New Stockist: Lancashire

ashley thomas
Dream of Garstang is set is historic market town Garstang near Preston in Lancashire. They are a contemporary lifestyle shop full of wonderful gift ideas, ladies fashion products and unique homeware. You can now find my products in there too!



Visit them at...

Dream-of-Garstang

10 High Street, Garstang, Preston, Lancashire, PR3 1FA

Gingerbread Recipe

baking

Gingerbread biscuits are the ultimate Christmas bake. The smell of ginger and cinnamon fills the house when baking them, this mix of spices is reminiscent of Christmas. They are such a fun and easy thing to make over the Christmas period with children and family.

You'll need...
350g plain flour, 1 tbsp ginger, 1tbsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp mixed spice,
A pinch of salt, 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
175g unsalted butter, 4 tbsp golden syrup, 150g dark muscovado sugar

To make...
Put the butter, sugar and syrup into a saucepan
and heat gentle until melted.
Sift the flour, spices, salt and bicarbonate of soda into a large mixing bowl
then add to the saucepan.
Mix well and roll into a ball of dough.
Chill in the fridge for 15 mins.
Roll out the dough to 1cm thick on a lightly floured surface.
Prepare a baking tray with baking paper.
Then use my Christmas cutters to cut out different shapes
and transfer to the baking tray.
Stamp the circular pieces with my Christmas biscuit stamps.
Bake in the oven for 8 minutes. Allow to cool completely.
Then have fun decorating them with icing, silver balls and edible glitter.

Exclusive Event: Open Studios

ashley thomas
Next weekend is our exclusive Open studios & Christmas Market at the Harley Gallery.
It's an exclusive opportunity to come and have a look around my design studio, talk to me directly about my work and products, as well as an once a year opportunity to buy directly from me and other designer makers who work at the Harley Gallery Studios.
There will be 70 art and food stalls and Paint-a-Pot workshops as well.
So come and start your Christmas shopping in style!
Opening times

Friday 27 November, 10am to 5pm

Saturday 28 November, 10am to 5pm

Sunday 29 November, 10am to 4pm


For more information, visit www.harleygallery.co.uk

New stockist: Lyme Regis

ashley thomas
A Touch of Vintage is a wonderful little shop in Lyme Regis. Situated on the pretty Georgian Broad Street. It's packed to the brim with beautiful gifts and designer products. From hand bags to toiletries, homeware and unusual cards. And now you can find my cushion kits and greeting cards there too.


Visit their friendly shop...
51 Broad St, Lyme Regis, DT7 3QF

The Christmas Art Market and Harley Open Studios 27-29 November 2015

Events

The best of the region’s contemporary artists and designers will be showcasing their work, from jewellery and ceramics to prints and textiles at the Christmas Art and Food Market at The Harley Gallery on the Welbeck Estate this month.

Now in its 15th year, the popular event is opening fully for three whole days for the first time to allows the thousands of visitors more browsing time at the 70 art and food stalls.

There's also the opportunity to explore The Harley Studios and buy directly from the community of resident artists from potters and jewellers to textile designers. Only open to the public twice a year, this is a rare chance to explore this fascinating hub of creativity and meet the makers in the studios housed within the 5th Duke of Portland’s Victorian Tan Gallop and Kitchen Garden.

Paint-a-Pot workshops for visitors looking to create a special gift will also be running in the new Harley Ceramics Studio. A charge applies and advance booking is required.

With more than 20 food stalls in the Courtyard, alongside the award winning Welbeck Farm Shop, the event is also a great place to pick up the best of locally produced fine food and drink from Stichelton Cheese, Welbeck Abbey Brewery ales and meats raised on the Welbeck Estate itself while the Welbeck Christmas Pudding and Welbeck mince pies created by the estate's own bakers at the Welbeck Bakehouse are sure to be popular.

The food market promises to leave visitors spoilt for choice with stalls offering tasty delights from sweet treats from Wollaton Honey; Dotty about Jam and Hedgerow Preserves to specialities such as flour from Tuxford Windmill and cider from Scrumpy Wasp.

For the Art Market, The Harley Gallery is presenting a carefully curated selection of 56 designer-makers drawn from across the region to showcase a stunning selection of crafts and designs that make for unusual and fantastic Christmas gifts.

As well as Harley favourites such as jeweller Jennie Gill and printmaker James Green, the market will be the chance to view exciting new exhibitors too.

One of these is Olivier Leger, whose exceptional work first came to the attention of Harley when he entered the Open Exhibition earlier this year and scooped two of the top prizes. He will be showing his highly detailed pen and ink drawings alongside a collection of prints. 

Another new exhibitor at the market is the award winning maker Louise Mary Muttitt, a South Derbyshire silversmith and jeweller whose work has been showcased at prolific art fairs including the Goldsmith’s Fair in London and shown in prestigious galleries including the V&A. 

The Christmas Market takes place in the newly re-landscaped Courtyard, The Harley Gallery, Welbeck Farm Shop and The Harley Studios but please be aware that this is mainly an outdoor event and the site can become muddy. Visitors are advised to arrive early. Parking and entry is free.

Opening times
Friday 27 November, 10am to 5pm
Saturday 28 November, 10am to 5pm
Sunday 29 November, 10am to 4pm

For more information, visit www.harleygallery.co.uk

New Stockist: Leeds

ashley thomas
I have a new stockist in Leeds! Ideas Unlimited are a gift shop in Horsforth, Leeds.
They now stock my greeting cards and notebooks.
 
Visit them at... 
85C Town St, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 5BP

New Stockist: West Sussex

ashley thomas
Charlwood designs is a family run business who specialise in designing, supplying and installing quality made kitchens and bedrooms. Their showroom also houses some hand picked greeting cards, gifts and kitchen accessories. You can now found my cards there too.

Visit them at ...
136 South Road, Hayward Heath, West Sussex, RH16 4LT
or online at charlwood-designs.co.uk