Last year was a good year, a very enjoyable year in many ways. It was good to do special commissions for customers and enjoy their pleasure in buying an original art work from us. You have to earn your living but unless you give satisfaction the whole business of making things seems pointless and empty. Merely working for profit seems an impoverished approach to life and business.
Despite turbulent weather we had some excellent days on our market stalls which I [Phil] do. Cambridge Market on Sunday was a delight to do as ever. Thanks to all those people who stopped to chat, who brought me news from all over the globe and who gave me insights into all sorts of abstruse fields of study. It's as good as going to college standing Cambridge Market!
Thanks to those I've got to know on Loughborough Market for being good company. Thanks in particular to Keith who lets me nip off to the loo when he comes past and keeps me informed on matters archaeological and historical. By the way, Loughborough Market is great for fruit and veg!
Stamford Market has been quiet this year but, nevertheless, still a pleasure to do. Stamford is worth a wander around. Great old buildings, independent shops and good places to eat.
I bang on about markets because I think they are wonderful places. A bustling market feeds the soul in a way that a shopping mall never can.
Sharon has produced new designs over last year and we are both working on new ideas quite intensely at the moment. We've a fresh range of pewter brooches nearly ready which will be on our Etsy site and our website shortly, so keep an eye out for these. There are also some new Green Men shaping up nicely which will manifest themselves in the form of pewter pictures, and some new mirrors showing oak trees going through the seasons. I've done one for 'The Winter' so far [see pics].
We are looking forward to meeting you all in the New Year and, hopefully, it will be a good one.
Best Wishes to you all!
