Craft Fairs so far

Here are our Craft Fairs for the coming year.

13 and 14 March Letham Spring Craft Fair in Letham Village Hall

10 and 11 July Glamis Castle Transport Extravaganza

6 and 7 Nov Christmas Craft Fair in Reid Hall, Forfar

14 Nov Christmas Craft Fair in Pert Concert Hall

A summer craft fair is also planned for St Andrews.....details soon.

Yours truly - has been

It is good to report that the House of Dun Christmas Craft Fair was a roaring success despite the weather. So much so, that an Easter Craft Fair is now being planned for Sunday 4 and Monday 5 April featuring an Easter Bunny Trail. I wonder who the Easter Bunny will be? Suggestions please!

I shall furnish you with details of other up and coming ACA Craft Fairs as soon as they are confirmed.

On the Enterprise 'link' front, the magical Tessa Mendez was invited to judge a hat competition at Arbroath High School, the fabulous Janet Mcfarlane was in contact with Birkhill Primary School about Christmas crafts, and yours truly has been asked to present a number of workshops at a Kirriemuir Primary Schools Cluster careers day in March. ACA is in demand. 'Has been' can just about be read two ways.

Our Christmas tree is up but the lights are scattered around the floor. As usual none work. It seems to me that every year we buy new lights. Maybe we should just bin the lot every year instead of storing in the loft to be binned the following year. I'm sure this could be applied to many things. Like electrical tape, tweezers, sticky labels, reading glasses, all of which I spend days of my life looking for. I also lose the cats now and again. The thing about cats tho' is, they're never lost.

Through the lovely Cheryl, I met up with thrill seekers Suzy and Kay this week. They're off to Antartica (sic) in February, and having just bought new DSLRs, wanted some tips on how to use them. I advised them to keep the dial on 'auto' and sit near the window in the saloon bar. Advice and life can be simple at times. They were an engaging and enthusiastic pair and I look forward to their slideshows of penguins and icebergs.

Enjoy your Christmas.

CRAP?

The ACA Christmas Craft Fair in Perth Concert Hall last Sunday attracted more than three and a half thousand customers to over fifty stalls. Brisk trading was evident throughout and everyone was happy. Can't ask for much more than that then can we? These two splendid Elves enticed the public into the hall with fliers, a certain je ne sais quoi, and a fine pair of tights. It was good of Santa to allow them out for the day at what must be a busy time for him.
PS It is unfortunate Steve that you cropped the photo and left half the sign in. I think your eye must have been too much on the Elves. The Elves have now left the building.

'Aye, it's a cold day.'

Was it ever light today? Energy levels were also low in the old stable block. Eleven brave souls ventured up to the HoD CofA Emporium and two purchased. Walter will be well pleased and Janet just a little. So it was worthwhile to while away part of my life at the counter of potential delight. Visits from Morag and Ian brightened the day and Bernard popped in to say he was moving his shop into town. Good luck to Bernard with his venture. I did enjoy Cafe Dun's soup which was delivered on a tray. I really needed something to heat me up. I mentioned to one customer how cold it felt. 'Well, it is November,' he replied brusquely. What's happened to the art of weather conversation?

So, how did things go in Perth crafterchums?

Does anyone read this?

Good wishes to all who are participating in the Christmas Craft Fair at Perth Concert Hall later to'mo'. On the eve of this grand event I feel a little sad that I have opted out. Nevermind I shall man the shop at House of Dun and sparkle for the few who will visit. If it's a day like today I'll be on my ownsome.
It was good to see a mention for us on STV on Friday. I agree Joan that it was 'fleeting' but hey, as they say, it was 'quality' fleeting.

Tonight's soundtrack has been the Foo Fighters.

Does anyone read this?

Bah humbug the next Fair is........

The ACA's next Christmas Craft Fair is at Perth Concert Hall this Sunday, 22 November, between 10.00 am and 5.00 pm, when over fifty crafters from all over the UK will be in attendance. Sad to say I will not be there for the fun. I will be manning the shop at House of Dun, which is open every weekend up until Christmas. Furthermore, there will be no Christmas music playing in the shop this Sunday! Maybe one of the Irregulars and followers of this Blog will post a report on the Perth 'gig'.

