June – July Newsletter

I have been in the Shropshire Artisan Showcase, organised by the Shropshire Growth Hub, Buy From and in collaboration with the Darwin Shopping Centre from the 15^th to the  20^th of last April.   Eight artisans were chosen to take part in this program which ended up with a week in the Darwin Shopping Centre, showcasing and selling our work. 

I was one of the lucky ones to benefit from this amazing opportunity and I am very thankful for this.  During the last three months that we have been working together to make the best of this experience, we have become a fab group of friends who now have plans to go on chasing opportunities together.  What else can we ask for?  Well, we had the best people to look after us and the best visitors and customers who exceeded our expectations supporting us every single day. 

This is the list of artisans who took part in this program:

@theperfumelaboratory @mustardandgray @coppermossjewellery @isabelbradleydesigns @pegboarders @sarahcorkill_illustration @callunaupcycling and myself @giselarobinsonart

I particularly enjoyed talking with everybody who came to see us, dedicated a nice word to us and appreciated our work. 

I also took part in DRAWN, in the historical Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, organised by Chérie Jerrard.  Always amazed by the vibe and atmosphere of DRAWN, that every time comes with something new ! 

This time, on top of the amazing local artists who bring their best artwork for sale, we had new ones from outside Shropshire, as well as many workshops and tasty food !  All the ingredients for a great weekend and it didn´t disappoint. 

If you missed it, don´t worry, it will come back before the year ends, just in time for Christmas treats !

In this section, I will share some of my favourite recipes with you.  Some are from my beloved Argentina, others from the places I have lived, or adaptations to some famous recipes, and the precious ones passed on to me by lovely friends.  If you would like to share a recipe with me, please write to me to info@giselarobinson.com and I will try it and share with the rest of the community with your name.   Thanks!

So this month recipe is…

HOMEMADE GRANOLA

Although it is healthy, it is difficult to trust the brands that we get in supermarkets as they often add too much sugar, conservatives, or even colourants.  So here I am sharing my homemade granola recipe, which I have been making for many, many years, and my kids love😊

Preheat the oven at 140 centigrade

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients:

• 300 grams of whole oats
• 70 grams of nuts (such as almonds, pecan nuts, walnuts, pistachio, etc )
• 50 grams of sesame seeds
• 50 grams of sunflower seeds
• 50 grams of pumpkins seeds
• 50 grams of flaxseeds
• 40 grams of dry fruits ( such us dry cranberries, dry cherries, dry coconut, dry papaya, dry blueberies, small prunes, raisins, etc)
• half a tea spoon of salt
• Half a tea spoon of ground cinnamon
• half a tea spoon of ground ginger
• half a tea spoon of ground turmeric

Wet Ingredients

• 40 grams of honey
• 40 grams of extra virgin olive oil

Instructions:

• Excluding the dried fruit – they come at the end – mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl.
• Add the wet ingredients -honey and olive oil- and mix well.
• Pour the mixture out onto a baking tray lined with baking paper
• Put in the preheated oven at 140 centigrade for 35 mins.
• Let it rest for 10-15 minutes.  When it cools down, you will see the consistency change to get crispy.  Then you can break it up with your hands.
• Add the dried fruits and put it in a container like a glass flask so you can use it over the next 2 to 3 weeks.

Delicious and healthy !!! Enjoy !

Let me know if you like it.  In the next issue, I will show you a healthy desert / breakfast where I use this granola.

If you would like to share a recipe with me, get in touch.

Our featured artist this month is Kate Johnson, from Coppermoss Jewellery.  We met recently at the Shropshire Artisan Showcase and I was blown away by the boldness and abstract of her pieces, which are pure art that you can wear.  If you would like to know more about Kate, go on reading …

Hi Kate ! Tell us about yourself

I’m Kate from Coppermoss Jewellery, I’m a Norfolk Lass living in North Shropshire with my partner and our two daughters. I have always made things from clothes, costumes, props, sculptures and jewellery. My hands are always dirty making things !

How did you end up making jewellery ?

I’ve always been fascinated by jewellery. It started as a child, when inspired by seeing Egyptian Jewellery displayed at Norwich Castle Museum. I have spent a lifetime working as an Artist, Designer and Educator. I trained as a Theatre Designer, but naturally gravitated towards designing and making Jewellery.

What would you say that is distinctive of your brand ?

Irregular circles are very distinctive to me. My jewellery is bold, colourful and conveys a sense of history. 

Your inspiration

I take inspiration from other artists such as Picasso and Alexander Calder. Colours and textures in nature in particular lichen and moss. I love ancient and tribal jewellery too. I’m currently taking inspiration from scientist and artist Ernst Haeckel and fungi!

Your favourite materials and techniques

I love working with copper and brass. I enjoy adding colour using enamel and experimenting with mark making and etching. I also love experimenting with Jesmonite and gemstones!  For me, it is very important sourcing the materials in a responsible way.  I use eco silver; it means that it has already had a life before it gets to me.  I try to source second hand copper tanks to make bangles and earrings; I also source my gemstones responsibly.

How do you create your collections ?

I sometimes draw my ideas out, but I mostly design with the materials and tools in my hands. I experiment and play until I hit upon a desired result. This can take lots of developing and refining. Generally, each piece I create is unique and stands alone. However, I’m working towards creating new ‘Collections’ of jewellery.

How do you keep motivated and focused ?

It can sometimes be hard to keep motivated, especially when working solo. I love collaborating with other artists and keeping updated with artists´ work. Sometimes, inspiration and motivation come from creative conversations with fellow artists.

What are you working on at the moment ?

I’ve got several mini projects on the go, which include creating a series of jewellery inspired by Fungi. I’m designing and making some mini kinetic sculptures and collaborating with a poet to create some River Severn bangles.

Coleham Primary School FAIR

This May I will be back at Coleham Primary School; this time for their Plants & Craft Fair.  Pencil this date in your diary and pop in to say hello.   I am so looking forward to it !
For more info click here

Coleham Primary School
Saturday 18^th of May
10 am  to  12 pm

Belle Vue Art Festival – ART EXHIBITION

As every year, The Belle Vue Art Festival ART Exhibition is back !  I will also be back in this fantastic event showing some of my artwork.  Pencil in the date and I look forward to seeing you there !             For more info click here

Barnabas Church Centre – Belle Vue, Shrewsbury SY3 7DN
Wed 12th – Sat 15th of June
10 am to 4 pm each day

VAN 25 Years

To celebrate its 25th anniversary, VAN Gallery is expanding its exhibitions to   The Parade  in Shrewsbury – this includes some of my work.  Come and see this exhibition in a great location !

The Parade Shopping
1st March to 30th of June