Flights of Fantasy

08/05/2026

I'll be among the artists and craftspeople exhibiting in Esher over the bank holiday weekendin the lovely Bluehouse Artspace.
Do hope you will come and find us. Members will take turns with stewarding duties - I'll on Friday morning.

04/04/2026

Happy Easter everyone - sorry, we had to eat yours!

07/03/2026

Don't forget to visit the current exhibition at Ramster Hall, near Chiddingfold. This exhibition encompasses some of the very best textile work you could hope to see from artists around the country. It's only on until March 22nd, so I'd hate you to miss it (especially as I have some work there as well as some smaller items in their 'shop' section.
Sadly the flyer I was sent won't attach, so here are the details you need:
RAMSTER EMBROIDERY AND TEXTILE ART EXHIBITION 2026
6th March - 22nd March (10am - 4pm)
Ramster Hall, Petworth Rd, Chiddingfold, Surrey, GU8 4SN www.ramsterevents.com
Admission £9.00, Children: Free (under 16, must be accompanied by adult), Registered Disabled: £4.50.
Wheelchair access, disabled parking bays and toilet available.
Tea House (open 10am - 5pm)
01428 654167

Ramster Hall and Garden is a place to visit in Surrey which is renowned for its collection of rhododendrons and azaleas. Enjoy a walk in 25 acres of woodland.

22/01/2026

Last few days to see the beautiful work on show at the CQ Surrey exhibition at Denbies, near Dorking.
The event will end at 2.30pm on Sunday but you still have plenty of time to drop in for a cup of tea and see this amazing work. I'll be stewarding all day Saturday so do come and say hello.

30/12/2025

Just thought I'd mention lots and lots of items in my Folksy shop are being relisted at sale prices throughout January and the beginning of February. https://folksy.com/shops/charlescottage
I am planning to close my folksy shop for a while as sales have been slow and I get more interest from other selling sites. I'm not sure I have a lot of faith in retail at the moment so will be concentrating my efforts back into teach workshops again.
Bag yourself a bargain and stockpile gifts for the rest of the year!
HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A REALLY SUCCESSFUL 2026.

Charles Cottage Designs - Beautiful creations in handmade felt and upcycled materials

02/12/2025

Now that all my Christmas events are over, I have been listing again on www.craftsinfocusonline.com and https://folksy.com/shops/charlescottage
Some items have special, time-limited offers before Christmas, like this one: https://www.craftinfocusonline.com/product/kaleidoscope-handfelted-artwork/
My Folksy shop is easy enough to find, but on Crafts in Focus there doesn't seem to be a way to find a complete shop, though once you've found one item, it does at least show you some other items from the same seller and if you scroll right down it has a button 'view all'. Might be worth a try?
Please don't leave ordering too late if you want items to arrive in time for the Christmas holidays. With this limited postal delivery service we now have you do need to think ahead!

Keleidoscope wall art

28/10/2025

Over the past few weeks you will have found it difficult to access the craftinfocusonline website where I'd suggested you look if you can't make it to an event I am taking part in.
It's all back on line now - they've done some updates and everything is working fine.
I shall be taking some of the items listed with me to South Hill Park in a couple of weeks' time, so if you'd like to get ahead of the crowds, you can order now or from https://folksy.com/shops/charlescottage. Not necessarily the same items listed on both sites!

Charles Cottage Designs - Beautiful creations in handmade felt and upcycled materials

30/09/2025

A busy weekend ahead. I'll be exhibiting with Horsley & Clandon Society of Arts on Friday evening (private view) and Saturday.

Then on Sunday I'll take some smaller items to Shere Village Hall, so get your lists together and come along for some early Christmas shopping! The gathering of craftspeople changes each time this group exhibits at Shere, so even if you have been before it's worth another look! This month I'll be taking textiles!

29/08/2025

Our local Nextdoor carried this notice this morning:
The UK Emergency Alert Test will take place on Sunday 7th September 2025 at 3pm. Victims of domestic abuse, using a hidden or emergency phone should be aware that a loud siren will sound on ALL phones even on silent. To stay safe switch off or use airplane mode on hidden devices. Share this message with anyone at risk. Anyone in need of help & support call the Surrey Domestic Abuse Helpline 01483 776822 9am to 9pm 7 days a week.
It may be that you know someone who would benefit from this advice, so please share the information

18/08/2025

Time marches on - how have you all been coping with the excessively hot days? I have just been grateful for the cooler ones in between!
Now looking ahead to September and the first Sunday I'll be in Shere Village Hall with some other Surrey sellers. I've not exhibited with them here before so not sure I can reliably tell you what you'll find other than my work, though I suspect there will be some textiles, wood, ceramics and glass - so a good selection and you can start ticking off some names on your Christmas list. No, you can never start too early!
I am planning to be there on the first Sunday of each month leading up to Christmas and I'll be taking some plaster casts, along with felt and new textile work - different ranges, probably, each time, so keep offering a variety.
Here's a selection to start you off!
Meanwhile some of these can be found online at https://folksy.com/shops/charlescottage and https://www.craftinfocusonline.com/ NB: at the latter I am listed under Nancy Shafee.