Here's what's happening in our creative space, the Sail Loft, the NaviStitch shop, and on Manningtree High Street over the coming weeks...
In the Sail Loft...
Can you believe that Saturday's the last day of our latest 2-week exhibition?! We've enjoyed hosting Gina Sandford-Nash and her incredible quilts in the Sail Loft Gallery, alongside bespoke knitwear creative Maggie Cook.
What a way to end September - with amazing textiles. Come and see these talented makers if you can make it to Manningtree High Street in the next couple of days!
Up next...
Let's take a look at what we've got coming up in the Sail Loft Gallery in October:
From 1-5th October we'll be asking you to judge our Manningtree Christmas Card Competition (more on that in the next article...)
From 8th-19th October we're welcoming back hugely talented artist and friend of NaviStitch, Anne Plummer with a new exhibition
From 22nd-26th October we have another collective show, this time from the members of Dovercourt Art Club. Their preview/meet the artist night is Wednesday 23rd from 6pm-9pm and you're all invited!
Finally, just sneaking into October, Tazzy Bro's bringing us a new exhibition that explains how he turned his passion into his career. He's with us from 29th October to 9th November.
Keep an eye on all of our exhibitions on our calendar
Let's talk Christmas...
🎄 Don't forget that your Manningtree Christmas Card entries have to be in by Saturday at 4pm!
There are some great prizes on offer from local businesses, as well as 12 of your own printed cards, and there are 5 categories in which you can enter: 2 x adults, child 7 and under, 8-12 and 13-17.
All entries will be displayed, and open for votes in our Sail Loft Gallery next week and winners will be printed and sold, with 50% of the sales price donated to the Manningtree Stour Valley Rotary Club to support local charities. Here's how it all works.
🎨 Get your paints, pens, pencils, crayons out and get crafting ... there's a Christmas Card Design inside you all!
Next week, in the Sail Loft, all your incredible Christmas Card designs will be on display for voting from 1st to 5th October 2024. If you're a visitor to NaviStitch, you'll be invited to vote for your favourites.
The winners will be announced on Friday 11th October 2024... Best of Luck!
And whilst we're on the subject...
🎄 Are you an artist or maker looking for somewhere to sell your creations at Christmas?
🛍️ Look no further! We're inviting applications for our Christmas Pop-up Shop that runs right from 16th November to 24th December, 7 days a week; and 27th/28th December. Preview night is 4-8pm on 15th November and late night shopping for the Manningtree Christmas Fair on Saturday 7th December until 9pm.
🎁 We've had lots of entries so far, and we're short on table space now - if your work can be wall-mounted, there is still space for you to apply. We ask that your work's unique, and suitable as a Christmas gift and we'd recommend a price tag for most pieces of less than £100.
Take a look at how it all works and get your application in before 7th October.
And finally...
We're delighted to be launching bespoke Christmas Gift wrapping paper this year, designed by me! It'll be on display next week alongside the Manningtree Christmas Card entries. (Some of my designs are in the shop already!)
Here's a video of me getting very excited as I unwrapped my first sample printing!
For personalised wrapping paper, there will be a minimum order of 10 sheets per design/customisation: £2 per sheet. I'll schedule one order on 31st October so that custom wrapping paper arrives with us mid November.
How cool will it be to have your own, personalised wrapping paper this Christmas?!
Until next time...
If you're making memories and would like to celebrate them, or you know someone who's celebrating and would like to mark the occasion, think about commissioning a piece of nautical stitched art.
Take a look at how easy it is to order your own unique piece created from maritime charts, both new and old - many of them fairly local. Always ask if you're looking for somewhere special - I've a huge collection.
Now that we can also take orders for bespoke framing in-store, the whole thing's as easy
And, if you're a gift shop or a seller of greeting cards or nautical wares, if you're a coastal retailer, a nautical-themed venue or a seaside store - or even if you have no nautical connections whatsoever but like good greeting cards, take a look at our dedicated wholesale website.
My many greeting card collections can now be purchased direct from me, online, via my trade website. Cards come in multiples of 6 and you have the option of biodegradable cello or without.
You'll need to register for an account as it's a retailer-only site:
Until next time, I wish you calm waters and plain sailing
Sam
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