Here's what's happening in our creative space, the Sail Loft, the NaviStitch shop, and on Manningtree High Street over the coming weeks...
In the Sail Loft...
Next week is the second week of an exhibition by hugely talented artist and friend of NaviStitch, Anne Plummer. She's with us, in the Sail Loft Gallery until Saturday 19th October with her collection of sketches, paintings and mixed media.
We'd love to see you if can make it to the most creative Manningtree High Street - we have so much for you to see!
Up next...
Let's take a look at what we've got coming up in the Sail Loft Gallery this month and next:
From 22nd-26th October we have another collective show, this time from the members of Dovercourt Art Club. Their preview/meet the artist night is Wednesday 23rd from 6pm-9pm and you're all invited!
Finally, just sneaking into October, Tazzy Bro's bringing us a new exhibition that explains how he turned his passion into his career. He's with us from 29th October to 9th November.
We're then using a few days to prepare for our incredibly exciting Christmas Pop-up Shop that's open from 16th November, with a preview evening on Friday 15th November from 4pm-8pm. Get that in your diary - you're all welcome, plus you'll have the chance to meet some of our fabulously creative makers that evening too!
Keep an eye on all of our exhibitions on our calendar
Drumroll please...
🎄 I'm delighted to share with you the winners of our Design a Christmas Card for Manningtree competition. So without further ado our winners are:
⭐ Elula Goody (aged 5) for our 7 and under category for her super Santa;
⭐ Herbie Marsh (aged 8) for our 8-12 category for his special Sail Boat;
⭐ Alice Marshall (aged 14) for our 13-17 category for her beautiful Barge;
⭐ Kathryn Scott for her Festive Manningtree Street Scene and
⭐ Rodney Kessler for his clever circular tree design (the name of the town is said to derive from 'many trees') for our 2 adult categories.
A massive congratulations to our winners. I hope you agree that these are stunning designs and we can't wait to see them in print!
As we sold out of our amazing winning designs last year, it would be a great idea to pre-order - in that way, we can make sure that we order enough for you all; Take a look at all of the info here. Make sure you get the cards you want this Christmas!
And whilst we're on the subject...
🎁 You may have read that we're launching bespoke Christmas Gift wrapping paper this year - unique designs by my own fair hand? Well, here are the designs - There's a minimum order of 10 sheets per design/customisation: £2 per sheet. I'm placing one order on 31st October so that custom wrapping paper arrives with us mid November.
Personalised Christmas wrap in plenty of time for the festive season - don't leave it too late... just over 2 weeks left to order!
And finally...
We know it feels wrong to be discussing 2025 in October 2024 but we always like to plan ahead to ensure that we're organised and next year runs as smoothly as this!
If you're an artist or maker in any medium/s, we've now got our calendar open for 2025 bookings. Take a look at details of how to book. Think creatively too - our space is not just for individual exhibitions, consider collaborations. If you're a fledgling artist or maker and want to enter the world of exhibiting, let us know and we can help you with introductions, with display materials and with advice. We have space in our Sail Loft Gallery most months at the moment, apart from Jun, October, November and December.
Until next time...
If you're making memories and would like to celebrate them, or you know someone who's celebrating and would like to mark the occasion, think about commissioning a piece of nautical stitched art. Here are a three commissions that I've recently enjoyed working on:
The first features the River Deben on a lovely vintage chart with lots of patina. The piece is set off with a traditional fishing smack design which looks right at home.
The second is a custom design taken from the signet ring of the person that the piece is being gifted to, and which ties in with their family name. The year of the chart is 1964, as the artwork is for a 60th birthday.
The third came from a customer who spontaneously asked if I had any charts of Cape Cod! A little dive into my charts and I found the perfect one. The customer sailed off Cape Cod with her father as she was growing up; she was born in Canada, which just creeps in on the top right corner. Carefully selected thread colours work perfectly with the chart - we're all pleased with the end result!
Take a look at how easy it is to order your own unique piece created from maritime charts, both new and old - many of them fairly local. Always ask if you're looking for somewhere special - I've a huge collection.
Now that we can also take orders for bespoke framing in-store, the whole thing's as easy
I've introduced a couple of new ranges of my own cards in the NaviStitch shop:
If you saw my watercolour show, you may have noticed my rock illustrations. Now in stock, rock cards: both those for (r)occasions, some that are rock of ages (see what I did there?!), and blank cards.
My digital, abstract range is a collection with age and occasion related designs, and it's called my ColourKrush collection.
And, if you're a gift shop or a seller of greeting cards or nautical wares, if you're a coastal retailer, a nautical-themed venue or a seaside store - or even if you have no nautical connections whatsoever but like good greeting cards, take a look at our dedicated wholesale website.
My many greeting card collections can now be purchased direct from me, online, via my trade website. Cards come in multiples of 6 and you have the option of biodegradable cello or without.
You'll need to register for an account as it's a retailer-only site:
Until next time, I wish you calm waters and plain sailing
Sam
Commentaires