YouPunkeroo.com

Recycled Cycles Update

2010-06-30T10:29:00.000-07:00

Its been quite some time and so much has happened since we've updated the blog. The recycling project is up, running and going well. We are just about to relaunch our free bike scheme with a new referal form and guideline- we'll be sending this out to potential referers over the next few weeks. We have also been reorganising the coventry recycled cycles website, which can now be found at www.coventryrecycledcycles.com

we still have the weebly site which we love be hope that the space on the new site will allow us to show a few more tutorials and add slightly more information

we are still collecting bikes and sending bikes to new homes across coventry, if you would like a bike or have a bike to offer please do get in touch either through the website at www.coventryrecycledcycles.com, via hotmail at coventryrecycledcycles@hotmail.co.uk or you could give us a call on 07746 006345

I'll try to keep you all updated

take care

joab
recycled cycles

Recycled clothes

2009-05-11T14:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the first recycled clothing workshop, and it was fab! We had out 4 sewing machines, loads of clothes, scissors thread etc and everyone just piled in and really got into it! It was so lovely to see the workshop full of happy industrious people. The second one is next sunday- all welcome- yesterday raised £41, so thank you everyone, what a brilliant day!!

sheep

2009-05-06T14:58:00.000-07:00

Oh dear, it's been ages since I wrote the blog! I went to my friends small holding the other day, she has just opened a farm shop there, I got some lovely tomato plants and a hanging basket which has pride of place in the back garden, and detracts nicely from the 1 million bikes currently living on the patio! Anyway, Anita has pregnant sheep ready to lamb at any moment, then, at shearing time, their beautiful fleeces will be mine! They are so gorgeous, I can't wait for a day spent in the garden with a big bath tub and the fleeces washing nicely, with the sun on me and the smell of the countryside in the air! (actually I am the only one who likes the smell- the kids think it is disgusting, but what do they know?!) I am on the look out for a drum carder to prepare them too- the ones on ebay are prohibitively expensive, I am hoping Joab might make one- he does have these flashes of brilliance occaisionally.
Don't forget Ravelry day, coming up soon. I am having a stall for drop spindles, knitted stuff and also a new secret thing we're making- will be reveiled nearer the time (although probably only knitting nerds will find it as exciting as me!!) Speak soon x

WOOHOO!!!

2009-04-16T15:08:00.000-07:00

Well, guess who is on the front page of the Coventry Observer this week?!!! They came and did a story about our up coming recycled clothing workshops which are beginning in May, and I just heard it is front page news!! I haven't seen the article yet, but am assured it is fab! I've added a page to the website, so now need all the bookings to come rolling in!

Easter

2009-04-13T12:01:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter! We have started our easter activities now- had a busy day on Saturday decorating eggs, the workshop was full of sweets and chocolate!
The kids and I have just come back from a lovely walk in the woods to collect feathers and sticks for magic wands on Wednesday (Fairy and Wizard day). Tamsin insisted on collecting absolutely every tiny little feather she saw so I'll have to have a sort out when she's gone to bed! It does help things when the weather is nice- as soon as the sun comes out there are loads more visitors to the canal basin, fingers crossed for a nice week! The Observer photographer, Jamie, came down to do a picture for this week or next for a story about the recycled clothes workshops- I must set some dates for those to start-I am thinking a Sunday afternoon. Anyway, I better get these kiddies in their PJs and away from the easter eggs.

Herbert Art Gallery Fair's Fair

2009-04-04T13:01:00.000-07:00

We had a table at the Fair's Fair today. Had a good day, the new part of the gallery is gorgeous. I love selling at craft fairs- it is good for the ol' self esteem having lots of people admiring your work and handing over their money for it. I was with a lovely group of girls, so had a good laugh, which was a welcome relief from the recent headaches and worry of the last week- no one should say starting a business is easy!! Anyway, have a piccy of the day. Speak soon.

projects update

2009-03-22T15:44:00.000-07:00

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?

2009-03-17T15:54:00.000-07:00

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?

2009-03-17T13:22:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-10T13:49:00.000-07:00

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 ;)

2009-03-04T14:29:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-03-01T14:08:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-28T13:06:00.000-08:00

Just rummaging around on the lap top and I found this photo of a couple of months ago- freshly washed fleece, which is now all but spun! It was my first fleece- before that I'd spun clean and prepared tops, but this fleece was truly amazing. I loved the smell, the oil on my hands, the feel of the fibres, the way it was thick and knotty, but also soft and poofy like a cloud. Even the colours like chocolate in places all the way through the browns to palest cream. See I loved it so much it's made me all poetic! Anyway, I have more fleeces organised and so will be putting in dates for some spinning days on the website asap. Tomorrow I have to face my fear of the M6 and go fetch a new pottery wheel for the workshop. Not only does that motorway bring out irrational fear in me, but my stereo broke so it looks like the only sounds I'll hear all the way up and home again are my whimpers. Take care!

2009-02-27T13:33:00.000-08:00

Howdy! Had another good day today. Two guys from the Observer came and had a chat with us about our recycled cycles project- keep an eye out for photos and story hopefully soon! It feels like it's strating to all come together now. It helps that today the sun was shining and making the canal sparkle too- everything looks so gorgeous in the sunshine. We also saw two swans there, so maybe there will soon be a nest!
We're gearing up for another Saturday in the workshop- trying to think up different easy, but cool crafts for children to do, and keep a good variety on offer to keep people interested. Also, Al Davison of Astral Gypsy came in to judge the alien competition, so I'll announce the winner on here and the website as soon as I've phoned the winner to let them know. Take care!

