KAY RIBBENS

Mochrum Park House, Kirkcowan, Newton Stewart, DG8 0BY

T: 07909 618 126 E: kayribbens@hotmail.com

W: www.kayribbens.co.uk Kay Ribbens Hats

I am a textile artist specialising in designing and making unusual, innovative, extraordinary hats and headwear. I use various techniques to weave and sculpt an original, unique and affordable piece of wearable art. My work is a continuous experiment creating a new collection every year. What to expect: Visitors can always expect a warm welcome into my large, airy, busy studio full of colour, yarns, tools, baskets of wool, exhibition pieces, threads, works-in-progress, paintings, sketches, and of course a large display of hats and headwear. Children's table. Teas & coffee.

£33 - £500

Recommendation:

The Old Bank Bookshop, Wigtown: Joyce and Ian have thousands of highquality antiquarian and second hand books and sheet music.

Directions: From Wigtown take B733 towards Kirkcowan for 4 miles. From Newton Stewart take A75 towards Stranraer. After small cottage hospital take 2nd left onto minor road, follow for 5 miles.

Accessibility: Low step to access the house with studio and toilet on ground floor.

what3words: ///coconuts.doll.drama

Mary Gladstone

Craighlaw House, Kirkcowan, Newton Stewart, DG8 0DQ

T: 01671 830208 E: craichlaw2@yahoo.co.uk

W: marygladstonepottery.uk marygladstonepottery

At my studio I make a wide variety of beautifully designed and finished pots. Depending on clay type and glaze these are glaze fired in either a gas (reduction), or electric kiln. I sell pots from an adjacent gallery, on-line, in shops and at exhibitions.

What to expect: Visitors will be able to see a working pottery studio with differing clays, pottery wheel, kilns, throwing and trimming equipment. In addition glaze making materials, pyrometric cones, coloured slips, local clay slips, test tiles and biscuit fired pots will be on show.

£18 - £300 what3words: ///straddled.glider.update

10% discount for Friends of Spring Fling.

Directions: Turn south off the A75 at The Half Way House junction – 7 miles west of Newton Stewart. Follow the road for ¼ mile and turn first right at the lodge gates.

Accessibility: The pottery is easily accessible.

Suzi Plunkett

2 Drumterlie Steading, Newton Stewart, DG8 6QG

T: 07399 000 780 E: hello@littledotcreations.co.uk

W: littledotcreations.co.uk littledotcreations

Joshua Williams

1 Station Road, Newton Stewart, DG8 6LJ

T: 07935 770 049 E: byjoshuawilliams@gmail.com

W: www.byjoshuawilliams.com ceramicsbyjoshuawilliams what3words: ///passions.dices.fulfilled what3words: ///worlds.sorters.district

Using fine liner pens, I create my illustrations using thousands of little dots and circles. Designing prints, homewares and greetings cards, everything is handmade in my studio. I draw inspiration from my love of nature, fairy tales and life growing up in rural Galloway.

What to expect: Visitors can expect to find my whole range of designs and products on show in my studio alongside original artworks, works-in-progress and the tools I use to create my designs. Mr Dot will have the pizza oven fired up for any hungry visitors!

10% discount for Friends of Spring Fling.

Recommendation: Crafty Distillery Wigtown Rd, Newton Stewart – the 2020 Scottish Gin Distillery of the Year.

Directions: At Newton Stewart roundabout, take exit towards Stranraer. Turn left approx 2km along A75, follow this road past farm for approx 2km, turn right. Look for Steading signpost.

Accessibility: The door into my studio is wide enough for narrower wheelchairs but wider equipment may struggle.

I am a traditionally trained potter working in Newton Stewart. Using locally sourced materials where I can, I make both functional pieces as well as ceramic art, with a focus on bringing the values and practices of the pottery tradition into the contemporary setting.

What to expect: I will be showing current progress in my developmental use of local and foraged materials. I will also have an exhibition of the larger, more sculptural ceramic art pieces I am currently working on, as well as examples of the processes I use.

10% discount with a current Friends card.

Recommendation: Walk the old Lade path in Kirroughtree for interesting local history and beautiful forest surroundings.

Directions: My studio is on the corner of Station Road, next door to the butchers and opposite the Cattle Market.

Accessibility: There is a slight step up from the front door which is small enough for any pushchair or wheelchair. Plenty of parking on the same level as the studio means easy access from the street.