Bumble Bee Quilting Blog
Corris Uchaf, Wales
A week with our heads in the clouds
May 26th
The monsoons have arrived in Mid Wales.
We tell our visitors that there’s a thick sea mist and some spray – but actually its been incessent rain and heavy showers. So, we’ve lived with our heads in the clouds and our visitors have lived in their rain coats.
But everyone’s cheery, seems the whole of the UK is getting pretty much the same.
Roll on spring, you’ve been a long time comming.
Spring bank holiday just around the corner and all the bulbs and flowers at Corris Craft Centre have been washed away and drowned.
With no end in sight to the monsoon, there’s the World Cup to look forward to. As the Real World Champs (Wales) have had the grace to decline an invite to Germany “so that the others can have a chance”, we shall be supporting the World “B” team – BRAZIL. Come on the bouys in Yellow and Green.
Meanwhile, we look forward to greeting the throng in our own little arena at Corris Craft Centre and delighting them with our fabrics, patchwork and quilts. Plus, there’s one very special quilt we have lined up for a very special Lady (Teresa Anna) in our own little village of Corris Uchaf in aid of Breast Cancer Research. More Soonest ….
Our shoppers this week
May 20th
A hectic week.
We started it by driving to Leicester, then to Nottingham to see Ladysmith Black Mambazo (brill), back to Leicester for the night and then to London.
The gig was a Christmas present courtesy of No1 Daughter – Outstanding
On our way to Leicester we spent some time with No1 Son who was hard at work bettering himself studying to be a Mortgage Consultant.
We spent a short night in Leicester with No2 Son who is a highly competent self employed Shopfitter with experience throughout Europe and North America.
Thence to London to see No2 Daughter, a hughly talented apprentice Tailor in London’s Saville Row.
We had time for two very happy visits to Kar and P and some of their little treasures.
And back to our Quilting Craft Shop in Corris – carefully minded by No1 Daughter and Ollie for our 4 days’ absence. Very successful they were too.
Since our return we have had some delightful shoppers – 2 couples from the Nottingham/Chesterfield area, some Ladies from the Fairbourne WI, and then today some lovely people; beginners and experienced alike – fond memories of time spent together. Diolch yn Fawr.
This is part of which makes crafting such a joy. Not just the actual mechanics of the craft, but being able to share with folk such as these who have visited us this week.
A delight to meet you all….
**** Numbers above reflect succession of birth alone.
What is this Craft Centre thingy at Corris then?
May 12th
Well, as you ask – a quick explanation …
Basically Corris Craft Centre is a general term for 3 sets of businesses.
At the Craft Centre itself we have 10 craft units. Each crafter designs, makes and sells their wares from their own craft workshop. There are wooden toys, pottery, jewellery, leather, candles, patchwork and quilting (us), glass sculpturs, rustic furniture, woodturning and pyrography, and card (kard) making. You can visit (free) and watch, join in or buy if you like.
There is also a cafe run by Chris “Coffi”. She has an outstanding team of kitchen and ice cream staff, including Chai, Jude, Tony, Sarah, Phillipa, Mentol, Amy, and Angel.
King Arthur’s Labyrinth is an underground adventure through the old mines whilst The Bard’s Quest is a gentle stroll through a maze. Both examine myths and legends of old.
The Labyrinth reception in run by Jackie (with the recently retired Anne “doing” the books), assisted by Sammy and the Shepherds.
The Tourist Information Centre is run by Ann, Julie and “Garden” Jackie, who is our gardener in chief hence her name.
The Underground operations are managed by “Head Boy” (Hew), stoutly assisted by “Wing Commander” Steve, with able contributions from Mark, Ryan and Dave.
All of this is overseen by Ian; who takes his turn at maintenance, reception, and even as a sheperd.
Confused? You wont be if you come on down and pay us a visit amongst the delightful countryside of Mid Wales. A great day for young and not so young alike.
A Quiet couple of weeks
May 7th
Easter has passed, and so has the first May bank holiday.
The trees are greening, the birds singing and the countryside reinvents itself at this magical time of Spring.
There can be no where on earth as beautiful as Spring in Mid Wales, and especially at Corris Craft Centre.
