Hello Autumn

Hello Folks,

Well, Autumn is well and truly underway! Time to slip your feet into some slippers and crank on the heating. How are you all? Any exciting Autumn plans? What new makes have you got? Do feel free to share in the comments section below..

Here's a new *Charm styled* Button bracelet I've been working on. I wanted to use warm rich tones.. The main large Button is a gorgeous Vintage find!

I love all the different shades of purple and magenta... the colours work really well together, and add to the overall "warm" tone of the bracelet. What do you think?

Of course, I'm still making Resin Jewellery. Pop over to my Facebook page to see lots more.

Until next time...

The Mucky Pup
#Woof

The Dales Festival of Art: Photo Diary

Hello Folks,

How was your Bank Holiday weekend?

This Saturday & Sunday, I was lucky enough to exhibit as part of the Dales Festival of Art held in Leyburn along side the annual Food and Drink Festival.

The atmosphere was fantastic! Lots of people milling around town, and although a little windy, I guess the weather wasn't too bad.

Many Artisans were in the Artists Marquee which was in the middle of town, an open area allowing people to stroll right through... This is where I was. I loved being in the Marquee - right in the action, there seemed to be constant crowds of people. Plus we got a great view of the live performances on Saturday.

I'm really hoping the Art Festival will be back next year. So if you didn't get chance to come, fingers crossed you can next time....

......Oh, and here's a quick snap of my stall (excuse the boxes - only just finished setting up). I took a huge selection of items! Including lots of new pieces, which all seemed popular *phew*.

My Button Jewellery was the most popular product, nearly selling out of my Button Earrings! *Note to self, must make more* - Also my new Charcoal work went down well.

This is Matt, my very helpful partner. He did a fantastic job of helping me all weekend. What a Star... don't tell him that though!

Did you visit The Dales Festival Of Art? If so I'd love to hear what you thought, did you buy anything fantastic?

Right, I think it is time for a well earned rest. Taxi.

Until next time..

The Mucky Pup
#Woof

The Dales Festival of Art

Hello Folks,

I'm thrilled to be taking part in the Dales Festival of Art held in Leyburn, this coming Bank Holiday weekend (4th - 6th May).

This is a fantastic opportunity to come a long and support local talent.

At the Dales Festival of Art you will be able to follow the art trail around Leyburn or even try your hand at learning a new skill in the drop-in workshops, which will be sited around the town.

There will be many stalls to browse a long the Artists' Marquee and a few more for good measure in the Golden Lion Hotel. The Mucky Pup Gallery will have a stall (full of goodies) ready for you to Paw over...

Thornborough Hall will too open its garden as a Sculpture Park, complete with a willow weaving workshop. So this really is an event not to miss!

Fancy popping a long for the fun? You might even be one of the lucky few who are able to take home an Original Mini Artwork - for free! Just join the treasure hunt around town.

It's going to be a fantastic day, with Artisan products ranging from Artwork & Jewellery to Sculpture & Photography, there really is something for everyone! Fingers crossed for a lovely sunny day too. Well, we can hope....
Hope you have a fantastic day regardless, Until next time...

The Mucky Pup
#Woof

Special thanks to YorInspired who were kind enough to promote this event. Please help spread the word.

Be My Valentine

Happy Valentines Day Folks,

Did you receive any fabulous Handmade gifts?

I love all Typography related things, so when I saw these Laser Cut letters, I could of squealed! If only I was so clever......

These pieces (and more) are available to buy from Artcuts on Folksy.

 

Love Letters: Featured seller from Folksy, laser cut letters by Rebecca Cox  

To spread the Love, I am offering 20% off all products listed in my Etsy shop until Sunday (17th of February). Just enter " IHEARTMYDOG " when entering Checkout.

Hope you have a fantastic day regardless, Until next time...

The Mucky Pup
#Woof

Christmas Gift & Craft Fair

Hello Folks,

Just a quick reminder about an event coming up this weekend, on the 2nd of December..

Open from 10am till 3pm. There will be many stalls... with 33 exhibitors taking part! So hopefully something for all. I'll be there too, showcasing lots of Mucky Pup work!

If you're local, feel free to pop a long.. it's free entry, so bring the family.

Finally, good luck to all my crafting friends, who I know have many events of their own this season.