Kingennie Reflection

I used to define success as scoring from a corner.
Nowadays, I'm a little more circumspect although still slightly confused about most things. On Friday, I thought that the point of having a stall at a Craft Fair was to make a few bob and gleefully count the takings at the end of the day. It's now Sunday and I think I'm a wiser man. The 'takings' at Kingennie over the two days would just about cover a Tikka Massala, Korma, Lamb Bhuna and a coupla Nans from the Indian Cottage, so no sign of a yacht on the horizon there. However, I am a richer man for the time spent with some special people in a superb setting(the light over the 'dub' was stunning). The vibe from working alongside the ACA Irregulars is priceless and it's a pleasure to spend time among them. They know who they are so no naming names but I will mention some new crafterchums who added to the mix. There was Mandy from 'Snugglefluff Angels' Snugglefluff Angels Diana with her stylish silver jewellery diana king jewellery Roy and Pat of 'Gallowglass'Gallowglass and the good folks from Roslin and 'Heatherbelle'.
Now at this point, the wonderful Agnes will be wondering why she hasn't had a mention. Well here it is. Agnes and Mo of 'Cobweb Crafts' were our neighbours over the two days and finer neighbours would be hard to find. It's amazing how well you can get to know folk very quickly. I reckon it's the 'Blink' factor..... you just know. Agnes and Mo were great fun and easy to hang out with and we hope to see them again sometime. It was good to meet Mo's Mum and Dad too! Behind me, Linda kept me in order and was good company on the Saturday despite her queasiness. Her substitute, Kirsty, did a sterling job on the Sunday and I enjoyed our session of 'blue sky thinking' and our mutual dislike of Christmas music.

Hopefully these new crafterchums will continue their association with ACA and soon become fully fledged 'ACA Irregulars'. My apologies again to Bertie for describing her Saturday dress sense as 'drab' but compared to the blast of colour which was the Fabulous Ms Tessa Mendes, it was. Now, Sunday was a different matter........ and a different outfit. Young Bertie Girl was all shimmering and sparkling and I post a photo to prove it. I think everyone benefited from your Sunday effort Bert.

Many thanks to all!

Spirited Women

What an enjoyable day! A sprinkling of new faces joined the ACA Irregulars among the ranks of crafting tables at Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort with hope....... and a smile for the prospective customers who had made the effort to cross-country it to Kingennie. Ok, so the crowds did not push and elbow to view the goods, and crush barriers were held in reserve, but my humble evaluation would contend that trade was 'steady'.
I was met in the car park with Sue at 8.00 am which was a pleasant surprise. Interestingly, the early arrivals had already set up the evening before! Bertie Girl was cutting it fine with a 9.30 arrival for a ten o'clock start. She said she had to move the rabbit hutch out of the car before she could load up.
Seemed reasonable and believable. Bertie Girl also won the prize for assembling the tallest stall.
Have I mentioned spirited women before? Well, there were a few there today. Maybe the SFA should appoint a female National Football coach.
Back for more tomorrow.

Too old for capers.

So are we set up nicely for Kingennie tomorrow? I think so. It's a wonderful venue and a fine place to spend time in. Steve had organised the tables and labelled them when I arrived earlier. A few crafters had chosen to set-up Friday rather than have a very early start tomorrow. The atmosphere was of a lull before a hoped for storm. Saying that, the weather forecast is not good over the week-end. Good job we have Joan to brighten our spirits. I hope to be there for 8.00 am tomorrow morning to meet and greet. That means an early morning again! Today I was on the road at 6.15 am. I'm too old for this caper.

Coming Your Way Soon

Fifty-two days to Christmas. It's countdown time. Some folks trail High Streets, some trawl the internet, others don't bother and let others do it for them. So far I've bought two gifts....both for the same person. It could have been three but by this morning I'd forgotten what the huge hint was that she dropped last night. I'm sure it will come back to me. Hopefully by Christmas Day when she'll remember and see that it's not there. I thought this might have helped nudge the memory but it hasn't.
So, the crafting world reaches a crescendo in November with Christmas Craft Fairs taking place in every spare space. ACA are running two splendid affairs at Kingennie Country Resort, near Monifieth, and in Perth at the Concert Hall. Here's the details;

Kingennie Country Resort - Saturday 14 November 1o.30 - 5.00
and Sunday 15 November 11.00 - 4.30

Perth Concert Hall - Sunday 22 November 10.00 - 5.00

Admission is FREE to both

What a grand way to do your Christmas shop. No hustle and bustle of High Street shops, no uncertainty of the internet, just wholesome trading in the traditional way with the person who made the product.

