My Arts and Crafts

My Arts and Crafts

I’ve got to admit I’m an arts and crafts aholic. All kinds too. Although my personal favorite is working with wood, and my wife is a potter, I’m fascinated by all areas from paper crafts to ironwork, from painting to sculpture.

Generally speaking I also find the people very warm and friendly, very relaxed about life and willing to share their knowledge. Perhaps it’s something to do with the creative process or working with your hands - in my experience artists and craftsmen seem less stressed.

Anyway, this blog will become, I hope, not just a personal exploration of the aspects of arts and crafts I find interesting but also a useful resource for artists and craftspeople of all ages and abilities. I’m fortunate in having a bit more spare time than a lot of people and I love to discover new things so I’ll be delving into craft books, materials, craft suppliers, websites, etc., - in fact anything I think might be of help – and the sharing what I find.

I haven’t always been a craftsman (or perhaps I have, but I didn’t always make a living at it!). I worked for many years in print and advertising before “escaping” with my wife to our current home in France. Here we’re in the process of doing up an old farmhouse and barns – converting some into living spaces and others to our studio and workshops. If you dream of one day turning your hobby into a full-time living I’ll try to point you in the right direction there as well.

Of course I’ll also welcome your feedback, ideas and questions. What interests you? What are you having trouble finding? What did you find that you think is really useful? Who helped you or inspired you? Please get in touch so we can build this into a really useful resource for anyone interested in arts and crafts of all kinds.