Well thats it the end of August a very quiet month but we did manage some very good sales :-)
I can reveal that the top seller for August is Peter Smith. Well done Peter your work has stormed home in first place. The standings for August are as follows:-
1. Peter Smith
2. Bob Dylan
3. Caroline Shotton & Rob Ford
4. Sarah J Szikora & Paul Horton
Whats next I hear you say?
Well we are looking forward to September because it is my 43rd birthday on 6th and Dianes 40th birthday on 7th ! Oh yes - and we have an Autumn event to go to on 8th September which means the gallery will be closed that day.
First thing to mention is Dianes 40th birthday which she has spent all year worrying about up until a couple of weeks ago when she made an announcement that in her 40th year she is going to do lots of things that she has wanted to do but never had the time! She has a huge 'To Do' list which includes kayaking, windsurfing and to cycle to Amsterdam for charity! The Playtex Moonwalk has earned a place on her list too!
This is just a small selection on her very, very long to do list..good luck babes and you have my full support in these endeavours!!!
Second thing (not) to mention is my 43rd birthday it just proves I am an old man and my kids would say I am getting grumpier by the minute!!
Third thing is the ICC event held by Washington Green. This is where we go and meet the artists and view their new releases due out towards the end of September. I know there will be some totally fabulous pieces ... but don't worry - I shall be sure to tell you all about it when we get back :-)
September is going to be a busy month what with a special birthday and a feast of brand new releases to make you smile!!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
The Band With No Name!!
Well it has been a quiet week in the gallery - everyone must be away on their hols!!
I had been looking forward to Friday as we were invited out to a 'gig' at The Drovers Arms, Skipwith in aid of Jessie's Fund which helps seriously ill and disabled children to communicate through music.
When I asked Gary what the band was called he said they were the band with no name (which if you are reading this Gary would be a good name for you). The band consists of Gary on guitar with Lisa (his gorgeous wife) as lead vocals and Simon the newest member on keyboard.
We arrived for 7pm and found The Drovers Arms was packed out. Good job we had booked a table! We had a fab meal - Steak Pie was great - all homemade of course! Apparently the scampi and lasagne were just as good! Generous portions which filled us up leaving no room for a pudding (good job as I am aware of the ever expanding waistline!!).
The gig started around 8.30pm and they played till 11.30pm covering all styles of music with a break mid-way for a music quiz!
I must say they were very good and Lisa's voice is amazing. For amateurs who do it occassionally it was fantastic and we are all looking forward to the next 'gig'.
It was a great evening and they raised just short of £150.00 for Jessie's Fund. For more information about Jessie's Fund go to www.jessiesfund.org.uk.
'The Band With No Name' is available for weddings, birthdays and other such gatherings with all donations going to charity. Please ask via the gallery for bookings!
I had been looking forward to Friday as we were invited out to a 'gig' at The Drovers Arms, Skipwith in aid of Jessie's Fund which helps seriously ill and disabled children to communicate through music.
When I asked Gary what the band was called he said they were the band with no name (which if you are reading this Gary would be a good name for you). The band consists of Gary on guitar with Lisa (his gorgeous wife) as lead vocals and Simon the newest member on keyboard.
We arrived for 7pm and found The Drovers Arms was packed out. Good job we had booked a table! We had a fab meal - Steak Pie was great - all homemade of course! Apparently the scampi and lasagne were just as good! Generous portions which filled us up leaving no room for a pudding (good job as I am aware of the ever expanding waistline!!).
The gig started around 8.30pm and they played till 11.30pm covering all styles of music with a break mid-way for a music quiz!
I must say they were very good and Lisa's voice is amazing. For amateurs who do it occassionally it was fantastic and we are all looking forward to the next 'gig'.
It was a great evening and they raised just short of £150.00 for Jessie's Fund. For more information about Jessie's Fund go to www.jessiesfund.org.uk.
'The Band With No Name' is available for weddings, birthdays and other such gatherings with all donations going to charity. Please ask via the gallery for bookings!
Friday, August 15, 2008
Lakes... and cakes!!!
Tuesday 12th - we went up to Lake Windermere and had a gorgeous (but rainy) cruise! We then went for a wander around Bowness and our son bought himself a 'buff' which he says is cool! The girls also wanted to so some shopping but I had a strop and said no!!
We found a lovely local cafe and had an excellant cuppa and cakes!
