Spring Fling 23 - Scotlands premier arts and crafts open studios event!
Next week it's the BIG May bank holiday and that can only mean, It's Spring Fling time!
Spring Fling is an amazing open studios event which takes place across the whole of Dumfries and Galloway. You can only participate if you have strong connections to the area. Thankfully I grew up there, so I don’t miss out!
It's always the perfect excuse for me to head home to Mum and Dad’s, visit some old Haunts, and take part in this brilliant event!
This year there will be 100 studios taking part, flinging open their studio doors for the whole weekend!
There's so much talent, and so much to see, so I'd advise you plan!
Get your hands on the brochure,
The brochure is the bible for the event. It shows you maps of the different routes you can take, images and contact details from EVERY studio, and it's packed with local attractions and recommendations to enjoy along the way!
And don't forget to collect the stickers!!! (that will make sense if you're a regular 'Spring Flinger')
The brochures are always beautifully put together, I have kept one from every year and they are a brilliant resource even if you can't make it along to the weekend.
This years illustration for the brochure was produced by Jill Calder.
“ I focussed on the dramatic and beautiful Mull of Galloway”
Travelling the region is as big part of the Spring Fling experience as the studios are. Discovering beautiful rural countryside, and gorgeous coastal landscapes there’s lots to explore, just don’t get lost!
And if you can't make it along to the weekend in person, you can always visit ALL the studios virtually so you don't need to miss out! Each artist will have a virtual studio page giving you a taster of their practice.
I’m very grateful that the lovely Alison Macleod lets me gatecrash part of her studio for this event. We have totally different styles of jewellery, but that makes it work for us and we manage to keep all the jewellery fans happy. We were both in the jewellery department at ECA around the same time, so it’s always really nice to have our catch up too!
Alison will have on show a beautiful range of her fine jewellery inspired by antique treasures and the stories they tell.
“A love of pattern is central to my designs, inspired by the busy Victorian aesthetic but with a modern, balanced approach. The idea of the heirloom fascinates me, sentimental pieces building significance as they’re passed down through generations. It is this emotional value which I aim to imbue into my jewellery.
I’ll be showing some KAZ favourites alongside some ‘hot off the bench’ pieces! Expect to find a table covered in colour and fun!
The SALE box will also be coming with me as I know you can’t resist a wee dig around in there to see if you can find any gems!
You can find myself and Alison on the Green Route, studios 85 and 86 on the main street in Thornhill.
So who’s up for a Spring Fling then?