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!

 

 

gloss black antlers

 

Well the gloss black antlers finally sold this weekend.  I thought, after having them two years that they would never by chosen and would have to be turned into the more 'common' matt white antlers.  To my surprise, I've just looked in this months Red Magazine to find a gloss black set of antlers featured in their home décor pages and I think I may have been ahead of my time!! So, all I need now is for them to feature 23ct gold leafed antlers and that final set may find a home too!

Close dates

The gallery will be closed on Thursday 18th July and will re-open Monday 29th July, sorry for any inconvenience and I look forward to seeing you all soon!

newtonmore primary gaelic class basket weaving exhibition

Showing in the window of the gallery is the beautiful works of art by the Gaelic pupils of Newtonmore Primary School.  Through the Highland Folk Museum, and taught by Elaine Bruce, the pupils learnt how to weave using natural materials and each one is completely different; I use this word a lot but they are LOVELY!

Some of the work this week...

This week see's me very busy with workshops, picture commissions and jewellery commissions, and also changing the window display for the better, in desperate need of some sleep this weekend!

 

This was great fun to do for a 40th present :)



Not being a stone setter, jobs like this are a wee bit stressful but love the chance to work with gold as it's a much nicer material to use than silver. This is a commission designed by the customer, Marcia Lanyon had to search high and low for a garnet this size!

This was made by a workshop student who brought her own silver to make her son's wedding ring, the surface has a lovely planished texture which the camera didn't pick up on.

 

 

This week the window display will be changing, and the first display will show the work of the local primary school who made woven baskets out of local natural materials!

 

Father's Day gifts

Having trouble finding a Father's Day gift for this sunday? Well look no further... Starting at £2.50 pocket money to buy a deer antler keyring, £6 for the antler dog whistle. How about a handmade birch or hazel whisky tumbler £16, just add a wee miniature bottle inside for a lovely gift.

A bespoke spoon carving set made by Carrbridge man Tom Banks £43, will give your dad plenty to do, it has a special carving knife, two wood blanks and specific instructions.

This lovely Hand finished etching of a fisherman by Claire MacDonald £80 with part of a poem combined in the picture.

For all the walkers out there, a handmade walking stick in hazel and antler with dog whistle combined in handle by Sandy Wilson £27.

If money is not an issue how about this one-off handcarved barstool by Aaron Sterrit in elm and ash £430.

A framed giclee print of Ruthven Barracks by

                                                             Phillipa Mitchell is only £105

Another framed print by Phillipa Mitchell this time of a favourite spot in Newtonmore, the river Calder only £105

My Dark wood box framed wire work 'Compass' is only £90 - Bargain!

 Hunting themed jewellery by Hannah Louise Lamb, cufflinks of pheasants, salmon, Deer, Highland Cows, Scotland and much more starting at £120.

 

 

There are greeting cards by Douglas Spalding with local themes £2.50, and new cards just in by Mark Holden of oil paintings of skiing scenes for £2, Phillipa Mitchell's paintings can be bought as miniature prints that double up as cards which are mounted for only £4. Mary Andrew from Inverness has hand woodcut prints and etchings as cards starting at only £4. So come along, we'll be open till 3.30pm on Saturday!

Swallows on a line

Finished this commission today, love the characters of all the swallows :)

Creag Dhuh Teacosy

An Exclusive for The Black Rock Gallery.... The Creag Dhuh Teacosy! Handfelted by Claire Macdonald of Kincraig especially for the gallery, made in black and white.  Sitting on Aaron Sterrit's barstool

Woven basket using local materials

I love weaving and all things created by hands, and would like to learn a bit more on the subject.  I did a short course at ECA in the tapestry department and sometimes think this was where I should have studied. So when Elaine Bruce came into the gallery a few months back, after a chat about this and that, it was great to find out she had knowledge of not only weaving techniques that were no longer used but also the usage of local materials.  I asked her if she'd make something for me to display and sell in the gallery and today she arrived with this lovely basket.  All the materials have been collected, dried and treated first by Elaine. She has used a variety of weaving techniques including one using rush which used to be used to make halters for horses.  Materials include, fern, rush, grass, moss, bark larch and are held together using a twine made with nettle.  I think you'll agree this is not only something beautiful and useful but interesting to learn about also.  Elaine will soon be teaching some of the local primary school pupils how to make a small vessel and I will be looking forward to displaying them in the window.