Wednesday 13th - we awoke to sunshine and so decided to put on our walking boots and we took a steep but rewarding walk up to the top of Brantfell. The views were stunning - we could see all the length of lake Windermere and we could even see Morcambe Bay in the south! We continued on to Post Knotte and once again were rewarded with fab views from the top.
That afternoon we took the car ferry across Windermere as we wanted to go to Hill Top Farm (former home of Beatrix Potter) however every other person in the Lakes that day must have had the same idea and the car park and every other available layby were full to capacity!
Instead we continued on to Ambleside and found ourselves a smashing tea room called The Giggling Goose and had the best home made Bakewell Tart I have ever tasted!!!
Thursday was a poor day!! The weather wasn't good so we went over to Barrow-In-Furness. Not much to see there though so it was lucky that in the afternoon the weather improved! We went back into Bowness and found Fell Foot Park - a beautiful lakeside park with boating and a fabulous tea room (Yes - another one!).
Friday 15th - Once again we awoke to glorious sunshine and so packed the car with walking boots, packed lunch, camera and wallet!! We went back to Fell Foot Park where we hired a rowing boat - what a laugh that was! We all took a turn and found ourselves having to steer out of reeds and away from the side - as well as having to avoid steamers! Diane was the best as she used to row in competitions when she was younger!! Our daughter seems to have a future as a budding coxwain - she seems to have a gift for shouting orders - usually ending in '... and ROW!'
After eating lunch lakeside we just found room for a very nice cake in the tea room!
Back in the car and we headed up to Aria Force near Ullswater, wow what a drive! We took the Kirkstone Pass and the views were absolutely breathtaking!
We had a great walk up to the waterfall and stood in awe at the force of the water as it came down in torents - it made it's own rainbow - stunning - this time we didn't stop for a cuppa and cake as waistline has expanded massively this week!
We did however stop off at the best fish and chip shop in Bowness called 'Seafarers' and had our tea!!
Well, here we are - it's Friday night already and we are all packed up and ready to roll. It has been a good week and the lakes have been lovely but we have all decided that we are missing Cornwall and so will be going back 'home' to St Ives next year!!
We found a lovely local cafe and had an excellant cuppa and cakes!
Wednesday 13th - we awoke to sunshine and so decided to put on our walking boots and we took a steep but rewarding walk up to the top of Brantfell. The views were stunning - we could see all the length of lake Windermere and we could even see Morcambe Bay in the south! We continued on to Post Knotte and once again were rewarded with fab views from the top.
That afternoon we took the car ferry across Windermere as we wanted to go to Hill Top Farm (former home of Beatrix Potter) however every other person in the Lakes that day must have had the same idea and the car park and every other available layby were full to capacity!
Instead we continued on to Ambleside and found ourselves a smashing tea room called The Giggling Goose and had the best home made Bakewell Tart I have ever tasted!!!
Thursday was a poor day!! The weather wasn't good so we went over to Barrow-In-Furness. Not much to see there though so it was lucky that in the afternoon the weather improved! We went back into Bowness and found Fell Foot Park - a beautiful lakeside park with boating and a fabulous tea room (Yes - another one!).
Friday 15th - Once again we awoke to glorious sunshine and so packed the car with walking boots, packed lunch, camera and wallet!! We went back to Fell Foot Park where we hired a rowing boat - what a laugh that was! We all took a turn and found ourselves having to steer out of reeds and away from the side - as well as having to avoid steamers! Diane was the best as she used to row in competitions when she was younger!! Our daughter seems to have a future as a budding coxwain - she seems to have a gift for shouting orders - usually ending in '... and ROW!'
After eating lunch lakeside we just found room for a very nice cake in the tea room!
Back in the car and we headed up to Aria Force near Ullswater, wow what a drive! We took the Kirkstone Pass and the views were absolutely breathtaking!
We had a great walk up to the waterfall and stood in awe at the force of the water as it came down in torents - it made it's own rainbow - stunning - this time we didn't stop for a cuppa and cake as waistline has expanded massively this week!
We did however stop off at the best fish and chip shop in Bowness called 'Seafarers' and had our tea!!
Well, here we are - it's Friday night already and we are all packed up and ready to roll. It has been a good week and the lakes have been lovely but we have all decided that we are missing Cornwall and so will be going back 'home' to St Ives next year!!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Where's the Sun?