My choice of listening - The Editors ' In This Light and On This Evening'
Steve Earle 'Townes'

Determined to Succeed

Good grief it's been nearly two months since I reported back. So much has happened that I've forgotten most of it. Yesterday, which I can remember some of, took me to the David Lloyd Tennis Centre near the Ashludie roundabout, where I spoke to a roomful of Enterprise Coordinators from Angus Cooncil. They were actually teachers charged with encouraging enterprise education and Determined to Succeed. As Vice-Chairman of ACA, yep I got that job while I was away in Berlin, I tried to kick off a business partnership between ourselves and local schools. I think it went quite well. Tomorrow, as part of this initiative, m ,,,,,,,,,,, (Charlie climbed on to the keyboard), Mike Kaye and I meet with staff at Forfar Academy to see how he can help with a project there. This is the first.


There are now no tables available for Kingennie Craft Fair on the 14 and 15 November which is pleasing. Still some available for Perth on the 22 November but hopefully they're going fast. Tomorrow a committee meeting will reflect on these two events and make final adjustments. (Charlie has gone to sleep on the keyboard. I can't click on th...)


Sue is our new Chair (Which is apt. No doubt she'll weave her charms as she does her cane), Tessa is the new secretary (but comes with no agenda), Sheenagh continues as Treasurer,( we're indebted ) and the committee is the same multifarious bunch of ACA Irregulars.

This evening I have been invited to the 'launch' of the Montrose RNLI Cookbook by the Montrose Lifeboat Guild. I did some photies for them. But what does a chap like me need a cookbook for when a tasty Beef Bourgogne was thrown together for the tea tonight. I kinda think it's a waste of good wine tho'.

btw. I can thoroughly recommend a few days in Berlin if you have the notion for a city break. A fair amount of stuff to see and do, lots of history, great transport system, fine beer and a good jazz scene.

.... and another thing.

....and another thing. I've happened upon 'Shared Access Radio' on digital radio this evening. The station broadcasts volunteer radio stations in the Tayside area. Now, having been involved with volunteer radio in the past and having been 'sacked' from one station, my opinion of their output is not high. In fact some of it should not be allowed to be broadcast. However I'm listening to a chap from Perthshire playing the best alternative country 'back to back' I've ever heard on a radio station. Maybe he'll say who he is soon ( Roddy Fullerton). 'R*A' should listen in and learn.


Charlie and Theo have had complaints laid at our door from three neighbours so far. They say they can't open their doors or they come in. Well, they're friendly pussies.

Hampden Park beckons tomorrow for hopefully a positive result. If I had a pound for every time I'd hoped for a positve result..........

How posh have I got recently?

So what's been happenin'? - Keeping up a Blog is a tough job. The big news this weekend is the projected arrival of Maura's chicks. You can see them arrive at
http://www.mycampage.com/adventuresineggland

'Eggsciting' but not compulsive viewing I would hazard. It would be better if the action was speeded up. Then we could see them bursting into the world with blood and spit flying. Now, some would pay to see that!

I had a busload of Londoners in the shop this week. They bought face cloths!

Was invited to photograph the wonderful Courtney Pine at Arbroath's Webster Theatre recently. Of course the music was at times challenging, but that's always the case with Mr Pine. The 'list' ranged from 'mellow' to rumbustious with a sprinkling of standards through both sets. The gloriously gifted saxman played soprano saxophone and bass clarinet all evening and was engaging in conversation as ever. It's the first jazz gig I've ever attended where the audience were encouraged to clap along with the groove, bounce up and down, and join in 'In a Mellowtone' with voice. Not for the purists I suspect, but I loved it.

Another week-end, our near clapped out Vectra was loaded up for an outdoor life and we headed over the Lecht towards Beauly and the 'Tartan Hearts Festival' at Belladrum. Weather could not have been better for a jamboree of great music and fun. Bands were a fine mix of genres and too many good ones to mention. However, my top five were the Treacherous Orchestra, Broken Records, De Votchka (maybe the red shoes helped), Ocean Colour Scene and the fabulous Glen Tillbrook and the Fluffers. Ta to Carolyn, Roddy, the boys, Fraser, Neil and the wonderful Michelle as 'Nancy'. I've posted some pics on www.myspace.com/gable_endphotography and also www.flickr.com/photos/basontheslates/

Letters are out for our up and coming Craft Fairs. It was a traumatic experience standing in Tesco photocopying 100's of sheets of invites. A queue formed and faces wrinkled 'How long are you going to be?' It was at lunchtime too. I'm not doing that again. Had to deliver some to Sue. She said to leave them in her horse box!!!! I've arrived! I know a woman who has a horse box! I was instructed to leave them in the 'groom's door'. How posh have I got recently?

Let me introduce to you........

