The Industrious Magpie

07/05/2023

I've just finished making this whiskey barrel lid table. This table is slightly different from the others that I've made in the past as I've oxidised the oak barrel lid top.

Oxidising oak is a process in which you can turn wood a dark colour that's somewhere between black and gorgeous dark blue.

"How do you do this?" I hear you ask.
Oak is full of what is called tannins, most plants and trees have varying degrees of tannins with oak and chestnut having the most.

These tannins chemicaly react with ferrous metal. If you have ever seen a steel nail or screw that has been used in Oak, the immediate area turns blue/black.

To turn the colour on the table top I simply immersed steel wool in vinegar for a few days, then painted the vinegar on to the Oak.
The change happens immediately, it's fascinated to watch!!

28/04/2023

Hello😁
Right!!
Sort this important debate out for me:

I've been having a heated discussion with someone, it's not quite coming to fisticuffs but certainly verging of giving Chinese burns:

Mashed or boiled tatties with your mince?!

06/03/2023

I'll be at The Market at Solsgirth Home Farm this coming Saturday. Come say hello and have a blether. 😊

🌷THIS WEEKEND🌷
We’re absolutely delighted to let you know that once again we have a completely full Market at Solsgirth Home Farm
All your favourite stalls plus a few new ones
Lots and lots of amazing food, drinks and produce
Delicious street food
Wonderful arts and crafts
Quality artisan goods
Craft Demonstrations
Free Childrens crafting
We’re going with a floral theme this month
So look out for :-
Sat & Sun, Troy-Ann's Caribbean Kitchen
Sat & Sun, BASE Pizza
Sat & Sun, The Chocolate Box
Sat & Sun, The Chocolate Lab
Sat & Sun, Nae Bother Food
Sat & Sun, Mr Dunbars Coffee
Sat & Sun, Solsgirth Home Farm Ltd
Sat & Sun, Castle Game - Scotland - Ltd
Sat & Sun, Erincroft Bakery
Sat & Sun, Caledonian Blooms Ltd
Sat & Sun, Woodmill Game
Sat & Sun, Ailsa Graeme Home Fragrance
Sat & Sun, The Muffin Man
Sat & Sun, The Tiffin
Sat & Sun, SaltRock Brewing
Sat & Sun, The Crab Company (Scotland) Ltd
Sat & Sun, The Little Bakery
Sat & Sun, Ochils Coffee Roastery
Sat & Sun, Selkirk Distillers
Sat & Sun, Winters Washes
Sat & Sun, Almur Art and Design
Sat & Sun, KMJewellery
Sat & Sun, Just Herbal Teas
Sat & Sun, Bertos Brownies
Sat & Sun, Leithal Hot Sauces
Sat & Sun, Jack & Jills Jam
Sat & Sun, MiaMae
Sat & Sun, Janico jewellery
Sat & Sun, Bellablu Boutique
Sat & Sun, The Woodworks
Sat, Womble Shoes
Sun, Barkley Glass
Sat & Sun, Ann Crafted
Sat & Sun, Theblissfulsoapcompany
Sat, The Crochet Hen
Sun, Gill's Tropic Skincare
Sat & Sun, Natural Sparkle Ltd
Sat & Sun, Molvino Fine Wine & Spirits Co Ltd
Sat & Sun, Recycling Timber
Sat & Sun, Happy Hemper CBD
Sat & Sun, Ghanaian Baskets
Sat & Sun, Splendidly Scottish
Sat & Sun, R Anderson’s Fruit & Veg
Sat & Sun, Ancala Crafts
Sat & Sun, Falling Leaf Clothing
Sat, Homebaked By Hannah
Sun, Enigmatic Nature Art
Sat & Sun, Pipedreams Scotland
Sat & Sun, Blair Cottage Collections
Sat & Sun, Pure Craft
Sat & Sun, Sisu Stationery
Sat & Sun, TheTreecycler
Sat & Sun, Hamish MacDonald
Sat & Sun, Dizzie Textiles
Sat, The Industrious Magpie
Sun, I Love That
Sat & Sun, Find Scottish Roots
Sat & Sun, Gnome de Plume Fife
Sat, Aly-Art Creations
Sun, Knitted with Love by Margot.
Sat, OOak Creatures
Sun, Painted at the Kitchen Table
Sat & Sun, Pamela Woolley
Sat, Tradenots
Sun, Willow Works, Crieff
Sat & Sun, J&s Teak furniture supplies
Sat & Sun, The Happy Go Lucky Dog Company
Sat & Sun, RSPB
Sat & Sun, Sunshine Designs
Sat, It’s A Gift
Sun, Hunt & Grind
Sat & Sun, Eiledon
Sat & Sun, Hughes Bakery Company
There are toilets on site as well as ample free parking and visitors will be able to enjoy the beautiful farm site
Well behaved dogs are welcome, but must be kept on a lead
We have a one way traffic system in place, off the B913, near Saline.
IN via the main Solsgirth House entrance, look for the white sign, and OUT via the home farm exit
Solsgirth Home Farm Market, FK14 7NZ
We’re all looking forward to seeing you at the weekend
JSG Market Management
Alba Stall Hire

