Did you notice the website has been improved, hopefully easier to use with the little swirling buttons. There are also some new things in the bags and accessories and finishing touches shops.

I have been busy making things for my daughter's wedding and have enjoyed learning new skills along the way, luckily I have had help from some talented people and can do a number of things that I couldnt do before. I now know why the cake decorators charge so much it is so time consuming   but so lovely to do. In September/October we are planning to launch  Hetty's tea parties, hiring lots of vintage things to arrange  a traditional tea party. Some photographs will be included to show all of our stock so keep looking. No doubt you can guess the theme of the wedding...

Oh no summer is quickly going.

Devon is very busy this year and all the bed and breakfast places seem to be full with people delighted to be here. Good news for the tourist industry but tricky on the little windy roads ....

I have grown the hugest sunflowers ever and they make me smile every time I look at them.Although not as funny as the array of scarecrows and flower pot men that adorn the villages around North Devon this time of year. Visitors enjoy the simple quizes of guessing who the scarecrows are meant to be and children love to see them hanging of various poles, walls etc. Only in North Devon would you find this lovely pastime.

I hope you are all enjoying the summer. I will update the calendar page as soon as bookings get confirmed.

Last Sunday we were at the Totnes Show it was really busy and a lovely sunny day.  Although it was a great show I don't think that the big agricultral shows are for us so that will be the last one.  We had a nice meal in a pub after the show down on the river in Totnes, such a perfect setting, the Pims and food were really good too. Thank you to my helper. 

I do hope to update the shops next so keep looking. Hard to believe that the Christmas events need to be booked now. Enjoy the summer hols ....

The Green Man Festival was a great day yesterday and luckily after a wet start the sun shone for most of the day. It is a good event for us and so nice to see everyone. I must appoligise to all of you that have looked on the website shops only to find a lot of sold signs but stock will get replaced as soon as possible. Next Sunday we will be at The Totnes Show and then there will be a break from shows until November. Time to replenish stock and enjoy getting things ready for our daughters wedding in September.   Thank you for all the lovely comments on Saturday and I hope you all enjoy your goodies.

Come and see us at The Totnes Show.

It's the Green man Festival this weekend and a day out for all the family.   Last year was great lots of things going on with bands playing and stalls to look at with people demonstrating their crafts, lets hope the sun shines and it's not too windy.   We will be in the rotary gardens at the end of the high street so come and find us and say hello.

When we were selling at the Exeter Festival there was a brilliant street entertainer singing jazzy/bluesy music and we bought our first off the street C.D. sadly it didn't play on my player I was so dissapointed , but I found the singer on the internet and ever the optimist wrote and told her about the problem. Whooppee she replied and appoligised and today I have listened to my replacement   C.D. for the first time and it is really good. So good to get a polite reply and response. Here is her site www.beckybrine.co.uk it will give a link to myspace where you can find out more.   A singer that has melody and a gutsy voice and doesn't scream out the high notes a big thank you Becky you have made my day.

The Exeter Festival was really good, such a well organised event with lots of things going on. The weather was perfect and the setting lovely, it all felt so English with dancing and bands playing around the green. We were busy and it was nice meeting old and new customers also friends that came to see us, so we had a great couple of days.  Thank you to Hetty's helper's. Although today I do feel a bit drippy so will have a day off. The shops look a bit empty at the moment but I will put some more pictures in soon.  Lots of people took interest in the pictures and hopefully will be looking to see what's in the 'finishing touches shop' they are quite delicate to post so there are not many of the larger ones in the shop so if you see one you love at the shows that's the time to buy it....

If you bought something in Exeter it would be great to leave a comment on the guest book for others to see it keeps my site looking interesting. Come and see us at the Green Man Festival Pilton we will be at the end of the main road in the rotary gardens under a gazebo if the wind doesn't fly it off.....

This weekend is the Exeter Craft Festival on The Cathedral Green.  We will be there on both Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd. It opens on Friday 10am until 6pm and Saturday 9.30 until 5pm so please come along and see us. There will be entertainers on hand and it looks to be a really good event with lots to see. Last year the variety and quality of arts and crafts were great.  In order to exhibit here work is checked by a group of volunteer commitee members, this keeps the standard up and also the mix just right.  It is so good to see an event well organised so fingers crossed for good weather and happy people.

The sun has been out all week and I think it has been the best summer so far since moving here three years ago.  I think it will be the best one for all the tourist industry too, so if you are thinking of coming down this way book sooner rather than leaving it to the last minuet.

See some of you at the weekend

Take a look in the finishing touches shop to see the new pictures that have been added, some more will be included when they are photographed.

This weekend I have been busy doing a surprise lunch from a gazebo in the middle of the valley of rocks for a very special daughter and her friends as part of her hen party weekend.   A huge thank you to all who came and helped make it so lovely. Her sister's planning and organising all paid off to help the festivities go smoothly. My friend and I felt very happy to clear up and enjoy a deserved cup of tea and refused any offers of help to take down the gazebo.....how silly were we. Ever seen a gazebo take off ? We were hanging on to the ends screaming to all that passed by for help, it was by then stuck high up through a fence above a wall. Thank goodness a man came to our rescue and climbed the wall, pulled the legs out of the wire and managed to get the rest down for us.   Wow we were lucky not to be flying over the rocks hanging on to the legs... The lovely ladies in Mother Meldrums cafe were both helpful and kind, dont go to the area without going in there, that cup of tea after all that was the best.

The hedgerows look wonderful at the moment full of ragged robins, foxgloves, daisies and those bright blue little flowers whose name escapes me , we moan about the rain but when we are rewarded with all these lovely flowers and lush green hedges it makes it worth it.  All the beach cafe's are open and busy once again and there is nothing better than sitting on the beach watching the sun go down with a glass of wine and a plate of food.  Such a great way to spend an evening with friends.

I have been working as well and have managed to finish some pictures, a slow process as each stage has to have a wait in between but the result has been good and I am really pleased with them. So I feel the next cream tea will be justified , talking of which there is a new National trust cafe at Baggy Point with a lovely garden and they make a good cup of tea. The staff are really friendly and it is well worth a visit if you are down this way.

