Fyne and Crafty Folks!!

Well, having posted this blog before and then having it 'lost' by Blogger (thanks for that, Blogger!!), I decided to re-post most of the content as the original blog was rather fine and dandy and although the event it was publicising is now long gone I really wanted you all to see some of the fine array of craft-y stuff going on in Argyll - so here goes:


Recently showing in the craft tent at the Loch Fyne Food Fair, the following talented folks from around the region:

Tom Butcher - contemporary, unique and beautiful ceramics 

Tom Butcher designs and hand-crafts both sculptural pieces and functional tableware from his studio on the shores of Loch Long, Scotland.

A Touch of Glass - Hand Crafted Luxurious Glass Jewellery and Glass Art Works

Kirsty Brady is an Argyll based glass artist working form her studio at home, since training in Glasgow in 2002. She works using mainly kiln worked glass art, using traditional techniques to produce a wide range of items. From small pieces of jewellery to large architectural installations.

Highland Bling - Unique and Individually crafted items of ‘everyday wearable’ jewellery 

Made right here in the Scottish Highlands by Samantha Macphee. In addition to Sams' unique and colourful bespoke designs, you can recycle and incorporate your unused or sentimental items of jewellery for a piece of "Highland Bling" with that personal touch!

Lomond Soap - Palm oil free soap, handmade in Scotland 

Lomond Soap is a small soap company based in Argyll, just a stones throw from Loch Lomond. Their soaps entirely handmade, cut and packaged by them. Using Shea Butter, Olive, Coconut & Castor oils along with essential oils, fragrance, herbs, flowers & natural clays, Lomond Soaps have a rich, creamy & luxurious lather that is suitable for even sensitive skin. Free from palm oil, they help to preserve the rainforests of Malaysia & it's inhabitants, particularly the Orangutan. Owner, Corrie Smith, also produces a range of hand creams, lotions & liquid soap.


We are really lucky that in this area we have a wealth of talented Artists, Crafters and Makers - look out for more Craft-y events coming your way soon at the Tree Shop! Plants, trees and a whole lot more!!

Green!

Living and working in such a beautiful place makes us think about how we can treat our environment better and strive to be more careful with our wee spot on the planet.

Beautiful Glen Fyne

So, we buy as much of our stock from local nurseries such as the Ardkinglas Estate Nurseries. We 'shop local' for our cafe food - our famous Venison burgers come from Winston Churchill Venison (yes, seriously) at the Balagowan Deer Larder, our cakes, soups, quiches, sandwiches are all made in-house from local ingredients and by our wonderful cafe staff and other local cooks and bakers. This also gives us the opportunity to try out inspiring ideas on each other - usually a good thing!

Mmmm - gluten free Honey, Fruit & Nut slices

Even our plates, cutlery, napkins and cups are 'green' - they make look like ordinary disposable items to you, but these bad boys (see below) are 100% compostable! 

As green as it gets! Vegware plates & napkins

They come from a fantastic firm called Vegware and we were delighted to hear that they were named Best New Product in the Climate Week Awards - Vegware’s completely compostable packaging was the 'most inspiring and innovative entry with the greatest impact when it comes to tackling climate change'. In 2010 they helped their clients save over 110 tonnes of carbon, and are aiming to help save over 250 tonnes in 2011. Not bad, eh! And we are very proud to use them and do our bit at reducing our carbon footprint.

100% Compostable - Genius!!

Easter Feaster!

The weather is blissful, the shop hums with activity and the area heaves with visitors - the Easter weekend is here!! In honour of this we have gone Cake Mad!!

Divine Cupcakes

Decorated Shortbread

The Most Amazing Chocolate Cake

Little Nests!

Could this simply a case of having ones cake and eating it, literally!! Drop in if your driving past and save us from all this temptation - please!!!!

Spring Fare!

We love our food at the Tree Shop, we love cooking, we love experimenting and we love it when a good plan comes together. So very excited to unveil our new veggie pasties -

Going, going....

Homemade shortcrust pastry filled with sweet potato, kidney beans, peppers, courgette, red onion, carrot and celery! Delicious!!

Gone!!!

It went down an absolute treat with our tasters as you can see! Just a few crumbs left and some very satisfied grins!






And as we head into spring we continue to expand our range of vegetarian alternatives and offering healthy options. We already offer a mouthwatering array of soups and will be offering stuffed peppers, veggie spicy bean burgers, salad pots, vegetarian flans and bakes - we even do a gluten free toastie! Plus, we have lots more ideas we're bursting to share with you and wait to you see our cakes!!