Blue skies, nuthin' but blue skies....

What a difference a day makes as the song says. So would a large cheque in the post and if I don't get it soon, I shall name and shame on this BLOG!

Beachcomber Steve and I met with Angus Cooncil's education enterprise guru, Joanne, this morning in Cafe Dun where I noticed that the reshuffled cabinet had had the glass door removed. I wonder who did that? No one mentioned it and neither did I.

I think a partnership with the Cooncil would prove beneficial for all but as I said at the Brighton Conference, making plans is the easy bit and many good intentions have decomposed in the wheelie bin of vision.

Checked to see if Maura was closing early tonight but she wasn't. Maura is a conscientious crafter whose goal is to serve the public and make a buck or two for us all. She made me £2.90 today which was enough to buy a pack of Pollacks.

Here's a pic of Peter's plates.

Outside it was a grey, wet, windy, miserable Wednesday. Inside, Joan and I were glowing! Yes we were! With coffee on tap and time to reflect, the day flew by in that uncanny way that it does. There were so few visitors that instead of tallying the numbers, we took their names. Most of them worked at Cafe Dun next door so it was like old friends popping in for a chat. However, a sale was made(one of Peter's clocks). I think it's possible that Joan sends decoys to buy Peter's stuff on quiet days.

Tried to contact Steve about tomorrow's meeting with the enterprise guru but got his answering machine. I may make a habit of it as his partner has an engaging accent which appealed to me.

Lunch involved first class vegetable soup at Cafe Dun and fine conversation with the charming staff 'who had time to chat' today. Alice and I mused on where we'd gone wrong.

Helped Janet and Linda shuffle a large cabinet. I shall refrain from making an obvious political joke there although it's tempting. My lifting skills earned me a slice of date and pecan pie. I said there was no need but Janet told me 'in no uncertain terms' that there was. Janet is not a woman to be trifled with when it comes to desserts.

Just as I was closing, the shop filled with a family of four. I assessed the situation and continued 'cashing up' (today it didn't take long). It's funny, you can tell when a sale is on the horizon. They were just searching for places to stay out of the rain. Switching the lights off soon got rid of them.

Angus Ambassador's Thingy

So, I see from yesterday's Courier that we have not made the short leet for the Angus Ambassador's Award Thingy. Nevermind, isn't it the taking part? Magnanimous we shall be and offer our sincerest congratulations to those who have been chosen for the 'finals'.

Maybe we should not have bombarded the judging panel with both submissions and that box of carmel wafers? Overkill?

Hey Ho.

Apart from the Angus Ambassador's Rejection Thingy I've had a great day.

a) Been up Glen Clova in glorious sunshine waving a flag.
b) Enjoyed al fresco coffee, crumbed ham sandwiches, 'light' crisps, and a carmel wafer.
c) Fell asleep on a hill in the glorious sunshine.
d) Bought 20% off taps for IKEA sink which doesn't have a tap hole.
e) Spoke to Aileen and she didn't mention the rent.
f) Had an Aussie burger, minus beetroot slices, in Roo's Leap
g) Successfully bought sanitory ware online.
h) and a cooker hood.
i) Working in the shop with Joan tomorrow.

Sue is a Shining Star in the Angus Crafts Galaxy

Many thanks Sue for opening and holding the 'fort' on Saturday. You are indeed a fine woman. Although the rest of us gave plausible excuses for unavailability, the truth is, we were off on a coach trip to the 'Dancing Waters' in Newtonmore.

Well done Catherine!!!!!

Catherine, part-time waitress in Cafe Dun, has been awarded the Lord Lieutenant of Angus Award for being an all round good ATC egg and fabulous young person. She was presented with her certificate by the Lord Lieutenant of Angus, Georgiana Osborne at ATC HQ last night. In describing Catherine's wonderful achievements as an ATC cadet and human being, one phrase I noted with a smile.....'sensibly opinionated for her age'. Cafe Dun rubs off I see. Well done Catherine, I was mightily impressed!

Auchmithie

Today has not been the best of days for me but I did spend some time on the beach at Auchmithie. Although it's less than 12 miles away, It's the first time I've been there. It's a beautiful place.

Well, this is my first attempt at posting on this blog. It probably won't work though, so no sweat! I have spent 8 hours working today, and it is Saturday, when some people would take a day off. Not me though, my customers don't know a rest day even if it jumps out and hits them. I was hoping for a call from the craft shop to tell me my most expensive chair had sold, but once again I am disappointed. Never mind, back to work!

Night Golf

Aileen called me today to say that two visitors in the shop had commented favourably on my photo cards and bought a couple. However, they added that they thought some of my titles were 'inappropriate'. I shall take heed of their musings and act accordingly. Maybe I should have labels on them stating 'This card has been deemed INAPPROPRIATE!' I reckon sales would increase. Aileen also mentioned that I hadn't paid my rent this month. She possibly just made up that bit about the visitors to ease the conversation into the really important bit.

