Christmas Stockings – well they have to be red don’t they! And when it comes to natural dyeing nothing does red like cochineal. Cochineal is expensive, it always has been. Highly prized for centuries as producing the best reds for textile dyeing. When it arrived in Europe following the Spanish conquest of Mexico it was…
DetailsYou may have noticed that the Girl’s Own Store Website has undergone some changes this week. It was set up when the Bridport shop was in full swing. But since the doors closed (2 years ago now!!) the business has evolved and the website badly needed an update to reflect what’s going on NOW…
DetailsSpinster is a problematic word. The first meaning to brings to mind today is old maid. Not a description any woman aspires to. So having knitted and crocheted for years perhaps it’s no wonder that it took so long to get involved in spinning. It is, after all, at the start of the process of producing yarn.…
DetailsEeles Pottery is in the village of Mosterton, on the road between Beaminster and Crewkerne. Despite having driven past it countless times this was the first visit (they were open as part of Bridport Arts Week) – long overdue. It is a truly family affair. David and his wife Patricia set up their home and…
DetailsBonfield BlockPrinters is a the sort of place that you either have to seek out or you stumble upon by accident when you least expect it. Cameron Short and Janet Tristram set up in the old stores in Thorncombe, a hidden away village tucked into the furthermost corner of West Dorset. Off the beaten track…
DetailsThe Weald and Downland Living Museum is a bit of a trek from Dorset, a few miles north of Chichester in the South Downs National Park. But it made a great stopping off point on a trip to Kent. It’s an open air museum, where they have rescued old houses, cottages and other rural buildings…
DetailsFeed the Birds – it’s not tuppence a bag anymore. But it’s well worth it. There have been some feeders hanging in an apple tree in the garden for years. Mixed seed, fat balls and peanuts have attracted many birds. Lots and lots of sparrows, plus a few blue tits and great tits. There are…
DetailsSpinning and Weaving – it’s been a winter of learning new skills. These are such fundamental textiles crafts. It’s a wonder that it took so long to discover them round these parts. Part of this is learning a whole new vocabulary. And the words are so evocative. There are maidens and the mother-of-all, a footman and even…
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