Corris Uchaf, Wales
Archive for August, 2006
Summer Hols
Aug 18th
Well, we played hookey last week (actually we had a 1st class sub in the shop, but we were awol).
We went to New Quay, Ceredigion, camping for a couple of nights with Jemma, Alex, the two “rats”, and the three “amigos” (Alex’s 3 daughters). They had a longer hol but we were mindful of our quilting responsibilities in Corris and returned early.
Better than last year when our summer hols consisted of one day on the beach at Aberdyfi with Jay and her kids. Excellent day that was as well, but too short.
Good weather, good beaches, some exquisite kite flying, and the three “amigos” turned themselves into Sand Monsters, but the sea soon put paid to that.
Great time, very enjoyable … back to reality with a bump.
Corris Craft Centre has been heaving this week. Awash with people and water from the occasional heavy downpour of rain.
We continue to do our patchwork and quilting, our new line of Welsh cushions have provoked much interest.
Quilting in Llanidloes
Aug 9th
The Quilt Asscoiation
Minerva Arts Centre
LLANIDLOES – Mid Wales2006 Summer Quilt Exhibition
“Double Running”24th July – 23rd September 2006
£3 Admission – £2.50 Concession
This should be a feast of quilting to gorge your eyes on and be inspired.
Bumble Bee Quilting wishes it could have been there, but bring a catalogue to our shop at Corris Craft Centre for 10% off our fabrics.
Our Quilt shop in Corris
Aug 2nd
Seems a long time since we looked at our quilting workshop at Corris Craft Centre.
We have recently said some goodbyes, we have tried to send some designs to Canada (no luck as far as we know) and we’ve been at Carno.
Does that mean that we have deserted our quilt shop in Corris, or our Wednesday fabric stall at Machynlleth market?
No, not one bit. We still, somehow, find time to do our patchworks and quilts in our workshop. We continue to entertain our visitors (or more often than not the visitors to King Arthurs Labyrinth).
We have had some enteraining and interesting visitors who have an interest in quilting and fabrics. Too few, but those we have had have been a joy. Today’s highlights were a lady from Canada and one who is going to add rug ragging to her many textile skills. A pleasure to meet you both.
Sales also have been better than ever. Still not enough to pay our Landlord with takings from the shop, but an improvement from this time last year.
It suddenly hit us that on 12th July we had an anniversary. One year since we commenced trading and crafting within our little unit in Corris. Wow, so much has happened between the two 12ths of July. Cannot believe that we have been here one year (plus a bit now).
Where has all the time gone?
A full summer season, the dreary winter months when we saw virtually nobody from one week to the next, and now the visitors are here in droves again.
Must be getting old…. Are we enjoying it?
Part of us says yes, and part no. We enjoy the camadarie with the other crafters. We don’t like the politicing. We would love to know where the centre is going, we would love to work with our Landlord rather than be in the dark. We would love to see more people interested in crafting (and especially textiles), we would love to be able to say at the end of the week that we had made any money.
Financially, the enterprise is a nightmare and a real worry.
The constant juggle between our mortgage and the rent due on the shop. The hope that someday we may be able to have a holiday and unwind.
Its a very stressful life being a crafter in rural mid Wales.
But does anyone else care?
You don’t dear Reader, the council doesn’t even know we exist, the Welsh Assembly cares even less (it having no time at all for the lot of ordinary people in rural Wales).
But we care; we care for crafting, we care for traditions and we care for our local Welsh community and all those within it that struggle to make ends meet every day of the year in the face of official indifference.
We try to make a difference and we try to improve the lot of our fellow locals and our tourist guests.
