We're celebrating 6 months since we opened the doors to our NaviStitch shop on Manningtree High Street. We've packed so many things into our time here that it feels like much longer. However, it seems to have flown past too! Manningtree is a great creative town - the smallest town in England but definitely one of the most exciting! Here's a round-up of what's going on in the local area, followed by the rest of our NaviStitch news...
Local news...
This Saturday is the first Saturday of the month and so there's the Vintage and Collectables market just around the corner from our shop in South Street. It's on 9am to 3pm - why not pay a visit and then come into the shop for the final day of this exhibition (nice link!)...
Sail Loft news...
It's the final day of Sheila Martin's Quantum of Colour exhibition in the Sail Loft on Saturday. It's been great having this colourful work on display and, learning about our event on Sunday, Sheila has very kindly donated a painting to be raffled to raise funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital (another smooth link!)
We're open on Sunday from 11am to 3pm this week for a very special reason: we're hosting a book signing. 'Never Alone tells the story of Geoffrey Giraffe and his search for for happiness and all proceeds of the book go to Great Ormond Street Hospital charity. Both author Carrie Knight and Illustrator Lily Steel will be joining us and there will be readings, raffles, and the opportunity to purchase limited edition prints from the book. Join us if you can - bring the family!
Next up in the Sail Loft is a Jubilee Bunting Workshop with Vic from Maekandoo on Saturday 21st May. Instead of mass-produced disposable decor why not make your own heirloom bunting from reclaimed and vintage fabrics, lace, ribbon and braid! There's also a unique way to turn your bunting into a little bit of local history too...
£40 per person includes all materials - 10:30 to 13:00
Another workshop the following Saturday, 28th May is part of a three-part 'Make Like an Artist' course from Joanna Hughes from Source Nature. With the first part being a 1-1 video chat to discuss your inspirations and for some activity setting before part 2 which takes place with us. there's also an optional part 3 at Ardleigh Studios in Essex in June. To find out more and to book your place, take a look at the event on our calendar here.
Moving ahead to June and we've got some exciting events coming up:
Olivia English is exhibiting her work in the Sail Loft from 2nd to 4th June: paintings, limited edition prints, cards and postcards will be available.
Then from 8th the 18th June we've got Madeleine Tapp bringing us not only her own exhibition, but four different workshops that you can get involved in too. Madeleine is a painter, maker and art teacher and her work involves mixed media and fabric from her paintings, emphasising colour, texture, atmosphere and character. Some of her own lampshades will be on display as well as her artwork. To book any of the workshops, take a look on our calendar for more details.
We've got lots of other things booked in throughout the year but more on those next time - if you want to keep up to date and are planning a trip to Manningtree, always visit our calendar page to see what's happening
If you're an artist, a maker or a tutor and you want somewhere to host an exhibition, hold a workshop or a pop-up event, our Sail Loft consists of two rooms that are flexible in terms of layout and we've also lot lots of equipment that we can lend you too. We help to publicise your event - all details are here. On that note (and here's another smooth transition into another article...)
NaviStitch News...
We're excited to be hosting our own mixed exhibition with the theme of 'Summer Vibes' for the whole of July in our Sail Loft. We are currently inviting artists to submit applications to be part of this exhibition. The closing date for applications is 28th May 2022 - click here for more information and an application form.
And Finally...
We spend our time when the NaviStitch shop is closed, creating our own art and developing new ideas. Here are a few of the things we've been working on as well as new projects that we've completed:
Jute Bags: To prove that form and function work well together, here's both an attractive product and a practical one besides - our new jute bags with our trademark nautical printed design and durable, ethical and sustainable. Pick one up in our shop - they're also being stocked at the the Wrabness Community Shop.
Coasters: Another great, practical and attractive gift idea. 4 designs (so far) - they're available for £3.95 each.
Thank you notelets: £4.50 for a pack of 6 beautiful cards printed from a hand stitched original - recycled card and biodegradable cello bag.
Together with the map mugs that we print, and the copious variety of cards that we now have in stock, don't forget to visit us when you need a birthday, anniversary or any other gift for someone special. And if that someone special (Fathers' Day in around 6 weeks time ... just saying!), is nautical, or has great coastal memories, why not think about a commissioned gift of original art. Take a look at how easy it is to have a bespoke piece of unique navi-stiched art created for your someone special. Here are a few pieces that I've created over the years:
To round off this week's newsletter, I thought I'd share that I recently took some of my work over to the Wonky Wheel Gallery in Finchingfield where I was interviewed about my work - take a look if you'd like to learn more.
I hope you're all having a fantastic start to Spring. As always, I wish you calm waters and plain sailing until the next time
Sam