projects update

Joab has been working hard to help get the projects moving along a bit. We are now going to be at the Festival of Cycling in Coventry in June- will post details as I find them out! We have several bikes with really cool stories attatched to them so will have these with us. Also we have launched another new project about recycling clothes- we are running several workshops at YouPunkeroo with fashion designers and dressmakers to help people revive old, tired clothing. We will be donating all the profits from this to Manal Timraz and her appeal for Gaza- this is not a religious or political appeal- it is humanitarian so we are behind this 100%. No rest for the wicked (or ambitious!). My gorgeous friend Jenni is now on the case for finding funding for Recycled Cycles so we can the first round of trainees started, hopefully in the next few weeks.
As a little aside, the Punkeroos are back from their world tour with a camera full of photos- here's a little sample!Joab will make an album soon. I think they want to go again, now they've got the taste for travel!

Too Busy?

I am just shattered at the moment. The Art market was great on Sunday, but was really exhausting, then tonight I started a new craft group out in a tiny village near Rugby- they'd asked me to help get them started on some different easy crafts, so I took my peg loom, some jewellery, spinning and knitting. They were a lovely group, but I've got back and can barely keep my eyes open. I haven't done any of my chores yet- I may just have to send the kids into school in wrinkly shirts, or get up earlier tomorrow and iron them! I'm looking forward to Thursday's group, just sitting, and knitting and chatting!

what to do with youpunkeroo?

Well its been another exciting week at youpunkeroo. We had a wonderful day at the craft fair, largely due to Lynn and Janet (and hubby!) from the craft group and Jenni, our crafty mate from brighton....and a sun beam that we eventually found and sat in!

There are a number of exciting things happening at YouPunkeroo, we are very hopeful that we'll soon be joining forces with a good friend to bring some truly beautiful ceramics to the canal basin, as soon as i know more i'll post some picky's.

The workshop is looking very pretty now, with jenni's work, some of my own, lisa's ceramics and Lynn's beautiful photography its a joy to sit in.

We have just updated our list of easter events, which you can find on the site, i've also added two proposed events 'recycled clothing' and 'Pinhole photography'- so if your interested drop me a line

take care for now

joab x

I've decided that I have a compulsive knitting habit- not just that I love doing it- I have to do it. I was early to pick my daughter up from school and it was too cold to stand around outside the school so I satyed in the car. I couldn't just sit there though- I had to knit. Thank goodness the car has never been cleaned or tidied because I found wool and needles- Hurrah!! I got a few funny looks from mothers passing the car and peering in, but it was so lovely to do. I spend so much time rushing about, it almost felt naughty to sit relaxing and knitting in the car! The result was a baby bootee (just the one!) so now I simply have to make the matching one- perhaps I can do that whilst in the shower!
We have had such a brilliant response to our recycled cycles appeal for unwanted bikes this weekend, I reckon we could soon have the project up and running. If you haven't already, have a look here is more info!
Take care, Bye ;)

I had a bit of a disappointing kiln firing today- I'd had an order for some ceramics, but the colours were dull this time. Still it's the first time it's happened to me so I think I've been lucky! I think I need to be more careful with the glazes I use. I have my favourite brand so perhaps I should stick with what I know. I've also been getting redy for the art market at the canal basin, which is suddenly only two weeks away. Fingers crossed for a sunny weekend that weekend!

Well, all that worry over the journey and it was actually fine! I took my mum and my daughter, and between us we chatted non stop for 3 hours! I still hate that motorway, but it wasn't as bad as I thought. The new wheel is lovely, and I also got a gorgeous stool too- more of a perching stool really which is so comfortable to sit at whilst at the wheel.
I started on some handmade drop spindles tonight using clay and sticks from the local woods- sounds easy, but once I got started it was much more complicated. I left all my decent brushes at the workshop so had to raid the stash at home. I think my eyes were tired- I made loads of mistakes and had to keep sponging the glaze off. Never mind, I'll have another go tomorrow. It is the canal basin art market in a couple of weeks and I also need to get ready for that too. I have some ceramics done, but need more! There aren't enough hours sometimes! Speak soon, xx