2009-02-26T13:49:00.000-08:00

What a good day! Had a class in to do slip casting. It was brilliant, they all seemed really pleased with the results- it's definately not as easy as it looks, but it went so well! Then had the evening craft group, cup of tea, chocolate cake and ceramic painting. I usually do my knitting in the group, but I've had some orders for ceramics so got quite a lot done. I'll post some photos when they're finished. Also, Joab's brilliant idea- we made an ad board for his bike so that when he's going around on his bike, or has parked it up in town- he's advertising the workshop- stroke of genius!! Let me know if you'd want one- there's a picture on the website on the recycled cycles page. Anyway, have a nice evening, and speak soon. xx

2009-02-25T11:15:00.000-08:00

Hi. It's been ages since our last post- mostly because we've spent the last few weeks getting the workshop up and running. It's a lovely place to work in, very peaceful, with a fantastic view of the canal and the boats as the pull in and out of the basin. We've managed to get a lot of our craft equipment in there so can offer a lot of variety to our customers! We have our our first class tomorrow- doing slip casting, so I'm very excited, it's lovely to share in the pleasure of creating something new, especially when it's a new craft to someone! I am really going to make a huge effort to keep the blog up to date now, so will let you all know how the class goes. Bye!!

...exciting news!!!

2009-01-04T08:03:00.000-08:00

Well its been very busy between posts, we have finally signed our contracts and are due to move to our new workshop in the middle of january. We are hoping to be open in time for the beginning oif february and will be having an opening day- if you'd like to come drop us a line and we'll add you to the list. Over the next few weeks we'll be setting up and sending out infornation for all of the groups that we'll be running over the next year. Thoughts so far ae that we'll run groups on:

Knitting (adults and children)
Sewing
Crochet
Spinning
Weaving- Making and using your own loom
Gardening (for children)
Ceramic paintings
Pottery (mixed techniques)
Sugarcraft
Jewellery making
Recycled Crafts
Screen printing

The list isn't finalised yet so if there is anything you'd like to try let us know!

....oops!...time for a catch-up!

2008-11-24T13:02:00.000-08:00

Well its been a short while since i last posted, there has been so much going on its been hard to find the time to eat...never mind keeping up with the blog!

Over the next few days i'll be sticking pictures from our adventures from the last month for you to have a look. 'Punkeroo is still going well, we're steadily spreading the word around coventry, rugby and the midlands...still working on the world domination though!

We have lots of good news to share...We've heard from the punkeroo's (more from them later) and have finally secured our workshop at the canal basin- we hope to have things up and running in the new year...if you'd like to pop along to the opening day drop us a line.

We'll also be at the coventry craft fair, at the canal basin on sunday 14th december, apparently they'll be lots of other stalls there, why not pop along and find some pressies for christmas...only 30 days to go!

Talking of christmas, lisa and i spotted a very sorry sight in our garden today, how many of you have been lured into buying a 'Living' christmas tree?..we were...thinking that next year we'd have a bigger, lusher and still living tree......unfortunaltly what we seem to have ended up with is a stick with a few (very few) green spikeys attached...see what you think

Slip casting for beginners!

2008-09-30T12:46:00.000-07:00

We thought it might be a good idea to show how we begin to make some of the pieces that you can find at YouPunkeroo and LittlePunkeroo.

We have started with 'A beginners guide to slipcasting' but over the next few months will be adding more! Keep checking back for new tutorials. You'll find the first one at the following link..enjoy!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/punkeroo/sets/72157607606519888/

If you are interested in some further tuition please get in touch...

Punkeroo's on tour...Kenilworth Castle

2008-09-27T12:47:00.000-07:00

Looks like they didn't get too far before the camera came out!!!...Here's some pictures of their visit to Kenilworth Castle in warwickshire (click on the link!)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/punkeroo/sets/72157607542111409/

Punkeroo's on tour!!!

2008-09-27T12:35:00.000-07:00

...It came as something of a surprise to lisa and I when we woke up this morning to find the 'Punkeroo's gone....they did leave us the following short note of explanation though:

...dear joab and lisa

after some careful thought we've decided that there just isn't enough excitement in rugby for us, its time we spread our wings, let the wind whistle through our matted locks and discovered what the world can offer...

the Punkeroo's

PS) We've borrowed the car

So i guess we'll be keeping you up to date with their adventures!

....Some new photo's

2008-09-25T13:44:00.000-07:00

As well as experimenting with the new Blog we've been looking at different ways of sharing photo's. Some kind and clever person suggested we try Flickr. To start off with we've just experimented with a few pictures..... it looks quite good i think. Click on the link below to have a look

http://www.flickr.com/photos/punkeroo/

A new (Blog) Beginning!!!

2008-09-25T11:08:00.000-07:00

Well

the day has finally come....we've outgrown the space we had on the website and have had to find more spacious e-accomodation!!!

We'll be trying to keep you up to date with the various adventures of 'Punkeroo around the midlands and hopefully you'll all be getting in touch to let us know what you think. One of our current thoughts for the coming year was about trying to gather crafty folks together for the day one day next summer.... seems a little strange to be thinking of next summer already :-(

So if you have a craft you'd like to share, get in touch and we'll add you to the list...

take care for now

Joab (and lisa)