Hello, I am blogging from the Lake District! We arrived on Saturday after a long winded diversion (I am sure someone moves those diversion signs just for a laugh!)
Our accomadation is spot on and we woke early Sunday morning to rain so decided to do White Scar Caves. This was truly amazing and due to the heavy rainfall the underground streams and waterfalls within the cave system were very impressive, at one point we were bent double for 100m and had to do the squeeze (note to self: I need to slim down!!)
We spent 80 minutes down below ground and thought it was money well spent. Had our lunch and then went over to Hawes. It hasn't changed much, I spent 3 years working and living at the Youth Hostel and it brought back good memories. It was at Hawes that I met Diane.
Today the Sun was shining against all predictions so we went to South Lakes Animal Park which was amazing! All the animals are in compounds with fences but the public have the chance to view the animals from up high on walkways!!
My daughter loves giraffes and was in her element today as she got to feed them from the walkways. She was the happiest girl on earth! The entrance charge was expensive but it was worth it to see her face!!
We also saw the new baby rhino only 2 months old and also watched the tigers being fed. They are not fed in the traditional way (ie drop the meat in the compound and watch them feed) .... these tigers have their meat attached to poles 30 feet off the ground and it is amazing to see them climb up to get their meal!!
All in all it had been a good two days, tomorrow the weather is not forcasted to be good in the morning but the afternoon is supposed to be dry so Lake Windermere is calling and our son is hoping we will find him a skateboard park!!
Our accomadation is spot on and we woke early Sunday morning to rain so decided to do White Scar Caves. This was truly amazing and due to the heavy rainfall the underground streams and waterfalls within the cave system were very impressive, at one point we were bent double for 100m and had to do the squeeze (note to self: I need to slim down!!)
We spent 80 minutes down below ground and thought it was money well spent. Had our lunch and then went over to Hawes. It hasn't changed much, I spent 3 years working and living at the Youth Hostel and it brought back good memories. It was at Hawes that I met Diane.
Today the Sun was shining against all predictions so we went to South Lakes Animal Park which was amazing! All the animals are in compounds with fences but the public have the chance to view the animals from up high on walkways!!
My daughter loves giraffes and was in her element today as she got to feed them from the walkways. She was the happiest girl on earth! The entrance charge was expensive but it was worth it to see her face!!
We also saw the new baby rhino only 2 months old and also watched the tigers being fed. They are not fed in the traditional way (ie drop the meat in the compound and watch them feed) .... these tigers have their meat attached to poles 30 feet off the ground and it is amazing to see them climb up to get their meal!!
All in all it had been a good two days, tomorrow the weather is not forcasted to be good in the morning but the afternoon is supposed to be dry so Lake Windermere is calling and our son is hoping we will find him a skateboard park!!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Oh What A Day!!
You know when you really want to do your best for a customer but other factors get in the way? Well I had one of those days today!
I had a very nice lady call in the gallery this morning, very interested in buying 'Jig For Jack' by Alexander Millar (a rare item!). The lady asks if I can ship it to Spain. 'No problem' I say... How wrong could I have been!!
After spending most of the day talking to couriers and our insurers I eventually get a price to ship one framed canvas by Air... cost £251 with only minimal insurance available!
I think to myself that due to the value and rarity of the item full insurance value will be required. I contact our insurance company who eventually confirm a quote of ... wait for it ... £250!!!
As you can see it would cost £500 to insure and ship the piece and so my very nice lady has decided not to purchase for now but she is still interested and has a shipping idea of her own to look into when she gets back!
In the meantime all suggestions greatly appreciated.
Email me at info@theacorngallery.co.uk
You'd think that would be enough for one day wouldn't you - but no! After tea I took my son skateboarding ... He spent ages 'dropping in' with help ... then we all heard a thud and a loud scream and he'd landed flat on his face and was in much pain.
We all rushed over, picked him up and brushed him down. We gave him a drink to rinse the blood out of his mouth and a cold compress to hold against his cheekbone... at this point I am thinking 'be brave' and praying that he hasn't broken anything!
After a few minutes he calms down but even after half an hour he is still unable to move his left arm ... Gary, his coach, is worried and suggests A & E ...
3.5 hours at York District, with x-rays and examinations and we are given the all clear. He hasn't broken his arm just badly jarred it and will be badly bruised ... no pot on his arm for the summer then - he is so relieved that he won't have to miss out on a summer of skateboarding fun!!
