Week 17 2021

 Hello!

The garden is bursting into life... what's for dinner?

 

Fingers crossed that the news is good, and France will open up safely in May.  

Please check ahead with organisers that the events that I have posted will go ahead.  Currently things are liable to change when restrictions are updated.

Take care and keep safe in the Gironde and Dordogne regions,

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

 

Week 17 and beyond...

 

And finally...

 

The battle of Castillon is going ahead this summer and is looking for volunteers. Head up to the site of the Battle in Belves and find out more.  I loved being part of the show, it's a great way to meet new people and they're a lovely friendly crowd.

 

Week 16 2021

Hello!

Continuing on from the collaboration theme from last week, the wonderfully talented Amelie has been working alongside me in the studio creating beautiful lids for her containers.  Amelie works with calabashes, or gourds, making lamps, tealights and now lidded containers.  You can find her creations for sale at the Maison des Artisans in Sauveterre.

I love sharing my studio with other artists who bring their projects to the workshop. I have a wheel, a kiln, plenty of space and The Maison des Artisans is working towards opening up to visiting artists in the region.  

So, if you have a project in mind that involves clay, don't hesitate to get in touch, come and join me in the studio and make it happen.

Whatever you do in the Gironde and Dordogne region, keep well and safe.

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 16 and onwards...

Please note - the date has changed

And finally...

 

We have swathes of bluebells in the garden.  The bees and other pollinators love them.  

 

Spot the bee...

 

Week 15 2021

 Hello!

I'm so excited to be working alongside another new female artisan.  Virginia at Atelier St Julien makes beautiful handmade soaps and skin care from her workshop just outside Eymet.  She uses organic, natural ingredients and age old techniques to produce her small batch ranges of soap, shampoo and skincare.

Virginia wanted to work with a local potter and we collaborated to make soap dishes that beautifully compliment her soaps. Each dish is wheel thrown and individually pierced, twice fired and glazed in a range of colours.  

Soap making is a slow process, each batch needs several weeks to cure and similarly, ceramics take time to make with several steps before completion.  I'm loving the collaboration.  If you want to find out more about Virginia's range of soaps and skincare, or perhaps you are looking for a local supplier for gite or B&B, then you can find her on her website or on Instagram.

Whatever you do this week in the Gironde and Dordogne region, take care, keep safe and stay at home if you can.

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 15 and coming up...🤞

 

 

 

 And finally...

The flowers are out in the garden, despite the frosts.

 

Week 14 2021

Hello!

We've had frosty nights following the beautiful heatwave of last week.  The vineyards have raced to save their vines as the new shoots are young and fragile.  I've seen many options over the years, but 'hot' favourite in 2021 is the smoldering hay bail.

Chateau Petit Val

Take care, keep safe, stay in and have a good week.

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Coming up...

The Battle of Castillon has released the summer season dates.

 

And finally...

The traditional Easter cake (and less authentic fluffy white wind-up chick!)

Week 13 2021

Hello!

Really... not much to say... plenty of time to work in the garden, and I'll be developing some new ash glazes for pots.  All pottery workshops and sessions are cancelled for the month of April.  

Here's a throwback photo of the days when Easter was filled with friends and family.

I love the sunny tablecloth.

Keep safe, keep well and take care.

Best wishes,

Helen

notjustfortheholidays@orange.fr

Week 13

Coming up... maybe?

And finally...

Bloomin' marvelous!