Swindon in the Past Lane

Seller number 14 is Tikara’s Trinkets selling miniature, framed, cross stitches; wire and bead jewellery; and dreamcatchers. Tikara says: I create handmade, individual pieces, using a range of materials and textile processes. Handmade dreamcatchers, created with crocheted doilies, coloured wools and glass beads- a perfect gift for any occasion. Quirky, twisted wire, and bead jewellery, for people who like to stand out from the crowd! Miniature, framed, cross stitches, inspired by superheroes and unicorns! Can also be made to order, with a name and design of choice. I enjoy combining traditional and contemporary textile processes, to create beautiful, one-off, items, for both the home and person. For more information see her facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Tikaras.Trinkets/ Meet Tikara at the Women's Exhibition and Craft Sale November 12 1-4pm Christ Church Community Centre.

For more information about the Women's Exhibition and Craft Sale visit the Swindon Suffragette facebook page. Lucky number thirteen is Gill Thomas Art with original art featuring contemporary botanicals and animals – both humorous and pet portraits; greetings cards and prints. Gill told us: I started painting properly about 11 years ago when I joined an evening class to learn how to paint watercolours. One evening the tutor gave me a picture of an anemone to paint and suddenly the flood gates opened - botanical art became my passion! Since then I've attended lots of courses with  professional artists and practised, practised, practised. My preferred media are watercolours and acrylics, on paper, on canvas and on vellum which is very special. My take on the subject is modern and a little bit different which you'll see if you look at the examples in the website  www.gillthomasart.com  I have recently undertaken pet portraits and these are a delight – I know that I’...

Yet another talented craftswoman who will be at the Women's Exhibition and Craft Sale November 12 at the Christ Church Community Centre. Visit the Swindon Suffragette facebook page for more information. Seller number twelve is Dappled Dandy, with upcycled items for the home such as frames and trays, handmade candles in vintage glassware and upcycled furniture, who says: Inspired by 30 years of designing and creating a home for the family, I have now developed into upcycling furniture, and creating one-off pieces, for the home. Using a range of self-taught decorating techniques, I turn old, unwanted pieces into something new and unique, but without losing their individual style. These are pieces I would love in my own home and would be honoured for others to want them in theirs. You can see more by searching facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dappled-Dandy-1130329263657344/

For more information about the Women's Exhibition and Craft Sale visit the facebook page Swindon Suffragette. Poppy Seed Kitchen is our tenth seller providing handmade, bespoke wooden height charts; relaxation gift sets; delicate clay butterfly artwork, and personalised work. Sammi told us: I started Poppy Seed Kitchen after having my first daughter, Poppy, and wanted to spend as much time as I could at home. I left my job in Clinical Trials, moved to Swindon and started Poppy Seed Kitchen as more of hobby than anything else. It’s now become more than a hobby and I love creating bespoke items for families all over the UK and coming up with new and exciting ideas. But more importantly, it has given me the opportunity to take control of my own life and given me a bit of ‘me’ time back. If you can’t make our sale you can buy through etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PoppySeedKitchen…

Latest update on the Women's Exhibition and Craft Sale taking place at Christ Church Community Centre on November 12. The ninth person joining us is Marilyn Trew who will be selling paintings, crafts, decorated stones, plaques and greetings cards. She most recently exhibited her work as part of the Swindon Open Studios. Marilyn says: My inspiration comes from nature, I love colour and form. I like to experiment with different techniques just to test myself! I live in Wiltshire with my husband and I like gardening, reading, walking and seeing other creative folk at work. To see some of her work please visit her website: http://www.marilyntrewart.com/ Stop press: Marilyn may also have some Edith New portraits painted by members of an art class she supports.

So what is The Big Draw? It's  the world's biggest drawing festival from The Campaign for Drawing and on Wednesday it came to the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery courtesy of the artists from Artsite.  Whilst in the art gallery I took the opportunity to talk to the conservators working on more than 30 paintings by Kate Tryon, an American devotee of Richard Jefferies. I was interested to learn that many of the frames were originally gilded but sometime in their history they had been painted over. A similar story to some of the portraits in Lydiard House whose frames received a coat of white paint, which has since turned grey from the smoke from open fires. I very much enjoyed the ceramic exhibition From Where I'm Standing inspired by the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery collection. I found the work by Keith Varney reminiscent of Edmund de Waal's only to be told that SM&AG holds work by this prestigious ceramicist too. Is there no limit to the treasures contained in A...

Our Women's Exhibition and Craft Sale takes place at Christ Church Community Centre on November 12. For more details visit Swindon Suffragette . Here is a brief profile of one of the sellers who is taking part. Witchy Crafty, our eighth seller says: This is the first time that I have ever tried to sell items that I have made. I have been producing art and crochet items for many years now so many in fact that I need to sell some. If my items prove to be popular then I will look into selling more. I’ve lived in Swindon and the Swindon area for over 30 years now. I have three children and am a reasonably active feminist. She will be selling arts and crafts crochet, tea cup candles, jewellery and original art works so do look out for her stall on the 12th November.