I seem to have missed a week somehow, sorry to those that check out the blog. We have been busy finishing pictures and knitting scarves which  may seem entirely the wrong time to be knitting but they sold as quick as they finished so we must build up some stock now.  Hopefully this week I will put some in the online shops. 

Do keep the 2nd or 3rd of July free as its the Exeter craft market on the cathedral green, I am really looking forward to it and hope its as busy as last year when I went to have a look.  You are in for a treat if it's your first visit. Come and say hello to us as it always nice to meet people.

Wow what happened to the weather it is so hot today that if I had not paddled in the sea my toes would have burnt on the sand, what a delight to be able to say that. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Just got back from Rosemoor and it was great to see some familar faces.  Thank you all for coming along and supporting the event. 

We are really looking forward to the Exeter Festival as it is a great location and last year it had a lovely atmosphere, keep the date free.

Day off tomorrow guess where I will be going ......

Spring Fair at Rosemoor is next weekend so do come along, check out the times on the calandar page.  I hope it's busy and look forward to seeing some familiar faces. There will be lots of new stock for you to enjoy a few new bags and pictures and lots of little brooches. Come and get those one off presents for people who like hand crafted work.

All the little cafes and shops are open for the season now and lots of visitors have been around down here. Lovely to families enjoying the beaches in the sunshine.  So good to feel the sand and sea between my toes again...

Our next craft fair is at Rosemoor gardens on the 1st,2nd, and 3rd May so please come along and enjoy the crafts and a visit to the gardens.  There will be lots of new mixed media pictures to see so come along and see what's on the stall.  Lets hope for good weather and plenty of visitors.

I have been away for a few days up north visiting friends and relations, such a great time catching up.  The weather was perfect and I so enjoyed the variety of shops and markets but it was lovely to come home.  So today was spent walking the beach in the sunshine instead of doing the things at home that I should have been doing ..

A big thank you to my lovely friends and cousins for making my trip so much fun.

Here at Hetty's we pride ourselves in our personal service and it is a joy to meet up with customers or receive complimentary emails so thank you for the lovely comments.   It's always nice to hear from people so please don't be shy leave a comment on our message board.

Looking forward to getting out and about at the fairs soon so keep a look on the calandar page and come and say hello.

Come and have a look at the Arts in the Market event in the Great Torrington Pannier Market on Wednesday 7th April 10 -4.  This event show cases devon makers and there should be about 30 exhibitors for you to enjoy.  Please come and find us and say hello.

This week we have been busy getting stock ready for the coming sales, and with the weather being so sunny it has been very tempting to walk the beaches instead.  Our badger is still visiting most evenings and the bird table has survived another week but only just.  This badger is a browny colour with just his face having the stripe is that because he is a pup ?

The clocks change soon so the days will be longer hooray !

It's spring here in North Devon, the sun has been out for ages now and the bulbs are all flowering , lambs are jumping and birds are starting to nest.  The most exciting thing is that we have a young badger visiting our garden most evenings, he eats everything we put out for him and loves peanuts. He even climbs on to a flower bed in order to reach the bird table where he puts his head right under the little roof and eats all the bird food.  I thought they were shy animals but not this one, he stays for ages and drinks from the bird bath with the outside light on. Shall have to think of a name for him..

Enjoy the sun.

There are a couple of new bags in the bags shop and some more are ready to go in but need to be photographed first.  When I think how long it took to put the first pics in the shop a year ago and it seems so easy now, so good to learn new tricks...

It's been freezing down this way but sunny, great weather if you move fast enough to keep warm.  Lots of bulbs coming up now and even some primroses in flower, when they do all come out the country side is full of them.  There's no where quite like Devon for primroses so come on and visit the west country for a lovely spring break and enjoy all the flowers.

Some new bags should be going into the bags and accessories shop this week so have a look and let us know what you think.   We hope you like the colours and   textures of the bag's   alot of   time is spent choosing what should go with what and I am really pleased with the result.

Yesterday we went   for a   lovely walk down to Heddons mouth, it was freezing but sunny and snowdrops lined the path down to the beach.   In a week or two all the daffodils will be out and it will really feel like spring.   We had lunch in Lynton in a great little cafe/restuarant/bistro  called The Oak Room opposite the town hall. Great service and excellent food at a reasonable price. The beetroot and orange soup was well a try but the coffee cake with clotted cream filling an absolute must, and by eating the veg and fruit first makes the treat ok.

Whoops this weeks blog is late due to a trip away to catch up with friends.   Luckily the weather was awful so going into all their cosy homes was a perfect thing to do.   We have only lived in North Devon for the last two years and it's always hard to leave behind good friends but Devon has been a great move where fortunately we have made lots of new friends.

Catching up to do now so back to work tomorrow...may be time to get a walk on the beach at some point, don't think I could live to far away from the sea.

A couple of more dates for craft fairs have been added to the calendar page so make a note in your diaries. Hopefully some of you will be able to come and say hello, it's always nice to meet the Hetty fans. This week has been busy making bags and accessories to fill up all the empty boxes after the Christmas sales so there will be lovely new stock on the stand.

The sun has been out today and the beach was quite busy with visitors, lovely to see children rolling down the sand dunes. A great start for the half term week lets hope the sun shines all week.

This week we have been looking for craft fairs and hopefully some will be booked soon so keep looking on the calendar page. It's always a struggle to find good fairs so we are always grateful to hear of any. 

 This week some more mixed media pictures have been made and just seeing them makes me feel like it's summer.  One of them is a picture of a walk I did last spring with all the new leaves on the trees and flowers in the hedgerows.  The country side around here is as beautiful as the coastline but sometimes forgotten in the rush to see the sea. Perhaps people either love the coast or the country I know I tend to go to the beach.  All that space and the joy of a little run on the beach not for the exercise but just because I can....

There are one or two new items in the bags and accessories shop including a lovely mohair scarf with more to follow. This is made with beautiful  quality mixed wools and so soft to wear, great when you just need that little extrra to finish an outfit. There are little brooches to match the scarf which would look nice either on the scarf to hold it together or on a bag or jacket. Keep looking as more will follow.