New work in this week

Original works of art in a card! Individually printed woodcuts

Longtailed Tits, another handprinted card

Large water jug by Penny Weir

One-off bowl, useful for many things!

Blue tit

 

Thinking of making cards from some popular bird wire pictures, what do you think? birds, boats or buildings?

monday workshop with Roz

Today's silversmithing workshop was with the lovely Roz who created this ring for a present to a friend which I think has a great texture and finish.  Lemon drizzle cake was the flavour of the day!

Geese

Spot the odd one out! I love geese...

Rothiemurchus

I pondered over this for a while but disciplined myself for the last few days to finish it off.  I like the darkness of the thick forest behind, the wee house is actually surrounded by birch seedlings and protected by a deer fence which suggests someone cares that it's not touched...

Rothiemurchus - unfinished

So here I am again, with a near finished picture, not sure how far to go with colours (the woodwork is dark brown and likely to hide the wirework) the roof has been drawn with pastel and pen, as is the door.  This house is typical of the Aviemore area and has real character, this particular one is on the path that runs by the Rothiemurchus campsite and is surrounded by deer fencing and birch seedlings.

Workshop at The Black Rock Gallery

Today's workshop was three generations of lovely ladies and here they are modelling what they made; this included 2 pairs of earrings, 2 pin brooches and a necklace.  Homebaking today was Banana loaf.

bog myrtle hangings

Anne Moore or 'Patchwork Anne' lives in Newtonmore and enjoys making items from different tweeds.  She hand stitches everything and together we came up with the idea of infusing the small items with a scent which has a local theme.  Bog Myrtle grows in abundance on the hill behind the village and it's warm aroma has a hint of balsam, cloves and pine resin giving it a medicinal quality, it is also very effective in deterring midgies! These door hangings are only £15 and come in four different colours.

White Handmade Noodle Bowl

These beautiful yet simple noodle bowls are handmade by Penny Weir. Only 6 have been made and each comes with a pair of chopsticks, only £20.

Soft pots by Claire Macdonald

Another lovely new arrival are these 'Soft Pots' by Claire Macdonald.  Handmade pots that are healthy for the plant to grow in and look beautiful too, only £16.50p with plant included!

The Speyside Collection

Welcoming to the gallery a new collection of greeting cards featuring prints of local scenes painted by Douglas Spalding, each one individually wrapped and blank inside for your own message.

Rudbekias in wire

Here's a picture I finished this week on canvas. It's not protected by glass so a little vunerable!

Beach find brooch

If you take the time to scroll down through the pages of images from my other blog shown on the right, you might come to an image of my boys collecting nice pieces from a beach at Embo.  I've had them sitting on my bench for a long time now and this week took the time to create a very simple frame from silver to hold the pieces together as a brooch. My favourite piece is the wee fishing man..

Peregrine and a grouse

This is a work in progress, for the first time I've tried attaching the wire to a canvas frame.  I mistakenly thought it might be easier like sewing embroidery but with wire, turns out it's been the fiddliest piece to date.  I like the loose wires, but this will still have to be under glass, this work is so tempting for little fingers to touch!

Heart shaped beach glass ring

A cute piece of beach glass that looks kind of like a heart, so since it's nearly valentine's day ...

 

Croft at Glen Banchor

It's not been easy to finish but here it is, the 'Croft at Glen Banchor'. Note the deliberate use of wires hanging out of the mount...

A tuesday workshop

The doming block has been put to good use today, Katy made not only a pendant but made a pair of earrings too! She got to sample my beetroot chocolate brownies AND shortbread! what a bonus :)

 

Hidden message rings

It's coming up to Valentine's Day, but then there's Mothers Day in March, Father's Day later on, there's birthdays and christenings and christmas too, so I've come up with a special idea that's personal and won't break the bank and individual to whoever receives one.  Either choose to have a message stamped on the inside which won't be seen but will be forever there next to the wearer, or around the outside to be read every day. 

 

It could be a line from a favourite song, a quote, some poetry, some names or your own special message...

 

Depending on the size of ring, I can stamp approximately 8 words, (or squash in more) .  A handmade, hand stamped, hand finished, completely unique sterling silver ring only costs £35 and will be presented in one of my silver and black boxes.  For gold leafing on the inside the ring will cost £40.

 

Valentine's day is just over 2 weeks away..........................