www.peakdistrictcreations.co.uk

 Launched June 16th 2011 turns 6 months old today.  Every month has seen growth in both Creator Subscribers and visitor numbers. For those of you that like the hard facts - read on:-

Page Views c 18,000

Unique Visitors 3370  of which 1 in every 3 returns for another look at least twice !  and for in excess of a minute. - How long do you stay on a webpage when 'browsing'.

1 in every 5 visits comes direct to the website and the balance reach via a combination of social media links, other website referrals or organic search engines.

So whats popular ? After the main site Landing Home Page & Search Members Page.

No. 1 the News Feed -  471 hits

No. 2 - top of the list for Creator Pages goes to  'For Goodness Cake' with 430 hits on her Occasions Cakes page

No. 3 -  'Look Creations' Creator Page with 423 visits,

No, 4 - For Goodness Cake  (again) for the Creator Page at 395 visits.

No.5 Rob Wilsons pages continue to prove popular as do those of Linda Moss & her Sheep to Chic pages. with over 300 visits each

The Creator Locator Pages having been launched in the last few weeks, has had in excess of 270 hits - which for the minimal cost of getting a pin on the map (£10) for non subscribers has to be a bargain.

I plan to add a testimonials / feedback form for any visitors wishing to leave comments etc. It may also prove useful for Creators to leave their view on what the site has provided them and what they have doen. do to help boost their traffic. For example, having handed out now in excess of 1000 business cards for the website and added email footers including the link the site has continued to grow with direct hits. For Goodness Cake includes the website address on every box of cupcakes sold - trust me thats a lot of cupcakes !

I will announce the winner of the November News Feed competition next week when I have added up all the page views to determine the winner - at first glance it looks like a close finish.

Just thought you'd like to know !

Mathew Look

Look Creations

Peak District Creations

Something for the gardening enthusiast looking for something a bit diiferent or wanting their prise Roses, Peony, Delphinium or Clematis to be given a bit of support out in the weather.   Take a look at these hand made steel plant supports by Garry Szafranski.

Or for those of you looking for a hand made willow alternative try here

Mathew Look

Peak District Creations

Following a number of requests for these bowls I have included them in my range of products, alongside the 10mm diameter hardwood knitting needles.

The bowls are made to order from available hardwoods sourced locally.  Each Knitting Bowl is crafted in such a way that the rounded base is balanced to ensure that whilst the bowl can rock and sway it always presents the wool ball upwards. the swaying motion created as the yarn is pulled out adds interest to the casual observer ! The size varies depending on requirements typically 6 to 8"  diameter with a 3 to 4 inch opening.

A range of quality hardwood knitting needles are to be developed with the aid of Linda Moss from Sheep to Chic to provide a knitting pack of her local wool and patterns with unique handmade Needles and Bowls from Look Creations both Peak District Environmental Quality Mark Holders.

Knitting Bowls

Use the contact form to inquire.

Mathew Look

Workshops Winter 2012 with Linda Moss at New Mills Original Gallery.

Linda Moss is a well-known local felt-maker, and also teaches in the Fine Art Dept. Of Sheffield Hallam University.

All workshops £25 half-day session, (10.30-1.30) includes all materials, and refreshments. Bring a packed lunch if you wish.

Numbers limited to 8 per workshop to ensure individual attention.

All these workshops should equip you not only with a hand-made, unique artwork, but (with a bit of practice)also with the skills to show others how to do it. Ideal for teachers, youth workers, therapists or just for fun!

Paper Bead Necklace £50 for 2 sessions
JAN –Suns. 22nd & 29th

In this two-session workshop, you can design and make your own beads from paper, and then make them into a necklace. The finished beads are durable and wearable and look good! In session 1, we will make the beads, and in session 2, you can thread them in several stands to make a unique piece of wearable jewellery.

Flat-felt Hat/Bag £50 for 2 sessions
FEB – Sats. 18th & 25^th

This 2-part workshop will enable you to make pieces of flat felt in the traditional, wet-felted technique from wool fleece. You can incorporate silk and other fibres to give texture if you wish. In session 2, we will make your felt pieces into a hat or bag for you to take home. (For a hat, you need to be able to knit or crochet). We can embellish these with felt flowers made from your offcuts. All felting materials, including decorative beads, linings for your hat or bag, are included, but bring a ball of wool and knitting needles/crochet hook if you want to make a hat.

New Mills Original,Rock Mill Lane, New Mills, SK22 3BN.

Need more details?

• Email our co-ordinator at: nmoworkshops@hotmail.co.uk

Contact Linda Moss: 01663 750913 or linda@linda.moss.name

• Linda Moss and Sheep to Chic on www.peakdistrictcreations.co.uk

Ways to book:

• Pay online via our website www.newmillsoriginal.co.uk

• Post a booking form & cheque to the gallery

• Pop into the gallery with a booking form and pay with either cash or cheque

Following a few discussions with interested would be creator members, I have clarified the membership criteria as there was confusion. A member does not have to live or be based in the National Park. The Peak District Creations area covers areas outside of the national park, in Cheshire, Staffordshire, Greater Manchester, South Yorkshire and of course Derbyshire. A creator may be inspired by the National Park, or its surroundings, the Creator may gain supplies of materials from within or around the Peak District area. We can't all live in a small stone built cottage in the foothills of the High Peak for example .... (currently damp and cold as I type) . The website is designed to promote creations with a direct asscociation with the Peak District. I suspect as time progresses, the Qualifying Criteria will be refined further. For now:-

Qualifying to be a Member

1. The creator or organization must be based within the Peak District Area or surroundings - this can include the place of work, studio, workshop or primary gallery (see note below)
2. Add value to a material rather than simply buy in, re-package and sell on
3. The creations must exhibit some level of skill and ability on the part of the creator in their making.

Each case will be considered on its merits at application.

Note

The geographical area refered to as the Peak District National Park is not the defined limits to Peak District Creations members - Creators may live & work in the Peak Park, or may visit frequently. Many creators which are based far and wide draw inspiration from the Peak District Area and produce creations which reflect that which is special about the Peak District. There must be a clear ascociation between the creation and the Peak District - this is not always easily defined and is why each case is concidered on its own merits. If you would like to join the creators on the site, please use the contact form.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Image from Look Creations - Windgather Rocks Nr Whaley Bridge