The Red Corvid

 

 

 

 

Hi, my name is Kimberli Werner and I am the artist behind The Red Corvid.

I am a paper-cutter who hand cuts animal silhouettes, archaeological aerial trench views, ancient ruins, and whatever else strikes my fancy.  My current line of greetings cards has over 25 different wildlife silhouettes, with over 80 different colour combinations, many incorporating vintage maps in their designs.  I also create paper-cut artwork, inspired by archaeological digs and history, which has been exhibiting in two different galleries this year.

 

I feel like I have travelled a long and winding road to get where I am, although, to be honest, sometimes it felt more like a hedgerow maze. I even crossed an ocean three years ago, to settle in North Yorkshire, where I busied myself trying to figure out the next part of my career path.

 

 

 

Somehow, combining my love of paper, wildlife, textures, and maps resulted in my niche market of hand cut stationery.

 

 

 

 

People are very surprised my work is all hand cut, but that allows me to put my signature on every single piece in the form of the way I cut a layer or silhouette.  I also find that people have very strong reactions to my work. Whether they love or hate a certain animal, and the whys behind it, are always fascinating stories to hear.

 

 

 

I look forward to participating in my first Yorkshire Best show on 9 December. I will be bringing primarily my greetings cards, some Christmas styles, and some animal silhouette artwork.

 

 

Dear Emma

Hello, I'm Cathy from Dear Emma Designs, 

I design and make a small range of home wares and personal accessories using cottons and linens which I then decorate using appliqué and hand free embroidery. My product range varies from fabric bowls and pots to tea cosies, clasp purses and small brooches. I use layers of fabric to build up an image and the results I get from free-hand embroidery provides a sort of sketchiness that helps to enhance my work,

My bird designs have been very popular and I have fine tuned the design over many months, but I also thrive on perfecting new designs and products, the latest being my street scene pictures.

At Yorkshire Best on the 9th December I will be bringing along a good selection of my work!

Maybe something will catch your eye!

Look forward to seeing you at there!

Cathy x

[Vinegar and Brown Paper]



Hi, my name’s Andy Poplar. Here’s a brief history of how I came to be doing what I’m doing now:

1. Advertising creative gets burnt out by the industry.

2. Quits.

3. Becomes stay at home dad

4. Discovers how to etch glass.

5. Sets out to mend his head with [vinegar & brown paper].


16 months later and I’m looking forward to rounding off a frankly amazing 2012 for [vinegar & brown paper] with the Yorkshire Best event on the 9th of December at York Hospitium.

On the [vinegar & brown paper] stall you’ll find a collection of vintage and iconic pieces of glassware, from traditional sweet jars to classic British milk bottles.  All individually etched with a slightly askance view of the world, that hopefully goes to show that even the most ordinary things can reveal extraordinary things if you look at them...

just a little from the side...

with one eye closed!

Hopefully I’ll see you there.  (If you’re passing come and say hello).



Things To Do In Yorkshire #4

Stockeld Park

 

Looking for something Christmassy to do in Yorkshire to get you in the festive mood?

How about Stockeld Park?

 

The Now and Then team had the privilege of being invited to their opening of the Winter Wonderland which is based between Harrogate and Wetherby just off the A661

 

The first thing to test was the maze; it wasn’t too hard to find the way to the focal point of the castle turret but getting out was another story. The maze was cleverly dotted about with different street names such as ‘upside down street’ and ‘absolutely disgraceful avenue’ to keep people entertained…until they were spotted for the 3^rd or 4^th time!

 

 

 

To the left of the maze stands a huge Christmas shop, a Santa’s grotto and Woodland cafe so when you finally escape the maze you can refuel yourself before testing the other activities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockeld Park homes the only artificial Nordic ski trail in the UK; visitors are asked to change to proper ski shoes and attached to skis and poles before setting off around the course whilst viewing the Enchanted Forest (this can be walked on foot if you’d prefer). The forest itself is nestled with illuminated treats such as fairies, unicorns and reindeer's as well as a magical lake which is a must see.

