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You can now follow Itch Gallery on Bloglovin! I've only just discovered Bloglovin but I really like it as I can follow all my blogs in one place, no matter what platform they're on. And I get emailed updates so I know when I have a new blog post to read. I will do a new blog post soon on great blogs to follow for makers/general lovelyness.

Jen x

Buy art, Save a dog!

'Dreaming'

'Daddy Long Legs'

A while ago I stumbled across a website/blog called 'A Year to Help.' Fed up of "claiming to be an animal lover and yet doing nothing to help," Martin Usborne, who runs the site, has taken a year off work to try and save as many animals as he can.

This approach may sound a little extreme but I have the utmost admiration for this guy, he's simply doing what he can and I wish there were more people out there like him.

I have a little dog called Dylan. He is a whippet cross and has helped me through some tough times. We rescued him and watched as he grew and began to trust us and I am very thankful he is in my life. So when I read Martin's post 'The Rise and Fall of the Galgo' I felt sickened and compelled to help. (NB: I couldn't get the post out of my head for days after reading the treatment the poor Galgos suffered so you may want to give that post a miss if you are of a sensitive nature!) 

'Leader of the Pack'

When I saw that Martin, himself a professional photographer, was selling his photos of the Galgos with all money going directly to help a Galgo rescue centre in Spain, I knew this was how I could help in my own little way. I am proud to say that Itch Gallery is now selling some of the beautiful Galgo photographic pieces online and in store and every penny (except postage) will go straight to the Galgo rescue. All 4 of the images in this post are for sale. They are £35 each plus £2.99 postage and packing in the UK. You can buy them through our online shop, in person through the gallery or even over the phone. Just give me a ring on 01572 756760 if you would like more details.

I, too am fed up of sitting idly, whilst others take up the challenge of making a difference. EVERYONE can help. YOU can help buy buying a print, I can help by not taking any commission, Martin can help by producing his prints solely for the charity, and Charlotte at the charity can help by taking that much needed cash and going to the rescue!!

'Ambo - Profile'

New Jewellery!

I'm pleased to show you one of our new jewellery stockists - the lovely Evie Milo of Milomade!
Milomade is based in Scotland and follows the motto "too goo too waste" which I think is an excellent concept and really sums up her unique style.

One of the things that struck me upon receiving my delivery from Milomade is how her focus on reducing, reusing and recycling even applies to how her pieces are packaged and presented - which I think really adds to their value. Her pendants even come with a little tag explaining their provenance - the one below was originally a silver teaspoon crafted in 1909 by Charles Wilkes. I love the idea of knowing the heritage of your pendants' previous life and wondering what life was like for the person who made it or first used it.

Vintage Silver Teaspoon Love Heart Pendant

Since having a more in depth look at the Milomade website I discovered that Evie also sells cartoon envelopes and ephemera packs - perfect for a stationary geek like me!

Silver Heart Earrings on Presentation Card

The run up to Christmas stopped me blogging for a while - watch this space for more information on some of our other selected artists and makers too! P.S. - Check out what Evie wrote about Itch Gallery too, over on the Milomade blog....