Makers Blog — SingleMaltTeapot

SingleMaltTeapot is the creative hub of Vic Phillips. A photographer & woodcrafter living & making in the Brecon Beacons.

Along with Samantha Wheeler it is our journey as we explore, cook and craft our way to the goodlife.

I'm headed back to London tomorrow to teach a workshop over the weekend but as I'm making the trip a day early, accompanying my dad who has been visiting Willow, I'll have a bundle of carving time on Saturday to get going with the new pieces I want to make for @herefordfood. The last of my 15 year aged cherry will become more of the honey dippers that I have begun loving so much (I might even keep one) and I am shaking off my reluctance to carve more butter knives. They are something I have always felt I never quite got right but with so many of my offcuts being just the right size for them I thought it was about time I actually carved a few.
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#slowliving #thatsdarling #theartofslowliving #kinfolk #morningslikethese #thatauthenticfeeling #seekthesimplicity #aquietstyle #postitfortheaesthetic #thedulcetlife #villagesociety #craftsposure #makersgonnamake #creatorslane #makersmovement #craftyfoxfinds #woodworking

Part of my birthday treats at the weekend meant Willow getting her first feel of sand between our toes and a wonderful chance to capture a few moments of our always curious little girl. For a while my camera began to feel like a tool, albeit one I loved using. Willow has brought it back closer to my heart as something that gives me both a unique view of our growing little wonder but also a way to record that and look back at all these memories. It has always been one of the things I loved about shooting weddings, that very personal view, and that being part of my time with Willow is pretty lovely.
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Willow was also completely fascinated by the sand and how it felt on her feet, her curiosity is astounding. It was a bit on the chilly side to dip her toes in the water but with mama so gleeful at paddling it'll only be a matter of time 😆
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#slowliving #thatsdarling #theartofslowliving #seekthesimplicity #morningslikethese #aquietstyle #postitfortheaesthetic #villagesociety #thedulcetlife #kinfolk #thehappynow #nothingisordinary #newdad

There remains something utterly lovely in packaging up spoons (or anything for that matter) and sending them off to their new homes. It's always my hope that they'll gather memories and stories, used in new hands as another part in the wood's long grown story. The cherry spoon here was aged for half my lifetime before reaching my hands and must have grown for many times that. There is a history to these pieces beyond my humble shaping and that is such a part of what makes them so rich, of what we can connect to in something like this. . . . . . .

#slowliving #seekthesimplicity #theartofslowliving #thatsdarling #thatauthenticfeeling #makersgonnamake #craftsposure #thedulcetlife #kinfolk #thehappynow #villagesociety #creatorslane #aquietstyle #postitfortheaesthetic #makersmovement #craftfoxfinds #morningslikethese #woodworking

Secret projects, works in progress and Willows favourite toy. Since the rather scary situation of needing to take Willow into hospital she has simply been going from strength to strength, completely back to her smiling self that gets amazingly cranky when it's time to think about bed. The out pouring of thoughts from everyone was beyond lovely so I hope you'll share a little smile and sigh of relief at her being fully on the mend now. .

I'm also looking ahead to upcoming projects and events that have me trying out new things and combinations. I am loving making honey dippers (apart from the one that broke the other day 😝) and the fact that as a new shape it is still a bit of a learning process. They will find their way to the store in time but initially I will be heading to @Herefordfood with them as something special just for the festival. I'm supremely excited about being a part of the festival so want to make sure I have a few special goodies for folk visiting. .

There's about a week left to enter one of the draws I have running on the website. Next Saturday I'll pull out a few lucky winners who will bag themselves some hand carved goodness! Head on over to the site if you fancy taking part 🙂 . . .

#slowliving #thatsdarling #thatauthenticfeeling #makersgonnamake #aquietstyle #seekthesimplicity #makersmovement #villagesociety #postitfortheaesthetic #theartofslowliving #thedulcetlife #woodworking #thehappynow #morningslikethese #craftsposure #creatorslane #creativecorner #morningslikethese

I have been incredibly honoured to be featured by the fantastic (and vital) @justacard blog this week. I had the chance to chat to one of my perennial favourite makers in @madebymrsm about my process, what I get up to in my spare time and the issues facing makers today; dropping in some props for wonderful markets (@craftyfoxmarket & @solocraftfair ) and the creatives I am completely adoring right now (@2hungrybakers & @jynsym ). It also seemed the perfect time to pick up a couple of cards to celebrate the great things the campaign does and I was certainly not disappointed in finding my way to the work of @littlepapervee and @jadefishercardco.
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That it has taken so long into the week for me to be shouting about this on here is testament to one hell of a week, last weekend being rammed with photoshoots, events and workshops that all rather fell away in importance as Willow had to be rushed into hospital while I was in London. I'm back with Sam and Willow and we are back home now with the docs assuring us all will be well but it is probably about the toughest thing I have faced. My mind is suddenly extremely adept at what if's and as Willow keeps on the mend there are moments of confusion and discomfort for her that completely break my heart. She still has plenty of smiles though and seems to grow before our eyes in both size and the growing list of things she can now do. Still, it's been a rollercoaster of a week.
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Away from all that though a lot is going on that I am extremely excited about letting you in on over the next few weeks providing I don't give in to the constant imposter syndrome that awesome things always lands me with, my own worst enemy I swear 😝 Before all that though there's still plenty of chances to grab a ticket for the draws I am running over on in the store, they are a great chance to grab a deal and also put together a few pounds for a good cause. If you get a moment, do go take a gander 🙂
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#justacard #creatorslane #makersgonnamake #villagesociety #makersmovement #craftsposure #thatsdarling #thedulcetlife #seekthesimplicity #postitfortheaesthetic #kinfolk #thatauthenticfeeling #aquietstyle #littlestoriesofmylife

Vic Phillips

Still completely 💛 sending creations off to their new homes! #maker https://t.co/KT4eBJoWBh
about 5 days ago