Shepton now has a regular Sunday Market!

Every third Sunday in the month, until further notice, we now have a Sunday Market in Shepton! Yesterday, I went to the first one, which had at least 60 stalls.  There was food, bric-a-brac, vintage, crafts and lots more.  In addition, many of the shops in Town Street, and the bottom of the High Street were open, including the one I am involved with - the One Craft Gallery.  It was so good to see Shepton full of people, having a great time, even though the weather wasn't great!  Let's hope it goes from strength to strength...

Helen - Contributor

Snowdrop Festival is here!

Shepton is awash with snowdrops as it's first Snowdrop Festival begins!  We, at the One Craft Gallery have contributed with a themed window design, which was given a special award.  We produced artwork and wares inspired by snowdrops in all sorts of mediums - see above.  Other shops and businesses have also shown solidarity with displays of their own... 

The images above and below show some of the activities which took place at the Friday Market and at Snowdrop HQ in Town Street.  It was a real education!  I never knew there were so many different varieties, each with their own name and features...

Shepton Mallet Horticultural Society, who have organised the festival, have certainly been busy.  There are colourful planters all over the town, and stencilled images on the pavements leading people to the action!  Refreshments, the results of the photographic and poetry competitions, workshops and snowdrop related stalls are all at the HQ.  In addition, a number of events have been organised.  These include, a ceremonial walk to James Allen's grave - the first person to breed snowdrops from wild varieties - to plant some snowdrops, and on Sunday, a guided snowdrop ramble through Edford Woods, 3 miles north-east of Shepton.

The festival kicked off with an opening ceremony, the town crier and a display by the suitably named rhythmic gymnastic group called The City of Bath Snowdrops!  It was great to see so many people around the Market Cross in Shepton.  Hopefully, this festival is just the start of a successful annual event for the town...

Helen - Contributor

Shepton's Snowdrop Festival

This is the first year of the Shepton Mallet Snowdrop Festival.  It has been started to commemorate James Allen, who lived in the town, and was the first person to breed snowdrops from wild varieties. It is being run by the Shepton Mallet Horticultural Society and takes place on February 17-19.

'Dancing Snowdrops' - mixed media on board (23 x 12 inches)

Last year volunteers planted snowdrops, which have now appeared!  There are to be events and competitions sponsored by the local council and businesses.  At the One Craft Gallery, we are doing a special 'snowdrop' window design next week. In celebration, I have done a mixed media artwork, entitled 'Dancing Snowdrops' - the photographs above show close-up detail, as well as the completed picture.

Helen - Contributor

New Market for Shepton Mallet

Last Sunday, Shepton was teeming with people at a new market taking place around the Market Place.  Named as a Christmas Special, it was organised by Helen Reader, who hopes that a Sunday market, once a month, will become a regular event.

It was opened by the Town Crier and there was a large variety of stalls, including food, crafts, flowers, gifts, fashion etc. Many of the shops in the High Street and Town Street were also open, including the One Craft Gallery, which I am involved with.  I was serving in the shop and it was wonderful to see so many people coming in and buying!

We were lucky that the weather stayed fine and there was such a warm and friendly atmosphere - it was a great success and a  fantastic start to the Christmas festivities...

Helen - Contributor

'the punk faery artworks'

Sally Jacob, a local Somerset artist, is currently a Guest Maker at the One Craft Gallery in Shepton's High Street - see above.  She describes herself as a fantasy artist, whose artwork explores the darker/steampunk side of faery.  She trades under the name - the punk faery artworks.  Her paintings, prints and cards focusses on mermaids, faery creatures, fairy tales and the psychology behind them...

Sally also designs and makes unique and bespoke accessories and jewellery in her 'steampunk' style. They usually contain a combination of vintage components, found objects and her imagination! Her latest jewellery collection embraces the trend for raw gemstones and pearls mixed with cute woodland themed pieces.  Her work is for sale in the gallery until the end of October.

