A small scene from my mantle -
I recently completed a large building project - making a mantle/fireplace surround for my bedroom. You may have seen this in a post on Instagram. I made it by recycling a huge but not too deep cardboard box, covered it with pages from several old books (it took a lot of pages) and painted. I am so happy with it - indeed it looks better than I expected (let me be honest, so long as it did not look exactly like a cardboard box I would have been happy). Now I am decorating it, slowly, for the festive season and winter months ahead. I will show you more next week - but for now here is a glimpse of a little display on the mantle. If you purchased a copy of my latest (sold out thank you) zine ‘Snowdrops’ you may recognise the Victorian photograph - this is one in my collection. The paper doll is a little person I made many moons ago - trying to remember just how long ago makes me realise it must be at least six years? I have a small gaggle of paper dolls that live with us, they mostly hang about on our landing book case. This one seemed to fit the mood here. So, like any mantle, I am mixing some things old, some things new….
I love this time of year as a reason for sorting out, ‘restyling’ a room and generally playing with displays. When my sister and I were very young we would spend hours making shop displays out of things in my Grandparents’ home. Everything from cans of soup and soap and dainty ornaments would go into our shop. It kept us amused in a way that toys never did. We were neither bothered by actual toys made for children, except as props for our shops. Unsurprisingly, both my sister and I have both become shopkeepers of a sort. Jenny restores and sells vintage furniture, amongst other things. I, of course, make things and sell them.
Which leads me to say a big, big thanks to everyone who has purchased (or has indeed wished to purchase something) from me in recent times. I am most grateful. My family and I live very simply, week to week and every single sale of my work - whether it is an original painting or a set of postcards - makes a big difference to us.
I am particularly pleased with how well my postcard sets have been received - thank you. And I will certainly be making more available. My hope was the postcards would give people an opportunity to support my work and enjoy it - and they make nice small gifts to pass on to friends. So thank you. My shop will remain open for postcard sales through the festive season ( just waiting on new stock for one set). I will be updating my shop some time soon after Christmas (yet to decide when) with a mix of new work and a small archive sale - subscribers here will be the first to know.
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Here is a poem I wrote earlier this year. It is about that rather nebulous season of midwinter. The poem is a conversation between a child and an adult, but it is also in some ways a conversation between my selves. I hope you enjoy reading. More next week.
Midwinter
When is midwinter? the child asks.
When is midwinter? the woman echoes.
When is midwinter?
Just before nevermind and the north wind sails.
About half past frozen bones
and all the way home again,
across the way to an icy day.
When is midwinter?
When stone cold bony trees make moan.
When candles burn all day and night
to summon the angels in their might.
When is midwinter?
When it finds us, my dear,
as huddled as we are just now.
A page in a brown paper sketchbook - made last year.
More next week - take care.
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As always, your thoughts are delightful to read! I love knowing that you, too, find winter a time of going inward and “feathering your nest” by moving cherished items around in new groupings. Your poem truly gives all the feels of winter but mostly the opportunity to come and huddle together as the cold winds blow. Winter is such a beautiful time of year to incubate new ideas, study the austere beauty of the landscape, and enjoy the comforts of a cozy home. I wish you happy holidays, each and every day of this wonderful season, and hope that your arm heals and allows you to participate in all the activities you enjoy! (I’d love to see a photo of your other paper dolls tucked into their special spots!)
Your poem is lovely. It really captures the feel of midwinter. I love the calm that settles in during the midwinter time when the holidays have passed us by. It’s my favorite time to reflect on the inner workings of my mind. Your artwork is lovely too! I wish you and yours a most peaceful holiday.