Spring
Spring
Jenna on the beach
Spring now seems just around the corner – which is brilliant. Still cold, but it is staying lighter longer and longer each day. I find it much easier using natural light to work by, so hopefully will start getting more done every day. While walking our dog Jenna, in the local park this morning we were told that there is now a green parrot in residence. It is only a small park, but very pretty. For many years a white squirrel could be seen scampering around with the grey ones, and before the park was renovated a couple of years ago, you could often spot a couple of terrapins sunning themselves on the lily pads in the pond. They grew to quite a size, at least 9″.
Tasting Hastings at YCN
My inclusion in Tasting Hastings at the YCN Shop, 72 Rivington Street, London EC2 comes to an end at the end of February which is only a week away, so hurry if you want to check out the Hastings and St Leonards artistic talent.
Good Enough to Eat
Felt Liquorice Allsort Beads
Last week I was catching up with my felting, nuno scarves and needlfetlted brooches, finishing off orders and starting on a couple of new ideas – egg cosies (which did not come out as I had planned or wanted) and “eco” felt bags. I was quite pleased with these. Pictures next week, I hope and then I will have to add them to the Specials Page. I have also been busy making Liquorice Allsort beads which now need to be threaded up and hardened.
Last year a little girl actually tried to eat some of my Dolly Mixture beads. So they must have looked good enough to eat.
Commissions Galore
Commission Dilemma
Joe & Jarvis, needlefelted brooches
Commissions come in every now and again, and I always say yes, and then wonder why, as they are always the trickiest to fulfill. Please don’t get me wrong - I am not complaining. But commssions are always more difficult, as the end result is very specific. I love felt making, whether it is a nuno scarf or needlefelt brooch, but very often they evolve as the process of choosing the right colours, laying out the correct thickness or needlefelting an animal body takes shape. Sometimes I realise an extra colour would make it more vibrant or shorter legs will make it cuter. A commission can sometimes be more constricting.
Those ugh! moments
So upwards and onwards I go. Occasionally I will make something and think – ugh, that just has not worked. But I keep it, and later discover that it actually wasn’t a mistake. It was something different, and may even be something brilliant and opens up my horizons as to what I can achieve.
Commissions in the pipeline
Since Christmas I have been trying to catch up on the last of my commissions. Ann is still waiting for the arrival of a Border Terrier Brooch (which is nearly there). Sorry it has taken me so long Ann, I just can’t seem to get the colours right. I am nearly there though! And another macho scarf – none of those flowers I love doing.
Valentines Day countdown
Valentines Day
Valentines Day is drawing closer. If you are looking for Valentine gifts then look no further. My flower corsagemake wonderful presents and will not wither or die. A romantic and beautiful Valentines gift for the person you love.
Alternative Valentines Day Gifts
Needle Felting Kit for Valentines Day
Alternatively I now have a Needle felting kit on my site. By using my easy step by step instructions you could soon be needlelfelting your own hearts. Included in the pack is everything you need to make three 2″ needle felted hearts – the wool is in 3 colours, red, raspberry and pink, special felting needles, a heart shaped cookie cutter to use as a shape, a foam block and 3 brooch backs so that you can make the hearts into brooches. Once you have needlefelted your hearts you can either leave them as they are and sew them onto something or make brooches or a necklace by attaching a velvet ribbon. You can also decorate them. Sew on beads, buttons or sequins, as well as embroidering them with colourful silks. This is an easy project and a brilliant way to try out needlefelting to see if you like it. The down side of needelfelting is when you stab yourself with the very sharp specialist felting needles used. It hurts. A lot. So take care. In time and with practise you learn to keep you fingers out of the way, and to watch what you are doing. It is also a good idea to put a newspaper under the foam block, whiether you are needel felting on the table or your lap. Even the the foam block is quite thick, your needle may occasionally go all the may through and you can stab yourself or scratch the table. The needles are alo quite fragile and will snap if you are too brutal with them. Again, practise and patience means this will have less and less as you improve you technique.
YCN Tasting Hastings The seaside comes to Shoreditch
The seaside comes to Shoreditch, even when there is snow around! Everything is up and can be seen at the YCN Shop, 72 Rivington Street, London EC2. Up until the 29th February. It really would be worth a visit as there are 16 artists/designers/creatives exhibiting and selling their wares in a wonderful place. It might even encourage you to visit Hastings & St Leonards later in the year. We have great May Day celebrations. On the 7th May Bank Holiday Hastings Old Town celebrates Jack-in-the-Green with processions, Morris dancing and much beer being imbibed. On the same day one of the largest Motorbike get together happens. Over 30,000 motorbike (and I do mean 30,000) arrive and park up. Firts the car parks in the Old Town fill, then the promenade. Bikes are parked chevron still, sometime 2 deep along the promenade, down to the pier and then onto St Leonards. Amazing to see.
