Rachel Shilston - Inspiring Creativity

My May Mosaic Maestros - http://eepurl.com/gtzd09

Goodbye May - Hello June!
Stop the bus I wanna get off! How flipping fast is the year going? I don’t like it - it’s whizzing by waaaaaaay too quickly.
So, as it’s the first of the month, I have a little update on what’s happening in the studio. There’s just one workshop in June which is one of my ever-popular Crafternoon Tea experiences. Come along to the studio and make a set of three colourful mosaic flowers to brighten up your plant pots. Make them all for yourself or, if... you feel like parting with the odd one, maybe gift it to a friend?
It’s on Saturday 22nd of June, from 1 to 4pm. £46 per person, which includes all materials, tuition and a delicious afternoon tea served by Hanley Farm Shop
Craft and cake in a fun, supportive and relaxed atmosphere.....what’s not to love?
Full details in the link below:
https://www.rachelshilston.co.uk/…/mosa ic-plant-pot-sticks-…
#hellojune #juneworkshops #goodbyemay #crafternoon #crafternoontea #mosaic #mosaicflowers #craftastherapy #craftandcake #trysomethingnew #mindfulmosaics
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Gawd - I feel so guilty 🤭
This is my treasured Hornsea Pottery mug that I picked up from a charity shop about 9 years ago. Up until last week, I was using it as my water pot for dirty paint brushes, as it has a tiny crack in the rim, so I couldn’t drink out of it. I never really cleaned it properly and I’m ashamed to say that 9 years as a water pot for dirty brushes took its toll on my treasured mug. (You can see just how bad it got below!)
Anyway, he’s now been scrubbed cl...ean and has a new role in life as a mini plant pot which shows off the retro look and the newspaper print design just perfectly. I’ve since discovered that these original ‘70s designs are worth a few quid, so he will definitely be well looked after from now on.
I think my tiger needs a name - any suggestions? . #hornsea #hornseapottery #seventies #seventiesstyle #retro #vintagepottery #vintage #tigerandbutterfly #newspaperprint #myhome #mystyle #myhomevibe
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Colour inspo...... . . Does anyone else start planning the next DIY project before they’ve completed the last one? I’m almost finished with my mini makeover that I worked on over the bank holiday weekend, so I’ll post some photos soon, but in the meantime my mind has started wandering to what the next DIY project will be and this photo has inspired me.
... It was taken on holiday two years ago, in a pretty street in Chania in Crete and it just sums up my love of painting tired furniture with vibrant bold colours. I’m planning to deck out our bedroom next and I’m drawn to Frenchic Furniture Paint “Plum Pudding” ..... my absolute favourite colour of all time.
But before I get carried away on the next project, I really need to nail the ones I’ve started. Photos coming soon!
A creative brain is never tidy!
#chania #crete #greece #colourinspo #frenchicpaint #chalkpaint #upcycle #repurpose #paintedfurniture #reloved #popofcolour #diyproject #myhome #myvibe
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How d’ya like your eggs in the morning?
I like mine with a kiss.
.........Well actually I like mine boiled and served on smashed avocado, just like Lydney Brew do it, but that’s not the lyrics that Dean Martin sang with Helen O’Connell. I’m not sure if kisses are on the menu at Lydney Brew... anyone know?🤔
... So how do you like your eggs in the morning? 🥚 🍳 . . #howdoyoulikeyoureggsinthemorning #deanmartin #jazz #mosaic #mosaicart #mosaicwallart #eggsnbacon #englishbreakfast #mosaicenglishbreakfast #homedecor #interiorstyle
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Matisse Monday.
Happy Bank Holiday Monday people! I’m not actually in the studio sipping tea from my treasured mug I made at Emma Bridgewater Factory, Stoke-On-Trent at stupid o’clock on a bank holiday. No, I’m at home just dreaming of sipping tea as we’ve run out of tea bags. 😱 I’m up with the lark, getting a few emails done before I crack on with some more DIY, so thought I’d pop by and say morning to you all. Here’s me from a while ago wearing my handmade T-shirt inspired... by Matisse’s paper cuts and my lovely Matisse earrings by Naomi Hope Designs. . So what have you been up to so far this bank holiday? Apart from doing lots of DIY, resulting in chalk paint in places I didn’t think was possible, I’ve also been to the cinema to see Rocketman 🚀. Have you seen it? It’s so good and Taron Egerton is just brilliant in it.
What are you plans for today? Mine is to stock up on teabags. Have a good day 😀
#matissemonday #matisse #inspiration #bankholidaymonday #selfie #sippingtea #letshaveabrew #putthekettleon
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** SALE **
After my huge studio clear out, I still have a few canvases up for grabs. These are original artworks created by me as samples for workshops. They range in size and are priced from £15 to £35. Full details are in the individual pictures. Free collection or I can post them out but P&P will apply.
Just ping me a message if you’d like any. Please feel free to share this post 🙂
... Enjoy your Sunday 🌸
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Friyay- it’s only a flipping bank holiday weekend!
I’m so excited. I have a completely free weekend... no workshops, no crafternoon teas and no commissions to work on. This is quite a novelty. And I like it.
There will be plenty of basking in the sun, pottering around the garden and partaking in a gin or two but I’ve decided that I also need to use this free time wisely and some much needed decorating is definitely on the cards. I’m not entirely sure how it happened but it’...s just occurred to me that our house is so dull and uninspiring. In our first flat and house, Mr S and me painted secondhand furniture wacky colours, with walls to match. For some reason we’ve lost that colourful vibe and I don’t know why we’ve let our house become so characterless.
So, I’ve dug out inspo from my postcard collection and the first room to “get it” is our little snug area in our kitchen. By the end of the weekend there is going to be an explosion of red, blue and green. Watch this space.
What have you got planned for the bank holiday? Are you putting your feet up or have you got DIY plans too?
#bankholiday #friyay #bankholidayvibes #colourinspo #diytime #fridayvibes #thankgoditsfriday #revamp #myhome #postcardcollection #colourastherapy
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That’s a wrap Clearwell! 🎬❤️
Amazing teamwork this week by pupils at Clearwell Primary School. Their four foot Welcome sign is now complete and ready for installation.
Well done everyone!

