Here's what's happening in our creative space, the Sail Loft, above the NaviStitch shop on Manningtree High Street over the coming weeks...
We had the best Christmas this year - we saw so many of you and loved hosting over 30 amazing artists and makers in our pop-up shop. Thanks so much to all of you that supported us and did your Christmas shopping the NaviStitch way!
We've totted up the proceeds from the sale of our Christmas Card Design competition cards and are delighted to announce that we raised £304. The money has gone to Manningtree Rotary to distribute to local charities including We Care Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre - thanks to all of you that bought cards and contributed.
We're now taking a much-needed break with the NaviStitch shop opening again on Saturday 20th January. Keep abreast of everything that you've got to look forward to this year by bookmarking our calendar page - although we're having a rest, we'll be so excited to be back with so many great exhibitions and events!
In the NaviStitch Shop...
When we come back from our holidays, we'll be opening on Tuesdays 10am-4pm every week! Adding an extra day is a decision that we've made following feedback from our customers, and in consultation with our Manningtree High Street friends. So, you'll see more of us from 23rd January and we can't wait! We'll also be welcoming Demelza. Those of you that visited the shop in December may have met the newest member of our NaviStitch team. Please give her a warm welcome if you see her in the shop when we reopen - you'll see Demelza mostly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the NaviStitch shop, and occasionally other days too starting on 23rd January - we're delighted to have her join us!
In the Sail Loft...
From 23rd January to 10th February we're really looking forward to hosting our second Pre-Loved Art Sale!
🎨 Buyers - find something unusual, rare, or bag yourself a bargain
🖼️ Sellers - find new homes for art that you no longer love, or have space for. Original art or numbered edition prints only - and you get to set your own price!
Start looking in your loft or searching your sideboards for unwanted art and get ready to deliver them to the NaviStitch shop on Saturday 20th January. More details here
In other news...
Here are a few interesting commissions that I've been working on lately:
3000 Miles - This commission was inspired by a previous commission the customer saw at a friend's house. It depicts a 3000 mile road trip that the couple took to a wedding in Croatia. The journey is stitched onto the map and, around the outside, lots of mementos of their trip are placed.
River Thames Pilot - This is a vintage chart of the River Thames into the city of London, with a Port of London Authority pilot boat stitched onto it. It has been gifted to a retired pilot this Christmas.
River Yealm - The couple that ordered this commission asked me for the River Yealm near Plymouth, expecting very little detail and a Plymouth-based chart. On a hunt through my extensive stock I found this lovely vintage Imray chart showing full detail of the River Yealm. On closer inspection the recipient's house can event be found on the chart!
Lost in waters deep - This is a vintage Orkney Islands chart and has been gifted to one of the founders of Lost in Waters Deep. As well as their logo, there are little stitched anchors, each anchor representing a wreck that Lost In Waters Deep have found and recorded. It was obvious that this needed to be framed in one of our SS Pegu frames -so many interesting connections and such a lovely story, their web site makes interesting reading.
If you'd like to find out about commissioning a bespoke piece of art to make memories for someone special, or to record something you'd like to remember, take a look at how easy it is. I'm back from 20th January and will be ready to take up the needle!
And finally...
For wholesalers of greeting cards, coastal gift shops, nautical themed venues: we're currently working on a wholesale website, and should be ready for launch around the end of February. To be informed when the website goes live, please drop me an email and ask to be added to my list!
If you're an artist or maker and are interested in hiring the Sail Loft for an exhibition, workshop or pop-up event, take a look at details of our space and how to book.
Until next time, I wish you calm waters and plain sailing
Sam