Newsletter No3 – December 2022
Hello and welcome to our third newsletter from the forge. You have received this newsletter because at some point I thought you may be interested but as ever if you don’t want to receive these emails you can absolutely unsubscribe (down at the bottom)… but I hope you stay!
In brief the newsletter has information about Christmas opening, our 1 day January sale, the new galleries that we can be found in and our hopes for 2023!
WEDNESDAY 21st DEC – Last Minute Forge opening for Christmas
The forge is open for last minute Christmas Shopping on the 21st December from 1 – 7pm. Elisa the glass artist will be with me so pop in and say hello.
Little Duck Forge, 199 Henderson Road, Southsea, PO4 9 JQ
Squiggle Frames are not just for Christmas
Wreath making seems to be more popular than ever this year and Squiggle Frames make a great base for a Christmas Wreath. They are also great for use through the year to display finds and create your own wall sculpture.
For those of you who have escaped seeing one yet, squiggle frames are wall hanging wreaths hand forged in mild steel and finished with oil and wax. They are a great base for making all sorts of things decorative. I originally designed them as a base for Christmas wreaths but soon discovered that the shape was so pleasing it could be used all round the year as a base for different crafts. Seaside/Coastal Wreaths being very popular.
For inspiration and to share what you have done seek ‘Sqiggle Frames by The friends of Little Duck Forge’ Facebook Page here
New Exhibitions
The Salt Marsh Gallery
In November we delivered outdoor garden sculptures to The Salt Marsh Gallery in Lymington. The gallery is delightful and offers a mix of art, ceramics, sculpture, jewellery, gifts & pieces for the home and garden.
Craft Cabin Chichester
We are also delighted to be involved in a relatively new venture based in Bognor and Chichester. The Craft Cabin Chichester is based in the compound of Manor Nursery Garden Centre. We have a range our sculptures on display in the Craft Cabin Chichester garden and I can be found helping out once a month, I will be there 27th January 2023 if you happen to be passing.
January Sale!
After the great success of our completely under advertised January sale last year Elisa and I will be joining forces again and running a mega January sale in the forge on Saturday 14th January from 11am – 4pm. As anyone who knows me or may have found in the past, I do not do discounts but we have been looking at our stocks and decided it is time to part with some old friends at bargain rates. There will be interesting items such as prototype designs and creations which whilst not making it to mainline products may be something that your life or garden have been seeking. There will also be a stash of pieces that we started and never finished that may catch your attention.
January Sale
Saturday 14th January, 11am – 4pm
Eastney Beam Engine House, Southsea PO4 9JF
New for 2023
2023 will see our first year doing a trade show, we have exhibited in a few galleries over the years but as I was generally working on my own I found it difficult to supply them. Since early 2021 we became a team of 3, the wonderful welder Graham and the able apprentice Martyna joined me in the forge. Initially it was just a couple of days a week but in the last year they increased their hours and I have increased their training. I will add more in future newsletters about their training and blacksmiths opportunities but for today here we are on our Christmas outing in the new yellow van…..
Provisional Event Dates for 2023
2023 dates to be confirmed please check for later updates
- 17 – 29 Jan – Hilliers exhibition with Hampshire Artists Cooperative
- 24-26 – Artisan Made – Trade show
- 21 – 23 April – Firle Place Garden Show
- 27 April – 1 May – Contemporary Craft Fair, RHS Garden Wisley
- 18-21 May – Contemporary Craft Fair, Hever Castle
- 27 May – 10 June – Art in the Garden – North Boarhunt
- 9 – 11 June – Stansted Garden Show
- 15 – 16 July – Hand made Fair – Sussex Prarie Gardens
- 7-10 September – Contemporary Craft Fair, Hever Castle