We are still looking for good craft fairs this year and if you know of any please email.  One confirmed is in July in Exeter on the cathedral green. It is a great event and one to book in your diary. More dates will be added when they get confirmed.

We woke up to more snow today, everywhere looks very lovely. May be go out for a walk later when it warms up. 

Take a looksy in the finishing touches shop as the sold pictures have been replaced by new ones.  More will follow shortly. If you want something different for a birhtday gift then the smaller ones make an ideal present for that special friend.

The sun has been shinning this week and it feels so good to be out walking and not freezing, it can get very windy and wet down here in Devon but when the sun shines it is the best place to be. 

How can the bulbs survive all that snow and ice ? To day I saw some lovely new piglets snuggling up to their mum they looked really cute with their curly tails all running around in their pen.   They were so funny to watch chasing each other and squeeking.   It made me feel that spring isn't so far away and that's my favorite time of year.

We now have a little van to get to craft fairs so give us a wave if you see us, the label used on this site has been made into a sticker to put on the side of the van ( a Christmas present )....so exciting yippee.   So clever how these things can be done.   What ever next   ?

Today was the first time we could get our car out without risking sliding off the hill and it was so good to get out and about. The beaches look very strange with snow on the sand, how does it settle with all the salt in the sand I wonder.  As lovely as its been to have the snow it was a joy to walk on solid ground with out worrying about falling over, the landscape looks beautiful and the colours so vivid against the white snow. 

It's work in progress as they say and soon there will be some new goodies in the Hetty shops so keep looking.

Happy New Year everyone.  How great it is to be starting a brand new decade with all the promise of spring around the corner.  The days are already starting to be that little bit longer and the sunny frosty days are what the weather should be for January. Now that the festive season has come to an end preparations for new stock will be under way and new dates in the calendar will be added as they get confirmed.  Have you all made new years resolutions ? Did you get a Hetty gift for Christmas ? If you did it would be lovely to hear from you especially if you were so excited to recieve a handmade pressy that you leapt about whooping with joy...

Keep warm, drink hot chocolate and smile, not long til easter.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Love and best wishes x

Mother's pass on their traditions and receipes of Christmas to their off spring so hopefully they live on for future generations to enjoy.  My mum  Hetty Hesketh was very reluctant to pass on the Christmas pudding receipe but I did get it in the end and will one day pass it on to my daughters but not yet...Ofcourse it is never quite as good as she made it but almost.  I love all the getting ready for Christmas but really the most important thing is to enjoy everyones company and if it isn't perfect at least it puts people at ease.  Finding just the right present for everyone is always a worry so the craft fairs are an ideal place to get that something different.  We will be getting some fairs booked for next year so keep looking on the calendar page.

It didn't rain today and we had a lovely long sunny walk on the beach to the little beach cafe which was all sparkly  with Christmas baubles and fairy lights. The mince pies were almost as good as the bacon bap.....

Last Friday I was in a panic trying to get packed and ready for a last minuet booking at the South Molton pannier market, it was well worth the effort as there was such a lovely atmosphere with everyone very Christmasy and lots of sales.Great to meet so many friendly people it will be one on the list for next year. Sorry that the hetty shops look a bit empty but they will get filled up with new stock in the new year, time to get ready for Christmas now.  

Last week I also went with a friend to the Bath Christmas markets and it was a great day out, the little wooden huts looked magical with all the fairy lights and even  children singing in the square .  The Christmas tree looked wonderful and so many big shops to look in, all decked out  oooohhhh it's nearly Christmas

Today we bought the Christmas tree and it is now sat in place looking very bare waiting to be dressed .  It's a beautiful shape and nothing can beat the real thing. Something nice about the traditional needle dropping type, the needles are smaller and more delicate looking.  At least all the fairy lights cheer up these horible rainy days. Enjoy the run up to Christmas.

November has been a busy month for us with the last sale this weekend and it was a great fair so lots of sold signs in the finishing touches , bags and purses shop.  New stock will be put in soon but as we are now applying for summer craft fairs samples of our work need to remain on the website.  It was lovely to meet new people and see so many lovely crafts. It's also good to go to another well organised event with such helpful people. We were very grateful to the man who pushed the car out of the muddy field in the rain and in total darkness, my  lovely helper for the day managed to stay almost mud free even after helping to push the car in high heels.  How do some people do that may be she just pretended to push the car....Thank you to both helpers for giving up their weekend to help.  

There has been so much rain lately that the little roads in Devon can hardly cope, making driving a bit scary at night but it must stop soon surely... Better get some Christmas shopping done this week.

Homemade here at the Barnstaple pannier market was a great success, a big thank you to Tracey Benton who worked so hard to make it happen. So many lovely artists under one roof it would be great if the pannier market hosted more events like this. Lots of people came even though the weather was dreadful  so all the advertising paid off.  Hetty's sold lots of mixed media pictures, bags and accessories and also really enjoyed the day. Hope Tracey can put together some more fun events for us all. 

Next weekend we will be at The Rural Living Show at Kings Hall School, Kingston Road, Taunton. 10-5 Saturday and 10-4 Sunday with over 120 stands, there is a £3.00 entrance fee unless you have one of my complimentary tickets.  Enquiries for the show tel : 01823 323363 Come and say hi when you find us.

Is it Christmas as all the fairy lights are on everywhere.....

Really looking forward to the handmade here at Barnstaple pannier market event next Sunday as there will be lots to do,with workshops and  demonstrations for all ages and hopefully lots of clever arty /crafty sellers for you to meet. So this week will be spent doing some more pictures in readiness for the coming events. 

Great to meet some of you at Kingsley school today but it was alot quieter than I expected. Still we had a late night last night watching the carnival and tar barrel rolling at Hatherleigh such a lovely atmoshere there, well worth a visit if you are in the area this time next year.  The people of Hatherleigh always seem a bit wacky so that adds to the delight of a visit, the homemade mince pies at the end of the evening were a real treat too, thank you Dion.

Believe it or not it's time to book shows for next summer so better do some research and get a few booked. Come and see us next Sunday.