Like silk worms we continue to sew and weave our way through our current projects. We have nearly completed our two Celtic wallhangings with our versions of the Red Dragon and celtic knotwork. Hope you like them.
We are also developing a theme of celebratory Welsh love spoons, built in woodlike fabrics, with personal inscriptions embroidered onto them. Rare and charming gifts for those special days.
We hope to have illustratory pictures as soon as we can.
Even better, come and see them at Bumble Bee Quilting…..
Easter 2006
Apr 18th
The air is mainly dry and the crowds flock.
We’ve been buzzy Bees down at the Corris Craft Centre, and Bumble Bee Quilting has been as busy as ever.
The patchwork and quilting craft continues apace when the light allows, Amazing how hazy light can make sewing so difficult. Even under daylight bulbs there is not enough contrast to show up what and where you are sewing. A real strain on the already fatigued eyes. Cannot be good for long term vision.
But, retail is going and interest from the visiting public is resonable at best. We too have to make a living.
We have only been here since July 2005, but from our short experience we can say without hesitation that the vast majority of visitors to the craft units are just wasting time between boats for the journey through King Arthur’s Labyrinth.
Of the other 8% who visit the Corris Craft Centre some are genuinely interested in crafting generally, and the rest know the crafters they wish to visit and make the point of seeing them and perhaps no others.
For the 92% however, we are nursing and providing some light entertainment for them and their families whilst they wait their turn underground. In much the same way that the education system nurses younger children and their families before they go up to the bigger schools.
Very disappointing
That’s Lucky
Apr 10th
I’m told there is an advert with a lucky dog.
Well, we are a Craft Centre with a Lucky Lamb, who is aptly named.
Lucky, having been rescued from the crows developed some kind of tummy bug.
My sister, brother-in-law and their 3 little angels are visiting us and have met Lucky, a poorly Lucky though. That was yesterday, and today I am happy to report that Lucky’s health is improving. The tummy bug is lessening and she is skipping about and is very much more cheerful. Just a blip then we hope.
So, my nieces can now meet a happy and well Lucky and they can appreciate one of natures gifts.
Just as we crafters try to work close to mother nature with the natural materials we all use in our various crafts.
Our first week back
Apr 7th
Cannot believe it, a week into our new season already.
The sun has shone and yet the visitors arrived,. Not in droves, but enough to act as an encouraging sign for the season ahead. Financially as well the week has been quite reasonable. We have hopes for a modest profit this year (possibly even into 3 figures).
We have to pay for 12 month’s rent, but the season is actually only half that so we need to work and sell at double quick time to make up for the wintertime when the craft centre is generally devoid of any visitors.
Its been exhausting … but its great to see all our fellow crafters. Debbie, in the candle studio, has rescued a lamb, named Lucky, who is now 4 days old. Lucky was being mobbed by the crows and too week to even open her eyes. Now, after 3 days of Debbie’s gentle ministrations, she is gamboling about and as bright as a button.
Come to Corris Craft Centre and possibly meet one of the Luckiest creatures born this fine spring in the shadows of our majestic Welsh mountains.
we all gathered together
Mar 31st
So, we had a group hug, one or two nibbles and shared a glass of rose sparkling wine.
Cheerio Ann, there is no doubt as to your worth to the current success of King Arthur’s Labyrinth.
You will continue as the part time book-keeper – but you have done so much more for Ian. Glad he appreciates it in the form of either a keyring or a broach (we were not too sure which it was). Anyway, hope you enjoyed the afternoon…..
All the staff of the Labyrinth (even Hugh awoke from his slumbers, so you must have been delighted as well as surprised) and the tenants of Corris Craft Centre were there to wish you well.
The new Season becons and Jackie now controls the shop, Chris Coffi the canteen and Hugh the underground men (the “moles”). Will Steve ever get any redder than tonight, will Garden Jackie ever control Mark’s urge to utter, will Ryan ever be sober, will Sammy ever grow taller than the spindliest cat, and will Hugh ever see the summer or will he sleep through it … Life is never so interesting as that experienced in rural Wales.
So, a ship you have never seen so stable, flounders on.
Us crafters, how do we think? Is this an opportunity or an irrelevance to our businesses?
Only time will tell………….
