Skulls just wanna have fun!

Happy Mandy's are everywhere! There are five of us working from the arty bottom of Town Street, Shepton Mallet which is fast becoming 'Studio Land'.  There's Mandie with an 'ie' , also known as Amanda (oh, that's me) at Starlight Studio Art, there's artist Mandy McKenna who previously had a vintage clothes shop in town and now makes things, alongside Claire Goodman from their creative studio Lethal Postman, opposite.  Then there's Amanda the hairdresser at Flix Hair Studio which is next door to Starlight Studio Art.  New boutique IDo-Vintage, is owned by Miranda, who (just to add to fun) used to be known as Mandy but now likes to be known as Miranda, then last but not least theres Mandy with a 'y', who runs The Barber Shop diagonal to us.  

Today, I'd like to talk about this Mandy.  Not only is she a talented hair cutter and colourist but she also has her own business Fairygirl Jewellery.  As an avid collector of all kinds of beads, baubles, crystals and gems, she turns these into funky costume jewellery and can make unique, bespoke designs tailored to your requirements. Creativity obviously runs in Mandy's family as her daughter Corinne designs and carves quirky, slightly scary skulls which are used in funky displays to model the jewellery. Skulls and jewellery can be purchased directly from The Barbers Shop at 23 Town Street, BA4 5BE, where walk-in hair appointments are sometimes available

 Talking of skulls, at Starlight Studio Art, we have several collectable happy chaps hanging around.  There's a Celtic patterned Design Clinic fella from Cornwall, a slightly more Gothy gold fanged one, chewing a rose and my favourite, is rocking the neon-pirate look on a fabulous felt cushion.  

Not for the faint 'arted all this skullduggery!

Skulls designed and carved by Corinne 

available from The Barber Shop

Pre-loved Neon Pirate Skull Cushion, handmade in Somerset, 
from Starlight Studio Art

Happy skull oil painting by Mandie Stone 
at Starlight Studio Art

Wild things make your heart sing in downtown Shepton

Miranda at IDo Vintage in Town Street, Shepton Mallet has an "Absolutely Fabulous dahlin', sweety, gorgeous sweety dahlin" window full of beautiful vintage fashion-y things.  Perhaps, Patsy Stone, the champagne-swigging fashionista would feel right at home in Town Street these days, seeing as East Somerset is so fashionable for those urbanites wanting to escape the madness of the city - for, errmm, the even madder madness of the countryside.  Who knows, after a swish cream tea and pampering in the Charlton House spa, she might even pop into Vape in the Market Place and swap her real fags for a pretend one.

Anyway, back to IDo Vintage, that zebra coat is certain to add animal magic to any wardrobe - and you certainly won't be striped up by Miranda as all her exciting stock is very reasonably priced. If you do decide to treat yourself to this wild number, please be sure not to lay down in it as you wouldn't want anyone crossing you!

What a wild and wonderful day and it's all about new movies!  It's not all about juices, smoothies and vintage stuff you know.  This afternoon, bubbly vegan, costume designer and wife of Dave the Shepton busker Janet Burden literally swung downtown to Starlight Studio Art for a herbal tea - in a funky Tarzan outfit. Aaarhh, aaarhhhh, aaaarrr, arrrrrrrr.........Oh and she told me all about her creative business Unicorn Spit Originals where she has been trading in Shepton Mallet for 3 years now and makes costumes for films, bespoke special occasionwear, fantasty and role play costumes for theatrical events and can do themed styling for videos and photoshoots for bands/performers.  Pictured here is her dapper hubby wearing a poncho Janet customised from a skirt found in a charity shop. Janet is not only handy with a sewing machine.  She has a Masters Degree in English and taught in secondary schools in Essex for over 20 years before moving to Somerset for a quiet life!  Not so quiet when Dave's practicing his busking routine though!

Feature by Mandie Stone