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You can now follow Itch Gallery on Bloglovin! I've only just discovered Bloglovin but I really like it as I can follow all my blogs in one place, no matter what platform they're on. And I get emailed updates so I know when I have a new blog post to read. I will do a new blog post soon on great blogs to follow for makers/general lovelyness.

Jen x

Buy art, Save a dog!

'Dreaming'

'Daddy Long Legs'

A while ago I stumbled across a website/blog called 'A Year to Help.' Fed up of "claiming to be an animal lover and yet doing nothing to help," Martin Usborne, who runs the site, has taken a year off work to try and save as many animals as he can.

This approach may sound a little extreme but I have the utmost admiration for this guy, he's simply doing what he can and I wish there were more people out there like him.

I have a little dog called Dylan. He is a whippet cross and has helped me through some tough times. We rescued him and watched as he grew and began to trust us and I am very thankful he is in my life. So when I read Martin's post 'The Rise and Fall of the Galgo' I felt sickened and compelled to help. (NB: I couldn't get the post out of my head for days after reading the treatment the poor Galgos suffered so you may want to give that post a miss if you are of a sensitive nature!) 

'Leader of the Pack'

When I saw that Martin, himself a professional photographer, was selling his photos of the Galgos with all money going directly to help a Galgo rescue centre in Spain, I knew this was how I could help in my own little way. I am proud to say that Itch Gallery is now selling some of the beautiful Galgo photographic pieces online and in store and every penny (except postage) will go straight to the Galgo rescue. All 4 of the images in this post are for sale. They are £35 each plus £2.99 postage and packing in the UK. You can buy them through our online shop, in person through the gallery or even over the phone. Just give me a ring on 01572 756760 if you would like more details.

I, too am fed up of sitting idly, whilst others take up the challenge of making a difference. EVERYONE can help. YOU can help buy buying a print, I can help by not taking any commission, Martin can help by producing his prints solely for the charity, and Charlotte at the charity can help by taking that much needed cash and going to the rescue!!

'Ambo - Profile'

New Jewellery!

I'm pleased to show you one of our new jewellery stockists - the lovely Evie Milo of Milomade!
Milomade is based in Scotland and follows the motto "too goo too waste" which I think is an excellent concept and really sums up her unique style.

One of the things that struck me upon receiving my delivery from Milomade is how her focus on reducing, reusing and recycling even applies to how her pieces are packaged and presented - which I think really adds to their value. Her pendants even come with a little tag explaining their provenance - the one below was originally a silver teaspoon crafted in 1909 by Charles Wilkes. I love the idea of knowing the heritage of your pendants' previous life and wondering what life was like for the person who made it or first used it.

Vintage Silver Teaspoon Love Heart Pendant

Since having a more in depth look at the Milomade website I discovered that Evie also sells cartoon envelopes and ephemera packs - perfect for a stationary geek like me!

Silver Heart Earrings on Presentation Card

The run up to Christmas stopped me blogging for a while - watch this space for more information on some of our other selected artists and makers too! P.S. - Check out what Evie wrote about Itch Gallery too, over on the Milomade blog....

Focus Gallery - Nottingham

The Interior of Focus Gallery

On Sunday afternoon I went for my first visit to the Focus Gallery in Nottingham, run by Lorraine Murphy and her husband Angelo. Since buying the gallery in April I have been in contact with some of the owners of other galleries in the Midland but had not yet had the chance to visit so I was really looking forward to it. I was not disappointed.

The gallery stocks a mix of textiles, ceramics, prints, jewellery, art and more - and at reasonable prices. The basis principle behind the gallery is the same as at Itch - supporting talented British artists and makers, and providing customers with a change from the mass production of the high street - but we both stock different types of work.

It was great to chat to Lorraine about the gallery and our different artists. I loved looking at the jewellery!! I couldn't stop myself from buying a piece of ceramics and a gorgeous necklace.

Artist Painting a Monkey

Beautiful Necklace - I love it so much!

Focus also  has a downstairs gallery, a framers and a workshop space. I would love to do workshops at Itch Gallery, if only we had the space! If you get chance, pop in next time you are in Nottingham!

Jenny x

Can't get enough!

This is my latest purchase from the fabulous Suet Yi Yip, whose work we are currently stocking in the gallery. I first became aware of Suet Yi Yip's fabulous ceramics work whilst I was exhibiting my own ceramics at last years Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair in Manchester. Suet Yi was on the new graduates stand and I fell in love with her work immediately. I bought my first piece then and there and have continued to buy from her every single time I've seen her at other fairs such as Lustre and Earth and Fire. However, after buying my 6th piece I did think that I would be able to visit Lustre this year and not make a purchase from her. This plan was going well until I saw this little bunny piece (above). I had to have it and can't wait to put it up on my wall. I think this one might be my favourite (so far!)

If you want to purchase your own piece of Suet Yi's work, contact the gallery on 01572 756760 or email me at: info@itchgallery.co.uk - I am hoping to upload her remaining stock on to our online shop within the next week, website details are below. www.itchgallery.co.uk/all

Jenny x

Beautiful Claire West Paintings

I just had to share with you 3 of the paintings by Claire West that we've just sold. Since I bought the gallery in April this year, Claire's paintings have become a firm favourite with me. The colours and subjects continue to grow on me and I have decided that I need to own one to go in my bedroom. In short, I love them!

'Lots and Lots of Trees'

'Foxy Foxy' - I was very sad to sell this one as I wanted it myself!

'The Bird with the Golden Ring'

The gentleman who bought 'foxy foxy' came back a few weeks later to see our new Claire West pictures. He was telling me that one of his friends actually knew the artist and had taken her out bird ringing. When I showed him the painting he gasped - obviously the bird ringing trip had provided Claire with the inspiration for this painting. To make it even better, the birds featured in this painting are Tree Sparrows, which have grown increasingly rare in the last 50 years, but which can actually still be found in the customers back garden! I was pleased to be able to sell the customer something so obviously perfect for him!

Jenny x

Blogging Time!

Since I bought the gallery in April 2012 I have been very busy making changes and trying to put my own stamp on things. Through my concerted effort to put more photos and interesting things on our facebook page, I have had a fantastic response. This got me thinking that maybe I should restart the blog - so people that are interested can see more lovely things! This is just to get me into the swing of things.

Here is a lovely set of handpainted nesting owls.
We have just sold them - they are awesome!

I'm keeping this post short and sweet so Ciao for now and look out for the next blog post!  Jenny x