ACA has been a-buzzin' recently with admin and organising craft fair stuff but I've had other things on my mind. Thanks to Bertiegirl and the Cats Protection League (which is one up from the Third Division) Theo and Charlie have come into my life. In truth, they have come more into Missahs S's life as she has taken the role of 'Cat Mother'. She is pummelled to death at the end of the day as she tries to watch 'Newsnight'. Charlie is a lovely boy puss who captures the camera lens with ease. Unlike 'Bird' , who he's named after, he's not a great improviser and is a bit of a 'wuss'. Theo on the other hand is a fine exponent of boldness, individuality and 'devil me care' which fits her 'Monk' tag.
We've let them out of the house and worry about the other side of the fence.

Maybe we all worry about the other side of the fence too much.

'The Greatest Show on Earth!'

According to my special informant, it's been warm and sunny at T in the Park today. That's probably why they got a bigger crowd than us at the 35th Vintage Wheelie Thingies Extravaganza Jamboree at Glamis Castle where the rain was intermittent but determined. There's nothing like challenging weather to bring out the little eccentricities in us. Travelling west to Glamis this early morning with wipers a-slappin', a 'soft-top' in front had the top down! Maybe she couldn't find the switch that retracted it, maybe it was stuck and she was driving it to the nearest car roof fixer, or maybe she was just nuts.

We were a little late in arriving this morning and were grateful to P&J (Peter and Joan whom they named the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre after) for finding the leakage that had occurred overnight and also finding a solution. The solution was all over our table, dripping seamlessly into puddles from the seams in the marquee roof. Good job my stuff was stored under the table. Peter kindly offered to move his lathe, which is not a phrase I have ever typed before, to allow my table to be moved under a non poriferous area of roof canvas. Many thanks to the Fordycii and of course the lovable wee Shitsu, Alfie.

Oh, but today was a better day saleswise. Not fabulous, but better than yesterday and afforded us two beef curries with fried rice, and two pints of lager when day was done. The downpours encouraged visitors into the tent where they circled dressed in eccentric wellies, cowboy hats, pac-a-macs, rainmates, and really bad haircuts which had nothing to do with the weather. As the day wore on, the scene in the tent reminded me more and more of the circus, 'Roar of the crowd, smell of the tractor grease'. Ah, but there were a few wonderful exceptions! It was spooky meeting the Mum of Chicken Mistress, a lovely lady, to see what the aforementioned Chicken Mistress will look like in a few years (ignore aforementioned - this is not a solicitor's blog). I had to shout at Ellen to take notice of my stall, she was wearing fetching sunglasses as she cruised past, and it was good to shoot the breeze in a different context. She is my GP's receptionist and I know her too well. A family from Iowa admired my stuff and we chatted about Stateside places which was fine apart from the fact I was eating a melting ice cream cone. I guess the daughter would have preferred playing with the wee Shitsu, Alfie, tho'. Alfie the Shitsu was once again dog of the show. Someone even asked to have their picture taken with him!!!!! My stall was more times than not ignored in favour of a stroke of Alfie. Next year I'm bringing a zebra with me. Mind you, Bobby Roberts, of circus fame, gets some very bad press about allowing Maureen, a fifty year old elephant, to be snapped with youngsters who pay for the privilage. I would ask for zebra 'donations'. A zebra would put Alfies light at a peep and would certainly bring a different load of shitzu into the tent.

All in all, the 35th Glamis Castille Motor Rally vintage Thingymebob Circus was a wonderful couple of days of crafter camaraderie, chuminess, comradeship and sociability and I thank the ACA Irregulers and their hangers-on for the 'Greatest Show on Earth' experience. Looking forward to next year, different circus, same clowns!

Alfie! We love YOU!!!!!! (ye wee shitsu)

'What's it all about Alfie?'

Metaphorically, this morning was a very long Tom Waits song. The afternoon's tempo was upped slightly levelling to a slow dirge. Not only Alfie had a hang dawg expression.
The 'footfall' in the ACA tent was, as always, in the hundreds, possibly even thousands. The good people who attend the 'Scottish Transport Extravaganza' certainly traipse the ACA Craft Tent with good intention and many of the Irregulars did very well ( Bertiegirl is going out to buy a cashbox on Monday) and that is good. If trade at my stall had been appalling I would have been pleased. It was worse than that. 'What's it all about Alfie?'

A gentleman strode into the marquee with confidence, aplomb, and came straight to my table. ' Ah!' he said scanning my wares, 'You sell framed photographs?'
I replied, 'Yes I do?' with a not too pleading look.
'I'm looking for paintings.' he said.
I directed him to The Meffan.

