Category Archives: folk art

Khokhloma Ware: Folk art for the masses

Virtually no visitor returns from Russia without a painted wooden souvenir reflecting the traditional ‘Khokhloma’ folk art. Khokhloma ware has a very long tradition and can be traced back to both the monastic and peasant culture of the seventeenth century. … Continue reading

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The Caversham Village Sign: carved by Stuart King

In some parts of England there is a tradition of carved wooden signs depicting the unique qualities of the area and often erected on the village green. Usually created by a local craftsman, they instill a sense of identity and … Continue reading

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Making Gypsy Flowers

Today’s flower arrangers are spoilt for choice. Wonderful natural material is available from around the globe, all the year round. Fifty years ago one had to rely on what was grown in season in one’s own garden or the limited … Continue reading

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German Toy Town

Forget Lapland and Father Christmas, cease searching for Gusepie’s fictional workshop where Pinocchio was created. The real ‘toy-land’ is alive and well in old Saxony, This beautifully rural East German region encompasses the Erzgebirge mountains that shares a border with … Continue reading

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Marrakesh is so Moorish

Having ‘done’ much of Europe including some of it’s least visited areas, tasted the US and experienced Hong Kong and China, choices of reasonably priced but exotic destinations were diminishing. My wife Joan and I wanted a complete change of … Continue reading

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Like Father Like Son

Fifty years ago my father Ted king was commissioned to create some new church furniture for Christ Church, Holmer Green. These heavy oak pieces were built in the living room of our house in Watchet Lane in the mid 1950s. … Continue reading

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