The shops are full of Christmas but if you want that something different then check out the craft fairs and one off events around Devon.  People love to know that each piece is unique and has been handmade, each bag,picture,brooch made here at Hetty's is carefully crafted and will not be seen in the high street so don't follow the crowds into the shops enjoy a trip out to one of the fairs and meet the makers.

Our next event is on Sunday 15th November Kingsley School Bideford EX39 3QN  there will be good signage around Bideford.     10 -4

North Devon has been really blusterey this week and the beaches are almost empty but it still has a beauty of its own with wonderful moody skys and lovely sand patterns made by the wind. Brrr so many layers needed though..

Come and say hi next Sunday.

Just got back from Eggesford and had some good sales including the new bag design with matching wrist warmers so they are not in the bag shop anymore, but more will follow especially if it rains this week...Not so many people there this year which is sad as it such a friendly venue with really helpful staff.  Next sale will be at Kingsley School in Bideford on Sunday 15th November.

It's hard to believe that www. hettyhesketh.co.uk is soon to have its first birthday and there will have to be a little celebration. Now what could we do?

With these darker evenings its difficult to move outside and there is something good about settling in with the curtains drawn and a mug of hot chocolate round an open fire. Is it time to hibernate ?

Next Sunday is the Autumn Crafts sale at Eggesford Garden centre and hopefully people will be buying goodies in readiness for Christmas. This is a busy time for all craft workers the delight of selling to people that love handmade work and the wonderful worry of running out of stock before the next event. 

This week I have made some small sea side pictures and will add them to the finishing touches shop, they are just the right gift for that someone that  likes something different and not too expensive.

Today we went to Exmoor and the trees looked beautiful so many colours, I bet the camera wont do it justice but I'm always hopeful of that special picture. A great cream tea can be found at Perriwinkle tea rooms in Selworthy, the scones tasted so much better on pretty china plates. The perfect setting to find Hetty.

Last weekend we went down to Cornwall for a little break and had a lovely time,when we left home the sky was grey and it looked very dreary but we were on holiday and determined to ignore the rain.  Our hosts at the bed and breakfast welcomed us like old friends and we even had fresh flowers in our room and fresh milk in the fridge. So on with the kettle to enjoy the homemade biscuits. The next day the sun came out and we set off to explore Cornwall and for the next couple of days we had a great time. If you ever need a good b&b in a central location in Cornwall check out http://www.bensonsbandb.co.uk/ Thank you Sue and Mike for a lovely stay we will be back.

Back to Hetty's and I have been making lots cute little wooly/lacy  brooches ready for the November sales. I will get around to putting some into the bags and purses shop along with some new bags this week so don't forget to take a looksy.

The next sale is at Eggesford Gardens on Sunday 1st November between 11 - 4.  It will be great to meet some of you there, I sold there last year and it was a really well organised event with good quality goods for sale.

It was really good to see so many people on Wednesday evening, we had a lovely time a nice change to be selling in a different type of setting and it worked well for us. So a big thankyou to Tracey for all the work she put in and I think Lillico's will welcome some more events in the future, so I will keep you informed.

I have been busy with a new bag design and I am really pleased with the result so when I have more ready I will add them to the bags shop.

It feels like autumn now and the beaches are becoming empty once again, so sad that summer has gone and lots of the little beach cafe's will be closing for the season. The good thing is parking is easier and cheaper and we have the place to ourselves and the traffic has eased up but I still long for the spring and summer months.....

Next event will the first weekend in November and I will try and get back in the pannier market before then.

This Wednesday 30th between 5-9 go to Lilico's as early as you can and you will receive a free goodie bag if you are one of the first 30 to arrive.  There has been great press coverage and even pictures in the Western Morning News on Friday so lets hope the event is a great success and the lovely Tracey Benton who has organised it all will be encouraged to do more fun events.   Have a look at the website set up for this and future events www.ziegel.co.uk or you can find out about the people exhibiting by going to http://handmadehere.blogspot.com and you will see a nice write up about Hetty Hesketh.  I hope to be back in the pannier market soon but not quite ready for a full day yet but nearly.

The blackberry and apple jam last week turned out perfect and with enough clotted cream to glue it on to the scone it was gorgeous.

This week I am going to get back to bag making and I have been busy knitting panels of cable stitching so want to incorporate this into a new design but it is a slow process so maybe not ready for Wednesday.  Hope to meet some of you on Wednesday and looking forward to some tapas and a glass of wine .

Have a look at the calendar page to see the events Hetty will be selling at in September and November. I have been given some complimentary tickets for the Rural Living show in Taunton so if any of you would like one or two it will be first come first served.   I think it will be a really good show selling not only crafts but an assortment of things.

Also take a looksy in Hetty's attic a few new things have been added.   This week I have been making some more sea side picture's a smaller range and they will be added when ready to the 'finishing touches' shop.   Thank you for the nice comments about them on the guest book, always lovely to hear from you.

I have had lots of visitors this week keeping me company and taking me for trips to the coast as I am still not able to drive so this lovely weather has been a real tonic.   Have you seen all the blackberries this year we picked 6lbs this afternoon so maybe some jam making this week and all that thing with the setting time and dollops of jam on a cold plate and is it wrinkled or just too runny to pot up. The decision of if it will be called jam or sauce for ice cream.....

arty quote this week ' art does not lie in the dream, but in the marriage of the dream with the material'

Well the sun has been shinning this last week as if trying to make up for the lack of it this summer, so lovely to see the sun on the sea.  Hopefully in a few more weeks I shall be back up to full speed and busy getting ready for the autumn sales and the build up to Christmas. 

 I have been in Pymouth hospital for an operation and lucky for me it all went well and now it will take another month or two to get over it all but I consider myself very lucky and very happy to be home and mending well. The N.H.S. has been wonderful and thank goodness we have it. A huge thank you to all my lovely friends and family who have helped in so many ways.

I will add some dates on the calandar page for your diaries and hope that some of you will come and see us and as soon as I can I will be back in the pannier market on Thursdays. The first event will be the one in Lillico's on Wed 30th September between 5 -9 so pop in after work.

More sea side pictures are in the process of being made with a country side selection to be added after trip to beautiful Exmoor last week. Although I think a visit in autumn would also be good for some lovely photo's. There are also lots of ideas for some new wintery bags so keep an eye on the shops. 