YCN Tasting Hastings
YCN Tasting Hastings
"Eco" felt camera cases
Today is the start of a month long event Tasting Hastings at the YCN Shop, 72 Rivington Street, Lonon EC2. Curated by YCN and St Leonards based lighting designer Philip Oakley, Tasting Hastings offers work from astists and based in Hastings and St Leonards, including lucky ol’ me – Nunovalenki in trendy Shoreditch, or very trendy Hoxton! So if you are in London during February pop along and see some of Valerie May’s hand felted scarves, needle felted dog and cat brooches and even a selection of my new range of “eco” felt camera cases. Philip very kindly collected my wares on Friday, to take up to YCN – thank you Philip.
YCN Rivington Street
Strangely enough, before moving to the south coast I worked in Leonard Street, just a few minutes walk from Rivington Street. I would cycle to work from Camden to Shoreditch, crossing Rivington Street on the way! There was an Italian cafe on Leonard Street called Silvano’s (I think it was called) who sold the best doughnuts EVER. One of the only things I miss about London – really good doughnuts.
Snow Time
So how much snow did you have? We live on a hill, so taking our dog Jenna for a walk got more and more treacherous as the day wore on and the snow became ice. But nearly all gone now. The trees in local parks still have a covering of snow and the beach too. Just drips everywhere.
Welcome to the Nunovalenki re-furb
New Nunovalenki website
In case you hadn’t noticed, here is Nunovalenki‘s up-dated, re-furbed website; new pictures, new wonderful things to buy, new ideas. My hand felted scarves, with subtle elements of Nuno felting are just right for this chilly cold snap we are going through. My hand felted Flower Corsage are rich and vibrant and will brighten up the dullest morning. They will make wonderful Valentine presents too. Don’t forget my unforgettable needle felted brooches – so cute and wonderfully endearing, for the special person in your life.
New to Nunovalenki is a Specials Page
Liquorice Allsort Necklace
New to the site is my SPECIALS page. These are new ideas I have. I then make a one off and if it gets all round approval, I will then make a few more. The garlands were new for Christmas, but will make wonderful hangings for any time of year. I am currently thinking about a GREEN MAN wreath design (big in Hastings & St Leonards in May). My Liquorice Allsorts necklaces have always been popular, but sell before I have a chance to put them on my site. It is one of my New Year resolutions to do this – so here goes!
Nunovalenki at YCN in London
From Monday 6th February until 29th I will have a selection of my work in London. YCN Shop is based in Shoreditch and is hosting TASTING HASTINGS. Consisting of sixteen Hastings & St Leonards artists, including Nunovalenki, can bew seen at YCN 72 Rivington Street, London EC2. More info later….
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year
Two days to go, and just enough time to say Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!
Last Minute Shopping
Our shop at the Dawg’s Biscuits, 65 Norman Roadd, St Leonards-on-Sea, will be open until Christmas Eve afternoon (probably 1pm’ish, or if it is busy 3pmi’ish) for any last minute shoppers. Please pop along, or call on 01424 424682 if there is anything you are specifically looking for.
Otherwise, there is not a lot of news. However, I am really glad that I am finally slowing down a bit, and not thinking about making anything new until next year. I do have a couple of commissions in the pipeline, for January which is something to look forward too, and new ideas for next year.
So once again, thank you for reading my blog this year, and if you have anything to add please let m know.
Christmas Holiday Garlands
Red Rose Christmas Garland
White Rose Christmas Garland
Less than 2 Weeks until Christmas
Christmas Tidings
What a storm we had last night, so much wind and rain before Christmas! Ugh! But today is beautifully bright, clear and sunny. The sea looks wonderfull with misty trails blowing off the tops of the waves.
Needlefelt brooches for Christmas
Today my photo is of Mr Tiddles, the Black and White needlefelt cat brooch, and Hairy Legs, a hairy legged dog brooch (if you coudn’t have guessed already. These 2 have been the most popular needelfelt brooches I have made and sold this year. Which is pretty good really, as I really love making them. I have taken on a number of commissions thiis year, but find them really hard to do. I usually start needlefelting an animal, and it is probably half done when I finally decide what he will be. For example a white body could become a Foxy Jack Terrier, a Dalmation or even a Westie; a grey body could develop into a Bouvier or a Hairy Legs; while a black body could be turned into a Black & White cat or a Scottie! Flat coated, plain coloured, long spindly legged dogs are the most difficult, while at themoment I am trying to improve my animal heads, as they often turn out too small and I have to start all over again, or add a lot more wool to fill out their cheeks and snout.
