Dear Avid Nicholas Mosse fan

A Very Happy New Year to you from all of us here in the shop!

The shop Christmas decorations have been put away and have made room for the budding of spring stock……but, oh, if only the weather would catch up with us!

Hopefully the hardships we endured weather-wise over Christmas are behind us; although I’ve heard so many heart-warming stories of people caring and sharing and helping each other in such a good neighbourly way. But isn’t that what the Christmas message is all about; doing good without any regard for reward??

Whispers and glimpses of new shapes have reached down the corridors to me……………….
(new clock; new vase) ………but my lips are sealed and I couldn’t possibly give you even a hint……..(new platter; new jars)

Here’s a picture of the lovely Mary, who won 1st prize in our December raffle, and we were delighted that she came in to be presented with her big box of pottery.
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We posted off the second prize to County Roscommon and I hope Kieran got his reindeer pattern cake plate and yummy Christmas cake before the 25th

Upstairs on the first floor we’ve a few (NON-POTTERY) lines on sale to make room in our stock room………glass birds, a few throws…...things like that. If you’re coming in, take a look, they won’t be there for long, I’m sure.

Whether you come for a bargain, or just a browse or a coffee, we look forward to seeing you…
Till next time,
Carol

Brrrr!!

Dear avid Nicholas Mosse fan,

Brrr! But we're open! It's business as usual at Bennettsbridge. We've been slipping and sliding our way to work through the Winter Wonderland that is Ireland just now.

Here's our Snowman who stands at the front door!

As I write, he's a few days old already; but, apart from a few melted fingers and a decidedly runny nose, he's still standing tall!!

And this is the dazzling view from the cafe window......



We know that a lot of you, because of the bad weather, have been unable to come along to the shop.
So....we're shipping orders --worldwide -- for free -- until December 12th (December 10th is the latest for guaranteed Christmas deliveries outside Ireland). So sit back, relax by the fire, and shop at your leisure. We'll miss you, but they say the thaw is on its way....
Stay safe & stay warm, til next time,
Carol

Dear Avid Nicholas Mosse fan,
Our October customer event was a real success.
It was great to see so many of you; our loyal and dedicated customers.
A big THANK YOU from us to you, for responding to our invitation to come visit and bargain hunt.

And now the Christmas season is well and truly upon us, as evidenced by the sparkling window display on the ground floor.….


The 2 shop floors are a dazzle of pretty glittering lights and ornaments.
(Even when the news is glum, we mustn’t lose the capacity to feel festive and to let beauty gladden our hearts.)

Nowadays the shop is easier than ever to find.
The new M9 motorway has recently been extended and passes within just a few minutes of Bennettsbridge.
Leave the motorway at junction 9 (the Bennettsbridge exit).
Look out for the filter turn to the right. Drive for a couple of miles, and at the T junction at the bottom of the hill turn right. The mill will come into view almost immediately, on your left.

A warm welcome is waiting for you here.
Till next time,
Carol

October..... and the leaves are turning....

Dear Avid Nicholas Mosse fan,

First of all........
Congratulations to Agnes, from County Kilkenny; the winner of the Extra Large Salad Bowl in last month's raffle draw.

September was a busy month; getting ready for our October 'customer event'.
We look forward to welcoming all our regular and much-valued customers during the coming month.


NEW IN STORE is the fabulous City Kitty range.............

Susan Mosse's inspiration for this dramatic cityscape, with its touch of humour, came from a girlfriend's pet cat.

And here's the whole range, displayed on the ground floor.....

With the lovely Anne at the counter...............................

This will be the shortest blog ever......until I update it........

very soon......

but for now I'll sign off......till next time....

Carol

Dear Avid Nicholas Mosse fan,


Here's Noirin from Co. Kilkenny being presented, by Nick, with her gift box full of Wild Flower Meadow cappucino cups and saucers.

Noirin was the winner of our July customer draw.


So many people, as they dropped their entry into the draw box, said "I never win anything." Well, I bet that if there were ever a competition for the most pleasant, friendly and good-natured customers of any shop in Ireland, our customers would win hands down!

The production side of the mill has been a quiet place this last fortnight, with the pottery staff on their two week vacation. We're looking forward to the buzz of them being back and busy next Tuesday, when our veiwing windows will again be looking in at their industrious hands at work.




A few 'oddment' lunch plates were brought over to the shop recently. Here are some of them. What do you think.?...a strong border surrounding a single central motif. Anyway, I photographed 5 in a row, just because we are in Kilkenny, and because of the year that's in it.





I've decided that, over the next few months, I'll take you on a visual tour of the shop and pottery, area by area, so that those of you who've never visited us will get some idea of what it's like. (It's delightful.) Maybe I'll tempt you to come by!





Early this morning I took a couple of shots of the cafe (which seats 40) before it got busy. I tried to get a picture of the mouth-watering tower of cup cakes, and delicious strawberry-topped chocolate gateau. (Can you tell it's nearly my lunchtime?)



Through the cafe's arched windows are spectacular views of the river...........................













On the far wall you'll see a glimpse of Nick's antique spongeware collection. They are beautiful examples of the craft that inspires him. If you've never stopped to look when you've visited, do take the time, next time, to study these fascinating works of art.


More works of art are the cafe's homemade scones,(out the oven at 11.00) followed by the garlic and cheese scones soon afterwards, which fill the shop with their homely, enticing aromas.

I obviously need to eat, and quite soon............

So, till next time,

Carol

Dear Avid Nicholas Mosse Fan,



Here's an update-photo of the front terrace......
It's looking prettier and prettier.

And I've got my new camera! Prepare yourselves for album after album!

Our Irish Country Shop draw ends this weekend. One lucky shopper will be the winner of this gift box full of Wild Flower

Meadow cappucino cups and saucers!

Here's the new Nicholas Mosse steamer (cum serving bowl).

I got one, and it's great! When the food's done, flip the lid and it becomes the base. And there you are; from oven top to table top, and no broken spuds!

Here it is in some other patterns. (I obviously haven't got the hang of the flash yet!)

And, just because it looks so very, very pretty........I thought I'd show you the shop window display downstairs on the ground floor. It's a magical, floaty tent; and there are the cutest wigwams, and flowery soft cushions, and lots more inspirational girly loveliness. Just what we ladies like to see when we go shopping!

It's St Swithin's day today.............and it's raining.........

But I'm not superstitious; and never will be, touch wood!!

Till next time,

Carol

Dear Avid Nicholas Mosse fan,

The NEW front-of-shop terrace is coming along and shaping up nicely. The lads are doing great work and we are passing on all our customers' compliments to them.

It's looking welcoming and comfy ............rather like the inside of the shop really!

If only the sun had come out while I took this photo! (If only I could take a decent photo!)

The lovely NEW Nicholas Mosse tinned & scented candles

are in stock now.

As usual, my attempt at photography won't win

me any artistic awards; but hopefully you get the picture, if

you'll pardon the pun.

And if, like me, certain smells can suddenly unlock a

memory that instantly takes you back in time to

a beautiful place, then you'll love these subtle scents.

I'm off on a 2 week vacation. (Or, as I'm not going away, a stay-cation!)

So, more than ever, I hope the sun shines on each and every one of us.

Till next time,

Carol