Petal n Paper
Our dog Spolly at the entrance of the workshop
Hub of activity
With respect to all work done and accomplished, my BESTEST of times was my own shabby chic workshop Petal n Paper in the middle of a sleepy Victorian village.
It was a true hub of constant activity and volunteers and coffees, laughter and calligraphy for over 7 years.
People meeting workshoppers and pen-scribes, meeting visitors, both new and returning to the area and so many, many people from all walks of life, were enthused to learn a new skill or take up a hobby.
We showed coiling, learned crochet, papermaking, pastels, crafted poems, designed cards and booklets, learned Gothic, Roman, versal letters, wrote silly poems, rhymes and haiku, enjoyed learning Japanese binding, had a laugh with lots of cake, more cake, and I facilitated others to show their skills or even start up their business.
Susan volunteered to help occasionally and proved to be my bestseller. Maisy came to learn to sell cards and work the till 👏 and became a super duper calligrapher.
Kai put shelves up and drank coffee that was far too strong. Neighbours popped in for a chat, lovely Joey often popped in for a cuppa and shared her homegrown vegetables, Poppy helped me with flower decorations, Sona supported the shop with some furniture.
Matt made the most beautiful watercolour paintings and without a doubt Bernice was the creative and most supporting soul behind the place and behind me!
Dan and Em - my kids, were always up for a bit of space between pocketmoney or volunteering and often held the fort whilst I managed the museum next door.
And well.... Erica was fantastic with all her enthusiasm and love. (RIP Erica).
The best however was my fairytale garden, which got quite a few cards and emails as it stood out (like a sore thumb!) in a village with immaculate victoriana gardens. I had families with kids repeat visiting to JUST see the garden again and to find the secret little paths with fairies and even a dragon was hiding in there somewhere! Sonshine Daniel made a pond in it and WOW it attracted frogs and dragonflies and was such a peaceful place to sit.
Petal n Paper sold the works of some 35 fantastic local artists from all over Northumberland, the Borders and beyond.
Loathe
I enjoyed the selling, the making, the creating, the pouring of strong coffees….. alas… I loathed the paperwork and sorting the finances, it was an absolute nightmare for me!
Northumberland was then and IS full of extremely gifted and talented people, including of course those wonderful individuals from my steady, strong and positive calligraphy groups:
Tina, Pauline, Bernice, Jan, Doreen, Liz, Zoe, Sylvia, Erica, John, Mary, Mary, Jean, Guy, Trudie, John, Elisabeth, Judith, Mary, Lillian and sorry if I forgot any names, please forgive me!
We shared many a laugh and a tear. It was so worth getting up at the crack of dawn to get the coal fire roaring...
You walked through a wildlife garden first…
“How very refreshing and surprising to see your natural garden buzzing with wildlife in such a set Victorian village..”
