creative thorp

News - August 2010

After a bit of a break over the summer we are gearing up for our Autumn activities and events. We start at the Wrest Park Craft & Design Festival on the 28, 29 and 30th August, and we're then at the Ludlow Art & Craft Fair on Sunday 12th September. Then from the 26 to 28th September we are at the Norfolk Arts, Crafts & Design Festival. If that wasn't enough, Steve is giving a talk at the Toddington poetry Society on the 14th September. We'd love to see you at any of these events - and at any of our other shows later in the Autumn. Steve is also planning two brand-new poetry publications in the next few weeks - news here as soon as they are available.

You can find out more about our shows and events in our Autumn show guide - click HERE to download it.

You can click HERE to see images from the Grand Design Live exhibition we attended in the Spring. We had a successful 10 days with artwork and poetry both proving popular.

TRADE NEWS - We had a good show at the British Crafts Trade Fair in Harrogate from 11-13 April and enjoyed meeting old and new friends, but if you run a gallery or shop, and would like to stock our products, please download a trade catalogue from HERE and contact Mary on 07979906935 to discuss art sales and exhibitions.

Poetry pamphlets - Life!

At a show in 2009 we met Kim Major-George, an artist producing the most amazing spiritual collograph images. Steve and Kim got talking about Kim's new exhibition, and a new poetry pamphlet Life was born: 22 new poems (read two HERE) and Kim's stunning Buddha images on the front and inside! Kim's work will be at the Boxfield Gallery in Stevenage from the 25th March 2010.

The new Life booklet can be purchased for £8.50 from creative thorp's marketplace and makes a wonderful gift.

Steve did a well received poetry reading in the summer at the Tighnabruiach Gallery - click HERE to see the press cutting from the event; and two new images of the trip from Mary's lens can be found in the Art Gallery - numbers 66 and 67. Poetry from the trip is being complied into a new box or publication - details soon.

editions series: The latest two pamphlets in the editions poetry series were also published in 2009 and have had a great response from readers. You can order the full set at a special price of £28 for all four booklets from the creative thorp marketplace saving you £6 on the RRP of £8.50 per booklet.

editions poetry books

Environmental practices and supplies

We know that our products are the sorts of gifts that people like to treasure and keep. However we are aware that paper products have an impact on the environment, so we are always trying to source materials that are as sustainable as possible, and run our business with a low 'green footprint'.

Currently, in most of our cards, booklets and gifts, we use Callisto Pearl supplied by GF Smith. Manufactured from FCS accredited pulp, an added 'green' bonus for this board is in 'carbon miles' with a distance of only 130 miles from the mill in Cumbria to GF Smith's warehouse in Hull. In addition the boxes used for our art card box ranges are produced using 70% recycled 450 micron board, and sourced from the Bag and Box Man near our home in Banbury. Both these companies have clear environmental policies that recognise the importance of sustainability and reducing waste.

We also do some other things including recycling packaging materials we receive to send out our orders - this might result in some odd shaped packages, but every little helps! And we are looking to replace our cello bags and adhesives with more sustainable products.