Sadly I have to get a medical problem sorted out and will be out of action for awhile so not in the Barnstaple pannier market, but will let you know on the home page when I will be returning. There are also some dates confirmed in September and November and these too will be added soon.  It is always great to hear from you and what you have been up to. Have you found any good crafts fairs etc or bought any Hetty goodies...? 

Sun's out time for a walk on the beach and a paddle...

arty quote ' a work of art is either a reproduction of things, or a construction of forms, or and expression of an experience such that it is capable of evoking delight or emotion or shock.'

This week has been lovely and sunny so not alot of work has been done in the work room, but shells have been collected and photographs taken and lots of inspiring walks all in the name of preparation for the sea side pictures....I have had a friend staying for a few days who delighted in the beautiful scenary and ofcourse had to sample the lovely strawberry clotted cream sponge cake along with other yummy things on offer, trouble is I was doing the same the week before.  I really do need to cut back on all the goodies but my local friends are just as bad and its a day out tommorrow take a sarny and go for the above cake as a treat, blame it on that beach cafe. Cutting back starts next week !

Back in the Barnstaple market this Thursday, the next lot of craft fairs will be later in the year and added to the calendar page when they get confirmed.  Enjoy the sunshine.

North Devon is full of holiday makers trying to dodge the showers and enjoy the beaches, all the campsites look full and your heart goes out to all the families trying to ignore the rain.  It is a treat to see how children seem very happy when they are playing in water what ever the weather. Saturday evening was beautiful and the little beach was full of people enjoying the sunshine, a group of us had a lovely curry and watched the sun go down .  Let's hope we get a few more evenings on the beach before the little beach cafe closes for the season. 

This is a new computer and still needs some understanding so updating the shops will take awhile as goodness knows where all the pictures have gone.....

I can't make it to the pannier market this week but will be back the following Thursday so come and say hello if you are in Barnstaple.  Make a note in your diary Wednesday 30th September between 5-9 there will be an evening in a local Tapas bar called Lillico's where lots of goodies will be on sale, more news nearer the time.

It's been difficult to use my computer  this week because sadly the screen is rapidly going so it will have to be replaced.  Hopefully it won't take too long but getting to grips with a new one is not something I look forward to.  Help is on the way I hope...

The pannier market was good this week and its great that people are starting to know where to find me, it's also comforting to be part  of a good group of people that help and support each other. So come in and see us next time you are in Barnstaple. 

Please have a look in the shops as I have put in one or two bags and items in the 'finishing touches shop' there are more to be added but will wait until I get the new computer.

We have had such alot of rain surely there can't be any more in the sky. Not that it spoilt the walks on the beach , last week a friend stayed and we had a lovely time walking, talking and eating.  One evening we went  to Sohia's in Woolacombe it was a really good evening, the food was excellent and the atmosphere lovely.  It is a tapas bar & bistro with a laid back relaxed feel to it .  Try it out if you are down that way www.freewebs.com/sophiasbistro 

arty quote : 'any fool can paint a painting, but it takes a wise man to be able to sell it'

The Green Man Festival was great with lots of families out enjoying the day, it is a really good festival with a lovely relaxed atmosphere.  Luckily we had a gazebo and kept dry when it did rain but the weather didn't spoil the day and it was lovely to meet some of you.  The sea side pictures are selling well which is good news with a box full of blank canvases to do.....

  Sadly I will not be able to go to the Woolsery show as I am not able to drive at the moment due to an eye problem.  Thank goodness for friends who have driven me about and helped me to get to where I should be this last month.

The rain stopped long enough for a lovely walk on the beach this afternoon, it was warm enough to paddle and we finished the afternoon off with a drink on the balcony of a cafe over looking the sea, ooh I'm so lucky to live here.

Lots of painting this week in readiness for the weekend ahead so fingers crossed for good weather.  Hopefully we will meet some of you at the Green man festival in Pilton near Barnstaple on Saturday and on the following day at Ashford village fete where we will be selling in the old rectory garden in a gazebo between 2-5.  I have been told that cream teas are on offer, ooh yum.  Last Thursday we didn't make it to the pannier market but will be there this Thurday so sorry if any one popped in looking for Hetty's stall.  A big thank you to nifty- thifty for such a lovely write up on the blog spot so good to read nice things about your work and also great comments from the readers, see you at the Green man on Saturday.

Today we travelled back from Bournemouth via Lyme Regis and had a lovely day there, lots of little interesting shops and galleries. One had a studio above a shop and the artist painted huge canvases of brightly coloured flowers she was almost dressed to match her paintings and such an interesting character. I really enjoyed meeting her almost a bit scary but fun and I was so busy taking in her look that I didn't really hear what she was saying.  Think I should develop a more interesting look....

This weeks quote  ' everthing has its beauty but not everyone sees it '

It was so nice to meet people in the Barnstaple pannier market on Thursday. I look forward to seeing you again on the next trip down from Birmingham and hope that the goodies you bought for you know who likes them as I am sure they will.  Take a look at a site called niftythrifty some lovely things made from recycled materials and plans for an event in Barnstaple in September it sounds a great ladies night out which I have been invited to sell at.  Will keep you informed when I hear more but think it will a very classy fun event.

My computer is home and working much faster thanks to the 'Computer' shop on the square and a man called Shane.  So I would recommend it as long as you are no hurry and can leave it a week.  No excuse not to put some more things in the shops now... .  I love making the pictures and am busy getting more ready for the Green Man festival in a couple of weeks.  There have been such lovely comments about them that it encourages me to try out different things and to my delight they usually turn out just as I had imagined  so come and see our stand in the gardens at the bottom of the High Street in Pilton on the 18th July.

A cup of frothy coffee awaits so time to get back to some painting unless it stops raining and then its off to the beach to collect one or two shells.....

Art quote for the week 'It is certain that the secret of all art ....lies in self -oblivion'

This week we have been busy looking for Christmas craft fairs to book as last year they got booked up really early,we have managed to find a couple and will add them to the calandar page as they get confirmed.  Still waiting for my computer but not long now and then the website will be updated with some new stock.

