Gallery closing

It is with some sadness but gladness too that I make the announcement that The Black Rock Gallery will be closing it's doors in Newtonmore in mid February 2014.  My family and I are relocating to live in Thurso and will be moving in the coming months.  Sad to be moving away but glad to be moving nearer my home town.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every person who has entered the gallery to say hello, have a look around, those who have bought something big or small, those who have commissioned me to make something special for them and those who have trusted me to repair their favourite possessions! Those of you who have come to one of my workshops and spent the day with me, I can safely say it has been a pleasure spending time with you who have taken the plunge to try something new and discovered you are able to make things out of metal when you thought it would be difficult!

What I have found in this last year is that it is so important to show your support for local businesses; a phrase that is banded about a lot, so much so that we don't register it anymore; but even just by popping in to say hello and look around is a huge boost for someone who takes the risk of setting up a new business and appreciates the support. It may be a place that you don't think is relevant to you but I know that I am now more aware of using the facilities that are on offer locally. I personally notice who comes in to the gallery and especially those who visit more than once and for that reason I am happy to give more discounts and extra work for those people, I'm sure this is the case with other businesses too!

It is my intention to continue on in some form or other with The Black Rock Gallery when we relocate to Thurso, but for the moment I am concentrating on making the website more user friendly. Those of you who have still to use your workshop tokens - I have two spaces available on Wednesday 29th January, other than that you can contact me to book a day between now and mid February, if you can't manage before then, I am happy to refund you your token value if you post the token back to me, please email me first to get the postal address.

Spying for Stags by Glyn Satterley

Black and White mounted or framed photographs taken by acclaimed photographer Glyn Satterley will be in the gallery soon.  'Heather Burning', 'Stalkers Burden', 'Practising Piper', 'Spying for stags' and 'Returning Home Lochmore' are titles that will feature soon.

New work by Hannah Louise Lamb

 

Beautiful new work just in by Hannah Louise Lamb Jewellery.  Hannah has kindly designed an exclusive ring for the gallery, similar to her popular coast ring.  This one uses the horizon of the surrounding mountains around Newtonmore, including Creag Dubh to create a continuous line.  The two rings fit together - one matt and one shiny creating a lovely contrast.  At the moment only two of these ring sets exist in different sizes which makes them pretty much a unique present for someone special!  I have still to photograph the rings with the mountains behind but for now they are situated on the top shelf of the cabinet at eye level for customers to admire the detail.

Commissioning for christmas

If you'd like to give someone something unique and personal for Christmas; how about a wire picture created from your kids drawing! Usually kids drawings can fade when left out in the daylight, they dry up and become crinkled then they have to be put away in a drawer for ever more.  I know how special these pictures are, our house has a large bundle of pictures that will never be thrown out and would benefit from a nice display.
This picture was drawn by my son Sam and is called Granny's House, it is exactly like the drawing apart from the fact that I chose to not include some of the background as the wire would have become invisible. It's a special picture and I still love looking at it, it has the extra benefit that it will never fade!

Corrour Bothy at Lairig Ghru

Corrour Bothy is arguably Scotland's most popular bothy as it's location is on the Lairig Ghru route.  A cute wee house that was enjoyable to make.  I've used ironwire, hand printed paper and handmade paper to create this picture and am just about to get it made into coasters.

Changes at the gallery

I've been making a few changes in the gallery to prepare for new stock coming this Autumn on the run up to Christmas.  Along with new pictures of my own, I'll be exhibiting work of new and established makers after the holidays so keep an eye out for news on this blog!

This lovely bobble hat has been lovingly handknitted by Fiona Young from Laggan.  The wool is 2-ply Shetland wool handspun by Fiona's daughter which makes it extra special

Welcome to Scotland website

Hi folks! If you've been to my gallery or attended a workshop I'd be really grateful if you could take a moment to visit the Welcome to Scotland website to rate my business.  Please click on this link

http://www.welcometoscotland.com/things-to-do/attractions/museums-and-galleries/aviemore-cairngorms/the-black-rock-gallery

Thank you!

Lucy Levenson @ the gallery

Exciting announcement today - the gallery will be stocking fellow Country Living Kitchen Table Talent winner - Lucy Levenson's work this Autumn! This will include handstitched Cushions, Giclee prints, makeup bags and more. Lucy has been making new work with Highland Cows, stags and other lovely stuff, can't wait to see it.

Coasters

This wee bird is the first in a line of pictures that are to be made into coasters.  I've sold the first batch of 20 so have ordered plenty more in time for christmas :)

New work made at the beginners workshop

The doming block seems to be a popular tool at the silversmithing workshop! The top necklace was made by a lady from New Zealand who wanted something oxidised, as all silver jewellery in New Zealand turns black sooner or later! The back of it has a lovely lined texture using ribbon through the rolling mill.  The second picture was by two friends who wanted to make something similar to remind them of there day at the workshop!