Just to update our customers and friends. (This coming) Saturday the 8th of December Slate & Nature will be at the Hexham Christmas Fair (Beaumont street).

Being a small producer and the unprecedented demand made that we had to fight the elements to satisfy our customers. Winter has made its entry and with constant temperatures below zero, the workshop is still freezing. Stored slate was quickly used up meaning that outside slate needed to be picked, which was only possible in big blocks including the surrounding frozen garden. First this had to be defrosted with boiling water before Gerard could ‘write’ on them or finally to cut them up. At the moment we continued in ‘night shifting’ the work, to be sure that enough products will be available again at the coming Fair.

We will also be open in the run up to Christmas, whilst Gerard is finishing off all pre- Christmas orders. Coming Sunday the 9th and next week Saturday+Sunday, the 15th/16th December, we will be open. Other days we will also be open, but please ring us first (01434 270331); we also have to do our Christmas shopping and try to avoid you coming at a closed door after going this seasonal weather. We enjoy also to receive you and offer you a coffee/tea or a delicious ‘seasonal treat’!

Come and enjoy our Dutch Chocolates as it is the time to try them out.

Additional info: Mary Ann Rogers her studio will also be open these weekends.                                    Leam Studio, West Woodburn, Northumberland NE48 2SE                                                  t: 01434 270216  e: info@marogers.com

Cottage industry demands for production into the late hours! Luckily in front of our warm range, it enables Gerard to produce, with bitter freezing temperatures outside. After cutting the frozen slate in boiling water, dipping his hands in a bucket of warm water, he finally came into the house to clean & finish off the products. Tomorrow the phone will ring again; no problem, of course we can deliver!

Slate & Nature Open Christmas (2nd) weekend – Saturday & Sunday 1st and 2nd of December at our studio; we’ll be open from 11-5pm.

You will be welcomed with our special Dutch Chocolate treat.  If you are looking for an unusual or personal gifts – from bird boxes, bird tables, feeders to plant pots, vases or even mirrors you will find it at our studio, all  made from environmentally friendly and reclaimed slate. Gerard will personalize your gift by engraving it with your message, name or quote.

Saturday the 8th of December we will be at the Hexham Christmas Market.
Other days our studio will be open most days, until Christmas! But please give us a ring first to make sure we are in (we also have to do some Christmas shopping!)                 Telephone 01434 – 270331.

Less than a mile from us; Mary Ann Rogers her studio is also open this weekend – and also every Sunday afternoon.
A plethora of lovely things! New paintings, prints, cards and gifts including mary ann rogers phone covers, jigsaws, calendars, diaries, aprons, bags, AND guest local arty crafty people with chocolate, jewellery, quirky textiles, soaps and smellies and beeswax products! Telephone 01434 270216.

Just a small report on our stand at the Wallington Fair, Autumn 2012.

Spectacular weather, couldn’t be better. It meant that many people showed up including whole families, young, old, dogs etc. The atmosphere was  excellent. The organisation was very friendly and helpful. Slate & Nature had a nice spot with plenty of space to show our large portfolio. Our neighbors were Kirkharle Courtyard, where we will be our next stop, starting on Friday 26 – Sat & Sunday 27, 28 of October, and Trunk, from Bellingham, who make the most beautiful products from reclaimed wood.

Jeanette

What a great idea! This photo we received from our friends Val & Dave.

Some time ago they came for a wedding present and look what the happy (ruby!!) couple made from it! The three sizes of plant pots do nicely fit into each other to make a beautiful vertical display; thank you for sharing it with us.

Kind regards, Gerard.

The coming weeks we will be at these events. Our studio will be open on Sundays as usual. Gerard is working hard to make enough products for these events!

Wallington Food & Craft festival: Saturday & Sunday 20th/21st October 2012

Kirkharle Autumn Food, Gift & Craft fair: Friday, Saturday & Sunday 26th/27th and 28th October 2012

The Essence of Christmas – Living North, Gosforth Race course: Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday 1st/2nd/3rd & 4th November 2012

Brocksbushes Christmas Fayre Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday 8th/9th/10th & 11th November ’12

Dacre Hall Christmas Fair at Lanercost Priory near Carlisle Friday, Saturday & Sunday 23rd/24th & 25th November 2012

Slate & Nature Christmas Open Days, West Woodburn  You will be welcomed with a Chocolate treat, look at our new collection of new, unusual and unique gifts. Open from 11am-5pm. Friday, Saturday & Sunday 23rd/24th & 25th November 2012 AND Saturday & Sunday 1st & 2nd December 2012.

Hexham Christmas Fair Saturday 8th December 2012

Slate & Nature received a very nice image of the plant pot in use. Designed to decorate the studio at its opening with beautiful pantsies, our plant pots were quickly used also as candle holders. Proudly presented as a table setting we received this photo from our friends when they had ‘special guests’ over. Thank you David & Janey.

Slate & Nature was given quite a prominent position in the park of Hexham. Directly at the entrance opposite the Queens Hall between two gracefully old trees we were allowed to put up our marquee. As usual with a lot of outdoor products we could show the ‘blending into the green surroundings of the park’ of our feeders and bird boxes. Underneath the improved/new fat ball holder.

The Festival was excellent organized with friendly helpers everywhere, all assisted by enormous sunshine with a wonderful Indian Summer high temperature. A combination that drew a lot of people into the centre of the town, creating a buzzing atmosphere. Activities and stalls started from the old Market Place, passed the Abbey towards the Park; from organic food stalls to several good music groups, entertaining for young and old to craft stalls and a great graceful display of old and classic cars. All locally sourced, made and maintained; something to be proud off.

At our stand we received lots of people, early already a busload from Sussex, touring through Northumberland with the next stop in Alnwick; quickly the stock of fat ball holders & window feeders we took was decimated as coming back was not an option, suggestion as “I can also send it….” was not an option; I want to have it now!

Park activities around us were great; pressing apple juice; not only instructive but also delicious in taste. Bottles weren’t for sale, but I was allowed to come back a second time! The artichoke wine; good but beware of getting tipsy after too many! For the more energetic visitors under us it was possible to make your own fruit juice on a bicycle. Other craft people were there; unfortunately it is impossible to mention them all, but worth mentioning and springs to mind is David Lawson Ceramics, ‘functional and beautiful’ (see also www.davidlawsonceramics.com).

All photo’s were kindly taken by Sue Chapman (from the community partnership); thank you!