The Barnstaple pannier market was quiet this week which is a shame as the building is a great space with lots of potential.  May be it needs some muscians to add some atmosphere and some more craft people like a potter with a potters wheel and a weaver with a spinning wheel some dancers dancing and artists painting , choirs singing and fashion students selling off their project pieces or exhibiting their art works and a jazz band playing, cooks giving us all samples of goodies ooohhh so many things ..........

A heat wave is forecast this week so the only way to keep cool will be to paddle in the sea eating ice cream whooppee...

art quote for the week ' the more minimal the art the more maximum the explanation'

Another week gone and the vintage bags sales are picking up so look out for the new ones when my computer comes back from the menders.  I so miss my little computer and hope that it is not too serious, through doing this website my feelings towards computers have really changed and I can see how it could become compulsive that is if I didn't have other things to do with my time and the beach wasn't so near.   I will check emails every day but new items will not go in the shops until my computer is better.  So keep looking in Hetty's attic and the finishing touches shop for new goodies in about a week.

Friday night was bliss a group of us had a plate of curry followed by lovely pancakes rolled up with toasted coconut and honey ooh yummy.  All this on the beach watching the sun go down, it was perfect , we were thinking that we might kidnap the couple that run the beach cafe and not let them return to Shrilanka at the end of the season.

From a little book of art quotes    ' art closes the gap between us and our dreams '

A busy week making picture's, selling at the Finch Foundry, visiting craft fairs and walking round an anthletic track for cancer relay for life.   Well done to all those that took part in the relay for life race in Braunton a lot of money was raised between the teams and it was a great occasion enjoyed by all and good to be with friends and family.      

Back to Hetty's and the next big sale will be the green man festival in Pilton in  July so time to make more bags and pictures.   The Finch Foundry was a beautiful location and a place to be recommended for a day out but not great for a craft fair.... On Friday I went to meet a friend in Exeter and we had a lovely time enjoying all the crafts stalls set in the grounds of the cathedral, hopefully next year we will be having a stall there.

Beautiful sunny North Devon is the best place, great scenery, friendly people and beaches to die for. I am so lucky to have found it. Hooray it's summer.

Another show at an end and luckily the weather was good, lots and lots of dogs at the Bowood dog show and a successful day for all the organisers. Quite funny to watch all the stall holders in the craft tent protecting their goods when the next lot of doggies came in with their owner's, not all of them had trained their owner's very well with regard to the length of  their leads  so a few  stalls got knocked and stuff went everywhere.   As usual we had a good day and met lots of lovely people including some friends and family.  

Our next event will be next Saturday at the Finch Foundry near Oakhampton, really looking forward to seeing a proper blacksmiths forge.   All the events we are attending are new to us and it will take this year to find out which are right for our handmade bags and pictures so  it's always good to hear from anyone with good event knowledge. Back in the pannier market in Barnstaple Thursday week.

I do hope the man that bought one of our lovely pictures got it home safely on the back of his bike as it poured down with rain   as we passed him on route home.....

Off for a walk on the beach , whoopee .

Our next show is next Sunday at Bowood House near Calne in Wiltshire, any profits from the show go to charity so I do hope it will be a great day for everyone.  We have friends and family going so I am really looking forward to meeting up with them.  The new sea side pictures will be on sale along with the handmade bags and accessories so the 'finishing touches shop' and 'handmade bags shop' will be closed for the weekend.

Barnstaple pannier market was quiet on Thursday although we were told it was really busy the previous rainy day so I think the weather plays a big part on the trade there. The day was still enjoyable as the other stall holders make it fun, there's always someone making jokes in between drinking tea and eating doughnuts.  

 It's great to have this lovely weather so good to be able to walk along the sea shore picking up the odd shell and paddlle in the warm rock pools, blissful to have summer here.

There are a couple of new sea side pictures in the finishing touches shop so take a look before they get sold, the handbag making has been put on hold for a bit as the pictures are selling so well   which is great news as they are such a delight to make.   The photographs really don't do them justice as they have lots of things added to them which makes them very unique.   Next big show is in Calne at the Bowood dog show on Sunday 7th June so if you any where near come along.   Also good to know that the show is for charity.  

It's bank holiday weekend and the sun is shinning here in lovely North Devon. Everyone seems to be in holiday mode and wearing summer cloths all heading for the beaches.   There are still places to find a desserted beach even in the busy season, last night we walked along Crow Point and it was empty and beautiful with a lovely sunset, so it was fish and chips on the beach and indigestion for the walk back  hey ho can't make it all perfect other wise you would all be envious.

Have a great weekend

We have added a few more  vintage bags in the attic shop and we are gathering other items to put on the stall to complement the vintage section , it's great fun finding little gems to include but very difficult to part with them all.  Also a problem with every new bag that's made. the last one is always the best one ever and would go perfectly with an outfit.....we will add some more bags to the site soon.  That's one good thing about rainy days , the beach is less appealing and the work gets done.

Summer is on it's way .....

After a slow start at RHS Rosemoor it ended well.  It's always great to meet lots of people especially those that  make lovely comments about the handmade bags and mixed media pictures.  Such a good feeling when people buy something and really love it.  A big thank you to our helpers over the weekend, where would we be without friends and family. There were a few new pictures all ready for the online shop but have been sold before going on there, which is very gratifiying.  Sadly the photo's do not do them justice on the 'finishing touches ' shop but hopefully more happy customers will leave comments and you will all be able to read them. Thank you to those that have already.  It's also good to know that the website is being used to find out where we are selling next and people are coming to see us, other dates will be going in but need to be confirmed.  Next big one is Bowood Stately home in Wiltshire so a bit of time to make more things to sell.  Every Thursday we can be found in the Barnstaple Pannier market near the front on the left as you go in.

Last night we had a meal in 'At One 'in Braunton and the food was great, so was the service.  They were very welcoming and my sea bass was perfect, not enough room for a pud so must have been good.  It wasn't cheap but it was worth every penny.  Not often the case these days and usually we feel cheated.  So if you are down this way treat yourself . 

Oh well must go the sun is out and the beach beckons........

