Artists In The Garden IV: Annette Emms of Fairy Shoes and Other Things

Welcome to the fourth of a series of interviews about artists who garden. Today's interview will be with Annette Emms of Fairy Shoes andOther Things, a textile artist.

1. What is your art, hobby or craft? How did you come to creating it?

I'm a textile artist, a creator of books and a teller of tales. As far as I can remember, I've always had a needle in my hand and a story in my head.



I'm selling the pattern to make these shoes in my Etsy shop, here.

2. What is your inspiration?

For me, inspiration is all around, in the magic I find in the natural world, in poetry and in Myth and Legend. I love to explore the places in my stories, to get the 'feel' of things. This summer I spent time researching the legend of 'Tristan and Iseult', in Cornwall, so romantic...I hope to make a mixed media book about the legend.

3. How does your garden or nature influence your art?

I love to walk in the beautiful countryside where I live. There is so much which excites me and influences my work, whether it's an ancient tree or a rippling sea of bluebells in my favourite woodland.



4. Will you share a picture or pictures of your garden with us?





I feel like an impostor here! My gardening skills are minimal and my garden tiny.
I'm sure you'll understand when I tell you that it has suffered at the paws of my lovely Rowan, a Flat Coated Retriever, who's happy hunting ground is my poor garden!
All is not lost though, the birds still come to visit and my roses have somehow survived, I like their waxy perfection and enchanting scent.

5. Will you share a picture or pictures of your favorite plant?



Does this tree count as a plant? Hope so.
It's an old, old Oak, on a ridgeway path near to my mother's home in Malvern.
Over the years I have visited it many times, with small children, several different dogs and sometimes alone in the pouring rain. Each meeting fills me with wonder.

6. Do you have a favorite public garden to recommend?

I'm a member of the National Trust for Great Britain and enjoy visiting the gardens in their care.
It's hard to choose a favourite, perhaps a formal knot garden, the topiary at Lytes Cary, or the wonderful landscaped parks made centuries ago by Capability Brown?

On reflection I think I'll choose the Colby Woodland Garden, in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
It has a delightful formal, walled garden with many rare and exotic plants and a wild and lovely woodland walk with peeps through the trees, to the sea.



7. What is the best lesson you have learned from the garden or nature?

Each of nature's seasons has it's highs and lows, just like life,
"for every thing there is a season..." (Ecclesiastes 3. 1-8)


8. Do you have a gardening tip to share with fellow gardeners?

I'm just not qualified to answer this question! Having said that...I love to encourage birds to visit my garden, they are so sweet to watch and funny too. I remember a few years ago, a most persistent little Blue Tit who kept landing on a large yellow toy duck ( which had been left in the garden by our last dog Theo) and tugging with all his might to get some of the toy's stuffing, to line his nest. Each tug, lifted the duck's head a little and poor old Theo, watching close by, was very confused!

9. Show us your favorite item in the Annetteemms.etsy shop

I only have one item for sale at the moment, the pattern for my Fairy Shoes.


10. Show a favorite item from another etsy shop.

My favourite items on Etsy are in Rima Staines The Hermitage. Do visit her, there are many delights to wander through!

Annette, I thank you for sharing your love of nature and creative inspiration with us! I look forward to reading your mixed media book about the 'Tristan andIseult" legend.
Wishing you much success!

Thanks for visiting, please leave a comment if you'd like and stay tuned for the next "Artists in the Garden" interview.