Until next time..

Gemma - The Mucky Pup.
#Woof

Social Media: Good for an Artist?

Well, surely the only answer is yes? As an Artist myself I find the internet to be a large and interesting space full of people with common goals and dreams… It is also a place for information and inspiration.

When you go out and meet new people, you network. The development of the internet has made this possible for anyone, wherever they are. Allowing you as the Artist, to showcase your talent, voice your thoughts…and possibly even gain paid work!

The internet has grown vastly since it began, with over 80% of the population now using it. The rise in social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter allow creative people the chance to show their work to a wider audience…bigger than any Gallery viewing. Your creative peers are also able to follow your progress through these sites, helping you gain inspiration from each other. Perhaps even developing your work into something greater…

Twitter and Facebook in particular also enable you to follow establishments you admire or wish to (one day) be a part of…for example, Artists may follow Galleries in the hopes that they take a look at their profile and like their work. Illustrators may hope to get noticed by a publisher looking for someone to illustrate a children’s book. It works both ways too; you may find a Gallery following you because they like your style…or persona! This doesn’t necessarily mean they wish to stock your work, however any contact is good contact.

Having your very own personal website as an Artist is seen as quite important nowadays, it acts as a digital portfolio. Something you can refer back to without carrying round a heavy folder full of work.

Don’t worry though…we aren’t all HTML geeks who know how to create a website from scratch, and that includes me!

If having a website really seems like the end of the world, there are many resources for creative practitioners on the internet, including many listings... such as Creative Boom. Or for those in North Yorkshire: CNY (Creative North Yorkshire). These sites act like a creative directory, where you can list your name and creative details...including your website address.  It’s easy! So if you’re not already on there think of the possibilities you could be missing!

Remember; always refer people to your website or social media page. Have a business card with the links. In today’s world of technology, you will find more and more people LOVE to correspond via emails or texts rather than speaking face to face. Gone are the days of the written letter from a special friend you haven’t seen in years…

What do you think? Do you spend all your free time promoting your work & business online? If so, do you see any results?


Until next time,

The Mucky Pup
#Woof

The Pop-Up Gallery: Art & Gift Showcase

Hello Folks,

Well, we've certainly had a busy few weeks working on some new items. So keep an eye on The Mucky Pup's Folksy shop for new arrivals...

In the meantime, I just wanted to quickly share another Pop-Up event with you. The Art & Gift Show featuring many talented Artisans from North Yorkshire.

The event is taking place this Saturday, October 20th, in Scorton a small village in North Yorkshire. You will be able to come a long to meet the Artists from 10am.

  

Our Mucky Pup, Gemma will be at this event, showcasing some great new Original pieces. From Art, Felt work and even Jewellery! Like this Ring:

Sneak Peek: Bronze Tone Ring, Butterfly Design - Resin Dome.

There will be lots to see (& buy) so we hope you can come along.

Until next time,

The Mucky Pup.
#Woof

The Pop-Up Gallery, Affordable Art Show

Hello Folks,

I've just got a bit of time to tell you about an up and coming Art Exhibition, which I am thrilled to be a part of.

The "Pop-Up Gallery" is back with a bang for September, showcasing "affordable art" by local Artists. All Artwork will be for sale priced £50 or under.

The Exhibition takes place in the quaint market town of Leyburn (North Yorkshire). Held at the Warland's Gallery.  Also on show, will be work by contemporary Artist Christina Simpson.

There will be lots on offer, in a range of mediums, so...

If you live in North Yorkshire and can travel to Leyburn, do pop a long. The Exhibition will be on from the 8th of September, until the 30th.

Remember, all Artwork will be for sale. Hope to see you there!

Until next time..

Gemma - The Mucky Pup.
#Woof

Felt (Fibre) Painting with Merino Wool

Hello Folks...

Just thought I'd show you one of my recent Felt "Paintings".

This small wall hanging is available through my Shop, Folksy & Etsy.
 

This Original piece is made by hand using Merino Wool, Felt & a Needle punching tool.
 

I'll be taking my creations to the next Sunday People's Market in September, but if you're not local, look out for new works in my shop soon.

Gemma - The Mucky Pup
#Woof

Darlington Sunday People's Market

I just wanted to share a fantastic new venture, brought to you by the people of Darlington. A local town, close to where I live.

