering all aspects of vintage and upcyling, with a real passion for vintage haberdashery. Every post contains beautiful photographs and images of lots of  handmade loveliness. Scrapiana also sells beautiful vintage haberdashery on Etsy, such as reused cotton reels, buttons, thimbles etc and of course the needle cushion grit.


Eirlys @Scrapiana first came to Millie Moon in Spring 2011 with her Vintage strawberry workshop. The Strawberries were featured on the cover of Mollie Makes magazine and we jumped at the chance to have Scrapiana come to the Frome shop to run a workshop with us.

At Millie Moon in Frome

The workshop was a big success, and the ladies made a wheelbarrow full of sweet summer strawberries.  Scrapiana is now back at Millie Moon with two new workshops. 

Sunday 11th March will be Scrapiana's first visit to the Wells shop where she is making these gorgeous Vintage strawberry pin cushions.  Still a couple of places left if you book soon. 10.30-2pm £35 inc all materials. Lovely little mothers day gifts. 

Also on Saturday 31st March, in the Frome shop, Scrapiana will be making Easter Bonnet needle cases based on a vintage design. Again a beautiful gift or something lovely for your own sewing box. 

10.30-1.30pm £35 all materials included. 

Please take a look at Scrapianas blog.  www.scrapiana.com You will be inspired by her enthusiasm and eye for details. You can also find her on Twitter and Facebook 

Mary Jane Baxter - Emergency Hat

Mary Jane Baxter is a milliner, with a love for vintage and recycling. Her hats are regularly featured in fashion press and TV. A well known name in the craft world, Mary Jane has contributed to Mollie Makes, Cloth and Sew magazines as well as writing for Selvedge and The Guardian on-line. Her monthly column in Homes and Antiques magazine, "style on a shoestring' led to the development of her first book "chic on a shoestring"which was launched at Libertys in 2011.

Mary Janes beautiful blog and website www.maryjanemakes.com has regular updates and is a host of creative ideas.  The pictures and descriptions inspire as she talks about all things vintage. The 'Cheap chic tip of the week'  shows projects and quick ideas.

On Saturday 17th March we are very excited to be having Mary Jane Baxter holding a workshop at our Frome shop. Yes, our little shop in Frome!!

Mary Jane will be making 'The Emergency Hat' from  her book "Chic on a Shoestring", All materials will be provided too make a lovely little vintage style pillbox hat.

There are a couple of places still available on the workshop. 

 £65       10.30-4.30pm. 

Please contact the shop for more details.