creative thorp

News - January 2010

At last the snow has melted and we've come out of hibernation - preparing for our Spring schedule. Notable events already in our diary include the Country Living Spring Fair in Islington from 24-28th March, and (for trade customers and galleries) the British Crafts Trade Fair in Harrogate from 11-13 April.

Mary still has work at Arteria with Gallery 23 in Lancaster following their winter exhibition. In the new year she has new gallery exhibitions in the planning, and we will be publishing a full schedule of shows in the near future. Steve will be reading at the Boxfield Gallery in Stevenage to support the launch of a new exhibition featuring a range of artists including Kim Major-George, whose images inpired Life (see below). He will also be speaking to the Chiltern Writers group on May 13th. Details of a new poetry publication will also be posted here soon soon!

New poetry pamphlets published!

At a recent show 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 until

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

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.