 

 

 

 

Finally visitors can strap on the skates and test their dancing on ice skills with a large real ice rink.

The park is one of the few places that it is really suited the cold dark nights so wrap up warm and go enjoy the Christmas experience!



Welcome To Our Fourth Guest Blogger

Little Bird Studio 22

 

Hello, I'm Caroline

I am a jeweller based near Leeds West Yorkshire, having had a fantastic day at the first Yorkshire Best in York, I'll be returning on the 9th December and I can't wait. It was an absolute pleasure to meet everyone at the Hospitium.

I have recently returned to my first love of silversmithing and jewellery designs after a number of years employed in industry, and have set up a cosy home based workshop which I love. 

 

 

 

 

My work has many facets, being a combination of traditional hand worked metal skills and innovative material development. I don't have a fixed style; my inspiration comes from so many different sources. I start with the story I want to tell, I like taking notes, collecting things, taking hundreds of pictures, and also researching symbols and peculiar details, often I find the incidental detail holds greater interest.  I generally sketch and make models until I get to the final designs. My range has developed into an eclectic mix of styles and now includes some cute plush items. Be sure to visit Yorkshire Best in December for some exciting and exclusive Christmas products!

 

 

More recently I have focused upon 17th century traditional spoon jewellery which interestingly mirrors our 21st century recycling message. Combining old values with new design concept has been a pleasure, check out my cutlery driven jewellery for some old favourites as well as some new ideas. I work in various metals for these from sterling, to copper, to the harder to work steel, but either way it has been a real pleasure to explore and revive such old traditions.

 

 

 

My designs are created with personalisation in mind, from capturing a child's tiny fingerprints in pure silver to hand stamping messages on bangles, rings, and spoons, many of my pieces focus on individual statements. Commissions are always exciting as they bring with them new inspiration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you would like take a look at the current range or have a personal design in mind, I can be contacted via my etsy store

www.etsy.com/shop/LittleBirdStudio22

 

Alternatively why not follow us on facebook for updates and offers

 

www.facebook.com/LittleBirdStudio22

 



Things To Do In Yorkshire #3

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway

 

 

The North Yorkshire Moors boasts some of the most fantastic scenic walks but if you feel like indulging yourself for the day, why not take the steam railway instead?

 

Starting at Pickering, the railway line takes passengers right through to Whitby but not before calling at Levisham, Newton Dale, Goathland and Grosmont


 

 

 

Tickets can be bought as day rovers which gives you the opportunity to get off at each stop and explore the surrounding areas and for an extra £2.50 you can take a bike or a dog on with you – whichever you find the better company on your travels J

We chose the dog on this occasion

 

 

The railway plays host to lots of special events and in the coming months they have a Halloween special, a witches and wizards weekend and a Santa special so why not check out their website for more information as well as the fascinating and in depth history of the railway line itself

 

 

http://www.nymr.co.uk/







Showing The Best Of Yorkshire's Spirit

Coping With The 2012 Floods

 

After two days of heavy rain, thankfully the flood waters in York are now receding.  Amidst all the chaos and devastation, Yorkshire folk have shown true strength and spirit in dealing with the sheer amount of water that we’ve had to deal with this week - showing the best of Yorkshire. 

People walking through York seem fascinated with the water and there’s been some amazing photos taken of the deluge. 

 

One&Other’s website have some from day one of the floods:-

http://www.oneandother.com/articles/york-flooding-in-pictures/

If you follow their Facebook or Twitter they’ve uploaded images. 

 

The York Press also have some startling images on their website here:-

 http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/pics/galleries/floods2012/

The waters even reached as far as the Museum Gardens – very close to the Hospitium, where we held Yorkshire Best last Sunday.  We were very lucky that the rain missed our event by days.  Not just because of the floods, but the sheer amount of travel chaos caused when some of the roads closed, and trains were cancelled.

 

 

York’s flood defences held, but a few homes and businesses were affected by flooding.  However it must be stressed that York remains very much open for business.  The flood waters haven’t dampened our spirits!