Here's what's happening in our creative space, the Sail Loft, above the NaviStitch shop on Manningtree High Street over the coming weeks...
In the Sail Loft...
It's the last 2 days of our father / son exhibition: Tazzy Bro Photography has been sharing our Sail Loft Gallery with artist MATTRéSS. Our walls have been lined with amazing photography of the local area and beyond, and bright, colourful abstract art - if you're in Manningtree before 4pm on Saturday, call in and take a look. Tazz's 2024 Calendar is available to buy and will be right the way through our Christmas pop-up.
Talking of which...
We're spending the next week preparing our Sail Loft and NaviStitch shop for our Christmas pop-up. Curating two floors full of over 30 different artists and makers is no mean feat but we're sure you'll be impressed with our one-shop-festive-shop when we're done!
Here are the creatives whose work you'll be able to browse and buy - some favourites who have exhibited with us over the last 2 years, as well as some new favourites you've yet to meet. There will be plenty of variety from art to ceramics, from jewellery to knitwear - you'll be sure to get lots crossed off your Christmas list when you visit.
We'll be open 7 days a week from Saturday 18th November, through to Saturday 23rd December: 10-5 Mondays to Saturdays, 11-3 Sundays. We'll also be opening from 27th to 30th December 10-4 in case you want to spend your Christmas money in style!
You're all invited to our preview evening on Friday 17th November from 4-8pm. It's your chance to see a few of the artists and makers and chat to them about their work, before we open the shop up for Christmas the following day. Call in if you can - we'd all love to see you.
In other news...
We're too excited to wait until next week to begin selling our Manningtree Christmas Card Competition winners' cards - they've arrived in the shop and so we're putting them on display! We're so happy that they're here, but don't delay - we can't see them sticking around for long - they'll be on sale from tomorrow until they're all sold out!🎄
On a different note, I thought I'd show you a commission that I recently completed: The owner of 'Sunshine', that sails on the Solent is going to be the lucky recipient of this piece. As we've been talking of Christmas, it's never too early to plan ahead. If you're thinking about something bespoke and personal for someone special this year, why not talk to me about a piece of nautical stitched art to help with a special memory or place? If you fancy commissioning a piece of tailored artwork for Christmas, or for a special occasion, take a look at how easy it is.
And finally...
We're 2! Can you believe it's been 2 years since we opened the doors to NaviStitch and the Sail Loft? We've certainly packed a whole host of events, exhibitions, new products, workshops and art into 24 months... and we couldn't have done it without you! We want to thank everyone that's been involved either behind the scenes or on display: our artists and makers, our fellow Manningtree shop owners, but most of all you - without you we wouldn't be here. We'll be raising a glass to you all this evening - here's to the next 2 and beyond!
Until next time, I wish you calm waters and plain sailing
Sam