Last Christmas Fair
I took part in the Merriments Christmas Wonder at Hurst Green last Saturday, which was great fun. We were lucky with the weather as it turned out sunny and bright, although very cold. Well only one more market to go for us. It is on Wednesday 21st December in Tunbridge Wells outside the Town Hall. Let’s hope the weather shines on us, and that it isn’t too cold or damp. Last year it snowed, which in its own way was really quite exciting, and lots of lovely people from Tunbridge Wells came out and supported the Christmas market. Please come back this year!
So Happy Christmas everyone, and please note that I cannot guarantee delivery of any of my work after Friday 16th, so place your orders as soon as you can.
Ho! Ho! Ho! Christmas is coming ..
Christmas is coming – it’s time to get felt.
It has become so busy on the run up to Christmas. Quite exciting really. I have a few commissions to finish off, and then still more to make before Christmas Eve. Our Shop – The Dawg’s Biscuits (65 Norman Road, St Leonards-on-Sea) will be open Monday to Saturday, 10am-5.30pm, so please come in and visit Nunovalenki. Buy something for yourself, and then some really tasty dog treats for your favourite dog.
Christmas Fairs and Markets
The Private View for the Hastings Art Forum, was held on Friday night. Loads of people, a choir, musicians and even a Punch & Judy Show. I am exhibiting there until Wednesday 14th. I have already had to go down and top up my work – which is pretty good really. Thanks must go to Angela Childs for organising such a wonderful show. My next outing is on Saturday 10th December at Merriments Gardens in Hurst Green, for a Winter Wonder Market 10.30am – 4pm, organised by Sally Beresford from St Michael’s Hospice. Not to be missed! Then my final market will be on Wednesday 21st December 10am-3pm at the Tunbridge Wells special Christmas Market, outside the Town Hall and Theatre. I hope to see you there.
Last weekend, was also very exciting – 2 days at Gt Dixter House. My table was in the Great Hall, beside a huge roaring fire and a huge Christmas tree. Loads of l0vely things on sale, and many lovely people. Very very enjoyable, and in wonderful surroundings.
Christmas Countdown 5…..4….3…2..1
Christmas Baking
Christmas Pudding Brooch
Traditionally last weekend is when a lot of people bake their Christmas cake. Never wanting to miss out on this glorious day of baking, I did exactly that and baked our Christmas Cake, following the ever trusted Delia Smith recipe. I have the next 4 weeks to lace it with brandy, and then cover it with marzipan and smother with icing. Each year I try to do everything in time, so that all is ready before Christmas Eve but invariably icing the cake always seems to get left until the last possible moment. Oh well! I’ll post a photo when it is ready – if I have time.
Christmas Fair at Great Dixter
I was busy last Saturday, selling my wares at the Cooden Beech Hotel Christmas Fair. Great fun, and lots of people. This coming weekend, I will be at Great Dixter House. The Christmas Fair runs over Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th November, 10am until 4pm. I have tried to make enough of everything, as well as a few extra Christmassy things, (hence the Chritmas Pudding brooch) including tree decorations and seasonal brooches. I will be taking as much as I can to Great Dixter, so please come along. It is always quite exciting venturing into new territory, especially one set is such a lovely setting.
Cold enough for Christmas Yet?
Handfelted Scarf, Silk Flowers on Turquoise
Christmas is coming
As Christmas draws nearer, I know it will be getting colder, and then you will need your scarf or even one of my scarves. The are made from the softest of merino woll tops, with added mulberry silk. Some of them are even “nuno” scarves. They are generally my white scarves, where I have encapsulated a very fine layer of silk between the merino wool, which binds together during the felting process. Recently I have been making scarves using some of my richer more vibrant colours – turquoise, apple green, cerise and tomato red. I hope you have had a look at my new web pages. Last week I photographed more of my work and have now added them to my site. There are new Scarves, more Corsage and even some additional Needelfelted Brooches.
Christmas Fairs are now starting
I am also gearing up towards the Christmas fairs. Next Saturday 19th November I will be at the Cooden Beach Hotel, while on the following weekend on the 26th & 27th November I will be at Gt Dixter House. Then on the 10th I will be at Merriments. So I am going to be busy busy busy making things for Christmas.
Christmas Weather
Let’s hope it doesn’t snow (I don’t think it will anyway, at least not before Christmas), but we have a chaotic climate here in the UK, and anything can happen. During the really weird weather a couple of weeks again, we even had a tornado type of thing out at sea – a water spout pulling up the seawater.
Go to Felt Scarves