The Darlington Sunday People's Market is a brand new Sunday market in the heart of Darlington's town centre. The Market which starts on August 5th promises to be an exciting event, with a variety of stalls. There will also be live music, balloons and even face painting for the children.

The Darlington Sunday People's Market is an ongoing event, initially be held on a monthly basis but the potential for that to be increased is there.. so who knows!

The Mucky Pup Gallery is lucky enough to have a stall, where we will be selling all types of handcrafted products. 

Felt Flower Brooches, available on The Mucky Pup Gallery stall. 

Many Darlington shop owners will also be trading on the day, including the friendly folk at Guru Boutique. So there really is something for everyone.

These types of Markets really help build communities, and more importantly they promote and support local business people.


So, if you happen to be around the North East on August the 5th, pop a long to Darlington's Town centre. The Market runs from 11am till 3pm.

 Image: Courtesy of The Darlington Sunday People's Market.

For more information about the Darlington Sunday People's Market head over to their Facebook page, where you will be able to find out more information, and perhaps take a peek at the other stalls available.

I hope to see you there!

Until next time,

Gemma - The Mucky Pup
#Woof

Where To Find The Mucky Pup?

Well, it has already been a busy morning here at Gallery HQ. Having just managed to update our Website, it's time for a quick Blog.

If you haven't already been over to our site, take a look..... There is a lot to see, and you can even find out who the Mucky Pup is... #Woof

New to the website is the addition of a Links page:

On this page you will be able to find out where else you can find us, browse our products... and most importantly where to chat!

With Links to Facebook & Twitter, you'll be able to join in the fun! Post comments, ask questions or just plain "like" an image.

You can also see where else our products are for sale! With Links to our Folksy & Etsy shops. Don't forget you can also buy weekly specials from our website shop too.

Phew!

We best get back to crafting...

If you have any questions or comments feel free to post them below. Do you have your own Links page? Perhaps you link to some other interesting sites... let us know!

Until next time..

The Mucky Pup.
#Woof

Pinterest?

Lets dive right in…

Last night, after seeing the 20th update of people mentioning Pinterest, I decided to bite the bullet and see what all the fuss was about.

We’ve probably all heard the negative stories surrounding Pinterest, and whether it infringes on Copyright, which in part is quite likely true. However, sharing fellow Artists work doesn’t have to be a bad thing... Why can’t it be a fantastic thing?

After asking for some opinions via Facebook and Twitter, I saw the response was pretty positive. To set up a Pinterest account you have to be invited. So by the power of social media I was able to gain an invite pretty quickly, & so my adventure began.

I soon saw Pinterest was a place where anything could be Pinned, for whatever reason. When people Pin items, they are all linked back to the original source. So in theory, if someone Pins an item from Folksy, Etsy or alike, then the Artist will always get credit. If lucky, this will result in a sale. Promotion. Another positive point to the Pinterest argument.

Pinterest however is also a personal place where you can Pin your likes, hopes and dreams… As dramatic as that sounds it‘s kind of true. From people Pinning Cupcake ideas, to anything Wedding related. People are clearly using Pinterest as a social media Mood Board for ideas. 

 

I myself have taken to using Pinterest as a place for inspiration. With most of my boards featuring colour themes. These boards include objects, clothes, picturesque scenes & more… all in one colour. Like an Online colour wheel. 

 
Having only just started using Pinterest I know there is still a lot to learn. If you want to check out my Pins, you can find me by searching MuckyPupGallery. 

 
So what do you think about Pinterest? What type of images do you collect?

Is Pinterest a good or a bad idea?

Post your thoughts below. Or feel free to leave a comment via Facebook & join the debate.

Until next time..
#Woof

The Mucky Pup.

Welcome To The Mucky Pup Gallery Blog

Hello Folks! Thanks so much for taking a look at our new Blog. I'll be updating this section as often as possible with new information, how 2's and perhaps even the odd giveaway! So.. Just in case you didn't already know about The Mucky Pup, take a look at our first e-zine:

You can also follow us on Twitter and Like our page on Facebook, where you'll get to hear all the latest gossip!!

So.. for now, happy crafting everyone! Until next time... #Woof

Gemma (The Mucky Pup).