Bank holiday weekend at RHS Rosemoor and one more day to go. Saturday was a busy day selling and meeting lots of people both trading and buying.   It's also very interesting to hear comments on our bags and pictures.  Today was  very quiet and one trader even fell asleep, my excitement was introducing my friend to the new magic dryer in the loos where we cheered happily at the fun of using them. Doesn't take much too make us laugh here in sleepy Devon.   If you are reading this then please come along tomorrow and enjoy the beautiful gardens and come into the craft tent to say hello. There are lots of new pictures as yet not online but keep looking in the finishing touches shop. There are also alot of vintage bags to go in Hetty's attic so keep looking.

Next week we will be back in Barnstaple pannier market on Thursday and in Torrington for a craft fair at the weekend.

The hedgerows look lovely at the moment full of bluebells, primroses, wild orchids and ragged robins. such a lovely time of year with the promise of summer.   I haven't seen much of the beach this week and feel the loss so must have paddle, walk and a natter over a cup of tea with friends looking out to sea.   Doesn't that sound perfect..have a good week where ever you are.

Sorry the blog is a bit late this week but just got back from the Exmouth sale and had to update the online shops.   It was a good show and a great selection of stall's difficult not to spend all the profits.   No time for walking on the beach this week as the stock needs to be replaced ready for the bank holiday at RHS Rosemoor.   Should be a great weekend a chance to see the lovely gardens as well as the crafts so do try and come along.

This blog could be just about the characters at the Barnstaple pannier market and the laughs we have there but as some of them are starting to read this I need to think about what I write. May be I should give them all nick names and see if they recognise themselves.   The Christmas tunes are still being whistled and we are still up the front of the market ...hooray.   Will write more next week as a glass of wine is waiting to be drunk.   Have a good week.   Thank you for all the lovely comments and join the fans of Hetty Hesketh on face book   please pass on the website to all your friends.  

Please take a look at the latest pictures in the finishing touches shop they are all original and very different also a great joy to make.   Take home a little bit of North Devon .  

So good to hear that Hetty's blog has a following hopefully the nice friendly manager at the Barnstaple pannier market will reward all my advertising by keeping me up the front end of the market and find me a great position to trade so that you will all be able to find me.   Come and say hello and let us know if you read Hetty's blog.

For those of you that were interested in Jill Denton's classes she does have a couple of places left on one or two courses so make contact with her as she forgets to update her website but is very good at emailing.

Our next show is at Exmouth Pavillion called Pretty Posh it sounds like a really good event find the link on   Hetty's calendar page.   Looking forward to going south and being part of Pretty Posh , have to get out the pearls and lace gloves.

Last night for an hour we sat on a little beach drinking coffee, eating cake, collecting shells to put on the new pictures and watching the sunset how lucky am I..... wish you were here I bet you do.

It was much busier on Thursday in the Pannier market and most of the traders had a good day.   The vintage bags and bits of jewellery seem to be selling well so we will be adding more to our stall,  so come into the market if you are in the area.   This week we were next to the W.I ladies, an entertaining group who had queues whilst most of us were still setting up and by lunch time had sold out.   Both delighted and infuriated at their success I think most us were thinking of going home to do some baking and jam making.

Easter has been lovely here in the west country all the primroses are out and the lambs are in the fields such a pretty county to live in.  We also had the first B.B.Q of the season and no rain...

This week has been busy making more bags and adding them  to the shop, sales are picking up as the website gets discovered. Hetty's handmade bags  are  a lovely special gift  for someone who likes handcrafted presents.

 Keep on looking at Hetty's attic as we are still  finding more vintage goodies hidden under the tea chests.

Thursday was market day and we are starting to feel part of the community that trade there, a real mixed bunch who entertain with their quick wit and make the day pass really quickly.   Of course there are exceptions and the man that whistles Christmas tunes in April can get a bit irritating after hearing them several times......   The excitement this week was the manager taking photo's of all the stall holder's trying to take them when they were unaware but he wasn't quick enough so they had time to brush their hair, pose   by their stall, change hats etc etc , we couldn't get an answer as to why he was taking them so guess he was just trying to make everyone feel special  or he was just bored with paper work.

Some new dates have been added to the calendar and some more are getting confirmed so will be added, come and say hello if you come to any.

Enjoy the lighter evenings.

Hooray it is summer and the beach café with the best clotted cream and strawberry sponge cake has opened for summer, they even give you tea in a china mug an added bonus.  

The pannier market was a bit busier this week and it was encouraging that customers from the previous week came back into see our stall.   I think this year we will have lots of visitors to the area as the hoteliers are saying they are booked up for the season. I guess people are trying to save on flights and staying in the U.K.   If that happens it will be a great boost for the local businesses.   I still feel that North Devon hasn't been found and I am one of the lucky ones to have discovered it.

Some new bags will go in the shop soon and hopefully the photographs will be better but I have a long way to go on that one so please try and catch up with us at one of our sales and see the bags close up..

Wow a whole week of sunny days how lucky are we. Not a lot of sewing done this week, the beach is so near and this weather may not last......

This week was the first selling day in the Barnstaple pannier market sadly not many people came in but a great day meeting the other traders and plenty of friends came in to see our bags and other goodies. These local markets have been around for years and helped so many small businesses get started.   If you are looking for local produce whether it is food   , crafts   or antiques then please come and have a look crafts are there on Thursdays and soon Mondays. Look forward to meeting you one Thursday.

Happy Mum's day

The sun is shinning and it feels hot enough to paddle, hooray winter is on its way out.   Some new bags are going in the shop after writing this and we hope you like them, must do some summery ones next.

I went on a one day  course to make a felt bag and it was really good, a group of friendly ladies and a brilliant teacher who took the meaning of multi tasking to a whole new level. Much to my delight and surprise out of the soap suds and water I had made a lovely bag.   The day was good mainly because the teacher had the rare quality of enthusiasm for her craft and the ability to teach it to us. Look out for her work shops and check out her website www.jilldenton.co.uk  Thank you Jill and my daughters for the present.

Better add some handmade bags to the shop now. Enjoy the sun.