As we reflected on the road home to fish suppers, an empty house, and the prospect of constructing a 'Closing Down Sale' banner and selling the car, life is not all about profit. No, no, no, it's about spending time with friends, even those who pass by ignoring you, at least you saw them. It's the spirit lifting attitude of the ACA Irregulars who laugh in the face of not breaking even while Bertiegirl searches for a calculator. It's a learning experience. As the Hopi say, 'Teaching should come from within instead of without'.

So here's the TOP Ten list of things to be thankful for today at Glamis;
1) Hamburger at lunch time with cheese.
2) Meeting Alison, Rebecca, Pat, Alana, Sarah, Jenny, Mary, Stacie and Anna.
3) Watching Leona and Pauline pass by.
4) The uplifting spirit of the ACA Irregulars (particulary Sheena Georgina).
5) Bertiegirl sharing her chips.
6)
7) The upset, exotic and extravagant Tessa Mendez forgave me for a misplaced comment.
8) The sun shone at T in the Park.
9) I wasn't at T in the Park.
10) Alfie

But as Tom says, 'You gotta hold on.'

I attach a rather poor photo of a very attractive nine week (?) old Shitsu, Alfie. What's it all about?

'Hello Glamis!'

At the exit gate of the '34th Scottish Transport Extravaganza' at Glamis Castle, a Kirrie man was heard to remark,' No sae many fowk here this year.'
'We clashed wi 'T in the Park' replied the Steward.

On the eve of the '35th Scottish Transport Extravaganza' at Glamis Castle I see 'T in the Park' has already begun with the 'Yeah, Yeah, Yehs', Franz Ferdinand, Idlewild, and headlining......'The Kings of Leon'!!! Ooooooooh. In response, the Angus Craft Association Craft Tent at Glamis Castle offers woodturning, jewellery, felt stuff, greetin' cards, ......and eh.

The rock chicken maiden secretary of ACA sold her T in the Park tickets cuz of a weddin'. How middle aged is that!!

But I'm ahead of myself. The Farfar Craft Fair was a slow starter, came on to a good game, then Peter'd oot. No matter tho', I met some fine people. Madeleine and her Mum from long ago, a handful of Australian women who were at a loose end while their husbands played cricket in a local field, the exotic Arlene (one of my top five nurses whose website I promise to visit), Helen, and it was good to see Janet. I think it's worth another go but of course that will be a committee decision.

So here we are, the night before 'The 35th Scottish Transport Extravaganza' at Glamis Castle, the stage is set, and we're about to take it. 'Hello Glamis!'

Up and Coming ACA Craft Fairs

This Sunday, as part of Forfar Gala Week, ACA are hosting a Gala Craft Fair in the Reid Hall 10.30 am - 4.30 pm. The ACA Irregulars should be out in force.

Then, on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 July, ACA have a craft marquee pitched at the Glamis Castle Vintage Car Extravaganza where we showcase our crafts and enjoy the days. It's always a good family day out.

Yesterday I represented the ACA at a reception hosted by Angus Council Education Department and 'Determined to Succeed' in the Carnoustie Golf Hotel. In the coming school year ACA hope to become more involved with local schools to promote an enterprising culture and create school and community networks. Enterprising caps will need to be donned.

Word of the day - Extravagant

Weatherwise it was poor today. 'Chilly for June' some would say and they would be right. Thirty - odd customers in the shop. That's the number not an observation on personalities. I always enjoy meeting the people from upstairs. This week they're from Edinburgh. Last week the family was from Prestwick. Who will be lodging in the flat next week I wonder. Did you know that a journal of residents recommendations and moans is kept. Seemingly, one ex-resident complained that there was no tea cosy! They should try a winter campervan holiday in NZ!

To-day's good news is that Bertiegirl sold a purse (there's irony there somewhere) and the gloriously extravagant Ms Tessa Mendez sold a couple of silk cards, what else! How wonderful it must be to have a name like Tessa Mendez. It sounds, well, 'gloriously extravagant'.

I had Art Pepper with me today. Had to turn down the volume tho' when Art was in his full improvisational element. I'm aware that it doesn't appeal to all.

The car's goin' well after last week's mechanical extravagance.

Tutti-Frutti

It 's been a busy week. New tyres, new exhaust, adjustment to tracking, adopted as 'senior' events co-ordinator with Sultry Sue and Bertiegirl as sidekicks. WOO-Ahhhh! This is too, too much for an old man. Never in my whole life have I ever uttered 'WOO-Ahhhh!' audibly. What a fantastic thing is this www. I can 'WOO-Ahhh!' to my hearts content and no one, woo-ah, no-one can hear me.

A-whop-bang-aloola, a wop bang boom!