Secondhand Rose 🌹
Anyone else enjoy rummaging in thrift stores and junk shops? I love a charity shop, antique market and car booty. I am totally amazed at some of things people throw away but I am all too happy to give their discarded items a home, add a lick of paint and re-love them.
I also enjoy finding quirky clobber and my absolute favourite place to hunt for clothing is Sobey's Vintage Clothing who specialise in vintage and reworked items. These photos were taken the...re... cool huh? (Those plates would look brilliant in one of my mosaics though 😜)
So why buy new when buying reworked and vintage is so much more sustainable?
I’ve written a blog about how much I love a rummage through other people’s off casts. Here’s a link: https://www.rachelshilston.co.uk/blog/sec ondhand-rose/ x
What’s the best second-hand bargain you’ve picked up recently? . #newblog #secondhandrose #buysecondhand #sustainablefashion #relove #repurpose #reuse #reworkedfashion #vintage #thrift #onemansrubbishisanothermanstreasure
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Yay! That’s all the sticking completed, just grouting to go 🙂

Flower Power 🌼🌸🌺
So it’s time for the Chelsea Flower Show again and wow! Some of those gardens are simply amazing. I can’t believe how much work is involved to create those beautiful outdoor spaces. It’s certainly got me inspired on how to add touches to my own garden (still trying to work out how to install a waterfall but I’m getting there).
If you enjoy all things floral, then here’s a sneaky peek of a new kit that will be available soon. Keep those peepers peeled for mor...e details. 🌼🌸🌺🌼🌸🌺
#flowers #chelseaflowershow #mosaic #mosaickit #mosaicflowers #flowerpower #bloom
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Wowser!
You guys are so flipping organised - I am super impressed!
My two Mosaic Christmas Wreath workshops - as seen on Kirstie Allsops Handmade Christmas (I had to just name drop that didn’t I? 😜), are both now SOLD OUT and they’re not even running until November!
... So. Anyone gutted they’ve missed out? I’m thinking of adding more dates if there’s a demand so let me know if you’re keen. Problem is, I have no free weekends left in December so it would need to be a weekday, so let me know which one is best for you. I’m thinking perhaps Friday the 6th of December?
Or, I have the 17th of November free, if a weekend is better. Talk to me!
PS. If you want to spread the cost, then get in touch - I can help with that x
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Really pleased with the progress made today at Clearwell Primary School. Just a few more bits to add, then we can grout and polish 🙂
Well done everyone x

Today I had the pleasure of inspiring creativity at Clearwell C of E Primary School.
We are making a circular mosaic design, incorporating important local landmarks (the well, castle and church), plus pupils wearing the red school uniform.
Here’s our progress so far.... haven’t they done well? There are only 37 pupils in the whole school so everyone got a really long turn today... and will all get a second go tomorrow too 🙂

The car is packed🤗. I’m taking inspiring creativity on the road this week to Clearwell Primary School ❤️

It may have been a miserable afternoon weather-wise, but it didn’t stop the creativity flowing in the studio.
I was joined by nine lovely ladies, all looking for a bit of creative downtime.... and what a gorgeous set of plant pots they created. The colours and patterns really are so different and will look even better when they are completed with a little plant.
They all enjoyed an afternoon tea courtesy of Hanley Farm Shop too. Craft and cake... what’s not to love?
... The next one is on the 22nd of June - here’s a link if you’d like to join us, there are a few spaces left.
https://www.rachelshilston.co.uk/…/mosa ic-plant-pot-sticks-…
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Ready in the studio to inspire creativity 🌸