14/02/2023

Every 2nd weekend of the month, keep it free for the Solsgirth Market, dog friendly with loads of makers and excellent food vendors.

WHAT A WONDERFUL WEEKEND
We just want to say a massive *THANK YOU* to everyone who came along to the Market this weekend - street food vendors, food producers, artists, crafters, artisan traders, visitors and canine companions
It was just fantastic to welcome so many people back to Solsgirth Home Farm, and we really appreciate all your support
Massive thanks to everyone at Solsgirth Home Farm Ltd for all their hard work and help in making the market happen
To Hamish, Marcus, June Willow Works, Crieff and Philip The Woodworksfor their fantastic demonstrations
To Sue from Sunshine Designs for her beautiful arts and crafts plus all the wonderful children’s Valentines crafting activities
Thanks also to Laura and the team from Alba Stall Hire for the great market set up and take down.
This market truly is a huge team effort
Dates for your diary, the next market will run on Saturday and Sunday 11th/12th March
We are all looking forward to welcoming you back to Solsgirth next month
JSG Market Management

11/02/2023

All set up and doors are open!!
First one of the year, let's see how it goes! 🤞🙂

09/02/2023

I can't wait to get back to Solsgirth Home Farm this Saturday for the February weekend market and with some new products of course.
It's a fun and relaxed market with a great bunch of makers and stall holders.

09/02/2023

My work secret friend is truly awesome, I need to up my game! 🤔

01/02/2023

Feels like a lifetime (and a beard) ago that I set up my own workshop.
Unfortunately it didn't work out, I still think it was a great idea!
But I'm a firm believer that things, good or bad, do happen for a reason to knock you on to a better life course.
I'm much happier being my own boss (as well as working full time in a job that I love) and being able to imagine with no constraints, then hand craft what I want to, and if people love what I make, then want to own what I make, well that is the strawberry (I don't like cherry's) on top of the icing on the enormous cake of life.🍰 😁

08/01/2023

I know it's a bit late but HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone, I hope you all had a great festive time 😁
We had a very quiet and fun time together but It was bitter sweet for us here at the Magpies nest.
We sadly lost our lovely boy Winston just before Christmas... at 16 years old we can't complain, he gave us many more happy and joy filled years than we thought we would have.
If you have a pup give them an extra tight squeeze today for us. X

23/11/2022

The shopping evening was a great success at Caledonian Blooms Ltd in Kincardine, with a great cause receiving a very generous donation from all those that contributed. Thank you to Janine and the girls for a very fun evening.

Massive thanks to everyone who donated to the raffle and bought tickets on Friday, we raised £287 for !!!
Don't worry if you didn't get a prize, you cam check out all the wonderful suppliers below! Give them a follow or a like x
Many thanks
Janine and the flowertots 💜
kincardine