Helen - Contributor 

Somerset Open Studios 2016

Anyone who is interested in seeing what talented and creative people live in Somerset will be looking forward to Somerset Open Studios - 17th September - 2nd October.  This is run by SAW - Somerset Art Works, who are an artist-led organisation dedicated to developing the visual arts, and supporting artists in Somerset.

The comprehensive brochure is now widely available - we have loads in the One Craft Gallery, near Market Place, Shepton Mallet. It gives maps (divided into areas), directions, and details of 208 venues and nearly 300 artists in many different fields. There are also other exciting arts events and creative activities listed.

I have started looking through the 96 pages of my brochure to plan what to see! There is a huge variety of works- something for everybody. I find it fascinating, as this is the chance to go to artists' private workplaces and talk to them...

Helen - Contributor

Guest Artists at the One Craft Gallery

The One Craft Gallery is a maker's co-operative in Shepton.  To bring in new artworks and create a constantly fresh look, there is a programme of guest artists, which I organise.  The guests stay for two months at a time and we have two at once. This month we have Craig Eyles, a potter, and Brigit Lilley, a printmaker.

Craig's sophisticated ceramic vessels are thrown from his potter's wheel in his Frome studio.  His pots are decorative and functional, with beautiful coloured glazes, and will be in the gallery until the end of August. 

Brigit lives in Shepton and makes colourful, vibrant abstract prints, of all sizes, using mainly collagraph and monoprint techniques.  They are often inspired by the landscape.  She has a range of popular card designs, based on her prints, and her artwork is around until the end of the month.  

It is a pleasure to have such lovely artworks for sale!  If anyone is interested in becoming a guest artist do contact me...  

Helen - Contributor

A New Contributor - Blog Author

I have answered the call for some contributors to this blog!  My name is Helen Thompson, a mixed media artist, who lives in Shepton Mallet.  I love my town and would like to encourage more people to visit and support it's small businesses, independent shops and creative people...

I already have a shared blog which shows the delights of walking in and around Shepton - walkthetalkshepton.blogspot.co.uk. The photograph above shows me on an early morning walk on high ground, overlooking Shepton.  You can just see Glastonbury Tor in the background!  I also have my own blog to showcase my artwork and the One Craft Gallery, which is a makers' co-operative that I belong to, situated in the centre of town.  If you have an event coming up, or an interesting story to tell, and maybe some photographs, do contact me - details are on my blog - hmtmixedmedia.blogspot.co.uk. It doesn't have to be just in Shepton, as I shall be looking at creative people and happenings around Somerset... 

HMT Mixed Media Artist

Today! Mid Somerset Show - Craft Hall

Photo via; hmtmixedmedia.blogspot.co.uk

One Craft Gallery will be showcasing their work at the

Shepton Show today 
Trade Stand W16 - Craft Hall

In the WIndow - Coastal Theme, with One Craft Gallery

One Craft Gallery have themed the window with an appropriate coastal theme, no surprise in this hot weather when thoughts provoke images of the sea and glorious British beaches

Displayed are textured ceramics and fish glazed dishes

Inspiration from little coastal cottages

Coloured glass fish and sea bird paintings

Summer hats with coastal flowers and urchin inspired glass 

Iridescent surfaces and sea shells 

One Craft Gallery showcase a selection of Jewellery, ceramics, glass, wood, textiles, painting/mixed media and printmaking/photography. 

A small group of local crafts people and artists run the cooperative; Rowena Kinsman, Rachel Kerrison, Caroline Tetley, Pam lloyd, Sheila Holness, John & Helen Ablitt, Fran Davies, David Chambers, Buffy Fletcher, Mayumi Kaneko, Helen Thompson, Martin Rumary, Kerrie McNeil, John Waters.

The gallery also feature guest artists once a month. July introduces Gillian Hulse from Wells. 

Her designs are often inspired by land, seascapes and the natural world.

1, High Street next to the Market Place, Shepton Mallet

Opening times 10am - 5pm Monday - Saturday