We had a really good exhibition, possibly our best ever at Aberglasney Gardens. The one time derelict mansion is gradually being restored and each time we exhibit there are improvements. It is a beautiful setting and June is prime time. I launched into silk painted kaftans and georgette multicoloured waistcoats which proved to be quite lucrative as large paintings don't seem to sell well (mine don't anyway!) The problem now is finding an outlet for those left over. I have tried local shops on a sale or return basis but have been vetoed because of the VAT problem. Any ideas would be welcomed! The velvet scarves were largely ignored - I suppose flaming June wasn't the time for them but I was surprised to sell all but one of my square scarves - I thought long ones were in current vogue.
Cards always sell well and some of our folk have become competent with computer prints on silk of the house and grounds which have souvenir value to the passing Summer visitors. Eye pillows, lavender bags, specs cases and necklaces added to the variety and we were complimented on a very colourful show.
At the last moment I managed to set up a table with silkworms and their story displayed from photos taken last September when in China. This provoked a great deal of interest and I was amazed how many older folk told me how they had kept silkworms during their schooldays. Alas very few children today have the opportunity to see the cycle from egg to moth for themselves as there is nowhere now in UK for them to view. As we had the worms at several stages there was a chance to see cocooning as well as the munching of mulberry leaves. There was only one mulberry tree within a reasonable radius for me to collect the daily quota of leaves, fortunately only four miles away. Several people having read the info said they now realised why silk was so expensive! I certainly learned a great deal from the experience if only to understand the derivation of by-products like the throwsters waste and mulberry tops.
Ripple Foster