Take a look at our shops for a handmade treat for your mum or let her look and choose something for herself. Its a shame that flowers etc seem to be more expensive around mother's day but hopefully children will still make things and look after their mum's on their special day. Nothing can be more rewarding than a home made gift especially if you haven't had to make it yourself.......

Starting on Thursday 19th March we will be selling at Barnstaple Pannier market each Thursday so if you are on holiday in Devon or a local please come and say hello.  More crafts fairs will go on the calendar when dates get confirmed.

This week we have been busy making bags and they will go into the shop very soon so keep looking. Handmadte brooches will also be added when the photography course helps us get some better pics of them.

Hooray people are actually reading the blog, almost a surprise to find that out so feel free to leave a comment as long as it's someting really really good.

Wow its snowing.

During March with every handmade bag bought you will recieve a small purse or handmade brooch free. If the chosen bag includes a purse then a brooch will be sent. Remember it will soon be mothers day...

In the last blog I mentioned The Little Shop in Barnstaple, well the repair was excellent so I am very pleased. They do not have a website but it is situated in Bouport Street and can be found on the net if you look it up.

The days are drawing out now and thankfully lighter evenings, not long until summer. Trouble is all the windows look dirty and the garden needs doing what to do first .....

Some new bags have been added to the bags and purses shop with more to follow so keep looking. Hopefully the photos will start to improve on the shops as one of us is about to do a digital camera course, so over the next six weeks yet more technology to digest.   It all seems so removed from choosing material, ribbons and lace but in a strange way very rewarding.  

On a very different note. Isn't it just great when people do their jobs proffesionally, yesterday     I took an unusual silver brooch that needed the pin replacing to   The Little Shop in Barnstaple after trying else where with no luck. The brooch is very special and I was quite worried about spoiling it with the wrong repair, I left it with the lady and today had a call to say it was ready to pick up. How good is that and the shop is a delight with unusual pieces and a friendly welcome. When I pick it up I will find out if they have a website for you all to look at.   A big thumbs up to The Little Shop.

Have a good weekend.

All the bulbs are showing their heads now that all the snow has gone and it feels like spring is on the way, North Devon will soon be waking up and getting ready for the summer visitors. Hooray flip flops and ice creams.

Handmade bags are becoming very popular as people are getting fed up with seeing the same bags in every high street shop. Thankfully there is a need for the individual that likes to be different and here at Hetty's we will fulfil that need.  Recently we have recieved some lovely materials and we will enjoy experimenting with them, its good to know that there are people around that want to help a new venture. Many thanks and hopefully we will go from strength to strength. 

Happy days

Busy busy here at Hetty's getting bags made for the coming season and finally feeling confident about making entrys on the website.  It can become quite an obsession looking at the Hetty Hesketh website and checking for comments and wondering what changes can be made to improve it. Hope you like the cotton reel pictures, dont think the charity shop assistant could quite believe my excitement at finding them and announcing how good a photo they would make, infact some sympathic glances came my way when her co worker joined her. But they are lovely objects to own ......Keep looking for new entrys on the shop.

Some new bags are in the shop and more cut out in the work room ready to be made. The links are starting to work and our rating on google is up if thats the right jargon, anyway if keying in Hetty's bags or Hetty Hesketh it comes out top of the list. So a big thank you to all Hettty fans for helping in the process.

Sunny here today and the first beach cafe open in mid week hooray, not long before its time to paddle and  the man at the beach cafe who makes the best clotted cream and strawberry cake I have tasted comes back to us. Roll on spring.

Been busy today googling ourselves and adding links to our calendar.  Hopefully they will be useful to anyone who wants to come and visit us at a show.  Also been listing ourselves on local directories to try and raise our profile.  This one seems to be quite good http://www.northdevonuk.co.uk/NDevonLinks.html , if anyone knows of others please send us an email.  Thanks!

Well the attic is now open and more stock will be added when grandma has another sort out. Hope you enjoy the new shop.  Have a look at www.nationaltrust.org.uk Finch Foundry an interesting venue for a craft fayre on June 13th and it looks like a good day out, so one to look forward to.  In May we will be selling at the 1646 Torrington www.torrington-1646.co.uk  a craft and food fayre and hopefully RHS Rosemoor over the early May bank holiday. The venues and details will go on the page as soon as more come in. 

Still have lots of snow up on Exmoor and it does feel very cold today so stay warm and safe.  For once the beach doesn't feel so appealing. Even the snowdrop walks were cancelled today, perhaps they were hidden beneath the snow, never mind not long to wait until the daffs poke their heads up to brighten our days with the promise of spring.

Is it Christmas ? Snow even down here in the west country. Here at Hetty's we are still busy with the website, getting some vintage bags photographed ready for the Hetty's attic shop, sadly only one photo per item is allowed no matter how hard we try, so an inside view will be included on the next item   with some of the bags.   The name of the bag will be the same so do check and email if you are not sure.

Funny how so much time can be spent on the computer checking this and that and updating the blog etc almost like having endless imaginary friends   what with the lady on sat nav and face book. It will be really good to meet a few of you at the shows during the year.

Keep warm and get the thermals out...

A new section has been added with more to follow, we hope you like the pictures all are orginal.  It is a slow process taking photograhs to put on the site,  down loading and cropping only to find they have ended up as a background on the computer and no idea how to retrieve them. Eventually getting them where they should be only to find they don't do justice to the product and then the dilema of shall we start all over... Oh no we say life is too short.

Some confirmations of bookings for shows and sales are coming in and when we get a few more they will go on the page so keep looking.

Well it's official the site is online now and the first shop is up and running.Even had the first comment left. All this new technology to get to grips with but very rewarding when it all actually does what you wanted it to do.

The weather down here in beautiful Devon has been cold today but sunny and the beach always beckons, so tempting to just leave everything and go walking. But bags need making and shows need booking so better get back to it .

Have a fun weekend

Happy New year to everyone and all those that received Hetty gifts we hope that you loved them. This is the time to get all the fairs booked for the year and re-stock all our empty boxes after the Christmas sales. The dates for events will be posted on the page as soon as they get confirmed. Looking forward to meeting you all in 2009.

So exciting to have a website ....