A SILVER PIG FOR SILLY SATURDAY

We went to Jack’s, our usual haunt on a Saturday morning and met two of our friends, Gill and John - I took a photograph of her sausage and mushroom breakfast roll but decided it wasn’t quite silly enough for today’s Blip.  

When we parted company, Mr. HCB and I went across the road to Oink Gallery, where we decided to go in and speak to Mark, the owner - you may remember that I blipped him and his girlfriend, Lily, for Silly Saturday earlier this year on 16th September.  His gallery has many quirky, original works of art and designer products, as well as cards and wrapping paper so it was a joy to walk round and see many of them and chat to Mark too.

We asked if he had had a good Christmas and whether business was good - he said he got by, but that his business, along with many others “on the High Street”, were being hit by places like Amazon.  He even said that his prices were similar to those at John Lewis and people could come and wander round his gallery without all the attendant hassle but sadly that hadn’t happened.  

I rather liked this silver pig - but couldn’t quite afford to buy it at £220 - but was assured by Mark that it was cast from a real pig and was a genuine “Piggy Bank” that could hold up to £10,000 in pound coins.  I think it would take too long for us to fill it, so we just enjoyed looking at it.  If you are interested, it is available in black, gold and silver and I’m sure Mark would be happy to sell you one.

Online shopping is OK but nothing beats going into an actual shop to look at and touch the object you want to buy and it’s a bonus when you can also speak to the owner of the shop, so thanks for the chat, Mark and we hope your business goes from strength to strength in 2018.  

“When you support hand-made,
     you are not just supporting
          a person, small business,
               a family, our economy;
you are purchasing
     a small part of an
          artist’s heart.”
Anon

P.S.  Thank you SO MUCH for the wonderful response to my 1,825th Blip yesterday - I was overwhelmed by all your kind comments, stars and hearts, which put me at the Number 2 position on the Popular page.  I tried to respond to everyone who left a comment and will gradually catch up with your journals - you are a great bunch!  M xx