Behind the Scenes: Styled Wedding Shoot

Our friends are a talented bunch, and last week we were lucky enough to take part in the first styled wedding shoot by The Wedding Collective. A meeting of minds, skills and modern crafts coming together to create a little slice of magic. The team is comprised of...

Matt Horan's amazing photography

Rachael Horan's beautiful cinematography

Louise Price's etherial Floral Design

Kayley Tarrent's contemporary modern calligraphy design 

Joella Senior - make up artist

Elle Dabell - hairstylist 

Selma Hujic - model 

And our own Elle Townsend's creative cakes and bakes

Matt has created a beautiful post about the day which you can see here. We thought we'd give you a little look at the action behind the scenes. We've used a mixture of our own photos and Matt's, you'll no doubt be able to spot the difference! 

Plenty of hard work went into pulling the whole shoot together but loads of fun was had by all too, especially by Teddy Wilson the miniature dachshund! 

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Create: Herb Planter

Right off the bat I'd like to explain that my gardening skills are pretty dismal. I have visions of my garden filled with beautiful colours and texture, and perhaps a homegrown vegetable plot thrown into the mix. The reality is that my garden is a slug ridden, insect infested mess.

The grass is unruly, the flowers are nibbled to stumps by aforementioned slugs and the garden fence is half painted and falling down. I gave up on the vegetable growing about two years ago, I'm just not patient enough and after checking on my newly planted seeds every day for a week, to find nothing is happening, I then forget all about them completely. The result is hundreds of overgrown marrows, mouldy tomatoes and a big mulchy mess that has to be cleaned up, so i've stopped bothering.

Herbs however are a different matter. I love them because they can pretty much be left to their own devices and they are useful to have on hand for use in the kitchen. I believe every home should have a small herb garden or planter filled with herbs ready to be picked, chopped and thrown into whatever is cooking.

This particular planter was a birthday gift for Becca a few weeks ago, back when the sun was shining. Truffle (the cat) is always up for a bit of gardening so was on hand to oversee proceedings. We spent a lovely afternoon creating a little planter, it's pretty straightforward to make. 

You will Need:

• 1 large planter
• Sandpaper
• Masking tape
• Paintbrushes- large to use for covering and small for any areas of detail
• Paint- I used emulsion paint in cream and gold poster paint
• Compost
• Herbs - I opted for rosemary, lemon thyme and Morrocan Mint

Ensure the terracotta pot is nice and clean. Gently sand down the surfaces to be painted, this will help the paint to stick. Wash the pot and allow to dry completely before painting.

Carefully mask of any areas where you want to keep the terracotta colour. Apply paint to pot, this may take a few coats to get an even and streak free covering, allow the paint to dry completely between applications. For the gold accents I decided to go freehand as it blends nicely with the terracotta, for a neater finish I would recommend masking off areas for accuracy, be careful not to lift off any paint if masking over areas that are already painted, remove the tape slowly and cautiously. 

Fill the planter about halfway with compost, place the herbs into the planter and top up any remaining holes and spaces with more compost. After a good watering the planter is ready for display. Outside the kitchen door is the best place, so it's within grabbing distance.

The planter is no longer in my care, which is probably for the best. 

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Helen Rhodes at the Refectory Table

Once upon a time in another life I spent my days immersed in art, craft, drawing, printing and any general craftiness going. I'm a maker at heart so anything that I can get hands on immersed in works for me, and that's probably why I became a baker. Whilst that's a story for another day, It's not often I get the opportunity these days to put paintbrush to paper and throw myself head first and guilt free into creating some serious artwork. 

That was until a few week ago when I spent the day at The Refectory Table with Helen Rhodes. 

I've been hanging out at the refectory table quite a bit of late, combined with the sudden freedom that comes from working freelance i've been on the lookout for creative workshops and opened myself to the opportunity to catch up with some amazing creative people, and it's been fantastic. 

The refectory table, created and led by Janet Currie, is an all round inspiring place to be. Janet is a specialist in the arts sector who collates and collaborates with likeminded creatives, artists and makers to deliver creative artist led workshops, creative business courses and a whole host of other inspiring events.