I had an interesting assignment this evening. It was to photograph 'night golf'. Here are the 'night golfers' before tee-off. I've cropped the luminous balls.

It's confirmed - I can blog!

At last I have managed to get on to blog with the rest of you. I has only taken me three days to overcome the "error" messages and finally get ON. Don't know what I'll do now I'm hear so I'll just watch and see what you lot do!

Christmas Craft Fairs

8 and 9 November at Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort
Saturday 10.30am - 5.00 pm
Sunday 11.30 am - 6.30 pm

15 and 16 November at Perth Concert Hall
Saturday 10.00 am - 5.00 pm
Sunday Noon - 5.00pm

Courier Copy

At the recent A.G.M. of Angus Crafts Association held in Letham Village Hall. A large number of members turned out to support the Association and took advantage of the opportunity to network with other crafters. Steve Davidson was elected Chairperson and commented,” The aim of the association is to promote and foster contemporary and traditional crafts within Angus and this year we would like to be more involved with the wider community, especially the younger people who may like to know more about traditional crafts.We hope to have regular demonstrations in the Craft of Angus Showcase & Shop at the House of Dun where some of our members are retailing their crafts.”

Steve runs his one man business, Western Isles Decorative Glass, designing and installing traditionally crafted stained glass for doors, windows, walls and ceilings. He also creates and designs stained glass mirrors, driftwood mirrors and driftwood clocks. The driftwood he collects and carries from the remotest parts of the Western Isles, most times in a rucksack as the only way to get there and back is on foot.

With a passion for ‘keeping it local’, Steve was instrumental in getting the Crafts of Angus Showcase and Shop off the ground. Members of the Angus Crafts Association took up the challenge to open the shop in the prestigious setting at the House of Dun. The old stable block has been transformed into a showcase and shop for some of the beautiful local crafts. Visitors are able to choose from contemporary and designer jewellery, ceramics, fine embroidery & needlework, cards, chair cane seating, felt hats & Bags, wooden items of all shapes and sizes, wrought iron work, painted glass, hand painted suncatchers, stained glass and decorative mirrors, photographic prints, and an extensive range of fanciful gifts.

“I can often be found behind the counter in the craft shop, taking my turn on the rota”, says Steve,” “Customers like to talk to the people who make the crafts and I enjoy talking about my work.”

The Crafts of Angus Showcase and Shop can be found in the old stables at the House of Dun, along side Cafe Dun. For more information about joining the Angus Crafts Association contact the membership secretary on Tel: 01307 466297

Well done!

Well done to whoever orchestrated our little press rlease. Nice picture of Steve and nice write-up too. Keep up the good work.
I was spreading the word to the Forfar Ladies Luncheon Club today. Hopefully, a few of them will be trekking up to our shop at House of Dun to buy lots of Christmas gifts!

Hello - well I think I've done it!!

I hope this is a reply to the blog we'll see if it appears, not sure if I'll remember how to get back in though.

Thought there would have been more comment here by now.

I still have to master the Wikki thingy! will work on that next.
Tessa

Ha, Ha, Ha!!!

Now I can write posts in this blog, too!!!!

Hello All, this is Maura, the ACA secretary and the only other member of the ACA committee who already has a Blogger account apparently. Oh wait a minute - where are you, Rhi?

Team Blog

I've found out how to turn this Blog into a 'team blog' and have just invited the members of the committee to become joint authors (sorry Linda and Janet P I don't have your e-mail addresses). Hopefully we can extend it to all members in the future? I've also changed the title to include our logo.......food for thought there eh?

If you're a crafter from outwith Angus, Scotland and you've Googled here, stumbled, whatever here, please get in touch to share ideas and globally gossip. We'd enjoy hearing from you.

At the shop

'In less than 3 years a small group of dedicated Angus Crafts Association members have taken a dusty, cobwebby, forgotten storeroom and created a unique and vibrant enterprise. By renovating the old Stable Block at the House of Dun we have not only created a modern retail environment but also pulled together as a team and become a strong and dynamic independent crafting cooperative. Each person continues to volunteer their specialist skills for a mutually beneficial purpose.

The result of our team effort is the Crafts of Angus Showcase and Shop – a gallery of locally-produced, handmade items entirely staffed and run by the makers of the products available on the shelves. Where each of us would fail individually, together we have succeeded in creating a profitable and unique enterprise of which we are all justifiably proud.'

This is part of our submission to Angus Council for their 'Angus Ambassadors Scheme'. It also summarises what the shop is.......and that's where I was today. We take turns of manning the till and being shopkeepers for a few days a month. House of Dun is a National Trust for Scotland property and attracts a fair number of visitors from all over the World. Today, they must have found somewhere else to go.

But I'm not complaining, the carrot, corriander and ginger soup, followed by a cake from the Table of Temptation of Cafe Dun made my day. Janet McF and I also had a grand chat about future press releases, what was on offer at the Table of Temptation, and we also had time to sort out the World's financial crisis. So, what a day we had!

Soon, I hope to turn this blog into a'team blog' but I'll need to find out how to do it.