Texts were dispatched post haste at 1.30am to say all ok and that Gary was not to feel bad as it wasn't his fault.
As for me ... all I could think was 'Oh what a day'!!!
I had a very nice lady call in the gallery this morning, very interested in buying 'Jig For Jack' by Alexander Millar (a rare item!). The lady asks if I can ship it to Spain. 'No problem' I say... How wrong could I have been!!
After spending most of the day talking to couriers and our insurers I eventually get a price to ship one framed canvas by Air... cost £251 with only minimal insurance available!
I think to myself that due to the value and rarity of the item full insurance value will be required. I contact our insurance company who eventually confirm a quote of ... wait for it ... £250!!!
As you can see it would cost £500 to insure and ship the piece and so my very nice lady has decided not to purchase for now but she is still interested and has a shipping idea of her own to look into when she gets back!
In the meantime all suggestions greatly appreciated.
Email me at info@theacorngallery.co.uk
You'd think that would be enough for one day wouldn't you - but no! After tea I took my son skateboarding ... He spent ages 'dropping in' with help ... then we all heard a thud and a loud scream and he'd landed flat on his face and was in much pain.
We all rushed over, picked him up and brushed him down. We gave him a drink to rinse the blood out of his mouth and a cold compress to hold against his cheekbone... at this point I am thinking 'be brave' and praying that he hasn't broken anything!
After a few minutes he calms down but even after half an hour he is still unable to move his left arm ... Gary, his coach, is worried and suggests A & E ...
3.5 hours at York District, with x-rays and examinations and we are given the all clear. He hasn't broken his arm just badly jarred it and will be badly bruised ... no pot on his arm for the summer then - he is so relieved that he won't have to miss out on a summer of skateboarding fun!!
Texts were dispatched post haste at 1.30am to say all ok and that Gary was not to feel bad as it wasn't his fault.
As for me ... all I could think was 'Oh what a day'!!!
Friday, August 1, 2008
Yorkshire Day
Well, today is Yorkshire Day and the start of the Acorn Gallery sale! It's been a busy day with a few sales too - which is superb!!
Just to update you Bob Dylan was the top seller for July. Peter and Kevin couldn't over take him and with only two pieces left of Bob's he can not be top seller for August.
The current leader after only one day is Peter Smith who has stormed off into the lead and thats before his new releases arrive in the gallery. Early days but Peter could take the top spot for the month of August. I will keep you updated!!
Today also heralded the return of my daughter from 'Band Camp'! I had a mad dash home from the gallery tonight as I had to be in Selby Abbey for 7.30pm to watch and listen to my daughter and her chums show us what they had been practising all week.
Well, all I can say is that she made me very proud! The concert was fantastic and considering that they are only aged upto 16 they sounded like a professional orchestra! Superb!
They had guest performers playing with them for some pieces too! One of these was a percussionist called Simone Robello, who was outstanding and made playing percussion instruments so much fun and made you feel like learning to play!! The other performer was Michael Dodd who played the Euphonium he too was outstanding!!
It was a wonderful evening to end a very good Yorkshire Day however my daughter has just announced that she wants to go away again 'cause band camp was so much fun!
Nice to know she hasn't missed us then!!
Just to update you Bob Dylan was the top seller for July. Peter and Kevin couldn't over take him and with only two pieces left of Bob's he can not be top seller for August.
The current leader after only one day is Peter Smith who has stormed off into the lead and thats before his new releases arrive in the gallery. Early days but Peter could take the top spot for the month of August. I will keep you updated!!
Today also heralded the return of my daughter from 'Band Camp'! I had a mad dash home from the gallery tonight as I had to be in Selby Abbey for 7.30pm to watch and listen to my daughter and her chums show us what they had been practising all week.
Well, all I can say is that she made me very proud! The concert was fantastic and considering that they are only aged upto 16 they sounded like a professional orchestra! Superb!
They had guest performers playing with them for some pieces too! One of these was a percussionist called Simone Robello, who was outstanding and made playing percussion instruments so much fun and made you feel like learning to play!! The other performer was Michael Dodd who played the Euphonium he too was outstanding!!
It was a wonderful evening to end a very good Yorkshire Day however my daughter has just announced that she wants to go away again 'cause band camp was so much fun!
Nice to know she hasn't missed us then!!
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