The refectory table is quite different from other creative business workshops, its personal, intimate, relaxed and engaging. Rather than being business, business, business, theirs is a more thoughtful approach, and the focus is very much on creativity. There is passion and experience in their guidance and teachings that delivers a further level of authenticity, which I feel is quite rare and quite special. 

Janet's home is a warm and inspiring place. From the refectory table & the garden to Janet's amazing hospitality,  beautiful food and delicious cakes, most honourable mention to the divine chocolate cake!

Helen is an award winning artist who moved to Leicestershire to study Textiles at Loughborough College of Art and Design. Helen has a distinctive style, intricately combining naive compositions and visual narratives with layered textures, rich colours and detail. Local talent with an international reputation, Helen has translated her work into greetings cards, ceramics and textiles too. 

It was here that we were to learn just a few of Helen's secrets... 

Plants and Pattern

To set the scene, we arrive to a table laden with paintbrushes, paint, paper, pencils, 

There are four of us, all from different counties, yet bizarrely two of the attendees were at school together, and two of us are bakers, which makes for a most formidable group.

Helen talked us through her process, by first drawing inspiration from nature and the outdoors Helen takes simple everyday patterns and imagery and builds them into extraordinary works of art. 

Helen has a wonderfully gentle style of teaching, offering support and advice when needed whilst encouraging us to unleash our creativity and go with the flow. Through layering paint, paper treatment and building a colour palette, the beginnings of some rather exciting work starts to take shape around the table. We spent some time sketching in Janet's inspiring garden which is filled with colour and texture, you can almost feel the earth quiver and shake as the garden wakes to reveal new life in the throws of spring. 

At around lunchtime, through paper scrunching and ripping, mono printing and intricate work with paintbrushes, works of art are starting to come to life around the Refectory Table. We down tools for delicious refreshments of crushed carrot with harissa, pistachio and pitta bread, beetroot salad with sunflower seeds and green beens with tahini dressing and walnuts. All rounded off with an orange & lime ice cream, rhubarb compote and melt in the mouth all butter shortbread baked by Helen.

At around mid afternoon Helen produces something quite special and gives us a sneak peek into one of her sketchbooks, the most delightful illustrations leap from the page, intricate pattern and mark making abound.

The excitement continues as the Gold paint is unleashed and we begin to put final touches to our paintings, whilst sampling a few slices of Janet's amazing chocolate cake.

At the end of the day, when we reluctantly put down our paintbrushes and bid farewell to the refectory table that has been most accommodating, none of us really want the workshop to end. To ease the pain of having to tear ourselves away, Janet sends each of us home with a goodie bag filled to the brim with treats and delights. Postcards and a pocket mirror designed by Helen, liquorice pipes & Homemade Rhubarb compote. We also have our prints and lovely memories of a day spent with good company, good food and creativity.

Helen's workshops are exclusively available via the Refectory Table, there are two more workshops this year, as follows:

• Saturday 9th July - Plants and Pattern - This is the course I attended, exploring plants and pattern inspired by local gardens and learning the secrets to Helen's techniques. 
•  24th September - Flowers and Vessels - focusing on decorative still life using a favourite vessel filled with flowers from Janet's garden. 
• 12th November - A Winter's Tale - a workshop to create a wintery scene with decorative boarders, complete with warm cosy wintery food and drink.

You can book your place here.

In the week preceding Helen's workshop I attended a coaching course led by Janet's partner Pete Mosely Author and Creative Business Coach. Pete's course was based upon his book 'The Art of Shouting Quietly' I cannot recommend Pete's book and his course highly enough! 

Janet will be opening her garden on the 11th and 12th June for the NGS open gardens and secret craft fair. The event brings art and gardens together and will feature a whole host of artists, modern crafts, tea, cake and creative delights. You can read about all the exciting things Janet has in store for the event and a full lineup of who will be attending over on Janet's Blog, The Secateur.

We'll see you there!

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